Chapter 908
The Year of Jubilee Arrives, the Rich List is Released
“Chairman,” Lu Nini’s clear and steady voice broke the silence in the room, “the latest DVD/VCD compatible player is ready in both the R&D department and production line, and will be released on schedule at the beginning of next month. President Lu and President Xiao both asked me to consult you, this time… should we continue the price war?”
After she finished her report, she held her breath slightly.
Price wars have been a powerful tool for the Century Group to expand its territory over the years, but they have both advantages and disadvantages, and it is up to the chairman in front of us to make the decisions.
Lu Yang stopped tapping on the table, leaned back in the wide leather chair, and his deep gaze seemed to pierce through Lu Nini in front of him, casting it toward a wider battlefield.
His mind flashed back to Duan Yongping's hunched and weary back as he signed the equity transfer agreement not long ago, and the seeds of suspicion sown behind that agreement.
The moment of silence made Lu Nini's heart beat faster involuntarily.
Finally, he slowly shook his head, his tone resolute, carrying an undeniable sense of control: "Never mind, it's not necessary this time."
A hint of surprise flashed across Lu Nini's eyes, but she quickly suppressed it with her professionalism and picked up her pen to take notes.
"Let the marketing and finance departments of Xiaoshentong and Xiaotiancai decide on the price themselves, based on costs, positioning, and the competitive landscape."
Lu Yang's voice was not loud, but every word was clear, like a pillar of strength: "Things are different now. Century Group is now the undisputed leader in the media player industry. Its market share, brand appeal, and technological barriers are unmatched by those competitors who are following behind or have just parted ways with us."
He deliberately emphasized the phrase "parting ways," and Lu Nini immediately understood, thinking of BBK Electronics and Duan Yongping.
A confident yet slightly cold smile curved his lips: "Even if a price war were to break out, it would have to be initiated by the other side, forcing us to respond. The initiative is firmly in our hands now. There's no need to proactively lower prices like before, diluting our own profits. What we need is a reasonable profit margin to support continuous technological research and development and brand upgrades. A leader should have the posture and confidence of a leader. As for BBK..."
He paused without saying it explicitly, but the meaning was clear: "Let them make the first move."
Lu Nini quickly scribbled in her notebook, the pen scratching softly.
The chairman's words clearly pointed out the direction.
From price cutter to brand premium provider, while waiting for the right moment to observe how BBK (especially Duan Yongping, burdened with huge debts) struggles to survive under the suspicion of new shareholders.
This is not just a business strategy, but also a condescending attitude towards the former "traitors".
“Understood, Chairman!” She raised her head, her eyes bright. “I will convey your instructions to President Lu and President Xiao truthfully.”
Lu Yang nodded in satisfaction, a gentle smile appearing on his face. He waved his hand and said, "Alright, that's all. You can go back to the company now. While I'm away, please keep an eye on things for me, especially the market response and distribution channels before and after the new product launch. Contact me immediately if there are any issues."
He leaned forward, his tone more relaxed and casual: "Your sister-in-law and I have already discussed it. We'll take the kids out for a few days to relax during the New Year's holiday. I'll leave things at home and at the company to you."
Upon hearing "sister-in-law" and "children," Lu Nini's eyes dimmed almost imperceptibly for a moment, and a deep-seated sense of loss quickly swept over her.
"Yes, Chairman, please rest assured. I wish you, your sister-in-law, and the children a pleasant journey."
She bowed slightly, clutching her notebook, and silently left the study that symbolized the pinnacle of power, gently closing the heavy wooden door behind her.
The next day, New Year's Day, 2000, the VIP channel at Shenzhen International Airport.
There was no boisterous send-off, only understated luxury.
Lu Yang held his eldest daughter, Lu Xin'er, who was dressed like a little princess, by the hand with one hand, while his wife, Yin Mingyue, gently linked her other arm with his. Yin Mingyue wore an elegantly tailored long beige cashmere coat, her temperament gentle and quiet, like the warm winter sun. The nanny followed closely behind, carrying their youngest son, Lu Fan, who was wrapped up tightly like a little dumpling.
Xiao Jun also showed up on time, which was rare for him, and brought his new "girlfriend". However, he had a lingering weariness on his face and was yawning a lot, which meant that last night's "entertainment" was quite eventful.
