Chapter 197: Valued at 18 Billion U.S

Chen Yansen arrived in Lucheng as night fell.

A line of three cars slowly pulled into a five-star hotel near the Central Office; he had arranged to meet Tao Jingwen tomorrow morning.

After checking in, Chen Yansen walked ahead, with Meng Jie and Gao Weilin close behind, followed by the financial analyst and legal advisor—eleven people total.

Guests in the lobby noticed and turned their gazes toward them.

Though Chen Yansen looked extremely young, his aura commanded respect.

"Who's this Bi Xia Men? Some internet celebrity? Followed by a dozen assistants."

"He looks familiar—I just can't place where I've seen him."

"Isn't that Chen Yansen, boss of Orange Tech? Dad, it's really him! I'm going to ask for his autograph!"

A young girl in the lounge suddenly slapped her forehead, recognizing Chen Yansen, then rushed toward the elevator.

"Don't go! You won't catch him—plus, we're all staying at the same hotel, you'll get another chance tomorrow."

Her father reached out to stop her.

"Fine, he's even better-looking in person than in photos," the girl said with a grin as the elevator doors slowly closed.

"He's a big boss, not some idol—looks don't matter. A man's worth is in his money," her father said with a wry smile.

"But he's rich too," the girl countered.

On the other side.

Chen Yansen stepped into his room, set down his luggage, and heard a knock at the door.

Under his low-grade spiritual sense, a petite female silhouette appeared in his mind.

Chen Yansen walked over, opened the door, and asked, "Why aren't you resting?"

"I want to go out for a walk," Meng Jie said with a smile.

"Where?" Chen Yansen replied noncommittally.

"The pedestrian street?" Meng Jie stared at him with bright, hopeful eyes.

This was the first time Chen Yansen had brought her on a business trip.

"Fine. Go change—wear the outfit I gave you for your last birthday."

Chen Yansen agreed readily, then added a condition.

"Uh… I didn't bring it," Meng Jie blushed and quickly made up an excuse.

"Really? I don't believe you."

Chen Yansen narrowed his eyes and stared at her.

Meng Jie grew uneasy under his gaze and finally gave in: "I'll wear it for you tonight, okay?"

"Fine," Chen Yansen nodded satisfied, slinging an arm around her shoulders and heading toward the elevator.

In his past life, after graduating, he went straight to Shanghai; he'd only passed through Lucheng two or three times on business and had no real impression of it.

The two drove out of the hotel, speeding along Huangshan Road toward the pedestrian street.

At this time, property prices in Lucheng's core district were just over 6, 00 yuan per square meter; seven years later, the average would surge past 20, 00.

For most ordinary people, seizing the optimal moment to buy property meant winning half the game of life.

Buy in 2012, sell in 2019—you'd make at least triple your money.

But buy in 2019, sell in 2024, and you'd lose most of your shot at success.

"The apartment my dad bought me? Right there, in that building ahead."

As they passed Yinhe Park, Meng Jie pointed to a building ahead and smiled.

Meng Zhenguo had expected his daughter to retake the exam and apply to a university in Lucheng; instead, she'd chosen to go to Xu City for this kid, Chen Yansen.

As a result, the apartment he'd bought two years ago now sat empty, rented out.

Chen Yansen's heart warmed—he knew the sacrifices Meng Jie had made for him, foolish and silly as they were.

But what came out of his mouth sounded different: "Your dad has good taste—property here will easily hit 20, 00 yuan per square meter."

"Who's your dad? Always talking nonsense," Meng Jie smirked and punched him lightly.

They parked nearby and walked straight into the pedestrian street, where neon lights were just beginning to glow.

…

…

The next morning.

Chen Yansen, dressed neatly, arrived at the second-floor restaurant with Meng Jie.

Gao Weilin and the others, in sharp suits, sat around two round tables, eating breakfast while discussing preparations for the day's work.

"Chen Yansen, could you sign my autograph?"

A girl in a white sweater suddenly approached, holding an Orange C2 phone.

Her voice was soft, unnoticed by the others.

"Orange C2—only 300 engineering units ever made. You've got quick hands."

Chen Yansen took the pen she offered and teased, smiling.

