I Have 10 Trillion Dollars only Usable For Simping
Chapter 1284 - 886 Map (Seeking Monthly Votes!)

Chapter 1284: 886 Map (Seeking Monthly Votes!)

Fortunately, the octagonal pavilion had plenty of seating, and the long stone bench was spacious enough to accommodate Tanki Liuli’s frame.

The bodyguard handed over a bottle of mineral water.

"It’s been at least six months since we last met in East Sea, hasn’t it, Mr. Jiang?"

A textbook-style opening line.

Before diving into serious negotiations, it’s customary to first build rapport.

In truth, the two weren’t very familiar with each other—just one prior meeting.

Jiang Chen nodded and casually remarked, "Not that long ago, though it seems like you’ve grown more gray hairs, Mr. Niu."

If the business world were a Martial Arts arena...

Niu Jili would undoubtedly be a founder of his own school. But in reality, his age was nearing fifty, though he hadn’t quite breached that mark yet.

"Hard work is just like that; the more you think about things, the harder it is to keep the gray away."

Niu Jili’s smile carried a sense of unrestrained ease.

For men.

Charm isn’t determined by looks, anyway.

His rise to prominence was anything but smooth. Su Da had weathered countless storms to achieve its current scale, narrowly escaping bankruptcy on multiple occasions. This was why gray had crept into his hair before his fiftieth birthday.

What a pity.

Life’s trials never truly cease.

Crisis is always both cyclical and ongoing.

At Su Da’s darkest hour, Niu Jili’s worries turned his hair white overnight, seeking a path forward for the company.

At its peak, Su Da’s valuation even surpassed that of Hippo’s current market worth.

Yet the business landscape is always unpredictable and full of hidden perils. Right now, Niu Jili and Su Da faced a massive new crisis.

Beyond their old rival, Hippo, a powerful new competitor was rising in the e-commerce space. With its aggressively low prices, it had swept through the lower-tier markets like a tempest, carrying an ambitious force akin to younger waves crashing over older ones.

That’s right.

It was none other than "Cut One Slash."

Even Jiang Chen himself hadn’t been spared; he’d once received a "Cut One Slash" invite from his aunt.

With its rock-bottom pricing, it quickly captured the middle-aged and senior demographic, and its magnetic appeal was now taking younger generations by storm.

Cut One Slash’s current market valuation had rapidly overtaken Su Da, trampling it beneath its feet. Although it could’ve been seen as a more "appropriate" proxy for partnership, Jiang Chen never considered it.

For no other reason.

Purely a matter of personal preference.

He’d never used Cut One Slash, nor would he. Its nearly "coercive" promotional tactics innately repelled him.

People’s tendency to take advantage is human nature.

Exploiting human nature isn’t inherently wrong.

But the insanity of Cut One Slash lay in its blatant manipulation—preying on human nature while fooling the masses.

It would appear that just one more "cut" would slash the price, yet one cut later, a dollar might only drop to $0.99.

And compared to Hippo.

Cut One Slash’s rampant counterfeit goods posed an even graver issue.

Of course.

The success of any entity has its reasoning, but personal likes and dislikes are also beyond reproach.

Jiang Chen might not mind harming himself if it didn’t benefit others, but he’d never support a company he disliked.

"You’re still in your prime, Mr. Niu. You must take care of your health."

"A troubled mind is hard to guard against."

Amid internal and external troubles, this grassroots leader truly appeared exhausted.

Jiang Chen took a sip of his mineral water. "Su Da remains my favorite e-commerce platform, Mr. Niu. You must persevere."

Neither of them was here for small talk.

Pleasantries, therefore, were best kept brief.

Niu Jili’s gaze sharpened slightly.

"Mr. Jiang, to be candid, Su Da’s current situation is quite challenging."

He was coming clean.

Indeed.

The purpose of today’s meeting was no mystery to either of them.

"As it happens, Great Wall Special Delivery isn’t faring much differently."

Jiang Chen responded with a smile.

"Not the same," Niu Jili said. "Great Wall is conquering new frontiers—it’s a pioneer, a trailblazer. But Su Da is merely holding its ground."

"That doesn’t sound quite like you, Mr. Niu. Surely, your ambitions aren’t limited to safeguarding the current territory."

"Ambitions are one thing; reality is another. Su Da’s present difficulties are plain to see, Mr. Jiang."

Jiang Chen nodded slightly. "Do you know why I like Su Da, Mr. Niu?"

"Why?"

"Because you’ve always remained true to your original vision. You’ve never strayed."

Niu Jili’s pupils trembled slightly, as if he’d found a kindred spirit. Then again, as an entrepreneur of his caliber, his acting might well rival that of a professional.

Still, he looked moved. "I’m glad you understand, Mr. Jiang. Staying true to oneself isn’t easy in this world."

"Precisely because it’s difficult, it’s all the more valuable. That’s why you have my respect, Mr. Niu."

"You’re too kind, Mr. Jiang. Coming from you, those words feel undeserved."

For someone who had risen from a rural background to the pinnacle of success, Niu Jili undeniably possessed confidence.

But confidence does not equate to arrogance.

"When I was your age, I was still delivering goods and selling at roadside stands. Yet here you are, already working to improve the lives of the underprivileged. The difference is like night and day."

Holding the bottle of water, Jiang Chen spoke calmly, "Like you, I don’t see it as benevolence. I believe it’s nothing more than what they rightfully deserve from their labor."

The grassroots-born Niu Jili, who treated his couriers like brothers, fell silent.

The two locked eyes.

"Mr. Jiang, battling Hippo has always been Su Da’s mission. But now, I’m afraid we’re out of strength."

Jiang Chen no longer minced words. "Great Wall can provide financial assistance to Su Da."

"What are the terms?"

Niu Jili cut straight to the point.

"Great Wall will need to become Su Da’s largest shareholder."

Though he’d expected no free lunch, hearing Jiang Chen’s terms still made Niu Jili frown instinctively.

"Surely Mr. Jiang knows that if I lose control of Su Da, I’d rather sell the company outright."

"Perhaps you misunderstood me, Mr. Niu. Great Wall only seeks the seat of the largest shareholder. We’ll leave the business operations to you. Su Da will remain under your leadership."

"Of course, if one day you decide to join Great Wall, we’d be more than thrilled to welcome you."

"Why is Mr. Jiang willing to trust me? The entire capital market has already lost faith in Su Da."

The halved stock price was undeniable proof.

Niu Jili had considered numerous financing options, but none had yielded favorable results.

"Which ’entire capital market’ are you referring to, Mr. Niu?"

Niu Jili paused, at a loss for words.

"It doesn’t matter whether others believe in Su Da. What matters is that we do."

Jiang Chen’s tone was calm, though Niu Jili could sense an immense confidence in his words.

Or rather, arrogance.

"Now that Hippo and Kangaroo have joined forces, I imagine this is troubling for you as well. Does Great Wall still have the bandwidth..."

Niu Jili’s words were both tactful and blunt.

"As long as you’re willing, Mr. Niu, we’ll offer a price that’ll satisfy you."

In the octagonal pavilion at Xiangshan.

The once angel-investor-turned-mogul from Dong University, Jiang Chen, smiled faintly.

As if bathed in divine light.