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

Inside the private club's VIP room, the lingering herbal steam had not yet completely dissipated, mingling with the rich aroma of top-grade cigars. However, the atmosphere became subtle and tense due to Lu Yang's final "suggestion."

"There's an internet content provider in Beijing called Aitexin. They recently launched a portal website called Sohu, which has been well-received by many in the internet industry. The founder is Zhang Chaoyang, a graduate of MIT. He's a science and engineering talent. You might want to consider his company."

Lu Yang's voice wasn't loud, but it was like a pebble thrown into still water, precisely creating ripples in the hearts of Xiao Jun and Mu Qizhong.

The prestigious reputation of MIT instantly ignited a light in Mu Qizhong's eyes.

In his simple business logic, a highly educated person who has studied abroad is almost synonymous with "reliable" and "advanced".

"Also, not far from our Pengcheng, in Yangcheng, which is also in our Guangdong province, there is a young man named Ding Sanshi who founded an internet company called NetEase at the beginning of this year. It mainly deals with Chinese email and may also get involved in portal websites in the future. This guy likes raising pigs and is very down-to-earth, but he is also a talented person. We can consider him."

"Raising pigs?" Xiao Jun frowned subconsciously and pursed his lips, clearly showing a hint of disdain for this "down-to-earth" hobby that seemed so out of place with the glamorous world of internet technology.

Mu Qizhong barely paid any attention to it; the words "likes raising pigs" and "promising internet company" simply couldn't be effectively connected in his mind.

"Also, let me think."

Lu Yang took in their expressions, paused deliberately for a moment, as if trying to recall.

"Yes, it's also in Beijing. There's a technology company called Sifang Litong, which mainly focuses on Chinese online content creation. They might be in talks with a North American company called Huayuan Life Information Network recently. If they can reach an agreement, the two companies could merge into one and create a portal website together. They'd have both content and technology, making it a very promising investment project. If you can seize the opportunity and secure a spot early, you might even become a major shareholder."

"A merger project? Major shareholder?" Xiao Jun's eyes lit up instantly, like a shark smelling blood.

Although he now carries the title of "Little Prodigy" CEO, in the end he is working for Lu Yang and the other major shareholders of the company.

A platform that truly belongs to him, that he can control independently, and that has enormous potential is exactly what he desires deep down.

Lu Yang's vision of "getting involved in the merger early and becoming a major shareholder" was like a shot in the arm, precisely hitting his ambition.

Lu Yang rattled off the names of the three early, most famous portals of the early internet era: Sohu, NetEase, and Sina.

His mind raced through the ever-changing landscape of the future internet world: NetEase's soaring market value, Sohu's decline but steady perseverance, Sina's eventual delisting but the massive waves Sina Weibo stirred up in the public sphere... Behind each name lay enormous energy and opportunities.

As expected, Xiao Jun and Mu Qizhong quickly completed a preliminary "assessment" in their minds.

Mu Qizhong was the first to express his opinion, his tone filled with confidence in "foreign-educated" talent: "Brother Lu, this Zhang Chaoyang from MIT sounds very promising! Sohu, that's a great name too, I'm optimistic about this one!"

Xiao Jun immediately followed suit, his goal clear: "Since President Mou chose Sohu, I won't compete. I'm more interested in the two companies in Beijing that are currently negotiating a merger."

As he spoke, he rubbed his hands together.

"Brother Lu, you just said there's a chance to become a major shareholder?"

"Is it authentic?"

He stared intently at Lu Yang, as if he could already see himself sitting in the chairman's seat of the new company, commanding respect and authority.

As for Ding Sanshi, the pig farmer in Guangzhou, he completely ignored him.

Looking at the two people's completely different yet confident choices, Lu Yang's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile.

He then suggested, "How about this, since Brother Mu is optimistic about Zhang Chaoyang's Sohu, you should go and invest in Sohu."

“Brother-in-law, if you’re interested in the merger, then go and participate in the negotiations between Sifang Litong and Huayuan. Use your energy to see if you can invest money or do some maneuvering to secure an important position. You don’t necessarily have to be a major shareholder; just get a seat on the board of directors first.”

As for Ding Lei, the man from Guangzhou who likes raising pigs, and his NetEase, I'll leave that to me to invest in.

