Don't get married if you're reborn.

Chapter 444 Rebirth: I Am a Billionaire (5K)

This news did have some effect, scaring away some investors who were not even on Zeng Wenjie's radar.

Mr. Ma took the initiative to call Zeng Wenjie to inquire about the situation. After learning that Zeng had a conflict with someone, he didn't care anymore.

Not long after, news broke that Tencent had participated in and led the Series A funding round for Snack Panic, investing 50 million yuan.

Upon seeing this news, Xu Yuhuan's eyes widened in astonishment.

They estimated that, at best, if they were lucky, they could only get about 30 million yuan in investment from the company that pioneered the snack industry.

Moreover, the reason why Nine City was willing to invest this money was because of Feng Xiao's reputation. They believed that Feng Xiao was the mastermind behind the scenes and could make money.

Yan Xueyou was the one who most hoped Zeng Wenjie would suddenly die, but instead of news of his death, he received news of a gold coin explosion...

Xu Yuhuan couldn't help but say to Yan Xueyou, "I think we need to re-evaluate Zeng Wenjie. With Tencent leading the investment of 50 million, his Series A funding is very likely to exceed 100 million."

Pony Ma, who built the Penguin empire, made a move to invest 50 million yuan in a snack brand that had only been around for half a year, which shocked the entire industry.

Little Ma is known for being shrewd; who doesn't know that?
Yan Xueyou pursed his lips and said, "Feng Xiao has no connection with Tony Ma, so why would Tony Ma invest so much all at once?!"

Xu Yuhuan said with a serious expression, "I'm afraid it's true what Feng Xiao said. She's not the mastermind behind it all. It's all thanks to Zeng Wenjie's abilities."

Yan Xueyou shook his head repeatedly, saying, "Is that possible? Do you think it's possible? Have you ever seen a young person as outrageous as him! Even the most powerful business tycoons who dominate the world today are still facing setbacks at this age, aren't they?"

Xu Yuhuan thought about it and decided it was difficult to give a proper evaluation.

Yan Xueyou continued, "Moreover, didn't our think tank assess that at least 70% of his achievements came from Feng Xiao, and the remaining 30% were most likely due to government support? Furthermore, after analysis, his speeches in official settings are remarkably similar in style to those of Feng Xiao's father!"

Xu Yuhuan said, "Let's ask one of our penguin friends."

But after inquiring, both of them were a little confused.

Tencent insiders told them that the investment was initiated by Tony Ma, and the investment department approved it as feasible before investing. They also revealed that Tencent's Happy Beans system was proposed by Zeng Wenjie, enabling Tencent to achieve the remarkable feat of monetizing traditional card and board games.

The next day, they saw that Zeng Wenjie had received investment from two other investment institutions and a listed company.

Snack Panic raised 86 million yuan in Series A funding.

"Are you crazy? Is this lousy snack shop worth investing so much money in? Besides, he only has two stores at most right now!" Yan Xueyou was furious and jumped up and down in anger.

Zhuang Aimin's warning made him afraid to use any extreme measures to retaliate against Zeng Wenjie, so he secretly set a trap to sabotage Zeng's financing.

Who would have thought that Tencent's Pony Ma would invest 50 million yuan right away, and the subsequent follow-up investments were also very strong, allowing Zeng Wenjie to raise the expected 80 million yuan in the Series A round, which was actually 6 million yuan more than expected.

In reality, what Tencent truly invested in wasn't the snack food company, but rather Zeng Wenjie himself.

What they valued was Zeng Wenjie's near-unbeatable marketing skills. Whether it was how Marlenia fought its way from obscurity to gain a foothold among major gold and jewelry giants, or how his snack shop's collaboration with "The Voice of China" dealt a heavy blow to surrounding snack shops that led to their collapse...

All of this demonstrates Zeng Wenjie's exceptional marketing skills.

With this kind of skill, what business wouldn't someone make a fortune?

Give him a chicken, and he can package it as a star.

