Since we are both reborn, of course I would choose the rich woman!

Chapter 368 On the Eve of New Year's Day 2017 (6k views, please subscribe)
A banquet like the one in Hangzhou, which truly gathers celebrities, doesn't attract much attention in terms of publicity. Ordinary people, even if they know about it, won't feel much, let alone have the ability to participate.

The output of Xizi University, the first private research-oriented comprehensive university in China, will truly impact many of the people who are here tonight.

Whether it's cultivating "management trainees" for their own faction or using it as a stepping stone for the academic qualifications of their relatives' children, the future of Xizi University is full of possibilities.

In fact, another university has been established in recent years.

Although this university is called a "university," in reality, its nature is similar to that of many universities for the elderly.

These are all universities that lack official endorsement and are essentially self-entertaining institutions.

This university stands in stark contrast to the "West Lake University" funded and supported by Lü Yao, Rong Nianqing, and Hu Xiaoyu in every aspect.

Xizi University was established by a group of top domestic scholars to cultivate a new generation of scientific researchers and contribute to the development of science and technology in China; while that other university was formed by a group of businessmen at the top of the pyramid in China, with the aim of bringing together successful businessmen and integrating resources.

The students at Xizi University come from the annual college entrance examination; while the students at that other university are all wealthy people with successful entrepreneurial experience.

The future of Xizi University is limitless; while the future of that university founded by businessmen is bleak.

However, in the current environment, not many people think that the university, which is composed entirely of businessmen from top to bottom and inside to outside, has a "bright future". On the contrary, in recent years, the university of businessmen has become a sacred place that countless entrepreneurs and ordinary people yearn for.

It's as if once you enter that place, the ugly duckling will turn into a swan.

The poor can become rich overnight through it.

This is actually a classic case of "reversing cause and effect." It's not that people can succeed just by getting into that university; rather, you must succeed in order to get into that university.

As for the "successful young entrepreneurs" promoted by that university, they are nothing more than "internet celebrities" created by "data streaming" on Douyin, with the aim of making ordinary people think that doing this kind of thing can be popular.

Douyin's strategy of "making ordinary people into internet celebrities" is not problematic at present, and Douyin is relatively compliant with future issues.

But this university is different.

This kind of "reversal of cause and effect," this "merchant association" trick... destined him to die suddenly in the future.

Doesn't Mr. Yun know this now?
He probably knew, but Mr. Yun is too confident now.

At the end of 2016, the domestic business climate and economic growth were incredibly optimistic and encouraging. Anyone who could easily create something using the internet could attract large investments from major financial institutions.

Many young entrepreneurs have seized the opportunity and are frantically working in various niche areas, hoping that one day they can achieve scale and be acquired by a large company.

In this atmosphere, at the founding ceremony of Xizi University, even professors and PhDs who were in academia but whose achievements were not particularly great set aside their airs and chatted and laughed with the wealthy businessmen who came here, as if they had met too late.

Staying in such an atmosphere for too long would make someone like Hu Xiaoyu feel suffocated.

Finally, after greeting and exchanging pleasantries with everyone she needed to, Hu Xiaoyu secretly went to the terrace outside the banquet hall for some fresh air.

"call--"

It's already early October 2nd, 2016, and the air in a place like Hangzhou has become exceptionally cold and damp.

But the chill of the night air hitting her face instantly cleared Hu Xiaoyu's mind, and her previously chaotic thoughts gradually settled down.

The night is exceptionally deep tonight, with not a single star in sight.

The sounds of guests chatting and laughing behind the small door on the terrace became blurred and distant, as if becoming the background of this deep, cold night.

In contrast, the loneliness in Hu Xiaoyu's heart seeped in from all directions through the darkness of the night, echoing the cold silence in her heart, as if to freeze her.

Just then, Hu Xiaoyu heard someone approaching from behind.

A thick, soft fur coat was draped over her back, protecting her from the chill of the deep, cold night. Under the coat, Hu Xiaoyu's body temperature continued to rise.

Hu Xiaoyu turned her head to look at her side and saw Rong Nianqing's heroic and dignified face.

"Thank you."

Hu Xiaoyu laughed.

Rong Nianqing smiled, leaned against the railing of the terrace, and turned to look at Hu Xiaoyu beside her: "It's so cold outside, what are you doing staying outside for so long?"

Hu Xiaoyu smiled and said, "It's too noisy and stuffy inside."

Rong Nianqing took a cigarette out of her pocket, and when Hu Xiaoyu looked over curiously, she handed him the cigarette and said, "Want one?"

Hu Xiaoyu shook his head: "When did you start smoking?"

Rong Nianqing lit the cigarette in her hand, took a deep drag, and the smoke, along with her exhaled white breath, transformed into a blurry, straight plume of smoke before rapidly spreading.

