The Birth of Shanghai's First Conglomerate

Chapter 156 The Sister-in-Law's Shock
Chen Pingsheng patted Song Yanxi's pert buttocks.

Tell her to get up quickly; today is New Year's Day.

What's the point of lying in bed and not moving?

"Honey, don't bother me, I want to lie down a little longer."

"What are you lying down for? An'an and the others have a three-day holiday, we should take them out to have some fun too."

They just made a fortune, over a billion!

Although investing in the charity hotel will cost 200 million, he still has ten small goals.

I need to treat myself to something nice.

His family definitely has no intention of investing in real estate anymore; Old Li has already withdrawn his investment and run away, which is a very clear signal.

Since I'm not buying a house anymore, what should I buy?
He couldn't think of anything for a moment.

In short, let's get the whole family together and go take a look first.

This habit of spending lavishly as soon as you earn money is not a good thing.

But he doesn't plan to change it.

Song Yanxi got up quickly; she had just been feeling too comfortable.

That's when I thought I'd lie down a little longer and savor the moment a bit more.

Starting this year, Shuiyunjian will no longer require any investment.

All the money earned was used to buy the storefront of Shuiyunjian's own clubhouse.

The goal isn't ambitious; we just need to buy up more than half of the storefronts in the twenty-five major clubhouses within a year.

Commercial storefronts in first-tier cities are still very valuable.

Especially since Shuiyunjian is located entirely near the most upscale residential areas, it is even more valuable.

If Shuiyunjian can acquire these large-scale clubhouses this year, then there will be basically nothing to worry about for the next ten or twenty years.

If he invests in another five or six Tenghui Department Stores, his family's position in Beijing will be completely secure.

After Song Yanxi got up, she went downstairs with him.

The temperature in Beijing has dropped a bit more; you have to wear a down jacket to go out.

The older child in the family is quite well-behaved, but the younger one can only be held.

"Dad, where are we going?"

Chen Pingsheng was driving his black Brabus G-Class when he couldn't decide what to buy.

"Let's go look at cars. I'm not really into watches, but I'm somewhat interested in cars."

Many people like to invest in cultural relics and antiques after they become wealthy, which was fine in the early stages.

There's no room for investment now.

Prices have already skyrocketed; I didn't even see a Ming Dynasty chicken cup fetch a staggering 200 million at auction.

He'd have to be stupid to buy those fancy, superficial things.

"We already have enough cars."

"Just think of it as buying a big toy. Who would complain about having too many toys?"

Song Yanxi thought about it and realized that her man was only interested in cars.

After making a lot of money, he thought about buying two of them.

She's used to it anyway, and besides, buying a car is really as easy for her family as buying groceries these days.

She had previously seen a men's watch worth 1200 million yuan in Sanlitun, and she was planning to buy it and give it to him.

When asked to make a phone call later, Chen Pingsheng refused.

We went to the same luxury car center we always frequent; they have top-tier members here.

As soon as they arrive, two of those long-legged beauties who are top sellers will immediately come over.

The woman on the left is bending over to pour tea, while the woman on the right is smiling as she takes her child to play.

Incidentally, the general manager here will also come over personally to make a cup of tea.

That's the benefit of spending more money.

Chen Pingsheng sat on the sofa with his family, while Chen An'an, with her hands behind her back, looked around at the big trucks. Two other people followed her.

"I'm a regular customer, can you recommend any new cars?"

The general manager's old face was beaming with joy, while the top salesperson could only stand aside as a foil.

"Mr. Chen, you've come at just the right time! We were just about to call you. We've just received a top-of-the-line sports car, a Bugatti Veyron, the latest 14 model."

He had heard of Bugatti.

The general manager took his family to see it, and Bugatti truly lived up to its reputation as the king of sports cars, occupying a central display area.

A ring of ribbons surrounded the area, and only top-tier clients could stand outside the ribbons to look.

You can't even touch it.

This Bugatti has a two-tone color scheme of burgundy and jet black, unlike the sharp, bullfighter-like look of the LaFerrari.

Bugatti gives the impression of being quite rounded overall.

With its 8.0T engine, who knows how fast it can go when you step on the gas?

If there were no speed limit on the road, it could rival the speed of an airplane.

Even Chen Pingsheng, who isn't particularly interested in sports cars, couldn't resist touching the Bugatti a few times.

I really like this.

How much does this car cost?

"The base price is 3800 million."

Bugatti didn't ask for a high price; this is still the price they're asking for.

There aren't many units in China right now. It's hard to say exactly how many there are in Beijing, but it's definitely no more than five.

"Okay, that's it."

I bought it without hesitation because I liked it; it cost over 30 million.

Chen Pingsheng asked curiously, "Do you have any larger commercial vehicles here?"

He originally wanted to buy a Brabus V-Class.