When the amount of funding reached 86 million, Zeng Wenjie did consider manipulating the system and simply raising 100 million, but he thought better of it. Too many people were watching him, and any small manipulation would be exposed in no time, which would not be good.

So, it's eighty-six million it is. The moon wanes after it's full.

When Yan Xinyi saw that Zeng Wenjie had raised 86 million yuan in Series A funding, she couldn't help but be amazed. She had visited the snack shop and thought it was very unique, but because she hadn't looked into it in depth, she couldn't figure out much about it.

She privately thought that Zeng Wenjie's snack shop would definitely make money and successfully raise funds, but she estimated that it would only cost around 30 to 40 million at most! As it turned out, Tencent invested 50 million in one go, and the three subsequent investors also invested tens of millions each, bringing the entire Series A round to 86 million...

Looking at Qin Yixuan, who was busy doing chores, Yan Xinyi couldn't help but ask, "Little Qin, do you know that your junior classmate Zeng is now a billionaire?"

Qin Yixuan was taken aback, turned around and asked, "Senior sister, he shouldn't... be that rich, right?"

Qin Yixuan knew that Zeng Wenjie's two main sources of income were Marlenia and the snack industry.

Although the snack shop's income is high, even at the highest level, the daily profit is only 50,000 yuan at most.

Marlene's gold shop is quite good, often breaking the million mark in revenue in a single day, but she currently only has one store, and the profit margin on gold in her store is higher than that of other brand stores.

"Wenjie's snack shop received an investment of 86 million yuan from four investors, led by Tencent. Adding his own assets, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him a billionaire, would it?" Yan Xinyi took a deep breath and said with a helpless bitter smile.

"Huh?! Eighty-six million!" The documents in Qin Yixuan's hands fell to the ground.

Yan Xinyi nodded, a bitter smile still on her face. In her heart, she acknowledged that Zeng Wenjie was an outstanding young man; otherwise, the Chongshan Provincial Government would not have given him such strong support, and the General Administration would not have taken such good care of him.

But there should be a limit to excellence...

A freshman, only eighteen or nineteen years old, already possesses capital exceeding one hundred million? That's an incredibly terrifying concept!

Old Wang's small goal is 100 million yuan, but for ordinary people, earning 100 million yuan is no different from landing on the moon.

Yan Xinyi, living in Yanjing, had seen many young and successful people, but these people were at least in their early twenties. How could someone be so amazing in their first year of college?

If success is measured by money, then these young heroes who achieved great things at a young age would only be lining up to get slapped in front of Zeng Wenjie...

Qin Yixuan was also stunned, and then endless regret and remorse surged in his heart.

There was an interesting interview where the host randomly interviewed primary and secondary school students at the school gate, asking them whether they would choose 100 million yuan or Tsinghua University.

The students mostly chose Tsinghua University, believing that as long as they got into Tsinghua, earning 100 million yuan would be no problem.

But that's a hundred million...

Only some students from wealthier families, who have a deeper understanding of money, would answer 100 million, because they know how huge a sum of 100 million is.

Qin Yixuan's current thought is that if she had known Zeng Wenjie possessed such wealth, she wouldn't have even bothered to take the exam for a position at the General Administration, let alone a better one...

She even thought that she could tell Zeng Wenjie that she had passed the exam for a certain unit, but gave it up because of Zeng Wenjie.

In that case, wouldn't it be possible to compete for that unique position?
At this moment, Qin Yixuan was overwhelmed by feelings of regret and "what ifs," making her feel as if she were on a small, isolated island overseas.

"What does it mean to make a mistake that leads to eternal regret? This is what it means to make a mistake that leads to eternal regret."

Qin Yixuan silently bent down to pick up the documents, sighed, and then ran to the empty storage room to call Zeng Wenjie.

She dialed three times before the call was answered. Then, she composed herself and said happily, "Wenjie, congratulations on becoming a billionaire! I saw it on the news!"

Zeng Wenjie said, "Senior Sister Qin, I'm busy right now, I'll talk to you later."

Zeng Wenjie's busyness this time is not the same as the busyness he mentioned when he called Yan Xinyi last time; he is genuinely busy.

