Chapter 1391: Taking the Initiative

"Who is this person?"

As soon as they got into the car, Ren Siyu curiously asked Yangcheng.

"Wang Yan."

"Wang Yan?" Ren Siyu pondered for a moment. "Why does that name sound familiar? I think it was mentioned when you guys were drinking together... net worth of several tens of millions... he's the one doing internet stuff at Peking University, right?"

"That's him." Yangcheng nodded. "I even wanted to invest in him back then, but he refused. If I had known he could achieve what he has today, I would have thrown several million at him no matter what."

"But I reckon he still wouldn't have taken it. Back then, he said that if he succeeded, it would be me robbing him of money, and if he failed, he would owe me a favor; either way, he would be the one losing out. He made some money selling computers on his own, the school gave him an interest-free loan, adding up to probably just over a hundred thousand. He tricked students into working for him for free, and somehow managed to pull it off in just three months. Truly amazing..."

Those three months felt like they happened just yesterday, vivid and clear, yet looking at today, that person had already become a rising star in the internet industry, while he himself remained merely a rich young master living off his family, waiting to die.

Originally, he had felt quite proud standing before Wang Yan, a pride stemming from his family and wealth, but now all that sense of superiority had vanished completely. Wang Yan had fought his way out alone, bare-handed, building connections and wealth; although not comparable to their family, within Peking University and Haidian, Wang Yan was someone whose words carried weight.

At the same time, due to the huge commotion caused by the recent review system, while everyone was watching the spectacle involving Jingcheng's Industry and Commerce, Tax, Health, and Market departments, they had also learned Wang Yan's name.

A top graduate from Peking University, damn it, even an art major, starting a business that stirred up the entire capital city, so much so that even the higher-up leaders had heard of him.

This was the capital; how could such a massive disturbance go unheard? Even if they didn't hear it themselves, others would help ensure they did.

While domestic internet companies were struggling to study foreign models, using the existence of foreign precedents as the indicator to judge an internet company's potential, Wang Yan had truly emerged as a powerful new force, making people's eyes light up.

His background was tragic, both parents deceased, yet under the radiant glow of the Party, he did not stray onto the wrong path; instead, he was admitted to Peking University, one of the highest institutions of learning, broadened his horizons in a short time, and founded his own career.

A genius young entrepreneur in the internet sector, delving deep into real life to explore new paths for the internet to benefit the people's livelihood—how could this not be considered an auspicious omen in another sense?

It not only demonstrated the superiority of the fundamental system and showcased the results of educational policies, but also reflected the promoting role of high-quality talent in high-tech development... This was simply too auspicious, too favorable...

"Hey, tell me more about him, I'm really curious."

Yangcheng glanced at her and snorted. "I advise you not to have any other ideas; you're simply not from the same world. Don't invite humiliation upon yourself."

"What kind of person do you take me for?" Ren Siyu snorted back and said, "Right, that's true. In your eyes, aren't I just someone who loves money? Whoever has money and is generous, I'll flock to their side."

"Didn't that Wang Yan just say it himself? He has no money, and he isn't willing to hang out with you rich young masters. Even with his net worth of several tens of millions, he wouldn't spend a dime on me. With such a huge company, he doesn't have time to deal with me anyway, so why would I bother trying to get close to him?"

"You have a very clear understanding of yourself." Yangcheng looked at her before continuing, "Wang Yan is an orphan..."

Yangcheng recounted everything he knew about Wang Yan; in fact, he had always been closely following Wang Yan's entrepreneurial progress, often gathering information from Wang Ying, so he knew quite a lot.

This included many details about Wang Yan's growth experience, his business development, and even the various speeches Wang Yan used to deceive people; he told it all to Ren Siyu, as none of it was really a secret.

Anyone who paid attention knew these things; they were already accomplished facts. It was just that the information Yangcheng obtained from Wang Ying was more specific, including some of his ideas and train of thought.

This was thanks to the fact that Wang Yan was never someone who kept things hidden; if someone asked, he would tell. It wasn't just Xiao Qianxi and the others; everyone in the company was the same. If they didn't understand the intention, they would ask, and he would patiently explain.

This was also one of the reasons why the internal atmosphere of the company was so good; Wang Yan had no airs at all, and everyone was a comrade striving together. Although, essentially speaking, Wang Yan was a capitalist exploiting them...

Ren Siyu listened from beginning to end, completely stunned.

"So awesome?" She asked in surprise, her mouth slightly agape. "This is too legendary, isn't it?"