"Actually, I paid 2, 00 yuan to a scalper," the girl chuckled, confessing.

Two thousand yuan?

The gross profit on an Orange C2 was under 400 yuan—does this scalper make more than I do?

Chen Yansen chuckled, looking up at the girl.

Eighteen or nineteen, tall and slender, with two faint dimples when she smiled, chestnut hair, delicate features—she looked like a college student.

"I'm Xu Jiujie—Xu as in 'double person,' Jiu as in 'beer.' I want a personalized inscription: 'Wish Xu Jiujie stays eighteen forever.'"

The girl stared at him expectantly.

Chen Yansen glanced at the palm-sized Orange C2—there was no way to fit that much text. He scribbled a single character: "Sen," and handed it back.

"Huh?! That's it? So fast!" Xu Jiujie took the phone, puzzled.

But when she saw the inscription on the back, she immediately wanted to chase after him—she'd asked for a personalized message, and he'd written just one character.

Chen Yansen had no time for her. After breakfast, he and Meng Jie, Gao Weilin, and the others left the hotel and drove toward the Central Office.

Ten minutes later, they arrived.

Tao Jingwen sat calmly in the lobby with a subordinate; when his peripheral vision caught Chen Yansen's license plate, he straightened his collar and strode forward.

Chen Yansen stepped out of the car to see a middle-aged man, glasses on, over 1. meters tall, smiling warmly at him.

"Mr. Chen, hello, I'm Tao Jingwen."

Tao Jingwen extended his hand in greeting.

"Secretary Tao, a pleasure," Chen Yansen replied politely, shaking his hand.

In Lucheng, this man held the same weight as Song Siming from "The Snail House"—just a secretary on the surface, but wielding considerable power.

"Mr. Chen, the equity swap partners today are Wang Qingsheng from Lucheng Construction Investment and Xu Minggang from Xincheng International. The valuations and exchange ratios are strictly between you—our Central Office won't interfere. Negotiate as businesspeople."

After the pleasantries, Tao Jingwen's expression turned serious, clearly stating his position.

"Understood. No problem," Chen Yansen nodded slightly.

For Jingdongfang, he wanted influence, not control—he had no intention of making Meng Yuanzhi's life harder.

Seeing that Chen Yansen understood the stakes, Tao Jingwen instantly upgraded his assessment of him.

The group moved forward into a bright, clean conference room.

A long, curved table stood dead center.

Bookshelves, greenery, teacups, and the projector were arranged with meticulous order, radiating an unmistakable sense of deliberate design.

By the window sat two delegations—about ten people total.

"Mr. Chen, this is Mr. Wang Qingsheng from Lucheng Construction Investment, and Mr. Xu Minggang from Xincheng International."

Tao Jingwen stood between the three parties and introduced them slowly.

"Mr. Wang, Mr. Xu!" Chen Yansen smiled faintly, relaxed and casual in his greeting.

Xu Minggang laughed loudly, leaned forward, and gripped Chen Yansen's right hand warmly: "Young men from Anhui Province are outstanding indeed. I've heard your name so often, my ears are worn out—glad to finally meet you."

"Mr. Xu, you're too kind. You're a senior—I still have much to learn from you in business."

Flattery was cheap, and though Chen Yansen had never heard of Xu Minggang, since the man was being courteous, he wouldn't be rude.

Wang Qingsheng, however, merely lifted his eyelids, grunted, and stayed seated.

Chen Yansen silently sneered, choosing to ignore him.

Tao Jingwen frowned—he hadn't expected Wang Qingsheng to be so disrespectful.

This equity swap determined whether Orange Tech's factory would locate in Lucheng—this was his boss's key strategic move. Why was Wang Qingsheng putting on airs? Who was he trying to impress?

Thinking this, Tao Jingwen narrowed his eyes and quietly noted it down.

"Jingdongfang is valued at 60 billion yuan. Orange Tech's last funding round valued it at 9 billion U. . dollars—equal to Jingdongfang's market cap. One-to-one swap. On behalf of Lucheng Construction Investment, I can offer you no more than 3%."

Wang Qingsheng sat in his chair, stating his terms as if alone.

