Chapter 166

Chen Yansen directly handed the Yunsu Express project over to Liao Wei to operate.

With sufficient funding and no need to consider profitability, if Liao Wei still couldn't make Yunsu work, he would unhesitatingly kick Liao Wei out of Yunsu.

Before clocking out.

Chen Yansen opened the data backend to check Pinbei's sales figures.

Today's orders reached nearly 3 million, with sales hitting 230 million yuan; the growth trend showed signs of slowing.

Given that the number of merchants on Pinbei is still limited, leaving users with few choices, the pace of onboarding branded and private-label merchants must be accelerated to expand scale.

He then logged into the merchant CRM database to review recently onboarded new brands: GXG, Koukoufu, Lin's Wood Industry, Supor, Huadi, OPPO, Hanshu, among others.

The onboarded brands were concentrated in niche categories like apparel, nuts, and small home appliances.

Seeing Lin's Wood Industry, OPPO, and Huadi onboarded, Chen Yansen was surprised; when he checked the responsible recruiter, it was indeed Song Yuncheng.

These were all merchant resources she had built up at FoxTao, now brought to Pinbei—partly due to her own ability, partly because Pinbei's sales performance had impressed the brands.

Chen Yansen thought for a moment, then called to ask Song Yuncheng to contact Li Wanqiang at Xiaomi and invite Xiaomi to join Pinbei.

"I've spoken to Li Wanqiang before—he said Xiaomi operates on a direct internet sales model and doesn't onboard third-party platforms."

Song Yuncheng explained.

In fact, at this time Xiaomi sold only through its own Xiaomi Mall, with no third-party sales channels—even Taobao and JD. om weren't onboarded.

"I see. Then forget it," Chen Yansen replied.

In his view, Xiaomi wasn't essential.

From the platform's positioning, OPPO, Meizu, Coolpad, and ZTE's mid-to-low-end models better matched Pinbei's character.

"Have you had dinner? I want to treat you," Song Yuncheng asked quickly, sensing Chen Yansen was about to hang up.

"Did you win the lottery?" Chen Yansen paused, then laughed in reply.

Song Yuncheng had treated him to meals before, but always under his pressure—this was the first time she'd offered voluntarily.

"No, I just want to thank you sincerely," Song Yuncheng said, standing on the balcony, gazing at the office on the fifth floor across the way.

Since becoming Pinbei's Key Client Director, while communicating with subordinates from Taobao, JD. om, and Yihaodian, she realized everything Chen Yansen had taught her were industry and workplace essentials.

She had thought herself unfit for the director role, only to find that these elites from major e-commerce firms had weaker negotiation skills and problem-solving abilities than she had half a year ago.

Only then did Song Yuncheng realize that Chen Yansen's seemingly offhand methodologies were invaluable.

"Didn't you already thank me last night in Room 0418?" Chen Yansen walked to the window, waved at Song Yuncheng across the way, and teased with a smirk.

"Chen Yansen, how can you even bring that up? You're untrustworthy!" Song Yuncheng's cheeks flushed red as she scolded angrily.

"Meet me downstairs."

Chen Yansen hung up laughing and stepped out of his office.

Passing the Finance Department, he saw Meng Jie still focused at her desk organizing data—he didn't disturb her and walked straight into the elevator.

At the first floor, Chen Yansen slid into the driver's seat of his Aston Martin Rapide, about to urge Song Yuncheng down, when he saw her sneaking over.

"Click!"

Song Yuncheng yanked open the car door and hurried inside.

"You look like a thief caught in the act—spill it, did you steal something from the company?"

Chen Yansen eyed her, teasing.

"No way! I'm just treating my boss to dinner—I'm not nervous!" Song Yuncheng lifted her chin, stubbornly insisting.

Minutes passed, and when Chen Yansen still didn't start the car, Song Yuncheng grew anxious: "Go! Someone might see us!"

"Thud!"

Chen Yansen raised his hand and tapped her head: "You're treating me, yet you won't even tell me where? Do you think I'm a fortune-teller?"

"Huh?! I didn't say?" Song Yuncheng grinned awkwardly.

"Don't ever call me your Master again—I don't have such a dumb disciple," Chen Yansen shook his head.

"City center, Fengbo Village," Song Yuncheng replied with a dopey smile, naming the destination.

Chen Yansen started the car and drove toward the city center.

"Onboarding merchants for Pinbei is ten times harder than for FoxTao—brands like Estée Lauder, Armani, and Clarins won't even give us a chance to talk once they hear 'Pinbei.'"

Song Yuncheng unconsciously drifted into work talk, her tone weary.

"Compared to offline counters and supermarkets, e-commerce has vastly different scale and profit margins—these global brands ignoring us is normal; they don't even list on Taobao. They'll come begging once online sales surpass offline."

Chen Yansen snorted softly, explaining slowly.

Even Alibaba only established partnerships with Estée Lauder and Clarins after 2014.

"I get it," Song Yuncheng nodded.

Drawing from her FoxTao experience, she knew the platform couldn't rely solely on 5. -yuan navel oranges—it needed high-ticket beauty and apparel brands to raise user value.

Outside the window, night was ink-black; distant neon lights flickered.

Song Yuncheng leaned back in her seat, silent, watching the street scenes blur past.

After more than ten minutes, she realized they were going the wrong way and turned to ask: "We're not supposed to take this road to Fengbo Village."

