Chapter 779: Chapter 521 Night with the Counselor
The following day, Zhang Tao and Zhang Xuhao visited Cheng Zhu’s company together.
Cheng Zhu and Shen Qingning greeted the two visitors.
After two meetings, Cheng Zhu and Brother Hao had actually become somewhat familiar with each other, while it was Zhang Tao’s first time meeting them.
[Dianping] was established in 2003 and is the earliest independent third-party consumer review website.
It’s also the earliest in the world.
In 2006, it received its first-round of investment from Red Mountain Capital, making it one of the earliest projects for Red Mountain (China).
Of course, what truly launched [Dianping] on its path to rapid growth was definitely Tencent’s strong stake purchase, securing 20% of [Dianping] in one fell swoop in 2014.
Overall, Zhang Tao had always been clinging to the coattails of Tencent and Red Mountain.
After a simple meeting, even Shen Qingning could feel that Zhang Tao was the most relaxed person at this stage.
He wasn’t anxious, nor was he under much pressure, and he even had a bit of a spirited and triumphant air about him.
Of course, at this point, he really did have the qualifications to be so.
It’s worth mentioning that behind [Dianping], apart from Tencent and Red Mountain, there was also Wanda.
Inside the office, Shen Qingning sat to one side, listening to Cheng Zhu engage in animated conversation with them.
Last night, after she returned home, Daddy Shen Guoqiang had specifically asked her about it; he had seen the news about Youu Tea and the two major delivery platforms.
These people were the figures who stood at the forefront of the era.
Shen Guoqiang meeting with them would also demand the highest attention.
Upon hearing that [Meituan] was interested in participating in Youu Tea’s financing in the future, Shen Guoqiang’s expression visibly changed, saying, “Under such conditions, Cheng Zhu should find it hard to refuse.”
“If it were me, I would also think this is the best choice.” He nodded slightly, feeling that this young man had secured the greatest advantage.
However, when Shen Qingning spoke of Cheng Zhu and Zhang Xuhao’s conversation, and Cheng Zhu’s interest in personally participating in Eleme’s F-round of financing, Shen Guoqiang’s palm resting on the table curled inward sharply!
As a tycoon in the business world, he was first shocked, then quickly unraveled the series of connections through Shen Qingning’s description.
“The relationships here are complex, as are the hearts of people!”
“If he had such an idea from the start, then it truly could only be Zhang Xuhao, only Eleme!”
“No one else could make such a deal! There wouldn’t be such cooperation with [Meituan].”
“Moreover, he has leveraged everything he could, not just his own advantages but also using others to his benefit, as well as controlling the overall situation.”
Thinking of this, he suddenly asked Shen Qingning, “These delivery platforms, they must have been contacting him for a while, right?”
“Yes.” Shen Qingning nodded.
“But, he never met, never sat down with the decision-makers to have a proper chat?” Shen Guoqiang asked again.
“Right.” Shen Qingning recalled for a moment and gave a confirmatory reply.
In her memory, Cheng Zhu seemed to always be dragging his feet on this matter.
“It seems he has always been waiting for this opportunity, waiting for the situation to become chaotic, and then to maximize his interests in the turmoil!” Shen Guoqiang’s gaze darkened.
He couldn’t understand how a college student could have such foresight?
He didn’t believe that Cheng Zhu was clairvoyant, sure that the situation would evolve as he predicted.
It wouldn’t make sense and would seem too monstrous.
Shen Guoqiang theorized that he had been observing, waiting for the right moment.
And now, he had really grasped the most advantageous moment!
Just this much made him already feel it was terrifying.
Besides, Cheng Zhu’s ambition far exceeded his expectations.
“He’s actually thinking about investing in Eleme…”
Shen Guoqiang had no idea whether, in the current situation, the young man’s ideas would be successful.
He only knew one thing: Eleme’s F-round financing was being watched by the entire capital circle, and anyone who had the capability would want to get involved.
In such a scenario, the Shen family didn’t even qualify.
It wasn’t to say that the Shen family was insignificant, but in this yet another contest between Alibaba and Tencent, the Shen family couldn’t provide much help.
Shen Guoqiang wasn’t sure if Cheng Zhu had the opportunity to get a ticket to the show.
But just the fact that a young person dared to think this way, dared to act, was already impressive enough; it was enough to sense his courage and ambition!
Therefore, he vigorously praised Cheng Zhu in front of Shen Qingning once again.
Besides, he didn’t forget to ask, “You’re now handling a lot of work at Youu Tea, right?”
“Do you have much contact with him?” he asked again.
The proud girl hadn’t expected her daddy to ask such a question all of a sudden. She felt a bit complicated and eventually just said, “Mostly on official business.”
“Yes, that’s good, it’s good to have more contact,” he reiterated his advice. “I’ve said it before, you can learn something from him, he’s quite exceptional among you young people.” Shen Guoqiang advised again.
He felt very reassured about Lin Lu’s boyfriend.
Inside the office, everyone was having a good conversation.
Shen Qingning rarely spoke up, looking a bit like a decorative vase next to Cheng Zhu.
But in reality, she was listening very seriously, even studying Cheng Zhu’s conversation techniques.
She could tell that Cheng Zhu enjoyed a progressive style of conversation, one that was very natural for him, eventually achieving his goals.
Besides that, he sometimes laid some groundwork.
This caused the proud girl to inadvertently think back to her intimate moments with him in the past.
“That scoundrel has always been when he’s with me, always scheming!”