Chapter 314: Little Brother Ma: Good Things Must Be Copied

In Xucheng, at the Zhuxianzhuang Technology Park, Building No. 7.

"As of September 28, the cumulative registered users of Sister Chengzi Pay reached 140 million, with 17.2 million daily active users and a daily average transaction volume of 940 million. The number of merchant payment codes applied for was 73,000. The growth in transaction volume mainly came from Pinbei Shangcheng, Kuaide Taxi, Yunsu Express, and Sister Chengzi Mall..."

In a meeting room by the window, Zhang Yinjia spoke slowly.

"Continue."

Chen Yansen, with a calm expression, waved his hand and said.

"On September 21, the payment failure rate in the East China region rose by 2.9%. An investigation revealed it was caused by local network failures, which triggered a regional load increase on the servers, leading to queued payment requests and a decline in success rates.

In response, the technical department's preventive measure is to adopt an asynchronous retry mechanism. If a payment request fails temporarily due to network issues, the system will automatically attempt to resubmit it, thereby increasing the probability of successful payment."

Jiang Leiming from the technical department reported second. After synchronizing the October development plan, he voluntarily mentioned the system incident from a week ago and presented an effective response plan.

"Extending this logic, QR code payments will encounter similar bugs, so we must launch an offline payment function to ensure user experience."

Chen Yansen nodded slightly, then reminded.

"Offline payment? In the event of a network outage..." Jiang Leiming looked confused, momentarily failing to grasp his boss's technical strategy.

"When users open the payment code page of Sister Chengzi Pay while online, the system pre-generates multiple sets of dynamic payment codes, encrypts them, and stores them in local cache. When there is no network or the signal is weak, it directly calls unused payment codes, allowing users to complete the payment process."

Chen Yansen explained in a leisurely manner.

If this problem were left to Jiang Leiming, given his abilities, he might figure out a solution in two or three days, but Chen Yansen felt there was no need to waste time.

It was better to present the idea and let Jiang Leiming execute it.

"Understood, boss. I know what to do." Jiang Leiming's eyes lit up, and he quickly replied.

Although the boss understood technology, preventing them from slacking off, a programming master like Chen Yansen could, with occasional mentions of system fault-tolerance design, save the technical department months of detours.

No wonder Daniel Povey from the Sister Chengzi Technology Artificial Intelligence Laboratory ran to the boss's office whenever he had a moment. On the surface, he was there to work, but in reality, he was there to learn.

A month ago, a video clip where Daniel referred to Chen Yansen as the godfather at a press conference had gone viral for a while.

However, no one truly believed in Chen Yansen's computer skills; they simply assumed this foreigner, Daniel, was well-versed in human relations and, to suck up to the boss, shamelessly helped Chen Yansen build the persona of a 'R&D Genius'.

"Old Zhou, how far has the Yu'e Bao project progressed?"

Chen Yansen looked at Zhou Mingxuan and asked.

"We have confirmed the cooperation model, business rules, and technical integration plan with Tianfu Fund. Only the profit distribution method remains undecided. We met with Director Jiang yesterday, and it is expected to launch after the National Day holiday."

Hearing this, Zhou Mingxuan immediately replied.

"The user front-end interface, the fund management back-end system, and the trading interface with the fund company are all complete." Jiang Leiming added.

"Have Operations write an SOP to train customer service first, ensuring they quickly master Yu'e Bao's product features, business processes, and key customer service points. Additionally, the marketing department's promotion and publicity work must proceed simultaneously."

Chen Yansen acknowledged with a sound, raised no objections, but added two reminders regarding the pre-launch preparations.

Zhang Yinjia, Zhou Mingxuan, and Jiang Leiming immediately nodded, hurriedly writing down everything the boss said.

"That's all for today. Happy holidays." Chen Yansen smiled faintly, stood up, and said.

"Thank you, boss." Zhang Yinjia and the others replied with smiles.

The 2012 Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day were connected, with one day of adjusted rest, resulting in an eight-day break.

Since banks would be closed tomorrow, the Q3 performance bonuses, September wages, and overtime pay had been credited to accounts two hours ago.

At this moment, the faces of employees from Sister Chengzi Technology, Sister Chengzi Pay, Pinbei Shangcheng, and Jintian Technology all wore smiles.

Clearly, the Q3 bonus amount was substantial!

Back in his office, Chen Yansen sat on the sofa and summoned the system panel.

Yunsu, Kuai Pao, and the Sister Chengzi Mobile Phone Factory had become the most important sources of Human Dao Torch, while Pinbei, Sister Chengzi Technology, and Gao De Maps also generated a considerable amount of Human Dao Torch monthly.