The group boarded Century Group's iconic Gulfstream GIV-SP business jet. The engines roared with a deep, powerful thud, and the jet pierced the clouds, heading towards Barcelona, Spain, a city brimming with passion and art. Lu Yang promised to take the children to Camp Nou to experience the fervor of Barça football, and to let Yin Mingyue appreciate the magic of Gaudí's architecture and the power and beauty of bullfighting culture.
Just as Lu Yang and his family were enjoying the tranquility of being 10,000 meters in the air, temporarily away from the smoke and fire of the business world, the domestic business community was suddenly in an uproar due to the release of a list.
The highly anticipated third annual "Hurun Rich List" has been officially released!
Like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, the list instantly stirred up a thousand waves.
The Rong family retained its top spot with assets exceeding 10 billion yuan, followed closely by the Liu brothers of the Hope Group with 8.5 billion yuan. Third place went to Mr. Ren of Zhongwei, with assets of 6.1 billion yuan.
And right behind, in fourth place, is none other than—Lu Yang, 60 billion RMB!
The numbers on this list have increased significantly compared to last year, but those within the true elite circle still tacitly acknowledge how inflated they are.
The true wealth of a family, which controls a vast array of assets and possesses a profound foundation, cannot be measured by simple numbers.
The list is more of a symbolic ranking and a topic of public discussion.
However, in the eyes of the general public, this list is extremely valuable! It satisfies people's desire to peek into the wealth of the elite and their yearning for "success myths".
Lu Yang became the absolute focus!
"29 years old! 60 billion! Fourth in the nation!"
"The owner of Century Group? The one who started by selling Famicom (Nintendo Entertainment System)?"
"A self-made legend! A true youth leader!"
"What a winner in life! And he's handsome too!" Compared to the other wealthy people on the list who are either older or already famous, Lu Yang's youth, his relatively "grassroots" background, and the "new economy" power he represents instantly ignited public opinion! His name, along with the halo of "60 billion" and "youngest top billionaire," spread like wildfire across the country, far exceeding the popularity when he first appeared on the list.
The media covered it extensively, and online discussions were heated. Lu Yang's image was quickly symbolized and became a dazzling symbol of the "Chinese Dream" in the new era.
The adulation came like a tidal wave, but undercurrents also began to emerge.
Beneath the immense fame, doubts, jealousy, and even malicious speculation spread quietly, like shadows under the sun.
Barcelona, afternoon.
Golden sunlight poured down on the Barceloneta beach without reservation. The soft white sand stretched out underfoot, merging with the azure Mediterranean Sea in the distance. The warm sea breeze, carrying a salty and humid scent, rustled lazily through the palm leaves.
Lu Yang was wearing only a pair of loose beach shorts. His bronze skin glowed with a healthy sheen under the blazing sun, and his smooth muscle lines exuded power.
He lay comfortably on a large beach chair, a pair of dark sunglasses covering half of his face, making it impossible to see his eyes.
Not far away, Yin Mingyue, dressed in an exquisitely designed royal blue swimsuit with a light white cardigan over it, was gently holding her three-year-old son, Xiaoyang, as they chased the waves in the shallow water. The slightly older Lu Xin'er, like a happy little dolphin, giggled and jumped in the shallows under the care of her nanny, letting the waves wet her skirt.
This is a perfect vacation scene: sunshine, beaches, family laughter, temporarily escaping the cutthroat competition of the business world and the hustle and bustle of wealth.
Suddenly, the satellite phone on the small round table next to me emitted a rapid, low vibration, abruptly shattering the languid tranquility.
Lu Yang frowned slightly, reached out and took the encrypted communicator, and glanced at the familiar number flashing on the screen.
He pressed the answer button, his voice low and steady: "Speak."
A clear, slightly tense voice came from the other end of the phone: "Mr. Lu, the Fortune Rich List that you asked me to keep a close eye on has been officially released this morning."
Lu Yang's gaze behind his sunglasses seemed to sharpen for a moment, but his tone remained unchanged: "What's the impact?"
He had already anticipated this, but needed a precise assessment.
"The public reaction has been enormous! Your name and ranking are the absolute focus, with almost all mainstream media reporting it on their front pages." The speaker on the other end quickened their pace. "Judging from the current comprehensive monitoring of public opinion, positive sentiment dominates, filled with amazement, praise, and even admiration. As you predicted, thanks to the landmark effect of the Century Building, the headquarters of our group, and the nationwide coverage of our VCD, DVD, real estate, and entertainment businesses, the brands 'Luyang' and 'Century' are already deeply rooted in people's hearts, and the public's awareness and acceptance of you are very high. This list is more like crowning your enormous prestige and influence with an even more dazzling crown."
