Chapter 199: Dad, Your Grandson Has Made It—Over 100 Million in Cash Alone

"Chen Zong, apologies for the intrusion—I'm Zhang Liaoyuan, founder of Three Squirrels, just moved onto Pinbei Mall last week, now selling 1, 00 units daily. Thank you, Chen Zong, for giving Huian entrepreneurs an online sales channel."

Zhang Liaoyuan stepped forward quickly, face beaming with flattery and admiration.

These were carefully chosen words—introducing himself and his brand while subtly leveraging their shared hometown ties to draw closer to Chen Yansen.

Xu Minggang lifted his slightly drunken gaze, curling his lips into a cold smile as he studied Zhang Liaoyuan with interest.

In his eyes, this man had a touch of gambler's spirit.

Fortune comes with risk—and so does loss.

If Chen Yansen found Zhang Liaoyuan's behavior too brazen, he wouldn't just fail to make a connection—he might invite outright dislike.

Three Squirrels?

Chen Yansen furrowed his brow slightly, puzzled—he wasn't unfamiliar with Zhang Liaoyuan; in his past life, both were internet entrepreneurs from Huian and had exchanged words privately.

The live-streaming rooms under Feiyu had once sold his products.

Logically, at this point in time, Three Squirrels shouldn't have been founded yet?

But Zhang Liaoyuan was clear: Three Squirrels had just joined Pinbei Mall last week.

Yet Chen Yansen quickly relaxed—he realized e-commerce had already shifted dramatically under his influence.

The thousand-group battle, meant to decide a winner, was still raging fiercely; Lashou. om and Wowo Group led far ahead, showing no signs of decline; Wang Xin of Meituan had used every trick just to edge past Nuomi and Dazhong Dianping and break into the top three.

Three Squirrels launching months earlier was perfectly normal.

Even Zhang Yiming of ByteDance hadn't built a content distribution app—he was wholly focused on developing a mobile browser.

"Oh, so you're Zhang Zong. Pleased to meet you." Chen Yansen smiled faintly, replying with calm indifference.

Perhaps Zhang Liaoyuan would become wildly successful someday, with a peak net worth over a billion—but right now, Three Squirrels was just starting out; in truth, he was merely the head of a C-tier brand.

"Sorry, if there's nothing else, we'll take our leave." Xu Minggang waved dismissively, signaling Zhang Liaoyuan to leave.

Today's banquet was meant solely to bond with Chen Yansen.

Someone as insignificant as Zhang Liaoyuan wasting even a minute of his time—Xu Minggang hadn't even ordered his assistant to eject him—already showed remarkable restraint.

"Apologies, Chen Zong, this is our company's product—if you have time, please try some."

Zhang Liaoyuan didn't know Xu Minggang's identity, but since he was drinking with Chen Yansen, he must be someone important—he dared not offend him, only offering a nervous smile in apology.

Saying this, he pulled a bag of mixed nuts from his pocket and offered it with humble, clasped hands.

"Thanks. Drop by Pinbei's headquarters sometime."

Chen Yansen took the nuts, patted Zhang Liaoyuan's shoulder, and walked off with those words.

Regardless, brands like Three Squirrels that rode the e-commerce wave—while partly lucky—undoubtedly owed their success to Zhang Liaoyuan's sharp operational management.

Back in the private room, Xu Minggang asked curiously: "Chen Zong, this guy's got a rough, streetwise air—do you think highly of him?"

At thirty-six, Zhang Liaoyuan had been a hooligan, sold goods on street stalls, ran an ice cream shop, and peddled pirated DVDs.

His life only straightened out at twenty-seven, when he entered the nut industry that would define his future.

Starting from the bottom as a sales rep, it took him nine years to reach general manager.

Two years ago, he founded the Peach brand—Shell Nut—for his former employer.

That was the predecessor to Three Squirrels; on Taobao, it tested the market successfully, hitting over ten million yuan in sales within eight months.

At that point, Zhang Liaoyuan wondered: I negotiated the suppliers, built the online channels—why should I get only a pittance?

So he poached a core team from Shell Nut and founded Three Squirrels.

Xu Minggang had a sharp eye for people—Zhang Liaoyuan wasn't just rough around the edges; he was fiercely ambitious.

I can't say I'm particularly optimistic about him. For me, if I come across a nut brand with even slight potential like Three Squirrels, why not give it a shot?

Chen Yansen replied with a smile.

Xu Minggang nodded slightly, raised his glass in toast, and immediately forgot Zhang Liaoyuan entirely.

In his eyes, Zhang Liaoyuan's achievements meant nothing—just another faceless nobody.

