Chapter 113: Prototype of the R&D Team, Candidate for Procurement Director (Requesting

“Boss Chen, generally speaking, to optimize an Android-based mobile operating system for better usability, you’ll need at least one systems architect, four to six developers for the framework, six to eight for applications, two for drivers, two UI designers, and four to six for testing and security architecture—that’s roughly a twenty-person R&D team.”

Wang Teng took a deep breath, organized his thoughts, and explained slowly.

“How long will the development cycle take?”

Chen Yansen asked again.

“Nine to twelve months,” Wang Teng replied.

“Too slow. With ample funding and manpower, what’s the fastest you can finish it?”

Chen Yansen shook his head and pressed further.

“Three months—but we’d need to ramp up to sixty people, and even after launch, we’d have to keep refining and fixing the product,” Wang Teng paused, reorganized his thoughts, and gave a new estimate.

“Draw up a staffing plan. Before you join, I’ll have HR get you fully staffed.”

Chen Yansen said bluntly.

“Boss Chen, what about Fox Tao ’s mobile app? Are we still doing that?” Wang Teng finally realized—the real goal was still to build a phone.

“Build the OS first; the app can wait. Current mobile devices and network conditions aren’t ready to support Fox Tao ’s full shift to mobile.”

Chen Yansen spoke calmly.

“I understand, Boss Chen. I’ll join as soon as possible,” Wang Teng decided and volunteered.

“Around here, everything’s rural. Most hires from outside usually rent teacher dorms or houses across Dongmen—you can ask Xu Dan for advice and get housing lined up early.”

Chen Yansen patted his shoulder and smiled as he reminded him.

“Thank you, Boss Chen,” Wang Teng grinned, his tone now tinged with greater respect—he’d accepted the offer, so Chen Yansen was now his boss.

“It’s lunchtime. Want to try the cafeteria food here at Xueyuan?”

“Then I won’t be polite,” Wang Teng agreed cheerfully—if the boss was paying, even boxed meals deserved his company.

Chen Yansen called over Wang Zihao, and the three headed to the cafeteria together.

Over lunch, Chen Yansen and Wang Teng naturally fell into talking about OPPO, Xiaomi, and the broader trends in China’s mobile industry.

“Brother Sen, you’re really entering the phone business?” Wang Zihao, after listening awhile, asked in surprise.

“Still in planning. Making phones isn’t simple. Keep it to yourself—don’t go blabbing it around the team,” Chen Yansen warned Wang Zihao.

Xiaomi’s R&D team had over a hundred people, plus tech giants like Lin Bing and Li Wanqiang—and even then, it took them over four months to release the MIUI beta.

Though Wang Teng had claimed three months, Chen Yansen didn’t truly believe it—he treated it as Wang Teng’s personal target, just to see what kind of prototype he could produce.

“Cool!” Wang Zihao gave a “666” hand gesture.

After lunch, Wang Zihao took Wang Teng back to the startup park, introduced him to Xu Dan, then showed him apartments.

In Hao Ge’s words: we’re both Wangs—I’ve got to look out for you.

In truth, Wang Zihao knew Chen Yansen had interviewed dozens of external hires, yet only invited Wang Teng to lunch—clearly, he was being singled out.

This Wang Teng was likely to become a core figure at Fox Tao later—better to build a relationship now.

By the time Wang Zihao and Wang Teng had rented their apartments, they were already close enough to sling arms over each other’s shoulders.

After finishing these tasks, Wang Teng took his leave, preparing to return to Dongguan to resign.

Chen Yansen’s actions were known only to Xu Dan—using investor money to fund his own project sounded unethical, but ethics held little sway over Chen Yansen.

Afternoon.

Chen Yansen walked into Cao Dahua’s office and immediately rented out the six startup rooms on the first floor.

“You really plan to make phones?” Cao Dahua handed over the keys, a flicker of doubt crossing his face—he didn’t believe in Chen Yansen’s decision.

“Of course! I’ve already hired over a dozen people—by month’s end, these rooms will be full.”

Chen Yansen took the keys, didn’t rush to leave, sat down, and brewed himself a fresh pot of tea.

“You’re bringing in so many outsiders—I’m starting to feel overwhelmed.”

Cao Dahua adjusted his glasses, looking troubled.

Six rooms downstairs could hold sixty to seventy desks; add the dozen or so external hires upstairs—if anything went wrong, he’d be the first to take the blame.

“Can Old Tang handle it?” Chen Yansen glanced at Cao Dahua; seeing he wasn’t joking, his heart sank—he suspected getting security passes from the guard unit wouldn’t be easy this time.

“Unlikely,” Cao Dahua concluded.

“So we move everyone off-campus?” Chen Yansen was annoyed—the startup park’s rental cost was nearly zero; renting office space outside meant low cost but high difficulty in controlling and tracking R&D progress.

“I’ll talk to the president tomorrow and try my best to help you,” Cao Dahua replied after thinking.

“Heh, if all else fails, I’ll just move the project to a nearby tech park.”

Chen Yansen said carelessly.

If Fox Tao moved out, how could Tang Qingshan use Chen Yansen’s student-startup banner?

The mid-March student startup competition still needed Chen Yansen to hold up the face.

