A freshman with 10 million in funding, growing to a million users in two months, nearing 10 million in monthly sales?
After Chen Yansen's introduction, Ma Wenteng merely nodded, unimpressed. He'd seen many geniuses.
Even the viral "0 yuan discount" didn't stir him. QQ had no shortage of users or traffic.
"So, why is Paipai.com doomed?" Ma Wenteng took the lead.
"First, no differentiated advantage. Consumers choose Taobao or JD.com. Businesses choose Alibaba. What does Paipai.com offer? It's the third noodle shop on the street—okay, but not unique." Chen Yansen was blunt.
Paipai.com's position within Tencent was awkward, never receiving top-level support.
"Superficial analysis." Ma Wenteng was disappointed. What deep insights could a freshman have?
"Second, Tencent lacks e-commerce DNA. It hasn't invested enough in supply chains, user habits, or merchant ecosystems. If merchants can't profit, they won't stay." Chen Yansen understood that platform success relied on all parties benefiting.
Pinduoduo's later rise proved this point.
"Third, and most importantly, Paipai.com is mostly C2C. Counterfeits are inherent to that model. No one will trust a platform full of fakes, even with QQ's backing." Chen Yansen scoffed. Most pure C2C platforms failed.
"So, I should abandon C2C for B2C?" Ma Wenteng disagreed.
"Pony, Tencent's strength is connecting people, not e-commerce. Zheng Chunbin isn't cut out for it. Neither are you." Chen Yansen was frank.
His words shocked Liang Youzhi and Liu Zhiping. No one spoke to Ma Wenteng like that.
"So, you are?" Ma Wenteng's face cooled.
"If Paipai.com were mine, I could multiply its size in a year. But I don't work for others."
"You met Zheng Chunbin for investment? It didn't work?" Ma Wenteng stood, changing the subject.
He found Chen Yansen's analysis shallow. Understanding problems was one thing; solving them was another.
"President Zheng wanted to hire me. I refused."
Zheng Chunbin was rejected? This kid is arrogant.
Ma Wenteng lost interest, feeling his time was wasted.
"Brother Pony, you dismiss my words because of my age. How about a bet? I can get FoxTao to 100 million users in a year." Chen Yansen threw out a bold claim as Ma was about to leave.
He didn't expect to awe Ma Wenteng instantly. In reality, just getting a meeting was an achievement.
100 million users?
Ma Wenteng stopped and stared. The young man was tall, handsome, and brimming with a confidence that reminded Ma of his own younger, more determined self.
"Martin, talk to investment. Have them put in ten million to see the results. What's your product called again?"
"FoxTao, Brother Pony." Chen Yansen had planned to boast about rejecting Ma, but ten million was too good to pass up.
Ten million could expand the campaign twenty times over!
Chen Yansen looked at Ma strangely. Is he a masochist? He wasn't moved by my advice, but after I reject his subordinate, he wants to invest?
"Chen Yansen, I'm Liu Zhiping. Call me Martin. Wait here. A venture capital colleague will contact you." Liu Zhiping patted his shoulder, smiling.
Ma's change of heart gave Liu hope. He saw a chance to persuade Ma to shift Tencent's strategy.
"Thank you, Brother Martin." Chen Yansen shook his hand sincerely.
Ma Huateng left without another word, heading to Zheng Chunbin's office.
Once alone, Song Yuncheng exhaled. "That was terrifying! A billionaire! Weren't you afraid he'd retaliate?"
"People like him get annoyed by yes-men. A different perspective makes you stand out. See? We got ten million! Besides, you think I'm scared he'll ban my QQ?" Chen Yansen took a sip of water.
"Chen Yansen, you're amazing." Song Yuncheng relaxed, genuinely impressed.
She'd been scared during his confrontation with Zheng Chunbin, but it had turned out perfectly.
The process moved quickly. Perhaps because Ma personally intervened, Chen Yansen spent the day at Tencent, ate in the cafeteria, and left with a signed contract.
Ten million for 6% equity.
Tencent's venture arm initially valued FoxTao at 80 million based on its business model and competition, but Chen Yansen argued, "It took me two months, really one week, to hit a million users."
FoxTao was already the leader in shopping guide e-commerce. Future competitors weren't even close.
With Ma's backing, the liaison agreed.
They had a powerful ally now. No one would dare block their links.
"Should we go back to Xucheng?" Song Yuncheng asked softly.
Her day at Tencent had matured her. She'd met legends and confidently presented FoxTao to investors.
"We fly back tomorrow. You book afternoon tickets. Shenzhen is nice; I'll take you out tonight as a reward."
"Boss, can I just have cash?" Song Yuncheng smiled ingratiatingly.
"Song Yuncheng, you're so desperate for money. Why not be my girlfriend? I'll pay you 20,000 a month." Chen Yansen looked genuinely puzzled.
"Stop! Or else..." She instinctively reached for a brick, then remembered it wasn't there.
"Fine. You're no fun." Chen Yansen rolled his eyes and hailed a taxi.
"Driver, where do rich people in Shenzhen go at night?"
"Sun Island! Beautiful women everywhere—a paradise!" the driver said in local dialect.
"Beautiful women? I brought my own." Chen Yansen pointed at Song Yuncheng.
"Window of the World or Meisha Beach are better for young people," the driver switched to Mandarin.
"Window of the World, then." If he were alone, Chen Yansen would have chosen Sun Island to test his youthful vigor.
Shenzhen's nightscape dazzled, far more vibrant than Xucheng. They strolled around Window of the World, then relaxed on the beach until late.
Back at the hotel, Chen Yansen called Song Yuncheng over as she was booking tickets.
"What?"
"There's a reward I haven't given you yet."
"It can be cash..." Before she finished, he kissed her.
Remembering last time, he pulled back before she could bite.
"Goodnight, Wangcai!" He smiled triumphantly and went to his room.
Song Yuncheng stared at the half-brick in her backpack but couldn't bring herself to use it.
Meanwhile, rooms in the startup park were brightly lit. The news about the lifted block and the ten-million investment sparked celebrations.
"Brother Sen also said Tencent invested ten million in us!" Zhuang Rui added hesitantly. His first thought was that he'd misread the message.
"How much?" Zhang Wenbo was dumbfounded.
The others were equally shocked.