After the feast, Chen Yansen and Xu Minggang each got into their cars and waved goodbye.

Chen Yansen felt refreshed and alert, instructing Gao Weilin to drive back to the hotel.

Watching Gao's back, he thought: I really need to hire a driver—after all, Gao Weilin is CFO of Senlian Capital.

Should I get Old Chen to be my driver?

Chen Guobin had twenty years' driving experience—solid veteran.

No.

Old Chen loved meddling—he'd flip out if he found out I had two girlfriends!

Chen Yansen shook his head rapidly at the thought.

Forget it—I'll have Xiong Li post a job listing later and see if any reliable candidates turn up.

The next morning.

In the conference hall of Jingdong HQ, the room was packed with local Lucheng media reporters.

Under Tao Jingwen's orders, his assistant leaked news of the equity swap between Orange Tech, Lucheng Construction, and Xincheng International to the editors of Lucheng Daily, Lucheng Radio & TV, and Lucheng Online.

He wanted to use this moment to promote Lucheng as a flagship of the LCD panel industry.

"Chen Zong, we were just partners, and now we're family?"

Wang Dongsheng, CEO of Jingdong, shook Chen Yansen's right hand, laughing with amazement.

Two months ago, Gao Weilin had visited, seeking to buy some Jingdong equity; since Orange Tech was Jingdong's major client, Wang Dongsheng had instructed his staff to treat Gao Weilin well—but he'd politely declined the equity sale.

Later, the securities representative noticed a third-party investment firm buying Jingdong's Class A shares in small, staggered batches—after investigation, they discovered it was Senlian Capital.

Wang Dongsheng hadn't cared then—after all, these were freely traded shares; Senlian's purchases had even lifted Jingdong's stock by a few points.

Who knew? The moment they connected with Meng Yuanzhi, they bought 3% equity each from Lucheng Construction and Xincheng International—and now stood as Jingdong's third-largest shareholder.

Wang Dongsheng didn't mind at all.

Remember, Orange Tech had reached fourth place in domestic smartphone shipments in under half a year last year.

With annual screen procurement exceeding twenty million units, it could bring Jingdong nearly two billion yuan in revenue.

With such a major client, Jingdong's stock would surge—and it might even turn profitable in 2012.

"Wang Zong, for Q1, make sure you treat Orange Tech like family on pricing."

Chen Yansen replied with a smile.

"No problem—once the contract's signed, we'll chat more." Wang Dongsheng agreed readily.

"Boss, ready to sign." Gao Weilin leaned in, whispering.

Chen Yansen nodded, sat down at the desk with Gao Weilin; Xu Minggang gave him a faint smile, while Wang Qingsheng sat coldly silent.

With reporters everywhere, cameras and flashes pointed at them, Wang Qingsheng dared not cause trouble—he silently signed the equity transfer agreement.

Chen Yansen and Xu Minggang did the same.

But before signing, Chen Yansen quickly reread the contract—only after confirming every detail did he sign.

He trusted only himself.

"Click—!"

Shutter buttons clicked nonstop; flashbulbs never dimmed.

In the lens of the Jianghuai Evening Post reporter, twenty-year-old Chen Yansen stood tall, handsome, dressed in a light gray suit, laughing heartily as he shook hands with Xincheng International's chairman Xu Minggang.

Young, accomplished, brimming with vigor.

"Someone like this—might not appear once in fifty years."

The reporter thought silently as he pressed the shutter.

News spread fast—Jingdong's stock price surged that day, jumping from 1. 3 yuan to 1. 7 yuan, with buy orders vastly outnumbering sell orders.

Retail investors clung tightly to their shares—by this momentum, it would take five or six consecutive limit-ups before anyone would sell.

Meanwhile.

Chen Yansen, Wang Dongsheng, Xu Minggang, Tao Jingwen, and others entered the Lucheng Fu private room, clinking glasses and toasting.

After the meal, LCD and AMOLED screen prices dropped 8% and 5% respectively—saving Orange Tech over a billion yuan annually in procurement costs.

As they left, Tao Jingwen called him "little brother"; Xu Minggang personally saw Chen Yansen off to his car.

One was Meng Yuanzhi's personal secretary; the other, chairman of Xincheng International—both could shake the ground for miles around.

"Next time you come to Lucheng, let your brother know ahead."

Xu Minggang, slightly drunk, gave a wobbly reminder.

"Chen little brother, I'll get your Orange Phone factory permits sorted quickly—I've already spoken to Director Zhao at Industrial Bank; the low-interest loan will be in before the New Year."

Tao Jingwen patted his chest in assurance.

