The Birth of Shanghai's First Conglomerate

Chapter 185 A Bright Moon and Few Stars
The moon and stars are rare.

In the 1990s, the nights in the countryside were filled with stars; you could look up and see a sky full of them.

Cities are different.

The lights are dim and the neon lights are flashing, everywhere is a stage for the joys and sorrows of human life.

The Chen family had a barbecue party at 8 p.m.

It's in that specially built underground pavilion in the courtyard.

The family sat around the stove, grilling chicken wings and lamb skewers.

Chen An'an likes to eat chicken butts. If she eats chicken heads, her dad will bring up her grades again.

Why are you eating chicken heads? With grades like yours, you only deserve chicken butts.

Without her father saying anything, she had already fallen in love with chicken butts on her own.

Sprinkle with pepper, chili powder, etc., whatever makes it fragrant.

No matter how bad the food is, she'll digest it with her own little belly.

That's the good thing about courtyard houses; the yard is big enough that it's convenient to do anything.

The whole family gathered here for a barbecue; they were so happy.

"Chen An'an, you're almost 100 pounds and you still eat so much?"

"A scale can weigh 300 kilograms, and my 100 kilograms is nothing."

Chen An'an held a lamb skewer in her left hand and a chicken butt in her right.

There were two large chicken wings in her small bowl, and she was eating them with her mouth full of oil.

If there's really nothing left to eat, give it to her younger sister.

If she throws it away, no one will say she's wasting food.

"Brother, are you going to Shanghai this month?"

Chen Qi ate quite delicately, deliberately controlling her appetite.

"Yes, I'm going to attend the national franchise conference for Bobo Milk Tea in the middle of this month."

Chen Pingsheng likes to eat big chicken legs, but his grilling skills are just average.

"Can I go?"

"What are you going to do?"

"I want to go to Shanghai for a visit. I've never been there before, and I've heard that the Bund there is especially beautiful."

Chen Qi simply wanted to have fun.

Chen Pingsheng let her have her way; after all, with money, there's nowhere you can't go.

"The Bund is indeed quite beautiful, and you can see the sea from there. If you have time, you can go and spend a few days there."

"Dad, why didn't you call me?"

Chen An'an felt ignored, so she had to remind her father.

"You're still going to shout? You're such a tagalong."

Chen Pingsheng took out his phone. "Since you're all going, I'll have Yang Qian book the hotel in advance."

"Dad, I want to stay in a room with an ocean view."

"You're only suited to living in a toilet."

Chen An'an hummed twice; her dad was just all bark and no bite.

They'll definitely be booking presidential suites.

Having a two-month vacation, it would be great to go to Shanghai for a visit.

After they finished their barbecue, they returned to their room.

Song Yanxi had already finished showering and was wearing her white pajamas.

She pulled back the thin silk quilt on the bed and asked, "Honey, how about we have a New Year's Eve celebration this year?"

"Of course."

This is his most important money-making project every year, Chen Pingsheng said:

“After New Year’s Eve, there will be a large-scale gala that Shuiyunjian hosts every year. This year, Tengying has a certain influence in the film industry, so there’s no need to worry about celebrity resources. You should prepare in advance.”

"Ok."

Song Yanxi lay down in the soft, comfortable light, and outside the floor-to-ceiling window directly in front of her bed was a lush green forest.

It feels very comfortable.

"September will be the start of the second semester. By this time next year, nearly a thousand beauticians will graduate from Shuiyun School. Our family still needs to arrange jobs for them. We can't let them graduate without a place to go."

"What are you thinking about?"

Chen Pingsheng tapped her on the head, "These beauticians cost us over 100 million yuan to train and took two years. How could they possibly end up with someone else?"

"By the end of the year, I will be investing 500 million yuan in Shanghai, with the plan to open 30 stores directly. You need to make some preparations here as well, and try to transfer a mix of new and experienced beauticians over."

The investment for a single Shuiyun Club is around ten million, and five hundred million is enough to open thirty more.

The extra money was used to buy the headquarters there.

