A few days later.
Garden villa on Hengshan Road.
Young Master Huang's Private Kitchen.
Inside the private room.
Qin Fen, Chang Wenyu, and the others gathered together again.
Qin Fen looked at Zhou Xing and asked seriously, "Are you really Zhou Xing?"
"If I'm not Zhou Xing, who else could I be?"
Zhou Xing rubbed the space between his eyebrows, feeling a bit helpless.
Qin Fen shook his head and said, "No... I mean, are you really the son of Zhou Jianping from Jianghan Heavy Industry Group?"
"Otherwise?"
"Actually... I forgot to tell you something. I'm your long-lost brother from another mother and father."
Qin Fen said solemnly, "Please ask your father for me if he's still looking for another son."
"My dad isn't, but I'm looking for one. Are you interested?"
Zhou Xing snapped back, "What are you actually trying to say?"
Zhou Xing looked around the room: "Are you guys sick today or something?"
"You really can't blame us."
Qin Fen shook his head. "Who knew your background was so terrifying? Just being the son of the leader of a heavy industry group is enough to give us a run for our money, and your family actually has an Old Master too."
"I'm so jealous my teeth are about to shatter. How did you get all the good luck?"
Qin Fen sighed. "You have no idea. Over the last few days, your name has been causing a massive stir in Shanghai. Almost everyone knows that a Young Master of the Zhou Family with an illustrious background has appeared."
"Some people, damn it, even managed to get information from somewhere and came looking for me."
"Their goal was to use my connection to hopefully meet you."
Chang Wenyu chimed in, "Old Zhou, I have to say, you hid it way too well. Even though we were mentally prepared and knew your family was extraordinary, this isn't just impressive. You're almost like an ancient Pri—"
Before he could finish his sentence.
Zhou Xing's gaze swept over to him.
Qin Fen also replied, "Watch your words."
Chang Wenyu also realized there was a problem with his words and slapped himself. "Look at my mouth, it's always running off. Sorry, sorry. Zhou Xing, don't mind me."
"Yeah."
Qin Fen took over the conversation. "Old Zhou, you could have at least given us a little hint. When I first heard the news, my heart almost jumped out of my chest. I was doubting if it was the same Zhou Xing we knew."
"Luckily I didn't offend you back then. Otherwise, even a figure like Li Guoxing was handled so easily by you. A little grasshopper like me would probably have been crushed effortlessly."
"Your background is truly terrifying."
Zhou Xing glanced at Qin Fen and spread his hands. "How is it that after not seeing you for a few days, it feels like you've all had your brainstems removed? I can't exactly stitch my father's name onto my forehead. If I went around telling everyone 'my dad is Zhou Jianping,' I'd be locked up as a mental patient."
"That sounds fine. I happens to know of a psychiatric hospital in Shanghai, and I even know the director. Want me to introduce you?"
Qin Fen was amused.
"Get lost."
"Sure thing."
Chang Tong, trembling on the side, said, "I vaguely remember Brother Zhou saying his family owned a small-to-micro enterprise. So that's the kind of'small-to-micro enterprise' he meant. I'm not worthy."
Zhou Xing nodded in agreement, rubbing his chin with some regret.
Having his background exposed wasn't entirely a good thing.
At the very least, he couldn't continue to act cool in front of these people.
"I knew Old Zhou must have had a plan. The God of War returns to sweep away us arrogant Second-generation rich kids. Luckily, I read a lot of novels and am usually careful with my words and actions when I go out. I never gave him the chance to slap my face."
Chang Wenyu said with a proud look, "Otherwise, I would have fallen into the trap. Old Zhou is devious."
"Seriously, won't you reconsider me, your long-lost brother?"
Qin Fen ignored that idiot Chang Wenyu, patted Zhou Xing's shoulder, and said with a solemn face.
"I think you're more suited to be my son."
After some joking around.
Everyone sat at the table, and the Waiter began to serve the dishes.
Zhou Xing could clearly feel that although they were joking just like before.
Every word and action subtly revolved around Zhou Xing as the center.
In their speech.
They were more cautious, worried that saying something wrong might upset Zhou Xing.
This was true for both Qin Fen and Chang Wenyu.
Not to mention Chang Tong, Lin Feng, and Xie Pan.
Zhou Xing noticed this but didn't say anything; it was inevitable.
Among the Second-generation rich, hierarchy was extremely strict.
It was already etched into their bones.
As friends, playing and joking around was fine.
But one always had to mind the boundaries.
Zhou Xing's status and position would undoubtedly make him the top person in their circle.
Naturally, they had to be a bit more careful.
After three rounds of drinks.
They got down to business.
"Old Zhou."
Qin Fen was the first to speak: "How is that influencer project you mentioned before coming along? Is it about time to start?"
"Almost."
Zhou Xing nodded. "It's time to put it on the agenda."
"Then you promised to include me. You can't go back on your word."
Qin Fen said with a smile.
"You're still interested? Aren't you afraid of losing money?"
Zhou Xing gave a meaningful smile.
