My American magical life
Chapter 215 - 215 84 Cheng Daqi Successfully Ascending to the Dragon!_2

215: Chapter 84: Cheng Daqi, Successfully Ascending to the Dragon!_2 215: Chapter 84: Cheng Daqi, Successfully Ascending to the Dragon!_2 Gru, are you being this domineering?

He’s unaware that Gru is actually beginning to hope that he won’t be able to repay the loan.

“Alright, Mr.

Gru.”

Cheng Daqi complied.

For a moment, the basement fell back into silence.

This was, in fact, a reflection of the cooperative relationship between them: no trust whatsoever, and both sides had deep-seated issues.

But they sat down together and worked things out because they both were ambitious and pursued interests to survive.

The two powerhouses pondered their own thoughts, while Thor, who was confused, energetically mopped the floor as if each stroke was on Cheng Daqi’s face.

“Cheng, what exactly does your company do?”

Gru couldn’t help himself and brought up a random topic.

He hoped Cheng Daqi’s company was engaged in the worst business possible so that he could quickly bleed away his million dollars.

“Do you know which app is currently ranked number one in download volume on the app store?”

Cheng Daqi brought out a script he had prepared, though he initially thought he wouldn’t need it today.

“Facebook?” Gru replied, uncertain.

“No, it’s TikTok; it’s a short video app.

Now it’s October 2018, and this month, for the first time, it topped the app store in download volume.

My company supports internet celebrities on this app, and Mi’er and I are very optimistic about its future.”

TikTok, from the beginning, had separated itself from the domestic market, focusing solely on overseas markets.

This cautious approach step by step gave it a chance to breathe in future scrutiny, which helped it avoid being wiped out.

Cheng Daqi’s short video business has two pillars: one domestic, one international.

The domestic one is Douyin, and the international one is TikTok.

His goal is to have both pillars strong and supporting the business, tall and unyielding.

“I know about internet celebrities, but can they really make a lot of money?”

It was 2018, and there were still many like Gru with this mindset.

They didn’t understand the terrifying reach internet celebrities could have with the boost from mobile internet.

“Where do you usually get your news from, Mr.

Gru?”

Cheng Daqi asked a question that seemed completely unrelated to Gru’s line of questioning.

“I don’t read the news; it’s all lies and fake news.

I suggest you don’t either.

It’s a waste of life.”

As a native elite of America, Gru had a clear attitude toward the news.

He knew too well how ludicrous those fake news were; after all, he was a big swindler himself—why would he watch another group’s performance?

“Alright, let me choose a different way to illustrate, Mr.

Gru.

In traditional media channels, so-called celebrities and idols have not even the slightest right to speak.

Their influence comes from TV stations and the attitude capitalized forces have toward them.

With the rise of mobile internet and the era of short videos, yes, I call it the era of short videos.

In this era, internet celebrities can gain influence similar to that of traditional celebrities.

Due to the popularity and convenience of mobile internet, stars of short video apps have the chance to gain a large following.

My company will categorize professional fields, cultivating leading internet celebrities in different areas systematically, forming a differentiated and systematic matrix of internet celebrities.

Of course, we must have specific short-term goals, and we plan to first create 10 accounts with over 100,000 followers and then initiate a second round of funding.”

Gru was completely overwhelmed; he was just a corrupted policeman, barely with a high school education.

He understood deceit and trickery, but when it came to business, he was a complete ignoramus.

Cheng Daqi was talking about the era of short videos, mobile internet, and leading in the industry—none of which made any sense to Gru.

“You mean, it will make a lot of money?”

The top corrupt cop began to regret that he had agreed to lend money to Cheng Daqi.

He should have invested directly instead.

In the end, it was Cheng Daqi’s capability and courage that conquered Gru.

Now, it didn’t matter whether Daqi was running a short video company; even if he told Gru he was going to Alaska to raise crabs, Gru would still invest in him.

“I dare not imagine how much money it can make, Mr.

Gru.

In Hua Country, there’s a similar short video app that gains tens of millions of new users every month.

