yournovel Chapter 130 Confronting Zhu Xiaohu
Chapter 130 Confronting Zhu Xiaohu
Chapter 130 Confronting Zhu Xiaohu (4k)
On a winter night in Shanghai, steam rises from a grilled fish restaurant by the river.
At the booths by the window, the charcoal fire was blazing, the grilled fish sizzled, and the aroma mixed with the spicy scent of chili peppers filled the air.
Geng Zhi picked up the wine pot and refilled Zhu Xiaohu's bowl with Shikumen yellow wine: "President Zhu, I have always trusted you very much and have always remembered your teachings."
He raised his glass and lightly clinked it with Zhu Xiaohu's, then said, "I remember you once said that business itself is the greatest form of charity."
Zhu Xiaohu held his wine glass, listening to Geng Zhi's complaints without saying a word.
"I remember you once said that good capital seeks a win-win situation for investors, users, and entrepreneurs," Geng Zhi continued, his voice low. "I also remember you once said that Jinshajiang Venture Capital's money is clean and upright."
Zhu Xiaohu took a sip of rice wine but remained silent.
Geng Zhi downed his drink in one gulp, put down his glass, and looked directly into Zhu Xiaohu's eyes: "Mr. Zhu, what about now? Has anything changed?"
After listening to his earnest words, Zhu Xiaohu took another sip of wine and said seriously, "Little Geng, Jinshajiang Capital has never changed, and neither have I."
A silence fell over the room, broken only by the sizzling sound of the grilled fish on the iron plate, steaming hot.
Geng Zhi stared at the grilled fish, and Zhu Xiaohu stared back at Geng Zhi. Both were pondering what the other had said.
After a long silence, Geng Zhi picked up the serving chopsticks, flipped the blackfish over, and tore off a piece of snow-white fish meat before breaking the silence: "President Zhu, I understand that the rapid reversal of public opinion about me online is partly due to Century Family Network." He put the fish meat in his mouth and chewed slowly, "But Baihe.com also got involved, colluding with Century Family Network to create public opinion."
He paused, his lips slightly downturned: "This is something I really can't understand."
Zhu Xiaohu's brow twitched, and he asked seriously, "Xiao Geng, do you have concrete evidence?"
"President Zhu, I may have been clueless six months ago, but I'm not stupid now," Geng Zhi said with a smile.
He put the fish in a dish but didn't eat it.
"Baihe.com's plan seems pretty good. In reality—" He looked up, emphasizing each word, "is a pile of stinking dog shit."
Zhu Xiaohu's brows furrowed even deeper.
He didn't interrupt, but simply picked up his glass, took another sip, and gestured for him to continue.
Geng Zhi poured himself another glass of wine, but didn't drink it. He just held the glass and said, "Baihe.com's goal is to use the moral high ground of 'Jiaotong University Matchmaker' to bind and exploit 'Jiaotong University Matchmaker'."
"6
He held up one finger.
"The first step they took was to arrange numerous interviews for Ma Chunmei, sending the signal to the outside world that I had been marginalized."
Geng Zhi then erected a second one.
"The second step is to build up Baihe.com's reputation by criticizing me and praising Ma Chunmei. They even dream of surpassing Century Family Network."
Raise the third finger.
"The third step is to wait until the time is right, then kick Ma Chunmei out, allowing Baihe.com to make a glamorous transformation and exclusively enjoy all the benefits of Jiaotong University's matchmaking service."
He lowered his hand and looked directly at Zhu Xiaohu: "Mr. Zhu, you know about this, right?"
Zhu Xiaohu was slightly taken aback, then shook his head.
"I really don't know anything about what you're talking about." His tone was very frank. "If Baihe.com were really doing these things, there would be no need for a board resolution. They have their own operational strategies to decide."
"I believe in President Zhu." Geng Zhi nodded, his tone becoming righteous and stern. "I can see through Baihe.com's tricks, let alone Jiayuan.com. They won't let Baihe.com succeed, and neither will I, Geng Zhi."
