Chapter 364

Late January, the north wind cut like a blade, whipping snowflakes into swirling spirals.

The bronze bells on the corner tower rang mournfully in the cold wind, while neon tubes snaked between towering buildings, dyeing Beijing in dazzling colors.

A black Maybach 62S sped along Songyu Avenue, the street scenes blurring past the windows.

Chen Yansen lifted his gaze ahead and saw a gilded sign hanging before him, bearing only two simple characters: "Yun Ku."

"I thought about it—every time Zhang Chaoyang invites you, it's always to a bar," Song Yuncheng said softly beside him.

"He invites me hiking, deep-sea fishing, golfing—but I'm not interested," Chen Yansen replied.

It wasn't that he wasn't interested—he just preferred doing these activities only with girls who were beautiful and well-built.

With Old Zhang?

Forget it.

The bar staff, the moment they spotted the Maybach 62S and the Leopard license plate, immediately guided the driver to park in a spacious spot.

Xiao Li stepped out first, then opened the door for Chen Yansen.

"Chen Yansen of Senlian Capital?"

The staff member paused slightly, instantly recognizing Chen Yansen's identity—but said nothing more.

Yun Ku's rise in Chaoyang District, its growing popularity among internet tycoons and celebrities, hinged on rigorous training—every service staff member had sharp instincts.

Whether the guest was Ma Liyun or Li Yanhong, they never intruded uninvited.

Just as the staff member moved forward, someone pushed him aside from behind.

The bar's marketing manager, dressed in a sharp suit, hair gleaming with oil, stepped forward with a smile: "Good evening, Manager Chen. Boss Zhang is waiting for you upstairs—I'll take you there."

Chen Yansen gave a slight nod, signaling for the man to lead the way.

Song Yuncheng walked at his right side, Xiao Li lagging half a step behind, shifting from driver to temporary bodyguard.

They passed the neon-lit dance floor and bar counter, took the elevator to the top floor, and arrived before a private room.

The marketing manager pushed open the door, and a thick Beihu accent flooded into Chen Yansen's ears.

"Run forward, against cold glares and mockery—"

"How can you feel the vastness of life without enduring hardship…"

Lei Yi wore a blue-striped shirt, seated on a leather sofa, gripping a wireless microphone, singing with deep immersion.

Chen Yansen frowned, his expression full of distaste.

Zhang Chaoyang, Ding Lei, and Liu Qiangdong were hunched over their drinks; beside them sat a young man in his thirties, wearing a white shirt and a black polka-dot tie, neither drinking nor singing, conspicuously out of place.

Lei Yi heard the commotion, caught sight of Chen Yansen from the corner of his eye, immediately dropped the microphone, stopped singing, and beamed: "Manager Chen!"

Zhang Chaoyang set down his glass, rose, and walked to the door to pull Chen Yansen inside.

"Let me introduce you to a younger brother—Wang Xiaochuan, CEO of Sogou. He's also my right-hand man."

Zhang Chaoyang pointed at Wang Xiaochuan and smiled.

"Manager Chen, hello, it's an honor!" Wang Xiaochuan leaned forward slightly, bowing respectfully.

"Call me Manager Chen? Call me Sen-ge!" Zhang Chaoyang scolded playfully.

Wang Xiaochuan was thirty-five—he looked at Chen Yansen, fourteen years his junior, and without pretense, added plainly: "Sen-ge."

His eyes carried a hint of admiration.

Among young entrepreneurs, Chen Yansen stood far ahead—no matter the post-90s, even the post-80s and post-70s entrepreneurs couldn't match his wealth or industry influence.

"Sogou's search engine, input method, and URL navigation are all excellent. If not for Old Zhang's feelings, I'd have poached you long ago."

Chen Yansen clasped the man's right hand, joking.

"If you steal Xiaochuan away, our friendship is over," Zhang Chaoyang said, feigning seriousness and continuing Chen Yansen's line.

"Manager Chen, you flatter me—compared to your achievements, Sogou's results are negligible," Wang Xiaochuan replied humbly.

"Enough, no formalities—drink!" Zhang Chaoyang slapped Wang Xiaochuan's shoulder and pulled him down to sit.

Song Yuncheng was no stranger to Zhang Chaoyang, Lei Yi, and others; after brief greetings, he sat down too.

"Manager Chen, what's Orange Tech's sales target for next year?" Ding Lei picked up a bottle of whiskey, poured a third of it into Chen Yansen's glass, then asked casually.

"One hundred million." Chen Yansen took the glass, sipped lightly.

"Phone sales volume?" Ding Lei hadn't processed it yet, but Lei Yi's eyes widened in shock as he pressed:

"You mean sales revenue?" Chen Yansen teased.

"Doubled in a year? I think it's doable!" Ding Lei said confidently.

In his view, even NetEase's phone had sold four to five million units in half a year; Orange Phone sold fifty million last year, and even if it didn't hit one hundred million this year, seventy or eighty million was certain.

