2003: Starting with Foreign Trade

Chapter 281 It Can't Be Hidden Anymore! (Seeking Monthly Tickets)
April 30, the second day of the May Day holiday, Yicheng.

Around 7:30 in the morning, Tan Lixin hurriedly got out of the car and went to the electric vehicle shop he had previously invested in, banging on the roller shutter door that was not yet open.

A short while later, a young man of about twenty-five or twenty-six, still half-asleep, rubbed his eyes and opened the roller shutter.

"Brother-in-law, what brings you here again?"

Tan Lixin looked at his brother-in-law with disdain and said, "Why are you still sleeping?"

"Isn't it supposed to open at eight o'clock? It's only a little past seven now," the brother-in-law said, somewhat speechless.

"The May Day holiday is the peak sales season. If you're still not up at 7:30 when we open at 8:00, has the banner you asked us to make been finished?"

"It's ready, but I haven't brought it over yet."

"Go wash your face, have some breakfast, and bring the banner over. We need to hang it up quickly; we've already missed a day."

"What about the store? The staff hasn't come yet."

"I'll keep watch for you for a while, you can go now."

"Alright," the brother-in-law said helplessly.

My brother-in-law has been acting strangely these past few days, coming to the store every day around 7 a.m., like a lunatic.

He usually sleeps until around nine o'clock. When the shop assistant comes, he opens the door himself. Besides, who the hell would come to buy a car that early? If someone wanted to buy one, it would be after ten o'clock.

Tan Lixin shook his head, looking at his brother-in-law's slovenly figure, feeling somewhat disappointed.

Two nights ago, at 5 p.m. on the 28th, FlashTech sent an email to all suppliers and retailers, informing them that all FlashTech products could be listed and sold under the name of the exclusive supplier for the Olympics from the moment the email was received.

Some savvy specialty stores in Yicheng had already rushed to make banners the night before last, and they were already hanging them in their stores yesterday, starting to promote their products under this name. I only learned about this from the news.

When he came to the store, it turned out that the kid knew nothing and had wasted a whole day.

This is the golden sales period! As soon as FlashTech signed the contract, it immediately notified all suppliers and retail stores so that all merchants could take advantage of the Olympics to increase sales during the long holiday.

He knows this very thing himself, yet he claims he missed it because he didn't check his emails on the computer! This shows how careless he is.

"Sigh, it's nothing."

Compared to his nephew, this brother-in-law was far inferior; he was neither good at academics nor martial arts, and when he followed him, he couldn't do anything right. Now that he had an electric vehicle dealership, the business was doing well, but he didn't put his heart into it.

He doesn't just get a salary; he also gets a share of the store's sales. Selling one more car means making more money. With money in his pocket, he can do whatever he wants.

He's so young, yet he doesn't think about making money; he just drifts through life.

Then look at my nephew, wow, he's really something! He's even made it onto CCTV news, and his own electric vehicle brand has partnered with the Olympics.

It is true that comparing people will make you die, and comparing goods will make you throw them away.

But this kid is really too incredible. What other young man in his twenties could achieve such great results?
"Brother-in-law, I'm off! Is there anything else you need to tell me?" Hu Xiaoyong called out to his brother-in-law, who was still in a daze, after he finished washing up.

"That's all. Be careful riding your bike on the road. By the way, is that steamed bun shop next door closing down?"

"Yeah, what's wrong? If he doesn't open, I'll have to walk a few more steps to get breakfast. It's such a waste."

“Take the banner back and ask him about renting the shop.”

"Huh? Why would you rent it? I don't know how to make steamed buns."

"What do you mean by 'doing something'? Expansion, huh? Designated vehicle for the Olympics, do you even understand what that means? Forget it, get out of here, I'll go talk to them myself." Tan Lixin was speechless.

"Oh, oh, oh!" Hu Xiaoyong ran off quickly.

He was thinking, "What expansion? Wouldn't expansion just make me busier?" But he didn't dare say it out loud. He was a little afraid of his brother-in-law, who liked to say a few words to him all the time, but it was undeniable that his brother-in-law was really good to him.

Hu Xiaoyong didn't have any grand ambitions. His brother-in-law was quite wealthy, and by clinging to his coattails, he could earn tens of thousands of yuan a year and live a comfortable life.

Strive like that nephew he always mentions? Only an idiot would do that. Why not cling to someone who has powerful connections?

As long as his sister doesn't divorce her husband, he's pretty much set on clinging to this powerful figure. He's quite satisfied with the shop now; he can sleep until nine o'clock every day, and with two employees, he's only busy for a few hours a day.

