[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-what-s-wrong-with-me-being-the-last-to-get-rich":3,"chapter-what-s-wrong-with-me-being-the-last-to-get-rich-what-s-wrong-with-me-being-the-last-to-get-rich-chapter-72":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","What's Wrong with Me Being the Last to Get Rich?",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2272649,4439,"Chapter 72: 070 Deal Sealed (8k)","what-s-wrong-with-me-being-the-last-to-get-rich-chapter-72",72,"\u003Cp>Yu Xing’s speech at the 7th Internet Conference ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Contrary to Song Yufeng’s expectations, contrary to the three buyer bosses’ expectations—only now meeting Yu Xing today—and even more so contrary to the audience, guests, and media’s expectations, this obscure college student entrepreneur possessed remarkable presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One could say his dialogue with Alibaba’s Sect Master held its own, right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This would make an excellent reporting topic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond Yu Xing’s speech and his conversation with Ma Zong, his tight alignment with this year’s conference theme is also worth documenting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Integration promotes development; penetration creates value.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That analysis and forecast, per Yu Xing’s final words, “Different stages are not isolated,” perfectly matched the theme of “integration and penetration.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reflecting on it now, it was perfectly crafted!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Xing greeted the three potential buyers, had no time to say more, and was immediately surrounded by reporters’ microphones, questioned about college entrepreneurship and his recent dialogue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to the pressure and quick thinking required onstage with Ma Zong, though he’d rarely been interviewed, he felt no pressure at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Xing first praised the conference theme for inspiring his thinking, then introduced his business prospects to the reporters—and indirectly to the three potential buyers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Based on current contact, Baihe.com’s Mu Yan likely already understood part of the situation through subordinates, but Gong Haiyan and Li Song, who hadn’t yet spoken with him, might not know anything at all about “Guiai.com.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Xing explained his business model and described the campus ecosystem and his elite student team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re not just first-time entrepreneurs—we’re also almost all first-time workers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Perhaps because of that, we have both bold courage and constant adaptability. Originally, after team discussion, our annual revenue target was two million. We never expected to hit nearly one million in the first month.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Last month, we revised our goal and declared a sprint toward ten million in revenue.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The facts prove that under the campus ecosystem, a student team rooted in campus can achieve outstanding results—that’s what sets our company apart from others.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Xing faced the reporters with great confidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After answering their questions, he kindly recommended good eateries in Jin Ling, fully showcasing the enthusiasm of Jin Ling’s college students.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mu Zong, oh, you’re Gong Zong.” Yu Xing smiled and greeted Mu Yan, shook hands with Gong Haiyan, then smiled at the third potential buyer, “You’re Li Zong—I’ve heard about you from Wei Jialan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three rival bosses gathered together, and the atmosphere was subtly tense, especially since they were all competing for the same small project.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The project was indeed small—Gong Haiyan hadn’t even planned to come this afternoon, only followed along after bumping into Li Song on the way, thinking she’d just take a casual look—but now that she’d listened…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The project showed real potential, and even more surprisingly, this college founder was clearly a talent worth cultivating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To what extent?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Ma Zong had been moved by his talent!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was still the same man as before going onstage, but after conversing with the giant’s Sect Master, he now seemed far more compelling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clear logic, leadership ability, thoughtful insight, and enthusiastic drive—if you could acquire him along with his business, wouldn’t that be a perfect deal?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially since the other two rivals clearly had similar thoughts—buying him would also weaken your competitors, making the deal even more worthwhile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yu Zong, your speech today was excellent,” said Li Song of Zhen’ai.com. “I’ve heard about your project from Wei Jialan. Originally, I wondered who could have spotted such a campus need—but now that I’ve met you in person, I’m not surprised.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Xing smiled: “Li Zong, you’re too kind. I’ve communicated extensively with Wei Zong—she left a deep impression on me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listening to their exchange, and recalling Yu Xing’s mention of Mu Yan’s offer onstage, Gong Haiyan immediately felt she was falling behind: both rivals had already engaged with this college entrepreneur, while she still didn’t fully grasp the details—her preparation was inadequate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she had a way to break the rhythm of their conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yu Zong, I have full confidence in your project, and I believe our Century Jiayuan platform can deliver your future,” Gong Haiyan declared outright. “Century Jiayuan is willing to acquire Guiai.com for two million.