Zhu Xiaohu paused, the chopsticks holding the fish in his mouth, his brows furrowing slightly again. He quickly advised, "Xiao Geng, there's no need, really no need at all."
Jinshajiang Venture Capital is also a shareholder of Baihe.com and "Jiaotong University Matchmaker". When Geng Zhi fought with Baihe.com and Ma Chunmei, Jinshajiang Venture Capital was the most hurt, and Zhu Xiaohu's reputation was also damaged.
"President Zhu, I was forced into this too." Geng Zhi bit his upper lip hard, his expression as if he had suffered a great injustice.
He raised his glass and toasted Zhu Xiaohu, "So please ask Mr. Zhu to speak with Mr. Tian and Mr. Mu of Baihe.com to stop Ma Chunmei's impeachment attempt."
"Xiao Geng, that's for sure," Zhu Xiaohu said with a smile, his tone gentle. "I'll go back to work on Baihe.com. After all, when you two don't get along, it's GSR Ventures that suffers the most."
"Hmm, with Mr. Zhu's words, I'm relieved." Geng Zhi's spirits lifted, and his eyes brightened even more. "Here, Mr. Zhu, I'll drink this, you can drink as you like."
After speaking frankly, Geng Zhi raised another cup to Zhu Xiaohu and drank it all in one gulp.
"However, Xiao Geng," Zhu Xiaohu put down his wine glass, his tone becoming cautious, "GSR Ventures is only one of Baihe.com's shareholders, not its largest. I can only try my best to persuade them, but I can't guarantee the outcome."
"Yes, I understand. Mr. Zhu's intervention is the greatest comfort to me! Thank you, Mr. Zhu!" Geng Zhi said sincerely.
The two chatted for a few more minutes, and the atmosphere seemed to ease a bit.
By this time, most of the grilled fish had been eaten, the broth was gradually thickening, and the spiciness was becoming increasingly intense.
Zhu Xiaohu suddenly changed the subject: "Xiao Geng, if you are really removed from the board of directors in the end, what are you going to do?"
Geng Zhi did not answer immediately.
He poked at the fish bones in the plate with his chopsticks, as if he were thinking, or perhaps brewing a plan. The sizzling sound of the grilled fish filled the brief silence.
Then he looked up and said in a serious tone, "Then let's fight to the death."
Zhu Xiaohu raised his eyebrows.
"Then start from scratch and create another Jiaotong University matchmaker." Geng Zhi said, word by word.
Zhu Xiaohu was stunned.
Looking at Geng Zhi's earnest expression, he suddenly realized that his investment in "Jiaotong University Matchmaker" was most likely to be a waste of money.
Before Zhu Xiaohu could speak, Geng Zhi added with a serious expression, "Last time, I was coerced by her father, Ma Wencai, when I transferred the shares to Ma Chunmei."
"Did Ma Wencai do something illegal to you?" Zhu Xiaohu asked, slightly surprised.
"Oh, no, it was just words," Geng Zhi explained with a smile.
Zhu Xiaohu nodded and breathed a slight sigh of relief.
He could guess that Ma Wencai must have used the Pre-A round of financing of "Jiaotong University Matchmaker" to threaten Geng Zhi with a do-or-die approach, forcing him to convert his shares and cash out. Such tactics are not uncommon in the business world.
"Xiao Geng, in fact, victory and defeat are common occurrences in war, such as—"
Before Zhu Xiaohu could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Geng Zhi, who clearly wouldn't listen to any advice.
"President Zhu, I will only compromise once, not a second time." Geng Zhi's tone turned firm. "Even if you succeed in removing me from the board of directors tomorrow, I will not let it go, whether in terms of public opinion or anything else."
He paused, then added, "Mr. Zhu, I'm not doing this for myself, but for the users of 'Jiaotong University Matchmaker' who trust me."
His last words were spoken with exceptional sincerity.
Zhu Xiaohu nodded, indicating his agreement.
