Chapter 0323: Temptation with Profit

Zhao Fusheng remembered clearly that it wasn't until after he turned forty in his previous life that he truly understood that sometimes lying is a very tiring thing. Because there are some people you can't bear to lie to, and some people you disdain to lie to.

In Zhao Fusheng's eyes, Chen Tianqiao now was actually no different from himself. Although saying this might be a bit arrogant, the facts were plain to see. Chen, the richest man, had years of experience and connections from working at a large enterprise, but Zhao Fusheng also had the advantage of foresight. Moreover, the current Zhao Fusheng was far more powerful than Chen, the richest man.

"Tell me, what exactly do you want?" Chen Tianqiao almost gritted his teeth as he said this to Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng smiled slightly: "Nothing much. I heard you, President Chen, have set up a network technology company?"

Chen Tianqiao was taken aback. He hadn't expected Zhao Fusheng to be so interested in him. Could it be that this guy had some designs on him?

If Zhao Fusheng knew what Chen Tianqiao was thinking, he would definitely punch him to death. What did he mean by 'designs on him'? Zhao Fusheng could say with absolute certainty that he had no designs whatsoever on that guy Chen Tianqiao. A person who chose to fade out of industry after failing in a factional struggle was, in Zhao Fusheng's view, a loser.

Of course, even if he was a loser, he was a loser among the big shots. Compared to ordinary people, Chen Tianqiao was still someone to be looked up to; there was no doubt about that.

"Do you think I would agree to your terms?" Chen Tianqiao sneered. "Rest assured, no matter what, I will never sell my company to you."

In his view, Zhao Fusheng's goal was probably to get his hands on his company.

Zhao Fusheng blinked and suddenly sighed silently. He felt he really should learn from a certain time-traveling predecessor. At least that Master Han always believed in making money peacefully, unlike himself, who was being taken for a villain.

To prevent the richest man Chen from hanging up in a fit of anger, Zhao Fusheng said calmly: "Fifty thousand RMB, plus free promotion on wo123. I want twenty percent of your company's shares."

"What?" Chen Tianqiao was dumbfounded. He held the phone, stunned, unable to utter a word for a long time.

Thinking he was dissatisfied with the terms, Zhao Fusheng frowned: "President Chen, don't be too greedy."

"No, no, I didn't expect... I didn't expect," Chen Tianqiao said subconsciously, then his tone suddenly changed: "Twenty percent is too much. I can't agree to that."

Zhao Fusheng smiled. If he remembered correctly, Chen Tianqiao had always built Shengda Group into a family business, with the company's main executives being his relatives. So he definitely wouldn't agree to the twenty percent shares Zhao had proposed.

Fortunately, that wasn't Zhao Fusheng's bottom line anyway.

"Since that's the case, President Chen, tell me what terms you can offer?" Zhao Fusheng asked Chen Tianqiao calmly, without getting angry.

"No cash from you. I just want the promotion on wo123. I can give you five percent of the shares," Chen Tianqiao said slowly.

Zhao Fusheng laughed. When Shengda was registered, its capital was fifty thousand yuan. Even if it had now received an investment of one point five million US dollars, one twentieth would only be a few tens of thousands of US dollars. Chen Tianqiao wanted to exchange that for free promotion on wo123—that was wishful thinking.

"President Chen, if that's how you put it, then I can only guarantee you half a year of promotion. After that, I'm sorry, but you'll have to pay the full advertising fee for wo123 without a cent missing," Zhao Fusheng said flatly.

He wasn't joking. The user traffic on the wo123 navigation page was extremely high. Before Zhao Fusheng left, someone had already approached Dong Guoxiang, willing to pay two thousand yuan a day for the best ad slot. After all, a navigation page had limited advertising space.

At two thousand a day, that would be several thousand US dollars a month. Over half a year, it would be about the same as the shares Chen Tianqiao had offered.

"Seven percent, no more," Chen Tianqiao gritted his teeth and said to Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng smiled: "President Chen, ten percent. If it's less than that, I don't think we need to continue this discussion."

Chen Tianqiao gritted his teeth and said in a deep voice: "The promotion period must be no less than a year."

