Zhao Jun gripped Zhang Tianxing's hand tightly. "Junior, we hit it off the moment we met. So, to celebrate our meeting, I've made a tough decision. I'm going to trade with real money for a month. Using my capital, I'll verify my principles and my techniques, and see how much I've grown and learned over the past two years."
Zhang Tianxing was speechless. Good heavens, he'd encountered another novel protagonist. Was this the legendary retail investor who could turn ten thousand into a million in eight years?
Why wasn't it him? Poor him, still having to earn his living the hard way.
They arrived at the internet café. Bai Zhi worked part-time here as an internet manager, basically just assigning computers.
Zhang Tianxing saw Bai Zhi writing in a notebook, meticulously recording login times and payments.
This seemed rather inconvenient and seriously hampered efficiency.
There were still a few computers vacant, unused. Zhang Tianxing walked over. Seeing this, Bai Zhi said, "Those computers have viruses and need to be reinstalled."
Well, he had thought too simply. He'd overlooked the internet situation of this era.
Zhang Tianxing was only moderately skilled, knowing only how to reinstall systems. After doing one, he felt it was too time-consuming.
Forget it, he'd figure out a permanent solution.
Constantly reinstalling systems was too much of a hassle.
Anything that could be solved with money wasn't a problem.
This was Zhonghai University, a prestigious first-tier institution. It had talent for every need.
Zhang Tianxing walked directly to the school and found his counselor, Ma Qiang.
There was no other way; he was only familiar with Ma Qiang. They got along well, making communication and business easy.
"Brother Qiang, can you help me find two people?"
"What kind of people does the big boss want? I've heard many people want to work part-time at your internet café, but you, kid, are insisting on only hiring students from impoverished families."
Hearing Ma Qiang, Zhang Tianxing felt he had no choice. Everyone wanted the job; it was first-come, first-served, with conditions. The most suitable candidate would win.
However, before Zhang Tianxing could explain, Ma Qiang gave him a thumbs-up. "You're doing great. Dean Hou even mentioned you specifically, saying it shows your sense of responsibility as an entrepreneur."
"Brother Ma, could you introduce a couple of computer experts from our school? I need a small piece of software made, and the compensation will be generous."
Hearing Zhang Tianxing, Ma Qiang's interest was piqued.
In this day and age, finding computer talent was difficult, but Zhonghai University had plenty.
Ma Qiang thought for a moment and said, "Go find Teacher Gao Ningning, the counselor for the School of Computer Science. Her computer skills are excellent, and she should be able to meet your requirements."
With this information, Zhang Tianxing left, satisfied.
He went directly to the School of Computer Science. It was a pleasant place, with many beautiful women. In fact, any department had more beautiful women than the Materials Science department.
The Materials Science department was a disaster zone, while Computer Science was a popular and highly sought-after major.
Zhang Tianxing arrived at the office of the School of Computer Science, knocked, and entered. "Hello, I'm here to see Teacher Gao Ningning."
At that moment, a woman with flowing long hair looked up from the office. "That's me. Who are you?"
"Teacher Ma Qiang sent me. I've come to ask for your help in creating a small piece of software."
Zhang Tianxing observed Gao Ningning. She wore glasses, had long hair cascading over her shoulders, a delicate oval face, and an air of quiet elegance.
Gao Ningning thought for a moment. "Teacher Ma just called and mentioned it. Tell me your requirements and see if I can fulfill them."
As long as she agreed, Zhang Tianxing's requirements weren't excessive. It was just a small internet café assistant.
Firstly, it needed a timekeeping and billing function, as well as an internet café member management system, allowing direct control over machine usage time.
Most importantly, it needed to prevent the installation of unauthorized software on computers and automatically restore settings after a reboot.
"This software can be made, but it will take some time," Gao Ningning said after some thought.
The basic functions weren't complicated, but Zhang Tianxing had quite a few requests.
However, as far as Gao Ningning knew, there was no software like this on the market yet.
"Teacher, is it possible to speed things up? You could find a few more people. Money is not an issue."
Gao Ningning hadn't intended to charge anything. She had planned to help in her spare time. She hadn't expected Zhang Tianxing to have so many requests, and she couldn't complete them all in a short period by herself.
Hearing that money was not an issue, she exclaimed, "No wonder you look familiar. You're Zhang Tianxing, the crayfish guy!"
Zhang Tianxing had gained considerable attention during the military training a while ago, and Gao Ningning had been among the spectators.
Zhang Tianxing smiled. "Teacher Gao, I appreciate your effort. The price is negotiable."
"How about this, I'll find three more people. We'll complete the software and deliver it to you in five days," Gao Ningning suggested after thinking it over.
It just so happened that a few classmates were free. This could be considered helping them find some small work to earn money for meals. Zhang Tianxing would probably only pay a few hundred at most.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Tianxing immediately took out five thousand yuan in cash. "Teacher Gao, this is a deposit. There will be a generous reward upon completion!"
Zhang Tianxing's generosity shocked Gao Ningning. Five thousand yuan as a casual advance! This Zhang Tianxing was too magnanimous! Gao Ningning, who hadn't experienced the cut-and-thrust of the real world, didn't understand the behavior of wealthy individuals who would throw money at problems at a moment's notice.
Seeing Gao Ningning's surprise, Zhang Tianxing said, "Teacher Gao, this software isn't just about completion. I'll also need subsequent services."
Zhang Tianxing didn't elaborate on the specifics. Gao Ningning initially intended to return the money, but then she thought, never mind. After the software was done, she would give the money back. Charging five thousand for a piece of software was a price only top-tier professionals could command.
Her junior would just be charged a nominal fee.
Zhang Tianxing left his phone number. "Teacher Gao, we'll stay in touch by phone. I'm entrusting this software to you."
Gao Ningning nodded. If there was money to be made, why wouldn't she? With the money, she could find some capable senior students.
"Senior Wang, it's me. I have a small job here. Are you interested? The four of us can finish it in about four days, but the client requires ongoing service. The boss is offering five thousand. What do you say? I knew you'd agree! Great, I'll send the requirements to your email later."
A short while later, Gao Ningning finished her phone call, her eyes curved into crescent moons. It was wonderful; she could earn some extra money again.
The personnel were secured, and Zhang Tianxing's requirements would be met in no time.
Four computer experts creating a small piece of software was child's play. It perfectly illustrated a truth:
What is difficult for the unskilled is easy for the skilled.
"Ningning, is this boss you mentioned an idiot? He's offering five thousand for such a small piece of software. Does he have too much money to spend?"
"Who is this golden client anyway? If there's ever another job like this, call me. Those two don't need to come; with four people, the split is happier than with two."
Annoyed by the questions, Gao Ningning finally revealed the truth. "This student is our junior, Zhang Tianxing from the Materials Science department. That's right, you heard me, the crayfish Zhang Tianxing!"