Chapter Sixty: Making Other Plans

As soon as Zhao Fan entered, Xu An said, “Congratulations, Boss Zhao.”

“Congratulations? I wonder what exactly I should be happy about.”

“Of course, it’s because of the Song Dynasty Shadow Porcelain Listening Wind Vase. Boss Zhao, a selling price of over ten million—it’s quite impressive.”

Zhao Fan smiled, “It was just a stroke of luck.”

While speaking, Zhao Fan took a seat to the left of Mu Tianrong.

A waiter came to knock on the door and asked if the dishes could be served.

Zhao Fan replied, “Go ahead, bring them in.”

“Certainly.”

In less than ten minutes, the table was filled with dishes.

Xu An took the initiative to pour wine and handed glasses to Zhao Fan and Mu Tianrong.

“While I was away from Yang City, I heard it’s been especially lively here. Boss Zhao, you’ve accomplished quite a bit.”

Zhao Fan smiled, raised his glass, and said, “Just trying to earn a living. Honestly, I owe you a lot for this. The money from the auction of the Song Dynasty Shadow Porcelain Vase made things much easier for me. Thank you.”

“Boss Zhao, you’re too polite. With our partnership, it’s only natural to help each other. Speaking of which, do you have any plans for me in the future?”

Zhao Fan took a sip of wine. “I wouldn’t call it plans—I’m just wondering if you’d be willing to join my company.”

At the mention of the company, Xu An immediately thought of the one Zhao Fan had registered earlier.

“Are you referring to the company you set up not long ago?”

“Yes, everything’s ready, just lacking personnel. As you know, I’ve been busy with the supermarket lately and haven’t had time for the company.”

Xu An quickly expressed his understanding and then asked, “So you want me to handle recruitment for the company?”

“That’s the plan for now. We’ll see about the rest later.”

Truthfully, after registering the company, Zhao Fan still had no clear direction, since in his memory, the industries that brought profit in his previous life were only just beginning to emerge.

This meant that if Zhao Fan wanted a share, he had to recruit talent first.

The problem was, he didn’t know much about those industries himself. Even if he knew how to recruit, he couldn’t guarantee the candidates were truly talented.

There was another issue: once he found talent, what projects would they pursue? What should the company do?

In short, problems kept arising, all centered on one point—Zhao Fan was an outsider.

But Zhao Fan didn’t say all this outright. He simply mentioned that some matters weren’t settled yet and he needed more time.

Xu An didn’t press the issue. With the promise in hand, he smiled and shifted the topic.

With food and drink, the meal soon ended. Zhao Fan saw Mu Tianrong and Xu An off, then sat alone on the steps in front of the entrance, pondering the company’s future.

Just then, Zhao Fan felt a shadow fall before him. Looking up, he saw Yang Yuqing.

“Miss Yang, what brings you here?”

Yang Yuqing smiled with pursed lips. “I came with friends for dinner. What about you? Why are you sitting here alone?”

Suppressing his surprise at their encounter, Zhao Fan replied, “Just finished dinner, sitting here to rest for a bit.”

Yang Yuqing tilted her head. “Is it really just to rest?”

She sat down beside Zhao Fan and said, “You looked troubled just now. Did you run into some difficulties?”

For some reason, Zhao Fan suddenly felt that Yang Yuqing might be able to help him. After a moment’s thought, he admitted honestly, “Yes, I’ve hit a snag.”

“Would you mind telling me about it?”

“Well, I registered a company some time ago, but for various reasons I haven’t made any arrangements. Now that I have time, I want to get things started, but I can’t find the right people.”

Yang Yuqing looked thoughtful. “What kind of people are you looking for?”

“Internet.”

Inter—

Yang Yuqing’s eyes widened suddenly. “You’re recruiting for that sector? Why?”

Zhao Fan answered calmly, “Because future development depends on it.”

The internet was a broad term, and countless industries branched out from it.

Having lived another life, Zhao Fan saw the profit to be made and naturally wanted to seize the opportunity, positioning himself ahead of the curve.

But as mentioned, many industries were just emerging, so things weren’t as easy as they had been in his previous life.

“I need enough staff, and someone capable of overseeing the whole operation.”

Yang Yuqing propped her chin with one hand. “I can’t help much in that area, but I can connect you with someone.”

“Who?”

“You’ll know in a few days. I’ll contact you.”

As soon as she finished speaking, a voice called from inside.

“My friends are calling me. I have to go.”

“Alright.”

After Yang Yuqing left, Zhao Fan found a staff member at the private restaurant and told him that he would cover Yang Yuqing’s bill.

Zhao Fan was a regular, and after checking with the owner, the staff handed him a business card.

“Our boss wants to make your acquaintance. As for the bill, our boss will cover it this time.”

“Please thank your boss for me.”

With the business card in hand, Zhao Fan left the restaurant.

In the following days, Zhao Fan spoke with Xu An, sharing his ideas and specifying the scope of recruitment.

“It might be difficult, but I hope you can handle it. Anyway, all recruiting expenses are on me.”

Xu An gritted his teeth. “What about salaries for the recruits?”

Zhao Fan said, “Regular positions, three to five thousand; technical talent, eight thousand minimum; same for management. As for anything else, we’ll decide once they’re hired.”

At this time, the average salary in Yang City was just one thousand, often less, so Zhao Fan’s figures shocked Xu An.

“I understand higher pay for management, but is it necessary for other positions?”

“To attract talent, higher salaries are normal. Stick to the numbers I gave, fill out the framework first, and we’ll deal with the rest later.”

“Alright.”

Xu An left, holding the paper with the recruitment requirements, looking dazed.

He didn’t know that after he left, Zhao Fan stared at the table, worried about the company’s development.

It was true there was money to be made, but getting started required a long and winding road.

Suddenly, his phone rang. Zhao Fan glanced at the screen—He Yongshan’s name flashed brightly.

At that moment, Zhao Fan had a bad feeling. He realized he’d forgotten something.

The phone screen went dark, then lit up again, showing He Yongshan’s name once more.

No other choice, Zhao Fan answered the call.

“Hello, Yongshan, what’s up?”

“What’s up? Zhao Fan, did you forget what you promised me? I told you to visit the school once a month. Tell me, how long has it been? Huh? How long?”

He Yongshan’s roar blasted through the receiver. Zhao Fan quickly held the phone away, and only after He Yongshan finished did he respond.

“Yongshan, I’ll go back right now.”