If I can't afford something too big, a small two- or three-story villa like this is definitely fine.

Song Yanxi's main concern was whether there would be any trouble traveling such a long distance at once.

Moreover, they are unfamiliar with the area, and they can't access the resources they have in Beijing.

This is a classic case of worrying unnecessarily. Their family can't cross the border, but having someone there can make it happen.

Tong Zhelan is a well-known local resident of Shanghai.

Once we cross over there, we'll definitely need to bring in some local businesses and investors.

Chen Pingsheng's plan is to dilute 30% of the shares and obtain 300 million yuan in funding.

Although both Shanghai and Beijing are their own entities, their financial divisions must operate independently.

This is to make it easier to attract local shareholders.

Every place has its own network of relationships, and a business like Shuiyunjian requires several major shareholders who control the market.

The reason why the Shuiyun Academy in Beijing recruits so many people for two years of pre-training is precisely so that they can take a leap to Shanghai.
Their family's layout in the capital city is complete.

In the future, Shuiyunjian, Tenghui Department Store, and even Feiyangyang will all be located there.

The first place I went to was Bobo Milk Tea, whose headquarters are now located in Shanghai.

Its small size makes it easy to move.

As for Tengying, they don't do traditional business.

There's no such thing as "across cities"; once a movie or TV series is released, it's available nationwide.

The next day.

After Song Yanxi went to the Shuiyunjian headquarters, she began to make preparations for the New Year's Eve celebration and the major investment in Shanghai at the end of the year.

Half of the intern beauticians at the academy stay in Beijing, while the other half go to Shanghai with the experienced beauticians from Beijing.

Such a big undertaking requires at least a year of preparation.

Money is secondary; their family can easily raise 500 million by the end of the year.

The key is to arrange the personnel properly, while Chen Pingsheng will go to work at Tencent Film Studio.

After finishing filming the variety show, Queen Yang immediately went to film "The Disappearance of Her".

They still haven't come back.

Bai Lu, on the other hand, returned after filming Zhao Yao.

She's waiting for the company to arrange her next work plan.

She stared at Chen Pingsheng, while Bai Lu was still a nobody in the entertainment industry.

The TV series has been filmed but hasn't aired yet, and it's barely known.

Chen Pingsheng told her to go to Hengdian World Studios in Zhejiang to find Zhao Liying.

It would be best if she could arrange the work; for newcomers like her, it would be ideal to have the opportunity to film variety shows.

It gets a lot of exposure and becomes popular very quickly.

Didn't you see how quickly Yang Baobei became famous after Running Man aired last year? She didn't have any TV dramas or movies.

She became a top female celebrity in China with just one variety show appearance.

This shows how much variety shows can enhance the careers of new artists.

Unfortunately, Tencent Video has very few resources for variety shows.

Yang Mi got all the offers through her own abilities. Bai Lu is a female artist with no fame at all, so who would invite her?

Zhao Liying also rarely participates in variety shows.

Bai Lu had just returned when he was sent to Zhejiang.

His beautiful little cousin, Jiang Peiyao, was also filming there.

When I get to Shanghai, I can stop by and take a look, since they're all quite close by.

"Uncle, this is the sales figure for Hua Qiangu's merchandise last month."

Bai Xin handed him a financial statement, which was sent by Tong Zhelan.

Since its premiere in June, "The Legend of Hua Qian Gu" has become incredibly popular.

This completely exceeded Tong Zhelan and Hu Ding's expectations. The factories in Guangdong are now rushing to produce Hua Qiangu's related products.

Chen Pingsheng took a look.

In June, the total sales from both online platforms and offline channels reached approximately 600 million.

The gross profit margin is 80%, which is approximately 500 million.

It takes a month and a half to withdraw money from the platform.

Tong Zhelan's side agreed to conduct the final accounting at the end of September.

By then, "The Legend of Hua Qiangu" had already finished airing, and its period of popularity was completely over.

They now wish Hunan TV would broadcast it only one day a week, in order to prolong this period of high profitability as much as possible.

