145: Chapter 145 I'm Already Numb

As for whether or not to agree to Zhao Zhiyuan's demands, Chen Fan didn't even consider it.

It wasn't a question of whether Qiao Linlin was willing; it was that he couldn't possibly push someone from his own company into such a pit of fire.

Besides, a software enterprise certification, to be honest, wasn't anything particularly important.

Without it, it simply meant paying a bit more in taxes and earning a bit less money.

With the wealth store and the experience from his previous life, his money would only continue to grow.

He could just consider this extra tax a contribution to the country.

Looking at Zhao Zhiyuan, who wore a smug expression in front of him, a burst of anger welled up inside Chen Fan.

He had the urge to beat him up.

But this was a society ruled by law; he couldn't resort to violence.

He took a deep breath, looked at Zhao Zhiyuan in front of him, and slowly spat out a few words:

"I've long been numb."

Zhao Zhiyuan was stunned for a moment, likely not expecting this young boss to dare speak to him like that.

He opened his mouth, his expression shifting from shock to disbelief, and then from disbelief to anger.

"What did you say?" Zhao Zhiyuan stood up, his voice rising by half an octave, his face turning beet red.

"Say that again?"

"I said," Chen Fan looked at him, enunciating each word clearly, "I've long been numb."

The office went quiet for a moment.

The air seemed to solidify, and even the sound of the air conditioner seemed exceptionally loud.

Zhao Zhiyuan's hand gripped his thermos, his knuckles turning white.

He stared at Chen Fan, his chest heaving violently, his lips trembling as he wanted to say something but was choked by his own rage.

He had worked at the association for so many years; it wasn't as if he hadn't been scolded before, but never—especially not by someone asking him for a favor—had anyone dared to scold him to his face like this.

"You—" Zhao Zhiyuan slammed his thermos onto the table, causing water to splash out onto the desk.

"I'm telling you, your company's application will absolutely not be approved."

"Zhao," Chen Fan interrupted him, "Like hell I care if you approve it or not. I'm not applying anymore."

Having said that, Chen Fan didn't look at him again and turned to walk out.

Just as he pushed the door open, he saw Qiao Linlin standing at the entrance.

Chen Fan glanced at her and said, "Let's go."

"Boss," she said, her voice not loud, but every word was clear.

"I heard everything."

Chen Fan paused in his tracks.

"It was just having a meal with him," Qiao Linlin looked up at him.

"If having a meal can get the certification done, I'll just go."

"Do you think it's as simple as just having a meal? His target is you."

Qiao Linlin opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but swallowed it back.

"You are my employee, not a bargaining chip to trade for things. I might not be a saint, but I'm not low enough to let you do something like that."

Upon hearing Chen Fan's words, Qiao Linlin was stunned for a moment, then burst into a giggle.

"No way, Boss, in my eyes, you are the best person."

"Alright, stop buttering me up, let's go."

The two left the building; the sunlight was beautiful.

Chen Fan pulled open the car door and sat in the driver's seat.

Qiao Linlin opened the passenger door, sat in, and placed the folder on her lap, holding it down with both hands.

"Forget about the certification for now," Chen Fan started the car.

"Let's focus on the office side of things first."

"Mm," Qiao Linlin nodded.

The car drove out of the parking lot and merged into the main road.

Qiao Linlin leaned back against the seat, looking at Chen Fan's sharp, well-defined profile.

Her heart stirred slightly, and she quickly looked away, though the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up slightly.

"The previous times you came, did he say that to you?"

After hearing Chen Fan's words, Qiao Linlin hesitated before saying, "When I came before, he did mention it... but not as directly as today.

He just said there were some issues with the materials and asked me to make a few more trips, chatting about other things along the way.

I didn't think much of it at the time, thinking it was just normal communication."

"In the future, if you encounter something like this, don't carry it alone."

"Mm," Qiao Linlin nodded earnestly.

Then she looked up again, speaking with a hint of worry, "Boss, we offended Director Zhao today.

The matter of the software enterprise certification—"

"We aren't applying. This thing isn't that important."

Hearing Chen Fan's words, a flash of emotion crossed Qiao Linlin's eyes.

Although Chen Fan spoke lightly, with this certification, based on the company's current performance, they would have to pay a million less in taxes per month.

She was just an ordinary employee; as long as she agreed to Zhao Zhiyuan's demands, the preliminary review would pass.

But Chen Fan had refused without even a moment's hesitation.

"Boss."

"Hm?"

"You were actually quite handsome when you were scolding that Zhao guy just now."

"Cut the crap," Chen Fan said.

Seeing Chen Fan's reaction, a trace of a smile flashed in Qiao Linlin's eyes, and she didn't speak again.

After returning to the company, Chen Fan suddenly thought of someone.

Dean Zhou Mingyuan, the dean of his school who had come to inspect the company previously.

The last time he visited the company, he had said that if there were any difficulties, Chen Fan could contact him.

Although it might have just been a polite remark, Chen Fan felt that since he had said it, as a student, it should be fine to go to him if he had difficulties.

Thinking of this, he took out his phone.

"Hello, who is this?"

"Dean Zhou, it's me, Chen Fan."

"Oh, Chen Fan. What made you think of calling me?"

"Dean Zhou, it's like this, my company has a difficult problem that I need your advice on."

Upon hearing Chen Fan's words, Dean Zhou immediately became serious.

After visiting Chen Fan's company last time, he had attached great importance to Chen Fan and his company.

Although Chen Fan's company was very young, and Chen Fan himself was also very young, this was precisely the reason why Dean Zhou valued him.

Nowadays, the country was actively encouraging college students to start businesses.

And Chen Fan was just a college freshman who had founded a company with a monthly turnover exceeding ten million.

For the school, this was undoubtedly an extremely bright business card.

Moreover, Dean Zhou planned to have the school media interview Chen Fan later to make this business card even brighter.

Now, Chen Fan actually said he had encountered a difficult problem.

This made Dean Zhou feel a bit nervous for a moment.

"Little Chen, take your time and tell me what kind of problem you've encountered."

"It's like this, Dean Zhou, our enterprise wants to apply for the software enterprise certification, but it's been stuck at the preliminary review stage with the Software Association, and they won't let us pass."

"Why is it stuck? Do you not meet the requirements?"

"We meet all the requirements, and the materials are all complete.

My assistant and I went to ask, and there's a director there named Zhao Zhiyuan who said our company's registration time is too short and he's worried there might be problems, but the application for software enterprise certification doesn't have a requirement for the company's registration duration."

After listening, Dean Zhou's expression immediately turned cold.

A reason like the registration time being too short was simply not acceptable; it was clear that someone was deliberately making things difficult.

Since Chen Fan mentioned this Zhao Zhiyuan, it was likely that this person was the one making things difficult.

He knew about the Software Association; it seemed to be an agency under the Provincial Department of Industry and Information Technology.

"Alright, I understand. I'll ask for you."

Chen Fan felt a slight sense of relief.

Since Dean Zhou said that, it was highly likely to be solved.

"Then thank you, Dean Zhou."

"Alright, don't be polite. By the way—" Dean Zhou changed the subject, "While running a business, don't forget that you are still a student of the school.

You said you could rank in the top three before; do you still have confidence?"

"Don't worry, Dean Zhou, just wait and see."

"Haha, alright then." Dean Zhou laughed, his tone relaxing significantly.

"I'll ask about the certification for you; wait for my news."

"Understood."