"Manager Chen, to your health—may Orange Phone break one hundred million in sales!" Liu Qiangdong raised his glass to interject.

Since Orange Tech re-entered JD. com, daily transaction volume had risen by sixty to seventy million, lifting its valuation as well.

Thus, despite being competitors, Liu Qiangdong's feelings toward Chen Yansen were complex—he wanted to befriend him but remained ever wary.

"Thank you. I heard JD. com's 2012 transaction volume surpassed one hundred billion. Congratulations," Chen Yansen clinked glasses with Liu Qiangdong and smiled in reply.

Liu Qiangdong's face stiffened, his heart souring.

Pinduoduo's annual sales exceeded three hundred billion—far surpassing JD. com.

In today's e-commerce landscape, the boast of surpassing Mama Ali in three years had become a joke; even Pinduoduo had become a mountain blocking JD. com's path.

He really needed to learn how to recharge!

Liu Qiangdong thought silently.

"By the way, when we had dinner tonight, Wang Xin called me and asked me to pass on a message—he wants to sell Meituan to you."

"Oh right, when we were eating dinner this evening, Wang Xin called me and asked me to pass along a message — he wants to sell Meituan to you."

Chen Yansen shook his head dismissively: "Why would I buy Meituan? Wang Xin is too naive."

Chen Yansen shook his head, unconcerned, and said, "Why would I buy Meituan? Wang Xin is too naive!"

According to the December group-buying industry report, Meituan has fallen to fourth place in the industry, not even matching Dianping and Lashou. com; acquiring Meituan holds no value.

Without Shan Jiawei, Meituan has become utterly ordinary again.

Moreover, Pei Yi spent three months preparing to overturn Meituan Delivery and Qiandu Delivery; how could Chen Yansen possibly leave Wang Xin any room to survive?

Just smash him with one blow and be done with it!

Wang Xin wants to cash out and leave? There's no such cheap deal!

"As far as I know, Sequoia Capital's Shen Nanpeng has been pushing for a merger between Meituan and Dianping, attempting to reshape the local life services industry landscape through capital integration," Liu Qiangdong added.

He had heard about this from Today Capital's Xu Xin, but neither Wang Xin nor Zhang Tao was willing to admit defeat; no one wanted to be the little brother, so the matter was shelved.

"Most likely they want to huddle together for warmth? The subsidy war in the group-buying industry burned from 2010 to 2012, a full two years. The venture capital firms behind them long lost patience; if Qiandu hadn't jumped in to stir things up, it should have ended long ago," Chen Yansen said casually.

Ding Lei laughed helplessly, thinking: You kid really have thick skin and a black heart; as if Kuaipao never did any group-buying business.

"If you are willing to spend money to buy Dianping and Meituan, or adopt an equity swap to acquire them, I estimate Mama Ali, Sequoia, Google, and Today Capital would all raise both hands in approval."

Zhang Chaoyang said with narrowed eyes. The implication was that if Chen Yansen wanted to seize the group-buying market quickly, spending money to acquire was the wise choice.

"I don't want to pay for the failed investments of Ma Liyun, Shen Nanpeng, and others," Chen Yansen rejected the proposal.

No need to waste money; besides Dianping and Meituan, there is also Lashou. com.

Anyway, whether Kuaipao fights one or fights three, it's all the same; it's just a matter of convenience.

When competing with Lashou, if Dianping and Meituan can't hold on, they will naturally be eliminated, saving a sum of funds.

"Just drinking isn't interesting; shall I call a few female stars?" Zhang Chaoyang leaned back and suggested quietly.

After speaking, he fixed his gaze on Chen Yansen, carrying a question.

Last year, Sohu invested in several films and even participated in the "China Good Voice" project; with his status, he could easily summon a few young actresses from the circle.

Chen Yansen waved his hand; he found it dirty.

Seeing this, Zhang Chaoyang had to give up; the few of them drank and chatted.

Chen Yansen顺势 mentioned the AuroraFutureOS system; after listening to his description, Lei Yijun, Ding Lei, Liu Qiangdong, and Wang Xiaochuan readily agreed to launch AFOS-version product software to supplement the application ecosystem for Sister Chengzi Technology.

After three rounds of drinks, Zhang Chaoyang, his face flushed from alcohol, pulled over a chair, sat before the standing microphone, and sang his signature song.

"In the classroom, that harmonica, ding-dong-ding-dong, reminding..."

"... like the sound of your confession, your movements always very light..."

Liu Qiangdong grinned and voluntarily mentioned his plan to go to the United States to study and rest for a while.

Chen Yansen opened his mouth, very much wanting to remind him to remember to record audio and take photos before handling business, to avoid unclear explanations afterward.

But the words reached his lips, he swallowed them back; Handsome Dong was also a veteran of the flower丛, his experience no less than his own; calculating with a heart against a heartless one, it was normal to stumble.

Wish him good luck!

"Xiaochuan."

"Brother Sen, speak."

