It can be said that since the launch of the 16th floor of Huijin Building, Renren.com has undergone a qualitative change.
From small to large, it has gradually become more formalized.
Before, most employees were part-time university students, lacking a bit in experience, ability, and time.
With more and more regular full-time staff joining, Renren.com seemed to be changing dramatically every day.
At 8:50 AM, Ke Zhongping, a graduate of the University of Electronic Science and Technology, followed the crowd to the elevator entrance on the first floor of Huijin Building.
Although there were six elevators, waiting in line for an elevator during the morning rush hour was normal.
Waves of people pushed their way in, and Ke Zhongping finally managed to catch an elevator before the doors closed.
Arriving on the sixteenth floor, Ke Zhongping saw Renren.com's prominent logo after exiting the elevator.
Next to Renren.com was a catering company called Zhizhen.
Ke Zhongping smiled triumphantly.
He had done a lot of research before coming, even finding through certain channels that Renren.com and the adjacent Zhizhen Catering Company actually shared the same boss, operating two brands: Xiao Chen BBQ and Miao Tea.
Ke Zhongping was truly curious about what kind of person could establish several vastly different types of companies.
After studying the development trajectories of Renren.com and Renren Waimai, Ke Zhongping became very interested.
He immediately recognized the future potential of both companies and submitted his resume.
"Hello, I'm here for an interview."
After entering, Ke Zhongping smiled at the front desk lady and said.
After being led to a meeting room, Ke Zhongping found many people already waiting inside, mostly men, sitting with their heads down, either playing on their phones or staring blankly.
"Hey, have you noticed? The employees of this company all seem especially young. I feel like at 35, I'm the oldest one here."
"Heh heh, bro, you're really ambitious. You're still looking for a job at 35. I bet you'll be rejected as soon as you go in."
"What's wrong with being 35? Is being 35 eating your family's rice?"
Although this era wasn't as competitive as later generations, it was indeed difficult to find a job after 35 if you weren't an executive.
Employers would consider multiple dimensions.
People over 35 demanded higher salaries, were harder to manage, lacked sufficient time and energy, and their learning abilities couldn't keep up.
These were objective realities.
Ke Zhongping smiled and said,
"Many of the people you see are university students, so naturally they appear young?"
"What? This company is so stingy, they dare to use and hire university students? I'm not bragging, even though I'm older, one of me is worth at least four or five university students."
The people around him scoffed disdainfully, seeing how much he loved to show off and brag.
"Buddy, you don't even understand the company's background, and you came for an interview without doing your homework."
Ke Zhongping paused and said,
"Renren.com itself is an entrepreneurial project for university students."
"Haha, so that's how it is. I thought a company that could own 1000 square meters of office space in such a prime location like Huijin wouldn't be weak. Unexpectedly… oh well, I'll just deal with it later."
Next to the meeting room was Chen Pingjiang's office.
The 16th floor offered a wide view and excellent lighting.
Looking down from above, it felt as if the earth was beneath one's feet.
He Zhiyu looked around for a long time, clicking his tongue in admiration:
"You're developing really fast. You've moved to Huijin in just a few months. In my opinion, it won't be long before even this thousand square meters won't be enough for so many people."
Chen Pingjiang cheerfully made a cup of tea for Old He and asked,
"What brings you here today? It's quite a coincidence, I usually don't work in this office."
"You're a busy man now. How long has it been since you last inspected our Yuanfang Supermarket? Don't forget you're still our consultant,"
He Zhiyu said with a chuckle.
"Of course I haven't forgotten. I was busy with the milk tea shop a while ago, and now the company has another project launching. I'll go over once I'm done with that. How is the supermarket reform coming along?"
Chen Pingjiang lit a cigarette and pushed the ashtray towards He Zhiyu.
"The full-position training that started in February just finished a while ago. We're gradually implementing quality service, and customer feedback is good, but costs have also sharply increased. Additionally, I acquired a piece of land in the north of the city, planning to try out the commercial real estate you mentioned. I came here this time to discuss this with you."
Chen Pingjiang wondered,
"For you, Old He, to make a trip personally, it must not be a small matter."
