Lishe International Airport.
Tan Jincheng hugged Gu Qingqing, who had come to pick him up, and said apologetically,
"I'm sorry, I only came back on the last day of the May Day holiday."
"It's okay, work is important. Anyway, the short holiday was only three days, so we couldn't go play anywhere far,"
Gu Qingqing said thoughtfully, though a little regretful.
"Let's go. Head back first, straight to Beicang?"
"Mm."
After receiving the reply, Tan Jincheng said to Li Yaohui behind him,
"Brother Li, you can take Xiao Zhao back, and then you'll all be on holiday. I'll take your boss's wife's car back."
Li Yaohui smiled and nodded at the lady standing beside Gu Qingqing.
Gu Qingqing felt a little embarrassed; it was her first time being openly called "boss's wife" by her older brother.
At this moment, the lady beside Gu Qingqing stepped forward and said,
"Hello, General Manager Tan. I am Liu Suman, General Manager Gu's new driver."
"Mm, hello. Brother Li and General Manager Gu have already discussed the salary and benefits with you, right?"
Tan Jincheng nodded.
Li Yaohui was efficient; in just a few days, he found reliable candidates in the place where he used to stay.
Gu Qingqing found her suitable after the interview and hired her.
"They did,"
Liu Suman said with a smile, clearly very satisfied with the benefits and salary.
"Then let's go."
Tan Jincheng naturally had no interest in inquiring about the specific benefits for something as minor as Orange Tech hiring a driver; Gu Qingqing would naturally arrange it well.
Arriving at the temporary parking spot, Liu Suman led Tan Jincheng and Gu Qingqing to a brand-new BMW 5 Series.
This was Orange Tech's first car and Gu Qingqing's personal vehicle.
"Why did you buy a BMW?"
Tan Jincheng asked, a little curious.
"Your first car was a Volkswagen Passat, probably because you didn't have much money then. Your second car was a BMW 3 Series, and your third was an Audi. The Audi was for business needs, as bosses in Yongcheng tend to buy Audis. So, I guessed you probably liked the BMW brand more."
"Then you guessed wrong. I prefer Mercedes-Maybach more. Buying a BMW 3 Series was the same logic as the Passat: no money but still wanting to show off,"
Tan Jincheng laughed.
"Ah? I thought you liked BMWs. What now? It's already bought."
"It's fine. You already said it's bought, so let's leave it at that. Or, if you really don't like it, just change it."
"I don't have strong preferences either way, so let's stick with this. Oh, by the way, is Flash-Speed Tech going to make a big move?"
"Why do you say that?"
"It's all over the internet. I even overheard your conversation with Uncle."
"Not really. It's just building two factories. These are mostly confirmed matters, so events aren't really necessary."
However, before building the factories, Tan Jincheng had to restructure Flash-Speed Tech.
Its current organizational structure was somewhat loose and no longer suitable for the next phase of development.
Flash-Speed Tech, Hangxin New Energy, Orange Tech, Huge Engine, plus the somewhat elusive Zhongtai Shares, as well as various shares from distributors and Mingcheng Industry.
If the planned acquisitions of motor and controller companies are also included, Flash-Speed Tech already has the prerequisites for forming a group company.
Consolidating all industries under a unified group shareholding company would be more conducive to the next stage of growth.
This is what Tan Jincheng planned to address in May.
Among these, Hangxin New Energy needed to be spun off, and the shares from distributors and Mingcheng Industry also needed to be consolidated.
If possible, Tan Jincheng wanted to allocate these shares to Huge Engine.
However, currently, the shares of these three companies all belong to Flash-Speed Tech, and Tan Jincheng is not the sole shareholder of Flash-Speed Tech; Beicang Urban Investment still holds 5% of its shares.
Additionally, Tan Jincheng also wanted to spin off the shares of Zhongtai (Yongcheng) branch.
This is a very significant future project, and it would not be appropriate to place it under Flash-Speed Tech.
If it were ordinary small shareholders, Tan Jincheng could completely force the change of ownership of these assets through financial means and absolute control.
But this is Beicang Urban Investment, representing the Beicang District Government, so Tan Jincheng naturally couldn't use such methods to deal with it.
Therefore, for the next period, Tan Jincheng would need to spend more time negotiating with the Beicang District Government.
According to Tan Jincheng's vision, Flash-Speed Tech's shares would be directly converted into shares of the group's parent company, and the electric vehicle business would be spun off from Flash-Speed Tech to establish a new "Flash-Speed Tech."
Each specific business would be independent: electric vehicles are electric vehicles, automobiles are automobiles, the internet is the internet, and investments are investments.
This would make it easier for each subsidiary to go public independently this year.
The main group company, as the core entity, could then operate completely independently, remaining behind the scenes.
