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

Just as Ding Sanshi was filled with excitement about his upcoming trip to Shenzhen and the bright future ahead, a completely different scene was unfolding in Beijing, a thousand miles away.

Zhongguancun, Beijing.

The chill of early spring had not yet completely dissipated, and the air was filled with a mixture of dust and ambition.

Mu Qizhong, a "big shot" in the domestic business world known for his bold ideas and ability to create concepts, is standing in the reception room of Aitexin (the predecessor of Sohu), which is much cleaner and brighter than Ding Sanshi's office and has a more "Silicon Valley feel". However, his face is even more gloomy than the sky outside the window.

He had just come from a "negotiation" that ended badly.

With boundless aspirations for the prestigious "MIT" brand and an unwavering ambition, he rushed to Beijing.

In his grand business empire vision, investing in Zhang Chaoyang, a "returned overseas elite" with the halo of MIT, and his star project Aitexin, was undoubtedly a brilliant move with great strategic vision and symbolic significance.

He had even come up with a headline: "Trade King Mu Qizhong Spots a Star, Invests Heavily in Tomorrow's Internet Star!"

However, reality taught him a harsh and merciless lesson.

Zhang Chaoyang, a PhD from MIT, not only has solid technical skills, but also top-notch business acumen and a strong desire for control.

Established three years ago, AiteXin is one of the earliest and most promising portal websites in China, and is a recognized star in the industry.

Its valuation has long been hovering in the tens of millions of US dollars range (the industry generally estimates it to be between 20 million and 50 million US dollars), far surpassing NetEase, which was just starting out and had only over 100,000 users.

Zhang Chaoyang's vision is clear and grand: to ring the bell at Nasdaq!
He is actively preparing for Series B and Series C funding rounds, targeting overseas capital giants such as Sequoia Capital, IDG Capital, and Goldman Sachs, which can bring top international resources, have extensive listing experience, and help him realize his Wall Street dream. As for domestic capital, especially investors like Mu Qizhong with traditional backgrounds, strong styles, and ideas that he sees as somewhat "out of the ordinary," he has little interest in them and even carries a hint of instinctive wariness.

"Mr. Mou, thank you for your kindness and recognition."

Inside the meeting room, Zhang Chaoyang spoke politely, with the clear enunciation and aloofness characteristic of overseas returnees, his gaze behind his glasses calm and sharp.

“Aitexin’s current development strategy is very clear. In our next phase of financing, we will mainly consider international partners who can provide core support for the company’s globalization and future listing.”

He cleverly used the phrase "international partner" to shut out Mu Qizhong's enthusiasm.

Mu Qizhong certainly wouldn't give up, after all, this was an investment project introduced by his amazing little brother Lu Yang. He trusted Lu Yang's judgment, so he tried to wave his banner of "influence" and "resource integration ability".

Leaning forward with a menacing gaze, he said, "Dr. Zhang, the deep understanding and resources of the domestic market are irreplaceable by international capital! We can form a powerful alliance. I can bring not only funding, but also click-through rates you wouldn't even dare to dream of..."

He's just bragging.

What he excels at, regardless of anything else, is to vigorously depict the grand prospects of cooperation between the two parties.

unfortunately
Although Zhang Chaoyang was smiling and listening patiently, there was no fluctuation in his eyes.

"Mr. Mou's experience and resources are indeed admirable. However, for Aitexin's current stage and plans, we value the internationalization and professionalism of its capital more. Our existing shareholder structure is also relatively stable, and there is limited room for introducing large strategic investors in the short term."

He reiterated the importance of "internationalization" and "professionalism," effectively blocking Mu Qizhong's attempt to gain a substantial share or even a board seat.

After several rounds of contact, Mu Qizhong felt as if he had bumped into an invisible, smooth glass wall.

He used every trick in the book, from envisioning the future to showcasing his strength, and even hinting at a premium, but Zhang Chaoyang maintained a polite distance and an impeccable defensive stance throughout.

Mu Qizhong felt like he was hitting cotton with all his strength, and he was so frustrated that he almost suffered internal injuries.

