Chapter 355: Do You Know What a Wall Slam Is?

Xingzi shouldn't have died! Xingzi really shouldn't have died!

Exactly! What kind of screenwriter is this? Couldn't they just write a miracle drug to cure Xingzi?

Wait, Xiao Ye, didn't you say Xingzi shouldn't have died? Shouldn't this screenwriter be killed?

In the sihe academy in Zaojunmiao, Li Yue, Pei Wenhui, and Wen Leyu sat in front of the TV, venting about the finale of "Blood Suspense."

Meanwhile, Li Ye and Li Dayong, who had spent most of the evening serving them sunflower seeds, fruit, and soda, could only sigh helplessly.

"I say, three big sisters, this drama's been rerun how many times already? Haven't you talked enough? Leukemia is a disease with extremely high mortality—Xingzi's outcome is medically accurate; the screenwriter couldn't just make things up."

Right, this was already the umpteenth time the three girls had watched "Blood Suspense." When they first saw Xingzi die in her beloved man's arms, Li Ye didn't dare say a word—and even then, he got bullied into a doormat by his sister and his new bride.

Only after the drama had aired several times in a row, and Li Yue and Wen Leyu no longer cried at the ending, did Li Ye finally dare to speak up.

But before Li Ye could finish, Wen Leyu cut in with a rebuttal: "Li Ye, you're wrong—leukemia isn't incurable."

"I checked the data a few days ago: in 1962, our country successfully treated aplastic anemia with genetically matched bone marrow transplants. In 1981, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengcheng University's hematology department became one of the first in the province to offer bone marrow transplants."

Since the first day Fenghua Clothing went public, the First Television Station has been its sponsor; every employee gets at least two sets of Fenghua-brand clothing each year.

Wen Leyu is actually quite sensible, but she's just a girl in her early twenties—doesn't she get to be a little spoiled?

Li Ye felt that this kind of charming little bride was far more interesting than some aloof fairy from another world.

"Let's go, Dayong, it's time for you to head back."

But Pei Wenhui raised her thumb and admired Li Ye: "Big Brother, you've got real ambition!"

When watching TV leads you straight to the library for research, how can you not obey?

Li Dayong said: "Is there a football match on tonight? I didn't hear any preview."

Because the final line of the Oriental Magic Water ad was: "Jianlibao—Let the World Taste the Flavor of China!"

Li Yue and Li Dayong only had a vague idea of Coca-Cola's strength, but Pei Wenhui knew Coca-Cola held a staggering 70% market share in Hong Kong—it was an absolute international beverage giant.

In the early 1980s, the First Television Station rarely allowed foreign-funded enterprises to advertise.

Undeniably, Wen Leyu's thinking and vision were higher than average, but she didn't know Coca-Cola's development history on the mainland.

Everyone launched into the classic "selling your own melon" mode—after all, Pengcheng Red Bull was Pei Wencong's major stake, and you had to praise your own kid.

Feeling the gentle breeze brushing past the lakeside and the soft, delicate touch of Wen Leyu's fingers, Li Ye felt a deep sense of contentment—what more could a man ask for?

"."

Li Dayong asked: "Then who's Pengcheng Red Bull's competitor?"

When the ads "If you want to be healthy, drink Jianlibao" and "Power up—Jianlibao!" blared out, Li Ye suddenly realized—the gears of "Oriental Magic Water's" fate had already begun to turn.

Even though Pengcheng Red Bull had their own stake, Pei Wenhui had never entertained the idea of challenging Coca-Cola—so seeing Li Ye's boldness, she could only admire him.

From Pei Wenhui and Wen Leyu's perspective, this line carried far more punch than the previous ones.

Li Dayong added: "I feel like this ad is just like Pengcheng Red Bull's—does this mean they're going to compete with Pengcheng Red Bull?"

Li Dayong nodded in agreement: "I like drinking Pengcheng Red Bull too."

Li Yue picked up an empty Pengcheng Red Bull can, thought for a moment, and said: "I think Coca-Cola tastes worse than Pengcheng Red Bull."