However, the car was still not spacious enough; it could only seat six people.

Except for the two in the middle that can lie down and rest, the ones in the back cannot.

He calculated that quite a few people would be going back this year, and it would be even better if they could get a larger, top-of-the-line business vehicle.

The manager knew that he had previously bought a Brabus V-Class here, and there was only one car that was even more spacious and more comfortable to sit in.

"Mr. Chen, the kind you're talking about is probably only found in the Coaster. There's a 12-seat customized version of the Coaster, where the four middle airline seats can be laid flat and used for sleeping, and the four seats in the last row can be folded down to make a very nice double bed."

The Coaster is the standard executive vehicle for big shots.

This is no longer considered an MPV, but rather a minibus, with the driver's seats in the front two rows separated.

If someone can afford this kind of car, why would they drive it themselves?

They are all for business trips or visits to various places.

The price isn't high; even the top-of-the-line model only costs around two million.

For Old Chen, it was just a casual matter. He had just hired a security team to protect his family this year, so he only needed two people to take turns driving.

My whole family can sit in it and comfortably go home.

Just get two more Alphards to act as escorts and clear the way.

So that no blind person might accidentally bump into it.

After becoming wealthy, people still place great importance on safety.

Chen Pingsheng instructed the manager to procure one. His luxury car center naturally didn't sell minibuses; if a customer needed one, he would order one.

It will take about half a month, no problem.

I just need to get to his house before going home.

Those cars can now be customized and modified.

Don't worry, no traffic police will check the Coaster.

I understand everything I understand.

We'll find out the specifics of the modifications when we get back.

Chen Pingsheng swiped his card; he genuinely liked the Bugatti.

However, by sheer coincidence, two more people came to see it, one of whom was a somewhat famous actress.

The other person, Song Yanxi, is very familiar to everyone; isn't she her sister, Song Wu?

I've already given her the Bentley sports car.

Is she here to buy another car? This is definitely a misunderstanding.

Song Wu was simply there to accompany the female lead.

"Xiao Wu."

"Sis, what are you doing here?" Song Wu was very happy. She had always relied on her older sister since she was a child.

"I'm accompanying your brother-in-law to buy a car."

Song Yanxi was still holding Chen Xinyi in her arms. The little one was sucking on her little finger, and her big, cute eyes looked at her aunt and wanted to be hugged again.

Song Yanxi was tired, so she asked Song Wu to carry her for a while, as her arms were getting sore.

"Why would he buy another car when his brother-in-law already has so many?"

Song Wu felt that the cars he bought could fill a small garage.

"That's all he likes."

"Song Wu, come and look! This car is so beautiful!"

The moderately famous actress immediately took a liking to Bugatti.

The entertainment industry is full of people who compete with each other, but only a very small number of people can afford to drive a Bugatti.

The Bugatti brand is right here; the price doesn't even need to be announced.

Those who can afford it basically don't care.

If you can't afford it, even if you have a few million more or a few million less, you still can't afford it.

Song Wu likes it too. Who doesn't love a Bugatti? She likes her sister's LaFerrari even more.

So handsome.

"Sis, is this what your husband bought?"

"He doesn't have any kind of car here, but this one is quite rare. He's already paid for it."

"Sis, how much is this car?"

Song Wu turned to her curiously and asked, "I always feel that Bugatti has a kind of aloofness that makes it seem like an ordinary person is not so approachable."

If you were to touch even a minor issue with a regular insurance policy, you'd be devastated.

"Thirty-eight million, with a little over forty million after landing."

Half a billion?

Song Wuren was stunned. The LaFerrari, which cost over 20 million, was already extravagant enough, but now they're making one that costs over 40 million.

How much money did her sister's family actually make this year?
They had also visited the courtyard house they bought before.

The total cost was 200 million, the house design and decoration cost several million, and the decoration cost 100 million.

Her sister's family was only planning to move into a house like this.

Those properties worth tens of millions are still sitting there, never even been occupied.

This, this, this…

Song Wu could no longer imagine how much money her sister's family had earned this year.

The money spent on houses and cars alone has already reached nearly 500 million.

The top-of-the-line Rolls-Royce Phantom is so common that you can buy two at a time.

You should know that her sister's family always pays in full when they buy things.

They don't offer installment plans when the bank delivers money to their door.

Four or five hundred million were spent on cars and houses alone. What about the investment?
Shuiyunjian has opened 25 stores, with each store requiring an investment of over ten million yuan.

There's also the huge Shuiyun Academy. All these things combined would require an investment of at least several small goals.

In addition, Tengsheng Fruit and Feiyangyang Hot Pot Restaurant have already opened everywhere in the Second Ring Road area.

She really couldn't imagine how much money she would have to earn in a year to spend so recklessly. "Song Wu, is this your sister?"

