Return to 88: Starting from Marrying My Sister-in-law

At the forefront of the times, in 1998, Sulin Electric Appliances was just a leading regional home appliance retailer with a valuation of over one billion yuan, full of vigor and great potential.

Headquartered in Nanjing, the company's main stores are concentrated in Jiangsu Province, with approximately 30 chain stores throughout the province.

Overall, at this time, Sulin Electric Appliances still tended to operate in a conservative manner, with its main sources of funding being its own capital accumulation and bank loans.

However, starting this year, two bombshells have appeared in the market in succession: the birth of Century Home Appliance Plaza, which Century Group invested heavily in, and the surprising move of suddenly acquiring Dazhong Electronics, a giant home appliance chain in northern China, which stunned Zhang Jinxi, the founder of the company.

Zhang Jinxi felt a strong sense of crisis.

The previously conservative and expansionist mindset has also changed at this moment.

That's right, they are actively seeking financing.

Lu Yang also called the founder of Suning Appliance during this period.

They attempted to expand the influence of Century Home Appliance Plaza nationwide without bloodshed.

But he was rejected.

Even though Lu Yang repeatedly emphasized on the phone that he didn't necessarily have to ask Zhang Jinxi to hand over control of Su Lin Electric Appliances.

You can choose to only hold shares in other companies.

Let's work together to build a nationwide home appliance chain alliance, establish industry standards, and grow the industry into a larger and stronger one, achieving a win-win situation and ultimately benefiting all people across the country.

But clearly, they didn't believe a single word of it.

He was just making empty promises.

They wanted to lull their opponents into a false sense of security, but ultimately they ended up on the same path as when they acquired Dazhong Electronics.

Zhang Jinxi is still very young. He went from having a secure job to resolutely choosing to start his own business. He still has a lot of drive in him and wants to create his own home appliance chain era.

In his own words.

"Back then, we paid a heavy price in the battle to suppress the eight state-owned department stores in Nanjing, but we still won in the end. Why would we be afraid of a greenhorn like him now?"

Therefore, he rejected Lu Yang very decisively.

On the contrary, they welcomed the olive branch extended by the Li family with great enthusiasm.

The two sides hit it off immediately.

In a very short period of time, the news that the Li family of Hong Kong Island had invested a huge sum of 500 million in Sulin Electric Appliances was like a bombshell dropped on the Jiangnan market in early spring.

Major financial newspapers rushed to report on this capital alliance on their front pages, with keywords such as "CK Asset Holdings", "Suning Appliance", "45% stake" and "500 new stores" stimulating the nerves of every retailer.

In Jinling City, Suning's headquarters, the air seemed to be filled with the smell of gunpowder and the clash of swords.

In Beijing, in the north, the dust had barely settled from the press conference at the state guesthouse that signaled the end of the northern power structure when, on the southern chessboard, the Li family had already made their first move in a tit-for-tat confrontation.

After the news spread, Lu Yang's reaction was still unknown, but it first frightened Wang Yuguang of Guomei Electric Appliances, who was Su Lin's mortal enemy.

Wang Yuguang locked himself in his room and smoked four or five packs of cigarettes in one night before he finally figured it out.

The next morning, a call was made to Lu Yang's personal cell phone. Guomei Appliances was willing to join the home appliance alliance led by Century Group, and in order to show its sincerity, it was also willing to accept Lu Yang's conditional investment in principle.

Another company that was alarmed was Yin Mingzhu, the founder of Mingzhu Electric Appliances, which is a neighbor of Sulin Electric Appliances. Hunan Province is also located south of the Yangtze River. As the saying goes, "How can one tolerate another snoring beside one's bed?" Sulin Electric Appliances, which has received strong support from the Li family of Gangcheng, is preparing to expand aggressively. If Mingzhu Electric Appliances does not have a new source of funds and also receives capital support at this critical juncture, how can it protect its market?
Should we pray that the other party won't open a new store in Hunan Province, the home base of Mingzhu Electrical Appliances?
This is obviously unrealistic.

Yin Mingzhu also suffered from insomnia for several nights, pondering the future of Mingzhu Electric Appliances.

Should I surrender to that man?

But thinking about this, she felt unwilling.

But if we don't do this, should we side with the Li family and completely break with that man?
She was unwilling to do that.

After much deliberation, Yin Mingzhu had initially decided to take things one step at a time and not make a choice unless absolutely necessary. However, due to a piece of "unexpected" information, she ultimately decided to accept the Li family's benevolent investment.

Of course, this "news" is not surprising, because the Li family went to great lengths to find out about it.

Lu Yang has ruined many good things for the Li family over the years, so the Li family couldn't possibly have not investigated Lu Yang thoroughly. They also know everything about Lu Yang's past with his sister-in-law, Yin Mingzhu.

The two were previously a couple, but because the woman was admitted to Beijing University, she gave up her wedding with the man and instead the man married the woman's twin sister.

