Those Years When I Was Forced to Top the Forbes List

Chapter 53 I need to ask for leave!

That voice is so distinctive; you can tell who it is just by hearing one sentence.

Chen Xuebing shouted out instinctively.

No one answered.

But he could already imagine that on the other end of the phone, there was a square-headed man standing quietly in front of the phone with his hands clasped together.

He looked around, eager to share something with those around him, or perhaps point to his phone and boast, "Jack Ma! That's Jack Ma over there!"

When he was really close to Lao Ma, Chen Xuebing was still a little excited.

That man represents the era of China's internet boom, the era of its fastest development.

He's always been a eloquent speaker on stage, but now he's silently listening to me on the other end of the phone.

"Rebirth, how wonderful," Chen Xuebing sighed inwardly, adjusting his mindset.

You might become a legend someday, so don't be timid.

"Although Alipay now offers escrow services, nearly half of the merchants still haven't chosen the 'Alipay Payment Proxy Plan.' Furthermore, Alipay hasn't actually made any strong guarantees. This forces us merchants who have chosen escrow services to not only explain their security to customers but also bear the consequences of slower payment cycles. I'd like to ask, should we be endlessly repeating these things to buyers?"

After another two or three seconds, the other end replied, "Your promise is 'If you dare to pay, I dare to compensate'? Isn't making such a promise... a bit too absolute?"

"That's the kind of absolute you need."

Chen Xuebing spoke with unwavering conviction, his voice gradually growing louder:

"The security of escrow transactions is something you should be considering. If this is not absolutely true, why would anyone use Alipay?"
If you dare to pay, I dare to compensate. This is not just a matter of words, but a methodology!
Taking the risks upon yourself—this is the "user-first" philosophy. Spreading a culture of trust to today's online ecosystem and becoming an advocate for trust will definitely benefit you.

Besides, does not making a promise absolve you of the responsibility to compensate? What about the sense of responsibility of large corporations?
Use this promise to compel yourselves to keep it, and with this promise that takes precedence over the entire network, you will receive it as long as you keep it.

As for what you'll gain, Mr. Ma, who's right beside you, should know.

Silence, silence again.

This time, however, the silence lasted exceptionally long, long enough for Chen Xuebing to notice that many of his classmates were staring at him blankly.

They didn't understand what Chen Xuebing was saying, but they were impressed. Perhaps many years later, when they recall what Chen Xuebing said today, they will be amazed, just like when Jack Ma gives a long speech on stage.

"Snapped."

A slapping sound came from the phone.

"Hua Hua Hua..."

The increasingly enthusiastic applause made Chen Xuebing realize that there were many people on the other end of the phone.

The man's voice came from the other end of the phone again:
“Well said, thank you. Now we need to have a meeting. We’ve adopted these six words. Ake will contact you later.”

After saying that, the phone was abruptly disconnected.

Chen Xuebing smiled as he watched the phone light up again.

Looking at the curious eyes of his classmates, he suddenly felt that he was gradually becoming a part of the school.

He's about to become rich.

How about... I take a long leave?

In fact, he's had this thought more than once since he started being particularly busy lately.

"Who...who are you talking to on the phone?" Yang Qingyue asked curiously.

Looking at Yang Qingyue's cute face, Chen Xuebing suddenly felt a little reluctant to part with his deskmate who was so close to him every day and the warm breakfast that would be placed in his desk drawer from time to time.

But thinking of the saying "Success and fame are within reach," he smiled easily and said:

"I'm planning to take leave. I've been busy with business lately, and I want to study at home... New Year's Day starts tomorrow. Do you have time this afternoon? I'd like to invite Xin Mengzhen to join us for a meal."

Chen Xuebing spoke casually, giving Yang Qingyue no time to react or feel sad.

School will be closed for three days for New Year's Day, starting on the 30th. Today is the last day before the holiday.

Her watery eyes didn't react for a moment, but she subconsciously accepted Chen Xuebing's invitation.

"Good afternoon."

She would always nod to Chen Xuebing without thinking.

Chen Xuebing nodded, and seeing that there were still about ten minutes left before class started, he got up, went out, and walked towards the office at the end of the corridor.

Even during breaks, the office is still quite crowded.

Chen Xuebing knocked on the door twice.

"Teacher Guo?"

Old Guo saw him, waved him over, and let him in.

He didn't go in, but gestured with his chin towards Lao Guo, then looked outside and gestured for Lao Guo to come out. Guo Shihai came out, holding a teacup and smacking his lips.

Cover the teacup.

"What's wrong?"

"I need to ask for leave," Chen Xuebing said.

