"Xiao Chen, as the director of the Entrepreneurship Park, supporting your startup is my responsibility. A few desks and chairs are nothing—I can even get you computers."
Cao Dahua patted his beer belly, noticing Chen Yansen's suspicious expression, his tone carrying a hint of dissatisfaction.
"Computers?"
Chen Yansen was slightly taken aback. Cao Dahua's sudden change in attitude surprised him.
"Those old teaching machines phased out from the library's computer room. If you want them, I can have a couple delivered."
Cao Dahua grinned.
"Thank you, Director Cao, but I can handle the computers myself."
Chen Yansen chuckled and waved his hand in refusal.
Those teaching machines could barely run Minesweeper. Trying to process any decent-sized spreadsheet would probably crash them instantly.
"Heh, Xiao Chen, I offered the computers myself. You're the one who refused. Don't say I never helped if someone asks later."
Cao Dahua glanced around before leaning in to whisper.
Someone asked?
The dean? Or maybe even the principal?
No wonder the old fox's attitude changed so drastically—someone had already put in a word.
My venture hasn't even properly launched yet, and people are already paying attention?
"Director Cao, you've been a great help to me! How could I possibly forget your kindness?"
Chen Yansen responded warmly with a laugh.
Whoever was watching from above, he understood the principle: the local official is mightier than the distant emperor.
"Oh, by the way, there's a water dispenser in the storeroom. Want it?"
Seeing how sensible he was, Cao Dahua immediately offered more.
"I'll gladly accept then."
Chen Yansen figured free resources were worth taking. This was the advantage of starting up on campus—as long as you had value, you could always scrounge some benefits.
After helping carry the water dispenser to the second floor, Cao Dahua called over two free laborers and bought two bottles of purified water from the dorm supervisor next door.
No other choice—the water in Xucheng was hard. To avoid premature hair loss, he could only drink mineral or purified water.
As nine o'clock approached, people gradually trickled up to the second floor.
In an era where part-time hourly wages were under ten yuan, a monthly salary over two thousand—combined with Chen Yansen's promise of internship credits and formal evaluation reports—naturally attracted many third- and fourth-year students.
"He's the project lead? Looks pretty young!"
"Chen Yansen from the Journalism Class of 2010—you don't know him? He snatched the campus agency spot from a third-year P.E. major. Just selling campus cards, he probably made at least this much!"
"A hundred thousand? Bro, do you even believe that yourself?"
The crowd buzzed with chatter.
Chen Yansen checked the time, cleared his throat, and called out to the noisy group: "Students interested in joining Senhai, please line up. Did everyone bring their resumes? Paper or electronic copies are both fine."
He turned and sat down, leaving an empty chair opposite him.
A makeshift interview station was ready.
"Huh? Resumes? For a part-time job? Do we really need to be this formal?"
"Damn, this guy's putting on airs! I'm outta here!"
"A freshman who doesn't even call us 'seniors'—no manners at all."
Whispers rippled through the crowd. A few sarcastic remarks rang out, and several people actually turned and left.
Chen Yansen remained expressionless, thinking to himself: Didn't even prepare a resume? Good riddance.
"Who's interested in the front-end development position and wants to go first?"
Chen Yansen's gaze swept across their faces as he spoke seriously.
"Che—"
A short guy in black-rimmed glasses and a red-black plaid shirt walked over, but stumbled over how to address Chen Yansen.
Junior Chen?
Boss Chen?
Or just by name?
"Just call me Chen Yansen. Hand me your resume and introduce yourself first."
Chen Yansen nodded slightly with a faint smile.
"Uh, okay. My name is Zhang Wenbo, a fourth-year Computer Science major. Proficient in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Also familiar with front-end frameworks like jQuery..."
Zhang Wenbo adjusted his glasses and spoke methodically.
Daring to be first required confidence. His delivery was smooth, and his introduction of academic background and project experience was logically clear—clearly, he had put considerable effort into his field.
Though Xucheng College was a second-tier university where many students coasted along, there were still plenty of diligent, hardworking individuals.
After he finished, Chen Yansen set down the resume and asked, "How would you implement a simple image carousel effect using native JavaScript?"
He wasn't looking for bookworms who could recite textbook answers—he needed capable developers who could deliver immediately.
"Generally, you'd use a timer to control image switching frequency, then add manual control buttons for user navigation."
Zhang Wenbo replied seriously after a few seconds of thought.
"I have a computer here. Want to demonstrate?"
Chen Yansen pushed his business laptop forward.
"No problem."
Zhang Wenbo nodded confidently, taking the laptop. Finding no programming software on the desktop but spotting a mobile data card, he skillfully logged onto a website, downloaded a lightweight JS editor and testing tools, and began coding on the spot.
Seeing this, several students without practical experience quietly slipped away to avoid future embarrassment.
Within just ten minutes, Zhang Wenbo pushed the computer back, launched the testing tools, and demonstrated the running code to Chen Yansen.
Chen Yansen remained silent and continued questioning: "How do you optimize webpage loading speed? How do you implement responsive design? How do you prevent XSS attacks?"