Faced with Wen Leyu's well-researched argument, Li Ye could only bow his head and say, "Wife, you're right," and silently swore never to argue with her again.

The second reason, of course, was "full sincerity."

Wen Leyu gave Li Ye a look and said: "That's not what I meant. After Wencong set up Pengcheng Red Bull, I asked my dad—he said Coca-Cola's development on the mainland has been rough; they weren't even allowed to advertise on the First Television Station."

Coca-Cola was introduced by China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corporation, and Wen Qingsheng was one of its top figures—that's why Li Ye made this joke with Wen Leyu.

Pei Wenhui and Wen Leyu said nothing, but both fell into deep thought.

"This ad is fine."

Like knitting him a scarf, buying him a wallet, or occasionally initiating a graceful moonlit dance with him.

Li Ye: "."

But then the group realized this wasn't a football broadcast—it was an advertisement.

Li Ye said calmly: "Naturally, an international brand like Coca-Cola."

"Yes, yes, yes! I still need to study harder. This screenwriter deserves to be scolded—next time I meet him, I'll give him a serious talking-to for ignoring the audience's emotional needs."

But after walking two laps, Wen Leyu suddenly said to Li Ye: "I think Pengcheng Red Bull's target shouldn't be Coca-Cola."

After the ad ended, Li Yue frowned and said: "Li Ye, is this 'Bao' also a sports drink like Pengcheng Red Bull? What a coincidence?"

"But this new 'Bao' advertising itself as a domestic product is the real threat—Pengcheng Red Bull, as a joint venture, will be at a disadvantage competing against it."

And knowing Wen Leyu as he did, Li Ye knew she understood everything clearly—give her face now, and she'd repay you later.

Before anyone else could speak, Li Ye cut in: "All these are domestic beverage brands. Even if they compete, it pushes domestic beverage companies to improve. Pengcheng Red Bull's real competitors aren't them."

The reason Pengcheng Red Bull could advertise on the First Television Station was first because Pei Wencong was a patriotic Hong Kong businessman,

After all, Hong Kong is an inseparable part of China, and negotiations with Britain were at a critical stage.

Coca-Cola didn't get its chance until 1986, when it paid a record $200, 00 to air "The Feeling That Can't Be Stopped" on the First Television Station, then exploded with the backing of China National Cereals.

Li Ye paused slightly, then smiled: "What? Will Uncle Wen refuse to let me in because of this?"

After watching TV, Li Ye and Li Dayong prepared to leave with Wen Leyu and Pei Wenhui—but before they turned, they suddenly saw a football team on screen.

Li Ye and Wen Leyu returned to Jingda and strolled hand in hand by the lakeside,

This time, Pei Wencong and Hao Jian had poured ten million U. . dollars over ten years as sponsorship, prompting top sports figures to personally advocate for them, clearing the way on multiple fronts.

Sometimes, don't underestimate sportsmen as cadres—their ranks are genuinely high, and their words still carry weight.

But Wen Leyu was now tense, feeling Pengcheng Red Bull might be at a disadvantage in the coming competition.

Li Ye thought for a moment, then calmly told Wen Leyu: "Whether you're at a disadvantage or not depends on human effort."

"Pengcheng Red Bull is a joint venture, but if all its investment—from construction and product development to market promotion—is funded by itself, and all subsequent profits are continuously reinvested into this mainland market,

And if it pays taxes in the way that satisfies the tax authorities most, and everything is done with the goal of benefiting the country and its people—who would let it be at a disadvantage?"

"."

Wen Leyu stared for several seconds, then instinctively tilted her head toward Li Ye: "Why does it sound... like you're an idiot?"

"Heh~"

Li Ye chuckled: "Little Yu, don't laugh at others for being mad—others laugh because you don't see through it."

Fenghua Clothing and Pengcheng Red Bull's actions might seem foolish to many, but they completely fail to see how vast and powerful the mainland market's return will be.