The revenue generated by a hit TV series is incredibly lucrative.

Based on these sales figures, the gross profit from related products is estimated to be over one billion yuan.

Even after deducting all product costs, he can still make a net profit of several small goals.

It smells good.

It feels like money is coming in everywhere.

Bai Xin's eyes also sparkled. Knowing her boss's usual style, once such a large sum of money was received, the whole company would undoubtedly receive bonuses, and she would also get a substantial income.

Tencent Entertainment is now a company with a valuation of tens of billions in the entertainment industry. She herself doesn't know how the outside world came up with this valuation.

Anyway, their jobs are incredibly easy.

Of course, Tencent's income is also really high.

"Not bad. Charlotte is scheduled for release during the National Day holiday, right?"

"Yes, Shen Teng came back a few days ago. He went on a variety show even though you weren't at the company."

Chen Pingsheng nodded. This film was the first one that Tencent Pictures fully invested in after entering the film industry.

If the box office exceeds one billion, then Tencent Pictures' listing plan will definitely be much smoother.

Chen Pingsheng said, "Go and inform the finance department to give Shen Teng and Mali a bonus of ten million each, and say it's the Charlotte Bonus."

This money was originally intended for Yang Mi.

She didn't want it, so it's perfect to send it to Shen Tengmali now.

They just signed with Tencent Pictures and don't know much about their practices here yet.

Tengying's main idea is that everyone can make money together.

I will never be the one to eat alone.

Bai Xin secretly thought to herself that the boss was using the same trick as before, the one with the bouquet that lasted for eternity.

Marketing Charlotte in advance.

Actually, he was just giving people a small reward.

Shen Teng and Ma Li, who were both still filming variety shows, inexplicably received ten million yuan in their phones.

I thought I had encountered a telecom fraud.

They were even planning to use this to make a few jokes and maybe even put together a skit.

Suddenly, I received a message from the chairman's secretary.

Each person received a ten million yuan bonus, but there was no official title or purpose.

They didn't make any special contributions, and the boss just gave them the money in such a simple and unpretentious way.

There wasn't even a single explanation.

"Brother Teng, this boss looks a bit like the legendary one!"

Marley stood there, lost in thought.

Shen Teng was the shrewd one. "Isn't this good? It seems we really made the right choice by changing companies. Look how generous this boss is. I don't even know where I made ten million for him. The money just popped into my account."

"Yeah, I always felt that this boss wasn't very clever. I hope he won't come after us to take it back."

"No, that's definitely not the case."

The two were baffled all afternoon, and when they got home they still hadn't received any notification from the accountant that the money had been transferred to the wrong account.

I feel at ease now.

They actually did give them bonuses.

……

Chen Pingsheng was in a good mood and decided to leave work early to go home.

He's been driving his Bugatti much less lately and has taken a liking to Bentley SUVs instead.

I decided to order a sky-blue Bentley Bentayga as well.

It's quite comfortable to drive, and buying a car worth millions is effortless.

I bought it after being slightly tempted.

The family's large courtyard house has four small garages, which can barely fit four cars.

His wife usually alternates between driving a Bentley and a LaFerrari.

He himself owns a Bugatti and a Rolls-Royce Phantom.

The Bentleys are all parked outside in separate parking spaces, which are often occupied by other people.

I didn't call to urge them; it's okay to make things convenient for others.

Anyway, he mostly parks his own cars at home, and this area is mainly used as parking space for Liu Fen and her younger sister Chen Qi.

Chen Pingsheng, in a good mood, was passing by the old tree at the entrance of the alley.

I almost didn't recognize the little girl in sunglasses playing the erhu in front of me.

Her look is very unique, with a huge pair of sunglasses on her small face.

She was wearing a light blue long gown, and forgive her for being a little chubby; the gown made her look quite plump.

There was also a bowl placed in front of it.

Perhaps knowing that his skills were not good enough, he even knew to put on a small loudspeaker to play "Erhu Reflecting the Moon".

Chen Pingsheng walked over, rummaged through his pockets, and finally tossed her a small copper coin.

