202: Chapter 202 Internship at My Company

"Sis," Chen Fan leaned back against the chair and looked at Chen Tong, "aren't you supposed to start your internship this year?"

Chen Tong looked up at Chen Fan in confusion. "Yeah, why?"

"How about coming to my company?"

Chen Tong paused what she was doing and looked up at him, her eyes widening slightly. "Your company? You started a company?"

"Mm." Chen Fan nodded.

Chen Tong put down her spoon and leaned back against her chair, unable to hide the surprise in her eyes. "Aren't you in school? How did you suddenly start a company?"

Although she knew Chen Fan had made a lot of money writing novels, writing novels and running a company were two completely different things.

Making money by typing on a keyboard alone is not on the same level as managing a company and a group of people.

Chen Fan wasn't surprised by Chen Tong's reaction. He began to tell her about his company—from registering it last July, to the launch of the first game, defend the carrot, then the second one, happy elimination, all the way to the current size of the team.

When he mentioned that the company already had seventy or eighty employees and occupied an entire floor of the Software Park, Chen Tong was completely stunned.

After a while, she barely managed to accept the news. She patted her chest and let out a long breath. "Goodness, you've really done something big without making a sound."

After coming to her senses, she looked at Chen Fan with a hint of mischief in her eyes. "Then if I go to your company, how much do you plan to pay me?"

"How much do you think is appropriate?" Chen Fan asked back.

Chen Tong counted seriously on her fingers. "I'm your sister, so shouldn't you pay me three or four thousand a month?"

Hearing Chen Tong's words, Chen Fan couldn't help but laugh. "No, Sis, is that all the ambition you have? You only want that much?"

Chen Tong looked surprised, her eyes wide. "Three or four thousand a month isn't high? Some of my classmates only get over a thousand for their internships; two thousand is considered high. I wouldn't even dare to think of three thousand. Four thousand must be at a really good workplace, right?"

"In my company, any employee, even an intern, doesn't earn less than four thousand." Chen Fan looked at her with a smile. "If you come, I'll pay you ten thousand a month."

"Ten... ten thousand?" Chen Tong stuttered, her voice changing pitch. "Chen Fan, you're not joking, are you?"

"Why would I lie to you? Ten thousand a month, plus a year-end bonus." Chen Fan's tone was serious, without any hint of joking.

Chen Tong stared at him for several seconds, confirming that he wasn't teasing her, then leaned back and let out a long breath. "Goodness, I was thinking about whether I could find a job for three thousand, and here you are, offering me ten thousand."

Chen Fan didn't respond.

He remembered clearly from his past life that Chen Tong had always been very good to him. When they were kids, she would share half of any delicious food she had with him; he had never forgotten these things.

Now that he had the ability, he naturally wouldn't forget this Older Cousin.

Moreover, he had known what kind of person Chen Tong was since they were children: carefree but not foolish, tight-lipped and upright, and she never dropped the ball on things she was entrusted with.

He wasn't worried about placing her in the company.

His thinking was simple: the company would only grow bigger in the future. Even if he spent money to keep someone idle, it would be as easy as pie for him.

Family should be helped if possible; there was no need to overthink it.

Seeing Chen Fan's serious expression, Chen Tong knew her cousin was being for real.

To be honest, she was very tempted.

She knew the treatment of college interns these days. A senior from her major was currently interning at a company and making just over two thousand a month, and that was only because of overtime.

The ten thousand a month Chen Fan offered was undoubtedly a very high salary.

But she hesitated.

Working at her cousin's company felt a bit strange to her—should she call him boss or brother when they met?

How should she address him during meetings? Would her colleagues think she was a nepotism hire? These questions swirled in her head, making her swallow the "okay" that was on the tip of her tongue.

"Forget it," she shook her head. "I plan to check out some outside companies first. If that doesn't work, I'll go to your company."

"Why?" Chen Fan asked.

"It's too comfortable here," Chen Tong said matter-of-factly. "Starting at ten thousand, and it's my brother's company—who would dare to supervise me? I'd end up letting it go to my head."

Chen Fan was amused by her matter-of-fact attitude.

"I want to take a chance and explore the world while I'm still young," Chen Tong spread her hands, her face wearing an "I have my pride" expression. "What if I make a name for myself in another company? By then, your crummy company might not even be able to afford me."

Chen Fan was a bit surprised by his cousin's choice, but more than that, he appreciated it.

"Alright." Chen Fan nodded with a smile. "Then go and explore first. Remember to treat me to a meal once you've made a name for yourself."

"Of course. If things don't work out there, I'll come back to you," Chen Tong said with a grin. "Just don't pretend you don't know me then."

"Don't worry, if you come, I'll definitely have the security guards kick you out."

"Chen Fan, are you looking for a beating?" Chen Tong slapped his arm. The force was neither too light nor too heavy, but it made Chen Fan's arm tilt.

After some laughter and banter, Chen Tong patted the table and said seriously, "Alright, after school starts, I'll visit your company first. A free tour—you won't charge me for a ticket, will you?"

"I will. Five hundred per ticket."

"Get lost." Chen Tong rolled her eyes, unable to suppress the smile on her lips.

Chen Fan put away his joking expression and looked at Chen Tong seriously. "By the way, don't tell anyone else about me starting a company yet. Don't tell Uncle and Aunt either."

Although she didn't know why Chen Fan wanted to keep it a secret, Chen Tong nodded and agreed straightforwardly. "Okay, don't worry, my lips are sealed."

...

...

It was after seven in the evening, and the whole family, except for Chen Jianguo and Chen Jianjun, was sitting in front of the TV, waiting for the Spring Festival Gala to start.

The TV was showing a lively pre-show program. The coffee table was covered with melon seeds, peanuts, and candies, and the tea was steaming.

Aunt Sun Hongli and Wang Mei sat on the sofa chatting about family matters, while Chen Tong curled up nearby scrolling through her phone. Chen Fan leaned back in his chair, listening half-heartedly.

Chen Jianguo and Chen Jianjun had gone to the village to play cards.

Every year during the Lunar New Year, there were card games everywhere in the village, a table here and a group there. However, the stakes weren't high; it was mainly for fun.

In the past, Chen Jianjun rarely went. He wasn't one for crowds. Every New Year's Eve, he would sit at home, watch TV, drink tea, and stay up until midnight before going to bed.

But this year was different—as soon as Chen Jianguo called, he went along.

Chen Fan could understand this change in his father. He hadn't gone before, not because he didn't want to, but because he lacked confidence.

Back then, the family's situation was average. No matter how small the card games were, they still cost money.

Now it was different. His son was successful, he had money in his pocket, and he felt confident. When his brothers called, he straightened his back and went.