Chapter 173: Qinghai, The King of Boxers Challenge Match
With passionate and motivated employees under his wing, Yao Cheng found being a boss quite effortless.
Yao Cheng spoke mysteriously, “The development is still underway. We’ll wait until the smart toothbrush stabilizes; otherwise, it could affect the marketing…”
“Can we participate in the research process?” Fang Liang asked.
“That might be difficult for now. Sending you abroad at this stage wouldn’t suit you either,” Yao Cheng replied.
Fang Liang felt helpless and somewhat disappointed. As researchers, both he and Zhiwen Feng wanted to be involved, but with the boss’s stance, there was little they could argue.
Yao Cheng turned to Zhiwen Feng, “How are the sales of the smart toothbrush?”
“They’re booming. The average daily sales amount to about 300,000 yuan, holding steady. Many distributors and agents come by, even from other cities…”
Yao Cheng did some quick calculations: 300,000 yuan daily translates to about 10 million monthly, 100 million annually. After costs, the profit was still staggering.
The most remarkable part was that no research costs had been invested yet—that was the truly terrifying aspect.
Moreover, sales were on the rise. It had only been half a month. With continued promotion and the benefits of the smart toothbrush becoming apparent, sales would undoubtedly climb further. Advertising would continue as well.
“I just came to check in. You guys keep busy. Have you eaten yet?”
“Yes, the cafeteria food is very good,” they replied.
“Let’s go; I’ll eat there too.”
So, Fang Liang and Zhiwen Feng set aside their work and headed to the staff canteen. Organizing everything was actually quite quick.
Fang Liang smiled, “It’s hard to imagine that this used to be a cotton mill, and now it’s transformed into a large factory capable of supporting so many employees.”
“There’s substantial local support. Otherwise, it would take us half a month just to clear inspection, and we couldn’t have started sales so quickly,” Yao Cheng said thoughtfully.
Connections were essential; frequent visits and communication mattered. Sometimes a single word was more valuable than money.
The cafeteria was bustling, and the benefits were quite good—free fruits and drinks after meals.
Executives dined upstairs on the second floor with special arrangements.
“Mr. Cheng, you’re here,” greeted the HR manager Bai Shulan and Lv Youqin with warm smiles.
The executives could all see the company’s strong sales and bright future. The boss was generous with spending, and the company’s benefits were evident even in the staff meals.
“Mr. Cheng, nice to meet you for the first time,” said the finance director, who had been recruited through a headhunting firm. That firm had become a partner of SummerTech, supplying most of the needed positions.
Of course, many other collaborators were competitors; poaching talent was one of SummerTech’s strengths. Fang Liang and Zhiwen Feng themselves had hired many executives from their previous companies.
Yao Cheng tried some braised pork and vegetables, finding the meatballs filled entirely with meat—a sign of good cooking.
“Mr. Cheng, what direction will the company’s future development take?”
“Household goods,” Yao Cheng answered seriously. “Household goods are indispensable in daily life. SummerTech is focusing mainly on this area now.”
After some related discussion and lunch, Yao Cheng left the company, heading straight to Xinjiekou.
Chen Xingyan had something to discuss with him but was secretive and refused to say anything until he arrived. It was unclear what the matter was.
Otherwise, as a good student like him, he should be studying at school right now.
But now, because of the women in this flashy world, he could only learn some underhanded tricks.
He hadn’t learned anything good but had become extremely adept at pushing carts and dodging entanglements.
At Xinjiekou, Yao Cheng parked in front of Qin Haoran’s shop and knocked on the door. Inside, Qin Haoran and Zhou Qing were gathered playing cards; the shop was nearly empty.
The bar was meant for entertainment and relaxation—playing wasn’t exhausting.
Seeing Yao Cheng, Qin Haoran teased, “Oh, the big boss is here. I watched your TV slot; not bad!”
“Where’s Lin Sujiao?”
“Why? You interested in her?”
“No, just asking.”
Zhou Qing grabbed some cards, “She went shopping with Chen Xingyan.”
“Oh, okay.”
Yao Cheng got the information he wanted. Chen Xingyan was a bit sensitive; their relationship hadn’t been made public yet.
---
“Reporting you for gambling in a group.”
“Get lost!”
“Want to join? Just for fun—you’re not going to school anyway.”
Yao Cheng dragged a stool over and sat down, watching them play. Soon, his hands itched, and he joined in. Five players couldn’t play the usual “Run Fast” game, so they switched to “Three Card Brag.”
Yao Cheng sent a message and a photo to the group chat; Chen Xingyan immediately knew he had arrived.
Twenty minutes later, Chen Xingyan’s large SUV pulled up outside, and she shouted, “Everyone, hit the deck!”
They all glanced up at her. Yao Cheng said, “Ignore her, let’s continue, add fifty!”
“Yao Cheng, you itching for trouble,” Chen Xingyan leaned over to look at their cards. “Give me those cards; I’ll bet the property deed.”
Everyone was speechless.
Lin Sujiao smiled at Yao Cheng, “What do you want, Boss Cheng?”
“Treat you all to bubble tea. Want some?”
