Zhongguancun is undoubtedly the most famous place in Hua Xia, a national-level high-tech development zone.
The term "China's Silicon Valley" is not just for show; it's a reality.
Countless renowned enterprises and top tech talents have embarked on their journeys from here.
The distinguished Tsinghua and Peking Universities are its representatives, along with over thirty other higher education institutions.
In the early days, it was a hub of luminaries, with many academicians from the Chinese Academy of Sciences residing here.
Nearly every one of them was a pioneer in their respective fields, true founders.
In later years, privately-owned entrepreneurs widely known to the public, such as those behind Jingxi, Dami, and Du Niang, all emerged from Zhongguancun.
It can be said that Zhongguancun occupies half of China's technology sector, bearing abundant fruits.
Qin Chuan's suggestion for Shang Honglian to seek employment in Zhongguancun, Beijing, was definitely for her own good.
It is currently 1998, the golden era of the internet's rise.
This year, Windows 98 was released, revolutionizing computer operating systems.
This year, Google was founded!
This year, Chinese-American youth Yang Moumou brought Yahoo's business to China, deeply stimulating the rise of the domestic internet.
A man named Zhang Moumou founded Sohu, creating the world's largest Chinese website, Wanglang. This same year, Liu Moumou founded Jingxi.
Also in this year, Xiao Ma and Zhang Moumou founded Tencent in Pengcheng.
All of this marks a year of unparalleled innovation in the history of China's internet.
Shang Honglian's mention of her major in Electronic Information Engineering immediately brought to Qin Chuan's mind many historical figures.
It made him feel an urge; if he had several million yuan now, he could collaborate with these giants. Even a few percent of shares in each company would be enough.
Then, in a decade or two, he would be a billionaire lying down, with guaranteed returns.
However, this thought only flashed through Qin Chuan's mind before he shook his head and dismissed it.
Because this money was not solely his; Shang Bingrong was also involved.
He couldn't convince Shang Bingrong to invest in these internet companies. People at this time simply couldn't grasp the vast potential of the internet.
Compared to the ethereal nature of the internet, real estate was more tangible and reliable.
Another fatal flaw in investing in these internet companies was their long return cycle. They were merely infants now, with a long road ahead to maturity.
Moreover, Qin Chuan knew about the impending internet bubble around the year 2000, which would be as devastating as the Hong Kong financial crisis.
That turmoil would severely impact many internet companies.
Qin Chuan felt that perhaps that would be the opportune moment for him to strike. By 2000, two years from now, Qin Chuan believed his assets would have at least tenfold from their current value, given his development pace.
Then, he would have his own substantial funds to inject into these internet companies, acting as a timely benefactor, and undoubtedly reaping immense profits.
For now, he needed to focus on seizing the opportunity with the Hang Seng index futures and making a fortune.
Sitting in KFC, Qin Chuan and Shang Honglian chatted, sharing some of his views on the internet with her.
This thrilled Shang Honglian. She never expected Qin Chuan to have such insights, many of which were more pertinent than those of a professional like herself, and his words were filled with admiration for the internet.
After the meal, they didn't go anywhere else but chose a nearby park to stroll and aid digestion.
"Qin Chuan, I've decided. Before school starts, there's still time. Tomorrow, or at the latest the day after, I'll head to Beijing to see the legendary Zhongguancun!"
Shang Honglian declared, her voice firm.
"Go ahead, I support you!"
Qin Chuan smiled and patted Shang Honglian's shoulder.
"Qin Chuan, my dad mentioned you have a girlfriend, the beautiful factory director of Butterfly Garments in our county, Li Ya, right?"
Shang Honglian suddenly asked.
"Yes."
Qin Chuan nodded emphatically, his voice low. "Li Ya is not just my girlfriend, but also my benefactor. She has helped me immensely; without her, I wouldn't have achieved this much today!"
This was the truth. Li Ya had provided significant assistance during Qin Chuan's early entrepreneurial ventures.
If it hadn't been for Li Ya's initial share pledge loan, Qin Chuan's business wouldn't have taken off, and he'd likely be struggling to get by somewhere else.
Therefore, Qin Chuan's feelings for Li Ya were complex, encompassing the roles of girlfriend, benefactor, and partner.
"Then can you tell me your story? How did you two end up together?"
Shang Honglian asked, her big eyes blinking curiously.
Qin Chuan smiled and shook his head. "I can't tell you that for now; it's personal privacy."
"Hmph, stingy!"
Shang Honglian pouted unhappily.
Just then, a phone rang from Shang Honglian's bag.
"My brother is calling, probably to hurry me home."
Shang Honglian pulled out her phone, saw the caller ID, explained, and then answered.
"I'm already an adult... Yes, yes, I'll be right back!"
"Absolutely do not call Mom and Dad!"
After hanging up, Qin Chuan looked at Shang Honglian, who seemed a bit down, and smiled. "Your brother is rushing you home, isn't he? Let's go! I'll drive you; it's getting dark soon!"
"That's the only way. I was hoping to explore other places with you, sigh."
Shang Honglian sighed.
"It's alright, I'll be in the provincial capital for a while, busy until the end of August. If you come back from Zhongguancun, you can call me."
"Then it's a deal!"
Shang Honglian's mood, which had been somewhat low, immediately changed, and she looked very excited.
"Could this girl possibly like me?"
Qin Chuan noticed Shang Honglian's unusual behavior and his heart skipped a beat, then he quickly dismissed the thought.
Impossible!
How long had they known each other? At most, they had gone through hardship together once, and Shang Honglian knew he had a girlfriend...
At eight in the evening, after dropping Shang Honglian home, Qin Chuan returned to his hotel.
He resumed his nightly text message exchanges with Teacher Yang.
Yang Zimo was of the cool and aloof type with a hint of arrogance, while Qin Chuan was the roguish, experienced driver, prone to steering conversations towards intimacy. Each time, he could make the fairy-like Teacher Yang descend to earth, only for her to get angry and stop talking to him.
The next evening, Qin Chuan sent a message, and Teacher Yang replied, resuming their interaction. Their relationship was peculiar.
Night passed silently once more, and time advanced to August 13th.
Around nine in the morning, Qin Chuan and Yang Conglong arrived at the VIP trading room.
"Qin Chuan, are you sure you want to invest all your funds and remain steadfastly bearish?"
Yang Conglong asked earnestly, his expression extremely serious.