"I switched to a pricier place," Chen Yansen chuckled, as if it were obvious.

"..." Song Yuncheng opened her mouth, then forced a smile.

The car drove another ten minutes and pulled into a lavish restaurant.

Built in the Huizhou-style ancient mansion design—with blue bricks, black tiles, emerald water, and small bridges—the parking lot was filled with Mercedes, BMWs, and Audis; per-person spending was clearly high.

"Telecom's Zhao Maolin took me here before—the ambiance was average, but the food was decent."

Chen Yansen stepped out and told Song Yuncheng.

Average?

Song Yuncheng stared at the palace-like restaurant and rolled her eyes.

"Mr. Chen, your private room is ready—please follow me," a beautiful woman in a phoenix-tail silk dress smiled and approached.

Chen Yansen gave a slight nod, saying nothing.

Song Yuncheng glanced around and noticed the waitstaff all wore ancient costumes, like a massive cosplay event—many guests had also donned long robes and silk skirts.

"Feel like trying it?" Chen Yansen had no interest himself, but seeing Song Yuncheng staring at others' long skirts, he smiled and asked.

"No thanks," Song Yuncheng shook her head.

"Take her to pick out one," Chen Yansen told the woman leading them.

"Of course, I'll take you both to your private room first," the woman smiled and agreed.

Song Yuncheng, seeing this, no longer refused.

They entered the antique-style private room, where all furniture was made of rosewood, with soft cushions on the chairs.

Once seated, through the gaps in the stained-glass windows, they could see dancers in long skirts performing gracefully on a nearby stage.

In 2011, running a restaurant this elaborately in a third- or fourth-tier city meant the owner was a true expert.

Song Yuncheng followed the restaurant staff toward the changing room.

Chen Yansen picked up the teapot and poured hot tea into the cups.

"Vibrating—!"

His phone suddenly buzzed in his pocket.

"Chen Yansen, are you off work? I texted you and you didn't reply," Meng Jie stood on the first floor of the tech park, sounding hurt.

"Yeah, I'm tied up with Telecom—just didn't check my phone," Chen Yansen made up an excuse.

He thought to himself: Zhao Maolin's recommendation of this 'Mingli' restaurant was spot-on—tomorrow I'll bring Meng Jie here too.

"Oh, then I'm heading back to campus. Bye," Meng Jie, hearing he was busy, promptly hung up.

Chen Yansen smiled, about to put his phone down, when Gao Wei's call came through: "Boss, I just spoke with JD. om's management—they have no intention of selling equity. It seems large-scale transactions or agreement transfers won't work—we'll have to buy slowly through the stock market."

Three days ago, Chen Yansen had sent Gao Wei to Lucheng to buy 5–10% equity in JD. om while its stock price was low, hoping to secure a foothold in what would become China's top screen supplier.

"Assign people to buy from retail investors on the secondary market—5% is enough."

Chen Yansen spoke calmly; investing in JD. om was only to strengthen the supply chain—method didn't matter.

Clearly, the Beijing and Lucheng capital behind JD. om held it in high regard, unwilling to part with even 5% equity.

"Understood, Boss. Also, there's another matter: a food delivery project called KuaiPao at Lucheng University Town—the founder wants to meet you for funding."

"Understood, Boss. One more thing to report: there's a food delivery project called Kuai Pao at Lucheng University Town, and its founder wants to meet you to seek funding."

KuaiPao?

Chen Yansen had never heard of it.

Alongside Ele. e, there were many food delivery platforms, but most collapsed in early development before finding a viable business model.

This KuaiPao was likely one of them.

But given Gao Wei's nature, this project probably had some potential—otherwise he wouldn't have mentioned it.

"Then meet him," Chen Yansen said indifferently.

Gao Wei understood: though they'd been outmaneuvered by Ele. e last time, his boss's interest in the food delivery sector had been revealed.

Gao Wei had initially wanted to ignore it, but hearing it was food delivery, he'd felt compelled to investigate.

"Alright, I'll arrange it," Gao Wei replied.

After finishing their work talk, they hung up.

At that moment, Song Yuncheng walked in slowly, wearing a peony-embroidered hezi dress, radiant and stunning, her head ornaments swaying gently, emitting crisp silver bell chimes.

"Do you like it?" Song Yuncheng asked with a smile, seeing Chen Yansen staring at her, secretly pleased.

"Can I buy this dress?" Chen Yansen didn't answer, but asked instead.

"Can I buy this outfit?" Chen Yansen did not answer, but asked instead.

Song Yuncheng's words warmed his heart.

Most girls would ask "Does it look good?" but she asked "Do you like it?" placing herself low, solely hoping to make him happy.

"I forgot to ask, hehe." Song Yuncheng replied.

She had an oval face adorned with stylish and elegant makeup, and for the first time, Chen Yansen felt truly struck by her beauty.

The two stayed at Mingli until half past eight, then drove to the Sky Garden.

When they left, Song Yuncheng was still wearing that hezi dress.

As soon as they entered the hotel room, she was about to change into her own clothes when Chen Yansen said: "Don't change! I want exactly this feeling."

The next morning.

Chen Yansen first dropped Song Yuncheng off at her dorm, then returned to the faculty apartment, changed into clean clothes, and drove to the Technology Park.

At this moment, in the reception hall of Building 8, Kang Guodong waited nervously.

(End of Chapter)