Chapter 434: Courting Zhang Xiaodong (Part 2)

He grabbed Zhang Xiaodong’s arm and gently pulled him up, “Let’s have a meal and talk. I promise not to ask about any insider information about Tencent. I just want to discuss the future of the internet with you.”

Perhaps touched by Zhao Qingfeng’s sincerity,

Zhang Xiaodong pondered for a moment and then followed him off the bus.

But he had a question: how did Zhao Qingfeng know where he was?

Zhao Qingfeng smiled, pointing at the bus station’s camera, “This is the power of the Sky Net project. In Ji Province, as long as you’re under the surveillance cameras, there’s no one I can’t find.”

They entered a small diner.

Ordering some home-cooked dishes,

which were very cheap, with a plate of vegetables costing only two yuan, and ordered a few bottles of beer.

It was like any commoner eating at a roadside stall, Zhao Qingfeng was incredibly approachable.

Zhang Xiaodong was somewhat moved.

Ever since Ma Huateng became wealthy, they had never visited a roadside stall again.

According to him, it was beneath their dignity, too embarrassing!

“Try this, the crispy pork is good.”

Zhao Qingfeng offered Zhang Xiaodong a piece. The hot and crispy pork with its sweet and sour taste, crispy on the outside and tender inside, was indeed a famous dish from the north.

“…”

Zhang Xiaodong was pleasantly surprised, “Mr. Zhao, if you have something to say, just say it. There’s no need to be too polite.”

Zhao Qingfeng chuckled, “It’s not about being polite. I treat everyone this way.”

Zhang Xiaodong was still somewhat skeptical, really?

At that moment, Wang Xiaohu, who had just dropped off Shen Lingyao, hurried over.

As a bodyguard, he was like Zhao Qingfeng’s younger brother, settling into his seat with ease, starting to eat before remembering Zhang Xiaodong was there and hurriedly making polite conversation.

Zhang Xiaodong was numb, the CEO of Lingfeng Tech, investor in Jingdong Multimedia, and Alibaba, Zhao Qingfeng, actually treated his bodyguard like a close brother?

This was something that had never happened in Tencent, where Ma Huateng always maintained a clear hierarchy.

“Bro, you still drinking?”

Wang Xiaohu opened another beer for Zhao Qingfeng and then turned to ask Zhang Xiaodong.

“Uh…”

Zhang Xiaodong was somewhat influenced, “Thank you, then… I’ll have another bottle, but I need to use the restroom first…”

After washing his face, Zhang Xiaodong felt much clearer.

He was still pondering over Zhao Qingfeng’s closeness and its implications.

When he came out, he saw Zhao Qingfeng joking and talking about buying a house and finding Wang Xiaohu a girlfriend soon.

Sitting down again, Zhang Xiaodong couldn’t hold back anymore, “Mr. Zhao, we’ve had enough to drink, please speak your mind.”

Zhao Qingfeng nodded, “I want you to work with me.”

Just this sentence made Zhang Xiaodong feel dizzy, as if he had heard some incredible news.

How could this be?

His reputation in China was ruined, and Tencent’s propaganda was especially powerful. Now, he had become a target of public criticism. To say it bluntly, joining any company now would impact that company.

Didn’t you see the statements from Baidu and Weibo?

The consensus in China’s internet world was all criticizing him, and Zhao Qingfeng was willing to face all netizens by challenging this? It was no different from seeking death!

Zhao Qingfeng was also aware of the downsides of publicly having Zhang Xiaodong join his team.

Ma Huateng’s strategy of using someone else to kill was well-executed, not only naturally dismissing Zhang Xiaodong but also making him untouchable anywhere else.

What’s more hateful is that Ma Huateng knew Zhang Xiaodong’s character well, knowing he wouldn’t leak secrets.

This was determined to make him suffer in silence. But, after all calculations, he missed one thing.

A blessing in disguise, although Zhang Xiaodong couldn’t hold any position in any internet company in China, he could go abroad. Netizens are practically clueless about the foreign internet market because of an insurmountable barrier that locks them firmly within the country.

“I mentioned earlier about going to Wall Street.”

Zhao Qingfeng straightforwardly expressed his idea, “I’m a businessman, but also an investor. The domestic market is flourishing, and I’m too busy to manage everything, nor is it convenient for me to go abroad, so I want you to help me understand and take control of the overseas market. The first target is the Fruit Company.”

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