In his previous life, though his background was in business and operations, early-stage entrepreneurship required basic coding and product knowledge.
Facing three consecutive questions, Zhang Wenbo remained calm, explaining fluently while demonstrating with supplementary code.
"Do you have actual development experience?" Chen Yansen suddenly asked.
"I interned at an off-campus software company for six months."
"Four thousand a month. Two days off weekly. Six hours daily. Start tomorrow. Any questions?"
Chen Yansen pondered briefly before offering Zhang Wenbo the position outright. He knew seniors with this skill level weren't common. Offering too little would mean the other party might as well take freelance work off-campus.
"Thank you, Boss Chen!"
Zhang Wenbo was overjoyed, standing up to express his gratitude.
Having worked part-time at off-campus software companies, he knew the market rate. Other companies might pay more but demanded at least ten-hour workdays with only one day off weekly.
After deducting rent and living expenses, what remained wasn't much. At Senhai, he could eat and live on campus—the effective hourly rate was actually higher.
"Four thousand! Holy crap! I thought when the posting said 2,000-4,000, they'd only give 2,000! They actually offered the maximum!"
"Can we even get four thousand for internships off-campus?"
"Forget it—those off-campus software outsourcing companies treat girls like boys and boys like beasts of burden!"
The first offer ignited the crowd's interview enthusiasm.
But Chen Yansen's interest quickly waned. Most subsequent candidates had mediocre skills and lacked practical experience—not even one was passable.
It seemed hiring Zhang Wenbo had been a stroke of luck.
Sigh, if this doesn't work out, I'll have to recruit from developer communities, Chen Yansen thought helplessly.
Just as he was about to continue interviewing for back-end positions, Song Yuncheng came running over, her hair disheveled. Stopping to catch her breath, she said, "Boss Chen, reporting for duty."
Chen Yansen glanced at her—face flushed, fine sweat beading on her forehead. He said casually, "You're in charge of collecting resumes."
Song Yuncheng hummed in acknowledgment, set down her bag, and stood ramrod straight beside him like a personal secretary.
By noon, Chen Yansen still hadn't found anyone satisfactory. Knowing he couldn't rush things, he sighed and said to Song Yuncheng, "Congratulations on the new job! How about treating me to lunch?"
"Huh!? Are you joking? You're the boss—shouldn't you be treating?"
Song Yuncheng was stunned, then retorted.
"You know I'm the boss—aren't you afraid I'll make things difficult for you?"
Chen Yansen crossed his arms, half-joking, half-threatening.
"You can only eat in the cafeteria."
Song Yuncheng's chest heaved. Finally swallowing her anger, she said fiercely.
"What do you save all that money for? Just hoard it without spending?"
Chen Yansen teased with a laugh.
"That's none of your business!"
Song Yuncheng, clutching the resumes, followed behind Chen Yansen, muttering, "Heartless boss, always squeezing this poor student dry!"
"Oh, by the way, send me the computer specs you need later."
Chen Yansen turned and spoke, noticing her mouth moving without sound. He frowned, "Talking behind my back? Calling me a heartless boss? Let me tell you—my ears are sharp."
"Huh? How could I? How could I possibly curse you?"
Song Yuncheng's mouth fell open in surprise, then she grinned mischievously in denial, though inwardly thinking: Wow, can he read minds?
"I can't read minds, but it's written all over your face!"
Chen Yansen clenched his fist and lightly rapped her head as punishment.
"You're buying me a computer?"
Song Yuncheng's brain, after a brief lag, finally caught up, her face lighting up.
"It's office equipment. What are you imagining? Daydreaming will make you stupid!"
Chen Yansen walked ahead, mercilessly mocking.
"Thank you, boss!"
Song Yuncheng bowed to him, her eyes filled with sincere gratitude.
"Don't be so stingy next time—just treat me to a proper restaurant meal."
Chen Yansen replied with a light laugh.
Song Yuncheng smiled awkwardly, didn't respond, and quickly caught up to Chen Yansen like a little follower.
Meanwhile, the details of Senhai's first offer rapidly spread across campus.
"Six hours a day, four thousand a month, and weekends off?"
"Damn, I shouldn't have skipped that class. Four thousand a month—I can't even imagine that kind of heavenly life."
"I heard the interview was super strict. In one morning, besides that senior Zhang Wenbo, dozens got eliminated!"
"Pengfei, you're the ace of our department. Why not give it a shot?"
In a junior boys' dorm, a pimple-faced student asked his roommate.
"I'm afraid this project won't last more than a few months. Wouldn't that just waste time?"
Xiang Pengfei thought for several seconds before responding.
"Earning a year's living expenses in a few months! If I had your skills, I'd definitely interview!"
His roommate urged.
"Entrepreneurship Park 206, right? Then I'll give it a try."
Xiang Pengfei adjusted his glasses, somewhat tempted.
Similar scenes played out in countless third- and fourth-year dorm rooms. Many were too busy revising their resumes to even eat lunch.
Of course, many others scoffed at Chen Yansen.
A freshman—what right does he have to hire upperclassmen?
Made a little money selling campus cards? Just wait until he loses it all!