Chapter 156: Couple

nks to his broad connections, he got through channels a new model Giant racing bike from the owner of an outdoor goods specialty store in Chengdu City (the provincial capital) and shipped it along wit...Chapter 156: Couples

Su Can and Li Pengyu often liked to walk along the route from the municipal government reception hotel to the residential area of the city committee. This was probably also their most familiar route in Phoenix City. Perhaps due to its unique environment and status, even though it was in the heart of Phoenix City's central district, the interior remained peaceful and elegant.

Moreover, inside were rows of European-style small houses that looked impressive. Local taxi drivers from Phoenix City who carried guests past the gate couldn't help but brag about the livable environment within the residential area. Lin Zhouwu called to say that since they were already in Phoenix City, there happened to be a few friends nearby who were familiar with Phoenix City and could introduce them to each other. Su Can was originally unwilling to make things complicated, but upon hearing from Lin Zhouwu that these were trustworthy friends worth befriending, he reluctantly agreed, mainly out of concern that if Lin Zhouwu had promised something on the other side, it wouldn't be right for him to refuse.

As they walked past Su Licheng's assigned residence in the residential area, through the window, they could see renovation work being done around the clock inside. Sitting down on a chair, Su Can said to Li Pengyu, "We need to speed up with the acquisition of the new game from Blizzard. The $25 million has all been lined up. Do you think that Blizzard Vice President Bill Roper, who is under immense pressure from Viacom executives, will see us as his saviors because of this timely assistance of $25 million" Li Pengyu thought for a moment and then said with a smile, "This big radish must also be anxious to turn around in circles. To preserve their project development, he probably needs to present more convincing arguments to the Viacom executives; those $25 million are his confidence, right." Su Can shook his head and said, "Bill Roper is an extremely confident person. His greatest confidence does not come from our $25 million but from the department team's ongoing development of World of Warcraft. If we hadn't seized this critical moment, it would have been difficult for us to send out these funds." Viacom International was formed in 2000 by merging France’s TV5 and Canada’s entertainment giant Seagram. The background behind its existence was the so-called "new economy" supported by modern information technology in the 1990s, when it emerged as a new force. As the main body of the newly established Viacom International, the scope of its business covered five major fields: film and television, publishing, music, telecommunications, and internet. Société Générale had once estimated that Viacom's entertainment and music assets were worth about $17 billion.

This market value alone could place it second only to America Online Time Warner as the world’s second-largest network group in terms of scale.

"The example of Viacom can also be a lesson for us, which is why I constantly warn the American Zack team. We need to avoid rash behavior due to the hype and popularity among investors; blind mergers and expansions are not something everyone has the ability to do without any constraints or gears getting stuck," Su Can continued.

To implement its expansion plans, Viacom International had taken on heavy debt, burdening itself heavily. At the same time, various speculators were driving up prices amid favorable conditions, making even a good economic situation unable to withstand such hype. In 2001, when the new economy bubble burst, Viacom International's giant ship was like Titanic colliding with an iceberg, rapidly sinking into the depths of the Atlantic Ocean.

In just the first half of last year’s financial report, Viacom had lost €12.3 billion. Both Moody's and Standard & Poor's in America successively downgraded Viacom's credit rating, further causing a decline in its stock price. In 2000, when Viacom International was founded with ambitious plans, its ship set sail full of wind and waves; at its peak, the share price had once reached €150.

But during the crossing through the blood tide after the new economy bubble burst, the entire giant ship was riddled with holes, and the share price fell to just over €10.

In the face of a debt crisis worth 35 billion euros, Viacom International had no choice but to replace its leadership and even resort to selling off assets.

Facing both financial and credit crises, Viacom had already begun planning last summer to sell Viacom Games. Among this company's components, Blizzard Entertainment was just one of the five departments. At that time, when Viacom CEO Fortu announced he would formally sell the game company, there were bid documents from six major companies, including Microsoft and Electronic Arts, on his desk. But these companies almost only showed interest in Blizzard Entertainment; they had a keen eye.

At higher levels, the moves were intense; when a large media giant declared its end, it inevitably stirred up some bloody storms. The company was like a lifeboat at the edge of this giant ship, rising and falling with no idea where their fate would lead them.

The situation was finally sealed by the merger between Vivendi's entertainment company and NBC Universal, an advertising subsidiary of General Electric.

