Chapter 187: I

The three-day holiday passed in the blink of an eye.

Chen Yansen lived in great comfort; as he stepped into his office, he suddenly received a call from Tang Qingshan.

"Principal Tang, what can I do for you?" Chen Yansen walked to the chair, plopped down, and asked with a smile.

"What principal? Didn't I tell you to call me Teacher Tang?" Tang Qingshan replied irritably.

Ever since Xu Yuan produced Chen Yansen, his reputation had grown louder both within and beyond the province, especially after learning that Orange Tech planned to recruit on campus at Huake University after the New Year—Tang Qingshan secretly gloated.

"Yes, yes, Teacher Tang," Chen Yansen readily agreed, smiling lightly in reply.

Generally speaking, the most powerful person a person ever meets in their lifetime is usually their university president or some reclusive professor.

The class college students desperately try to skip would, in the real world, cost others at least three to five thousand just for a chance to attend.

Tang Qingshan had shown Chen Yansen considerable care, and Chen Yansen returned the favor by respecting this big shot; since the other party wished to establish a teacher-student bond, he had no reason to refuse.

"Before the holiday, the Hangcheng Youth Entrepreneurs Association sent an invitation letter, but the reception desk overlooked it and let it sit. The organizing committee specifically invited you to attend; the date is set for January 5th."

After exchanging pleasantries, Tang Qingshan got straight to the point.

January 5th?

That's tomorrow.

Hangcheng Youth Entrepreneurs Association?

Chen Yansen pondered silently as Tang Qingshan added that the invited young entrepreneurs were primarily 80s and 90s born from Lighthouse, Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and mainland China.

Among them were outstanding graduates from Ivy League schools, Tsinghua, Peking, HKU, and Seoul National University.

In plain terms, Tang Qingshan wanted to use this opportunity to let Chen Yansen give Xu Yuan some visibility at this youth entrepreneur gathering, helping him gain face.

"Teacher Tang, I'll come by later to pick up the invitation."

Chen Yansen didn't overthink it—he immediately agreed to Tang Qingshan's request.

Orange Tech and Pinbei Tech had thrived in Xu City, even deterring the most insignificant freeloaders, thanks first to Tang Qingshan's protection and later to their own formidable strength.

Going out for a change wouldn't hurt—maybe I'll spot a promising project.

"No need. I'll have someone deliver it to you."

Tang Qingshan smiled lightly upon hearing Chen Yansen's agreement.

An hour later, the newly appointed entrepreneurship park mentor, Su Hao, personally delivered the invitation to Chen Yansen's office.

"Teacher Su, what tea would you like?" Chen Yansen rose to greet him.

"You're too kind, Chen Chen. There's still work to finish at the entrepreneurship park—I won't have tea. I need to head back."

Su Hao chose his words carefully, unable to bring himself to say "Director Chen."

As he spoke, he couldn't help but observe Chen Yansen, thinking inwardly: Just like the rumors—tall, handsome, more like a celebrity than an entrepreneur.

He secretly envied Cao Dahua, who had been seconded away from his post and now wielded considerable influence in Shenzhen's electronics industry, plus held the position of head of Orange Phone Factory, earning a guaranteed monthly income of sixty to seventy thousand.

In his view, Cao Dahua was just a lazy old slacker—what ability could he possibly have?

He was merely lucky enough to have attached himself to Chen Yansen's big tree.

Entrepreneurship park business?

Chen Yansen sneered inwardly; since FoxTao had moved out, the entrepreneurship park had returned to its former state.

Although his influence had sparked a wave of entrepreneurial fever at Xu Yuan, within three short months, one by one, the ventures had fizzled out.

Now, apart from Song Yang's courier station, the entrepreneurship park still held only print shops, digital stores, bubble tea, and fruit stalls.

Su Hao going back was just slacking off.

Chen Yansen smiled but didn't call him out—he took the invitation Su Hao handed him, saw him to the door, then returned to his office.

"2012 Youth Entrepreneurs Development Forum: Innovation, Diversity, Win-Win—Strengthen Regional Cooperation, Serve Economic Development."

Chen Yansen glanced at it casually—he'd attended countless such industry networking events in his past life.

In simple terms, it was a gathering for men and women to fish.

Men wanted to fish for resources, connections, and funding; women wanted to fish for a wealthy boyfriend.