"Brother wasn't joking just now; are you interested in coming to Senlian Capital?" Chen Yansen hooked Wang Xiaochuan's shoulder and asked with a smile.

Wang Xiaochuan instinctively glanced toward Zhang Chaoyang, chuckled awkwardly and said, "Brother Sen, stop testing me; I'm quite comfortable at Sogou; Charles has given me ample trust and treatment."

"Thirty-five, not young anymore; staying at Sogou is a pity. Old Zhang is a good big brother, a good boss, but he can't give you a bigger stage."

Chen Yansen said slowly and steadily.

"Contentment brings happiness; let's not talk about that. Brother Sen, I toast you! The Lingxi Browser and Lingxi Search recommendation engine technology is great; what algorithmic logics did you use?"

Wang Xiaochuan smiled and hurriedly changed the subject.

With the boss right in front of him, facing Chen Yansen's invitation, it always gave him a feeling of stealing someone.

After Zhang Chaoyang finished his song, sparse applause rang out in the private room.

"Old Zhang!"

Chen Yansen waved at him.

Zhang Chaoyang walked over with a spring in his step, plopped down, took a sip of wine first, then asked, "What's up?"

"Sang well," Chen Yansen replied.

"Of course, I've practiced," Zhang Chaoyang said proudly.

"It's late; I'll head back to the hotel first," Chen Yansen continued.

"It's only nine-thirty; what's the rush?" Zhang Chaoyang raised his hand to check the time and immediately became displeased.

"I have an interview tomorrow," Chen Yansen lied offhand.

"Stop fooling me; the interview recording is in the afternoon. Do you think just drinking isn't interesting? I think so too; how about taking my private plane to Macau for a spin?" Zhang Chaoyang said enthusiastically.

"Forget it; by the time we go and come back, dawn will break. I brought you a few cases of wine; I told the driver to store them at the bar for you; drink slowly," Chen Yansen said.

"What about sea fishing? This time is perfect," Zhang Chaoyang said; his desire to play was strong now. Seeing Chen Yansen had no interest in gambling, he switched to a new line of argument.

Night is the active period for big fish, especially large sea fish; they are most likely to bite.

"Alright," Chen Yansen said helplessly. Just as he and Song Yuncheng had said, Zhang Chaoyang was half a friend of his; it wasn't good to refuse him repeatedly.

"Change the place; how about we go sea fishing?" Zhang Chaoyang turned and went to persuade the other four.

Ten minutes later, the group filed out, drove to the airport, flew to Tianjin, then took a boat out to sea.

In less than an hour, the group had traveled from the bustling center of Yanjing to the Bohai Bay.

Chen Yuncheng picked up a lure rod and taught Song Yuncheng how to sea fish for sea bass and sea bream.

It didn't matter if the fish underwater didn't bite; with his spiritual power, any fish swimming past him had to obediently bite the hook.

Zhang Chaoyang watched Chen Yuncheng holding Miss, catching fish one after another; he, who had intended to show off his sea fishing skills, was instantly dumbfounded.

Lei Yijun, Liu Qiangdong, Ding Lei, and Wang Xiaochuan had also tried sea fishing, but had never seen such a speed of catching fish.

Not until three in the morning did Chen Yuncheng and Song Yuncheng return to the hotel.

Song Yuncheng flopped onto the bed, eyelids drooping with sleepiness.

"Take a bath first." Chen Yansen shook her head.

"Can't anymore, too sleepy." Song Yuncheng mumbled drowsily.

Chen Yansen wasn't about to indulge her—in a few quick moves, he peeled the eggshell clean off, then carried her into the bathroom.

Before long, the sound of splashing echoed through the empty luxury suite.

The next day at dawn, the sky was a hazy grey.

Chen Yansen picked up the phone by the bed and checked—he'd only slept an hour and a half; his sleep duration had shortened again.

Song Yuncheng had been thoroughly worn out, lying limply across the bed.

He flipped back the corner of the blanket, slipped on his slippers, walked out of the bedroom, and went straight to the desk to sit down.

He opened the computer and logged into the data backend.

Sister Chengzi Pay's daily active users had soared to 39 million!

The number of users who had collected all five blessing cards reached 1,941, with each person able to split about 43,000 Huayuan on average.

The price of the Dedicated Blessing card kept falling, dropping from 6,000 yuan to 2,700 yuan per card.

Thanks to this campaign, the daily active user data for ofo bikes, Pinbei, Kuaipao, and Toutiao all saw notable growth.

The fund scale of Yu'e Bao held steady at 230 billion Huayuan!

Afterward, Chen Yansen opened his email to check the work report from Mao Chaorong: Mimo short video's cumulative registered users had surpassed 20 million, with daily active users around 8 million, and January advertising revenue of 4.6 million US dollars.

Mimo's development was going even more smoothly than he'd imagined.

Although Twitter had spent heavily buying new users for Vine, its retention rate and product experience still couldn't compare to Mimo.

Vine's daily active users were barely over 1 million—a niche short-video app by comparison.

(End of chapter)