There was a pause on the other end, the voice lowered, revealing caution: "However... the bigger the tree, the more the wind blows. As the popularity soars, some discordant voices have begun to emerge. These are mainly concentrated on online forums and some non-mainstream tabloids. The content can be roughly divided into two categories: one is questioning the authenticity of the list, believing that the 60 billion figure is too inflated, and accusing us of exaggerating our assets; the other is more insidious, starting to speculate and implying that your first pot of gold came from an unknown source, or that you have a special connection with some 'mysterious forces'... Of course, these are currently just scattered and insignificant voices, and have not yet formed a large-scale negative public opinion."
Lu Yang listened quietly, his fingers unconsciously tapping lightly on the smooth armrest of the beach chair.
He was not blinded by the "crown" and the "noise" in the report was exactly what he had expected and what he was most wary of.
“Hmm,” he responded, his voice devoid of emotion but carrying a chilling, penetrating quality. “As expected. Continue close monitoring, especially online activity. Focus on investigating negative posts that are clearly misleading or offensive, particularly those concerning the source of my assets, ‘original sin’ rhetoric, or attempts to link me to certain sensitive tags. Once discovered, have the information department act immediately to pinpoint the source of the post, identify the IP address, and determine whether it’s just a simple keyboard warrior or… someone secretly stirring up trouble. I need to know if any of my ‘old friends’ are getting restless, understand?”
His words, like tempered steel needles, sent a chill down the spine of the person on the other end of the phone, even across thousands of miles. "Understood! Don't worry, Mr. Lu! The Information Department is on 24-hour monitoring, and the public opinion team is on standby. We will not allow any organized malicious attacks to gain traction!" The voice on the other end was resolute.
"Okay. Keep in touch." Lu Yang hung up the phone and put the satellite phone back on the small table.
He leaned back in his chair, but the pure sense of relaxation he had felt on vacation had vanished, replaced by a deep, composed calm that gave him a sense of control.
The sunlight was still intense, but he felt as if he had touched an undercurrent beneath the surface of the sea.
Yin Mingyue led Lu Fan by the hand, and Lu Xin'er also ran back with a giggle.
She keenly noticed the change in her husband's demeanor after he finished the phone call. She walked over to Lu Yang, placed a peeled, glistening grape to his lips, and asked softly, "Honey, is something wrong at the company? You seemed preoccupied after the call."
Her beautiful eyes were filled with concern. "If there's something really important, let's go back early, shall we? We've had our fill of Barcelona, and the children have had their fun."
Lu Yang opened his mouth and took the grape his wife offered. The sweet juice melted in his mouth. He then took Yin Mingyue's hand and gently squeezed it, a reassuring and warm smile on his face: "It's nothing, just a small disturbance. The people below can handle it. Don't worry." He pinched Lu Fan's rosy cheeks, making his son giggle.
Looking at his wife's gentle face, still tinged with worry, he softened his tone, his voice filled with certainty: "Didn't you always want to go skiing in Switzerland? The Alps are in their best season right now. Let's stay for a couple more days, see all of Gaudí's masterpieces like Casa Milà and Sagrada Familia, and then head to Switzerland. It's a rare opportunity for the whole family to get together, so we should make the most of it. When we've had our fill, we'll go back in style."
He deliberately used the phrase "in a grand and glorious manner," which was both a promise to his family and a declaration to himself and his potential rivals.
Regardless of whether he receives flowers and applause or is attacked from the shadows, Lu Yang will stand in the sunlight as an undisputed winner.
Looking into his deep and determined eyes, Yin Mingyue's worries were gradually replaced by trust.
She nestled close to him and whispered, "Okay, whatever you say."
The sun was still shining brightly, the sea breeze was still gentle, and the children's laughter echoed on the beach.
Lu Yang embraced his wife, gazing at the heartwarming scene before him. However,
Behind the sunglasses, his gaze was sharply fixed on the shimmering depths of the Mediterranean Sea, as if trying to pierce through its calm surface.
The crown of 60 billion shines brightly, but beneath the glory, shadows are quietly rising.
He knew that his vacation would never be completely peaceful; the undercurrents of competition in the business world were never truly gone, and some people were never content with solitude. (End of Chapter)