Chapter 29

Chapter 30

After Zhang Xiaotong finished her exams, it was my turn. Whenever exams came around, classmates who normally weren't on good terms with you suddenly became friendly. Their voices grew softer, they smiled more, their expressions turned kinder, and every third sentence had to include some flattery. I really disliked this kind of last-minute buttering up: they clung to you when you were useful and stayed far away when you weren't. Perhaps emotional intelligence wasn't a concept yet, nor was return on investment. The kids all thought flashing a smile could get them something. As if reality were that easy.

My grades had always been good, so before exams, an especially large number of classmates hinted that if fate inevitably placed us in the same exam room, I absolutely had to look out for them. It was endlessly annoying. I turned no one away and agreed to everything. Then, on exam day, I finished first and left without helping anyone. I'd done it in previous years, and I did it this year too. At worst, everyone would give me dirty looks for a few days when school started, then come begging again at the next exam.

These people never learned. Products of exam-oriented education...

When I came out of the exam room that afternoon, I saw Xu Jiajia and Zhang Xin chatting at the corridor entrance. They exchanged knowing smiles when they spotted me, and Xu Jiajia said, "See? Didn't I tell you? He was bound to hand his paper in first."

I walked over, grumbling, "You both seem to have handed yours in before me..."

"That was so we could wait for you!" When Xu Jiajia was with Zhang Xin, she generally did all the talking, like a spokeswoman. "We need you for something."

As she spoke, Xu Jiajia even gave me a flirtatious look, making me shudder. Knowing this girl, it couldn't be anything good.

"Ma'am, go ahead, go ahead, don't stand on ceremony... That smile of yours is making me nervous..."

"So you get scared too?" Xu Jiajia looked me up and down as though she didn't know me. "I'll get straight to it. Our teacher is running an extracurricular English class over summer break, and we want you to come with us."

I hadn't dared show much of my English ability in class. Even so, Xu Jiajia knew my English was very good, possibly better than our English teacher's. She'd clearly come to recruit a study companion. Ridiculous. Did I need beginner English tutoring? I should be tutoring other people.

"That might be a little difficult." I lowered my head, pretending to consider it, though I was actually avoiding Zhang Xin's gaze. "I might have to help my cousin write things over summer break. I think starting English in sixth grade should still be soon enough, right?"

My classmates had all seen Zhang Xiaotong come to find me and knew I had an older cousin who was already a magazine editor-in-chief at such a young age. Our teacher also knew I wrote for the magazine. There couldn't have been a better excuse.

It wasn't that I didn't want to spend time with them. I was truly afraid I wouldn't be able to stop myself from pursuing Zhang Xin, who clearly had developed some fondness for me, and afraid of breaking through Xu Jiajia's carefree, seemingly unconcerned exterior. I had more things to do this summer.

Xu Jiajia looked a little disappointed. "Isn't your cousin's magazine already famous? What does she still need you to write?"

Happy to change the subject, I said casually, "There's something new this summer. Of course I need to write."

"What new thing?"

"Computer games."

"Tch, I thought it was something novel. Who doesn't know about computer games?"

"You knew about computer games because you read about them," I said. "And you got to play them because your family was relatively well-off. Now anyone on the street can play computer games. Isn't that a good thing?"

"Computer games interfere with studying," Xu Jiajia countered with the teacher's dogma. "So do video games."

"Games are a shortcut into the world of computers." I quoted a slogan from a famous domestic magazine that had switched from covering games in general to specializing exclusively in computer games. "What's so good about burying your head in books? If you don't put what you read into concrete form and apply it flexibly, how can it become capital for creating wealth? Do you really think learning math, physics, and chemistry well makes you a scientist? Do you think memorizing your textbooks makes you a writer?"

Xu Jiajia was left speechless. Her expression shifted several times, and just as she was about to argue, Zhang Xin spoke. "Jiajia, Zhou Xingwen has a point. Let him get on with his own work."

With Zhang Xin speaking up, Xu Jiajia couldn't very well object. She could only wave a hand in disappointment. "Since you won't come to English class with us, treat Zhang Xin and me to a meal."

I put on a fawning smile. "Absolutely, absolutely. Whatever you want, steamed softshell turtle or braised bear paw, no problem..."

I really did have plenty to do over summer break.

First, I had to take part in planning the advance sales for Sun Homeland, which had been under construction for some time.