The more you invest now, the more goodwill you'll reap later—by the time others catch on, Li Ye's two companies will already be far beyond their reach.

As for the massive early investments... for a bug like Li Ye, they're nothing.

At the beginning of this year, Li Ye had already ordered Luo Runbo to invest half the funds into the international crude oil market.

Over the next two or three years, international oil prices will keep falling, hitting their lowest point by 1986.

You can't just leave money earned in overseas financial markets sitting in banks collecting interest, can you?

Earning abroad and spending on the mainland—doesn't that count as something "meaningful"?

"Ouch, Xiao Yu, why are you pinching me again?"

Li Ye was just motivating himself when he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his waist—he looked down and saw Wen Leyu's small hand had slipped under his shirt again.

The girl, like a kitten with its tail pulled, bared her teeth at him: "Who's mad? Who doesn't see through it? You're quoting classical phrases now—are you calling me stupid?"

Li Ye refused to back down: "Hey hey hey, Xiao Yu, let go right now! Or I'll fight back!"

"You dare fight back? I'll let you fight back."

Wen Leyu suddenly felt excited, pinching Li Ye's waist flesh and twisting it another 45 degrees.

She'd tried it on herself before—it hurt a bit, but was bearable.

So every time she pinched Li Ye, she was enjoying his exaggerated reaction.

【If a girl pinches you and it doesn't hurt, you must pretend it hurts.】

Li Ye couldn't remember when he first pretended to be in pain, but Wen Leyu had clearly found the "secret code to sweet love," and kept playing this mutual game with him.

But today, Wen Leyu misjudged the situation—and she got real resistance.

Li Ye suddenly moved, closing in on Wen Leyu.

Wen Leyu, mid-threat with her fingers outstretched, had no time to prepare and quickly stepped back.

Unfortunately, Wen Leyu, who'd only trained in bayonet combat for a year and change, was no match for Li Ye, a master of close combat—within seconds, he cornered her against a tree, leaving her nowhere to retreat.

【Do you know what a wall slam is?】

Wen Leyu didn't know what a "wall slam" was, but Li Ye's solid chest was now barely an inch from her body, his slightly rapid breaths sounding like war drums against her ears.

"Y-you don't dare do anything!"

The moment the words left her mouth, even she realized how powerless they sounded.

Because her heartbeat was faster and more frantic than Li Ye's.

Li Ye felt wonderful.

Girls from the 1980s were truly wonderful.

Even if Wen Leyu had extraordinary vision since childhood, even if her IQ crushed everyone else's, even if her personality was decisive and sharp—

When a handsome, intimidating young man pressed close to her, her reaction was more captivating than any beauty Li Ye had ever seen in his past life.

Opportunity knocks but once.

Li Ye licked his lips, moistening them, ready to seize the moment and take things further with Wen Leyu.

And clever Wen Leyu seemed to sense what was coming—her panicked eyes only intensified Li Ye's desire to conquer her.

"Hey, what are you two doing over there?"

"Stand still! Which department are you from?"

"."

Li Ye turned his head dazedly, following the flickering beams of several flashlights toward a few guys wearing red armbands as moral enforcers.

What the hell, I don't even have a girlfriend to keep me company at night, and now they come out to ruin my good time.

In Li Ye's eyes, a fierce, icy glare flashed.

But Wen Leyu grabbed his hand in reverse, pulling him along as she bolted off.

"Why aren't you running? Do you plan to kick each one of them down?"

"Yeah, I want to kick them all into the lake."

"Don't be ridiculous—I don't want to be your sidekick and get laughed at like a circus act."

"No need. Just lend me your handkerchief—I'll cover my face and make them regret it."

"Mm-mm-mm, how about we go back right now—you kick them and I'll clap for you? Hahaha~"

Wen Leyu burst into laughter halfway through her sentence.

Li Ye couldn't help but laugh as he watched Wen Leyu's long legs flying as she ran.

First-time girls are always shy; today may not have seemed like progress, but it was actually closer than before.

Then how far away is the next time?