Hu Xiaoyu frowned slightly.

But Rong Nianqing didn't care much: "When did you start smoking? Let me think, I started smoking in my first year of studying abroad. Back then, I wasn't used to foreign cigarettes, so I had to go to great lengths to find someone to buy domestic cigarettes for me."

"After that, it was intermittent, but I never really had a strong addiction. I would smoke more when I was upset, and I could go six months or even a year or two without smoking when I wasn't upset."

Hu Xiaoyu pursed her lips: "It seems you've been under a lot of pressure lately."

Rong Nianqing smiled and said, "Yes, as the business gets bigger and bigger, the troubles also start to increase. Actually, if it were just that the business was troublesome, it would be fine. But when you climb into this circle, it's inevitable that your hands will get dirty."

As she spoke, Rong Nianqing raised her hands, a cigarette still between her right fingers, and as wisps of smoke rose, her hands were gradually obscured by the smoke.

Hu Xiaoyu was silent for a moment before saying, "I understand."

Rong Nianqing: "You don't understand. Many of the dirty things weren't actually done by me, but by Lü Yao."

"He really..."

Thinking back to what Lü Yao said when he was dealing with people like Mr. Liu, Rong Nianqing still feels a deep sense of emotion.

While this might have been Lu Yao's initiative to secure his position within their circle, his willingness to go to such lengths for them goes beyond mere self-interest.

When Rong Nianqing mentioned Lü Yao, she deliberately glanced at Hu Xiaoyu beside her.

Hu Xiaoyu's beautiful face showed no change in expression.

It was as if she didn't care about Lü Yao at all.

But Rong Nianqing knew that true indifference wasn't expressed with such a blank expression.

True indifference is the ease and nonchalance of being able to ask the other person how they feel.

Through Hu Xiaoyu's clear, moist eyes, Rong Nianqing seemed to see a sudden flash of lightning. Perhaps at this moment, a devastating tsunami was raging in Hu Xiaoyu's heart, but she showed nothing on her face.

After a long while, Hu Xiaoyu finally raised her head and looked at the deep, dark night sky again. She said, "How much money do you think is enough? How high do you have to climb to be considered the peak?"

"And then what happens after you reach the peak?"

Rong Nianqing smiled and said, "You are an archaeologist and art researcher, so it's normal for you to say such things, but I... Lü Yao, for people like us, the pursuit of wealth and climbing to the top is no longer simply about wealth and power."

"It's not because of fear."

Because of fear, they frantically increase the weight on themselves.

Because of their fear, they dared not linger for even a moment.

At this point, Rong Nianqing lowered her gaze: "Actually, Lü Yao had a chance to get away, but he didn't."

As she spoke, Rong Nianqing's tone grew weaker: "If he had wanted to get away back then, I probably wouldn't have allowed it."

this time.

Hu Xiaoyu's clear and bright eyes flickered.

It's like a stone suddenly being thrown into a calm lake.

But Hu Xiaoyu still didn't say anything.

There's not much to say.

A silence fell between them. After several seconds, Rong Nianqing finished her cigarette, threw the butt on the ground and stomped it out, then said, "You should know why Lü Yao didn't come this time. You were supposed to see him before you went abroad, right?"

Hu Xiaoyu grinned and shook his head, saying, "No, thank you."

The relationship between her and Lü Yao was like that between the ocean and the desert, the barren mountain and the basin, the sky and the earth... seemingly a perfect match, but in reality they were not in the same world.

Rong Nianqing turned her gaze to the ring still on Hu Xiaoyu's left ring finger. She sighed and patted Hu Xiaoyu's shoulder, saying, "Don't stay outside too long. I'm going inside first."

Hu Xiaoyu: "Hmm."

……

Three days later, Shangnan.

Rong Nianqing and Jian Xiaojie, who had finally returned to Shangnan, called out Wang Shu, Lin Yongzhen, and Lü Yao to have a get-together.

As early winter approaches, Shangnan gradually reveals the atmosphere of an ancient capital of six dynasties. Tall trees and forests filled with the weight of time, city walls and gates still standing in this modern metropolis, and ancient buildings nestled among the winter woods... all these elements imbue Shangnan with a unique charm.

On the top floor of the Octagonal Chongyang Tower, not far from the South Gate, Lü Yao, Rong Nianqing, Wang Shu, and Jian Xiaojie were enjoying themselves, brewing wine and tea.

Jian Xiaojie was wearing a fitted, high-necked long coat in the style of the Republic of China era. The fluffy white collar framed her round, full oval face, making her look charming and alluring, truly embodying the image of a warlord's wife from that period. Rong Nianqing was still wearing a suit and trench coat.

