Chapter 2689

The big shot's mouth corners lifted slightly, revealing a faint smile as he said softly: "You guys at the wool factory—what's your situation really like? I know it all too well. In a year's time, you actually dared to boast that you could equip every person in the office with a computer—your bragging is a bit over the top."

"Boss!" Zhou Andong said with a smile: "I say I can do it, and I do it. If you don't believe me, how about we make a bet?"

Liu Xiangchun and Ma Xianli stared wide-eyed, looking at Zhou Andong in disbelief. I say, Zhou Dong—listen to what you're saying, you actually want to make a bet with the boss? Why don't you just fly up to heaven?

The big shot said with a smile: "Alright, what do you want to bet on?"

"Simple!" Zhou Andong said: "If I should, you just agree to one condition of mine. Of course, you can rest completely assured—my condition will absolutely not exceed reasonable bounds, and will absolutely not put you in a difficult position."

"Fine!" The big shot agreed without hesitation, then asked: "And if you lose?"

"Although I can't possibly lose, but for fairness, there still has to be a stake." Zhou Andong said generously: "If I lose, I will personally donate two hundred computers, for you to distribute as you wish, sir."

"Good!" The big shot shouted: "I'm betting with you—if you lose, you'd better not go back on your word."

"Boss!" Zhou Andong said with a look of grievance: "Do you have some misunderstanding about me? Everyone knows Zhou Andong keeps his word—what he says is as good as nailed down. How could you suspect I'd renege?"

As he spoke, Zhou Andong sighed again: "Besides, even if I were to go back on my word with someone else, I wouldn't dare do it with you."

Yuzhou Technology's Huaguang Computer Technology Company has been officially registered, and the team dedicated to product development had already begun full-scale investment in related research and development as early as May.

Of course, registration and development aren't important—what matters is having our own brand. As long as we design the casing, we can assemble it ourselves. Just like some company, aside from the shell, there's hardly any core technology that's truly our own—it's all buy, buy, buy, then bring it back and assemble it, proudly calling it domestic pride.

And the wool factory wants to fully implement paperless office work, which inevitably requires a large number of computer devices. Fortunately, I have this condition—it can let Yuzhou Technology make a bit of money, and also let the wool factory save a bit of money. This is a win-win situation—why not?

Thinking this, Zhou Andong couldn't help but put on a smile. As for computer components, he will have Dongguo International handle the purchase—surely he can get a good price, definitely cheaper than what that certain company pays for goods.

"Then it's settled." The big shot stood up, patted Zhou Andong on the shoulder: "Kid, we'll set the term at one year. Next September, if you fail to deliver, I'll come to you for the computers."

Zhou Andong also stood up, smiling: "Boss, rest assured—once the telecom quickly lays the network lines for me, then on this day next year, if I lose, I will personally deliver the two hundred computers to you."

The big shot nodded, smiling: "It's settled."

"It's settled!" Zhou Andong echoed, watching the big shot leave with his secretary, then he sat back down.

Liu Xiangchun and Ma Xianli's hearts had been fluctuating nonstop—mainly because Zhou Andong's way of talking and chatting with the boss made them very nervous. But they didn't know that Zhou Andong himself wasn't nervous at all—why were they getting so worked up?

"Factory Director Zhou!" Liu Xiangchun asked curiously: "In one year's time, can you really achieve that paperless office thing?"

"You can win, but you can't win." Zhou Andong took out a cigarette, offered one to Liu Xiangchun and Ma Xianli. The big shot was nearby, so he didn't feel comfortable smoking, but he was practically bursting with restraint.

"You can win, but you can't win?" Liu Xiangchun and Ma Xianli took the cigarettes, then stared blankly at Zhou Andong, asking in unison: "What do you mean?"

Zhou Andong laughed: "Because I must send out those two hundred computers."

Liu Xiangchun was a bit dazed, then reacted, his face showing admiration, then he gave a thumbs-up: "Zhou Dong, you've given me a vivid lesson in interpersonal relations—I'm convinced."

At this moment, Ma Xianli also reacted, sighing: "No wonder, Zhou Dong, you're able to run your business this big—my intelligence compared to yours is like that of a fool."

Liu Xiangchun nodded in agreement: "If it were me, I'd definitely just donate the two hundred computers outright—this would indeed please the boss, but that's all it would be—at most, sending a banner or certificate."

But if we make a bet, it's different. Because betting with the boss is a way to quickly enhance feelings—if I lose the bet and give the boss two hundred computers, the boss's sense of achievement will naturally skyrocket, my impression will be deep, and feelings will naturally become much closer.

Ma Xianli took out a lighter, lit the cigarettes for Zhou Andong and Liu Xiangchun: "Zhou Dong, are you really going to set up that news website?"

Zhou Andong took a puff, glanced at Ma Xianli: "Mr. Ma, are you also interested?"

"Definitely interested!" Ma Xianli said seriously: "Abroad, many people are talking about the internet, everyone is optimistic about it—I naturally am interested too. It's just that I don't understand the internet, so I don't dare to jump in lightly."

Saying this, Ma Xianli paused, then took a puff: "Now, with you, Zhou Dong, as the leader—if you allow it, I will naturally join in. Only, my financial resources are limited, so my investment won't be high."

"No problem!" Zhou Andong said with a smile: "I'm investing in the internet—running a news website is just playing around. As long as you're not afraid of losing money, I naturally welcome you."

"Add me too!" Liu Xiangchun, who had been holding back, said: "I do have some spare cash on hand—just see how much investment you, Zhou Dong, can accept."

"Although the news website is just me playing around, I won't accept large investments." Zhou Andong shook his head: "Because the news website still has a major shareholder."

"There's a major shareholder?"

Liu Xiangchun and Ma Xianli looked puzzled: "Investing in a news website—even if it burns money, given Zhou Andong's net worth, he could afford to burn it—why bother finding a major shareholder?"

Zhou Andong saw their confusion and explained: "Without this major shareholder, if we wanted to get the news website off the ground, the financial and human resources required would increase exponentially."

As Zhou Andong spoke, he unintentionally looked up, and a smile unconsciously appeared on his face: "The major shareholder has arrived."

Liu Xiangchun and Ma Xianli followed Zhou Andong's gaze—there came a man and a woman walking over, namely Guan Shengjie and Du Youwei. The reporters' dining area was elsewhere; after eating, Guan Shengjie and Du Youwei had walked around the restaurant, and only then did they see Zhou Andong.

Zhou Andong raised his hand to wave—Guan Shengjie and Du Youwei quickened their steps, came forward and said: "How did you end up sitting in this corner?"

"This place is quiet!" Zhou Andong told a blatant lie with eyes wide open, then pointed at Liu Xiangchun and Ma Xianli and said: "You two should know these people, right?"