Additionally, personal businesses solely owned by Tan Jincheng, such as Jinpeng Trade and Jinyi Industry, also needed appropriate changes, especially Jinyi Industry.
At this stage, Flash-Speed Tech's electric vehicle export business is not very large, and its main sales are concentrated in high-volume, low-profit markets like Southeast Asia.
But what about the future?
It's important to remember that Jinyi Industry is Tan Jincheng's personal property.
If the electric vehicle business goes public in the future, a private company controlled by the actual controller managing the group's overall electric vehicle export business would raise suspicions of benefit transfer.
If this issue is not resolved, under the current strict listing review system, the electric vehicle business might not actually be able to go public.
Even if it did, it would be a hidden danger.
If it were exposed someday, it would be enough trouble for Tan Jincheng to handle.
If it were just a private company and not listed, Tan Jincheng could do whatever he wanted with it, moving assets from one hand to the other, as he was the sole decision-maker, and no one could say anything.
But for a company to become a listed entity, that would indeed be unacceptable; it would genuinely be suspected of encroaching upon the interests of the listed company.
Corporate restructuring is a major undertaking, involving changes in registered capital, renaming, and tax issues after the changes, among other things.
On the way home from the airport, Tan Jincheng and Gu Qingqing briefly discussed this issue.
It's impossible for any company to start as a group company from the outset.
Tan Jincheng's business reaching the group stage in just two short years was quite remarkable.
From a limited liability company to a group shareholding company, this was definitely a qualitative leap.
What could Gu Qingqing say?
Of course, she expressed support.
At this stage, she was Tan Jincheng's partner in life, but more like a "tool person" in his career.
She unconditionally supported Tan Jincheng's decisions.
As for whether it would harm Gu Qingqing's interests, she had never considered that aspect.
Emotionally, Gu Qingqing might have worries as her older brother became increasingly successful, fearing he might cheat or have ambiguous relationships with other women.
But in terms of business, Gu Qingqing genuinely admired Tan Jincheng and had an almost blind trust in him.
Except for the initial few months of Jinpeng Trade, which Gu Qingqing was unclear about how it operated, for every subsequent step in Tan Jincheng's career, Gu Qingqing was an actual witness, whether she participated or not.
She witnessed Tan Jincheng gradually progress from garment export, electronic product import/export, Taobao store operations, to the establishment and growth of the electric vehicle project.
Then to the initiation of Orange Tech and the process of investing in Zhongtai Motors.
At every step, her older brother demonstrated his business talent.
Taking Flash-Speed Tech's recent victory over its strongest competitor, Xinri Electric Vehicles, to win the exclusive electric vehicle sponsorship contract for the Olympic Games, some financial media hailed this business battle as a classic, titling it "Flash-Speed Raids Xinri, Blitzkrieg Defeats Opponent."
During the Lantern Festival, Flash-Speed Tech held the "Ocean Frontier Journey" event.
Initially, competitors didn't pay much attention, but the event lasted two months, with lively and engaging cycling record videos updated daily, fostering interaction with netizens and quickly boosting the event's popularity.
Flash-Speed Tech maintained a long-term promotional buzz, forcing competitors who initially disregarded it to focus their attention on the promotional activities.
Before China's largest electric vehicle trade fair on April 17, Flash-Speed Tech secretly developed the Fengchi Guanneng project, completely unbeknownst to industry rivals, truly achieving a secret rollout.
Perhaps Flash-Speed Tech was already secretly developing the Guanneng series when the "Ocean Frontier Journey" event began during the Lantern Festival, or even earlier; all of this is unknown.
On April 17, as the trade fair began, Flash-Speed Tech ignited its exhibition booth area with a tear-jerking commercial, a perfectly thematic song, and a live appearance by the singer.
In the afternoon, they took an even more unconventional approach: their spokesperson, renowned actress Ms. Liu Yifei, acted as a salesperson for Flash-Speed Tech, selling electric vehicles all afternoon!
This bizarre promotional method was truly unheard of, yet this novel approach was also incredibly eye-catching.
Thus, with the help of this combination of strategies, the promotion of the Fengchi Guanneng series officially commenced!
During the same period, the Fengchi Guanneng series was also shortlisted for the exclusive electric vehicle supplier list for the Olympic Games, fully revealing Flash-Speed Tech's ambition to become an Olympic brand sponsor!
During the exhibition, the top contender, Xinri, was clearly thrown into disarray by Flash-Speed Tech's barrage of strategies.
Xinri's boss even left for Wuxi directly before the first day of the exhibition was over.
But Xinri was not an unknown entity; they quickly secured international superstar Brother Long as their spokesperson, attempting to use Brother Long's influence and status as an Olympic ambassador to increase their chances of winning.
This move, in the electric vehicle industry which places great importance on spokespersons, was indeed a powerful killer move, especially since Flash-Speed Tech had successfully broken through using its spokesperson.
