My Virtual Girlfriend-Chapter 289

Chen Yan felt that either her judgment was extremely sharp or her mind had gone foolish.

She seemed to notice Chen Yan’s distrust as she deliberately pouted and said pathetically, "Don’t look at me like that."

"I don’t really have any confidence either."

"But... I genuinely don’t have any ideas for starting a business. And... even though I’m not sure about you, I still believe in Qin Ming’s judgment."

Then, He Mengxue began educating Chen Yan about Qin Ming’s investments and "siding" over the years.

After listening to her, Chen Yan thought that this guy was somewhat a watered-down version of "Xiao Ha’s Instant Camera."

From his childhood, he found that the most promising person in his family was his uncle, so he clung to his uncle and wouldn’t leave. His attitude was even closer than he was to his own father.

This made his parents feel somewhat jealous.

Later, during school, the deskmates and friends he picked were either the best students or the strongest ones, always some of the best few in the whole class.

And after graduation, it was needless to say. Every choice he made was seen as the optimal one afterward. And the friends he chose would quickly show their potential, getting promotions and salary raises, and flourishing.

Sometimes, He Mengxue didn’t know if it was his good judgment or if he just carried an area buff.

So, this time, when he picked Chen Yan and clung to him like a moth to a flame, she knew that Chen Yan might really be a super-high-potential stock.

The subsequent events that validated this also further convinced her of this fact.

At first, she wanted to bring Chen Yan over to her side. But unexpectedly, before she could win Chen Yan over, her father had kicked her out of the He family.

So, what else was there to conquer? She might as well just pack her bags and throw in her lot with Chen Yan.

After hearing He Mengxue’s heartfelt tale, Chen Yan was silent for a long time.

Was Qin Ming really that miraculous?

Was it just sharp judgment, or did he really have some sort of buff?

But regardless of which it was, Chen Yan knew that, this time, he had once again picked the right side.

And He Mengxue...

Chen Yan glanced at her, thought for a moment, and said frankly, "Hmm. I’m touched by your feelings towards me."

"However, since your father asked you to start a business, I think you should give it a try."

Seeing that He Mengxue wanted to speak, Chen Yan raised his hand to stop her and added, "I’m not saying I won’t help you."

"On the contrary, I want to collaborate with you deeply."

"Think about what you want to do, and I’ll help you assess it. Let’s invest together, share resources. How does that sound?"

Hearing Chen Yan’s proposal, He Mengxue’s eyes lit up. She reached out her hand and said, "It’s a deal."

Chen Yan slapped her hand, "It’s a deal."

Knowing that the second game could make billions, Chen Yan actually realized something: in this world, money was endless. And at a certain level, it’s just a series of numbers.

Using money to pave the way forward is the right approach.

As the sole heir to the entire Wutong Group and a leader of the next generation of Qin Island Billionaires, He Mengxue obviously qualified.

He took this opportunity to tie her to his chariot. From then on, no matter what he faced, he would have another path to take.

Moreover, since creative ideas were her responsibility, and she would handle the daily operations, he would just assist in overseeing and invest some money. There was no loss involved, but there could be profits.

This was a good deal.

After finishing the discussion about He Mengxue, Chen Yan also asked about the purpose of this meeting: Zhao Xuan’s death.

As they talked about this, He Mengxue’s demeanor grew even more serious. She even stopped drinking.

From her account, Chen Yan finally understood the whole situation.

Zhao Group, as one of the top conglomerates in the country, operated on its own unique logic.

They had nine branches, each managing the businesses of one to two provinces. Each held about 5%-10% of the company’s shares and could conduct their own business operations.

It felt like a state within a state, or like feudal lords.

Aside from the Tiandu headquarters, the group also directly controlled the branch offices in eight other provinces and held more than 40% of the shares of each branch office, as well as 15% of the shares of the headquarters.

This cross-shareholding and the strong autonomy of the branch companies both balanced the internal power of Zhao Group, ensuring no single branch became too dominant.

It also kept the group dynamic, with each branch competing vigorously, striving to develop and innovate.

Every 10-15 years, when the sitting chairman stepped down, the various branches would compete for the main branch.

To compete for the main branch, they needed strong performance themselves, the shares from their own branch, and the support of three to five of the other nine branches.

During this period, alliances and conflicts were fierce, making it exceedingly brutal.

Zhao Qingtian emerged victorious from this situation, and within just two years, he had organized and integrated the headquarters and all branch companies and subsidiaries.

Three years later, he started hinting publicly that he believed the existing organizational system was outdated and prone to infighting, which was detrimental to the group’s progression.

In this era of rapid internet development, such a system would lag behind societal progress.

Moreover, the talent within one family could not compare to the talent available nationwide.

