Chapter 1816: Happy Events at Home

Entering December, the most important thing on Zhao Fusheng's mind was undoubtedly Alibaba's listing.

Ma Xiaoyun was in an exceptionally good mood lately, calling Zhao Fusheng repeatedly, hoping he could attend the bell-ringing ceremony in Hong Kong.

Zhao Fusheng initially planned to refuse, but after thinking it over, he decided to agree.

Of course, what was going public this time was not the Alibaba Group itself, but its e-commerce subsidiary, Alibaba E-Commerce Company.

In plain terms, it was the rumored Taobao.

Compared to the elated Ma Xiaoyun, Zhao Fusheng remained quite calm, after all, this was something he had long known.

"Wait, you're really going to Hong Kong?"

When the news of Zhao Fusheng's decision reached Dong Chenxi, she was quite surprised, having assumed he wouldn't attend such an occasion.

"What, can't I go?"

Zhao Fusheng was very composed, smiling at Dong Chenxi: "This is the largest IPO in Hong Kong's history; barring any surprises, it will raise over ten billion US dollars."

"Ten billion US dollars?"

Dong Chenxi nodded: "That fits Alibaba's requirements well."

But she also knew that with Taobao's listing, Future Investment's stake would inevitably be diluted. Currently, Future Investment held nearly forty percent of Alibaba's shares, making it the absolute largest shareholder.

Of course, voting rights remained mainly in the hands of the founding team led by Ma Xiaoyun.

Even so, after listing, Alibaba would quickly become a strong card in Future Investment's hand.

Dong Chenxi could even assert that with this, Zhao Fusheng would become the world's youngest billionaire—no one else had amassed such wealth so quickly.

But honestly, knowing that Alibaba would surely appreciate in value, Zhao Fusheng still chose to gradually reduce his stake, which really baffled Dong Chenxi.

Yet, looking back, it seemed that from the very beginning, few could understand Zhao Fusheng's decisions.

But step by step, he had indeed achieved success.

"So, you'll accompany me then."

Zhao Fusheng thought for a moment and said to Dong Chenxi: "If possible, arrange meetings with the top brass of Sequoia and SoftBank. I think they'd be very interested in talking with me."

"Huh?"

Dong Chenxi was taken aback: "Are you planning to sell your shares to them?"

"Why would you think that?" Zhao Fusheng looked incredulous, staring at Dong Chenxi in surprise: "I don't think that's a good choice."

"You said yourself you wanted to meet their top brass." Dong Chenxi looked at Zhao Fusheng helplessly.

In her view, if Zhao Fusheng wanted to meet SoftBank and Sequoia Capital's top brass, it must be to discuss selling shares.

Otherwise, what would they talk about?

The current state of the US economy?

"Meeting them is just for Ma Xiaoyun's sake." Zhao Fusheng said flatly.

"Ma Xiaoyun?"

Dong Chenxi looked at Zhao Fusheng in surprise, but upon reflection, she realized his choice might actually be quite useful.

As Alibaba's founder, Ma Xiaoyun and his team were undoubtedly most concerned about changes in Alibaba's shares and voting rights.

After all, this was a thriving company. For such an enterprise, especially one on the verge of a successful IPO with greater growth ahead, if the major shareholder chose to oust the founder at this point, it would be a disaster for Ma Xiaoyun and his team.

This was no joke; it was reality.

In history, such things had happened before.

Founders and companies are two different concepts; they cannot be conflated.

So, Zhao Fusheng's move was actually a good strategy.

Of course, the premise was that Ma would fall for it.

"I think it'll work."

Zhao Fusheng smiled, waved his hand, and didn't continue the topic.

...

...

As they say, plans can't keep up with changes—there's some truth to that.

Zhao Fusheng's plan was indeed well-crafted.

But unfortunately, some things don't go according to his wishes.

"Are you kidding me?"

Zhao Fusheng stared dumbfounded at Fan Baobao, who looked shy.

"What, aren't you happy?"

Seeing Zhao Fusheng's expression, Fan Baobao was a bit puzzled.

"No, no, how could I not be happy." Zhao Fusheng waved his hands repeatedly: "I'm just a bit surprised, since you gave birth to our daughter less than a year ago..."

"It's all your fault; back in Hong Kong, you didn't..." Fan Baobao blushed, glaring at Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng was instantly embarrassed.

It really was his fault, but honestly, becoming a father again after a year was truly exciting.

"Have you called Mom and them?"

Zhao Fusheng asked Fan Baobao.

"No."

By "Mom and them," Zhao Fusheng meant his parents in Ninghai. Li Yuan was here and probably already knew.

"Then make the call." Zhao Fusheng thought for a moment and said to Fan Baobao: "You tell them. I bet Dad will be overjoyed."

That was true. For Zhao's father now, nothing made him happier than seeing the family grow.

Fan Baobao understood Zhao Fusheng's meaning, nodded, and picked up the phone to dial Zhao's mother's number.

Soon, Zhao's mother's laughter came through the phone.

As Zhao Fusheng had guessed, both she and Zhao's father were delighted.

"Mom said I should stay home and not go anywhere these days." Fan Baobao said smugly to Zhao Fusheng after hanging up: "She'll be here in a few days."

Zhao Fusheng rolled his eyes but didn't bother to complain.

No doubt, Fan Baobao would now be treated as a top priority, probably even more important than him, her own son.

That was the difference.

Although Zhao Fusheng believed boys and girls were equal, in the eyes of the older generation, especially given the vast fortunes Zhao Fusheng and his father had built, the role of a male heir was undeniable.

In plain terms, if you have a daughter, unless you bring in a son-in-law, the family fortune will eventually go to someone else.

Conversely, with a son, the Zhao family business could be passed down.

Most of the older generation in China thought this way.

Zhao Fusheng couldn't change that, so he just let them be.

In his view, boys and girls were the same. In modern corporate management, a successor didn't have to be male for the company to thrive.

If that were the case, some tycoons with only daughters would be crying in the bathroom.

But regardless, Fan Baobao's pregnancy was good news.

Given that, Zhao Fusheng naturally couldn't leave his pregnant wife to attend the listing ceremony in Hong Kong.

For him, making money was important, but compared to this, everything else was trivial.

"You're not going?"

Dong Chenxi was stunned when she received Zhao Fusheng's call: "I've already notified them. Why are you backing out again?"

She was speechless. How could he change his mind at the last minute? Zhao Fusheng was so unreliable, acting on a whim.

"My wife is pregnant."

Zhao Fusheng didn't mince words, directly playing his trump card: "For the next year, unless something important comes up, I won't be traveling abroad."

Are you kidding?

At a time like this, he should stay home and accompany his wife through her pregnancy.

...

Dong Chenxi was momentarily speechless.

Although she wanted to tell Zhao Fusheng that Fan Baobao might not need him by her side right now, she knew he always cared deeply about his family. Since he knew his wife was pregnant, he definitely wouldn't leave.

"Alright, I understand." Dong Chenxi was silent for a moment, then said helplessly: "Give my congratulations to Baobao. I'll visit her when I get back from Hong Kong."

"Okay."

Zhao Fusheng smiled, nodded, and agreed.