Zhao Fusheng nodded. In a year, the internet bubble would probably burst. By then, it would be hard to say whether Chen Tianqiao would still have time to worry about MyHome. "Alright, I agree."

"When will the promotion start?" Chen Tianqiao quickly asked. He was in a hurry because every day of delay meant losing a day of promotional plans.

That was all live user traffic!

At the thought, Chen Tianqiao felt his heart bleeding.

"Anytime," Zhao Fusheng said with a light laugh.

"Aren't you afraid I'll go back on my word?" Chen Tianqiao asked curiously.

Zhao Fusheng's voice carried a hint of mockery: "I believe you won't turn your back on traffic, right?"

Chen Tianqiao was silent. He suddenly felt that this young man really had him figured out.

"Alright," Chen Tianqiao nodded after a moment of silence. "If you're in Shanghai, find some time in the next few days. Let's meet and sign the contract."

Since things had come to this, he had no choice. He was at someone else's mercy. Even if he was unwilling, he had to grit his teeth and accept it.

"Okay, I'll contact you later," Zhao Fusheng said with a smile. He was quite happy. Originally, he thought he might have to add some cash to get shares in Shengda Game Company. Unexpectedly, to prevent Zhao from getting more shares, Chen Tianqiao had refused cash, which really lifted Zhao Fusheng's spirits.

Early the next morning, Zhao Fusheng was woken up by a knock on the door. When he opened it, he saw Tan Kaixuan standing at the door in a suit.

"What's up?" Zhao Fusheng looked at Tan Kaixuan strangely, puzzled.

"Going to the stock exchange," Tan Kaixuan said excitedly.

Zhao Fusheng blinked. Although a bit confused, he still let Tan Kaixuan in.

He casually changed clothes, washed up, and was about to head out when Tan Kaixuan stopped him.

"What's wrong?" Zhao Fusheng looked at Tan Kaixuan in surprise.

Tan Kaixuan frowned: "We're going to open an account today. Don't you think dressing like that is a bit too casual?"

Zhao Fusheng burst out laughing, rolled his eyes at Tan Kaixuan, and said: "Look at yourself, you look like a genetically modified mutant catfish. And you're talking to me about being serious? Are you serious?"

Tan Kaixuan was speechless. Zhao Fusheng's way of teasing others was really harsh.

Waving his hand, Zhao Fusheng laughed: "Stop overthinking. Let's go check out the stock exchange."

The two went downstairs together, had breakfast at the hotel restaurant, and then headed to the legendary Shanghai Stock Exchange.

Seeing the bustling crowd at the entrance, Zhao Fusheng said: "Looks like quite a lot of people."

Tan Kaixuan nodded: "It's always been like this. It's better now. They say in the '90s, the queue at the door stretched for dozens of meters."

Zhao Fusheng clicked his tongue in amazement, getting a taste of the enthusiasm of these investors.

"Let's go. I've already opened an account," Tan Kaixuan said to Zhao Fusheng.

Earlier, as Zhao Fusheng had requested, he had quietly opened an account at the Shanghai Stock Exchange. Since they weren't planning to trade futures or anything, it was just a simple stock trading account.

Zhao Fusheng nodded and followed Tan Kaixuan inside.

They found a stock trader, transferred all the money from their bank cards into the trading account, and then stood there waiting for the market to open.

"Making a move today?" Tan Kaixuan asked Zhao Fusheng in surprise. It was Friday, and the market would be closed tomorrow. In Tan Kaixuan's opinion, it would be better to wait a couple of days and enter after Valentine's Day next week.

Little did he know that Zhao Fusheng couldn't quite remember the exact timing of this market rally. So he simply chose the safest approach, even if it meant making less profit.

"It's not that complicated. Our funds are small. Better to enter early so we don't miss the opportunity," Zhao Fusheng said frankly to Tan Kaixuan, keeping nothing from him.

Tan Kaixuan was taken aback, then understood what Zhao Fusheng meant. He nodded gently and didn't object.

At nine-thirty in the morning, as the big screen lit up, Zhao Fusheng's first stock market journey began.