They stopped at a mid-range women's store near Nanshan Science Park.
"Aren't you throwing away your old clothes? Taking them to Tencent?" Chen Yansen urged.
"They're not torn. Still wearable," Song Yuncheng said, heart clutching her tote bag.
Chen Yansen sighed inwardly, called her stingy, and hailed a taxi.
The mall was close. Minutes later, they stood before Tencent's headquarters.
Song Yuncheng felt conflicted, knowing the bag of old clothes would ruin her professional image.
As she resolved to discard them, Chen Yansen spoke. "Driver, take this bag to the Venice Hotel lobby. Tell reception it's from guest 8688." He handed the driver a 50-yuan tip.
"Consider it done, sir."
After they got out, Song Yuncheng followed silently. Those clothes aren't even worth 50 yuan, she thought.
"Chen Yansen, thank you," she murmured.
Chen Yansen called, waited ten minutes, and a medium-built young man approached.
"Hello, Mr. Chen. I'm Liang Youzhi, channel operations manager at Paipai.com. Welcome to Shenzhen." He shook hands warmly.
"Hello. But your compliance department invited me?" Chen Yansen was surprised, a guess forming.
"Compliance extended the invite, but my boss, Zheng Chunbin, is the one who wants to meet you." Liang Youzhi gave them visitor passes and led them inside.
Damn. Is he after my project, or me? Chen Yansen followed, annoyed.
Tencent, with its massive QQ userbase, was known for copying or acquiring interesting projects. FoxTao's viral growth had likely caught their eye.
They took the elevator to the Paipai.com offices.
"Please wait. Mr. Zheng is in a meeting. He'll be here shortly." Liang Youzhi brought them water and left.
Chen Yansen took a sip. "We were supposed to meet compliance, but now it's Paipai.com. Will our problem get solved?"
"Who knows? I think they like me." Chen Yansen stroked his chin confidently.
He hadn't met Zheng Chunbin in his past life but knew his reputation: a top graduate who rose quickly at Tencent.
"You're shameless," Song Yuncheng muttered.
Chen Yansen smiled, leaned back, and played on his phone.
Meanwhile, Liang Youzhi reported to Zheng Chunbin.
"Ah Zhi, what do you think of him?" Zheng Chunbin leaned back in his chair.
"Mature. Steady. Doesn't seem like a freshman."
"Anything else?"
"He seems to have guessed your intentions."
"Oh? Then I should meet him. I admire smart young people." Zheng Chunbin sat up, interested.
He had wanted to unsettle Chen Yansen for better negotiation terms, but that might not work.
A knock came, and Zheng Chunbin entered the conference room with Liang Youzhi.
Chen Yansen quickly put away his phone, but not before Zheng Chunbin saw he was playing a game.
"Mr. Chen, this is Mr. Zheng Chunbin, Vice President of Paipai.com."
"Mr. Zheng, I've long admired you." Chen Yansen stood and shook hands.
Zheng Chunbin, in his early thirties with frameless glasses, smiled warmly. "I haven't done anything remarkable at Tencent. Your admiration makes me ashamed."
"A true strategist doesn't boast. Overseeing Paipai.com shows you're valued. Besides, you managed QQ Pets. Every 90s kid used it." Chen Yansen remained composed.
Zheng Chunbin was surprised. Liang Youzhi shook his head slightly; he hadn't revealed that.
Interesting.
Zheng Chunbin gestured for them to sit. "Mr. Chen, are you interested in joining Paipai.com?"
"What do you mean?"
"I can offer you a 3-1 level position, responsible for product planning, with a 500,000 yuan annual salary." In 2010, this was a fantastic offer for a freshman.
In his view, FoxTao itself wasn't valuable; Chen Yansen was the talent.
"Thank you, but I prefer being my own boss."
Zheng Chunbin was taken aback. "With results, I can promote you to 3-2 within three years, then 4-1, with at least 2 million annual salary."
"Mr. Zheng, I simply don't like working for others."
Rejected twice, Zheng Chunbin was angry but maintained composure. "Then I wish FoxTao reaches the top 100 shopping sites."
Chen Yansen laughed. Can't recruit me, so you snipe? Serves you right for Paipai.com's struggles.
"Reaching the top 100 isn't easy. It might take three to five months. You should work harder, or Paipai.com might fall out of the top ten this year." Chen Yansen hit a nerve.
Two years prior, Paipai.com had a 7.2% market share. Now, Vancl was about to surpass it.
The truth hurts.
Zheng Chunbin hadn't expected such defiance. Didn't this kid know who he was dealing with?
"Ah Zhi, see him out." He turned and left.
The meeting had ended in minutes. Liang Youzhi sighed. "President Chen, you could have been more tactful."
"Manager Liang, a suggestion: resign soon. If you want e-commerce, go to Alibaba or JD.com. Paipai.com is doomed under Zheng Chunbin. Pony will likely give up on e-commerce within two years." Chen Yansen stood, straightened his collar, and prepared to leave.
Just then, Ma Wenteng, inspecting Paipai.com, passed by the open door and heard "Paipai.com is doomed."
He stopped. "Who is this?"
In his own headquarters, someone was cursing his project. Ma Wenteng was furious.
Tencent's e-commerce efforts were stagnant, losing market share. His advisor, Liu Zhiping, suggested giving up and investing instead, but Ma refused to admit defeat.
"Brother Ma, President Liu, this is Chen Yansen, founder of FoxTao," Liang Youzhi introduced quickly.
"Brother Pony, if you think I'm wrong, let's discuss it." Chen Yansen grinned, confident and relaxed, as if talking to an old friend.
Ma Wenteng was puzzled for a moment, then impressed by his demeanor. He beckoned Liu Zhiping, and they entered the conference room.