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the two men's faces with a mischievous, challenging tone: "Let's have a final competition to see who has the best foresight? Let's see whose investment in this company will grow faster and be more valuable in the future?"

"Let's have a competition?" Xiao Jun and Mu Qizhong asked almost in unison, their eyes gleaming with excitement.

Since they started dealing with Lu Yang, they have almost never had the upper hand in business judgment.

At this moment, Lu Yang took the initiative to propose a "competition," and it seemed that the projects they chose were all more "high-end" than the "pig farmer" that Lu Yang himself had chosen, which instantly ignited a strong competitive spirit in their hearts.

This time, maybe I can really beat Lu Yang!
However, just as the excitement began, a trace of doubt, like a cold snake, quietly crept into his heart.

Xiao Jun stared at Lu Yang suspiciously: "Wait, Brother Lu...you wouldn't be deliberately making Ding Sanshi sound so...uh, unassuming, but actually NetEase is the real potential stock, and digging a pit for us to fall into, would you?"

Mu Qizhong also realized what was going on and nodded warily: "Yeah! You're always so cunning, aren't you trying to scheme against us again?"

Faced with their questioning gazes, Lu Yang remained unfazed, even showing a hint of helplessness at being wronged. He shrugged and said frankly, "I say, you two older brothers, you're being far too suspicious. Everything I said is true! Ding Sanshi does indeed like to study pig farming, it's no secret, you can find out if you ask around in Guangzhou. NetEase is indeed making Chinese email services now."

He leaned forward slightly and said sincerely, "When I, Lu Yang, do things, I believe in mutual consent and honesty, regardless of age or gender."

I personally have high hopes for these three companies, believing they represent different possibilities for the internet.

Therefore, I sincerely suggest that you do not make a firm decision as I have suggested right now.

You can go and investigate first!
Use your resources and connections to go to Beijing and Guangzhou to conduct on-site investigations of these three companies, find out about the founders, and assess their teams, technology, and market prospects.

"Once you've investigated thoroughly and have a clear understanding, then make your final decision."

He emphasized his words, making him sound particularly "generous" and "fair".

"In short, you two go and investigate first, and then you can choose first!"
I'll invest in the one you didn't choose.

Is that okay?

"Then the three of us can compare the final results and see who has the better foresight, shall we?"

These words were perfectly worded, dispelling the other party's doubts about being "tricked," demonstrating a commitment to "fair competition," and even relinquishing the right to choose first.

Xiao Jun and Mu Qizhong exchanged a glance, and their doubts vanished, replaced by an eager excitement and a hidden gratitude!

Brother Lu is really generous this time! "Great! Brother-in-law, that's a good deal! It's settled then!"

Xiao Jun slapped his thigh, his heroic spirit soaring to the heavens.

He used to only call Lu Yang "brother-in-law" in private, and never did so in front of outsiders, for fear of affecting his sister's reputation. This time, he was a little carried away by his pride.

Fortunately, Mu Qizhong is not a talkative person.

Besides, everyone knows each other well, and Mu Qizhong is well aware of Lu Yang's relationship with Qian Youyou.

Xiao Jun's position as CEO of Little Prodigy was secured because of his relationship with Lu Yang and Qian Youyou; he was essentially Lu Yang's brother-in-law.

However, it's something we all understand but don't say out loud.

"A word is settled!"

"We'll go back and arrange for people to investigate!"

Mu Qizhong was also eager to get started, wishing he could fly to the capital immediately.

As for Xiao Jun's slip of the tongue, he pretended not to hear it.

A silent investment race and contest surrounding the future internet portal giants officially began in this luxurious private room filled with the aroma of herbs and cigars.

. . . .

As night deepened, the lights of countless homes in Shenzhen streamed softly through the large floor-to-ceiling windows into the cozy restaurant.

Several delicate home-style dishes were laid out on the table, emitting an enticing aroma.

Lu Yang held his son, Xiao Hao, who had just eaten and drunk his fill and was now curiously observing the world with his big, dark eyes. He gently rocked him, his face showing the gentleness that came after shedding his sharp edge in the business world.

Qian Youyou sat opposite them, smiling as she looked at the father and son. The lamplight cast a warm, golden glow on her long, smooth hair.

