Chapter 148: The Number One Interactive Entertainment Company in Jinling

The number of capable people at hand was steadily increasing. Cheng Yao sighed with a sense of satisfaction and instructed Fang Liang to intensify efforts to recruit as many talented individuals with research expertise as possible.

It was said that two of them were graduates from Northwestern Polytechnical University. The one million Yuan Fang Liang invested was truly worth it.

He arranged with the other party to meet the candidates the next day.

Holding the USB drive, Cheng Yao pondered thoughtfully. The social status and influence of someone committed to a career could never compare to what one might find online.

The villa in the Gaoke Ziwei Hall was undeniably comfortable. The environment was impeccable—privacy and surroundings far beyond that of ordinary residences. At night, the tranquility here was palpable.

Having been exhausted during the day, deep sleep naturally became a priority at night.

Early the next morning, after breakfast, Lu Mengyao had already purchased tickets for the amusement park. She drove Ouyang Aili and Ouyang Zhenli there first thing in the morning.

Cheng Yao, however, would not accompany them to the park—it was too crowded and chaotic.

To be a scoundrel, one must have the resolve to be one.

Cheng Yao prepared his documents and copies early, then went to the relevant department to invest thirty million Yuan in establishing Shengxia Investment.

Once the location was secured, he would register Shengxia Technology Co., Ltd., thereby owning three companies under his name. The trivial matters did not consume much time.

By the time he left the business hall, it was already 9:30 a.m.

He browsed online for factory information in the Jiangning Development Zone, an industrial area with numerous factories.

With nothing pressing, he decided to drive directly to Jiangning; the factory’s remote location was of no concern, as he did not plan to visit frequently.

Upon arriving at the development zone, he called the relevant authorities and learned that several village entrances in the more secluded parts of Jiangning were available for factory construction.

Such entrepreneurial endeavors would receive government support.

The development zone was vast, with each factory occupying considerable space. Guided by the directions from the call, Cheng Yao arrived at a remote development site.

There were many plots of land, including a small cotton factory, which had since shut down.

At the factory gate stood a middle-aged man in a white undershirt, holding a briefcase.

The man’s surname was Yang—Yang Hongsheng.

Sometimes, a sports car was not just a show of vanity but a symbol of capital. Particularly a car like a LaFerrari—many might not recognize it, but those who did knew its owner was extremely wealthy.

“Hello, Boss Cheng,” Yang Hongsheng greeted warmly.

“Hello, Director Yang,” Cheng Yao replied, shaking his hand.

“This is the land, right? I heard the approval is imminent?”

“About half a month to a month, I suppose.”

“You might want to rent the cotton factory first and negotiate the price. Get the owner to transfer shares to you. If the land is approved, the annual fee is ten thousand Yuan per mu, all owned by villagers…”

Cheng Yao assessed the situation, inspecting the idle cotton factory.

“So it’s already up for transfer?”

“Yes.”

Without much fuss, after touring the factory and a few villages accompanied by Yang Hongsheng, Cheng Yao contacted the village secretary to understand the local conditions.

One might have thought demolition was imminent.

But upon hearing about the factory construction and land requisition, the villagers were motivated. Farming was exhausting and barely profitable; renting out land for over ten thousand Yuan annually was appealing. Some had more fields, some less.

Before long, it was noon.

Though it was time to eat, Cheng Yao politely declined.

Leaving Jiangning, he drove back to Xinjiekou.

At noon, he had arranged to meet someone for lunch at a restaurant.

By 11:30, Wang Yiming was already waiting at the hotel entrance. The conspicuous LaFerrari made it clear who had arrived.

Wang Yiming was dressed in a suit, looking much more refined than before.

“President Cheng.”

“Let’s go in first. The others will arrive soon.”

“Shall I wait outside?”

“No need.”

Inside the banquet hall, the decor was luxurious, though not five-star level; it was still one of the more reputable venues in the area.

On the table were bottles of Maotai, cigarettes, and other refreshments.

Originally, Cheng Yao did not need to attend personally, but since he was just starting out, showing face and learning was worthwhile.

Shortly after, Fang Liang arrived with several men, one wearing glasses.

“President Cheng, this is…” Fang Liang began introductions. The eldest was Feng Zhiwen, a Northwestern Polytechnical University graduate.

At first, upon seeing Cheng Yao, the men frowned, thinking him too young to be reliable.

After some conversation, their doubts eased considerably.

Shengxia Interactive Entertainment was quite popular now. Though they were outsiders to the industry, they followed online developments.

Shengxia’s advertisements were everywhere, occasionally catching their eye.

They hadn’t expected the young man before them to be the boss.

Dishes were served, glasses of Maotai emptied, and enthusiasm rose among the men.

Knowing they were among the first senior hires, they each harbored ambitions. Employees were plentiful, but those with education, experience, and capability were invaluable.

Positions were first-come, first-served.

Especially for those who had worked in similar companies for years in this industry.

Feng Zhiwen asked, “President Cheng, I heard the new project is underway?”