September's Human Dao Torch reached 210,149 threads, enough to synthesize 2,101 Divine Dao Torch. After resolving concerns about weight, Chen Yansen decided to first strengthen his constitution to 100.

"Synthesize, add points!"

With a thought, a wisp of golden mist as thick as a wrist materialized out of thin air, emitting a terrifying, awe-inspiring energy.

Wait!

It seems a bit thick!

Chen Yansen had just muttered a complaint in his mind when, the next second, the vast and thick mist suddenly surged into his brow.

Specks of golden light, following the blood, instantly flowed to his four limbs and hundred bones. His tendons, bones, flesh, and blood greedily absorbed the golden energy source, with density, hardness, and strength quietly increasing.

In just a few breaths, everything returned to calm.

The constitution value rose from 10.15 to 31.16!

This enhancement was comprehensive, covering strength, agility, endurance, vision, smell, hearing, and control over all abilities, extending from the inside out.

It would not result in situations like crushing cups or shattering floors due to a sudden surge in strength.

Chen Yansen let out a long sigh, lifted his shirt to check. His muscle mass had increased, with distinct contours and clear lines, though it was completely invisible under his shirt.

Let's test the weight!

Thinking this, Chen Yansen waved his hand, and the body fat scale beside the bookshelf immediately flew to his feet.

118 kilograms!

Originally 97.3 kilograms, it had increased by over 20 kilograms in one go.

Yet, from his appearance, he looked like he weighed at most 80 kilograms; the remaining weight was entirely in density.

Subsequently, Chen Yansen wrapped his spiritual power around his waist twice and stepped on the scale again. His weight instantly dropped by two kilograms, becoming 116 kilograms.

Ten-odd seconds later, under the adjustment of spiritual power, his weight returned to 97 kilograms, but Chen Yansen then wrapped it five more times, controlling his weight at 87 kilograms.

This way, there would be no obvious abnormalities.

As for strength?

Chen Yansen felt it had multiplied several times, but he couldn't measure it precisely. When his constitution was at 10 points, he could lift a car half a meter with one hand; now at 31.16, he could probably fling a car away.

The gym at the east gate of Xuyuan could definitely not measure his upper limit of strength. After a moment of thought, he devised a technical solution: using an industrial-grade hydraulic force tester and a dynamic force sensor, he could hand-craft a heavy-duty force measurement device.

After clarifying his thoughts, Chen Yansen listed the equipment and sent it to Zuo Hongyu of Sister Chengzi Mobile, asking him to handle the procurement.

Moreover, his hearing, sense of smell, and vision had all improved dramatically; all manner of rustling sounds and strange smells flooded into his nostrils and ears in an instant.

Chen Yansen had only to think of it, and he wove a "filter net" with his spiritual force, cutting off all smells and sounds within a radius of five meters.

Otherwise, his hearing and sense of smell, far beyond those of an ordinary person, would inevitably interfere with normal life.

After reading through the equipment list, Zuo Hongyu, though curious, did not probe further. The boss's instructions were to be carried out, no need to ask about their purpose.

That was the smart thing to do!

Ever since joining Sister Chengzi's phone factory, Zuo Hongyu's standing in the Shencheng industry had undergone earth-shaking changes; even his former boss at Big Pineapple, his old employer, had to address him respectfully as "President Zuo" whenever they met.

As the factory's procurement director, he dealt daily with international suppliers like Gao Tong, MediaTek, BOE, Desay, and Sony; his power and influence were in no way inferior to that of the founders of second-tier phone manufacturers.

After all, brand heads like Little Chili, Big Pineapple, and Birdy couldn't secure the supply prices Zuo Hongyu had negotiated when facing top-tier suppliers.

Meanwhile.

Sister Chengzi Pay's offline promotional moves had drawn the Penguin's attention.

Shencheng, Penguin headquarters building.

"Sister Chengzi Pay's scan-and-pay and merchant code functions are quite good; I think WeChat should learn from them and combine instant-messaging software with financial products," a Penguin director said bluntly, spreading his hands.

Of course, "learn from" was just a more polite way of putting it; put bluntly, it was plagiarism.

"Actually, as for scan-code payment software, Zhifubao already rolled out its first payment prototype back in April last year, and three months later upgraded it into a QR-code payment method, so there's no question of learning from anyone — Chen Yansen copied Zhifubao too."

Another Penguin director said with a teasing smile.

That said, the way Sister Chengzi Pay used the scan-and-pay function to bridge offline and online commercial channels still struck them as refreshing and astonishing.

Put another way, Zhifubao pioneered QR-code payment but failed to find the right direction for development, while Sister Chengzi Pay had shown everyone another clear path forward.

