Beginnings

"I think you'd better be more careful from now on. Don't you know what society is like these days? What if you accidentally picked up some germs? You wouldn't even have anyone to cry to." Fang Jisheng rolled his eyes. "Qi Si, what are you planning?"

"I heard the river and seafood have been pretty good lately. Why don't we go try some?" Qi Si looked thoroughly delighted at the thought of food.

"Since even a glutton like you recommends it," Fang Jisheng teased, "let's go get a drink." With that, Fang Jisheng took the lead and headed outside.

Seeing this, Xie Tian hurried after him, with Xue Chen and Qin Zhou following close behind. Chen Jiayao glanced back in the direction Fu Hengzhou's group had gone, but said nothing and followed them out.

Meanwhile, after getting into the car, Fu Hengzhou turned to the assistant beside him. "A-Cheng, did I look handsome just now? Stylish?"

"Yes. Who in all of Fragrant Island could compare to you, Boss?" A-Cheng answered with complete seriousness.

Hearing A-Cheng's praise, a smug expression appeared on Fu Hengzhou's face. Then he frowned. "Then why didn't he look at me?"

"Who?" A-Cheng felt that his train of thought was clearly not on the same track as his boss's, but he still gathered the courage to ask.

"You wouldn't understand even if I told you. Go home." Fu Hengzhou waved his hand, signaling the driver to leave. The red BMW X1 slowly drove into the distance.

Inside the car, Fu Hengzhou rested a hand against the window as he watched the ever-changing scenery outside. A-Cheng flipped through the investigation files in his hands. "Over the past two years, we've acquired all the companies under the old man's control. He only has 35% of the shares left, while we now hold a total of 49%."

"What I want is absolute control. Tell the people below to move faster. At the latest, I want everything in our hands within a week." A chilling gleam flashed in Fu Hengzhou's eyes.

"I've already notified the old residence. I believe they'll know you've returned very soon."

"Then that means the good show is about to begin." The corner of Fu Hengzhou's lips curled up slightly.

"I think Young Master Fu has some hostility toward you. I noticed he kept staring at you. That kid didn't have much of a reputation a few years ago." On the other side, after they had just entered the private room and ordered their food, Chen Jiayao seemed to recall something and spoke up.

"No way!" Xie Tian sounded doubtful after hearing Chen Jiayao's words. "Why would he have it out for Xue Chen? Today was the first time they met. He can't hate him for no reason, can he?"

"Who knows? Still, I think we should be more careful even if we try to work with him. This guy was notorious for swallowing people whole without spitting out the bones. Xue Chen, you'd better be cautious too," Chen Jiayao warned.

"Don't worry. I know what to do." Xue Chen nodded. He had not felt that the other party bore him any hostility, but Chen Jiayao and the others were only concerned for him, so he said nothing more.

Beginnings

"VCD? What's the difference between that and a videotape recorder?" Xie Tian could not help asking.

No wonder he was so surprised. Most households still used videotapes, and he had never even heard of this kind of product.

"A VCD is actually similar in nature to a videotape, but it has many advantages. It's portable, inexpensive to produce, and doesn't look as bulky as a cassette player.

If we introduce it to the Fragrant Island market, it has a high chance of succeeding. We can set the price entirely ourselves. I've already contacted a manufacturer that specializes in making VCD players and VCDs. They want to sell that production line to us," Xue Chen explained with a smile.

"This technology hasn't become widespread even in Europe and America yet, and those people haven't caught the business opportunity in it. As for the mainland, everyone's understanding is still limited to videotapes," Qin Zhou added. "If we can really take over that production line, everyone will have plenty to do."

"But it won't make much money, will it?" Xie Tian frowned.

Fang Jisheng sighed, then smacked him on the head with the newspaper in his hand. "I've explained it this far, and you still don't get it?"

"Get what?" Xie Tian frowned as he began considering the profits from VCD players.

"Tell me, what's the difference between a VCD and a cassette player?" Fang Jisheng continued educating him.

"Didn't Xue Chen say it? Other than the difference in weight... You mean VCDs and VCD players are two completely separate industries?" Xie Tian asked doubtfully.

"High-tech products all share one trait: they upgrade according to their different functions. Maybe VCD players will soon be phased out and evolve into other digital products." Xue Chen's main market was the mainland and Fragrant Island. People in Fragrant Island were relatively well-informed, so they could only make quick money in this market. Everything had to move fast.

"You mean...?" Xie Tian's eyes lit up as he asked excitedly.

"We can upgrade the product, turn this technology into our core technology, and then sell the products overseas," Xue Chen said firmly.

"I agree with that. If we do this, not only can we make enormous profits from it, we can also earn massive revenue through this technology." Xie Tian slapped the table in approval.

"Calm down and listen to me first!" Xue Chen hurriedly cut him off, then continued, "This is only our plan for now. I've already laid out the acquisition of the factory over there.

I've also found a company that has begun developing new electronic chip technology. Once the new chips are developed, they'll be the key to the next stage of our plan.

For now, VCDs can already be released onto the market. We only need to wait a few more years, and VCD sales will definitely spread throughout the Fragrant Island and mainland markets."

After hearing Xue Chen's words, Xie Tian nodded repeatedly. "Not bad, not bad. I believe that with the advantages we have, even if the profit margin looks small, we can still secure our first pot of gold through all kinds of promotion. Maybe we can use it to compete with the old man and his people."

"But how can you guarantee that the VCDs you mentioned will be accepted by Fragrant Island's citizens?" Chen Jiayao asked.

"Don't worry." Xue Chen smiled.