Chapter 36: Xie Qiao: The rich woman asks for support
After returning to the capital, Qin Hao once again devoted his main energy to the development of Tesco.
Of course, when you take money from venture capital institutions, you have to spend it effectively.
On the one hand, Qin Hao is committed to building warehousing and logistics centers in various transportation hub cities to speed up logistics and transportation and get rid of the constraints of dealers. Previously, Tesco's ability to allow customers to pick up goods the next day mainly relied on
Local dealers go beyond manufacturers and agents.
But in this way, the disadvantages are also obvious. Dealers in big cities have a pretty good weight and have the ability to lower product prices. However, dealers in some third- and fourth-tier cities do not have that strength, and as Tesco's sales increase,
The higher the price, the more cost-effective it is to buy from a dealer than directly from the manufacturer.
Although Tesco's current outlets are still concentrated in first- and second-tier cities, Qin Hao knows very well that sooner or later the market in first- and second-tier cities will be saturated, and with the promotion of the Internet, a large number of third- and fourth-tier cities will explode.
With strong purchasing power, now is a good time to make plans, which is why he suddenly started Series A financing.
On the other hand, offline group buying is also the direction that Qin Hao is vigorously developing. In addition to attracting users, it is also to continuously inflate the "Internet" balloon. Only in this way can we obtain higher valuations in subsequent rounds of financing.
.
Large amounts of money were invested, and the results were immediate. By the end of December 2004, Tesco had started construction of warehousing and logistics centers with a total investment of US$500 million in 12 major hub cities. In addition, the online business also benefited from Tesco's previous A round of financing.
The news of a billion-dollar valuation ushered in a wave of explosive growth.
The number of registered users of E-commerce is close to 70 million. Of course, there is still a lot of water among these registered users. Many users often register several accounts in order to obtain coupons for new registered users, but even so, this number is already terrifying.
, you must know that the number of Internet users in the country in 2004 was only about 120 million.
What makes the market even more popular is that Tesco's sales are also growing rapidly. The total annual sales have exceeded 2.8 billion yuan, and the profit has exceeded 300 million yuan.
You know, this was in 2004, an era when countless mainland Internet companies were still trying to cross the river by feeling the stones. When many e-commerce platforms were still worrying about how to find a balance between users and profits, Tesco’s
As soon as the data came out, it immediately attracted countless greedy eyes.
Venture capital institutions that had previously participated in Tesco's A-round financing but were eliminated because their bids were too low were so regretful that they felt regretful because according to their estimates, Tesco's valuation had increased several times in just a few months.
Qin Hao receives calls from venture capital institutions and various investors almost every day, asking sideways when Tesco will launch Series B financing.
In this regard, Qin Hao could only say that Tesco is not short of money for the time being and will consider them as soon as possible when money is needed.
Of course, these are all polite words, and anyone who believes them is a fool.
So these venture capital institutions began to invite Qin Hao to various gatherings, not only to build closer relationships, but also to show their strength.
Qin Hao simply refused ordinary invitations because he really couldn't refuse them. He usually took Xiao Qianxi with him to participate. Over time, Xiao Qianxi, who had always been diligent, became a "problem student" in the eyes of the teacher.
"Fortunately, her grades have always been among the best, so the teachers just turned a blind eye and pretended not to notice.
Winter has turned to spring, and in the blink of an eye it is already the start of the spring semester of 2005.
Xie Qiao and Xu Lin, who had not seen each other during the winter vacation, embraced each other passionately in the dormitory.
The two new roommates who just moved in last semester feel a little out of place with them.
Although Xie Qiao and Xu Lin were quite friendly to them, they were not as confidant as they were with Xiao Qianxi and Wang Ying, and they always felt like they couldn't have fun together.
"By the way, have you been in contact with Qianxi recently? The heavy snowstorm at our house recently damaged the line and we have been unable to contact you." Xu Lin said to Xie Qiao.
Xie Qiongnu pursed his lips: "What's more, we are all anxious because we can't contact you."
"Don't worry, Qian Xi is very busy. She has been attending various high-society activities all day long, and she is too busy."
Xu Lin became interested: "Really? Why don't you let Qianxi take us to see the world? I haven't participated in high-society activities yet."
"The activities of the upper class are nothing more than those who are short of money looking for money, and those who have money looking for projects, each getting what he needs."
Hearing the sound at the door, Xu Lin and Xie Qiao's eyes lit up, and they almost spoke in unison.