Second, we needed to promote ourselves to the computer gaming rooms springing up one after another over summer break and take on every computer assembly job we could handle.

Third, we had to act in response to the Taiwanese companies already beginning to plan their entry into the mainland tea beverage market.

Fourth, we had to establish a network division within Sun Electronics as soon as possible. We needed to secure a foothold. The internet age was coming.

Fortunately, I didn't have to handle everything personally. For some things, offering suggestions and general instructions would suffice. Otherwise, I could forget about having any free time this summer.

First came publicity for Sun Homeland. It was being built with loans, so we couldn't be careless. I had Lu Wei run an initial round of advertisements seeking tenants for the street-front commercial building, drawing in several investors interested in supermarket chains in small and medium-sized cities and large department stores. They could fight it out themselves; whoever offered the highest price would get it. As for the apartments, I dumped all the promotional work directly on Dong Qinghua. The man was practically already chosen as the next station director. If he couldn't even handle this, he might as well kill himself. I believed that within a month, most senior government officials and the so-called successful elite would have their eyes fixed on Sun Homeland.

While the presale publicity for Sun Homeland was underway, something amusing happened.

In my memory, Sui Yunfei hadn't fled to Seattle over a string of troubles until the end of 1999. Unexpectedly, thanks to my butterfly effect, his bad luck had already begun this year. His companies in Hong Kong and Fujian had been defrauded of over seventy million US dollars, leaving him deeply in debt and privately seeking to sell Snow Fate at a low price. As they said, when the tree falls, the monkeys scatter. Most of those whose businesses revolved around his had turned and left, and several partners had even kicked him while he was down, showing no consideration whatsoever.

Pushing over a falling wall was a traditional Chinese virtue. I expected this man to make a comeback, so I decided to do him a favor and had Zhang Xiaotong take over Snow Fate. In the end, the cake shop returned to her hands.

After thanking Zhang Xiaotong over the phone for coming to his rescue, Sui Yunfei hurriedly fled to America with his people, carrying the same five million he'd previously used to buy Shelley.

Sui Yunfei had been destitute during his early years in Hong Kong, yet had joined the ranks of the wealthy in just six years. He was a capable man. Helping him this time was simply a long-term investment. But that didn't mean letting ourselves lose money. I had Zhang Xiaotong invite Sun Changlu over for a talk. Snow Fate couldn't carry on like this.

Although he'd heard that Snow Fate had changed hands again, Sun Changlu was still startled to see Zhang Xiaotong and me sitting in Sui Yunfei's office.

"Uncle Sun, we meet again, haha..." I grinned at his astonished face. "Didn't expect this, did you? I told you to come to us if you ran into trouble. You couldn't go wrong."

Sun Changlu was a capable man, after all, and his expression soon settled after his surprise. "I should have guessed. Not many people are willing to help Mr. Sui now."

"I'm just a little attached to this shop," Zhang Xiaotong said. "It's not really a question of helping him."

Sun Changlu smiled wryly. "You knew perfectly well that profits in the cake business aren't what they used to be, yet you still bought it back at the original price. Isn't that plainly helping him? You could have waited for a government auction and bought it back for half the price or less."

Sun Changlu understood the situation well, which made things easier. I shook my head. "No, no, Uncle Sun, you've got it wrong. We were willing to buy it back at the original price only because it has growth potential. You understand. How could we possibly take on a money-losing business?"

Remembering what I'd said to him before, Sun Changlu began to understand. "You want to expand further?" He looked at the two of us in disbelief. Zhang Xiaotong was one thing; there was a faint air of mature womanhood about her features. I was nothing but a little kid.

But he knew Sui Yunfei had run off with the five million we'd just paid. There was no doubting that.

Sun Changlu remained silent for a long time. I knew what he was thinking. "Uncle Sun, you don't need to feel burdened. Each of us ought to have one or two chances in life to change something. Maybe none of us knows what opportunity will come or when. Honestly, I don't know either. But I think it's like what I told you last time about the Mongol Emperor. He conquered his territory himself. Why didn't he enjoy the process of conquering it, instead of waiting until he was done and feeling lost? Frankly, he could afford to. He was a successful man few people in the world could match. Most of us can't compare with him, which is why we're still working to move forward. We invited you here because we hope you'll witness some things along with us. We trust you a great deal with this, and I think you can do it well. It just depends on whether you're willing."