Had it not been for Tang Qingshan's request, even if this invitation had been delivered, Chen Yansen would have tossed it straight into the trash.

"Then bring along Old Gao, Zihao, and Song Yuncheng."

Chen Yansen made his decision swiftly.

Although this kind of event held little value for him, if he happened upon a credible project, having Gao Weilin and Song Yuncheng present would make follow-up coordination easier.

As for Wang Zihao, he was just an extra.

This kid knew too little about how to attract women—that's why he got screwed so badly in his past life; taking him along would broaden his horizons.

Otherwise, even if he gained the ability to make money, he couldn't hold onto it—he'd still be useless.

That afternoon at four o'clock.

The four met at the east gate of Xu Yuan, with two cars total.

Song Yuncheng sat in the driver's seat, driving his Bentley Mulsanne with Chen Yansen beside him.

Wang Zihao drove a BMW 750, with Gao Weilin in the passenger seat.

They sped all the way; by the time they reached Hangcheng, the sky outside the windows was pitch black, dotted with a few twinkling stars.

"If you two are bored, you can stroll by West Lake."

After parking on the first floor and checking in, Chen Yansen told Wang Zihao and Gao Weilin.

The two exchanged glances and shuddered—two grown men strolling West Lake at midnight?

Better not.

Wang Zihao shook his head.

Gao Weilin quickly said he needed to call his wife back to the room.

Seeing this, Chen Yansen grunted and walked with them toward their rooms.

Only at midnight, eleven o'clock, did Chen Yansen slip into Song Yuncheng's room carrying a bag of clothes.

"Director Song, I've brought you some small gifts."

As soon as Chen Yansen entered, he grinned.

Song Yuncheng's cheeks flushed red—he instantly understood Chen Yansen's "gifts" were anything but ordinary.

When Chen Yansen opened the bag, sure enough, it contained strange, bizarre clothes and props.

"Boss, can I not wear these?" Song Yuncheng blinked his eyes, pleading softly.

"You don't have to wear them," Chen Yansen paused, then replied.

Song Yuncheng laughed silently, his eyes glistening.

The next morning.

The four dressed neatly and drove to the Hangcheng International Convention Center.

Although the official host of this networking event was the Hangcheng Youth Entrepreneurs Association, Chen Yansen knew Hangcheng's government had contributed significantly—otherwise, how could they have secured the International Convention Center and invited so many overseas and domestic young entrepreneurs?

After stepping out of the car, Chen Yansen headed toward the registration desk.

Gao Weilin, Song Yuncheng, and Wang Zihao followed closely behind.

"Good morning, sir. Please show your invitation," said the registration staff politely.

Behind him, Wang Zihao handed over the invitation.

"Chairman of Senlian Capital, Chen Yansen…" Seeing this, the staff's smile widened; he immediately whispered to a colleague, dropped his current task, and led the four toward the conference hall.

Clearly, someone had given specific instructions.

"Mr. Chen, your company's seat is in the front row. Let me show you." The staff said as they walked.

Chen Yansen nodded slightly and followed him inside.

After passing through a corridor dozens of meters long, they entered a conference hall over a thousand square meters, already filled with people.

"Who's that?"

"Holy shit! That's Chen Yansen from Orange Tech!"

"They invited him too?"

"This guy's a real big shot!"

The men who had just been fawning over Cheng Ou immediately turned their attention to Chen Yansen.

After all, Cheng Ou's Meiliyoupin was valued at only two hundred million U. . dollars—nowhere near the value of Chen Yansen's little toe.

Cheng Ou was also sizing up Chen Yansen—the man wore a light blue suit, perfectly tailored to his frame, clearly custom-made.

At 186 centimeters tall, he towered above the other young entrepreneurs, and his looks made Cheng Ou feel inferior.

Among the crowd, a short, slender man adjusted his glasses, his expression tinged with admiration.

Twenty-eight-year-old Zhang Yiming had just resigned as CEO of 99fang and was preparing for his fifth startup, though he still had no clear idea what to do.

He came to this networking event first to find funding, second to find a project.

He never expected to see Chen Yansen here.

Although he was nine years older than Chen Yansen, among 80s and 90s entrepreneurs, Chen Yansen was regarded as the leader of the youth entrepreneur class.

At just twenty, he'd amassed a fortune of ten billion, and held two companies each valued over ten billion.

