Chapter 177

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Chapter 177: Xiao Xiao, Are You Running A Fever? Why Are You Talking Nonsense?

“Ye Xiao, don’t let President Zhu’s appearance fool you. He’s actually an internet tycoon here in Binhai. His company, Hanhai Internet, is already valued at ten billion.”

Lu Shiqing continued with the introductions.

From her perspective, Ye Xiao’s current situation was ripe for a deal. Yun-Xiao Studio was booming, and if the copyright to “My World” could be successfully sold, it would be a huge profit.

Having just acquired Jiyin Film, without a strong cash flow to support the venture, things might get ugly later on.

In the business world, meals and drinks often helped build relationships. China had a long-standing culture of discussing business over dinner—it was the most appropriate setting.

“Let’s not talk business just yet. Miss Ye, so young yet already the creator of “My World”—it’s truly admirable. But I imagine everyone is hungry by now, so let’s eat first. We’ll talk later. I feel a real connection with President Ye, so today’s meal is on me!”

Zhu Yao offered some praise, then began playing host like it was his dinner party, even though he was technically a guest.

Still, since someone offered to foot the bill, Ye Xiao saw no reason to argue.

“President Lu, President Ye—don’t let this small countryside restaurant fool you. The food is genuinely authentic. The owner’s cooking skills are excellent and honest—none of the chicken, duck, or fish here is fed with processed feed. They’re all raised the traditional way, and the vegetables are all organic, pesticide-free!”

Zhu Yao explained seriously, almost hijacking the role of host.

Ye Xiao glanced at Lu Shiqing, who leaned over and whispered, “Actually, Zhu Yao was the one who recommended this place to me. Since we were both free today, I thought we’d give it a try.”

Ye Xiao’s bright eyes gleamed with insight. This Zhu Yao wasn’t just talk—he was sharp as a tack. He must’ve been planning to acquire My World’s copyright for some time now.

He had probably even looked into her relationship with Lu Shiqing.

Ye Xiao didn’t care about the restaurant’s size or appearance.

She was perfectly happy eating at roadside stalls!

Unlike many rich folks who always made a show of their meals.

If it wasn’t a Michelin three-star, it had to be an upscale Western restaurant or a luxury hotel. Dropping tens of thousands on a single meal wasn’t uncommon!

These people had some money but weren’t truly wealthy. They loved to flaunt.

They wanted everyone around them to know how rich and powerful they were.

But the real tycoons—the ones worth hundreds of billions—were often the most laid-back.

They didn’t need to show off to prove their social status.

They just did whatever made them comfortable.

Ye Xiao felt the same. She thought Western food didn’t taste great—nowhere near as good as Chinese cuisine.

Chinese food had been refined over thousands of years. How could barbarian fare even compare?

These rustic country dishes were exactly to her taste!

“President Zhu, you flatter me. I think the environment here is lovely. I eat street food too. Good food doesn’t need a fancy origin.”

Ye Xiao smiled slightly.

President Zhu beamed at her response. Everyone in Binhai knew that Ye Xiao was someone favored by Young Master Gu. A girl chosen by someone like him clearly wasn’t like those other second-gen rich kids.

If it had been one of them, they’d already be complaining about the humble setting.

Even his daughter Zhu Zhu had that same problem.

But not Ye Xiao. Whether it was a lavish banquet or a roadside stall, she fit right in.

No complaints—just down-to-earth.

“Zhu Zhu, you should really learn from President Ye. Stop being so out of touch all the time!”

“Dad, don’t worry. President Ye is my idol!”

Ye Xiao was still half a year from graduating college and already CEO of a company worth over a billion. As a role model for the younger generation, she more than qualified.

Ye Xiao turned her head away, a little embarrassed. What’s there to learn from me? That’s just asking for trouble…

Lu Shiqing and Shen Yunchu seemed to catch her thoughts. Lu Shiqing smirked with interest, her gaze fixed on Ye Xiao.

As if an ordinary girl could copy Ye Xiao’s path.