The halo of MIT still shines brightly, and Zhang Chaoyang himself appears shrewd and capable, exuding an "advanced" aura. However, behind this "reliability" and "advanced" image lies an entrepreneur's fierce defense of control and a deep wariness of the intentions of Mu Qizhong, this "outsider."

Ultimately, perhaps due to Mu Qizhong's prominent reputation in the domestic business world and the consideration of "not wanting to completely offend this powerful figure," Zhang Chaoyang reluctantly made a small concession.

He proposed that he could transfer a portion of his extremely limited shares in Aitexin to Mu Qizhong in his personal capacity.

price?

1000 million RMB.

Share?

Less than 5%.

Mu Qizhong held the flimsy equity transfer agreement, which had almost no substantive binding clauses, and felt as if he had swallowed a fly.

How will this small percentage of shares be diluted in the face of a company valued at tens of millions of US dollars and an upcoming financing round of tens of millions of US dollars?

In the board meeting, he couldn't even make a ripple; he was just an insignificant small shareholder with only the right to receive dividends!

He spent 1000 million yuan—no small sum—only to gain the right to stand on the edge of a "star company" and crane his neck to look inside.

It's a far cry from his initial grand goal of "betting on celebrities, getting deeply involved, and making a big splash"!
"Dr. Zhang, you are a promising young man!" Mu Qizhong suppressed his frustration, forced a smile, and extended his hand.

Zhang Chaoyang smiled and shook hands with him. The smile was polite and standard, but it conveyed a sense of aloofness.

"Mr. Mou, you flatter me and thank you for your support. I hope we can have a pleasant cooperation in the future."

The words were impeccable, but Mu Qizhong understood the subtext: You invest your money, and don't worry about the company's affairs.

Stepping out of Aitexin's office, the cold wind of Beijing made Mu Qizhong feel his face burning.

This trip to Beijing not only failed to become a significant milestone in his business empire, but instead resulted in a humiliating and disastrous defeat.

Meanwhile, at another negotiating table in the capital, the atmosphere was even more tense and heated.

Xiao Jun, Lu Yang's ambitious "brother-in-law," is currently mired in the quagmire of negotiations regarding the merger between Sifang Litong and North American Huayuan Life Information Network.

The water here is deeper and muddier than the water over at Mu Qizhong's place.

Wang Zhidong's Sifang Litong (one of the core entities of Sina's predecessor) and Jiang Fengnian's North American Huayuan are locked in a fierce battle over the new company, "Sina," including its leadership, shareholding ratio, management structure, and even brand naming.

The meeting room was filled with tension, and scenes of people slamming tables and throwing documents were common.

Both sides brought their own capable teams and lawyers, haggling over every single detail, with each clause requiring repeated negotiation.

The merger was originally intended to be a powerful alliance, but it has now turned into a fierce battleground of internal strife, far more exciting and intense than any commercial cooperation itself.

Xiao Jun carried with him the salary and bonuses he had accumulated from his position as president of the Little Prodigy Group.

This sum of money would be an astronomical figure in the eyes of ordinary people, quite substantial—but compared to this near-giant project with a valuation also approaching tens of millions of US dollars (and even higher after the merger), it seems rather meager and… pitiful.

He had originally fantasized that, with the halo of Lu Yang's brother-in-law and his own prodigy "president" status, he would "parachute" in with this money, become a major shareholder with a voice in the merged new company, and even sit on the "chairman of the board" seat to create his own "independent kingdom".

Reality dealt him a harsh blow, cold and biting.

"Mr. Xiao, as you can see, the core differences between Mr. Wang and Mr. Jiang regarding the selection of the CEO and the distribution of equity have not yet been resolved, so we cannot discuss the issue of new strategic investors at the moment."

The vice president in charge of receiving Xiao Jun spoke politely but with a hint of perfunctoriness.

“We have recorded your situation and requests. Once the merger framework is finalized and the board structure is clear, we will notify you as soon as possible if there is a need for financing.”

Over the course of several days, Xiao Jun hadn't even had a proper chance to meet Wang Zhidong and Jiang Fengnian, the two real decision-makers. Occasionally, when they bumped into each other in the corridor or at the meeting room door, the other party would only nod politely and hurry past, as if he were just an insignificant bystander.