"Qianxi, you're here."
Xiao Qianxi smiled and gave the two of them a hug: "Let's go."
"Where to go?"
"There happens to be a cocktail party later. Don't you want to go and see it? Let's come together."
Xu Lin scratched his head in embarrassment: "Qianxi, actually I just said it casually. It wouldn't be appropriate for us to go to that kind of occasion, right?"
"What's inappropriate? I won't be so bored with you guys."
Xu Lin and Xie Qiao looked at each other, and they could see the excitement in each other's eyes.
"Then let's go and see something together?"
As a result, Xiao Qianxi drove the two of them to a shopping mall in Wangfujing.
"Qianxi, aren't we going to a cocktail party? Why are we here visiting the mall?"
Xiao Qian was overjoyed: "How can we organize a reception like this? It's still early."
"Then why did you bring us here?"
"Don't you just want to go to a bar dressed like this? People will be watching you."
Then, Xiao Qianxi made a comprehensive transformation of the two of them.
Xu Lin was actually okay, but she wasn't very suitable for taking the ladylike route, so she bought a neutral dress, while Xie Qiao changed everything from her hair to her shoes.
"Don't tell me, Xie Qiao dresses up like this, it really looks like that."
Xie Qiao felt uncomfortable all over: "What's going on? Why do I feel so exaggerated?"
"It's okay to be exaggerated. It fits your overall temperament very well."
"What's the overall temperament?"
"Princess in distress."
Faced with Xu Lin's teasing, Xie Qiao was about to change back into her previous clothes, but was stopped by Xiao Qianxi.
"Don't listen to Xu Lin's nonsense, you are so beautiful like this."
"Really?" Xie Qiao posed a few times in front of the mirror suspiciously. She seemed to be more beautiful than before. Well, how should I put it? She should be more mature and feminine.
"Hey, I'm kidding you. This outfit suits you very well, so don't change it."
As a result, when paying the bill, Xie Qiao looked at the bill in surprise, her eyes almost falling: "Isn't this too expensive? It's tens of thousands, I'd better refund it, I don't deserve to wear such expensive clothes."
"Swipe card, no password."
Xiao Qianxi handed over the credit card directly.
Xie Qiao quickly lowered his voice: "Qianxi, isn't it appropriate for me to spend Lao Qin's money like this?"
"This is not his card, it is my own card."
"Then it's still the same. In the end, it's still Lao Qin who's still there."
Xiao Qianxi shook her head: "Do you still remember the Internet cafe management software project?"
"Remember, didn't Lao Qin make his fortune from that and become Tesco today? Xie Qiao and I also worked for Lao Qin voluntarily." Xu Lin thought for a while.
"He transferred 30% of the shares of that project to me. Starting from this year, I will receive a lot of income every month. This amount of money is nothing to me now. Can I feel relieved now?"
Xie Qiao and Xu Lin asked with gossip on their faces: "How much is it?"
"About two to three million a month."
"The rich woman asks for support."
"Please support me 1"
After the laughter, Xu Lin said with emotion: "Old Qin really has nothing to say to Qian Xi. The shares with a profit of 30 million a year are just transferred to you, and he still does it every year."
"Yes, even when Yang Cheng's family was not in poverty, they wouldn't have been able to give him so much money in a year, right?" Xie Qiao's understanding of wealthy people only stopped at Yang Cheng.
Xiao Qianxi was actually not ready to accept it subconsciously at first, but then she thought about it. Wang Ying seemed to have 30% of the shares in this project. As the "major empress", why couldn't she take it?
Moreover, Xiao Qianxi also specifically asked Qin Hao for 1% more shares, not for money, but simply to dominate Wang Ying.
"Okay, it's almost time, let's go there."
…
Villa group in Xicheng District.
In a villa, the lights are bright.
After Xu Lin and Xie Qiao got off the car, they followed Xiao Qianxi and whispered: "You said that if we came here by ourselves, the momentum of this gate alone would be able to overwhelm us both."
"Isn't that right? This villa is too big. Is this the life of rich people?"
The three of them walked through the garden and came to the main entrance of the villa under the guidance of the waiter.
"Where is Lao Qin? Why didn't you see him?" Xie Qiao asked in a low voice.
Xiao Qianxi pointed in the direction of the backyard swimming pool. Xu Lin and Xie Qiao then realized that Qin Hao was surrounded by a group of people and was talking about something. The people around him were listening attentively with serious faces. From time to time, someone raised a question.