"Financial Pass can leverage WeChat's traffic advantage to expand its business and bring substantial financial returns to the group. Since we're going to handle the receive-and-pay function, there must be a balance design; the funds settled in each WeChat account can both increase the user's account value and boost user stickiness and retention. I have no objections!"

Liu Zhiping swept his gaze around the room, taking in everyone's expressions, then studied Ma Wengteng's face once more before finally speaking.

"I..." Zhang Xiaolong opened his mouth, about to say something.

"WeChat's user count has already reached 260 million, with a penetration rate of 72.2%. If we rely solely on advertising for profit, it's truly a waste of resources. Martin, I agree with your view."

Ma Wengteng adjusted his glasses, directly cutting off Zhang Xiaolong's attempt to speak, and said unhurriedly.

Interactive operations like merchant collections, credit-card repayments, and transfers could all bring Penguin massive user fund settlement.

Even if Zhang Xiaolong disagreed, it would not affect Ma Wengteng's decision.

"I believe the previously shelved WeChat Pay plan can be restarted!" Liu Zhiping announced solemnly.

"Jim, talk it over with Xiaolong and draft a product development plan first."

Ma Wengteng spoke over Zhang Xiaolong, giving instructions to Lai Zhiming, the general manager of Financial Pass.

"OK." Lai Zhiming agreed readily; he saw things more clearly than Zhang Xiaolong.

With Ma Wengteng, Liu Zhiping, and the many directors all in agreement, what could disagreement change?

"Alright, Pony, got it." Zhang Xiaolong took a deep breath, forced a faint smile, and agreed helplessly.

In his vision, an instant-messaging app should not be loaded with too many commercial modules; the product had to maintain enough purity and a sufficient share of core functions to become a truly national-grade social app.

But Ma Wengteng didn't think that way!

Yet he understood in his heart that Penguin was a listed internet company with a dispersed and complex shareholding, and Pony carried profit pressure.

The product he wanted to make could find no soil for survival at Penguin, or even throughout all of Hua Nation.

Because most internet company bosses, the moment they land users, immediately use ads, service fees, microloans, or financial derivatives to rake in profits.

"Pin Bei, Kuai Pao, and Kuaidi Dache occupy three top-tier traffic entry points on WeChat and QQ. In my view, Senlian Capital should be paying Penguin an advertising fee — even at just one percent, that's over 3 billion in annual revenue."

At this moment, a director said out of the blue.

"Collect money? You go ask Chen Yansen for it?" Ma Wengteng narrowed his eyes slightly, a cold glint flashing through, and countered with a teasing look.

"I—" the director gave an awkward laugh and stammered.

"Idiot!" Liu Zhiping cursed inwardly at the sight.

Compared with the 3 billion in annual revenue, Penguin's investment gains from Pin Bei, Kuai Pao, and Kuaidi Dache were the real prize.

If he and Ma Wengteng hadn't overruled the opposition and traded traffic resources for investment slots, how would Pin Bei's Series B round have been Penguin's turn?

Did Gao Sheng, Huake, and Huaxin Capital not have money?

Ma Wengteng gave a cold snort and said calmly, "Meeting adjourned!"

His shareholding ratio at Penguin was not the largest, but through the VIE shareholding structure, he could still firmly hold the reins of control.

On the board, though there were occasionally people who bristled, most of them were pressed down by him.

Meanwhile, elsewhere.

Hangcheng, Mama Ali headquarters, Peach Blossom Island office.

Ma Liyun's mouth turned downward as he flipped through the investigation report on Sister Chengzi Pay; he had never expected Zhifubao's scan-code payment tool to be moved offline by the other side.

"Opening the merchant collection function — that's a good idea! Zhifubao can follow suit."

After a long while, Ma Liyun set down the document in his hand and said to Lu Zhaoxi.

"There's policy risk. If we don't check in with the higher-ups first, the merchant code amounts to helping merchants conceal their revenue."

Lu Zhaoxi reminded him softly.

"Do it first, get the model running first, pull the users in first! By the time the policy comes down, it will be too late."

Ma Liyun said dismissively.

At worst, we'd just be told to stop and rectify!

"What about Chen Yansen's side?" Lu Zhaoxi asked again.

"He copied my Cainiao logistics and QR-code payment function; I copy his offline promotion strategy — let's call it even."

Ma Liyun's smile was very pleased, brimming with the exhilaration of having turned one back.

……

Hu City, Pudong International Airport.

Chen Yansen sat in the VIP lounge, scrolling through news on his phone.

Beside him, Song Yuncheng carried a backpack on her shoulders, hugged Chen Yansen's backpack in her arms, held his ID, Schengen visa, and boarding pass in her hand, her face drooping in sullen anger as she glared at him.

Chen Yansen didn't treat her as an outsider, but he also didn't treat her as a person!

(End of Chapter)