Vivendi’s CEO Mr. Fort led negotiations personally from Paris to New York, resulting in a non-binding agreement for the merger between Vianney Global Entertainment and General Electric's NBC Broadcasting Company. This eased Vivendi's massive debt as it would immediately receive $3.8 billion in cash equivalents through the acquisition execution by General Electric. Consequently, several game companies under Vivendi were spared from being put up for sale.

The businesses of Universal Music and Universal Games were temporarily preserved. However, if Blizzard Entertainment within Universal Games wanted to retain its development on expensive games-in-progress, it would have to fund the research and development itself. At this point, seeking help from Vivendi's high-level management was like trying to break a stone with an egg.

This situation forced several top executives of Blizzard to seek external assistance; under these circumstances, Facebook China paid a hefty price for 30% equity in the World of Warcraft game, thus opening up negotiations.

Li Pengyu said, "Negotiations are being expedited. Soon, Qiao Shuxin might send an invitation letter to Blizzard's vice president Bill in the near future and the final agreement should be signed in Shanghai."

Su Can nodded. Facebook China had seen rapid development trends earlier this year with a promising outlook; after signing an agreement with Blizzard, the influence of this news would likely extend even further.

Many internet giants usually start by doing well in specific businesses before moving towards full-scale development in music and game entertainment industries to establish their information empires. Facebook China had set its sights on such areas from the outset. If evaluated solely based on its strength, it wouldn't be enough to achieve this; with the backing of American Facebook's power and resources, Su Can could fully support his envisioned framework.

Building a new form of the Chinese information industry and seeing what kind of changes he could bring to an age that was supposed to be the Information Age was an undertaking worthy of any man’s heart. …

Frustrated, Su Can picked up a rock from the ground, gathered his strength, and threw it with all his might into the garden pond; it flew like an arrow, splashing high water droplets that unfortunately hit a girl wearing a long skirt and ivory jade necklace walking by with a designer handbag.

The girl was dressed very elegantly with a pert nose and delicate features. In recent days in Phoenix City, Su Can and Li Pengyu rarely saw such well-dressed girls who were adorned from head to toe with brands that weren't even available in the city’s stores; for instance, the bag had typical Louis Vuitton lettering on its exterior, which could hardly be fake.

The girl's eyes were like ink dots and she could be described as beautiful. She stepped back a little, looking at herself with dirty water splashed on her long skirt, then hopped delicately. Her originally gentle face furrowed in anger; she retorted, "Can't you see" After staying for days in this bird-less residential area of Phoenix City, it felt like hearing an oriole singing after a long silence.

Su Can, feeling at fault, didn’t say anything. Li Pengyu, however, showed no sympathy and said with a frown, "How did you talk to him Was that necessary

The girl seemed to choke out, "Isn’t it Where are you guys from You’ve been wandering around here for a few days. Don’t think that no one has noticed you." What’s going on with the security guards here Anyone is being let in," she said as she opened her bag and took out a phone to make a call. She then flicked her head, neatly parting her long hair, and glanced at them before putting the phone to her ear.

Su Can and Li Pengyu exchanged glances. The girl was around twenty years old but there was an unmistakable aura in her tone that prevented her from being domineering. However, she certainly had a lot of spirit, which seemed to completely embody the idea of raising girls well. Su Can didn’t expect such explosive power could come from someone as elegant and refined as this girl.

Soon two security guards rushed over with sweat on their foreheads – one old and one young.

"Uncle Zhao, I’ve seen these two people a few times recently. They would always sit there every day without doing anything productive. Did you ask them to leave" The girl said in a crisp voice as soon as they arrived.

The security guards of the municipal official compound certainly knew Su Can and Li Pengyu, for they had been brought in by the city party secretary’s car over the past few days. It was rumored that they were the son of the newly appointed mayor. They only got to know them briefly. The security guard hurriedly explained it was a misunderstanding because he actually knew who they were.

When she heard this, the girl was straightforward and decisive. She lived in one of the two-story houses on that side of the compound. She had seen them from her balcony occasionally but thought they were suspicious characters with ill intentions. When she learned the security guard recognized them, she supposed they must be children of someone in the municipal official compound. There was no more need to drag things out, and after hearing the explanation from the security guard, she left without giving Su Can or Li Pengyu a chance to talk.