The wool suit, in a British style, accentuated Rong Nianqing's handsome and angular face, making her look even more dashing. If there were any girls in the TP (presumably a fandom or social media community) here, they would definitely kneel down immediately and beg for humiliation while clinging to Rong Nianqing's leg.

Wang Shu was wearing a loose beige down jacket, and her face, which was slightly rounder due to her pregnancy, looked incredibly healthy.

Lin Yongzhen wore a high-necked black cashmere sweater, paired with a jade and gold-inlaid sweater pendant. She looked very simple, yet exuded a noble and high-class feel.

Looking at the group of people, each with their own strengths, Lü Yao couldn't help but shake his head and praise, "Compared to you, the winter scenery of Shangnan is only fit to be a background."

The people sitting in the heated pavilion on the top floor all smiled.

That's just how Lü Yao is; he always finds a chance to praise them, and the key is that each time it's different, and it's always so appropriate, making them feel really happy.

Even a woman like Lin Yongzhen took such praise to heart.

Jian Xiaojie laughed and rolled her eyes slightly, saying, "You say such nice things, but you've moved out of the house. What does that mean? You didn't even come to greet me when I came back. You must be tired of living with us."

Before Lü Yao could speak, Wang Shu looked at Jian Xiaojie and said, "I've already explained it to you. My mother is coming over, and Lü Yao moved out because he was afraid something bad might happen."

Jian Xiaojie stiffened her neck and asked, "What's wrong?"

Lü Yao was speechless and laughed.

However, he also knew that Jian Xiaojie meant no harm; she was just indulging in a mischievous urge to play a prank on Lü Yao.

Lu Yao said, "I'll move back after your aunt leaves."

Jian Xiaojie shook her head: "You'd better be."

At this moment, Rong Nianqing interjected, "New Year's Day is approaching. Will the New Year's Eve parties of each company still be held separately this year? I think that given the size of our companies, the New Year's Eve parties should have some formalities. For example, shouldn't important veterans like President Lü attend the head office's New Year's Eve party?"

This is Rong Nianqing calling out to Lü Yao.

For the past two years, Lü Yao was busy with his own company and didn't go to Huasheng Life's New Year's Eve party.

However, this year, through the newly established "Huasheng Holdings Investment Company", "Guangmei Investment Co., Ltd." and "Dajin Capital" registered overseas, Rong Nianqing, Lü Yao and Jian Xiaojie achieved cross-control of companies including Huasheng Life, "Guangan Network Game Company", "Dalu Media MCN", "Weiguang International", as well as mobile phone manufacturing, automobile manufacturing and home appliance manufacturing companies.

In the newly established holding company, Lü Yao controls Guangmei, Dajin Capital belongs to Jian Xiaojie, and Huasheng Holdings belongs to Rong Nianqing.

Through a complex equity structure, it is difficult for outsiders to control Lü Yao's company, not to mention that it has a large amount of overseas business and factories built overseas.

If you include the domestic allied companies and the overseas branches, the total number of employees in this alliance has reached 200,000, and all of them have social security and benefits paid in full.

That sounds like a lot, right?

But that's still not enough.

Evergrande once had as many as 300,000 employees, but it was still dismissed.
Lu Yao and his team only have 200,000 employees right now, which is not enough.

It's totally not good enough.

In the future, there will be a super-giant international company with as many as 140 million employees. This company not only originated from the University of Tokyo, but also has many factories all over the world. In almost every country where they have factories, there are hundreds of thousands of employees.

The corporate taxes, social security contributions, and profits brought back by so many employees are both substantial and alarming.

Lu Yao didn't know if their company could reach that level, but a company with 200,000 employees wasn't safe, and 500,000 employees was the bottom line.

Although Lü Yao was deeply anxious, Rong Nianqing and Jian Xiaojie were also very clear-headed and would certainly not stop there.

However, at present, a company of Huasheng Holdings' level can be considered a top-tier enterprise in China.

Many prominent domestic investors, and even those seemingly from the heavens, have now set their sights on Huasheng Holdings.

And companies of this caliber naturally need to hold a proper celebration for New Year's Day every year.

The more a company is like theirs, the more attention it needs to pay to its corporate culture. Just like in "Dream of the Red Chamber," the Jia family would hold grand celebrations and make it very festive and lively whenever there was a happy occasion or Grandmother Jia's birthday.

This is not just extravagance, but also a way of "showing off strength".

When a company is doing well, it tends to hold such events on a grand scale; when a company is not doing well, it needs to be even more bold.

This is not a joke.

When the economic situation is not good in the future, domestic workers have summarized a lot of "patterns" based on the performance of their companies. For example, if a company that never cared about attendance before suddenly starts to strictly check attendance records, it means that the company is not doing well.

The next step will either be layoffs or the company's senior executives running away.