Chen Yansen ignored Wang Qingsheng entirely and turned to Xu Minggang with a smile: "Mr. Xu, let's sit and talk."

Tao Jingwen's lips curled with barely concealed amusement—he hadn't expected Chen Yansen to be so bold, giving Wang Qingsheng zero face.

"Mr. Chen, Xincheng International values Orange Tech at 16 billion U. . dollars. Within my authority, I can offer up to 6% for the equity swap."

Xu Minggang sat down and got straight to the point.

This equity swap was, in truth, just a formality.

After Meng Yuanzhi's directive, Xu Minggang had no reason to refuse Meng's favor over a few shares of Jingdongfang.

Compared to Wang Qingsheng's offer, Xu Minggang clearly showed more sincerity.

At this point, Orange Tech's valuation, whether calculated by price-to-sales ratio or price-to-earnings ratio, hovered between $15 billion and $18 billion.

"Mr. Xu, I have no objection to JD's market cap, but I have a more reasonable valuation model for Orange Tech."

Chen Yansen said calmly.

Beside him, Gao Weilin pulled out his laptop, opened a file—it was a valuation model he had built using Orange Tech's financial, market, product, and economic data from last year.

As Gao Weilin explained, he casually raised the valuation to $18 billion.

Xu Minggang thought this was a bit high, so he turned his gaze to the financial analyst from Xincheng International.

The man's eyebrows were knitted together; only after hearing Gao Weilin's explanation did he give Xu Minggang a slight nod of agreement.

"I have no issue. I just wonder how much JD equity Mr. Chen wants?"

Xu Minggang asked cautiously.

"Since Mr. Xu mentioned it, I naturally want it all." Chen Yansen replied with a smile.

Six percent plus the original 4. % totals 10. %.

Excluding the two investment firms in Yanjing, Senlian Capital now held the third-largest stake in JD.

In the future, it would have greater leverage in LCD panel supply volumes and procurement negotiations.

Through equity swaps and deep integration, Chen Yansen could gain more control over the supply chain.

Wang Qingsheng let out a cold snort, his face darkening.

He had promised Meng Yuanzhi yesterday; his earlier behavior was meant to assert dominance and pressure the price—but he hadn't expected Chen Yansen to give him not even a shred of face.

He now felt trapped: leave, and he'd offend Meng Yuanzhi; stay, and watching Xu Minggang and Chen Yansen chat amiably made his cheeks burn with shame.

Tao Jingwen observed it all, paused for a few seconds, then stepped forward to smooth things over: "Mr. Chen, that won't do! JD is a key industry for the city—I suggest each party contributes 3%. That's more stable."

As she spoke, she shot Wang Qingsheng a glance.

"Miss Tao is right," Wang Qingsheng quickly agreed.

"But Mr. Wang only offers a $60 billion valuation. Frankly, I can't explain this price to Orange Tech's other investors."

Chen Yansen regarded Wang Qingsheng with amusement.

Wang Qingsheng's face flushed and paled in turns; finally, he forced a thin smile and said stiffly: "I can accept an $18 billion valuation."

Xu Minggang watched Wang Qingsheng with a sardonic expression, thinking: Fool. If not for your boss shielding you, would you even be worthy to sit at this table with me?

Tao Jingwen, seeing everything proceed smoothly, quietly exhaled in relief.

The rest of the process could be handled by finance and legal teams.

"Mr. Chen, please follow me."

Tao Jingwen waved Chen Yansen over.

Xu Minggang knew this was likely Meng Yuanzhi's arrangement; he waved dismissively, telling Chen Yansen not to worry about him, and invited him to a welcome dinner in Lucheng that night.

"Mr. Xu, see you tonight."

Chen Yansen rose and accepted immediately—it was no harm to cultivate a relationship with Xu Minggang.

Once a company reaches a certain scale, contact with people like Xu Minggang and Meng Yuanzhi becomes unavoidable.

Only by leveraging these connections properly could Orange Tech's phone factory expand at the pace he desired.

Otherwise, relying solely on capital would struggle to break through production bottlenecks.

Tao Jingwen led the way down a corridor paved with rosewood, finally stopping before an office door.

(End of Chapter)