Chapter 23: Fifty Thousand a Month, Trending Across All Major Platforms

Xu Wanying was utterly shocked.

"If someone were to pull a gun and rob people on the streets back home, let alone whether they get caught, just the act of firing a gun would cost countless officials their jobs, wouldn't it?"

"Yet, this American police officer actually says he doesn't have cross-state jurisdiction and can't make an arrest."

"If this happened back home, those self-loathing bootlickers would have already exploded with outrage."

Zhang Fan took his phone back and smiled with a mocking expression.

"Who’s to say otherwise?"

"School shootings happen every now and then, with dozens or hundreds dying, along with all sorts of terrorist attacks, yet those bootlickers turn a blind eye."

"But if an official back home says something even slightly off, public opinion erupts like a powder keg. Tsk, tsk."

He immediately typed a comment: [The United States is certainly different from our China. It even offers new life experiences—getting shot while shopping for groceries. Not bad, not bad at all.]

The next second, Zhang Fan’s phone began to vibrate incessantly. His simple sentence was like a dagger to Liu Yan’s ego, sending her into an absolute frenzy. However, Zhang Fan didn't bother reading a single word; he tossed the phone aside and looked up at Xu Wanying.

"I’ve read your resume."

"The salary and benefits are exactly what Little Li told you: fifty thousand a month, eight hours a day, with weekends off."

Xu Wanying was beyond excited, rubbing her hands together in agitation.

"Boss, is... is it really true?"

"I’m just a student with no work experience, and you’re offering me fifty thousand a month?"

"Hiss, I’m almost afraid you’re going to smuggle me off to Northern Myanmar."

Zhang Fan said a few casual words, ushering the excited college student out of his office. As long as he could get his projects off the ground and continuously expand his business, he could use these ventures to build more connections and solidify his backing. Only then could he truly safeguard his wealth. From the very beginning, Zhang Fan hadn't been aiming to make a profit—just breaking even would suffice. Protecting his assets was the ultimate priority.

As for offering such generous benefits... he had endured the rain himself, so why not hold an umbrella for others? They were all his fellow countrymen, and he took pleasure in seeing them live well! If the Americans could earn high salaries, so could his own people! He was determined to pay them this way! Once he grew larger and stronger, he would raise his employees' wages to be the highest in the world.

At this moment, Zhang Fan did not know that because his company's compensation was so generous, he would frequently trend on social media, become the public enemy of internet capitalists, and find himself mired in trouble.

He offered the same terms to the remaining nine students. Once their workstations were arranged, Zhang Fan walked up to them, looking at their youthful, fresh faces, and couldn't help but envy their youth.

"Little Li will coordinate the specific project details with you."

"You just need to build the software and make the design aesthetically pleasing, something that fits the tastes of young people."

"As for advertising and operations, I will hire other people for that."

"Start work tomorrow!"

Before the ten college students could respond, Zhang Fan continued, "Today is your first day. Sign your employment contracts, and as a start, I’m paying you half your monthly salary in advance."

The room erupted. Xu Wanying was so shocked she couldn't speak, her eyes wide as she stared at Zhang Fan in disbelief. Weren't business owners supposed to be cold-hearted?

Not only were they getting fifty thousand a month as interns, but they were also getting twenty-five thousand on their first day?

What?!

After the initial shock, Xu Wanying felt a flicker of worry. *Are they really not going to sell us off to Northern Myanmar?*

It wasn't until Little Li handed the money to each of them that Xu Wanying finally snapped out of it, dancing with joy.

"Thank you, boss!"

"Boss, I love you! I want to have your babies!"

"Wow, what a saint!"

Zhang Fan waved his hand dismissively.

"Go back and get some rest. Work officially starts tomorrow."

Cheers filled the air. Xu Wanying, moved to tears, rushed toward Zhang Fan. With red-rimmed eyes, the young woman gave him a big hug, her voice choked with emotion.

"Boss, thank you!"