“The smart toothbrush software has been developed. I’ve already checked the factory site in Jiangning. It’s a bit remote, but transportation won’t be an issue. We’ll arrange a shuttle.”

Cheng Yao abstained from alcohol, drinking tea instead—he still had to drive later.

The two-hour lunch was a time of frank discussion and persuasion. Five employees were successfully recruited.

Though initially reluctant, Feng Zhiwen and the others were swayed by Cheng Yao’s generous offers, which seemed almost too good to be true.

After leaving the hotel, Miao Jianming shook his head. “Not very reliable. He’s clearly wealthy, but so young and inexperienced. The risk is too high…”

“Let’s not discuss it now. We’ll see how it goes,” Feng Zhiwen said, waving his hand.

After parting ways, each called Fang Liang.

After the call, Feng Zhiwen said, “Xiao Fang, about the new factory—I think the technical director position could be mine. They need someone there, and I don’t mind the hard work. Please convey my intention to President Cheng.”

After hanging up, Feng Zhiwen’s heart surged with excitement.

Cheng Yao’s vision was grand; combined with Fang Liang’s insights and the one million Yuan offer, it was clear the young man was promising.

If the contract was sound, he was more than willing to switch jobs.

Back at the restaurant, Cheng Yao received several calls.

Wang Yiming chatted with Fang Liang about company affairs.

He had been watching Shengxia closely and was surprised at how much money had been invested.

With no employees at the factory, Cheng Yao naturally granted significant authority; Fang Liang was appointed chief technology officer with a salary higher than his previous company.

Once the factory was operational, promotions would follow one by one.

After leaving the hotel, Cheng Yao returned to school.

Running a company and building a factory would not significantly impact his studies.

Although Fang Liang faced legal challenges, he still found time to assist with recruitment and other matters.

The cotton factory deal was settled and just needed to be finalized.

A week passed quickly.

Shengxia Interactive Entertainment held its first major star-host onboarding event. Downloads soared to hundreds of thousands, nearing a million, with traffic surging.

This was the power of investment; each major host brought a massive following.

Some hosts were natural stars on camera, and their fans were loyal. Cheng Yao had once been captivated by a certain beautiful host.

But with wealth came distraction; his attention now was more on the women around him.

Some women were simply beyond reach.

With beauty filters online, the difference in appearance was often deceptive. Cheng Yao trusted his own eyes—after all, he possessed a pair of discerning, sharp eyes.

On this day, Shengxia Interactive Entertainment reached its peak. Online concurrent users exceeded 800,000 and kept rising. The hosting segments were meticulously organized: tech hosts, beauty hosts, outdoor hosts, and more.

Shengxia had conquered the entire Jinling interactive entertainment market, becoming the city’s number one, ushering in a period of steady growth.

Wang Yiming scoured various campuses for technical hosts with notable success, especially in vocational schools where high-tier hosts emerged frequently.

On Friday, Cheng Yao took some time to hand over the cotton factory to the previous owner. The factory was secured, spacious, and well-situated.

Yang Hongsheng was handling negotiations with the village secretary; progress was near completion.

The procurement supervisor Fang Liang hired was a woman with a decent education and meticulous work ethic.

After joining, Lü Youqin immediately took on procurement tasks, contacting multiple toothbrush machinery factories to negotiate prices.

Cheng Yao was uninvolved in these details, even the factory’s construction was entrusted to managers hired by a headhunting firm.

Money was being spent increasingly, Cheng Yao’s network expanding and growing more influential.

He often asked Wang Yiming and Fang Liang to bring him supplements, strengthening ties—making many matters much more convenient.

Moreover, the smart technology company enjoyed government support.

With such backing, making profits was much easier.

Cheng Yao still approached his studies irregularly, while Ouyang Aili and Ouyang Zhenli gradually grew fond of Jinling.

Having their own grand villa made spacious apartments less appealing.

The main reason was Cheng Yao’s presence here, and with Lu Mengyao around, their lives felt more stable and enjoyable.

Although they had each glimpsed their own hardships, sharing a similar fate brought them closer.

“Congratulations, President Cheng! Cheers!”

“Cheers!”

“Cheers!”

Inside the grand villa, the table was laden with spicy crayfish. Lu Mengyao took a sip of beer and said, “Why not just transfer schools? Your studies were never exceptional anyway.”

“Transfer schools…” Zhenli shook her head. “I still feel we should return to Guangzhou. It’s closer, and we can visit anytime.”

“Yes,” Aili also shook her head.

Though they liked Jinling, they couldn’t adjust to its pace of life, and their families wouldn’t agree to a transfer.

“Let them be; Guangzhou is fine too,” Cheng Yao said.

As his words fell, Ouyang Zhenli remarked, “Mr. Cheng is probably worried we’ll cause trouble. After all, who knows how long this relationship will last.”

“Is that so?”

Ouyang Aili looked up at Cheng Yao with watery eyes, like a kitten fearing abandonment.

…

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