My speech drew a long sigh from Sun Changlu. He understood all these principles, but hearing them from a child like me made them especially striking. That was exactly the effect I wanted. People needed the occasional blow when they thought they had everything smoothly under control before they could advance further.

After sighing for a while, Sun Changlu looked up and asked me, "Would you really trust me?"

Zhang Xiaotong and I smiled together. We liked dealing with clever people. They knew what came next before we'd finished speaking.

"Look," I said, "you've already guessed that we intend to put our baby, Snow Fate, in your hands to do with as you please. Aren't your perception and quick thinking enough to reassure us? As I said before, you could try branching into food service. I don't think it'll be much of a problem."

By asking this next question, Sun Changlu had effectively agreed. "Can you tell me the budget limit?"

I answered readily. "Five million. That's all my cousin can put up right now. Do you think it's enough?"

Sun Changlu grinned. "That's enough to buy another chain."

Zhang Xiaotong knew it was her turn to speak. "Then we'll have to trouble you with all Snow Fate's work from now on, Uncle Sun. We'll draw up a detailed contract, and if you find it acceptable, we'll sign it. Ten percent of Snow Fate's annual profits will be yours."

Sun Changlu hadn't expected such generous terms and was thoroughly stunned. "Ten percent?"

"Don't get excited, Comrade Sun..." I started joking around. "Even setting your talent-based share at ten percent, we feel we're shortchanging you. Really, I think you're certain to do an even better job. We're looking forward to the birth of a food-service magnate..."

Zhang Xiaotong narrowed her eyes in a charming smile. "Don't have any reservations, Uncle Sun. Our opinions are only suggestions. Xingwen and I believe computer culture will soon become an urban social phenomenon. I'd recommend trying computers in the shops for entertainment and trial use. For the hardware, I can arrange for Miss Lu at Sun Electronics to provide it free of charge, on the condition that Snow Fate gives Sun Electronics a certain amount of publicity."

There was considerable subtlety in that phrase, "a certain amount of publicity." That "certain amount" meant the other party was so wealthy that they didn't care about the little publicity you provided; it didn't matter whether you did it or not. Sun Changlu immediately understood Zhang Xiaotong's skill. The young girl before him was far more unfathomable than he'd imagined.

Looking at us, Sun Changlu smiled. "If I refuse terms this good, I'd really be useless. Leave Snow Fate to me."

I was secretly delighted. Internet cafés and fast food-we needed both. To take over popular culture, we had to start at the bottom, even if we'd started a little late.

After settling things with Snow Fate, it was time to turn to our main moneymakers: the nationally renowned electronics brand Sun Electronics and the nationally renowned beverage brand Sun Red Tea. Liu Mingyao and Yu Chunrong were both incredibly busy, so I had to visit each in person. Luckily, Zhang Xiaotong was there to escort me. Otherwise, never mind traveling far; even leaving home would have been difficult.

When I saw Liu Mingyao, he was holding a leather shoe worth over three thousand yuan and pouring sand out of it. Seeing me didn't bother him, but when he spotted Zhang Xiaotong behind me, he quickly put it away. "Oh no, you two cousins have seen me at my worst."

As usual, I sprawled across the big office sofa. "Give it a rest. Everyone on Earth knows you're ugly. Do they need to see it for themselves?"

After putting his shoes on, Liu Mingyao began straightening his tie, looking every inch a member of the social elite. I decided to bring a camera next time and take a few pictures to properly blackmail him with.

"You're the only person in the whole company who calls me ugly, and you're not even an official employee of the Sun Group..."

"Anyone in the company who dared call you ugly has probably been assassinated, right?" I said. "Is the workload even heavier this year than last?"

"The number of computers we're assembling is higher than my blood pressure." Liu Mingyao brought us the folder on his desk. "Construction is going smoothly too. Teacher Wan stepped in and negotiated the equity percentage way down. I just got back from inspecting the site. My shoes were full of sand."

"Where's Beauty Cai? Don't you share an office?"

"Beauty Cai's out on business." The mention of it made Liu Mingyao look aggrieved. "I barely see her a few times a month. She's always rushing in and out. She's been everywhere from Mohe to Nansha."

"Still the Sichuan business?"

