"Chen Yansen, have some tea! Finding an accountant to help with expenses is a piece of cake." Cao Dahua leaned back on the sofa, boasting.
"Then I'll trouble you, Teacher Cao." Chen Yansen took a sip.
"Next February, universities in Huian Province will hold a college student entrepreneurship project competition. Are you interested?" Cao Dahua said unhurriedly.
Chen Yansen guessed this was Tang Qingshan's idea. "Of course! What are the benefits?"
In his opinion, participating was a waste of time. But since it was Tang Qingshan's idea, he could send Song Yuncheng or Zhuang Rui. He had to pocket the benefits.
Cao Dahua wagged his finger. "You little rascal!" He paused, then said seriously, "The top three prizes range from 100,000 to 500,000 yuan. The finals will invite well-known alumni, entrepreneurs, and graduates in venture capital."
He gave Chen Yansen a knowing look, waiting for praise.
"Shi Yuzhu, Wang Chuanfu, the like?" Chen Yansen pressed.
Cao Dahua's face stiffened. "Don't even think about those big shots. If your project wins first place, securing 5 million yuan in funding won't be a problem."
5 million? Who are they looking down on?
FoxTao currently had 160,000 registered users, stable daily active users around 20,000, over 3,000 orders per day, gross profit approaching 15,000 yuan.
Once the 0-yuan price-cutting launched, 5 million would only be his gross profit for about twenty days.
"5 million yuan? Then I'll prepare seriously." Chen Yansen didn't want to dampen Cao Dahua's enthusiasm. He made a surprised sound and put on a serious face.
"Good. Have some tea." Cao Dahua grinned after completing the task.
Chen Yansen finished his tea and got up to leave.
Back on the second floor, everyone was busy testing the '0-yuan price-cutting' feature.
"Wenbo, help me cut the price!"
"Zhuang Rui, check your QQ!"
"Chen Xu, borrow your phone to see if the browser is compatible!"
Chen Yansen smiled slightly. He opened Zhuang Rui's requirements document and reviewed it.
Damn, this kid's really cunning!
Zhuang Rui divided the price-cutting progress bar into three parts: price-cutting by existing customers, by new customers, and by users who haven't placed their first order.
Existing customers get the smallest discount, only cutting 99.9%. The remaining 0.1% requires inviting new customers or non-first-order users.
The underlying logic was hardcoded. The value of each user type was written in the document.
At 6 PM, after careful testing and bug fixes, they turned to Chen Yansen.
"Let's go live! Song Yuncheng, send the configured page link to Wenbo."
"Okay, Brother Sen!" Zhang Wenbo nodded, called Zhuang Rui, Song Yuncheng, and Chen Xu. The four walked into Room 204 for final launch.
Ten minutes later, Zhang Wenbo gave an OK sign.
Chen Yansen clicked the link. The first thing was a banner: "Get it for free!" Prizes listed: iPhone 4, Nokia 5230, Sony I8000, apples, milk, tissues, 1000 yuan cash.
Activity rules were at the bottom. Gameplay simple: invite new and old users to help. Top prize: iPhone worth 4999 yuan.
"@Everyone, give me a discount, thank you!" Chen Yansen forwarded the link to dozens of QQ groups, then waited.
"Brother Sen, your account hacked? Is this link a Trojan?"
"I'll cut your price! You're not kidding?"
"Brother Sen, I helped! Can you really get this phone for free?"
"Chen Yansen, I helped you cut 39 yuan off!"
"Senior, is this a new promotion?"
High school groups, campus card agent groups, freshman exchange groups—suddenly lively.
"This is a new promotion for our project. Welcome to participate. It's real. I wish everyone can get a free Apple phone." Chen Yansen replied.
He thought: Should I leave the group first to avoid being criticized later?
This price-cutting game was really annoying. His ex-girlfriend called late at night asking him to download Pinduoduo. An old friend messaged just because he was a new user.
Chen Yansen had no choice. His funds were limited. FoxTao had to use unconventional methods.
Wang Zihao and his colleagues worked hard, buying trending search terms, frantically forwarding links on Renren, forums, and Tieba.
Promotional messages spread like Trojan viruses.
At the same time, external investment placed interstitial ads on video websites and bought corner ad slots on portal websites.
The ad material was an iPhone 4 with "Get it for free"—a high click-through rate.
As darkness fell, everyone remained glued. Chen Yansen sighed, pulled out his phone, and called Shuangqing Hotel, ordering over 1,000 dishes delivered.
On the large screen, registered users skyrocketed. Normally difficult to break 1,000, now already over 10,000.
An hour later, restaurant staff arrived in a van with food.
"Take a break, let's eat!" Chen Yansen slammed his hand on the table.
"Wow! Brother Sen, you're treating!"
"How many dishes?"
"Brother Sen is so generous!" Everyone put down mice and flattered.
"This is nothing. Once sales break ten million, we'll go straight to Sky Garden." Chen Yansen said calmly.
Sky Garden was the most luxurious hotel in Xucheng, average cost 800 yuan per person—something they wouldn't have dreamed of.
"Brother Sen, can we cash it out?" Zhang Wenbo scratched his head.
"Yeah, Brother Sen!" Several echoed.
"Cash it out my foot! We achieve our goal, bonuses, raises, seafood feasts—everything included!" Chen Yansen cursed but meant it for everyone.
Instantly, everyone was full of energy, wishing to immediately return to work.
Thousands of miles away in Shanghai, Zhang Peng ran from dormitory to dormitory with his phone. He had won 888 yuan in the voting event and successfully withdrew.
His trust in FoxTao increased dramatically. In one month, he placed more than a dozen orders. The moment "0 Yuan Bargain" went live, he mobilized all friends.
Who wouldn't want an Apple phone worth 4999 yuan?
Most people wouldn't dare ask for much help.
But Zhang Peng seemed possessed. He went door-to-door in male dormitories, promoting FoxTao's voting event, then pulling out his phone for the free phone giveaway.
This seemed unreliable, but success rate was high. College students have plenty of time.
After working all night, Zhang Peng's progress bar reached 93%, only 7% away. He was so excited he couldn't sleep. The next day, he continued.
Zhang Peng wasn't alone. With the progress bar almost at its limit, who could resist? Sunk cost was too high, driving them to continue.
When Chen Yansen walked into Room 206, Zhuang Rui rushed over excitedly. "Brother Sen, this is awesome!"
"You're the awesome one!" Chen Yansen rolled his eyes.
"After the 0-yuan price-cutting went live, in just 16 hours, 46,000 new customers registered. As participants increased, the expansion rate accelerated." Zhuang Rui recited data, brain racing.
"Not bad! Keep it up!" Chen Yansen remained calm. In his previous life, he worked in e-commerce for more than ten years. His vision was excellent. After rebirth, he was always at the forefront.
For him, success was expected. Failure was an exception!
Just then, Cao Dahua walked over with someone, face beaming.
Chen Yansen looked up. It was an acquaintance.