She placed a piece of food on Lu Yang's plate and asked softly, "How did your talk with my brother and President Mu go today? You seem to be in a good mood."

Lu Yang handed his son Xiao Hao to the nanny next to him, picked up his chopsticks, and couldn't help but laugh out loud, recalling the scene at the club in the afternoon: "It was quite interesting. Your brother and Lao Mou were 'tricked' by me into going to rush to invest in internet companies."

"Oh?" Qian Youyou became interested. "A rush to invest? Invest in what? Alibaba again?"

She had heard about Lu Yang's continuous large-scale investments in the technology sector and internet companies in Hangzhou, which she had also heard about in Shenzhen.

After all, he was her man, and she was always the first to know any news about Lu Yang.

"No, that's not it. Alibaba is a hot commodity right now. Ma Yun is shrewd. He wouldn't even ask for more money from me, so how could he easily let anyone in?"

Lu Yang shook his head and vividly recounted the situation of Sohu, NetEase, and the merger of Sifang Litong and Huayuan, as well as the bet between the three of them to "invest separately and test their foresight," as if it were an amusing story.

The text focuses on Xiao Jun's desire to become a "major shareholder" and Mu Qizhong's blind faith in the "MIT" label.

Qian Youyou couldn't help but chuckle, especially when she heard Lu Yang describe Mu Qizhong's expression when he heard "pig farming" and Xiao Jun's obsession with being the "major shareholder in the merger case".

Seeing the sly glint in Lu Yang's eyes, she asked sharply, "You seem so relaxed, even treating this as a joke. Did you already have everything planned out? Could it be... you've been plotting this all along, just waiting for them to fall into your trap? Is this internet company called NetEase the one with the greatest potential and the most promising future?"

Lu Yang paused in his chopsticks, meeting his wife's insightful gaze. He smiled frankly, not directly answering whether he was scheming, but with an air of confidence that he was in control: "No, it wasn't. It was entirely about respecting their choices. Didn't I say let them choose first?"

So this can't be considered any kind of scheming at all, right?
I just know them too well.

Youyou, think about it. Given your brother's current position and mindset, how attractive would a project that allows him to independently control the business and has the opportunity to become a real 'big boss' be to him?
That was an almost irresistible temptation.

As for Lao Mou, his superstition about "overseas gilding" background is ingrained in his bones, and Zhang Chaoyang's MIT halo is the best endorsement in his eyes.

As for Ding Sanshi, a pig farmer from the countryside, even if he graduated from a certain electronics university in China, so what?
"If they don't like it, they just don't like it. Even if I rave about him to the heavens, they still won't like it."

He put down his chopsticks, his gaze becoming distant: "So, I'm sure that once they investigate, even if it's not just a cursory investigation, but a detailed investigation of these three companies, your brother will most likely still target the merger project in Beijing that's still under negotiation, while Lao Mou will definitely target Sohu, owned by Zhang Chaoyang, the MIT talent."

Qian Youyou nodded thoughtfully, looking at her man's confident profile.

With a slight smile, she said, "It seems that Mr. Ding, who likes raising pigs, and his NetEase are quite to your liking. Have you ever thought about acquiring them?"

There is a difference between investing and receiving income.

Investing means putting in a sum of money to own a portion of the shares.

You don't need to worry about the company's operations.

All you have to do is wait for the year-end dividends, or wait for the company's valuation to go up and it to go public, then sell and cash out for a big profit.

To acquire the shares, one must hold at least 51%.

Even higher.

They bought it and turned it into a subsidiary of the Century Group.

Lu Yang picked up his teacup, took a sip, and gazed at the dazzling city night view outside the window, where the upcoming internet boom was brewing.

His lips curled slightly upward, and he didn't answer, but his deep eyes and silent smile said it all.

A battle he personally ignited is about to spread across the vast land of the Chinese internet, igniting a fierce competition among portals.

Meanwhile, Ding Sanshi, a young man currently buried in email code and occasionally pondering pig farming techniques in Guangzhou, and his little-known "NetEase," are about to welcome a heavyweight mentor who will change their destiny.

Will Lu Yang's arrival bring a different NetEase to future generations, or will it continue to develop in the same direction as it was initially? (End of Chapter)