Whenever Qin Hao answers a question, he will be praised by the people around him.
"As expected of Lao Qin, he is still so calm and composed under such circumstances." Xie Qiao said with sincere admiration.
Xu Lin corrected: "It's not just calm and composed, it's almost like giving a lecture. You didn't see the eyes of those around you. They are all full of admiration."
Xiao Qianxi quietly watched Qin Hao's eloquent talk. She always felt that Qin Hao at this time had a kind of magical power that made people addicted.
Qin Hao also discovered the existence of Xiao Qianxi and the others, so he said hello to the people around him and walked into the villa.
"Not bad, this is a change of clothes." Qin Hao joked.
Xie Qiao and Xu Lin looked at each other sheepishly.
"Didn't I cause you any trouble?" Xie Qiao asked cautiously.
"Hey, what's the trouble? Now that you're here, I can find an excuse to rest for a while." Qin Hao said, taking Xiao Qianxi's hand and leading them to the self-service area.
"You haven't eaten yet. Let's eat something to satisfy our stomach first and drink less wine later. Otherwise, I won't be able to carry you two by myself."
Facing Qin Hao's teasing, Xu Lin said disdainfully: "Don't underestimate me, my drinking capacity is no worse than that of boys."
"That's just right. There are a lot of good wines here that you can't buy outside. I'll have someone bring them to you later."
Xiao Qianxi patted Qin Hao: "She will get really drunk in a while. Let's see what you do."
"I stayed here when I was drunk. I'm quite familiar with the owner here."
While they were talking, several investors came over in a group.
"I asked why Mr. Qin disappeared in the blink of an eye. It turns out he was secretly meeting a beautiful woman here."
Qin Hao laughed and scolded: "If Mr. Zhang says this, I will give in. Who doesn't know that you are the headline figure in entertainment news?"
After everyone made fun of them, Qin Hao patted Xiao Qianxi's hand: "You take them around, I'll take care of them here, and I'll come back to you later."
"Okay, you go and do your work first." Xiao Qianxi nodded obediently.
Mr. Zhang joked: "Mr. Qin won't blame us for getting in the way and letting you neglect the beautiful woman, right?"
"If Mr. Zhang says that, don't blame me for spoiling your good deeds next time."
"Haha~~~"
After Qin Hao and his party left, Xu Lin and Xie Qiao secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"The one just now looks like the one from Sohu, right?"
"Probably, I've seen him on TV before." Xu Lin exclaimed: "Old Qin is dealing with such people now, and we are still in school. There is such a big gap in life."
"That's right. If Qianxi hadn't brought us in, we wouldn't be able to get in even if we smashed our heads against such a threshold."
While the three of them were chatting, the waiter brought over several bottles of wine with labels all in French.
"Isn't this wine cheap?" Xu Lin pointed at one of the bottles of wine and asked the waiter curiously.
The waiter replied with a smile: "This is a wine that has been collected by Chateau Margaux in Bordeaux for ten years. It is almost impossible to buy in the mainland. The market price is almost 10,000 US dollars a bottle. Do you want to pour you a glass to try?"
Xu Lin swallowed: "Pour, pour a little, and do the same."
"Give me some too." Xie Qiao was also curious about what this ten thousand US dollar wine tasted like.
"Okay, please feel free to use it. Call me anytime if you need it. I will be happy to serve you."
After the waiter left, Xu Lin and Xie Qiao stared at the dot in the glass and couldn't figure out why this thing could be sold for ten thousand dollars a bottle.
"Qianxi, didn't I embarrass you just now?" Xu Lin asked cautiously.
Xiao Qianxi joked: "It's okay, I thought you would let him keep all the wine."
Xu Lin blinked: "Can we still let him stay?"
Xiao Qianxi held her forehead for a while, do you really want to do this in love?
Xu Lin took a sip of wine and frowned: "It doesn't taste very good. Why is it so expensive?"
"Really? Let me try it." Xie Qiao took a sip: "It tastes good. It's much better than what Yang Cheng took me to drink before."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xie Qiao suddenly rubbed his eyes: "Isn't it because I'm dazzled? Do you think that's Yang Cheng?"
"Isn't it possible? Isn't the Yang family bankrupt? Why does Yang Cheng come to such a cocktail party?" Xu Lin replied subconsciously.
As a result, I followed Xie Qiao's gaze and discovered that it was really Yang Cheng.
"You really said that Cao Cao and Cao Cao are here. What is this kid doing here?"