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as the price was stated, Yu Xing’s conversation with Li Song naturally halted; now, whether Baihe.com or Zhen’ai.com, all contact with Yu Xing became a pure numerical comparison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two million—that figure was the one Yu Xing had just lifted from Ma Zong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it wasn’t necessarily accepted in actual acquisition talks, since this little trick was obvious, and the three men facing Yu Xing were no green college students.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mu Yan went from Tsinghua to pursue a Ph.D. in America; Gong Haiyan moved from Peking University to Fudan; Li Song holds a Ph.D. from Columbia University—and all three have fought their way through the market to where they are today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even when he mentioned two million onstage, Yu Xing didn’t doubt Ma Zong understood his intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These men aren’t Zhong Zhiling, Lu Haiying, or Song Yufeng—they’ve seen too many people and experienced too much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had this not been the right setting, the right platform, or this spontaneous moment drawing Ma Zong in, Yu Xing believed his dealings with the three buyers wouldn’t have gone so smoothly, nor would the price have risen so easily to two million.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, with Gong Haiyan saying it aloud, the floor price was definitively set.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Xing felt surprised, yet apologetic, glancing at Mu Yan—who had once shared life advice with him—and hesitated: “Mu Zong…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mu Yan didn’t immediately raise his bid, but said sincerely: “Yu Zong, truly, I’m genuinely confident in you. I think price isn’t the most important thing—it’s about long-term value realization. I’m not trying to lowball…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Haiyan cut in with a laugh: “Mu Yan, don’t spout nonsense. Do you really expect him to go to your place for ‘practice’?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked seriously at Yu Xing: “Yu Zong, let me tell you—when you step from campus into society, your first warning should be against those seniors offering you advice. They always sound warm and reasonable, but inside, they’re the coldest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Xing’s expression instantly turned serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Business is business,” Gong Haiyan said bluntly. “I treat you to two meals, we drink two rounds—what does that mean? Better to be direct: one is one, two is two, price is price!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mu Yan immediately objected: “Hey, hey, Gong Zong, you’re slandering me! Before you arrived, I already told Yu Zong I was impressed—not just now, I had a great chat with him this morning too. Am I cold? I think Yu Zong is excellent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Song watched the two and smiled: “Talent is easy to spot. Yu Zong, look how sought-after you are right now. According to Gong Zong and Mu Zong, Zhen’ai.com was the first to make an offer, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whether in price or value, Zhen’ai.com’s platform can offer you everything.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Two hundred and twenty thousand—but I have one condition: you must come with us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Song synthesized both their views and added a condition to show his high regard for Yu Xing as a person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Haiyan frowned: “If Zhen’ai.com is truly as good as Li Zong says, and was truly first to offer, then if you had real sincerity, you’d have closed the deal already—why wait until now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mu Yan called a halt: “Enough, enough. If we keep raising bids like this—you add, I add, he adds—we’ll end up with some arbitrary number. If the price is too high, the boss might harbor resentment; if too low, it’s meaningless. Let’s talk separately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Xing felt regretful—this old fox!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Haiyan immediately told Yu Xing: “See? Now you know who’s truly cold-hearted.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Song agreed: “Don’t be fooled by Mu Zong’s friendliness—he’s the most calculating of them all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mu Yan countered: “Yu Zong, look at these two—they benefit from my goodwill, then turn around and smear me. Think: would you rather follow them, or come with me? I’ll be straightforward.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seasoned businessmen can spin any argument—they’re all choosing angles favorable to themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Xing couldn’t force a three-way bidding war, so he added a reason he’d already discussed with Liu Wan: “Alright, Mu Zong, Gong Zong, Li Zong—I’m just a fresh-out-of-college student, and your goodwill overwhelms me. If you truly wish to acquire Guiai.com and treat the team well, let’s meet separately tonight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My hope is that Guiai.com’s business truly takes off, and that it helps Baihe.com, Zhen’ai.com, and Century Jiayuan move faster toward IPO—after all, our upfront payment model can make financial statements look better.