"I was desperate for work to buy medicine for my mother. I never expected you to pay me twenty-five thousand already. *Sob*, thank you..."

She was crying so hard she couldn't finish her sentence. Zhang Fan looked at her helplessly.

"You can be excited, but keep your hands to yourself."

"There are cameras in the office."

"It wouldn't look good if outsiders saw this."

Xu Wanying let go of him as if she’d been electrocuted. Tiny as she was, she was so embarrassed she couldn't say another word. Zhang Fan patted her head and gestured to the others.

"Alright, alright, you’re acting like a bunch of monkeys. Get going."

The ten students chatted amongst themselves as they left the office. Watching them go, Zhang Fan felt a pang of envy. He envied their youth, their vitality, and their future filled with hope. As for him, aside from his family and his brothers, all he had left was an endless supply of money. *Sigh.*

That evening, after picking up his daughter and finishing dinner with his mother, a notification chimed.

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for successfully increasing your popularity!]

[Current Popularity: Somewhat Famous]

[Host has received one billion in cash!]

[Current Balance: Four billion]

*Huh?*

Doing things that feel satisfying earns rewards, and so does increasing popularity. Is money really this easy to come by?

Zhang Fan hurriedly opened Kuaishou and, sure enough, saw a trending topic.

The title read: *Shocking! Internet Boss Pays Intern College Students Fifty Thousand a Month!*

He clicked on the video to see Xu Wanying telling her roommates about her interview and first day of work. The video already had over four million likes! It was incredibly popular!

On other platforms, it was the same story, with over twenty million likes. The comment sections were filled with people begging for the address of Zhang Fan’s company and his contact information. Within seconds of watching the video, Zhang Fan noticed the momentum was still growing; before long, it reached the number one spot on every platform!

An unknown number called his phone.

"Hello? Who is this?"

The caller was polite, with a pleasant voice.

"Mr. Zhang Fan, I am Zhao Xiaolu, a reporter for the Haishi Evening News."

"I obtained your contact information through your company's legal representative."

"I would like to interview you regarding the generous compensation you are providing your interns. Would you be willing?"

Zhang Fan didn't mind at all. Money was the last thing he lacked. He urgently needed to expand his popularity and business; no matter how many people came, he could afford the payroll! With popularity came social status, the ability to rub shoulders with the powerful, and the means to protect his ever-growing, endless assets.

"No problem. I’ll be waiting for you at the office tomorrow morning."

"The address is..."

As soon as he hung up, Zhao Tiezhu video-called him.

"Brother, you're paying interns fifty thousand a month? Even if you have tens of millions, you can't just squander it like that!"

"It’s fine, I’ve got plenty of money."

"Damn, even if you’re rich, fifty thousand a month is ridiculous. Usually, only big tech companies like Baidu pay that kind of salary."

Zhang Fan chuckled, his expression turning serious.

"Didn't Liu Yan say on her social media that American wages are high and Americans are happy?"

"With my current strength, I can't make every Chinese person earn such a high wage."

"But I want to continuously expand my influence, using my own humble power to help more Chinese people live just as well!"

After hearing Zhang Fan, Zhao Tiezhu was practically ready to kneel before him. He was completely awestruck. Zhao Tiezhu’s own emotions stirred.

"That's right. We may not have the power to change the whole world, but we can start by changing things around us!"

"Brother, I admire you. I truly do!"

A few hours later, Liu Yan, who had just woken up in her hospital bed, was still fuming over what the white police officer had said the day before. Opening her phone and unable to read much English, she could only browse Chinese social media apps. As she scrolled past a video, she hurriedly scrolled back, her eyes widening.

"What is going on!"

"Where did that guy Zhang Fan get this money? This must be fake! It’s impossible!"

John walked in from outside, carrying some food, his gaze deep as if he were lost in thought. Liu Yan scrambled out of bed and grabbed his arm.

"Honey, look!"

"Look at this!"