More importantly, the Li family later discovered Xu Siqi's existence and learned that this best friend of Yin Mingzhu from university had secretly given birth to Lu Yang's child in Singapore.

From this moment on, Li Zeju, the eldest son of the Li family, was full of confidence.
Pengcheng.

Lu Yang stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window on the top floor of the Century Tower, overlooking the city that was awakening.

He had just put down his frequently ringing personal cell phone.

Wang Yuguang's late-night call had already indicated Gome's final choice, which was within his expectations and considered good news.

However, the freshly printed newspaper in his hand at that moment prominently proclaimed the "powerful alliance" between the Li family and Suning.

His face showed no anger or frustration as Li Zekai had imagined; not even a ripple appeared on it. Instead, a kind of amused calmness emerged.

He gently put down the newspaper and tapped the words "500 new stores" with his fingertip.

"Zhang Jinxi... he's really quick." He murmured, his tone devoid of praise or criticism.

Wei Shushi handed over a freshly brewed cup of tea, observing the boss's expression: "The Li family reacted swiftly this time. It seems they want to replicate Century's integration speed in the North in East China, using Su Linlai as the vanguard. We just took over Dazhong, and they immediately supported a 'Southern Dazhong' to counter it. As for President Zhang... it seems they haven't left us any room at all."

Lu Yang took the teacup, the rising steam blurring his deep eyes.

"It's perfectly reasonable."

“Zhang Jinxi is a true dragon, but he has been trapped in the shallows of Nanjing for too long.”

"The Li family's capital and promises gave him the opportunity to soar to great heights."

“His indomitable spirit, which dared to challenge the eight major department stores back then, how could he willingly bow down to a ‘junior’ like me now?” “He wants his era, and the Li family just happens to have provided the ladder.” He took a sip of tea, the bitterness followed by a sweet aftertaste. “However, five hundred stores? That’s quite an appetite, too big a step. The Li family seems to have a lot of money, but I bet it won’t be long before he feels it’s not enough. Price wars, head-on battles—isn’t that exactly our strength?”

His gaze shifted to the wider world outside the window, as if piercing through space and landing on another important town south of the Yangtze River.

"As for Hunan Province... Mingzhu Electric Appliances, I really don't understand that stupid woman's choice."

Lu Yang's voice was a little lower, carrying a hint of indescribable complexity.

Wei Shu understood immediately and whispered, "As for Mingzhu Appliances... the information we received is rather vague. We only know that President Yin was very emotional before making the decision, and Li Zeju stayed in Xiangcheng for three whole days, finally leaving with a smile. According to our channels in Hunan Province, Mingzhu Appliances has already issued an order to accelerate its expansion, targeting Guomei's expansion area. It seems they are determined to join forces with the Li family and Su Lin to counter the home appliance alliance led by our Century."

Lu Yang remained silent for a moment, then tapped his knuckles lightly on the smooth windowsill, producing a rhythmic, soft sound.

Yin Mingzhu's stubborn yet pained face seemed to appear before my eyes.

He thought that after everything she had been through, she could at least step outside the confines of personal emotions and measure things from a purely business perspective. His proposed cross-shareholding alliance was intended to give her a dignified and independent space to develop, so she wouldn't have to be completely dependent on Century, while still sharing resources and a slice of the huge national home appliance retail market. Unfortunately…

"She ultimately chose that path." Lu Yang's voice carried a barely perceptible sigh. "The Li family... they certainly went to great lengths, even dredging up those old grievances as weapons."

He shook his head and didn't say anything more.

The business world is like a battlefield, and exploiting every available weakness is Li Ka-shing's forte.

Yin Mingzhu's choice, made in a fit of anger and hurt, was impulsive, but it was also part of the Li family's calculations.

"Boss, then we..." Wei Shu asked softly, her eyes seeking his opinion.

The two alliances have reached a standoff, and the century needs a clearer response.

Lu Yang turned around, the complex emotions on his face vanished without a trace, replaced by absolute control and calmness.

“It’s alright. The Li family wants to use Sulin Electric Appliances and Mingzhu Electric Appliances to build a high wall in Jiangnan in the south. Wang Yuguang has been scared to our side again.”

"This situation is much more interesting than one company dominating the market."

He walked to the huge national map, pointing from the central point of the capital city to Nanjing and Suzhou, then across the Yangtze River to the pearl of Hunan Province, and finally back to Guomei in the north.

“Su Lin has the Li family’s money and ambition, while we…” Lu Yang’s finger pointed heavily at Guomei’s location, then slowly covered the vast northern region, “We have the northern foundation brought by Dazhong, the unexpected regional support of Guomei, and our own ‘100 Cities, 1000 Stores’ plan. The pie is big enough; it’s just a matter of who can eat it faster and better.”