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, the three buyers’ expressions changed differently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mu Yan was slightly surprised; Gong Haiyan was stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Li Song, his expression remained calm—he’d worked at Morgan Stanley before returning to China, was himself a finance Ph.D., and had already clearly understood the business’s future and its financial reporting benefits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He simply hadn’t expected Yu Xing to see it too—his evaluation of this college student rose another notch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder Ma Zong showed such favor onstage—he truly is impressive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Xing said no more, shook hands with the three buyers, and ended the planned high-level meeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He walked out of the venue at a steady pace, effectively concluding his journey at this conference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d spoken, connected with buyers, leveraged the giant Sect Master’s spotlight, given media interviews, and even casually offered a company that might be shortable—his gains far exceeded expectations!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, the final hammer still needed to fall on the sale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after confirming he was out of the buyers’ sight did Yu Xing finally exhale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yufeng, who’d been with him, finally voiced his reaction: “Holy shit!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why’d you yell so loud?” Yu Xing, deep in thought about the buyers, was startled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Holy shit!!! Brother Xing, you’re fucking incredible!!” Song Yufeng’s excitement exploded. “How did you do it?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Xing blinked: “Which part?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yufeng wanted to spin in place: “All of it! All of it!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke rapidly: “How did you perform so well onstage?! How did you speak so clearly?! How did you hold your own against Ma Zong?! How did you stay respectful yet unyielding to those bigwigs?! How did you seal the deal with the buyers?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Xing chuckled: “Brother Feng, calm down, breathe. Follow me—inhale, exhale, relax. Yeah, that’s it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yufeng took three deep breaths, trying to calm himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he was still thrilled—what kind of person was Yu Xing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Xing was a dropout who’d suddenly gone insane and started a business while studying medicine!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure, he’d built a company and generated three million in revenue—but compared to Ma Zong he’d just spoken with…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To put it bluntly, he wasn’t even grassroots—he was just a blade of grass blown wherever the wind took him!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he’d seized the opportunity!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, was this even an opportunity?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At best, half an opportunity—Ma Zong and his group had just walked by and he’d pulled them in anyway…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yufeng, who’d come to Jin Ling to report, knew Yu Xing’s startup state best. Though he’d sensed Yu Xing’s ability these past days, today’s performance shattered every best-case scenario he’d imagined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he reunited with Zhong Zhiling and Lu Haiying, his suppressed excitement resurfaced, and he recounted the entire scene to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yufeng sighed: “Brother Xing, how did you do it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My back was soaked in sweat—dried slowly after coming offstage,” Yu Xing smiled. “How did I do it?… Well, I have a special insight, but Brother Feng, you probably won’t get it. Xiao Ying and Zhi Ling will.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All three were intrigued; Song Yufeng even felt a hint of resentment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Xing slowly explained: “When you’re onstage looking down, your view lets you see most people’s expressions. I was nervous going up, because this might determine our company’s selling price.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I had many thoughts flash through my mind: What if I messed up? What if I performed poorly? What if I hurt the sale price?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I quickly gave myself an instruction: I’m a doctor. They’re all patients.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That audience member in the suit—he looks successful, but his belly’s big; if he ever needed surgery, cutting there would require extra force. Another guy keeps taking off his glasses and rubbing his eyes—he probably needs an eye exam.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All these so-called successful people, industry giants, giant Sect Masters—just treat them as ordinary people. Ordinary people.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Xing finished with a smile, recounting his rapid inner monologue onstage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Zhiling and Lu Haiying’s eyes lit up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yufeng realized… this was something you couldn’t just learn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is this an added benefit of being a medical graduate??\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Senior brother, if I get the chance in the future, I’ll also train myself,” Lu Haiying smiled. “Then these two days, we can let the buyers bid against each other.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Xing immediately replied: “No, I plan to finalize the deal today—no bidding war.