"If I lose money, I lose money. Anyway, I don't have much to do lately, so I'll just invest a bit for fun. At least it's not like nothing will be left; at the very least, there are still those influencers, right?"
Qin Fen said nonchalantly, "It's about the same as throwing money at celebrities in the past."
He already had the idea before knowing Zhou Xing's identity.
Even more so now.
Even if he lost money.
He was willing to accompany Zhou Xing.
With the other's background, if Zhou Xing wanted to play, they would accompany him, even if they lost everything without a trace.
As long as they could maintain their relationship.
That was enough for Qin Fen.
"Then you're in."
Zhou Xing nodded slightly and didn't refuse, then turned to the others at the table: "Are you guys interested? Want to take a stake too?"
Chang Wenyu nodded. "Old Zhou, if you're doing a business—even if it's tiling the Great Wall or installing an elevator on Mount Everest—I'm with you. Count me in."
"We also want to follow Brother Zhou to earn a living."
Chang Tong spoke on behalf of the other two: "It's just that the three of us are short on funds and might not be able to put in much. Zhou Xing, please don't mind."
"No matter."
Zhou Xing waved his hand. "Besides, it's not certain if this project will even be profitable."
"Since you're all interested, I've tentatively decided that this project will require an investment of one billion. Originally, I planned for my own company to put up five hundred million and for me personally to put up another five hundred million."
Zhou Xing said, "For this project, I personally plus the company need to hold at least a sixty percent stake. You guys can decide how to distribute the remaining shares."
"One billion!"
Qin Fen was slightly surprised. For an influencer project, he originally thought that an investment of one hundred million would be the limit. He didn't expect Zhou Xing to drop a billion just like that.
His mind stirred slightly, and he immediately asked, "Old Zhou, do you have some new approach for this project? How do you plan to organize it later?"
"There's no special approach. It's just gathering a group of high-quality girls, selecting a few with good potential, and using company resources to manage them, cultivating various identities for them to gain a certain level of attention across the internet."
Qin Fen and the others nodded slightly.
This was actually no different from building a persona for a celebrity; they had seen it many times.
"And then, conduct live streams."
"Live streaming?"
Qin Fen and the others' brows furrowed slightly.
This tactic seemed a bit too ordinary.
They looked at Zhou Xing. Although he was young, his style of doing things was extremely mature.
He didn't seem like someone who would do something without being certain.
Even if it was just for fun or an experiment, he wouldn't put up a billion in capital.
That wasn't Zhou Xing's style.
"The path of live streaming seems a bit difficult to walk. A few years ago, when major platforms were frantically fighting for talent, there was a lot of overvaluation. But now... their income generally isn't that high anymore."
Qin Fen said, "Doing it this way... might not be worth the cost."
"The live streaming I'm talking about is naturally not just having them do daily streams."
Zhou Xing gave a faint smile. "Instead, I plan to have them do live stream e-commerce."
"Selling goods?"
Qin Fen and the others had nothing but confusion in their eyes.
In 2016.
This concept hadn't been popularized yet.
"I think I've heard of this. It's quite popular over at Ali. Some big-name brands choose to hire some streamers to sell their products live."
Chang Tong explained to everyone from the side: "It's just that the results don't seem very good. I remember the highest-grossing session only had a turnover of a few million or ten million."
Everyone looked at Zhou Xing.
Zhou Xing didn't explain.
He picked up his glass and took a sip of apple cider vinegar.
The current market for live stream e-commerce had not yet been fully developed.
One must know that before his rebirth.
That was the era of nationwide live stream sales.
The profits involved... were no longer as simple as tens or hundreds of billions.
This market.
Had a potential of trillions.
The opportunity was already placed before them. Whether they could grasp it was their own problem.
At least Zhou Xing had done his part.
There was no need to say more.
Qin Fen thought for a moment and then said, "I trust Old Zhou's ability. Even if I lose, I'll accept it. I'll personally invest one hundred million for a ten percent stake."
"Then I'll also invest one hundred million for ten percent. Old Zhou is right, how will we know if we don't take a gamble?"
Chang Wenyu followed suit immediately.
Chang Tong and the other two discussed for a while and then said, "Then the three of us will also jointly invest one hundred million for a ten percent stake."
Zhou Xing nodded slightly. "Then it's settled. My company and I will invest a total of seven hundred million for a seventy percent stake. You guys will put in three hundred million for a total of thirty percent. If anyone wants to withdraw midway, you can... just let me know in advance, and I'll use my own funds to make up the difference."
"Like I said, we're just following Old Zhou to get a taste of the success. We're in no position to be picky."
Qin Fen smiled.
Zhou Xing didn't say anything more, and the atmosphere at the dinner table became lively again.
Everyone talked until after nine in the evening.
Only then did they leave Young Master Huang's Private Kitchen, still wanting more.
Zhou Xing was about to head back.
But Chang Wenyu put an arm around his shoulder: "Old Zhou, don't be in such a hurry to go back. I'll take you to a great place today."