He has just too many things to deal with!
Qin Yixuan was a little disappointed when the call was hung up on. She had to put her congratulations on the back of the list, even after they had already had a negative interaction.

Yan Xinyi watched the news for a while, then leaned back in her chair and said, "I'm afraid we'll be sent to Chongshan to interview Zeng Wenjie again. He's got funding and is very busy, so he can't find the time to come to Yanjing for an interview. The leaders of the State Administration of Radio and Television are very considerate of him, so it will most likely be arranged as I said."

To be honest, Zeng Wenjie has a good reputation and public image within the General Administration. The leaders all admire this young man, believing him to be insightful, sensible, and articulate. In fact, the leaders also know that it's not just them who appreciate and like Zeng Wenjie; even the top executives in the Tiangong (Sky Palace) think highly of him. His proposal regarding "village BA" (a type of government agency) has been discussed and approved by these executives.

Qin Yixuan's eyes lit up, and he said, "Then is it possible for us to be sent to the field?"

Yan Xinyi glanced at her and smiled, "Many people will fight for this opportunity because he has become a celebrity who attracts attention! Whoever interviews him will get attention and generate buzz. Do you think those old hands will just sit idly by?"

Qin Yixuan immediately deflated and said, "Then it seems the chances are slim."

Yan Xinyi looked at her with a half-smile and said, "It all depends on your status in his heart. The leaders take good care of him, but before he was just being taken care of and had no say. Now it's different. You've joined the ranks of billionaires and are so young, you're probably able to have a voice now..."

Qin Yixuan pursed her lips and nodded, thinking that she would immediately go and write the kind of long essay that she had written before for Zeng Wenjie.

If you write a good short essay, you might be able to impress the interviewer and get them to help you secure the interview opportunity.

Sure enough, the General Administration acted quickly. The leaders immediately issued a task, instructing Yan Xinyi to find out some inside information from Zeng Wenjie and then write a related report.

Yan Xinyi readily accepted the task, and also used her connections to get her friends in the industry to help promote Zeng Wenjie and write articles praising him.

Qin Yixuan, an intern, was not assigned such an important task; even if she wanted to, she had no opportunity.

Therefore, she could only rack her brains to write short essays while others were writing reports, and she almost cried while writing them.

After carefully checking it, she was shocked to find that she had put so much emotion into her essay, and that she had even moved herself.

Who says that only men can be simps?
Senior Sister Qin's tongue skills are also excellent; anyone who uses them knows.

After writing and sending the essay, Qin Yixuan stared blankly at the computer for a while. She could have stayed clear-headed before, but after writing these things, she gradually became engrossed, without even realizing it herself.

She now even feels that she really loves Zeng Wenjie, and if Zeng Wenjie asked her to give up her job at the General Administration, she would not hesitate to obey.

Zeng Wenjie is currently calling Yan Xinyi to express his gratitude.

Yan Xinyi wrote a report and used her connections to get some of her friends in the industry to write articles praising him, causing the popularity of him to skyrocket.

"Sister Yan, thank you. I didn't expect you to take such good care of me," Zeng Wenjie said.

Yan Xinyi laughed and said, "I thought the next time we met you would be in Yanjing for an interview, but judging from the current situation, it's more likely that we'll come to Chongshan again to interview you."

Zeng Wenjie said, "I wouldn't dare to put on airs."

Yan Xinyi said, "The leaders know you're very busy after securing funding, so they won't force you to come to Yanjing for an interview. But such a sensational event can't go unreported. So, we're definitely the ones who were sent to Chongshan to interview you."

Zeng Wenjie smiled and said, "Then I thank the leaders for their kindness and understanding. I have indeed been very busy, especially after the investment amount in Tencent was reported. I've been working non-stop. I've only slept four or five hours a day, and I'm losing all my muscle!"

Yan Xinyi chuckled and said, "You can build up your muscles, but don't go bald. If you end up with a receding hairline at a young age, no matter how rich you are, you won't look handsome anymore!"