"I've been paying attention to your Miao Tea; its momentum is strong, and profits are high. When my shopping mall in the north of the city opens, I'll reserve the best spot for you."
After a pause, he continued,
"I have a small circle of friends and partners who are close to me. After hearing your story, everyone is very interested in you, hoping you can lead them all to wealth."
Chen Pingjiang chuckled:
"I'm so poor and stingy myself, how can I lead you all to wealth?"
He Zhiyu ignored Chen Pingjiang's words and said to himself,
"I used to know a group of bosses who ran gas stations in Putian. They said that every year, people from their area would hold meetings to decide investment directions, then divide market segments, invest in each other, and work together.
Later, they specifically acquired state-owned enterprise employee hospitals and converted them into private hospitals. After returning to Dongjiang, I emulated them and formed such a group. Now there are about fifteen bosses."
"Isn't that the Putian system? But people from that region are indeed united, not only running hospitals but also dealing in shoes and timber."
The Putian system later became well-known in certain industries.
He Zhiyu nodded:
"I didn't bring you into the circle before, mainly because you're in the internet business, which doesn't quite align with our physical businesses. Please don't mind."
"Why would I mind?"
"Our small circle supports each other. For example, when my mall opens, some of their shops will also move in. Everyone has heard that you provided a series of suggestions for our Yuanfang Supermarket, and they're all waiting to meet you, this god of wealth."
If it were just a general chamber of commerce, Chen Pingjiang would indeed not be very interested.
Those things were purely about paying membership fees and going in to eat and drink.
When you really needed help, who were you then?
However, Chen Pingjiang was much more interested in the kind of small circle He Zhiyu described.
In many places, mutual support, joint development, and resource sharing can indeed increase the likelihood of success.
"Alright, set a time, and give me a call then."
"I'll visit Yuanfang Supermarket in a few days."
After seeing He Zhiyu off, Chen Pingjiang had lunch with Zhou Guanghan.
As soon as they met, Chen Pingjiang felt that the guy had something on his mind; it was practically written all over his face.
"What's wrong?"
Zhou Guanghan looked at Chen Pingjiang with some hesitation and embarrassment, slowly saying,
"Great-uncle, I met a girl on Renren.com, and we've been chatting well recently. But she used to have a boyfriend, and they recently broke up, so she's very sad. I'm happy inside, but I also want to comfort her."
Chen Pingjiang found it amusing.
What kind of situation was this, to actually be in an online relationship?
At this moment, Zhou Guanghan took out his QQ-enabled phone and showed it to Chen Pingjiang.
Chen Pingjiang loved to play the role of a mentor!
He scrolled the chat history all the way to the beginning.
He didn't know until he looked, and when he did, he was startled.
How did this feel somewhat familiar?
"Hello, my name is Susu, just like my nickname on Renren.com."
"I need to tell you, I have a boyfriend. He's studying in America, so we can only chat."
"I'm going to the mountains for a few days. Susu used to teach in the mountains, and now every year when she has the chance, she goes back to see the children and bring them some stationery and daily necessities, hoping they live better lives."
"Is there anything you want to bring the children? I can do it for you."
"Are all you men fickle, always chasing after new things? My heart aches so much."
"We dated for two years. Now he's found another girl abroad, and today he personally told me he's breaking up with me. Two years of feelings just dissolved like that."
"What exactly was wrong with me for him to treat me like this?"
"I'm sorry, I drank too much yesterday. How did all these messages end up sent to you? So embarrassing."
"But after reading your words yesterday, thank you for your guidance. I've thought things through and decided to take a leave to clear my head at my grandpa's house in Wuyi Mountain."
"…"
Their conversation ended there.
Chen Pingjiang chuckled, his expression peculiar, and handed the phone back to Zhou Guanghan, saying,
"Erzi, how about we just skip online dating? You can't handle it."
Zhou Guanghan's expression was like constipation.
"Great-uncle, I already have a bunch of great-aunts. Don't you want a granddaughter?"
Smacking his lips, Chen Pingjiang gave a self-deprecating smile:
"I didn't expect Renren.com to have scammers now."
