Chapter 130: Your Father Has Fainted

After a period of hard work, Feiteng Company flourished, its reputation soaring especially in Yang City.

Under such circumstances, the time had come to start selling their mobile phones.

Following a round of publicity, most people in Yang City had become familiar with the concept of smartphones, and the younger generation showed great enthusiasm for this new technology.

Almost as soon as the store opened, young customers flocked in, eagerly inquiring whether the smartphones were available for purchase.

The brand name of the phone was chosen by Jiang Ying—simply called "Hero."

On the first day of sales, Zhao Fan made a point to attend, showing his support for Jiang Ying.

As they chatted, a few people walked by nearby. Zhao Fan’s gaze followed them—it was Wu Qingfeng, the second master of Yuanhong Group.

When Zhao Fan saw Wu Qingfeng, the latter also noticed him. Their eyes met briefly in the air, accompanied by a subtle nod and a smile, before each looked away.

Zhao Fan thought that would be the end of it, but unexpectedly, after the sales event concluded, one of Wu Qingfeng’s men came looking for him.

“Hello, Mr. Zhao. The Second Master requests your presence.”

Upon hearing “Second Master,” Zhao Fan said nothing, took one unsold phone, gestured for the man to lead the way.

A block away, at a restaurant, Zhao Fan was led upstairs and ushered into a private room.

“Greetings, Second Master.”

“Hmm, have a seat.”

Zhao Fan sat down, his gaze fixed on Wu Qingfeng’s face, remaining silent.

After a few minutes, Wu Qingfeng spoke, “Your product is quite impressive.”

Zhao Fan smiled slightly and pushed the phone he brought forward, “Indeed, it’s quite remarkable. Would you like to try it, Second Master?”

Wu Qingfeng glanced at the phone before signaling his aide to put it away.

“To be honest, it’s the first time I’ve seen such a phone. You all are quite capable.”

Hearing Wu Qingfeng repeatedly say “you all,” Zhao Fan’s smile stiffened somewhat.

“Second Master, to be frank, I’m somewhat embarrassed to say this phone isn’t really my doing.”

“Oh? Not your creation?”

Zhao Fan shook his head quickly, “No, I just happened to meet the researcher by chance and invested some money.”

“I see. I had misunderstood then.”

Zhao Fan maintained his smile, saying nothing further.

“Second Master, the dishes have been ordered. Shall I serve them?”

“Go ahead.”

“Yes.”

The waiter brought out the dishes, soon filling the table.

Wu Qingfeng said, “Since this meeting is by chance, I can only treat you to a simple meal. Please.”

“Thank you, Second Master.”

After a few drinks, Wu Qingfeng casually brought up the subject of Kyoto.

“Mr. Zhao, have you considered expanding your business to Kyoto?”

Zhao Fan shook his head, “Not at the moment.”

“May I ask why?”

“Nothing is settled here yet; how can I move outward? In business, one must first firmly establish a foothold step by step.”

Wu Qingfeng laughed heartily, “Well said. If your foundation isn’t solid, no matter how high you build, it will inevitably collapse.”

Zhao Fan smiled silently.

At that moment, Wu Qingfeng changed the topic abruptly.

“But still, what you said is both right and not right.”

“How so?” Zhao Fan was intrigued, instinctively asking.

“Time waits for no one. While you focus on stabilizing your base, have you considered that others might seize your reputation when you’re unable to move forward?”

Zhao Fan said nothing, quietly eating.

Wu Qingfeng continued, “As far as I know, someone in Kyoto is planning to open a supermarket. Once it’s established, supermarkets spreading from Kyoto might even be more popular than yours.”

Zhao Fan’s expression shifted slightly. He knew Wu Qingfeng spoke the truth.

Even if the supermarkets in Kyoto and Yang City are essentially the same, public perception would likely favor those from Kyoto.

Not for any other reason, but because of one simple human trait: rivalry.

Lowering his eyes, Zhao Fan concealed the swirling thoughts within and casually remarked, “As long as the supermarket is well-run, even if it came from the heavens, it won’t affect my business.”

“Mr. Zhao is confident.”

“This isn’t confidence; it’s fact.”

You can try to suppress competition with reputation, but if your quality isn’t up to par, no amount of undercutting will guarantee victory.

“Heh, eat your food.”

“Please, Second Master.”

After that, Wu Qingfeng said no more. Zhao Fan enjoyed the rest of the meal and left promptly.

As the private room door opened and closed behind them, both Zhao Fan and Wu Qingfeng’s expressions shifted briefly before returning to normal, as if nothing had happened.

That evening, Jiang Ying held a celebration banquet. Zhao Fan approached him.

“I heard that someone in Kyoto plans to enter the supermarket business?”

Jiang Ying was pouring wine and looked surprised upon hearing this. “How did you find out?”

With just a single sentence, Jiang Ying confirmed the rumor was true.

“Just overheard by chance. Looks like you knew too.”

Zhao Fan’s eyes darkened; as a partner, Jiang Ying had kept this information from him.

Jiang Ying cleared his throat, “It’s not that I wanted to hide it, but continuing to stir this up might not be good for you.”

“Which family is behind this?”

Jiang Ying paused, surprised by Zhao Fan’s sharp insight.

“They’re acquaintances of yours as well.”

Not only a prominent family, but also familiar to Zhao Fan...

Zhao Fan’s mind raced. “Are you talking about Du Xinyan? No, the Du family from Kyoto?”

Though his tone carried some doubt, he already had his answer—the Kyoto Du family was behind this business venture.

“You guessed right. It is indeed the Du family from Kyoto, but also not exactly.”

“How can it be both?”

“It’s the younger generation of the Du family running this business.”

Zhao Fan’s gaze grew subtle. “You’re probably one of the younger generation too, aren’t you?”

Calling others younger, wasn’t he included?

Jiang Ying waved his hand, a rogue smile curling his lips. “I’m completely different from them.”

His business had taken root from foreign connections and his own ideas, growing to this point, unlike those Du family members who only knew how to imitate others.

Zhao Fan couldn’t help but chuckle. “Indeed, quite different.”

“Tsk, don’t laugh. Just telling the truth.”

After the celebration, Zhao Fan left. These days had been hectic and chaotic; as one matter ended, another arrived.

The next day marked the official start of a game launch event, which he had to host.

But fate had other plans. Early the next morning, Zhao Fan was startled awake by his mother’s urgent calls.

“Xiaofan! Xiaofan!”

The urgency in her voice left no room for hesitation; he rushed over immediately.

“What’s wrong, Mom?”

Pushing open the door, Zhao Fan saw his mother kneeling on the floor, tears falling as she wiped them away.

“Hurry! Your father suddenly fainted.”

Zhao Fan’s face darkened. He shook his father gently—no response.

He quickly lifted him up.

“Let’s go to the hospital.”

“Alright, alright.”

Though flustered, Zhao’s mother managed to grab the family’s bank card.

At Nanyuan Hospital, Zhao Fan parked outside and rushed inside calling for help. Soon, a nurse came out to assist.

“Quickly, carry him away!”