He wanted to "bleed" and spend money to show his "sincerity," but sadly discovered that he didn't even have the right to "bleed" enough!
This merger, worth tens of millions of US dollars, is a battle for control of the future top internet portal in China. Who would really care about his small sum of money and his status as a "prodigy CEO"? Why should anyone support him?

He encountered setbacks at every turn and was extremely frustrated.

The carefully woven dream of an "independent kingdom" and "chairman of the board" was shattered by the cruel hammer of reality, leaving only a mess of frustration and nowhere to vent resentment.

Xiao Jun returned to his hotel in a daze. Looking at the dazzling yet cold night view of Beijing outside the window, and then touching the investment intention document in his pocket that had been almost ignored, a huge sense of powerlessness swept over him.

Are we just going to slink back like this?
How do I explain this to my brother-in-law?
How do we deal with the possible ridicule from that old fox, Mu Qizhong?

Just when he was at his wit's end and filled with frustration, his phone rang.

It is Mu Qizhong.

"Hey, Lao Mou?" Xiao Jun's voice was weak and listless.

"Brother Xiao! How's it going? Did you manage to close the deal with Sina? Did you become a big boss?"

Mu Qizhong's voice came through the microphone, carrying a sense of shared misery and self-mockery, "I've really messed up! That MIT kid is shrewd! 10 million, and he only got less than 1000% of it in scraps, not even a peep! Heh!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jun felt a little less resentful; it turned out that Brother Mou had also suffered a setback.

"Ugh, don't even mention it! I'm in a worse situation than you! I didn't even get inside! They're fighting tooth and nail right there, and with my meager sum of money, they won't even give me a second glance! I couldn't even get a cup of hot tea!"

The two poured out their grievances to each other on the phone, becoming increasingly frustrated as they talked.

After hanging up with Mu Qizhong, Xiao Jun's frustration and confusion reached their peak. He paced around the room like a caged beast, and finally, almost instinctively, he dialed the number that subconsciously always seemed to solve his problems.

I called Lu Yang.

"Brother-in-law!" As soon as the call connected, Xiao Jun's voice was filled with barely concealed frustration and deep dejection. "The situation in Beijing is... utterly chaotic! It's a complete mess! That merger between Sifang Litong and Huayuan is like a cockfight, neither side willing to give in, both wanting to be the boss! I wanted to get involved, to become a major shareholder, but what happened? They didn't even give me a second glance! My little bit of money is probably just a bonus in their eyes! Nothing at all! What do we do now? Are we just going to slink back like this? That would be incredibly embarrassing!"

On the other end of the phone was the top-floor office of the Pengcheng Century Building.

Lu Yang stood in front of the huge floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at the dazzling night view of the vibrant young city he had built.

He listened to Xiao Jun's rapid-fire complaints without the slightest surprise on his face, his expression as calm as a deep pool, as if everything was within his expectations and the course of the game.

He gently swirled the wine in his glass, his tone calm and even, as if stating a predetermined outcome:

"Brother, don't worry. Sina is a murky place. You've heard about Brother Mou's situation, haven't you?"

"Huh? What happened to Lao Mou?" Xiao Jun was taken aback.

Lu Yang calmly and clearly told Xiao Jun how Mu Qizhong had been rebuffed by Zhang Chaoyang, and how he had been determined to win but ultimately only managed to buy less than 5% of the shares.

"What?! Old Mou only managed to get this much?" Xiao Jun was shocked, his voice rising several decibels.

Although he was in a worse situation, hearing that even a big shot like Mu Qizhong had fallen made the pent-up frustration in his heart inexplicably dissipate, and he even felt a strange sense of balance, as if "we're all in the same boat."

“Yes.” Lu Yang’s voice remained calm, carrying a sense of worldly wisdom and a commanding presence. “Zhang Chaoyang’s Sohu has a solid foundation, clear goals, and formidable defenses. So, brother, I’m fairly aware of your situation. With the money you have now, you think you can take over that still-struggling merger project, where various forces are vying for power, and become the controlling shareholder? It’s basically hopeless. Continuing to hold on will only waste your precious time and lead to more setbacks.”