“Even my advisor admits that my looks are on par with his, okay? It’s impossible for me not to be handsome,” Zeng Wenjie joked.

"You're amazing! You even came up with the theme song for 'A Man's True Colors.' It's such a great song, and the leaders love it too. They're already negotiating the copyright and plan to edit it into some programs about firefighters, police officers, and soldiers," Yan Xinyi said.

Zeng Wenjie clicked his tongue, not expecting to get any copyright fees. After all, the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television would only offer a token amount; otherwise, he would become the next Chen Peisi or Zhu Shimao.

"Sister Yan, you're too kind. I'm only where I am today because of everyone's support," Zeng Wenjie said.

"Come on, you're hopeless. It's precisely because you have these abilities and achievements that everyone supports you!" Yan Xinyi said with a smile.

Zeng Wenjie said, "Sister Yan has once again given me a helping hand. I am extremely grateful to Sister Yan."

Yan Xinyi said in a light tone, "Yes, I made a lot of calls to my friends to ask for their help, but this is also because you are a hot topic now, you have your own traffic, and everyone is very willing to write reports about you."

Yan Xinyi was quite clever; instead of taking all the credit, she found ways to give Zeng Wenjie sweet treats.

As for the big stick...

You can't swing it.

If you try to hit someone like Zeng Wenjie with a big stick, he won't even bother talking to you anymore, unless Yan Xinyi has a superior social status and is the kind of person who can easily suppress Zeng Wenjie.

“Sister Yan has made a great contribution; there’s no need for modesty,” Zeng Wenjie said.

"Okay, so how are you going to thank me?" Yan Xinyi's tone softened and became ambiguous again.

She truly deserves her reputation as a high-achieving graduate of Yenching University who, at a young age, was able to establish herself in the General Administration and be given important responsibilities.

Even though they were thousands of miles apart, Zeng Wenjie seemed to be able to discern the expression on her face from the changes in her tone and manner of speaking, and even felt that her gaze was being transmitted through the telephone line.

Zeng Wenjie thought for a moment and said, "I'll treat you to a big meal and some good wine."

Yan Xinyi laughed and said, "That's not enough! I often eat lavish meals and drink fine wine in Yanjing!"

Zeng Wenjie said, "Then tell me how you want to thank me."

"How about this? I watched the trailer for 'Men's True Colors,' and I thought the editing was really great. When the movie comes out, just find some time to go see it with me," Yan Xinyi said with a smile.

Zeng Wenjie gasped inwardly. Sister Yan's level was indeed much higher than Xiao Qin's. Sure enough, no one who could be given an important position in the General Administration at such a young age was easy to deal with.

Someone as simple-minded as Qin Yixuan can only honestly start from the bottom as a handyman and climb the ranks step by step.

However, Zeng Wenjie is not a fish, and it's impossible for him to go into a fishpond to soak.

Young people like flirting; mature, sophisticated adults are much simpler...

Do you want some grass?
Not giving?

Goodbye.

It just so happens that Zeng Wenjie's soul is mature enough, and the various foot massage parlors and bath centers have made him even more greasy.

So he said with a smile, "Sister Yan, you are a well-known host, and I am also in the spotlight now. If people see us watching a movie together, it will have a very bad influence."

Yan Xinyi laughed and said, "We're all young people, what are young people afraid of?"

Zeng Wenjie immediately agreed, "Sure, if you're not afraid, Sister Yan, what's there for me, a grown man, to be afraid of!"

Yan Xinyi said, "Let's keep in touch. There have been a lot of reports about you lately, so I might call you frequently to ask about the details."

Zeng Wenjie said, "Your mobile phone is always available to keep you connected."

Yan Xinyi smiled and said, "I wish you could keep my phone working properly even for a casual chat."

"Haha, of course it will be too," Zeng Wenjie said with a grin.

Zeng Wenjie, who had just secured funding, decided to take this opportunity to promote "Hero Kill" again after communicating with Tencent. He planned to add the game to the Tencent Games platform and launch a series of timed and limited tests.

(End of this chapter)