“Sure.”
“Afterwards, want to play a few rounds?”
“Let’s play mahjong. Find someone else to play cards.”
“Alright.”
Yao Cheng went out to buy bubble tea. Chen Xingyan followed, saying, “There’s a competition in Qinghai. Want to try?”
“Qinghai?”
“Yeah, the Sports Bureau and Qinghai TV are co-hosting it. There are some foreign competitors. It’s not very prestigious, but since you want to travel…”
“Qinghai? Not really keen.”
Chen Xingyan’s eyes flickered as she said, “Chen Ruiyong and I are going. He’s competing too. We can all go together. Don’t you want to test your skills?”
“At my level, I’m probably a third dan in real combat by now,” Yao Cheng smiled at Chen Xingyan. It was easy for him to beat her now. Though his technique wasn’t as refined, his strength was overwhelming. If she resisted, he’d lose.
Also, after taking the intermediate gene capsules a few days ago, his strength had increased dramatically. Though he looked thin, his explosive power was incredible.
He didn’t even regard Chen Ruiyong, a fifth dan in real combat, as a threat.
Ahem, getting a bit cocky.
Chen Xingyan said irritably, “I wasn’t serious before. You’re too full of yourself, Yao Cheng. So, are you going or not?”
“I really don’t have time. You know how busy I am with the company. I also have to explain things at school. It’s impossible…”
“After the competition, you owe me a kiss.”
Chen Xingyan played her trump card.
Yao Cheng ordered several bubble teas and thought, “Actually, the company isn’t that busy. I already asked for leave at school. How long is the trip to Qinghai?”
“One week. Besides the competition, there’s sightseeing—Dunhuang Mogao Caves, desert oasis, camel riding…”
“What kind of competitors?”
“The show’s called the King of Boxing Challenge. There’s a US boxing champion. It’s not very prestigious but still an honor and experience.”
“US boxing champion, huh.”
Yao Cheng smiled with a glint of anticipation. He was quite interested in fighting on stage—it would be a good way to relieve stress and get some exercise.
“So, when do we leave?”
“The day after tomorrow. We still need to register and such. We’ll be back mid-November. You’re not going to school anyway, right?”
“Who says? I still have to ask for leave.”
Chen Xingyan rolled her eyes. This guy never told the truth.
Yao Cheng pounded the table, “Alright, eight drinks, whatever you want. Mine’s lemon Yakult with coconut jelly and pearls, please.”
“Handsome, we don’t have ‘whatever you want’ here,” the pretty waitress teased with a smile.
“Well, you figure it out.”
Chen Xingyan said, “I’ll have lemon Yakult too.”
“Okay.”
Yao Cheng glanced at Chen Xingyan. This master was really going all out to bring him along—a truly caring teacher.
---
Such a master made it hard not to take drastic measures to protect his disciple.
“Still playing cards later?”
“No, I’m heading to school. Haven’t been in days.”
After buying the bubble tea, Yao Cheng drove straight to Xianlin.
By the time he arrived, it was already three o’clock.
“Mr. Cheng, coming to class?” Fu Yujie teased as soon as he entered.
Yao Cheng glanced at him, “Four-eyes, found a girlfriend yet? Plenty of beauties at my company—I can introduce you.”
“No thanks, there are plenty of girls at school.”
“Yao Cheng, the homeroom teacher wants to see you,” Zhou Ziqing came over.
Yao Cheng was surprised, “You’re quick. I just got here.”
“No, the teacher didn’t message you?”
“He’s too lazy to bother with me now.”
“Oh, he wants you to come by once you’re back.”
“Okay.”
Yao Cheng gave Wang Churuo and Liu Hanyue a look, then left the classroom.
Wang Churuo said, “He’s too busy. It’s only been two months since school started.”
“Who cares,” Liu Hanyue said, watching a drama.
On the second floor of the comprehensive building, Yao Cheng pushed open the door and walked in. “Teacher, you wanted to see me?”
“I told you the day before yesterday. Why only come now?”
“Had some company matters.”
“Come with me.”
Teacher Li led the way, asking, “How’s the company?”
“Okay.”
“Then it should be good. How’s your company’s smart toothbrush? I want to buy a few for my family.”
“Not quite ready yet. I’ll bring you some when I come tomorrow.”
“That sounds good.”
Going upstairs, Yao Cheng asked, “The dean wants to see me?”
“Yes, you’re a busy man now. Hard to get a meeting with you.”
Yao Cheng didn’t respond and entered the office.
The dean looked up, “You’re here. Your company seems to be doing well.”
“Not bad.”
“That’s too vague. Be honest—how’s the performance?”
Yao Cheng smiled awkwardly, “About 300,000 yuan in daily sales, with an upward trend. If that continues, the annual sales could break 100 million.”
“That’s impressive. Some big companies can’t even reach that.”
“Mainly because of good endorsements and heavy advertising.”
In other words, they had spent a lot on endorsements and ads in the early stages. With so many company streamers promoting, it was no surprise the results were good.
Most importantly, the product was good—it sold itself.
Such achievements meant the product was gradually gaining market recognition.
…
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