"Chen An'an, what are you doing now?"

"Dad, didn't you see? I'm starting my own business and becoming my own boss."

Chen An'an shook her small bowl.

Chen Pingsheng didn't know what had gotten into her this time. "Is your family short of food or clothes? Do you need to embarrass yourself in public like this?"

"Dad, where is your awareness? Where is your level of understanding?"

Chen An'an is quite flamboyant; according to her own words, she is becoming self-reliant ahead of time.

Be a role model of self-improvement from a young age, so you can brag about anything when you grow up.

That's right, making money is secondary.

Given her family's circumstances, there's not much point in making money anymore.

Accumulating a wealth of bragging rights from a young age is Chen An'an's ultimate goal.

She's only eight years old and already so simple and unpretentious; imagine how she'll be when she grows up.

"Your dad has no ideas and no awareness; the only thing he gets a headache from is looking at you."

Chen Pingsheng told her to go and mess around, and most of the people living in this area knew her.

This is thanks to Chen An'an's strong sense of social responsibility from a young age.

That morning's mantis boxing practice wasn't for nothing.

A unique little scene in the park.

As long as she herself isn't embarrassed, it's always others who are embarrassed.

Chen An'an continued pulling on her clothes, knowing her father was still a good person.

I haven't interfered with her much since she was little. As long as it's something she likes, I won't necessarily support her, but I also generally won't object to it.

My dad is a very good dad.

I want to play a beautiful erhu for him.

In remembrance of my great father.

"Ah~ my old dad."

"Oh, he lives in Erlitun."

"Ah, he's my mom's cousin."

"Waaah~ I came into being by chance with those two."

Chen Pingsheng, who had just turned to the corner, simply couldn't bear to look anymore.

Big fart's condition is indeed quite serious.

When he noticed the little one was still jumping and clapping her hands behind him, he picked her up and rushed home.

We mustn't let the big kid influence us.

Back in his own courtyard, Chen Pingsheng said earnestly, "Xinyi, your sister is already in the late stages of neurosis. The family's small goal of getting into Tsinghua or Peking University rests on your shoulders. You have to work hard."

“She’s only one year old. Do you think she can understand what you’re saying to her?” Peng Ying came downstairs.

"Whether they understand it or not, they have to be taught this from a young age."

Chen Pingsheng said, "Please don't let her be like her sister. My heart can hardly take it."

"How dare you say that about her? You were even more mischievous when you were a kid."

Peng Ying wanted to bring up his shameless childhood antics, but Chen Pingsheng quickly interrupted her, "You're talking about your granddaughter, why are you bringing me into this again?"

"Everyone goes through a process of growing up."

Peng Ying said, "I think An'an is very nice. She is polite and everyone likes her."

Okay... just keep praising her, alright?

You'll understand once you've been here longer.

Chen An'an's antics were far more than just going out into the street and becoming a boss.

She has a whole series of other outrageous tricks up her sleeve, which her grandmother just hasn't seen yet.

Once she sees it for herself, she will truly understand what it means to be a complete idiot in the ocean of knowledge, and a top-notch master in the world of nonsense.

Chen An'an walked home with her hands behind her back. It was getting dark and dinner was almost ready.

People only give money and don't throw away a single steamed bun.

You can't starve yourself to lose weight.

Looking at the few hundred yuan I earned in my bowl, I couldn't be happier.

A few hundred yuan may not be much to her, but it was money she earned by pretending to be blind through her own labor.

It has great commemorative significance.

I can't let it all go to waste, so I took out the piggy bank I bought for over ten thousand yuan.

Carefully put these few hundred dollars in.

"Hahaha..." Chen An'an laughed loudly, then noticed that her father had been glancing at her sideways, so she immediately shut up.

We need to keep a low profile.

I need to make my dad realize, amidst all the ordinariness, that I can make money.

Then, casually award her tens of millions, and use that money to buy an even bigger piggy bank.

Forget about rewarding her with money; not taking away her allowance would be the best-case scenario.

(End of this chapter)