After work, I can watch TV, play games at an internet cafe, or hang out with friends at a pool hall. Life couldn't be more comfortable.

Yeah, it would be perfect if I could get a girlfriend.

Now that I'm a boss, it shouldn't be too difficult for me to find a girlfriend, right?

Hu Xiaoyong bought two steamed buns, hopped on his electric scooter, and went to pick up a banner: "Official vehicle for the Olympics? Is that so great? It's still the same vehicle, isn't it?"

Actually, he had seen it a long time ago, but he didn't take it seriously. However, he certainly couldn't tell his brother-in-law that he had seen it a long time ago.

More than that, he was excited that FlashTech had signed Jay Chou as its spokesperson. He just didn't know if his brother-in-law would agree to let him get Jay Chou's autograph through his nephew.

"Use the nunchucks quickly, hum hum ha hee; use the nunchucks quickly, hum hum ha hee."
-
"Am I seeing things? The young man sitting on the stage and shaking hands with the big leader in the news looks like Jin Cheng?" Liu Huiru asked uncertainly.

People of their generation have a habit of watching the news. Although Liu Huiru doesn't like to watch it, her husband, Lao Zhang, does, so she occasionally watches it with him.

"I'm not seeing things, it's Xiao Tan." Zhang Guolong took a breath and nodded.

He was familiar with the name FlashTech. He watched intently as the host announced it, and it wasn't until the fleeting young figure on stage appeared that Zhang Guolong was truly convinced.

"Is Jincheng really that amazing? He's even been featured on CCTV News."

"The Olympics is a big event, it will definitely be big news. It's really remarkable that Xiao Tan can cooperate with the Olympics."

"When we were kids, this kid was definitely smarter than our Pengya, but we never expected him to be this capable. Has he built such a big company?"

“The brands that can cooperate with the Olympics are all big brands, so it’s true that they are developing very fast. But you shouldn’t keep talking about our son. He’s actually very capable. Besides, he has opened a factory here and can come home often, which is already very good.”

“What’s the point of coming back? He’ll still be running around construction sites. I haven’t seen him come home much.”

"That's enough, that's good enough. Didn't you hear what Lao Tan's wife told you? He lives with his son in Beicang and they rarely see each other. He's too successful, but it's also quite annoying."

"Haha, that's true. I thought Lao Zhang was just showing off when he said that before, but now it seems to be true." At the same time, Chen Zhongping also saw the news at home. He didn't know FlashTech, but he recognized Tan Jincheng's name and appearance, so he called Chen Shuyi over to ask.

"What's your classmate, your cousin's nephew, up to these days?"

Chen Shuyi was completely confused: "Dad, why are you suddenly asking this?"

"I just saw someone named Tan Jincheng on the news. He looks just like me. I'm checking to make sure I'm not mistaken."

"Is it FlashTech, the company that signed a contract with the Olympics?"

"Yes, yes, that one."

"Then that's it, their company's electric vehicles have been selected as the official vehicles for the Olympics." Chen Shuyi said with a smile. Television news has a certain lag, and this news had already spread online, so it wasn't considered news to her.

"Isn't he a website owner? How come he's started selling electric vehicles?" Chen Zhongping asked with a puzzled look.

"That's all ancient history. Dad, you can go online when you have nothing to do. Otherwise, you'll fall behind the pace of society. People like that are billionaires now."

"What the hell? A billionaire? What nonsense are you spouting?" This time, they were truly shocked.

"To be precise, his net worth is a billion, that's what the media reported. As for the exact amount, only he probably knows," Chen Shuyi said slowly.

Like her father, she was also very shocked when she saw the news. However, the data released in the news showed that FlashTech would have no problem achieving its annual sales target of 20 vehicles this year. In terms of sales and corporate valuation, Tan Jincheng, who owns 95% of the shares, is now definitely worth over a billion yuan.

This newspaper, called Xin Jing Bao, is jointly published by Guangming Daily and Southern Media Group. Their news is never false; at most, there might be some discrepancies in the data.

In other words, his former deskmate became a billionaire three years after graduation?

How did he do that?
"Can you really trust things online? That's just nonsense, isn't it?" Chen Zhongping asked, still somewhat skeptical.

"They are a legitimate media outlet, not something that comes from forums. If you don't believe me, go online and see for yourself."

"I really can't believe it. In just a few years, someone who ran an online store has become a billionaire?"

After saying that, Chen Zhongping went to his study and turned on his computer. He checked the computer but no one made a sound.