His eyes gleamed with the sharp wit of a chess player after a well-laid plan: "The Li family thought that by supporting Su Lin they could restrain me, but little did they know that by muddying the waters, they were making it easier for the truly capable players to see each other clearly."

Suning plans to open 500 stores in a year?
Okay, let them charge.

Is Mingzhu Electric Appliances also going to follow suit and expand?
Let her be.

Wang Yuguang is now our ally, the entire north is our backyard, and the coastal provinces and markets are all in our hands. What we need to do is to calm down, thoroughly digest and integrate the acquired Dazhong, polish the 'Century Electrical Appliance Plaza' brand even brighter, and solidify the foundation of 'Hundreds of Cities and Thousands of Stores' piece by piece.

Speed ​​is important, but a solid foundation is even more important.

Let the Li family burn through their money; the more they do, the lower our integration costs will be in the future.

He paused for a moment, then gave a meaningful smile: "As for Yin Mingzhu... she chose her own path. I hope the 'ladder' the Li family has given her is sturdy enough. We'll meet again in the Hunan market someday."

He turned to Wei Shu, his tone becoming firm: "Notify all business units to accelerate the implementation of the original '100 Cities, 1000 Stores' plan, focusing on ensuring the quality and service standards of new stores. At the same time, we will fully assist Guomei in completing the integration. The northern market is not to be lost. If the Li family wants to play big, we will fight them to the end."

"Yes, boss!" Wei Shu quickly wrote down the instructions. She understood that beneath the calm surface, a super storm sweeping across the national retail industry was already brewing in the boss's casual words.

The giant ship of the century is sailing resolutely against the wind and waves towards deeper and farther seas.

Jinling, headquarters of Sulin.

A huge, brand-new poster announcing the strategic cooperation between Cheung Kong Holdings and Suning Group was displayed all over the headquarters building.

Inside the president's office, Zhang Jinxi, full of vigor, stood side by side with the elegant eldest son of the Li family, Li Zeju, in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the city of Nanjing.

On the table, the thick document, marked with the locations of 500 new stores and expansion plans, still exudes the fresh scent of ink.

"Young Master Li, with the strong support of Changshi, I, Zhang Jinxi, will certainly live up to your expectations and make the 'Sulin' brand a household name throughout East China within a year!" Zhang Jinxi's voice was loud and clear, full of unprecedented pride and confidence.

Li Zeju adjusted his glasses, his smile gentle yet confident: "Mr. Zhang, you're so ambitious! My father often says that the future of the retail industry lies in mainland China. Sulin is the 'future' that we at Cheung Kong are optimistic about and are fully committed to. Just give us the funds and resources and let us do our thing. Our goal is to make Sulin the largest home appliance chain giant in China."

The sharp edge in his words was aimed directly at the newly changed northern tycoon and his young rival.

The two looked at each other and smiled, the air thick with a determined ambition and boundless anticipation for the future.

The winds of Nanjing, carrying the scorching heat of capital, blow across the wider plains.

Xiangcheng, Mingzhu Electric Appliances.

Yin Mingzhu sat alone in the newly renovated CEO's office.

Outside the window flows the ever-flowing Xiang River, mirroring the turbulent emotions churning within her heart.

On the table lay the newly signed letter of intent for investment with the Li family's Asian Film and Television Fund. Her eyes were still slightly red and swollen, but her gaze was unusually cold and sharp, like quenched ice.

She picked up a framed photo from her desk. It was a picture of her, her sister Yin Mingyue, and Xu Siqi, who was in Singapore, standing together at the entrance of Beijing University. It was the year she had just joined CCTV. At that time, they were all full of youthful energy and had bright smiles.

My fingertips lingered for a moment on that once so familiar face.

Thinking back to that long-distance ocean call I made a few days ago in a fit of anger and irrationality:
"Siqi, we're best friends. Can you tell me the truth? Are you on a business trip over there, managing the company for that man, or are you having his baby?" After she asked this question, the other party was speechless, and the faint sound of a child crying could be heard on the phone.

In the end, she resolutely took the only photo of the three of them out of the frame, tore it up, and threw it into the trash can.

"Lu Yang... not only do you look down on me, but you're still not satisfied after marrying my own sister. You even went after my best friend, my sister-like best friend," she muttered to herself, her voice trembling slightly, yet incredibly firm.

“I will prove that even without you, I, Yin Mingzhu, can still carve out my own empire in this world! Su Lin is the ‘king’ supported by the Li family, so I, Mingzhu, will be the sharpest sword in their hands!” She pressed the intercom, her voice regaining the decisiveness and competence typical of a strong woman.

"Notify all senior executives that there will be a strategic expansion meeting in half an hour! Objective: To match the speed of Sulin, consolidate Xiangjiang, target Huaxi, and meet the challenge of Guomei."

The Xiang River, in its silent undercurrents, subtly changed its course. (End of Chapter)