"Xiao Geng," he said earnestly, "the reason I invested in Jiaotong University Matchmaking was actually because I was investing in you as a person. A good entrepreneur should be able to let go of what's left. As long as you're alive, you can always make a comeback."
"Thank you for the advice, Mr. Zhu. I understand the importance of parting amicably," Geng Zhi said frankly. "But the condition is that Baihe.com and Ma Chunmei have to give me a safe haven!"
boom-!
Zhu Xiaohu then realized that all the groundwork laid by Geng Zhi was for this moment!
He underestimated Geng Zhi.
The talk about contacting Baihe.com to stop Ma Chunmei's impeachment campaign, or about a fight to the death, is all nonsense.
What Geng Zhi wants is nothing more than to cash out at a high price!
However, given that things have already escalated to this point, it is indeed the best solution for Gengzhi himself and for Baihe.com at this stage to cash out and leave.
For a fleeting moment, Zhu Xiaohu suddenly felt sympathy for Ma Wencai and his daughter.
He shook his head helplessly, glared at Geng Zhi, and said, "Your move of using Ma Wencai's methods against Ma Wencai and Baihe.com is indeed brilliant."
"Mr. Zhu is brilliant!" Seeing that Zhu Xiaohu had finally realized what was happening, Geng Zhi chuckled, picked up the serving chopsticks, and put another piece of fish on Zhu Xiaohu's plate. "The fish here is pretty good, much better than pig brains! I heard that eating more fish can make you smarter!"
He spoke casually, as if talking to himself.
Zhu Xiaohu, however, understood the underlying meaning: this was another instance of mockery!
He glared at him fiercely: "You brat, you've ruined our Jinshajiang Venture Capital's 180 million yuan investment!"
"Mr. Zhu, I heard that if you VCs invest in 100 projects, you can make a fortune if you just invest in one star project! It doesn't matter if you make more connections with top-notch matchmakers!" Geng Zhi said with a grin.
"Do you think capital comes from thin air?" Zhu Xiaohu glared at him again. "For many VCs, they don't even get to the numerator before they're dragged down by the huge denominator."
Geng Zhi has been frantically studying the operations of venture capital firms lately, and he knows that what Zhu Xiaohu said is true.
According to the information he found, between 2000 and 2010, far too many venture capital firms, both domestic and foreign, went bankrupt due to poor investment decisions.
Even once-renowned venture capital firms such as ICG, SoftBank Tech, Nortel Investments, Lucent Ventures, and Huayi Capital have all suffered setbacks in the past decade.
He ignored Zhu Xiaohu's words, instead taking the last piece of fish from the plate and forcefully breaking the fish bones with his chopsticks.
Click—!
The fish bone broke, breaking into two pieces.
"President Zhu, I've heard someone say something that really resonated with me," Geng Zhi said slowly, his tone suddenly becoming deep, "When the times abandon an old model, they don't even give a warning."
"I believe Mr. Zhu understands even better than I do that industry regulation is an inevitable trend." Geng Zhi burped and continued to explain, "Even without me, Geng Zhi, there would be people like Zhu Zhi, Mu Zhi, Gong Zhi, and Li Zhi to drive industry reform."
His tongue started to swell, and his speech became fragmented: "GSR Ventures pursues stars—the vast universe; perhaps the dating industry, a small sector, isn't even that—"
It's not worth Jinsha--Shajiang Venture Capital's nostalgia.
After stammering through his words, Geng Zhi suddenly put his hand to his forehead and said, "President Zhu, I think I drank a bit too much. This liquor has quite a strong aftereffect."
Then, he slowly leaned back in his seat, his eyes becoming glazed over.
Zhu Xiaohu took a deep breath.
The deed is done, and there's no need for him to comment further.
He was very dissatisfied with Geng Zhi's attempt to cash out at a high price, but at the same time he was very glad that he could establish this relationship with him.
We are now in the early days of the mobile internet, a chaotic era. People as shrewd as Geng Zhi are more likely to become powerful figures.