Therefore, he proposed to restructure the company, reclaiming the powers held by the various branches. He also intended to employ professional managers in the future, allowing the Zhao family to gradually withdraw from the management of Zhao Group and retain only their shareholding and necessary oversight rights.

The branches had diverse reactions to this proposal. Some vehemently opposed, some remained silent, and some supported and tried to curry favor.

The supporters claimed it was a visionary move that would benefit future generations.

The opponents viewed Zhao Qingtian as a scheming man with wild ambitions, who, under a noble cause, was attempting to consolidate power for his own rise.

(As Chen Yan recalled, it was probably around this time that Zhao Ying was sent by her father to be close to Yang Nuannuan.)

The subsequent two years were spent in lengthy disputes.

Several branches engaged in round after round of negotiations and confrontations with Zhao Qingtian, who became increasingly determined: to centralize the power! To reclaim all authority to the headquarters!

For Zhao Group, having such a strong leader was both a blessing and a misfortune.

So, last year, the two sides officially broke off. And half a year ago, Zhao Xuan and four other branches began a covert battle against Zhao Qingtian.

The battle ranged from business operations to supply chains to financial and economic aspects. However, Zhao Xuan’s side kept losing ground without any power to retaliate.

The market share of several branches was reclaimed, monopolized, and squeezed by the headquarters. Bank credits were cut off, and funds were tight. Even one branch company under one of these branches faced such severe cannibalization that its middle management could not sustain operations and voluntarily went over to the headquarters, which then took it back.

After all, the headquarters itself held a far too large share of stock, giving it an overwhelming advantage.

So, in recent days, the Zhao family’s branches officially lost.

And to end matters on his own terms, Zhao Xuan committed suicide last night in Tiandu.

Hearing He Mengxue’s words, Chen Yan was silent for a long time.

He was not a member of the Zhao family and was not familiar with the previous operational logic of the group, so he could not judge.

But the notion of suicide upon failure was something he truly couldn’t comprehend.

Zhao Xuan was gone, but what about Zhao Ying?

Hearing Chen Yan’s doubts, He Mengxue also spoke in Zhao Xuan’s defense.

She said, "Zhao Xuan’s action must have been to protect Zhao Ying."

"After all, he had deeply offended Zhao Qingtian. He was the one leading the charge."

"If he had lived, his branch would definitely have been maliciously targeted by Zhao Qingtian, possibly even expelled. Zhao Ying’s life would have been far more miserable."

"But with his death, the pressure is now on Zhao Qingtian. For the sake of his reputation and current stability, he needs to show that he is taking care of Zhao Xuan’s orphan."

"And the branches that fought alongside Zhao Xuan will also support Zhao Ying, ensuring her life and development fare better."

Chen Yan silently nodded, seeing the reasoning.

But he always felt that He Mengxue and Zhao Xuan had oversimplified their thinking.

From his recent understanding, he always sensed that Zhao Qingtian was not someone who cherished his own reputation.

Moreover, his public image was that of being ruthless. What reputation was there left to cherish?

He might just disregard what others thought and take direct action.

Chen Yan felt he needed to be prepared for such a contingency...

Thinking this, Chen Yan couldn’t help but be a bit lost in thought...

"Zhao Qingtian..."

"The helmsman of Zhao Group."

"Yang Rou’s ex-husband(?), Yang Nuannuan’s father..."

And again, his public image was ruthless. What reputation was there left to cherish?

He might just disregard what others thought and take direct action.

Chen Yan felt he needed to be prepared for such a contingency...

Thinking this, Chen Yan couldn’t help but be a bit lost in thought...

"Zhao Qingtian..."

"The helmsman of Zhao Group."

"Yang Rou’s ex-husband(?), Yang Nuannuan’s father..."

And again, his public image was ruthless. What reputation was there left to cherish?

He might just disregard what others thought and take direct action.

Chen Yan felt he needed to be prepared for such a contingency...

Thinking this, Chen Yan couldn’t help but be a bit lost in thought...

"Zhao Qingtian..."

"The helmsman of Zhao Group."

"Yang Rou’s ex-husband(?), Yang Nuannuan’s father..."

And again, his public image was ruthless. What reputation was there left to cherish?

He might just disregard what others thought and take direct action.

Chen Yan felt he needed to be prepared for such a contingency...

Thinking this, Chen Yan couldn’t help but be a bit lost in thought...

"Zhao Qingtian..."

"The helmsman of Zhao Group."

"Yang Rou’s ex-husband(?), Yang Nuannuan’s father..."

And again, his public image was ruthless. What reputation was there left to cherish?

He might just disregard what others thought and take direct action.

Chen Yan felt he needed to be prepared for such a contingency...

Thinking this, Chen Yan couldn’t help but be a bit lost in thought...

"Zhao Qingtian..."

"The helmsman of Zhao Group."

"Yang Rou’s ex-husband(?), Yang Nuannuan’s father..."