"Huh?" Zhou Guanghan paused, then reacted:
"You're saying Susu is a scammer?"
"Otherwise?"
Chen Pingjiang rolled his eyes at him dismissively.
"She calls you 'Gege' a few times, sends you a few selfies, and you lose your head."
"No way. Susu and I have been chatting for a long time, for half a month, from Renren.com to QQ."
Zhou Guanghan unconditionally trusted Chen Pingjiang.
Given Chen Pingjiang's extensive experience, if he said it was a scammer, it was almost certainly true, but he still felt a bit regretful.
"You don't believe it, do you?"
Chen Pingjiang waved at Zhou Guanghan, signaling him to bring the phone over.
"If she doesn't try to trick you into buying tea in a bit, I'll chop off my head and let you kick it like a ball."
Then he typed out a message with a flurry:
"Susu, have you arrived at Wuyi Mountain?"
Susu: 'Just arrived, Gege! Susu came to report to you right away. I'm at my grandpa's house in Wuyi Mountain. Grandpa has been a tea farmer here for decades and is also a master tea roaster. The entire tea mountain looks so beautiful, and the air is fresh. Susu feels much better. Look!'
Saying this, she also sent a photo.
Chen Pingjiang: 'Susu, you're so beautiful, and Wuyi Mountain is beautiful too. The tea there must be delicious.'
Susu: 'I don't want to go back to Dongjiang anymore. I'll stay here and learn tea roasting with Grandpa for a while, then open my own tea shop to help Grandpa sell tea, so more people can taste his craftsmanship. Gege, do you support Susu's decision?'
Chen Pingjiang: 'My ancestors for eight generations all support you.'
Susu: 'Thank you, Gege. Grandpa says his tea is generally divided into medium/high/special grade, priced at 800/1000/2000 respectively. Since Susu is roasting tea for the first time, and it's with Gege's support, can I sell it at a cost price of 366?'
Chen Pingjiang: 'Susu, are you looking down on me? If I'm going to support you, I definitely have to buy the most expensive one.'
After typing this, Chen Pingjiang looked up and sneered at Zhou Guanghan.
The complicated Zhou Guanghan desperately hoped Susu wasn't a scammer, but the chat history proved that the facts were aligning with Chen Pingjiang's side.
Susu: 'Gege, you take care of Susu too much. {Cries loudly} Then send me your address. Here's my bank card: XXXX. 10 catties total 20000. Susu will take the liberty of giving you a discount, so let's make it 18888 for good luck, Gege.'
Zhou Guanghan stopped talking, his expression so gloomy it almost dripped.
He couldn't believe he had chatted with this scammer for more than ten days.
"Good thing I came to you early, Great-uncle, otherwise I probably would have been scammed out of my money."
"Delete her."
Chen Pingjiang smiled:
"Why delete her?"
He immediately sent a message:
"Okay, Susu, I'm not even eating now; I'm going to the bank to transfer the money to you. But I left in a hurry and didn't bring any small change. Can you help me pay for the meal, otherwise the boss won't let me leave?"
Susu: 'Okay, since you're supporting Susu's tea business, consider this Susu treating you to a meal.'
Chen Pingjiang sent a string of card numbers.
Less than ten minutes later, 200 yuan actually came through.
Throwing the phone back to Zhou Guanghan, Chen Pingjiang called the boss to add two more dishes:
"Someone's treating today, eat to your heart's content."
The more Chen Pingjiang acted this way, the more frustrated Zhou Guanghan became.
If it weren't for his Great-uncle, he might have already been been scammed out of money.
But with his Great-uncle stepping in, the scammer actually ended up paying 200 yuan.
Why was the difference so huge?
Chen Pingjiang found Erzi's dejected appearance truly amusing.
Actually, it wasn't Zhou Guanghan's fault for being horny.
An eighteen or nineteen-year-old young man, let loose in university, especially Zhou Guanghan who had a bit of money.
If he didn't want to find a girlfriend, Chen Pingjiang would even suspect his sexual orientation.