As Chen Shuyi followed her father in, she secretly found it a bit funny. Back when they were learning to drive together, just because Tan Jincheng had a ride with him once, her father thought he had some other intentions and insisted that Tan Jincheng call him "Grand Uncle".

Does this person really think they can't see through the little scheme of using the generational gap to stop the other party?

It's simply because they look down on the other person for not studying and for not having a proper job running an online store.

"Xin Jing Bao is a legitimate media outlet. You can check their organization. Such reports are unlikely to be false. Besides, you've seen it in the news. A company that can cooperate with the Olympics must be quite powerful."

"So, now that I've become a billionaire, what are your thoughts as my great-uncle?"

The news spread much faster within government departments than among ordinary people.

Tan Jincheng's previous deliberate attempt to keep a low profile has finally come to an end in Yicheng.

In no time, leaders from countless departments knew that Yicheng had produced a 20-year-old billionaire with a net worth of one billion, and that he was also in the real economy!

As a result, Tao Qinian received many phone calls to greet him, scolding him for being unkind and trying to eat alone.

Tao Qinian could only smile wryly. "What do you mean I'm eating all that food by myself? I didn't gain anything from that kid. All I got was a logistics park."

Although he didn't lose money, it's hard to say he gained a good deal. On the contrary, he gained a considerable advantage from his business partner, as a garment factory was far more suitable for Wangjiang's economic development than a logistics park.

Early on the 29th, the short holiday had already begun, but Tao Qinian still instructed his secretary to go to Zhang Xupeng to inquire about Tan Jincheng's itinerary after the May Day holiday.

He doesn't understand the specifics of how a company operates, but from a strategic perspective, anyone with a bit of insight knows that being selected for the Olympics is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for FlashTech to expand.

Currently, FlashTech only has one industrial base under construction in Beicang. With the opening of the electric vehicle market and the increase in sales, FlashTech will definitely build a second or even a third industrial base before the Olympics.

In addition, Tan Jincheng also revealed at the press conference that FlashTech has already started developing and producing batteries in collaboration with research institutes. Furthermore, core components such as electric vehicle motors and controllers will also be developed and produced in-house in the future.

For a local government like Wangjiang, any of these factories—whether it's a vehicle assembly base, a battery, a motor, or a controller plant—is highly coveted and they'll try to acquire them at all costs.

Forget about the industrial base; he probably never even considered Wangjiang. Since the other party has the confidence to participate in the selection of vehicles for the Olympics, they must have already planned for a second or even a third industrial base, and naturally, Wangjiang is not included in that plan.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have just built a logistics park here last time; he could have directly started a complete vehicle assembly workshop.

A motor and controller factory? That's a bit difficult, but we can try to make Wangjiang a sub-assembly workshop and then radiate to the Southwest market via waterways.

In addition, battery factories can also strive for the same goal, just like motor and controller factories.

This young man is really difficult to deal with. Compared to other places, the county has no advantages other than cheaper land. I might have to ask his father for favors again.

Sigh, attracting businesses is really difficult.

"What? Tan Lihua isn't at the factory? He went to visit his son in Beicang? His whole family went to Beicang? What are you doing? Why didn't you stay behind?"

"Well, boss, Tan Lihua is just an ordinary skilled worker. We have no reason to stop him from going abroad, especially since it's just out of the province. Besides, today is an official holiday."

"You're his direct supervisor, how can you not care about your subordinate? Tell me as soon as he comes back from the long holiday."

"My fault, my fault, but Tan Lihua has taken a few days off, saying he wants to spend more time with his wife and children there, and he probably won't be back for another week."

"Never mind, remember to let me know when you get back. Also, don't let him resign. If you can, give him a promotion. He's qualified enough."

"Okay, I understand. I didn't handle this matter well."

After hanging up the phone, Li Shiqi pursed his lips. Why didn't you say that earlier? He had mentioned before that Tan Lihua's kid was not simple. Shouldn't Tan Lihua have mentioned him? What did you say back then? We are two different systems from the local authorities, so we don't need to care about that.

What's wrong with the two systems? Don't you have any personal connections or friends in your local area?

He was just getting desperate, but what he said made sense. He couldn't let Tan Lihua quit and run away. His wife had already taken early retirement, and if he ran away too, he, as his direct supervisor, would definitely be the first one to get a beating.

"Tsk tsk tsk, a net worth of one billion, Tan Lihua has certainly risen in status thanks to his son, hasn't he?"

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(End of this chapter)