The hidden toughness behind her delicate and reserved demeanor! When she had walked far away, the security guards greeted Su Can with hearty laughter before walking off. Li Pengyu and Su Can couldn’t help but exchange glances, seeing amusement in each other’s eyes. "She really looks like Lin Family’s girl," Li Pengyu chuckled. "But one big witch and one little witch."

The warm climate of Phoenix City reminded Su Can of the municipal official compound where Lin Family’s Little Sister was during his high school days, evoking a nostalgic feeling. Time had passed inexorably.

If that just-passed-by girl knew they were laughing for no reason, she might have called them both "idiots."

Soon Su Can’s phone rang, and Lin Zouwu was on the line: "The guy I told you about is coming over. I gave him your number."

A BMW C-Class drove into the compound not long after that. Two people got out of it and walked up together. The one at the front stepped forward with a smile, extending his hand to Su Can: "You must be Su Can. My name is Zhang Shen. Little Five told me you were in Phoenix City. I just arrived from Chengdu yesterday, and I’ve long heard about your reputation and wanted to meet you. I talked with Little Five and Wei for a long time but never got the chance until now. Let me introduce my friend Yao Ming."

"A celebrity," Li Pengyu smiled.

"Without your fame, Menpeng, I've heard about you for a long time. Today when I saw it with my own eyes, I finally believe that Lin Zouwu wasn't exaggerating. You are truly robust," Zhang Shen patted Li Pengyu's arm, an action that inadvertently brought them closer together like old friends, naturally evoking好感.

"I've heard a lot about you too," Yao Ming said before adding, "Before coming here, I was quite excited to see what Su Cen looks like. People usually just talk about him, but now I have to see it for myself."

"So, are the stories I’ve heard more in line with your expectations" Li Pengyu joked.

"No deviation, fits my previous imagination," Yao Ming smiled at Su Cen.

"Here are your business cards," Zhang Shen handed one to each of them. His title on his card read "General Manager of Borui Xiangyun Development Co., Ltd." He then introduced Yao Ming as someone who works for the Economic Affairs Division of Chengdu State-Owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, saying, "Su Cen and Li Pengyu are visiting Fengcheng for the first time. I’ve been here before last year when I worked on a project and am quite familiar with it; you can say it’s my turf. This time, let me be your guide to show you around." Yao Ming then joked, "You’re not afraid of tripping over your words by saying this is your territory in front of Su Cen" Zhang Shen immediately spat twice before smiling at Su Cen and said, "For now, but once Mayor Su settles into his role as mayor of Fengcheng for a while, we’ll probably have to call you for guidance when we visit."

Su Cen understood why these two could be part of Lin Zouwu and Wang Weiwei's circle; they were sincere in their interactions. When it comes to friendship, sincerity is the key.

The four had become familiar with each other as they prepared to leave the courtyard. Not far from Zhang Shen’s Mercedes was a silver-gray BMW M3 parked there, likely a special-order color. Though Fengcheng's economy wasn't as developed as Chengdu's, if you saw a car like this in Chengdu, it would be eye-catching; let alone in Fengcheng where such cars were雲集.

Zhang Shen and Yao Ming exchanged glances that Su Cen noticed. Before he could ask, they spotted the reserved girl they had seen earlier now dressed differently, equally well-dressed with a puff-sleeve T-shirt and tight white休閒pants. It seemed this car was waiting outside from before.

Unexpectedly, she saw them at the entrance again, gave them an aloof glance, then sweetly entered the car as it started moving. As the door opened, they noticed a young man inside looking at them curiously.

The car then drove off.

Getting into Zhang Shen's car, Li Pengyu recounted Su Cen’s earlier awkwardness with that girl’s strange gaze. Su Cen just shook his head and laughed, "Indeed, I was a bit restless and couldn’t control my hand. Do you know them"

"We can't say we know them," Zhang Shen paused before continuing, "That silver-gray BMW with the FengOA1234 plate belongs to Xu Dong, son of Vice Mayor Xu Changcheng. The girl is also not unfamiliar; she’s Tian Gang's daughter, Tian Qi from the Municipal Committee Office. Her aunt is a famous entrepreneur and CPPCC member in Fengcheng known for her wine business. They are a couple, well-liked by everyone else, probably the most famous young couple in this city."Cen and Tang Wu held hands openly in front of everyone, exposing their relationship, and then left school without ever returning.This story sounds like a legend of living dead people's graves under Zh...