It wasn't that Zhou Guanghan was stupid; Chen Pingjiang had seen too many such schemes in later generations.
But in 2007, when the internet era was just emerging, scammers were relatively few, and boys who hadn't encountered such schemes easily fell victim.
Whether it was selling tea, bar scams, or shady shops, they all precisely exploited the restless hearts of young men.
With these inescapable schemes, even the Monkey King would be tricked into losing his way.
...
Meanwhile.
Yan Liming and his old classmate Li Yuan from the Institute of Physical Education were also dining at a nearby restaurant.
"How do you, a busy man, have time to come and have dinner with me?"
Li Yuan, head of the Sports Journalism department, sat down with a smile and was about to open a bottle of baijiu.
Yan Liming waved his hand:
"I have to work in the afternoon, so no alcohol."
Li Yuan didn't insist.
Drinking alcohol during lunch for civil servants was a violation of work discipline.
As for him, working at a school, there weren't as many taboos.
Yan Liming hesitated for a long time, not knowing how to start, always feeling a bit guilty, like a thief.
"You, the great secretary, are usually so majestic and imposing. What could possibly make you so indecisive?"
Li Yuan asked with a curious smile.
"Sigh! Do you know who Yan Yan is dating at school?"
Li Yuan paused, then retorted:
"You're her father, don't you know?"
Yan Liming snapped at his old classmate,
"If I knew, why would I ask you?"
Li Yuan thought so too, and recalled:
"Because she's your daughter, I usually pay a lot of attention to Yan Yan. Before, the school's online forum and the teachers around were all spreading rumors that she had a boyfriend, but I didn't take it seriously. They said a car often came to pick her up, and recently it seemed to be a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon. I specifically checked, and that car costs two to three million yuan."
Yan Liming's heart defiantly skipped a beat.
Yan Liming, who had witnessed so many grand occasions, actually couldn't stop his hands from trembling.
What you fear most will surely come to pass!
If it were just a student from the Institute of Physical Education, it would be fine.
But if the other party drove a car worth two to three million, wasn't that a rich second-generation?
What worried Yan Liming even more was the possibility of those thirty or forty-year-old men from outside the school.
Although he had enough faith in his daughter, Yan Liming remained nervous without confirmation.
"Do you know the identity of the other person?"
Li Yuan shook his head:
"How would I know? But what's certain is that it shouldn't be a student from our school."
Yan Liming fell silent.
"If you ask me, aren't you, as a father, too nervous? I've watched Yan Yan grow up since she was little; she's well-behaved, obedient, and good at her studies. Haven't you always been quite reassured by her? Besides, when children grow up, they must have their own lives and futures. It's not for me to say, old classmate, but you should let go when it's time to let go."
Listening to Li Yuan's chattering, Yan Liming rolled his eyes dismissively:
"Do you think everyone's family has a boy like yours? If my family had a boy, I wouldn't bother managing him either."
"What a pity, sigh. My boy is a few years younger than Yan Yan. Otherwise, I would have shamelessly gone to propose marriage, and we old classmates could have become even closer relatives."
Just as he entered the house in the evening, Li Yuhua approached, looked at her distracted husband, and asked,
"What did Li Yuan say?"
Yan Liming casually tossed his briefcase onto the coffee table, changed into slippers, and then collapsed onto the sofa.
"Old Li said that Yan Yan is indeed dating. A boy driving a luxury car worth two to three million yuan often picks her up. As for what he looks like or his identity, he doesn't know."
"Oh my goodness."
Li Yuhua exclaimed:
"How did she find someone from outside the school? Please don't let them be old men!"
"What nonsense are you talking about? Don't you know what kind of person your daughter is? And it's useless for you to blindly guess here."
Li Yuhua, who had calmed down slightly, said after a moment,
"How about we talk openly and honestly with our daughter? We're not trying to break up a loving couple; we're just helping to advise her. I don't want my daughter to be deceived."
Yan Liming let out a heavy sigh, agreeing with his wife's point of view:
"Yes, a decent boy from an ordinary family is absolutely fine with me, as long as he's not some messy sissy with dyed yellow hair."
(End of this chapter)
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