Old Guo frowned: "Taking leave again?"

Chen Xuebing shook his head: "This is the last time. This time I plan to invite students to take the college entrance examination."

Lao Guo leans back tactically.

Is this what they call asking for leave? Isn't this dropping out of school?

He spoke in a somewhat swearing tone, glaring at her as he said:

"What are you doing? Don't you want to study anymore? Then aren't you going to take the entrance exam for that school?"

Chen Xuebing immediately replied, "Yes, I do! I'm planning to hire a tutor when I get home! I still need the worksheets the school gave me! I'll do them and have my tutor correct them."

"Home tutoring?" Guo Shihai raised his eyebrows, opened his teacup again, took a sip, and began to think.

I feel that Chen Xuebing has been quite self-disciplined lately.

“Hiring a tutor…is more suitable for you. Your foundation is weak, and some lessons are too fast for you to keep up with, which is a waste of time,” Guo Shihai muttered to himself.

Chen Xuebing's eyes lit up, and all his hesitation vanished.

"Yes, yes, yes! That's exactly what I think!"

“But…” Guo Shihai shook his head again: “It’s expensive.”

“A higher price is fine, I have the money. Uncle Guo, I also want to ask you, do you know any suitable tutors? Preferably someone who can come with me, wherever I go, they can go, with food and lodging provided, and the price is negotiable.”

As he spoke, Chen Xuebing gritted his teeth again: "If one person can't teach all six subjects, two will do. It would be best if they were famous teachers with some experience. I can afford to support them."

Old Guo glared again: "You're not training students from Tsinghua and Peking University, why are you gathering a bunch of teachers around you? One college student with decent grades is enough to teach you!"

Chen Xuebing chuckled.

Indeed, even when renowned teachers explain those problems, he seems unable to understand them, and might even be looked down upon.

He'll aim for a second-tier university, that'll be enough to build a solid foundation.

Guo Shihai pondered for a moment, then raised an eyebrow: "I had a student in my previous graduating class whose family was quite poor. She might be willing to do it... How much can you offer?"

"It depends on their skill level. For college student tutors, it's between one thousand and two thousand! But they must have the time."

"One thousand to two thousand?" Guo Shihai was a little shocked.

Chen Xuebing emphasized again, "Because I might have to go out. You know my uncle, right? He's planning to introduce me to some business opportunities. I'm afraid it's not feasible for a student like me, is it?"

These days, college student tutors aren't expensive, around four or five hundred is about right, and eight hundred is considered very high. The reason he's charging such a high price is because there's a travel allowance included; he wants someone who can take him with them at all times for convenience.

Old Guo waved his hand and said, "She's a senior in college, and she's currently in her internship period, so she should have time. Besides, your senior sister helped her family with their studies while in high school, and she still got into Beijing Normal University. Later, because her mother got sick, she voluntarily transferred to Chongqing University to be closer to home! Wait a minute! I'll ask her for you later. I still have her home phone number, but I don't know if it's changed!"

Chen Xuebing noticed a word: "senior sister".

He hissed, "A woman?"

If it were a girl, it would be difficult to arrange accommodation, and he would have to take care of her safety instead.

Old Guo noticed his expression and immediately sighed:
"Hey! You still look down on her? She helped with chores at home during high school, and got into Beijing Normal University through self-study. She's really good at self-learning! If she's willing to help you, you're lucky!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Xuebing hesitated.

"...Okay then, could you please ask around for me? But the terms must be made clear to the other party. The salary... let's agree on one thousand. If they come with me on trips, I can subsidize their travel expenses, fifty per day."

Considering she was a woman, he decided to lower the initial salary and use the remaining thousand as a "travel allowance," hoping that she might be more positive when traveling with him.

Old Guo didn't think 1,000 was low. Instead, he said, "I think 800 is fine. If we can negotiate, I'll get it down to 750 for you. I know your family's situation. Don't be extravagant. Save some money for your mother. It's not easy for your sister-in-law."

Chen Xuebing didn't hesitate about the price.

“Then let’s make it eight hundred. We can save two hundred each month. I’ll buy you some tea for the New Year. You should drink less alcohol. If you drink every day, you’ll get sick more when you get old.”

"Wine debts are common wherever you go, and seventy years is a rare age in life!" Guo Shihai patted Chen Xuebing on the shoulder and laughed heartily.
"Child, you don't understand!"

"What don't you understand? I'll sum it up in six words: Live one day at a time!"

Chen Xuebing pursed his lips and turned back to his class.

……

.

(Finally, the debt has been paid off)
(End of this chapter)