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All three paused slightly. The current situation was one where three buyers could reasonably drive up the price.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t chase the highest possible price,” Yu Xing shook his head. “How can you know where the peak is, or what they’re truly thinking? Take what’s offered, secure the gain, and avoid prolonged uncertainty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Escaping the top is good—but only if you can actually escape it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Xing didn’t think he’d become some kind of genius after one conversation with Ma Chuan, nor did he believe those three could be manipulated so easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps a chance to escape the top truly existed, but if it failed, they were still CEOs of three major companies—able to advance or retreat at will—while he’d be left to clean up the mess at Guiai.com.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing their lingering reluctance, Yu Xing reminded them: “When we first started the business, could the company have simply given employees commissions of 50 or 100 per order? Of course it could.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But would that have stimulated momentum as quickly as 200? If it didn’t, revenue wouldn’t hold up—could this company have sold for 2 million today?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t need to chase every penny.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Xing’s mind was clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he felt Mu Yan seemed to genuinely think his mind wasn’t clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From their parting to their meeting, less than two hours had passed. Yu Xing’s first meeting that night was with Mu Yan of Baihe.com. Mu Yan, perhaps convinced Yu Xing was still a naive college graduate, continued talking about long-term value, his own admiration, and Baihe.com’s future and IPO.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Xing didn’t want to assume ill intent—but perhaps that’s just how she truly thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mu Zong, I’m deeply grateful for your confidence in me. Here’s what I propose: give me your final acquisition price, and I’ll consider it thoroughly.” Yu Xing smiled, wanting to hear the most concrete offer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mu Yan paused briefly, then said: “Yu Zong, 2.4 million. Can you accept that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Xing countered: “If I can’t accept it, can the price be raised?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mu Yan laughed: “We can still negotiate, adjust the price based on Guiai.com’s current business performance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a co-founder, he held significant influence over company operations, but now he was overstepping his role—leaving room for review and negotiation. The price wasn’t fixed, but it still depended on Guiai.com’s actual business metrics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Xing shook his hand: “Alright, Mu Zong, I’ll think it over.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon after, Yu Xing met with Gong Haiyan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Haiyan maintained her previous posture, even raising her offer further—up from 2.2 million in the afternoon to 2.88 million, a lucky number—but with a stricter condition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yu Xing, before you arrived, I reviewed your company’s data and operations. Frankly, there are some shortcomings.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So this price requires you to join Century Love. You’ll continue leading the team—just as Mu Yan said, put value into practice. I believe you have confidence, and I believe we can achieve mutual success.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Haiyan emphasized her high regard for Yu Xing—and his binding to the company.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had raised her offer from 2.2 million to 2.88 million—a 30% increase.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a company only three months old, that was impressive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Xing shook hands again, considered, and moved on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this meeting with Li Song surprised him—not only Li Song, but even Vice President Wei Jialan, whom he’d previously met, was present, along with a stranger. On the table lay some of the materials Guiai.com had previously submitted for negotiation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve reviewed everything,” Li Song said the moment he saw Yu Xing, pointing to the documents, then removing his glasses with a smile. “Are your figures accurate?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this setup, Yu Xing abandoned his original plan and said directly: “Li Zong, earlier this month, I discussed this with Wei Zong several times—all the business metrics she saw. To save everyone’s time, I think Gong Zong’s approach makes sense.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Baihe.com’s offer is 2.4 million. Century Love’s is 2.88 million. Can you offer more?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Song raised an eyebrow in surprise. What negotiation tactic was this? Leading with the other two offers upfront?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He fell silent, not immediately raising his bid, but pondering the implications.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Xing hesitated between walking out immediately or waiting patiently—he decided the former was too hasty, and sat still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Li Song was thinking, an unfamiliar number called Yu Xing’s phone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Zong, I’ll take this call,” Yu Xing said politely, rising and stepping to a distant corner of the room before answering: “Hello, this is Yu Xing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice, somewhat familiar yet not quite, spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hello, Yu Zong, this is Liu Qiangdong from JD.com.