Clearly, while Zhu Yao was savvy in business, he still had some very traditional values in other areas.

If Zhu Zhu really tried to emulate Ye Xiao, the Zhu household would probably never know peace again.

Imagine Zhu Zhu bringing home a new girl every few days and declaring, “Dad, this is my girlfriend.” Zhu Yao would probably have a stroke from sheer rage.

“Big Sis, I wanna be your little fangirl sidekick. Will you take me?”

Zhu Zhu was good with words, and she didn’t mind that Ye Xiao looked younger than her. She also kept the mood lively.

“No problem. That’s a small matter. We’ll hang out sometime.”

Having a billionaire heiress as a sidekick? Of course Ye Xiao wouldn’t say no.

Since Zhu Zhu was on the… broader side, Ye Xiao figured if trouble came up, she could hide behind her. It’d be like turning invisible—super convenient.

Besides, Ye Xiao actually found Zhu Zhu kind of cute and likable. She just didn’t have those kinds of thoughts about her.

If Zhu Yao knew Ye Xiao was a Lesbian (A woman who loves women), and had no designs on his daughter, he’d probably be endlessly grateful.

—

After several rounds of drinks and food, it was time to get down to business.

“Big Sis, I’ll be heading to the Magic City soon. If you and sis-in-law come visit, I’ll definitely take care of everything. Honestly, my dad’s looking to acquire “My World” because our rival company just launched a major internet project. We don’t have anything that can compete. If you’d be willing to help us out, it’d mean the world.”

Zhu Zhu’s voice was quiet, discreetly addressing Ye Xiao so her dad wouldn’t hear. She’d clearly guessed at the real relationship between Ye Xiao, Shen Yunchu, and Lu Shiqing from their playful exchanges and wandering hands under the table.

This plump girl understood everything—and she was refreshingly blunt. She seemed genuinely interested in befriending Ye Xiao.

Ye Xiao set down her chopsticks. Shen Yunchu, having heard Zhu Zhu’s words, blushed and gave Ye Xiao’s waist a firm pinch.

“I get what you mean. But “My World” has been doing incredibly well. In just under two months since launch, it’s already brought nearly a billion in net revenue to Yun-Xiao, and it’s still growing.”

“My World” was like a golden goose. It didn’t need much investment, had strong market performance, and kept laying golden eggs.

Father and daughter exchanged a glance. They realized that without making a very sincere offer, Ye Xiao wouldn’t budge.

“President Ye, don’t be so quick to say no. We’re willing to offer this much for the “My World” copyright.”

Zhu Yao raised three fingers.

“Thirty billion?”

Lu Shiqing was stunned. Internally, her mind was reeling. Honestly, if she held the copyright, she would’ve sold it in a heartbeat.

“That’s right—thirty billion.”

Even Shen Yunchu was speechless. She couldn’t understand how the copyright to a little pixel-block game could be worth three billion.

Ye Xiao just smiled without replying.

“If that’s not enough, I’m willing to add another 3.5 billion. That’s my final offer.”

In truth, the Zhu family had twenty billion in liquid assets and could raise fifty billion through asset-backed financing. But no one showed all their cards in a negotiation.

“Honestly, President Zhu, your offer is quite generous. I doubt any domestic company could top it. However, a foreign company already contacted me before you did. They’re interested in acquiring all rights to ‘My World’.”

Ye Xiao picked up her chopsticks again and took another bite.

“May I ask which company it was, and what price they offered?” Zhu Yao asked.

The company in question was Microsoft, the internet titan from her past life founded by Gates—the same role now held by GiantSoft, still a global internet juggernaut.

Ye Xiao held up two fingers.

“Twenty billion? But my offer is much higher!”

Zhu Yao was confused.

“Twenty billion, yes—but in U.S. dollars. I declined, though.”

Ye Xiao said it calmly.

Lu Shiqing reached out and touched Ye Xiao’s forehead. “Xiao Xiao, are you running a fever? What’s with this nonsense?”

Whether it was accepting twenty billion in USD or refusing it, both things sounded completely absurd.