"Yes. It's not going smoothly. The conversion is a little harder than expected, but it's almost done. It probably won't be completely sorted out until the end of the month."

At that, Liu Mingyao suddenly remembered something. "Oh, right. The person you asked Cai Qing to find isn't in Mianyang anymore. He transferred to a school in Neijiang. Cai Qing probably won't have time these next few days, but she'll go to Neijiang and contact him when she does."

I wasn't concerned. "That's fine. There's no hurry to find him. He's still in school. Anyway, how are things on the technology side?"

The R&D department had always been a sore point for Liu Mingyao. Several months had passed with little to show for it, while the design studio had produced numerous concepts based on some suggestions I'd given, and they were proving popular. Now everyone in the company was eagerly watching to see what R&D could produce. Liu Mingyao was carrying out my decision alone and staunchly backing the department, so he was bound to be under considerable pressure. Reassuring him was the main purpose of this visit for Zhang Xiaotong and me.

"No real results." Liu Mingyao looked a little embarrassed discussing it. "We don't have enough resources or talent for chip technology, and our thinking on networking is pretty limited too."

This was when Zhang Xiaotong needed to step in. Her slow, gentle, sweet voice was perfect for soothing an anxious young man. "Networking-related technology should remain the mainstream starting this year. Don't worry about what other people think. Keep supporting R&D. Isn't our backing enough?"

Liu Mingyao gave a dry laugh. "That's true."

He looked so dejected that I felt sorry for him and offered some reassurance too. "Don't be impatient. If R&D could make a fortune right away, there wouldn't be any room left in this market for us, would there? Take it slowly, one step at a time. Did you really think we could get fat off a single bite?"

Liu Mingyao scratched his head without the slightest dignity. "But we're not getting any returns right now..."

I laughed. "What are you afraid of? How much have we invested? Look at the former Soviet Union. How much did they pour into a fictional Star Wars program? They ended up collapsing... With them setting the bottom line, what have you got to fear?"

That comparison was on such a grand scale that Liu Mingyao thought for a moment before laughing. "Aren't you just boasting? Comparing the Sun Group to the former Soviet Union."

"We don't have a weak leg. In theory, we're even stronger." I picked up an orange from the coffee table and handed it to Zhang Xiaotong to cut for me. "Focus R&D on networking. Start recruiting programmers in large numbers now. From now on, every computer we sell needs to come with original games."

"For free?"

"In your dreams." As I fed Zhang Xiaotong orange slices, I said, "Include trial versions. If they want to play, they pay to upgrade."

"With the game designers we've got in this country right now..." Liu Mingyao looked troubled. "Wouldn't that be difficult?"

"Don't you know how to steal? Chinese localization, plagiarism, imitation... You can manage those, can't you?"

In the mid-nineties, a certain XX Technology company in China had extensively plagiarized and localized classic Japanese RPGs from earlier years, and actually made a fortune. Even more frighteningly, they'd done it for years, still had a market, and nobody had sued them.

"Damn, isn't that way too shameless?" Liu Mingyao said, though his expression was who knew how many times sleazier than mine. He was probably already considering which company's game to target first.

"There's no limit to shamelessness, only new heights." I put the last orange segment in my mouth and mumbled, "No gentleman passes up a chance to make money. Such a fine opportunity to resist foreign cultural invaders earning our people's hard-earned money-whether for public or private interests, from a personal standpoint or for the greater national cause, you must seize it..."

The room was quite cool, but Liu Mingyao was wiping away sweat. "Why do I feel like I've fallen into your trap?"

Wiping my hands and Zhang Xiaotong's with a napkin, I smiled. "How could that be? How could that be? You're shaping an era. Just think-Handsome Liu, the renowned electronics manufacturing magnate Mr. Liu Mingyao, an indispensable figure in the history of Chinese computer game development... How does that title sound?"

At the last sentence, Liu Mingyao slapped his thigh. "Yes! I think this could work!"

Beside me, Zhang Xiaotong smiled inscrutably. I knew what she was smiling about. Before entering the office, I'd told her, "This man doesn't care for money, but he'll do anything that lets him leave his name in history."

At the time, Zhang Xiaotong had asked me, "What makes you so sure?"

"Look at his name," I'd said. "Liu Mingyao. Doesn't that mean wanting to leave a name and bring glory to his ancestors?" I'd really just been talking nonsense. I hadn't expected to hit the mark.