"So you thought I was just bragging before?" Yangcheng said somewhat speechlessly.

"Doesn't that mean if he cashed out now and sold his shares, he could get fifty million?"

"He couldn't get that much. He is the founder; if he wanted to sell out and liquidate, who would believe in the future of this company? Who would dare claim they could do better than Wang Yan? If that were truly possible, why hadn't such an internet company succeeded before? No one would take over the burden."

"It's only possible for him to sell a small portion personally. I heard from Wang Ying that Wang Yan estimates his shares are worth over seventy million; a small portion could be sold at that price. For ten or eight million, many people would be willing to take it. Not to mention others, even I would want to beg my family for money to buy his shares."

"Don't dream too big; Wang Yan won't sell his shares. Selling now would result in too much loss; it's not cost-effective. Wait until the company goes public later; inside and out, the money he would lose by selling now would be ten times less than what he'd gain then. Besides, he pays himself a salary of ten thousand yuan a month, which is enough for him to live on."

"Did Wang Ying tell you all this?" Ren Siyu knew Wang Ying, or rather, had met her.

"She works part-time for Wang Yan."

Ren Siyu teased, "So the Young Lady is also experiencing the life of the common people?"

"It's not quite what you think. Wang Yan's girlfriend is in the same dormitory as Wang Ying; they are all friends. Wang Yan arranged for everyone in their dormitory to rotate through various departments to learn about corporate structure and relevant knowledge in business administration."

"Wang Yan seems like a pretty good person."

"Very generous, very upright."

"No way, Young Master Yang, you guys can't even finish a drinking session without spending at least ten thousand; how is Wang Yan generous and upright?"

"Is money all you see in your eyes?" Yangcheng looked at her with disgust. "For Wang Ying and the others' rotation, Wang Yan personally mentors and teaches them; is that something anyone can do? His company provides three meals a day; breakfast is normal, while lunch and dinner consist of five dishes and one soup. He invited school teachers to come and provide guidance, tutoring seniors with their thesis papers. The company also provides fruits, snacks, drinks..."

"He has another company called Youxiang Network, which does e-commerce and is currently being promoted. He found a partner, someone who used to sell computers in Zhongguancun; that person sold all their assets to invest two million, and Wang Yan gave him twenty percent of the shares..."

After listening to Yangcheng describe the benefits within Wang Yan's company and the story of Liu Qiangdong.

Ren Siyu didn't quite get it: "Isn't this still just about money?"

"If it were you, would you be willing to spend like that? And regarding that Youxiang Network, two million for twenty percent of the shares; do you know what a huge bargain that is? Even if Youxiang Network wasn't connected to Zhiwo Network, even if it had nothing else, currently, just based on Wang Yan's reputation, this company would be worth more than ten million red bills. Vision, do you understand? Vision!"

Seeing Ren Siyu's dismissive expression, Yangcheng shook his head. "Let me tell you something you can understand. I heard from Wang Ying that Wang Yan plans to raise funds again next year. At that time, to enrich the website's content and also fulfill his own artistic dream, he intends to take out several million to start a magazine, handing it over to his girlfriend, Wang Ying, and the others to operate together."

"Generous! Upright! Nothing more to say!" This time, Ren Siyu finally understood.

Glancing at her, Yangcheng shook his head, continued driving by himself, and ignored this shallow woman who only had eyes for money...

Wang Yan drove leisurely around the campus for a lap before returning to the company, where he saw his classmates still fighting hard, along with the workers hired through social recruitment.

None of them had left.

It wasn't yet holiday time for the workers; they only had a few days off during the Chinese New Year.

The students who stayed were mostly juniors and seniors; they were all betting on their future. The more they worked with Wang Yan, the more energized and passionate they became. Because the company was truly moving towards glory, constantly expanding, their distant future paths were becoming increasingly brilliant. Not going home for a year or two was no problem; they didn't worry about graduation, had no concerns about their prospects, earned enough money to live on, and were all striving for the same goal.

Going public!

As for other students, their families were impoverished, and they couldn't bear the travel expenses to go home and back.

Now, working part-time here for Wang Yan, sleeping in school dormitories at night, having all three meals provided, earning part-time wages, learning some knowledge if their major was relevant, or gaining some exercise and adapting to society early if it wasn't—all of these were good things.

Amidst the buzzing hum of activity, Wang Yan went to a corner of the company where six people were working, four men and two women.

However, their desks were different from everyone else's; besides computers and monitors, there was a large pile of tools and various circuit boards; they were all working on hardware.