“Hah! You’ve finally got the president by the balls,” Cao Dahua laughed, clearly enjoying the situation—when Tang Qingshan finally agreed, and something went wrong, he wouldn’t be the only one taking the fall.

“Next, I need to find a reliable procurement director—harder than hiring R&D staff.”

Chen Yansen lifted his teacup, sipped slowly, and sighed softly.

In Chen Yansen’s view, procurement staff, once given resources, rarely avoided corruption—it was just a matter of how much they stole.

Someone capable yet utterly honest? That’d be a saint.

Chen Yansen wasn’t that greedy—if they got the job done, a little corruption was acceptable. He couldn’t even live up to his own standards—he had no right to demand perfection from others.

“I do have some contacts in this area,” Cao Dahua raised his cup, looking smug.

“Can you trust him?”

Chen Yansen put down his cup and pressed urgently.

“He’s the deputy procurement chief at Big Pineapple—he’s spent over a decade in the mobile industry, knows every electronics supplier in the Southeast region…”

Cao Dahua explained slowly.

Big Pineapple?

Wasn’t that a knockoff brand?

Chen Yansen mused inwardly—he guessed the guy’s resources could only handle low-end supply chains.

He wanted top-tier chips, screens, cameras, motherboards, and batteries—if he was only making knockoffs, there’d be no point wasting manpower and capital developing a derivative OS.

“What’s your problem? Disdain it? Then figure it out yourself,” Cao Dahua snapped, turning away as Chen Yansen looked dismissive.

“I trust whoever you recommend, Cao Teacher. Give me his contact—I’ll have Xu Dan reach out first.”

Chen Yansen smiled.

“That’s more like it. Old Zuo’s straightforward and efficient,” Cao Dahua said seriously.

“You’re in the internet circle—how do you know someone from the mobile industry?” Chen Yansen asked, puzzled.

“We all hustled in Shencheng, same hometown—we met at the Chamber of Commerce. Isn’t that normal?”

Cao Dahua spread his hands, as if it were obvious.

“You’re wasting your talent stuck here at Xueyuan College. Why not join Fox Tao ? I’ll make you a vice president.”

“Don’t joke! Last time you kidded around, you thought I was serious? I wouldn’t trade this job for half of Fox Tao ’s equity.”

Cao Dahua chuckled, tossing out a boast.

“Alright, I’m off. Your tea’s good—I’ll borrow some for a couple days.”

Without waiting for Cao Dahua’s reply, Chen Yansen grabbed the tea and walked out.

“You bastard! I just bought that tea—you’re stealing it too!”

Cao Dahua yelled after Chen Yansen’s retreating back, voice full of outrage.

Chen Yansen acted as if he hadn’t heard, quickening his pace until he vanished from sight.

Back in Room 206.

Chen Yansen passed Cao Dahua’s contact to Xu Dan and told her to reach out first, probing the man’s resignation terms.

While developing the OS, supply chain integration couldn’t stop.

Whether to build a factory or outsource manufacturing would depend on funding availability.

Chen Yansen opened the data backend—it was only 4:30 PM, yet daily active users had already hit 1.8 million; by month’s end, they’d likely hit 2 million.

Fox Tao ’s growth couldn’t be rushed—the current pace already far exceeded Chen Yansen’s expectations.

As long as he moved steadily forward and denied Muguju, Meilishuo, and Taofenba any chance to rise, and firmly held onto the four pillars—Super Cashback, Nine-Yuan Deals, Search, and Store Rebates—Fox Tao would remain the undisputed leader in guide-commerce.

At that point, whether selling the whole company or negotiating funding, the valuation or sale price could be maximized.

Before leaving work, Chen Yansen glanced at Song Yuncheng—she was still bent over revising her proposal. He smiled faintly and headed downstairs.

Lately, she’d been driven to make money, constantly liaising with B2C platforms or negotiating marketing plans with brands.

Judging by her relentless pace, she was determined to double the tens of thousands she’d spent in Yancheng.

As Chen Yansen stepped out of the startup park, Zhang Yifeng called.

The issue was simple: merchant resources from A’s recruitment team had been dropped from the CRM database and picked up by B’s team.

Now, when merchants tried to register for A’s brand group campaign, they discovered the registration rights belonged to B. A asked B for the merchants; B refused. If Zhang Yifeng and Yuan Wei hadn’t intervened, they’d have come to blows.

“The troublemaker gets a 1% commission cut this month. If it happens again, fire him.”

Chen Yansen said decisively after hearing the report.

These recruiters had made quick money for two months and now acted arrogant, ignoring even the “drop-from-CRM” rules.

If not punished severely, who knew what chaos would follow?

According to policy, the first recruiter to input a merchant into the CRM holds exclusive registration rights.

If the merchant isn’t registered for a brand group event within 21 days, the listing drops from CRM and becomes public—anyone can claim it.

So the troublemaker had no valid excuse whatsoever.

"Got it, Sen-ge, I'll handle it properly," Zhang Yifeng assured.

Chen Yansen grunted and continued toward the cafeteria; just as he reached the fork in the road, he saw Song Yang walking with a girl with long hair, heading toward the East Gate.

"This kid really started dating a senior?"

Chen Yansen smiled and muttered under his breath.

(End of Chapter)