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Xing was stunned. “Hello—is this Liu Zong from JD.com?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice confirmed: “Yes, I’m Liu Qiangdong of JD.com’s B2C division.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All three Guiai.com representatives turned to look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially Li Song—his expression was curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hello, Liu Zong,” Yu Xing, confused, joked lightly: “Did I buy something on JD.com that needs signing for?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Qiangdong chuckled: “No. I saw media reports of your conversation with Ma Chuan, so I wanted to ask: would you consider joining JD.com?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Straight to the point—no beating around the bush.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Xing was even more surprised: “Join JD.com… Liu Zong, your invitation took me off guard.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I read the Sohu report. Your analysis made sense—and you have more confidence in JD.com than I do,” Liu Qiangdong said. “If you believe in e-commerce and JD.com’s future, why not come and help build it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Internet Conference had many media outlets; Sohu had already published a full transcript, preserving every word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Qiangdong had attended the conference yesterday but returned to Beijing today to raise capital—due to the financial crisis, the promised $200 million in venture funding had vanished. His focus was entirely on that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet even so, he kept tabs on conference news.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he saw the system-compiled transcript of Yu Xing’s speech—the perfectly logical industry phase breakdown—he immediately agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Market potential → Realizing potential → Slowing growth → Competition for existing market → Extracting value.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This followed objective laws of development.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Potential isn’t infinite; growth naturally can’t be infinite. Once in the stock phase, you must extract value—and data is the most visible dimension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Qiangdong pondered deeply—and found it incisive!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Yu Xing’s reminder that Taobao Mall needed to accelerate, he wasn’t angry. Taobao Mall couldn’t just speed up at will—and…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, Liu Qiangdong had met five investors in rapid succession, seeking funding—all had refused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t answer one question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—When will JD.com become profitable?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Qiangdong had been depressed today—but seeing Yu Xing’s confidence in JD.com, he felt a flicker of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even a college kid can see this—how can you investors not?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Liu Zong, thank you for the offer, but I must be responsible for my team—they’re all college students who left with me,” Yu Xing said hesitantly. “JD.com won’t enter the matchmaking business, and acquiring our company seems…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>JD.com must be short on cash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Xing guessed the situation, left the sentence unfinished—but the meaning was clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Qiangdong sighed: “I know what’s in the news. I truly want you to join JD.com. Let me be clear: I’m not waiting for you to sell your company and be free of obligations—I’m in a phase where I must endure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If JD.com survives, and you no longer do matchmaking, I’ll welcome you anytime.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Xing hummed in agreement—he sensed sincerity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Qiangdong, emotionally charged, continued: “Yu Xing, others won’t understand you—saying you’re thinking of your college friends—but I do. In my company, people like Zhang Qi and Sun Jiamin graduated from junior college and followed me—nearly ten years now!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nearly ten years. Others tried to poach them—they stayed. But today, if JD.com collapses, they’ll leave with nothing—and a reputation for killing the company. I’d be heartbroken!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’d feel guilty!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The financial crisis had wiped out $200 million. Cash was nearly gone. New investment had not materialized. The economic outlook was grim…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Qiangdong even wanted a word to describe his current state—“fear.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Xing felt Liu Zong was sharing too much too soon—but he replied immediately: “I understand. I’m equally afraid my team won’t find a good path.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Qiangdong sighed, then reiterated his invitation: “Yu Xing, if you come, I’ll welcome you. E-commerce’s future is bright—I believe it’ll surpass what most imagine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, Liu Zong, I’ll think it over carefully,” Yu Xing replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The call ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Xing returned to the sofa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Song smiled and asked: “Was that Liu Qiangdong from JD.com calling? Inviting you over?