Unexpected events occurred just as Zhang Tianxing and his team were engrossed in researching mobile phones.
Wang Yiding, from the Chinese student circle, approached them. "Zhang Tianxing, how about you join me? We'll make endless money. I'll give you three days to consider."
Hearing this, Zhang Tianxing chuckled, "Wang Yiding, you seem to have misunderstood something. I have no intention of working for you. I am a student, and I am also a businessman, but I am not a subordinate."
Upon hearing Zhang Tianxing's respectful yet firm words, Wang Yiding sneered, "Kid, be sensible. To put it bluntly, even the richest man in China wouldn't be worthy of being my family's servant, and I haven't agreed. Our door isn't open to just anyone."
"Those rich lists are for poor people to look at. You can't comprehend the true power of established families. Follow me, and I won't treat you unfairly."
"With your talent in business and keen observation of the stock market, I guarantee that within ten years, you'll be among the most influential people in China."
After saying this, Wang Yiding calmly sipped his tea.
In his view, he was doing Zhang Tianxing a favor, recognizing his potential and giving him an opportunity, lest Zhang Tianxing be overlooked.
Seeing Wang Yiding's arrogant demeanor, Zhang Tianxing smiled.
He was well aware of the power of established families. For one thing, these families owned a significant amount of land; in fact, eighty percent of China's wealth was in their hands.
No matter when or where, the Pareto principle always applied.
Life, like rowing upstream, is full of unforeseen events.
"Young Master Wang, thank you for your generosity. I only sell crayfish, and I'm afraid I'm not capable of shouldering the heavy responsibilities of the Wang family. Besides, I am a student and need to focus on my studies." Zhang Tianxing spoke softly, wondering if Wang Yiding had lost his mind.
"Zhang Tianxing, don't refuse a good offer. Opportunities missed are gone forever. If you follow me, you'll even have a chance to interact with young ladies from prominent families. If one of them happens to fancy you, you could save thirty years of hard work and achieve a class leap." Wang Yiding was becoming annoyed.
This Zhang Tianxing seemed to be unappreciative, daring to refuse him. If they were in China instead of America, Wang Yiding would have countless ways to make Zhang Tianxing change his mind instantly.
Zhang Tianxing remained silent. There was no point in arguing with this rich scion; it was like playing the lute to a cow, utterly futile.
It seemed he was about to become a thorn in Wang Yiding's side, marked as someone who lacked foresight.
Zhang Tianxing didn't care; he had no intention of relying on Wang Yiding for his livelihood.
Wang Yiding said coldly, "Zhang Tianxing, don't be so smug now. Be careful in the future. Those who oppose me never end well. Think it over, and I'll come back for you in a couple of days."
With that, Wang Yiding left, displeased. He had never imagined Zhang Tianxing would refuse him.
He had heard that Zhang Tianxing was self-made, but Wang Yiding didn't believe it. He thought Zhang Tianxing had just gotten lucky.
In this society, the origin of one's first fortune was always the most uncertain.
Most ordinary families worked hard for over a decade just to earn enough for a down payment on a house.
However, Zhang Tianxing's current wealth indicated he was a capable businessman. It was precisely Zhang Tianxing's speed of wealth accumulation that made Wang Yiding want to recruit him, seeing it as a tremendous opportunity for Zhang Tianxing.
A capable businessman knows how to make the most advantageous choices. In today's society, ordinary businessmen can only make a meager living. If you want to reach the pinnacle, there's only one choice.
Becoming a "red-gained" merchant was the correct path to success and the foundation for truly expanding and strengthening an enterprise.
"I can't believe Zhang Tianxing refused me this time. Doesn't he want to be the richest man in China? I can make his business struggle with a single phone call, or I can ensure he has a constant stream of orders." Wang Yiding said with some displeasure.
Many people were eager to be his lackeys, and Wang Yiding didn't accept just anyone. Few people in this world caught his eye.
Zhang Tianxing's operations in the American stock market had astonished him, sparking the desire to recruit him. He hadn't expected it to be a one-sided affair, with Zhang Tianxing having no intention of becoming his subordinate.
Uncle Chen, standing nearby, smiled, "Young master, there's no need to be discouraged. Liu Bei also visited Zhuge Liang three times. Talented individuals today are all exceptionally proud; they don't agree upon the first meeting. They all want to build their own empires from scratch."
"Building an empire from scratch? How is that possible? Are there still commoners leaping to become dragons today? It's simply impossible." Wang Yiding said with a laugh.
Uncle Chen smiled and nodded, having lived long and seen much.
It was exceedingly difficult for commoners to achieve class mobility nowadays, with very little probability of success.
For one thing, the emphasis on family education alone created a vast difference. Commoners' primary focus was survival, making it impossible to prioritize education over it.
The sole aim of commoners was to survive and find a way to educate one child, preventing them from enduring the same hardships they had.
"No matter how poor, do not neglect the children; no matter how difficult, do not neglect education." This saying, while moving, was also a paradox.
As long as a person lives, there is hope, and a turning point might arrive.
Just as a song lyric asks, "Which is more important, survival or dignity?"
Survival is paramount. Therefore, for Wang Yiding, the idea of commoners achieving prominence was a joke.
"Young master, what if Zhang Tianxing continues to refuse you?" Uncle Chen asked with a frown. Having lived a long life and met many people, he recognized Zhang Tianxing possessed a certain spirit. Such individuals would forge their own paths, and once a decision was made, it was highly unlikely to change.
"Hahaha, I'll give him two chances. Let him be Zhuge Liang once, and I'll be Liu Bei, visiting him a third time. If he remains uncooperative, he's not my friend; he's my enemy. Enemies must be treated with the ruthlessness of winter." Wang Yiding said fiercely.
He had inquired about Zhang Tianxing and found him to be an exceptional money-maker.
Zhang Tianxing was a walking, talking money-printing machine. It was normal for such a talent to be a bit arrogant.
However, if Zhang Tianxing refused even after a third invitation, it would be a direct affront to him.
That would be a different matter entirely. If he couldn't be used, he might as well "go see Marx."
In this day and age, finding a three-legged toad was difficult, but there were plenty of two-legged people, Wang Yiding thought resentfully.