Chapter 1570: Boss Ma's Worry

The Spring Festival is a traditional festival that Chinese people value highly, and Zhao Fusheng is no exception.

In previous years, he and Fan Baobao would return to Ninghai to celebrate the holiday with their elders. This year, because the child had just been born and traveling back and forth was inconvenient, they let Fan Baobao decide and the family stayed in the capital.

"By the way, be prepared. Grandpa said he doesn't like the name for the girl."

Fan Baobao suddenly remembered something and said to Zhao Fusheng with a smile.

Ah?

Zhao Fusheng was stunned and looked at Fan Baobao helplessly: "No way?"

The name of his precious daughter had already been changed several times. Previously, he was dissatisfied, and now Grandpa was dissatisfied.

"What should we do?" Zhao Fusheng thought for a moment and asked Fan Baobao: "You haven't given her a name yet, have you?"

Fan Baobao burst out laughing and nodded: "You're really smart."

She was also helpless. Although the couple didn't care much about it, the opinions of the elders couldn't be ignored. So she had been putting off registering the child's household registration.

"How about this: ask Dad which name Grandpa likes?" Zhao Fusheng thought for a moment and said to Fan Baobao.

It wasn't a big deal; they might as well go along with the elders' wishes.

"You're so indifferent!"

Fan Baobao glared at Zhao Fusheng: "That's your daughter's name; she'll use it for a lifetime."

Zhao Fusheng laughed heartily: "If she's capable, no matter what she's called, people will remember her. If she's not, even if her name is as beautiful as a flower, no one will pay attention."

"Forget it, I'll discuss it with Mom and the others."

Seeing this, Fan Baobao didn't continue talking to Zhao Fusheng. This guy really had a carefree attitude; no matter what she said, it was useless.

Zhao Fusheng didn't care about that either. He picked up his daughter and went to the side, the father and daughter talking in their own language, having a great time playing.

...

...

The next day, Zhao Fusheng worked nonstop, meeting with senior executives of various subsidiaries of Future Group to discuss the company's development.

At his level, although he wanted to rest, he had to admit there was no time for rest.

Often, as soon as he finished one meeting, the next itinerary was already arranged.

"Can't I take a break?"

Zhao Fusheng said helplessly to Zheng Yao.

Just now, Zheng Yao told him that there was a high-level group meeting in the afternoon that required Chairman Zhao Fusheng to attend in person.

Hearing his words, Zheng Yao chuckled: "Sure, if you don't want to attend this meeting, then go to Shenzhen. Future Technology, Future Advertising, and Tencent Technology have a collaboration there that needs a senior executive to oversee."

Blinking, Zhao Fusheng confirmed he hadn't misheard her and said speechlessly: "It's almost New Year, and you want me to go to Shenzhen?"

"It's not New Year yet."

Zheng Yao showed no guilt for ordering her boss around and said calmly: "You and I both know that being busy is better than being idle, isn't it?"

Zhao Fusheng was instantly speechless and had no choice but to obediently follow Zheng Yao's arrangement and head to Shenzhen.

To be honest, he also wanted to meet Boss Ma and have a good chat.

...

...

Shenzhen, Tencent Technology Headquarters.

"On the flight from San Francisco to Beijing, the first-class cabin was occupied by investment tycoons looking to enter the internet."

In Ma Huateng's office, Brother Ma adjusted his glasses and said to Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng nodded: "That's true."

He knew very well that Ma Huateng was right. As the U.S. economy began to decline, capital's enthusiasm for the internet had been gradually heating up since the second half of 2006.

In the original timeline, following Shengda Technology and The9, another wave of IPOs occurred in the online gaming sector.

First, Kingsoft, which had struggled in the software field for nineteen years, successfully went public under the banner of online gaming. Then Perfect World landed on the NASDAQ. Subsequently, Shi Yuzhu of Giant returned to the spotlight, this time bringing not health products but a company called Giant Interactive and a game called "Zheng Tu." On November 1, the New York Stock Exchange rang the bell for its listing. Then there was NetDragon's listing on the Hong Kong Growth Enterprise Market, and a host of rising stars like 9you were also gearing up...

So much so that Tang Jun, then president of Shanda, predicted: "In the foreseeable years, at least five more online gaming companies will go public."

On one hand, online gaming companies were rushing to the capital market at rocket speed; on the other hand, frequent capital mergers and integrations were occurring. On May 16, Hong Kong's Finet Group announced the acquisition of online gaming company Hangzhou Tianchang Network Technology for 150 million RMB.

On May 21, The9 announced an equity investment from Electronic Arts, amounting to approximately $167 million. In July, Shanda acquired Chengdu Jintian Technology Development Co., Ltd. On August 15, Focus Media CEO Jiang Nanchun negotiated the purchase of Shanghai Jiangpan Media Advertising Company, whose vast majority of clients were in the online gaming sector.

If the IPOs of online gaming companies showed the promise of China's internet gaming industry, Alibaba's splendid listing invigorated all of Chinese e-commerce.

In November, Alibaba was listed in Hong Kong. The listing was deemed splendid because it set several records in the history of Hong Kong stock listings: the highest fundraising amount on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, the highest subscription freeze amount in Hong Kong history, and the highest first-day surge in Hong Kong history.

Now, with Zhao Fusheng's intervention, China's internet gaming companies were developing even faster.

"Recently, quite a few people have been buying our stock," Ma Huateng said to Zhao Fusheng, his eyes fixed tightly on Zhao's face.

Clearly, he hoped to find an answer from Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng shook his head: "I wouldn't know about that."

He paused, looked at Ma Huateng with some concern, and asked: "It's not someone planning a hostile takeover, is it?"

Ma Huateng was taken aback, then laughed. After a moment, he waved his hand: "Probably not. It seems someone just has faith in our company."

He could tell that Zhao Fusheng's reaction was natural and not a joke.

It seemed he really didn't know about that matter.

"I believe that."

Hearing Ma Huateng's words, Zhao Fusheng smiled and said to him: "If you need any funding, just say the word. Future Investment can still squeeze out some."

Then he added helplessly: "I invested most of my capital in a project at Marvel earlier. I'm now considering whether to sell some shares."

Sell shares?

Hearing Zhao Fusheng's words, Ma Huateng's eyes lit up.

Although he had cooperated happily with Zhao Fusheng, by now Ma Huateng had realized that it was safer to hold shares in one's own hands.

Of course, he wasn't worried about losing control of the company, since under the AB share structure, he held most of the voting rights, though his share count was somewhat low.

But if Zhao Fusheng intended to sell his five percent stake, Ma Huateng would not hesitate to buy it.

After all, holding those shares would surely appreciate in value.

"Of course, it's definitely not Tencent shares."

Seeing Ma Huateng's expression, Zhao Fusheng chuckled: "I've always believed Tencent has a bright future. If given the chance, I might increase my holdings."

"Oh..."

Hearing Zhao Fusheng's words, Ma Huateng was clearly disappointed.

But he could understand Zhao's reasoning; in his eyes, the other man, like himself, had a deeper understanding of the internet industry than most.

In Ma Huateng's view, although the international economic situation was deteriorating due to the U.S. subprime mortgage crisis, overall it presented an opportunity for the internet industry.

That was why Ma Huateng intended to continue cooperating with Zhao Fusheng.

"To be honest, if given the chance, I'd like to cooperate with Facebook."

After a moment of silence, Ma Huateng suddenly said to Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng was startled, then smiled, giving Ma Huateng a meaningful look. He hadn't expected the guy to be thinking so far ahead.