Starting a business was never an easy thing.
Sera's biggest advantage was, of course, her brain and of course, having someone who grew up in the business industry of Pane City. Xu Je'er had been really busy over the past few days. She had been running around with contracts in her hand. She even took care of the recruitment for the company.
All Sera had to do was sit there and finish a security software that will become their company's first product.
"We are going to focus on cybersecurity," Xu Je'er yawned. She was currently in Sera's apartment reading some contracts. "I tried talking to some of my friends, but all of them were hesitant about our company. When I mention that we will create the best cybersecurity software, they laughed and made me look like a fool."
"Hmmm, that's expected."
"Well, we were friends for years! They have even given me generous gifts on my eighteen birthday!"
"Your definition of friendship is really shallow," Sera continued typing various codes on her laptop. "You weren't friends, you were acquaintances who are close with each other because you wanted benefits." High society is always full of complicated people like this. They would always act like you are their best friends, but would stab you in the back for benefits.
"I tried to set up a meeting, but I guess they already heard about the difficulties that my family suffered in the past few weeks. They are kicking me when I'm down! Just wait… once…"
"Since you are so energetic, just review that contract that I gave you."
"But this one is for a small gaming company? The contract is only a hundred thousand! I can't accept this."
"Oh?" Sera lifted her head and took a sip of her tea. "You expected to receive a million-dollar contract just a few days after we registered our business?" Sera couldn't help but wonder if Xu Je'er's brain was polluted or something. Was this the product of being spoiled rotten by her parents?
"Now that you mention it…" Xu Je'er sighed. "Alright, I will take care of this contract. Tomorrow, our first two employees will start working. One is my secretary, the other will be your assistant. You should know that man, he joined the contest last time with you. His name is Manjun. He was looking for a job but because he didn't graduate from top university, he was having a hard time obtaining one."
Sera nodded. Her memory was really good so, she immediately remembered the man who repeatedly warned her about the Double Dragon.
"Also, the renovation is done. The small office is impressive, and I was able to purchase the pieces of equipment needed. I actually wanted to ask my father to lend me a few million and invest in our company, but now that I thought about it, I think we should start from scratch. It is good that your boyfriend invested this time. Just like him, I will also invest another three million. This should be enough to purchase the remaining equipment that we lack."
"Where did you get three million?" Sera asked. "Did your parents give you the money?"
"It's from my Dowry. My mother gave me a few million after I turned twenty-two. I can use it for my marriage." Xu Je'er frowned. "Meaning, if you go bankrupt…. I might not have money for my marriage anymore."
"…" Alright, this sentence was so familiar it made her smile. Speaking of Cross, the man said that he will be traveling abroad. He had been sending her images of food and sceneries that were taken from trains and buses. He also asked her to give him a list of the things that she wanted him to buy.
After Xu Je'er approved the contract for the small gaming company, they received their first payment. To Xu Je'er eyes, it was small. It wasn't even enough to buy one of the bags in her closet, but the feeling of holding a decent amount of money that they earned was enough to make her laugh with glee.
"Why are you smiling so much?" Sera looked at her friend.
"The more I look at this cheque, the happier I am," Xu Je'er answered without batting an eyelid. "I recruited more people to take care of the finances and recruitment. I also hired someone to guard this place. This place is actually so small for us. Soon, if we receive another contract, we might need to transfer."
Sera nodded in response. She looked at the cheque and smiled too. "Alright, you can decide about that. For now, we should target smaller companies first. We could always collaborate with them, right?" She wasn't really good at business, and she wouldn't be able to decide these things on her own. Right now, she only wanted Xu Je'er to focus on smaller companies.
"Oh! Don't forget you have a graduation celebration with your classmates later!" Xu Je'er grumbled. "I am the CEO and yet, I am acting as your secretary, ah." Reminding Sera about menial things like this is not a part of her job but this woman was an extreme workaholic. Once she started typing on her computer, she wouldn't stop and would often forget to eat.
"Oh… Do I need to go?"
"Of course! What are you talking about? These celebrations are made so you can gossip and boast about each other's job, ah!"
"…" Sera didn't know if she wanted to laugh or cry. Honestly, the reason why she doesn't want to go is that one of her classmates suddenly announced that he wanted to become her boyfriend. Of course, she quickly told him that she was already taken.
If she attended events like this, people will start asking her to introduce her boyfriend! The thing is… she doesn't have one. Ah… she silently scolded herself for lying like that! "Hey, Xu Je'er… why don't you accompany me this time and act as my boyfriend?"