This also served as a reminder to Lü Yao that he must leave enough cash flow for the group in the future, but this cash flow cannot appear directly in the accounts.

Lu Yao readily agreed to Rong Nianqing's suggestion to hold a grand New Year's Eve party for Huasheng Holdings: "Even if you hadn't said so, President Rong, I would have gone. Now that I'm a major shareholder, I definitely need to attend and meet with the company's downstream partners."

Rong Nianqing smiled and said, "Then will we be fortunate enough to see President Lü's performance this year?"

Lu Yao waved his hand: "Stop joking, I haven't performed in a talent show in ages, I can't do it anymore. And President Rong, I really don't want you to arrange for me to give a speech that day."

Jian Xiaojie was surprised: "Oh, you've become introverted."

Lu Yao straightened his collar and said arrogantly, "Now that I'm President Lu, it's not good for me to keep showing my face in public."

But in reality, Lü Yao did this simply because he didn't want to steal the spotlight that day, and also because his current public persona wasn't suitable for speaking openly and formally.

After all, he positioned himself as Rong Nianqing's "poisonous strategist," and a venomous snake lurking in the shadows must act like one.

As the person in charge of the "dark side," having to show your face in public will only hasten your demise.

But upon hearing what Lü Yao said, Rong Nianqing jokingly added, "Yes, yes, it's already very kind of President Lü to grace us with his presence."

Lü Yao laughed along; it's just friendly banter.

After chatting for a while, Lü Yao said, "After the New Year, President Rong, you'll be making a high-profile appearance. It's a good opportunity for you to take advantage of this New Year's Eve party to see how everyone reacts."

Rong Nianqing nodded, then brought up another matter: "By the way, I received information from within that the direction and tone of China's economic development for the next few years have been set. The next step is to comprehensively but gradually shift the economy from virtual to real, focusing on developing the real economy."

"This is a crucial part of our future strategy, and it's key to whether China can leverage 'WTO cooperation' to reverse its weak position in international trade."

At this point, Rong Nianqing looked at Lü Yao and said with some gratitude, "It has not been easy for us to get to where we are today. Lü Yao, your strategic direction has been of great help to us."

As she spoke, Rong Nianqing raised her glass: "Although the New Year's Eve party hasn't arrived yet, there's no need to save these words for the party to show off. We're not in a superior-subordinate relationship; we're the closest and most important partners."

Before Rong Nianqing could finish speaking, Jian Xiaojie poured herself a glass of wine: "Me too!"

Rong Nianqing continued, "If it weren't for you, just figuring out the future would have taken me and the people around me a lot of time, and that time could have made me miss important opportunities."

The concept of "timing"!
It may seem ethereal, but it is crucial to the development of individuals, businesses, and even nations.

Jian Xiaojie raised her wine glass: "That's right, me too!"

Although Jian Xiaojie's core business is overseas, at the suggestion of Lü Yao and Rong Nianqing, she has also begun to mobilize the industries and resources she controls to China.

Prepare for both possibilities and maintain a balance between the two.

Lu Yao was initially quite touched by Rong Nianqing's antics, but Jian Xiaojie's repeated "Me too" made him laugh.

Lu Yao, holding his wine glass, looked at Jian Xiaojie: "No, you mean Zhang Fei?"

Jian Xiaojie stiffened her neck: "So what?"

What else can we do?
As long as you're awesome and happy, that's all that matters.

Lu Yao, holding a wine glass, said to Lin Yongzhen, "Sister Yongzhen, you should come too. Without your help, many things wouldn't be going so smoothly. Let's get this over with."

Lin Yongzhen stood up with a smile, holding her wine glass.

Lin Yongzhen's presence in Rong Nianqing's circle is not very prominent, but her role is significant.

If Lü Yao is Rong Nianqing's Jia Xu, then Lin Yongzhen is Lü Yao's Cheng Yu. Many unconventional solutions are provided by Lin Yongzhen, and then Lü Yao uses the resources to implement them.

Lin Yongzhen has become Lü Yao's strategist to some extent.

Then Lü Yao poured tea for Wang Shu, telling her to drink it instead of wine: "Thank you, Sister Shu."

Lu Yao stared at Wang Shu with earnest and grateful eyes: "Thank you for everything you've done for me."

Wang Shu's heart was filled with surging emotions, and a layer of misty fog almost blocked her eyes. Through the fog, Wang Shu discovered with mixed feelings that the illusory figure that had been enveloping Lü Yao was becoming fainter and fainter...

And "Lü Yao" becomes more and more real.

Wang Shu pursed her lips, her complex emotions making the atmosphere in the rooftop pavilion different.

Seeing this, Jian Xiaojie put her arm around Wang Shu's shoulder and said casually, "Hey, you're doing so well now, don't act so weird, hooray!"

"Cheers~~"

(End of this chapter)