He paused, then offered a more practical suggestion, one that better suited Xiao Jun's current situation and capabilities, his tone carrying an undeniable guiding force:
“Learn from Brother Mou, be more realistic. Don’t always dream of becoming a ‘big boss’ overnight. In this chaotic situation, you might as well invest some money first and reserve a spot. Don’t set your goals too high. Get whatever shares you can, even if it’s just a few percent. Or, like Brother Mou, transfer some shares privately from someone, such as a small shareholder of Sifang Litong or Huayuan, or an early investor who is eager to cash out. This is called ‘observing the consequences.’”

Lu Yang's tone was calm and strategic: "Putting your foot in the door first shows that you, Little Prodigy President Xiao, are paying attention to this project, which will be renamed 'Sina,' and that you've already gotten involved. That in itself is a signal. As for what happens later?"

His voice rose slightly, carrying a hint of profound certainty and long-term calculation:

"Once their merger is finalized, and their internal power struggles leave them exhausted and in need of stronger support to stabilize the situation, or when the new company develops and needs more capital to expand... there will be plenty of opportunities for us to increase our capital and acquire more shares, even seeking real control! Think long-term, brother. Now is the time for strategic incubation, for sowing seeds, not for rushing to reap the rewards!"

Xiao Jun on the other end of the phone remained silent.

Lu Yang's words were like a basin of cold but sobering spring water, completely extinguishing the flames of unrealistic fantasies in his heart.

At the same time, it was like a beacon in the fog, pointing him to a path that, though winding and not glamorous, was nonetheless feasible.

Give up the obsession with being a "major shareholder" and first become a minor shareholder to "infiltrate" the company?
This is far removed from his original grand vision, and is filled with compromise and resentment.

But faced with the cold and cruel reality of the capital, this seemed to be the only wise choice that could preserve the last shred of dignity and hope for the future.

"...Hoo..." Xiao Jun let out a long, heavy sigh, as if trying to expel all the frustration and disappointment in his chest.

He gritted his teeth, his voice still carrying a trace of resentment, but with an added clarity and decisiveness born from recognizing reality:

"Okay! Brother-in-law, I'll listen to you. You're right. I'll adjust my strategy right away. Damn it, let's find a way to 'claim the spots,' as many as we can!"

In the end, Xiao Jun, who listened to advice, was a carbon copy of Mu Qizhong. He used all his connections and the meager amount of money he had, but he still managed to barely get less than 7.5% of the shares in Sina, a still violently turbulent embryo.

His only "achievement" from this trip to Beijing was his insignificant status as a minor shareholder.

Pengcheng.

Lu Yang hung up the phone with Xiao Jun, his face expressionless.

He strolled back to the French windows, his deep gaze seemingly piercing through time and space.

The betting game is not over yet.

Ultimately, it all comes down to the future development of these three companies. If Sohu and Sina, the two portal websites, develop much better than NetEase, which Lu Yang invested in, and their market value is several times higher after listing, then Lu Yang will still lose.

So, to paraphrase Mu Qizhong's stubborn words: "The outcome is still uncertain, and it's hard to say who will win. Little brother, don't get too excited yet."

Lu Yang replied over the phone, "Hahahaha."

He laughed very loudly!
care?

Would he care which of these three portal websites ultimately has a market value that is a few hundred million or a few billion dollars higher?

To be honest, I really don't care at all.

For Lu Yang, revealing the investment prospects of these three portal websites was merely a carefully designed "trial balloon," an appetizer before the grand feast.

If he truly cared about the gains and losses of "one city and one place," he wouldn't have thrown them out as stakes, much less use all three of them to wager that seemingly childish gamble.

In Lu Yang's visionary perspective and grand strategy, the deeper purpose of his intervention in the three major factions is to verify: in this world that may be subtly rippled by his rebirth, how much inertia does history have? Will the key people and events still follow their predetermined paths?
If nothing had changed—after his, Mu Qizhong, and Xiao Jun's more or less involvement—NetEase, Sohu, and Sina would still have grown into the three strongest portal giants in China.

This clearly proves one point: the general trend of history has great resilience and malleability.

If the intervention is carried out in the right way and at the right time, those internet stars destined to shine in the future can also be included in the map of the Comet Century!

His investment options extend far beyond these three portals; they encompass the entire magnificent golden age of the internet! (End of Chapter)