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Xing nodded: “Yes. It was an unexpected offer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“JD.com is desperate too,” Li Song said. “Before you came, I was talking with Xu Xin about JD.com. You’ve always been bullish on JD.com.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Xing feigned ignorance: “I’m bullish on JD.com? Who’s Xu Xin?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Song smiled: “Xu Xin is an investor—and my wife. She’s already invested in JD.com and is evaluating its situation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Xing knew this—he’d heard it from Liu Wan. Now confirmed, he feigned surprise for three seconds: “What a coincidence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He mused: “As I told Ma Zong, e-commerce has lower costs than offline. Suning and Gome will decline. JD.com has invested heavily upfront—once it survives the trough, it can replicate the internet’s growth magic.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Song slowly nodded. “Do you want to join JD.com?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Xing replied: “After Guiai.com is sold, I’ll consider it carefully.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guiai.com is one price. Guiai.com plus you is another,” Li Song put down his pen. After the JD.com interruption, he turned to the real matter. “If you won’t join Zhenai.com, I can’t offer more than Gong Haiyan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Xing felt a pang of disappointment. They all wanted him to stay and work—yet if he didn’t bind himself to the company, it seemed the sale might not happen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, that made sense—he’d pitched Guiai.com’s business well, so it could naturally continue under new ownership. But the problem was…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guiai.com’s business and development weren’t normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Xing paused thirty seconds, then used JD.com’s offer as leverage: “Li Zong, I can’t deny JD.com’s appeal to me—including Ma Zong’s invitation. I’m seriously considering entering e-commerce later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not trying to play you against each other to raise the price. If Zhenai.com doesn’t buy, I’ll take the company seal and go straight to Gong Zong now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Song was surprised—so decisive?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Xing continued: “If Zhenai.com buys, I’ll stay three months—until you’ve absorbed Guiai.com’s operations—then leave. But I won’t do any work. I’ll just prepare for e-commerce.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The company and its people go to Zhenai.com—but he himself is nominal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Song laughed: “What’s the difference from buying the company alone?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The college team is passionate—but their passion is unstable. My presence adds value. Also, Guiai.com pioneered the dating contract model. Zhenai.com using this company to continue is legitimate. When NetEase tried entering this space, we turned them down.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Song glanced at Wei Jialan, who had handled the Guiai.com acquisition, and whispered a few words to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, he nodded and offered a price accepting the condition: “2.6 million. Three months. Plus a non-compete agreement.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Xing immediately countered: “2.635 million!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Song asked strangely, “Why add such a fractional amount?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our company’s second shareholder borrowed 15,000 himself and took out another 20,000 in his personal name,” Yu Xing explained. “I want to relieve him of this burden.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Song couldn’t help laughing: “Fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Xing suppressed his inner joy, took a few steps, and extended his right hand: “Fine!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two shook hands, sealing the acquisition intent at the highest level—what remained were merely formal procedures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Yu Xing stepped out of the hotel, he had walked only a few steps when Mu Yan called, proposing to discuss timing for the next day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mu Zong, I’ve already agreed to Zhen’ai.com,” Yu Xing replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mu Yan was stunned: “So fast? Didn’t you say you’d think it over? What price?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Xing said: “2.635.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mu Yan snapped, “Just 235,000 more! Why did you agree so quickly? Why didn’t you ask me? Didn’t you say you’d think it over? How did you think? You’re foolish!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Xing took a breath: “Mu Zong, I’ve thought it through. This is the price. No changes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mu Yan hung up the phone immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Xing silently put away his phone, walked into the evening breeze, and headed toward the three awaiting the outcome of their reemployment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he walked, he finally let a smile break through—money, money!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sharpen the knife!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sharpen the knife!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",4209,"2026-06-19T22:51:34.189Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","041b597af71f5086ceed322e1944e6d617ee652d0b15b04930333302d41cc390","what-s-wrong-with-me-being-the-last-to-get-rich-chapter-73","what-s-wrong-with-me-being-the-last-to-get-rich-chapter-71",328,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fwhat-s-wrong-with-me-being-the-last-to-get-rich-cover.jpg"]