Time flies... years pass like shuttles... Unconsciously, a month has passed since the first social banquet. During this month, Old Master Gu often came to Old Master Qin to reminisce and often stayed for dinner. He would also occasionally ask Gu Chuan to come and eat with her, and Gu Chuan would sometimes come a few times, mostly choosing when Bai Lu was present. During this month...
Songjiang was relatively calm. Both the Black Dragon Construction Site and the Tiger Might Construction Site were progressing in an orderly manner, though the Black Dragon Construction Site project was advancing at a more rapid pace.
The underworld of Songjiang was even more terrifyingly quiet. All forces had not yet recovered from Uncle Long's fall from the building.
However, there were many significant developments in the business world.
Firstly, a social networking app called [Youyou], created by a graduate student from Song University, secured 30 million US dollars in Series B financing, valuing the company at 1 billion. It became a new tech darling in the Three Northeastern Provinces, and many people believed its company had greater potential than Black Dragon Group.
After all, the explosive growth of internet companies had caught the attention of many tycoons. Setting aside other factors, the valuation alone was incredibly staggering.
The founder of Song University even declared:
A market value of 5 billion within one year.
A market value of 10 billion within two years!
Listing on NASDAQ in three years!
...For a time, he was unrivaled in prominence, somewhat overshadowing Qin Jiang. Whether there were forces assisting him from behind was unknown.
Many tycoons believed that in the new year, the title of Chief Young Entrepreneur of the Three Northeastern Provinces might change hands. This was not only due to the strong rise of the Youyou founder but also the slight sluggishness in Black Dragon Group's business... *Slap!*
The old man finished the game of chess and looked at Wu Yue opposite him, saying, "You still have the heart to play chess with me here? Aren't you worried?"
Wu Yue replied, "What am I worried about?"
The old man said, "That person from Song University successfully raised funds. Many high-level executives in the academy are building momentum for him, clearly intending for him to contend for the title of Chief Entrepreneur of the Three Northeastern Provinces in the new year. By then, you won't be so impressive..."
Wu Yue said, "He just raised a bit of capital, with a valuation of 1 billion! And that's just a valuation!"
"Black Dragon's industries are all solid, with a total value definitely exceeding 1 billion. What can he compare with?"
The old man said, "But you have to admit that the general environment is shifting towards the internet. It's not so obvious in our northern region, but in the south, many internet groups raise hundreds of millions of dollars in financing at the drop of a hat. Many internet portals that have gone public have seen their market values multiply tenfold or more. These types of companies have great potential, plus Black Dragon Group recently... seems a bit off... What's the situation with the North City he's building? Do you know? It seems to be building ancient architecture? North City? What's going on! Is he building a film studio?"
Opposite.
Wu Yue also fell into contemplation and did not answer, apparently also unclear about what Qin Jiang was up to. Initially, everyone thought Black Dragon might be building a large amusement park, but with ancient-style buildings continuously rising from the ground...
Many people were baffled.
They realized something was wrong, but couldn't pinpoint exactly what. They could only understand that what Black Dragon was building was definitely not an amusement park.
The old man asked suspiciously, "You don't know either?"
Wu Yue replied, "I believe Qin Jiang would never act without a purpose. He must have some big move planned."
The old man said, "Alright! Let's not talk about that then. Let's talk about his core business: his two major milk tea brands! He was clearly the one who started the milk tea craze, yet he didn't seize the excellent opportunity to raise funds and quickly capture the market. Instead, he retreated to the Three Northeastern Provinces."
"Now, let alone the southern regions, even his territory in the Three Northeastern Provinces is almost indefensible. Baiwei Milk Tea has seen hundreds of stores emerge and open in just over a month, gaining fame in the Three Northeastern Provinces and even many southern regions. Its popularity is almost catching up to Overlord Tea and Snowy Night Ice City. His core business is almost falling apart..."
Wu Yue's expression was also a bit grim. He actually paid more attention to Black Dragon's development than the old man. He was also clearer about how critical Black Dragon's situation was now. It seemed like a raging fire, but in reality... the North City project consumed too many resources. If the milk tea core business collapsed, it would be easy for banks to withdraw loans, and at that point, the massive Black Dragon Group would crumble.
Similarly, in this situation, it would be very difficult to maintain the position of the new Chief Young Entrepreneur of the Three Northeastern Provinces.
But what could he do?
Go to Qin Jiang?
It's useless! He understood Qin Jiang's character. Such a person's actions would not be influenced by the outside world at all. If anyone could influence his decisions, he wouldn't have reached this point today.
Could it be... truly young and reckless?
Could it be... truly past his prime?
"Alas..."
The old man looked at Wu Yue and said, "You should still try to find a way. If he only loses the title of Chief Young Entrepreneur of the Three Northeastern Provinces, it's nothing, but if the entire Black Dragon Group collapses, it will have a huge impact on your career."
Wu Yue replied, "Wait another month. If he still doesn't make a move, I will talk to him. I have confidence in him."
The old man said, "I don't know where you get that confidence..."
...Gu Family Villa.
Old Master Gu nodded with satisfaction, looking at Baiwei Milk Tea's financial report: "Not bad... It has already established a firm footing in the milk tea industry. In two or three months at most, it will be able to compete with other milk tea brands, and it is preparing to expand into the national market."
*Slap!*
He put down the financial report and looked at Gu Chuan: "Xiao Chuan, why do you think that Qin Jiang still hasn't made a move recently?"
"Just now at dinner, he didn't express anything, as if he didn't care about anything..."
"What exactly is he planning..."
Gu Chuan replied, "I don't know! But I always feel like he's about to make a big move? Yet I don't know what kind of big move it is?"
Old Master Gu said, "A big move? A trump card? A tactic? But sometimes, a trump card used too late becomes a useless card. Where does he get such confidence?"
It wasn't that Old Master Gu was belittling Qin Jiang, but an industry that had just emerged, not quickly seizing the market, but instead slowly brewing a trump card, seemed a bit naive.
After all:
Who can guarantee that their trump card will definitely be a good thing? Every year, countless people believe they have amazing startup projects and startup tactics, but without market validation, it's all meaningless.
Gu Chuan didn't speak.
Compared to Qin Jiang's milk tea trump card, she was more curious about the situation with Qin Jiang's North City. After thinking for a long time, she couldn't figure it out, so she picked up a book and left.
Old Master Gu asked, "Where are you going?"
Gu Chuan replied, "Xiao Xi Villa!"
Old Master Gu was very relieved, but he was startled when he saw the ancient book in her hand. It seemed that the girl named Bai Lu mentioned yesterday that this book was very rare on the market. Now his granddaughter was taking this book to Xiao Xi Villa? What was she going to do?
Could it be... no way... Old Master Gu said righteously: "Xiao Chuan! I'm telling you, our family is a prominent family, with traditions. Besides, this is the new era of China, and descendants of the Gu Family must never become a mistress for someone..."
Gu Chuan: ...Office.
Ye Ze frowned, looking at the construction photos of North City taken by his subordinates: "What is he building? A city? This has nothing to do with an entertainment city at all..."
"It seems I've overthought things and become a bit obsessed. I can't go on like this; I can't be influenced by Qin Jiang..."
He picked up the phone, called his secretary, and threw the Nike full set he was wearing to him: "Throw it away..."
The secretary asked, "Throw it away again?"