"How's it going?" He walked over and asked.

"Not bad, Brother Yan." The senior student in his fourth year called him 'Brother' quite smoothly. "But the more I work on it, the more I feel this thing has great potential. Sending it to restaurants feels like a bit of a waste."

In his hand, he held a simple tablet device connected to a black-and-white screen, with various wires linking it together.

The student said, "We could totally find a way to shrink it, use a touchscreen for the display, add a communication module; it would be far better than current mobile phones."

Wang Yan raised an eyebrow, then nodded with a smile: "Your idea is good, but current technology cannot achieve it, and the cost is too high. However, this is a direction; after finishing this, you can research this project. If you succeed, your name will be recorded in the history of China's internet."

"However, our main goal right now is still to promote our local life services; this terminal is our tentacle for merging online with offline. Only with it can we convert online traffic into real offline money, which will further push up our valuation and allow us to take a solid step toward going public."

"But if you develop the phone you mentioned, you will have nothing to do with Zhiwo Network's listing. No, tomorrow I will register a new company, and by then you will all be transferred there to specialize in researching this. You will all be the founding elders of this company. Obviously, the communications business is more profitable than what we are doing now. Keep it up, and tell me if you need anything."

"Now, let us first look at this terminal."

This does not contain much technical content; there are no breakthroughs, only existing technologies assembled together.

Shaped like a tablet, it can interact with Zhiwo Network once connected to the internet. When coupons are claimed or set meals purchased on Zhiwo Network here, the merchant there receives the order for offline verification.

Transactions utilize the network payment tool currently under development, acting as a third-party intermediary guarantor. When a user places an order and pays, the funds are first held in an account; after offline consumption is completed and confirmed without error or dispute, the commission is directly deducted here, and the remainder is transferred to the offline shop's account, completing the transaction.

Therefore, besides receiving orders, the tablet's functions include other buttons for adding or reducing consumption items, user signing, confirming order submission, and other operational choices, along with a matching printer to print receipts.

The functions are relatively complete and comprehensive.

Wang Yan even plans to utilize the Wi-Fi function to create a restaurant ordering device, which is also feasible at present; this would make the combination of online and offline in catering services even more natural. Using only this terminal is still somewhat troublesome.

After a period of development, the terminal is basically complete; only some minor adjustments remain, after which it can be outsourced to a factory for production.

Wang Yan then took the opportunity to have them work on the ordering device, suggesting they just research it slowly.

Restaurants nowadays are not as formal as they will be in the future; unlike later, when even slightly larger restaurants use electronic ordering. But this does not mean there is no market; just as there will be slightly larger restaurants in the future, there are many now, and they can still sell for money.

Of course, this is a side matter, not the main business; this distinction between primary and secondary must be clear.

After reviewing the terminal research, Wang Yan went to the payment development team, sorted through the business processes again, and helped solve several development issues.

In this place full of geniuses, everyone acknowledged the fact that the boss was a genius; he seemed to understand everything.

To this, Wang Yan remarked that he was actually a foolish person of average talent, and that his achievements today were solely due to the care of his living father...

Although there was still some time before the New Year, for those gathered together, it seemed like every day was the New Year; everyone was lively and bustling, constantly advancing various projects.

Wang Yan took time out to personally lead a team, negotiating cooperation and promotion deals with restaurants around Beiqing University that had a decent reputation in Zhiwo Network's reviews.

During the conversations, they often stated that their business was already good, and even better recently, so there was no reason to give up a portion of their profits to cooperate with Wang Yan.

So Wang Yan nodded politely, left the contact number of the relevant promotion staff for them to call later, then stood up and went to the neighboring shops with not-so-good reviews...

No one dislikes making money; it is just that some people have an improper attitude and do not work seriously. Wang Yan helped them find themselves and promised to help them make more money, so the deals were naturally settled.

All of this has not yet demonstrated any power, because the business has not yet started. But wait until next year when school starts and a huge crowd comes to eat; Wang Yan believes that the highly-rated shops next door will listen carefully to every rule spoken by the Zhiwo Network promotion staff...

That day, Wang Yan went out to conduct business all morning; when he returned to the company, he unexpectedly saw Xie Da Qiao, Qin Li Chuan, and a slightly round-faced Miss. The three were happily eating boxed lunches, enjoying them immensely.

"What's this? You have food at home but won't eat it, running over here to mooch a meal?"

Wang Yan took a boxed lunch, sat down beside them, and asked with a smile...

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? (End of Chapter)