"Xiao Geng," Zhu Xiaohu suddenly spoke, "after leaving Jiaotong University's matchmaking service, what project are you planning to do?"
Geng Zhi's eyes were already half-closed, but he still managed to open them a crack: "Let's make something big. If President Zhu invests in me, I—I swear I'll give you a return on your investment of several hundred times!"
He spoke much slower, like a cassette tape recorder.
Zhu Xiaohu didn't quite believe it, fearing that Geng Zhi might still have a backup plan and continue to cause trouble.
He hesitated for a moment, then asked out of curiosity, "Xiao Geng, what exactly is the project you're going to do? You're not going to keep ripping off Mu Yan and the others, are you?"
"Isn't there a competition involved?"
Geng Zhi's eyes were already closed, and he had "fallen asleep" before he could finish speaking.
Zhu Xiaohu looked at Geng Zhi, whose face was already flushed, and didn't suspect anything. He could only shake his head helplessly.
But his appetite was indeed whetted by Geng Zhi's confident words just now.
After returning to his hotel room, Zhu Xiaohu pondered for a long time.
Finally, he picked up his phone and dialed Mu Yan's number.
"Old Mu," he cut to the chase, "at the 'Jiaotong University Matchmaker' shareholders' meeting, are you still determined to vote in favor of removing Geng Zhi?"
-
"President Zhu, I won't change my mind. With Geng Zhi around, the entire dating industry will suffer. We have no choice but to make the difficult decision," Mu Yan said in a deep voice over the phone.
"After dismissing Geng Zhi, he might start a new group to fight back. What will you do then?" Zhu Xiaohu asked, somewhat surprised himself—he was speaking up for Geng Zhi.
"We've successfully built up Ma Chunmei's persona." Mu Yan's tone was calm. "Even if Geng Zhi tries to change things again, he won't make a fuss."
"Old Mu, if Geng Zhi can hold one press conference, he can hold ten more in the future," Zhu Xiaohu reminded him, his tone becoming more serious. "At that point, the direction of public opinion might be beyond your control. What if Geng Zhi gets absorbed by Century Family Network or True Love Network in an attempt to get revenge?"
There was silence on the other end of the phone.
Mu Yan had considered many possibilities after dismissing Geng Zhi, and he also thought about the various ways Geng Zhi would retaliate, but he had not thought about the possibility that Geng Zhi would be recruited by his rivals.
Geng Zhi's personal power is limited, but if, as Zhu Xiaohu said, he switches to another two companies, then it is indeed a risk that should not be underestimated.
After a long silence, Mu Yan spoke again: "President Zhu, the dismissal of Geng Zhi is now a foregone conclusion. Do you have any good suggestions?"
"Let's part ways amicably," Zhu Xiaohu said succinctly.
"President Zhu, what do you mean?" Mu Yan felt a pang of pain—hearing this made him want to bleed.
Zhu Xiaohu earnestly suggested, "Since Baihe.com wants to completely control Jiaotong University Matchmaker in the future, why not buy out Geng Zhi's shares?"
"Mr. Zhu, do you mean we should part ways with Geng Zhi amicably and then prohibit him from entering the dating industry through a non-compete agreement?" Mu Yan asked.
"It's not us, it's Baihe.com," Zhu Xiaohu corrected.
"Okay, I'll discuss it with President Tian," Mu Yan said.
Mu Yan had already guessed that this was Geng Zhi sending a message through Zhu Xiaohu after he knew that his own elimination was inevitable.
"Okay," Zhu Xiaohu said.
Before hanging up, Mu Yan added, "President Zhu, to avoid putting you in a difficult position, you can simply vote against it tomorrow. After all, Baihe.com and Ma Chunmei already hold more than half of the shares, which is enough to remove an upright director."
Zhu Xiaohu didn't say anything and hung up the phone.
His mind was filled with thoughts of whether the "non-compete agreement" that Geng Zhi hadn't finished mentioning at the dinner table was another trap.
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