Tens of millions of new users each month—can you comprehend what that means?”

An entire California’s worth of population increase per month!

Cheng Daqi didn’t believe Gru could remember how many people lived in California; the mathematical skills of the average American have always been impressively consistent and reliable.

“I don’t want to loan money anymore, I want to directly invest in your company.”

Gru began to regret it, the tables had turned again!

Cheng Daqi had already given away half of the initial shares of the company to Lisa and Temir, so he couldn’t offer any more shares to accommodate Gru’s million Dollars investment.

Therefore, CEO Cheng’s eyes darted around as he thought of a new win-win solution.

“Mr.

Gru, I’m not short on cash right now, a million is already enough to get me started, but I can sign an agreement with you.

If you provide me with an office space, I can give you the priority investment right for the second round of investment.”

Freeloading, that was Cheng Daqi’s aim all along.

Of course, Gru understood what Cheng Daqi meant, but he was still tempted.

Gru was a top-level veteran undercover cop with a vast array of experiences; anyone who got his approval was among the best of the best.

Even Tonks, the illustrious old police leader who had dominated the Saint Rodu police scene for decades, was nothing but a dog in his eyes.

He, of course, knew that Cheng Daqi’s company might not succeed straight away, but he was willing to believe that people like Cheng Daqi, embarking on entrepreneurship, are more likely to succeed than others.

In short, he had been thoroughly swayed by Cheng Daqi.

So, he was willing to let Cheng Daqi freeload, and thus, he was willing to gamble.

When he first agreed to lend Cheng Daqi a million Dollars, Gru hoped Cheng Daqi would spend it all and then be unable to repay it.

Now, Gru truly hoped that Cheng Daqi could use his support to become a strong partner, rather than a troublesome kid creating issues with his leverage.

Gru held a high status, but his lot of crooked underlings was also quite sizable.

He too longed for a reliable partner.

“What exactly does priority investment right mean?”

Though his mind was in turmoil, Gru asked a very basic question—such is the demeanor of some of America’s elites.

“It’s roughly…

do you understand now?”

“If you purposely raise the barrier too high during the second round of investment, wouldn’t my priority investment right become useless?”

“No matter how high, there always has to be someone to take over, as long as you and the buyer-offer the same price, I will sell to you first.

As for whether the price is too high, and whether you’re willing to buy, that’s something you’ll need to consider.”

Cheng Daqi had completely seized the initiative.

Gru, thank you, you are my first prey.

It seemed like a successful rise to power!

“What do you think about this old factory building?”

Gru wanted to give this building to Cheng Daqi for use as an office space.

“I demand no rent.”

Cheng Daqi saw a certain forthright clarity characteristic of coal tycoons in Gru, and boldly made his demand.

“Done deal!”

Gru’s promptness left Cheng Daqi in disbelief; the top-tier undercover cop’s attitude could change faster than anyone.

One second, he could be flipping out at you, the next, smiling, and then immediately after, becoming your close partner.

Gru, a fierce and ruthless undercover cop who had fought his way up from the bottom, was always a creature driven solely by respect for power.

————————

Cheng to Elder Li, “Help me get a car, the latest Tesla Model S in black.

Money isn’t an issue, the sooner I get it, the better.

I’m tired of living without a car.”

With the million Dollars fleeced from Gru, Cheng Daqi was full of confidence.

In 2018, there weren’t many good car options, so Tesla was Cheng Daqi’s sole choice.

Elder Li to CEO Cheng, “I’ll take care of it within three days.

Tesla’s orders are through the roof; I’ll get you a spot car someone else has queued up for, might need to pay a bit extra.”

Sitting on the couch in the big house, Cheng Daqi began browsing other messages.

Brother Sun was cursing, accusing Cheng Daqi of tricking him.

Zhao Hongjin sent a bunch of videos asking for Cheng Daqi’s help to review them.

Temir sent a few tempting selfies, unsure which swimsuit would be suitable for a vacation—it was indeed a serious dilemma which Cheng Daqi meticulously helped his good friend to consider.