The next morning, Chen Yansen's phone woke him.
"Hello?"
"Chen Yansen, it's Guo Dongchen, your counselor." He emphasized his title, as Chen Yansen rarely attended class.
"Old Guo, it's not even dawn. Want to go for a run?" Chen Yansen mumbled, half-asleep.
Guo Dongchen sighed. It was 7:30 AM.
"Principal Tang heard you got ten million from Ma Wenteng. He's inspecting the startup park this morning. Be prepared. Don't make him wait like last time."
"I didn't take it. Mr. Ma forced it on me." There was a big difference between begging for money and having it offered, Chen Yansen thought.
"..." Guo Dongchen wanted to hang up. "Just be ready for the reception. And I still have your attendance records." He hung up.
That old fox. I hope you fail your doctoral exams. Chen Yansen got up, washed, and checked himself in the mirror.
After several system enhancements, he was now 186 cm tall. In a black shirt and pants, he looked energetic and sharp.
I'll never need those blue pills again.
He headed to the startup park, thinking about hiring for HR, admin, legal, and operations. He needed proper team leaders; Song Yuncheng couldn't handle everything.
Passing Cao Dahua's office, he saw the man sipping tea.
"Mr. Cao, enjoying your tea?"
"Oh, Chen Yansen! Come in. Try this new tea from my hometown." Cao Dahua poured him a cup.
"Lucky me. Thank you." Chen Yansen took a sip. "Mr. Cao, could I get the keys to rooms 202 and 210?"
"Hiring again?"
"We're short-handed, especially in development. I can't have them working overtime every night."
"True. Your rooms use more electricity than the twenty startups downstairs combined." Cao Dahua joked, then turned serious. "I'll bring the keys later and have students help move desks in. But you'll need to buy your own water dispensers."
"Thank you, Professor Cao."
Back in the main room, the team greeted him.
"At 10:30, Principal Tang will visit. Song Yuncheng, you'll introduce FoxTao's progress. And do you know how to play the victim?"
"Play the victim?"
"If he asks about difficulties, talk about funding shortages, lack of equipment, poor facilities... how it affects your studies." Chen Yansen listed examples.
Affects studies? Tell the principal that? Song Yuncheng was doubtful. Besides, everyone knew about the ten-million investment.
"Why are you looking at me? This is for your own good. What if you lack credits to graduate?" Chen Yansen said irritably.
"Why not just say that directly?"
"I'm the boss. I have an image." He brushed her off and pulled out a wad of cash—her salary.
"Thank you, boss! I wish you prosperity!" Her attitude changed instantly.
"I don't get you. Do you love money or not?" Chen Yansen sighed.
Seeing the disappointment in his eyes, Song Yuncheng felt a pang. She was about to explain when Xu Xingxing approached.
"Class monitor, I brought you some sticky rice cakes. Try them."
"Sweet or savory?"
"Savory, with salted egg yolk."
"I prefer sweet."
"I have sweet ones too." Xu Xingxing produced another.
"On second thought, I'll try the savory." Chen Yansen took it with a cheeky smile.
Those two are something else, Song Yuncheng thought.
Soon, Cao Dahua arrived with students carrying desks and chairs.
"Wenbo, get some people to help." Chen Yansen called Zhang Wenbo.
After several trips, rooms 202 and 210 were furnished.
Xu Xingxing handed out drinks to the helpers.
At 10:20, Principal Tang arrived with several deans.
"Hello, Principal Tang!" the team chorused.
Tang Qingshan was pleased. He waved for them to continue working.
"Principal Tang, this is Song Yuncheng, FoxTao's first employee. She handles investor relations and knows the details best." Chen Yansen pushed Song Yuncheng forward.
He knew Tang wanted to use FoxTao as a success story. Song Yuncheng, having presented to Ma Wenteng, could handle this easily.
An hour later, after the visit, Cao Dahua approached with a bitter smile. "You've made me rewrite my report again."
"Just change a few numbers. For someone of your experience, it's nothing."
"True. I've seen it all in my day." Cao Dahua looked nostalgic.
"You started a business too? What did you do?"
"Ancient history. You were in elementary school then." Cao Dahua's smile faded, and he changed the subject.
The visit yielded results: a 100,000 yuan startup prize (contingent on Chen Yansen entering a business competition next year), 20 computers, a printer, desks, water dispensers, and fridges. It wasn't much, but better than nothing.
Chen Yansen reviewed the team's recruitment plans, made adjustments, and had Xu Xingxing post the ads.
Once posted online, the ads attracted a flood of applicants—including many seniors preparing for job hunts. Xu Xingxing's inbox was overwhelmed.
She printed resumes for the team leaders to screen. Even after filtering, over two hundred candidates remained for second-round interviews. Chen Yansen extended the interview process to three days.
The next morning, he entered room 202 with a stack of resumes. Xu Xingxing managed the queue outside.
The first candidate walked in. "Hello, interviewer. I'm Xu Kun, a senior..."
"Your surname is Cai?" Chen Yansen asked curiously.
"Ah? No, it's Xu." The candidate was confused.