Chapter 434: Courting Zhang Xiaodong (Part 1)

Tencent executed a whitewashing strategy for itself.

By firing Zhang Xiaodong, Ma Huateng not only got rid of someone who was against him but also restored Tencent’s reputation to its original state.

This could be considered far-sighted.

Beyond competing with LeXin, it was also for the promotion of their actively developed game, Crossfire.

Honestly speaking,

Ma Huateng was somewhat paranoid.

Even before plotting to get rid of Zhang Xiaodong, he had already ‘disposed’ of several people using various methods.

Belatedly realizing everything as he boarded the last bus to the county, Zhang Xiaodong connected all past events.

“Keeping company with a lord is like living with a tiger…”

Being one of Tencent’s top figures indeed posed a considerable threat to Ma Huateng.

“Sigh…”

He glanced outside the window again, “Ma, from now on, you take your broad road, and I’ll cross my log bridge…”

At this moment, his emotions were incredibly complex.

Not everyone cares about how much money they make. Zhang Xiaodong wished more to genuinely benefit society.

In fact, it was the same in his previous life.

In 2010, due to disagreements, Zhang Xiaodong left Tencent and announced he would seek a different path.

This life was just a bit earlier due to Zhao Qingfeng’s development in the country, which caused a massive change in the internet world through the butterfly effect.

After sighing, Zhang Xiaodong lowered his head, resting on the seat in front of him, his expression gloomy.

The future seemed too vague, and he had no idea where to go from here.

Suddenly, someone patted his shoulder.

“I’ve checked the ticket just now; I’m not buying anything.”

Zhang Xiaodong thought it was the bus’s vendor.

“Ever heard of the Fruit Company?”

A young, steady, pleasant voice came through, somewhat familiar.

“Fruit?”

Zhang Xiaodong was confused, “I’m not in business.”

“Not about doing fruit business, but going to Wall Street for investment.”

The young man’s voice was calm and joyful, especially the words “Wall Street,” emphasized a bit more, shocking Zhang Xiaodong into turning around to find Zhao Qingfeng sitting in the seat behind him at some point.

“Zhao… Mr. Zhao?”

Zhang Xiaodong was stunned.

“Can we talk?”

Zhao Qingfeng stood up, gesturing towards a small diner outside the window.

“…”

Zhang Xiaodong was torn, to talk or not to talk, that was the question.

He roughly guessed what Zhao Qingfeng wanted, probably some inside information about Tencent.

Although he knew a lot, even after being backstabbed by Ma Huateng, Zhang Xiaodong wasn’t willing to betray his old boss or his conscience. This wasn’t just about seeking glory by betrayal; it was about staying true to his always upright and persistent heart.

“Forget it…”

Zhang Xiaodong softly declined Zhao Qingfeng, “Mr. Zhao, we were never on the same boat. Though I admire you, I won’t betray Ma Huateng. If there’s nothing else, please get off, the bus is about to leave.”

Zhao Qingfeng smiled.

Raising his eyebrows, he silently lamented that Zhang Xiaodong indeed remained one of the few with the best reputation in the internet industry.

Rare!

In the brutal world of business warfare, such noble character was hard to come by.

He sighed silently at Ma Huateng’s inability to recognize talent, too narrow-minded to accommodate differing opinions.

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