Decision Made

Once they got down to business, Xiong Kexuan seemed like a completely different person. She looked utterly confident, and the contrast made Li Zhou's eyes light up.

After taking a slight breath, Xiong Kexuan in the video shared her views on Future Technology.

"Future Technology is currently the top company in the Artificial Intelligence field. Judging by the current trend, this young company will undoubtedly enter the Fortune Global 500."

At this point, Xiong Kexuan became somewhat excited. Building a company from nothing into the Global 500 was an entirely different concept from having once held a senior position at a Fortune 500 company.

"Moreover, Intelligent Assistant is currently only available on Android. I don't think it would be difficult to develop iOS and PC versions. Once that happens, Intelligent Assistant alone could elevate Future Technology to incredible heights. Besides, Artificial Intelligence isn't limited to the user end. Whether in industry, medicine, or other fields, as long as electronic equipment is involved, Artificial Intelligence can expand its business there."

There was indeed nothing wrong with what Xiong Kexuan said, but she had overlooked one point: Apple's system was closed-source.

"Ms. Xiong, developing an iOS version of Intelligent Assistant would certainly be easy, but have you considered that Apple's closed-source system means Intelligent Assistant cannot be launched on Apple devices?"

Xiong Kexuan paused slightly. "Is it because Intelligent Assistant requires underlying system permissions?"

Li Zhou nodded, acknowledging her point. In truth, Intelligent Assistant could run flawlessly on Apple devices, but that would only bring him unnecessary trouble.

"All right, let's put that issue aside for now. The next question is this: if I handed the company over to you, what would you do? Under normal circumstances, I won't interfere with the company's operations. In other words, the chief executive officer will generally be in charge of the entire company."

Was he telling her that she would have considerable authority?

"If I were the chief executive officer of Future Technology, I would quickly launch the PC version. Given Intelligent Assistant's lifetime-free nature, once the PC version goes live, it will allow Intelligent Assistant to spread as widely as possible. Without considering overseas markets, China has over 900 million internet users. If we can reach even half of them, the company will profit more than 45 billion. And that is calculated based solely on activations; in reality, it will only be more. As for the future, that will depend on the company's internal research and development capabilities."

Li Zhou merely smiled at Xiong Kexuan's speculation without saying anything.

"Final question: what are your views on corporate culture and overtime work?"

At the mention of this question, Xiong Kexuan's expression turned solemn. Different bosses had different views, and this was often a key factor in determining whether an applicant would be hired.

She thought for a while, feeling somewhat conflicted. But considering her own circumstances, she ultimately decided to speak her mind.

Li Zhou watched Xiong Kexuan's conflicted expression without urging her. When she finally gritted her teeth, he knew she had reached a decision, which made him rather curious.

"Corporate culture can determine a company's future. Excellent corporate culture can allow a company to go further. Personally, I prefer an efficient, effective, and rigorous work style. As long as everyone completes their tasks on time, there is no need for inefficient overtime practices that employees hate."

Li Zhou nodded. "What are your requirements regarding compensation?"

At the mention of compensation, Xiong Kexuan nervously asked, "I-I can bring my child to work? A lower salary is fine."

After saying that, Xiong Kexuan hurriedly assured Li Zhou.

"Boss, I'll do my best not to let my child affect my work."

Xiong Kexuan looked hopefully at the still-youthful man before her. She desperately needed a job like this. Because of this requirement, she had already been rejected by several major companies.

Bring her child to work? Li Zhou raised an eyebrow. "Are you facing some difficulties?"

Xiong Kexuan nodded seriously.

Li Zhou tapped his fingers against the table without rhythm before finally stopping.

"As long as you can run the company well, I personally won't mind too much."

"All right, I have a general understanding of you now. Once I've interviewed the other two applicants, I'll notify you of the result."

Staring at the computer screen after the call ended, Xiong Kexuan felt incredibly nervous. Ever since her husband had died in an accident, the only family she had left was her daughter, Nuonuo, who was barely ten months old. She and her husband had both grown up in an orphanage and had lived together since childhood. Later, one had gotten into university while the other had chosen to enlist in the military.

After her husband was discharged, they got married. Then they were often separated again—she traveled all over the world for work, while he remained in their hometown and became a firefighter.

After they welcomed the fruit of their love, a massive fire took her husband away forever. If not for Nuonuo, who had only recently been born, she did not know how she could have endured it.

Just then, a burst of crying came from nearby.

"Waa—waa—"

Hearing the cries, Xiong Kexuan hurriedly got up and ran to the bed, soothing her daughter who had just woken up.

Meanwhile, Li Zhou interviewed the other two applicants in order, asking them the same questions he had asked Xiong Kexuan. Both of them seemed outstanding to him, but Zhou Wen, the only man, gave him an overly arrogant impression. How should he put it? It felt as though Zhou Wen looked down on everyone.

As for the other woman, Lan Xiaoyue, everything about her was fine except that she was too stiff. Throughout the interview, she had kept a taut expression on her face. Especially when she said that overtime was reasonable, Li Zhou thought even less highly of her.

Overtime could certainly increase the company's profits, but from a long-term perspective, it was not worth the cost. After all, barring unforeseen circumstances, Future Technology leaving Earth was practically a certainty.

Once he had made his decision, Li Zhou sent rejection notices to Zhou Wen and Lan Xiaoyue.

He then drafted a formal employment offer.

Dear Ms. Xiong Kexuan:

Welcome to Future Technology. The company is delighted to have the opportunity to work with you toward its growth, and we hope that your work here will go smoothly and happily.

Your position will be CEO (Chief Executive Officer).

Your compensation will include dividend rights equivalent to 1% of Future Technology's shares. These dividend rights may not be transferred in any form. Please refer to the employment contract for details.

Li Zhou reviewed the information several times. After confirming there were no errors, he clicked send.

Meanwhile, when Xiong Kexuan received Future Technology's official offer, she finally broke down in tears.

Holding her daughter in her arms, Xiong Kexuan cried as she smiled and comforted little Nuonuo.

"Baby, Mommy found a job! Are you happy?"

Xiong Kexuan held her daughter and smiled foolishly. As she smiled, she began to cry.