The female celebrity next to her, who was somewhat famous, had very sharp ears. After learning that her sister had bought the car, even someone as clueless as her could guess what kind of situation her sister's family was in.

I've never seen a car like this before; they don't even allow people to touch it.

"Yes, this is my older sister."

"I've never heard you mention her before. Which big company does your sister work for?"

“My sister doesn’t work. Shuiyunjian is owned by my sister.” Song Wu said proudly.

"Huh?" Zhang Tianai was shocked: "Isn't Shuiyunjian the most high-end beauty salon in Beijing? I heard it can earn at least several hundred million a year."

"Yes, it's a very high-end place. I don't know exactly how much money they make in a year."

Song Wu had never asked about this before, but the grand event that Shuiyunjian organized earlier had become a huge hit in the entertainment industry.

In the past, Yang Mi had to rely on Chen Pingsheng to coax and persuade her when she came to his door.

These female celebrities now consider it an honor to spend money at Shuiyunjian.

As I said before, ordinary consumers consider good quality at a low price.

Consuming top luxury brands is all about showcasing status.

The moment you lower your price, she will stop coming.

People buy it as a status symbol.

The starting price for Shuiyunjian's projects is several thousand yuan for a trial, which makes sense.

What people are consuming is a sense of status and prestige.

To be honest, it's quite a burden for female celebrities who aren't at the third tier to spend money at Shuiyunjian.

Zhang Tian'ai went there once or twice and got a small card.

The environment, privacy, and overall style there all match its class.

Especially the female employees there, their personal qualities are all excellent.

They are knowledgeable about music, chess, calligraphy, painting, tea ceremony, coffee, and so on, and they understand the intricacies of marital relations.

This is very unusual.

There's a reason why they can run such a successful business with women in the capital.

Zhang Tianai used to be just a nobody extra.

I only got the chance to play a lead role this year, although the investment wasn't big and it was a web series.

Finally, I'll get to play a leading role properly.

Similar to Song Wu, she was also very happy to play the second female lead.

They even set up a table at home to celebrate.

Zhang Tianai never expected that Song Wu's older sister was so rich, and what she didn't expect was yet to come.

Chen Pingsheng bought a new car, so he no longer wanted to drive the Black King Kong.

Just then, her sister-in-law arrived, so Song Yanxi asked her to hug Chen Xinyi, and then drove them out to dinner herself.

Chen An'an, the big-breasted girl in the family, loves to join in the fun. Whenever a new car is bought, she has to be the first to use her fat chicken butt to feel it.

Chen Pingsheng has never driven an 8.0T car before.

Sitting inside, I always feel like the chassis is extremely low, as if I'm rubbing against the ground.

The Bugatti's exhaust note is powerful; it roars even before you press the accelerator.

Chen An'an tightened her seatbelt beside him, looking at him with a little nervousness: "Dad, are you sure you can handle this?"

"If you can't, can you still go down?"

They even doubted his driving skills. Chen Pingsheng lightly pressed the accelerator and drove at the slowest speed.

Unlike ordinary sports cars, Bugatti offers decent driving comfort.

pity.

There are just too many cars in Beijing; no matter how many liters of turbocharged your car is, you can forget about driving more than 30 kilometers per hour.

Give it even the slightest opening, and it will easily make you inhale its exhaust fumes.

Chen Pingsheng's car gets a lot of attention on the road.

Once he's settled in a bit, I'll have Chen An'an call her mother.

"Dad, why are you looking for Mom?"

"I want to go eat Northeastern barbecue. Tell your mom, let's go to the place we used to go to all the time."

Which restaurant do you eat at most often?

Chen An'an had no recollection whatsoever, but Song Yanxi remembered it very clearly.

When they were short of money, their little romantic gesture was to spend a hundred yuan on some barbecue skewers.

Order a small bottle of Harbin beer, and life will be wonderful.

I haven't been there for a while, but I suddenly felt like going to eat there today.

Chen An'an made a video call with her mother and learned the truth after exchanging a few words.

It's still the direction home, over in Shijingshan.

It's a small roadside barbecue stall; once you get off the Third Ring Road, the traffic gets a little smoother.

When I live near the Second Ring Road, I'll have to ride a Yadea bike all the time, whether it's going up or down the road.

Chen Pingsheng parked the Bugatti on the side of the road and got out of the car, looking incredibly cool.

It has nothing to do with looks, but it has to do with the added appeal of this supercar.

The boss is still the same boss.

Don't be fooled by the fact that they only run a small stall; they bought a house in Beijing a long time ago.

Over the decades, their living conditions have been quite good.

The income of white-collar workers in office buildings is far less than that of those who sell goods on the street or do small businesses.

Of course, it was really tiring.

They have to work at least ten hours a day.

"Boss, get a table ready!"

Barbecues are meant to be enjoyed outdoors, with a table casually set up outside and a few delicious skewers.