However, unfortunately, they encountered the highly efficient Tan Jincheng, who took less than ten days to secure Zhou Jielun, the King of Pop, who was no less popular or influential.
The official announcement immediately following Xinri's turned Xinri's killer move into a futile effort!
During this period, Tan Jincheng's personal reputation as the founder of Flash-Speed Tech was even elevated to a new height!
"Alright, alright, good praise. This media outlet and this reporter are noted. We'll give them an exclusive interview or something in the future if the opportunity arises."
On the way back, Gu Qingqing mentioned a financial media's commentary on the Olympic sponsor selection, which lavished Flash-Speed Tech with endless praise.
Tan Jincheng was somewhat skeptical, but after returning home and reading the report, he realized that Gu Qingqing hadn't exaggerated at all.
This feeling was indeed good.
Having financial journalists actively promote it meant that Flash-Speed Tech's status had gained recognition, and the brand was becoming increasingly accepted by everyone from news sources to mainstream media.
In 2006, no matter how much importance you placed on internet promotion, you absolutely could not ignore the influence of mainstream media.
Authoritative media outlets were important channels for many people to obtain information in their daily lives, and they still greatly trusted reports from authoritative media.
Television commercials, expert recommendations, and reports from print media would still be quantifiable for several more years before the advent of mobile internet.
"Gege, play with me."
Tan Jinyue didn't care what Tan Jincheng was amused by.
She snatched the newspaper from his hand and said in a childish voice.
Little Jinyue dearly loved this older brother who liked to lift her high and often bought her toys.
She just didn't understand why Gege disappeared from time to time.
When she asked her mother, her mother said Gege went to work.
Her tiny brain couldn't quite grasp what "work" was, but she wished Gege would accompany her every day, lift her high, buy her toys, and play games with her.
"Okay, Gege will give our little Jinyue a piggyback ride and play with her,"
Tan Jincheng said, picking up little Jinyue and laughing heartily, then forcibly kissing her on the cheek after he finished laughing.
Soon after, the billionaire lauded by netizens as a top diamond bachelor was genuinely on the floor, acting as a horse for his younger sister.
Little Jinyue sat astride her older brother's back, shouting "Giddy-up!" and letting out bell-like laughter.
Zhang Suzhi and Gu Qingqing were used to such scenes, but Tan Lihua, who hadn't seen it before, was a bit shocked, wondering if his son had a dual personality.
"I've been here for a few days, and Jinyue keeps asking me for piggyback rides. So this is where it started."
"Haha, Dad, why don't you and Mom go on a trip for a few days, enjoy some time just the two of you? As for Jinyue, I can look after her for you for a few days,"
Tan Jincheng, who was still crawling around the living room on the floor, said to his father with a smile.
His father had been there for a few days, but he himself had been away, which made him feel somewhat ashamed.
"You're going to work tomorrow, how can you take care of a child?"
Zhang Suzhi was somewhat tempted by her son's suggestion.
Staying home all day with the child, she really wanted to go out and relax.
As for whether her son would have trouble taking care of the child, she wasn't worried at all.
"I'll take her to the company. Besides, Gu Qingqing occasionally comes over, and I have several assistants. Taking care of a child won't be a problem and won't affect work."
"I want to go with Gege, I want to go with Gege,"
Tan Jinyue bounced on his back and clamored, having understood.
"Is that alright?"
Tan Lihua asked, somewhat doubtfully.
"There's nothing wrong with it. Dad, you rarely get a few days off. Go and relax with Mom."
"That's right, Uncle and Auntie, you've finally made it here, so why not go out and have some fun? Auntie is cooped up at home with the child all day, it must be quite boring. It'd be great to relax,"
Gu Qingqing also chimed in to persuade them.
"Exactly, that's the idea. Jinyue, how about Gege takes you to work tomorrow?"
"Okay, tomorrow I'm going to work with Gege!"
"So, shall we go have some fun?"
Tan Lihua asked his wife.
"Go ahead. You decide on a place, then pack your bags and take a spontaneous trip. I'll have my secretary book a hotel for you tomorrow morning, and we can also provide a car for you."
"No need to book hotels or anything. Just give me a car, and your mom and I will drive around wherever we please."
"Whatever you prefer then. I'll have someone bring the car over tomorrow. Come on, Gu Qingqing, let's go shopping,"
Tan Jincheng said, winking at Gu Qingqing.
Gu Qingqing wanted to laugh but dared not.
Her older brother was really too bold, even teasing his own parents.
"I want to go too!"
The little one couldn't be left out of anything.
"Okay, we'll take you."
He turned sideways and pulled the little one off his back, then Tan Jincheng got up, picked her up, and left with Gu Qingqing.
Only the elder Tan couple were left looking at each other.
"What does he mean?"
(End of chapter)