"No problem—I'll treat you all to sea cucumber overseas." Chen Yansen smiled back, replying with practiced ease.

"Are these sea cucumbers real?" Xu Minggang asked with a sly grin.

Tao Jingwen shook his head with a smile but said nothing—he represented Meng Yuanzhi's image and couldn't afford Xu Minggang's reckless freedom.

"It depends on what Xu Zong prefers." Chen Yansen replied with a smile.

"Enough—you're the chairman of a construction company, he's the CEO of a tech firm—if anyone hears this and posts it online, you'll shame Huian entrepreneurs."

Tao Jingwen sighed helplessly, cutting off their banter.

Chen Yansen smiled, bid farewell to the three, and returned to his car.

The moment the car door shut, his smile vanished—he rolled down the window, letting cold wind rush inside.

He didn't believe a couple of meals could make him brothers with Tao Jingwen or Xu Minggang.

Banquet friendships were weaker than a fart.

All under heaven bustle for profit; all under heaven hustle for gain.

Chen Yansen was familiar with this tactic; everyone was here for their own interests and would eventually fall out over those same interests.

Like Liu Qiangdong and Li Guoqing, Ma Liyun and Wang Xin, Leiyi Army and Huang Zhang.

In the end, it was all business.

"Boss, are we heading back to Xucheng tomorrow?" Gao Weilin asked, turning his head from the driver's seat.

"It's still early. Let's return to the hotel for a short rest, then head to Xucheng this afternoon."

Chen Yansen thought for a moment and said to Old Gao.

"Understood, Boss." Gao Weilin sighed inwardly; having such an energetic boss meant endless hard work.

Meanwhile.

The news that Orange Tech had acquired equity in Jingdongfang had been trending for three hours.

Most ordinary people didn't understand the strategic significance behind it, but a small group of sharp individuals rushed to buy Jingdongfang shares, waiting for the price to hit the daily limit.

To Chen Yongming of OPPO, Huang Zhang of Meizu, and Yu Chendong of Huawei, Chen Yansen's ambition was far greater than they'd imagined.

Few smartphone manufacturers had begun laying out supply chains as early as 2012.

After learning this, Lei Yijun fell silent for a long while, wondering: Should I also invest in a screen supplier?

Xiaomi's current screen supplier is Sharp, and the prices aren't low.

Thinking this over, Lei Yijun called Li Wanqiang and told him to inspect Lucheng; if everything checked out, switch Xiaomi's new phone screen supplier to Jingdongfang.

Far away in Chunshen, Chen Guobin sat outside a bookstore, holding an Orange C1 phone, scrolling through news.

"Good news! Orange Tech officially invested in Jingdongfang, enabling self-production and self-distribution!"

"Orange Tech CEO Chen Yansen signed an equity transfer agreement on January 10. According to insiders, Orange Tech has also invested in Desai Battery…"

"Jingdongfang released its latest shareholder list: Senlian Capital ranks third!"

Chen Guobin stared at the photo of Chen Yansen, opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say.

Was that young man, dominating the business world and surrounded by top state-capital magnates in the news, really his son?

Recalling how he'd often kicked Chen Yansen as a child, Chen Guobin was filled with regret—if he'd kicked him less, maybe his son would've woken up sooner.

"Uncle Chen, give me a copy of Reader."

"Boss Chen, I'd like to buy a copy of Youth Digest."

As Chen Guobin stood frozen, two girls in Chunshen No. High School uniforms walked up and spoke.

Under Chen Yansen's influence, Old Chen's business remained bustling even during winter break.

These seventeen- and eighteen-year-olds all saw Chen Yansen as their idol and future goal.

On the other side.

In a villa outside Chunshen, Liang Anguo pleaded with the old man: "Dad, I'm planning to have our third son invite my brother-in-law over for dinner tomorrow—please don't give him a cold shoulder."

Over the past year, his nephew's fame had outshone that of any celebrity.

A billionaire at twenty—just a few crumbs from his fingers could feed him for life.

"Brother-in-law? Where did you get a brother-in-law?" Liang Hongbao asked, momentarily confused.

"Of course, Chen Guobin," Liang Anguo answered as if it were obvious.

The man he'd once called a pauper, a waste, a piece of trash, was now being called "brother-in-law"—and said with startling warmth.

"Why bring that piece of trash into my house? I won't see him!" Liang Hongbao scowled, annoyed.

"Dad, you don't know—your grandson has made it big. He has over ten billion in cash alone. Chen Guobin is my own sister's husband; we'll need to keep in touch."

Liang Anguo quickly explained.

"Ten billion? Over ten billion?" Liang Hongbao's eyes lit up, disbelieving.

(End of chapter)