Life is great.

Song Yanxi and the others arrived too, so they parked their car behind him.

Zhang Tianai probably felt that she was a celebrity, because when she came down to eat, she kept looking left and right.

I'm afraid of being recognized, yet I'm also afraid of not being recognized.

As it turns out, her current fame is nowhere near as eye-catching as the Bugatti parked on the side of the road.

"Brother-in-law, I heard that Yang Mi is applying to terminate her contract and switch companies?"

Yang Mi seems to have a pretty good relationship with her brother-in-law's family.

At least, she has always been the official spokesperson for Shuiyunjian.

Chen Pingsheng held a lamb skewer in his left hand and a plate of grilled prawns in his right.

They ate with great relish.

"That's quite normal. Yang Mi is a very smart woman."

"She's coming to Tengying; your brother-in-law offered her some good terms!"

Song Yanxi knew about this. Back when Shuiyunjian only had one store, her husband boasted that he would poach this woman sooner or later.

I never thought this day would actually come.

"Huh? Tengying is also owned by your family?" Zhang Tianai was completely dumbfounded. What was going on?

Her own brother-in-law owns such a large entertainment company.

My sister-in-law insists on playing either beggars or corpses in the entertainment industry.

Tencent is most famous in the entertainment industry for never losing money on its investments.

Basically, whoever you invest in will make money.

Moreover, although Teng Ying seems a bit frivolous all the time, he really makes a lot of money.

They've already made a fortune from just one drama, "The Legend of Hua Qiangu".

I never expected that they would now try to poach Yang Mi from their company.

To be honest, Tengying does have the capability.

"Yang Mi's acting skills are not as good as Zhao Liying's. She just became famous earlier. Sooner or later, Zhao Liying will surpass her."

Chen Pingsheng is very confident about this. He firmly believes that in the entertainment industry, marketing can be relied upon in the short term, but acting skills will definitely be relied upon in the long term.

"Then why did you still dig her up, brother-in-law?"

"She has a great figure, a large fan base, and is particularly good at all kinds of marketing."

Chen Pingsheng said, "You think I poached her to make money from her TV dramas? It's just to use her name to start a company and make money. She actually knows that our Tencent Entertainment is not a particularly professional company in the entertainment industry, but there is one thing that other entertainment companies can't compare to, and that is our physical investment, which is stronger than any other entertainment company."

"Who can rely on acting for a lifetime? Besides, if a big scandal breaks out one day, they might be blacklisted."

"What I promised her was that, in addition to Bobo Milk Tea, I would also get her to co-invest in at least three other startups."

That's why Yang Mi is called a queen; her judgment is spot on.

Once you start several companies here, you can really live off them for a lifetime.

She's reached the pinnacle of popularity, which is already the upper limit for female stars.

She was almost touching the ceiling.

It's also worth mentioning that a large number of A-list celebrities have invested in LeEco this year.

LeEco is incredibly popular.

Even Wang Yanfeng made a lot of money because he invested in LeEco stock early.

Song Wu was quite shocked; she hadn't expected her brother-in-law to poach Yang Mi in this way.

If Yang Mi goes to Tencent Film, Tencent Film's valuation will definitely rise further.

Simply put, Yang Mi truly has no rivals in the drama industry.

That's been the case at least for the past few years.

Whatever they film becomes a hit.

Zhang Tianai also wanted to ask him, "Does your company need any more artists?"

缺…

However, his company lacks only top-tier celebrities.

Among the 85 Flowers (a group of actresses who rose to fame through the Cultural Revolution), besides Yang Mi, the only one Chen Pingsheng most wants to collaborate with is that ethereal beauty.

She also has a large fan base.

He has already decided that if he wants to make big money in the future, he will mainly rely on taking the company public.

At the moment the IPO is completed, stochastic multiplication should be able to be initiated.

If you can get even a small company listed on the stock exchange, the guaranteed profit is at least a dozen small goals.

As for spending tens of billions to capitalize on trends and get into new energy.

To be honest, he wouldn't even consider this idea if he didn't have tens of billions in savings at home.

Too risky.

If it succeeds, great; if it fails, it'll be a joke.

Zhang Tianai finally witnessed what it meant for a big shot to be so unpretentious.

Driving a car worth nearly 50 million yuan and still leisurely eating barbecue at this roadside stall, that's something else.

If you look closely, you'll also see several security guards standing a little further away.

If anyone were to put on a show like the Kunshan Dragon Brother's drama for him...

Those veterans can send you flying several meters away with a single swift kick.

The Ministry of Justice can quickly send you a large court flyer.

In modern civilized society, who still fights?
I recommend a friend's book, "Building a Super Tycoon in Hong Kong." It's long, fast-paced, and quite enjoyable; you might want to check it out.



(End of this chapter)