Even Ma Wenteng and Ma Liyun at age twenty would find it hard not to feel inferior before Chen Yansen.

"Director Chen, welcome to Hangcheng. I'm Cheng Weixing, Executive Director of the Hangcheng University Student Entrepreneur Alliance."

While others were still stunned, a young man in a black-framed glasses and sharp suit stepped forward to greet him.

Cheng Weixing?

Executive Director of the University Student Entrepreneur Alliance?

Never heard of him!

Probably just a minor player.

Still, you don't hit someone who smiles at you—Chen Yansen returned the smile and exchanged a few brief pleasantries, then took his seat under the staff's guidance.

Cheng Weixing stared intently at Chen Yansen; he was both a staff member and an invited guest of this forum.

As CEO of Fan Cheng Technology, he truly wanted to chat with Chen Yansen about entrepreneurial insights. Though he'd made his first fortune with "Magic Classroom," the subsequent releases—"Dream City," "Apocalypse Legend," and "Water Margin Heroes"—had all failed to meet profit expectations.

Under pressure from Tencent, NetEase, Shengda, Perfect World, and Giant, Fan Cheng Technology was struggling.

Cheng Weixing increasingly felt the gaming industry was too tough to crack. After seeing Chen Yansen's success, he even considered entering the guide-commerce sector and had acted on it, investing two million in Mogujie.

But Mogujie, crushed by the new Fox Taobao, showed no real progress—despite some growth, it was nothing compared to the original Fox Taobao.

The conference hadn't started yet; Chen Yansen had just sat down when someone beside him offered a friendly greeting: "Mr. Chen, hello! I'm Wang Shubin from Shangtongda."

Great, another young entrepreneur I've never heard of.

Chen Yansen smiled politely, gave a couple of vague replies, and immediately felt this forum was exactly as he'd expected—meaningless.

He glanced around; apart from Cheng Ou, he recognized no one else.

Huh?

This guy looks familiar.

Chen Yansen stared at Zhang Yiming, a sense of familiarity rising in his mind.

Founder of ByteDance?

The future billionaire?

But what's with that look of admiration in his eyes?

Once Chen Yansen realized, he let out a faint smile.

"Mr. Chen, do you know me?"

Zhang Yiming, confirming Chen Yansen was looking at him, stepped closer to greet him.

He'd just left 99fang with only five million in cash. If his new project could win Chen Yansen's support, venture capitalists would surely take notice.

"No, I just thought you looked familiar. What's your name?"

Chen Yansen extended his hand, making up a casual excuse.

"Zhang Yiming, former CEO of 99fang," Zhang Yiming introduced himself briefly.

Former CEO?

So Zhang Yiming was currently unemployed, likely preparing a new project.

After four consecutive entrepreneurial failures, even though he believed in his own abilities, he'd begun questioning his life.

His fellow townsman and former boss, Wang Xin, invited him to join Meituan, but Zhang Yiming refused.

He didn't want to be held back—he wanted to build his own product.

He left 99fang because his equity stake was too small; the title of CEO sounded impressive, but in reality, he was just a hired hand.

Chen Yansen nodded and replied vaguely, saying they could chat if time allowed.

He didn't think he could win someone's loyalty by casually handing out a few tens of millions.

Zhang Yiming understood technology and had connections; he could easily raise a few million. His father ran an electronics factory, so his family was well-off.

From his repeated rejections of Wang Xin's overtures, it was clear he wasn't the passive, unambitious tech nerd he appeared to be—he was deeply ambitious.

A company leader without goals or ambition would never grow big or last long.

As Chen Yansen pondered, many of the young entrepreneurs in attendance turned envious glances toward Zhang Yiming—including Cheng Weixing, who had spoken to him earlier.

They might have been big shots in their own projects, companies, or fields, but their eyes toward Chen Yansen clearly held reverence.

Among those present, almost no one could match Chen Yansen in wealth or achievement.

Even a few top graduates from Ivy League and Tsinghua/Peking University, holding titles like general manager or president of some company, were, in truth, merely high-level employees.

Though Chen Yansen's educational background was likely the weakest, these elite Ivy League graduates were all thinking: how to flatter him, secure investment from him, or land a mid- to senior management role at Senlian Capital or Orange Tech.

(End of Chapter)