Forcing Me to Be Reborn?!

"I'm actually more focused on delving deep into the internet industry. I can say very directly that I am one of the earliest people in the country to play with the internet."

"But, you know, I feel like this new wave of dining you're into has a bit of an internet industry flavor to it."

Cheng Zhu nodded in agreement, "Online buzz is indeed quite important to us. The game we're playing is really the same as the play on online traffic."

"Hmm, I've noticed your 'Youu Tea' and there's a lot you're doing really well," Bao Fan genuinely praised.

Then, he changed the topic, "But I didn't expect you'd refuse Wang Xin and choose to join Eleme, and you even took a stake."

"Actually, my main goal was to take a stake, and that's something Mr. Wang definitely couldn't satisfy," Cheng Zhu answered with total honesty, not bothering to hide anything.

"Really? So you were aiming for that from the start, huh?"

"Yes, I had that idea right from the beginning."

Bao Fan listened, marveling in his heart.

He found this Little Cheng quite interesting.

He felt that Cheng Zhu possessed a bit of the qualities from their generation—daring to dream and to act!

The current business environment is becoming more and more formalized.

This also leads to many people in the business world losing these qualities, especially some young people.

But this is normal; the more society develops, the more rules and regulations there are.

Yet it's precisely these rules and regulations that were set by people from their wilder times.

Bao Fan picked up his wine glass and clinked it with Cheng Zhu's, then placed a hand gently on Cheng Zhu's shoulder.

This gesture actually requires the other person to lean in slightly, then bend over to listen to you speak.

The charismatic bald man turned his head to look at him, staring into Cheng Zhu's eyes, and said, "I have some connections of my own. I heard that Zhang Tao and Zhang Xuhao often have meals and chats with you lately, treating you a bit like a think tank?"

"No, no, it's just that we get along well," Cheng Zhu denied.

After he finished speaking, he added, "Actually, most of the time, I'm the one seeking their guidance."

If Zhang Lao and Little Zhang heard this, they probably couldn't help it.

Damn, wasn't the one strategizing and making plans you, kid!?

Bao Fan's hand remained on Cheng Zhu's while he continued to look into his eyes as he spoke.

"Did Zhang Tao ever tell you that Meituan and Dianping are discussing a merger?"

"He mentioned it," Cheng Zhu again admitted frankly, emphasizing sincerity.

"What do you think?"

"I don't really know what Brother Tao specifically thinks, and I don't have a place to comment on this as an outsider."

Bao Fan just thought that this young man in front of him was very direct and straightforward in some irrelevant areas, but he emphasized ambiguity in critical matters!

"Then can I share my personal opinion?" Bao Fan said.

Cheng Zhu nodded, assuming a listening posture.

"The merger of Dianping and Meituan is a trend, it benefits both companies, and I could even say it's more advantageous than disadvantageous for the healthy development of the entire domestic group-buying market."

"Don't think this merger has nothing to do with you."

"Actually, Eleme can join in too."

"If these three companies integrate, they'll create a new unicorn in the O2O field."

"I can say directly, the future market is a trillion-level market!"

"..."

As Bao Fan talked, the conversation drifted towards macroeconomics.

And then from macroeconomics, it veered back to Cheng Zhu's personal interests.

"I actually quite admire you, and I can secretly tell you, Wang Xin too, this sneaky guy, admires you a lot."

"Also, let me ask you, are you getting along well with Zhang Tao and Zhang Xuhao now?"

Cheng Zhu nodded slightly in response.

Bao Fan applied a bit more pressure on the hand resting on Cheng Zhu's shoulder, lightly squeezing his shoulder, then said in a deep voice, "Then that's right!"

"With this merger of the three companies, you can totally thrive!"

Cheng Zhu also understood this in his heart.

This was no longer a hint; it was almost a direct message, implying greater opportunities and more shares for Cheng Zhu in the future.

This will be a future super unicorn, eligible to enter and easily make big bucks!

"It's just a pity... my appetite is a bit large!" Cheng Zhu thought to himself.

After finishing this topic, Bao Fan suddenly shifted to the short video platform.

"I heard you're working on a short video platform?"

"Yes."

"We at Huaxing Capital are very professional as consultants."

"With my years of experience in the internet, I can tell you very directly that starting this kind of social platform now is quite challenging; there will be many difficulties and even more problems, often needing rectification."

After saying that, Bao Fan lightly tapped Cheng Zhu's shoulder, gave him one more look, and then withdrew his hand.

"Is this both a threat and a lure?" Cheng Zhu pondered.

After that, the two of them just kept eating and drinking without going too deep into conversation.

Boss Bao thought this kid must be smart, and he probably already understood.

If you become one of us, you'll go with the flow, prosperity wherever you go, and everything will go smoothly!

The newly merged company will give you a little more share.

In the future, when you run a social platform, Huaxing Capital can be your consultant, and I have the ability to help you solve some problems.

With such conditions, if you call me Boss Bao in the future, Little Cheng, you won't lose out!

But what Cheng Zhu thought, only he knew.

It wasn't until nine o'clock in the evening that they walked out of the booth, with a seemingly familiar demeanor, arms around each other's shoulders to say goodbye and get into their cars.

"Boss, heading straight back to Hang City?" the driver, Little Wang, asked.

"Yes," Cheng Zhu replied.

He looked out the window, gazing at the glitz and glam of Shanghai, observing the night scene of this magical city.

"Should I follow him?" Cheng Zhu contemplated.

They indeed promised me a grand, grand future!

If I go with Boss Bao, things would certainly be smoother when I work on the short video platform in the future.

But.

But.

Cheng Zhu withdrew his gaze from the captivating night scene outside the window, leaning slightly back into his seat.

"Heh, I don't need that kind of habit," he whispered to himself.

...

"For a grand future, I'll earn it myself."

...

(ps: Asking for monthly votes!)