Chapter 297 Never Forget the One Who Digs the Well
To be fair, without that initial "angel investment" of three million yuan from his uncle, who knew how much longer it would have taken for Yuanxin to rise?
It was that very three million that allowed Su Yuanshan to complete the EDA system in just six months, and then launch the VCD product within a year.
Never forgetting the one who helped dig the well when you drink the water—because of that, when setting up the offshore Xinghai, Su Yuanshan had made sure not to leave his uncle out. He gave him a share equivalent to his stake in Yuanxin.
Now almost three years had passed. The Xinghai Tech company under offshore Xinghai was already preparing for an IPO… and his uncle had completely forgotten he was a shareholder.
As Zhang Ke suddenly recalled, he slapped his forehead and burst out laughing.
"You didn't remind me, I totally forgot about that. Only you, kid—you've been pulling big names and raising flags to build companies all over the place."
"Hehe, Uncle, now that Xinghai Offshore is pivoting into a private equity direction, we'll have to restructure the shareholder structure a bit," Su Yuanshan said, exhaling lightly.
"Yuanxin has Yuanxin Holdings to reward its veterans.
As for Xinghai, the only entity that can do that is Xinghai Offshore."
"So the equity will be adjusted to match Yuanxin's?"
"Mm…"
Su Yuanshan looked a bit sheepish.
"It might cost you a little."
"Hahahahaha!"
Zhang Ke laughed even louder.
"If you hadn't brought it up, I'd never have remembered.
But this feels like finding two hundred bucks in your laundry—how could I not be happy? No problem!"
Su Yuanshan let out a relieved breath and quickly flattered him.
"Uncle's generous."
Zhang Ke stared at his nephew for a few seconds and then shook his head with a sigh.
"Xiaoshan, it's not that I'm generous.
It's that I know how to be a decent human being.
If it weren't for you, that three million of mine would never have turned into what it is today.
Don't joke with me.
Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I'd be worth over a hundred million."
"I didn't imagine it either," Su Yuanshan said with a grin.
"How obsessed with money do you have to be to dream about it every night?"
"Your grandpa and your dad both say you're a guy with big dreams—
of course you don't dream about money."
Zhang Ke looked at him with a mix of pride and envy.
"Me? I'm just a regular guy."
"No, Uncle. You're a man of true wisdom," Su Yuanshan said seriously.
"Very few people are truly able to let go when it counts.
That signature of yours just waved goodbye to a few hundred million U.S. dollars."
Zhang Ke's cheek twitched.
"Don't mess with my head."
"Hahaha!"
After politely declining his uncle's invitation to stay for dinner, Su Yuanshan and his team returned to Yuanxin.
With Zhang Ke's signature transferring 10% of his shares back to Su Yuanshan and signing a new custody agreement, Su Yuanshan now had more flexibility and control over Xinghai Holdings.
Just like Yuanxin Holdings, Xinghai Holdings was Su Yuanshan's personal vehicle. In the future, aside from pivoting toward private equity, it would also serve as the mechanism through which equity incentives were distributed to Xinghai's overseas team.
Carly, Claude, Howard, Qin Si… he needed to form a core holding team around himself—closely bound together.
Having lived nearly "fifty years" in his previous life, Su Yuanshan knew all too well that only shared interests could unite people of different nationalities and beliefs.
Everything else was just wishful thinking.
"Sister Xiaohui, put this file in the safe," Su Yuanshan said, handing over the signed documents.
Then he glanced at the time.
"Come on, let's get ready for dinner."
"You go ahead. I've still got a few things to finish."
Zhou Xiaohui took the folder, knelt to open the safe, stored the documents carefully, then locked it up.
Afterward, she pulled several more documents from a nearby cabinet and began flipping through them.
Su Yuanshan saw a stack of folders already placed neatly on the coffee table and noticed the serious look on her face.
He hesitated, then said,
"Alright, I'll talk to President Chen tonight.
Tomorrow, you should set up an official office."
Zhou Xiaohui looked up.
"Huh? What office?"
"You know… a proper office.
We'll get you two secretaries."
Su Yuanshan smiled.
"You're working so hard all day that people might think I'm overworking female employees."
Since being promoted, Su Yuanshan himself had enjoyed a lighter workload, but Zhou Xiaohui had gotten busier than ever.
In reality, she was still technically his secretary.
But administratively, she was Assistant to the Chairman—a senior executive with real authority.
Because she was also managing countless tasks on his behalf, her workload was enormous.
Back when Su Yuanshan was still the one constantly working late, she could still go home on time, even bringing him meals.
Now?
She often finished later than him.
And Su was a workaholic—especially when writing papers. He had no concept of time.
But Zhou Xiaohui was genuinely swamped.
She wasn't just putting in hours—there really was that much to do.
She also oversaw all of Xinghai Offshore's business dealings.
Even though Qin Si handled most of the day-to-day, Zhou still had to pay close attention.
"I… I don't think that's a good idea," Zhou Xiaohui said hesitantly, biting her lip.
She glanced toward the neighboring office.
"Won't President Chen and An'an think badly of me?"
Su Yuanshan understood what she was worried about.
Right now, Yuanxin effectively had two major secretaries—An Siying and Zhou Xiaohui.
An Siying had always followed Chen Jing and was well-versed in corporate admin work.
She had been named Deputy Director of Administration early on and had her own office.
But in truth, she still served as Chen Jing's personal assistant and mainly conveyed internal tasks.
Zhou Xiaohui, on the other hand, had followed Su Yuanshan and been directly named Assistant to the Chairman—a position equal to a Vice President.
Because of Su's special status, no one had raised objections.
Everyone knew: she was doing the job for Su Yuanshan.
But if Zhou Xiaohui now formed her own office, it would mean she was officially taking up the responsibilities of her title.
In any organization, it's not the title that matters—it's what you actually do.
And once she began exercising that authority, friction could follow.
So yes, Zhou Xiaohui was worried—especially about causing tension with Chen Jing.
Su Yuanshan chuckled.
"Don't worry. They're not that petty."
"They are!" Zhou Xiaohui glared at him, pouting.
"This isn't about being petty.
It's just… it wouldn't look good."
"You dummy!
Just set it up under the name of Xinghai Venture Capital."
Su Yuanshan burst out laughing.
"Besides, your office wouldn't be stepping on anyone's toes.
You'd still be focused on handling my miscellaneous affairs,
and coordinating between the R&D and administrative departments.
Pretty much what you're already doing."
Only then did Zhou Xiaohui think it over and nod.
"Alright, fine."
"That's more like it… Come on, let's eat."
Get 30% off on my Patreon and enjoy early access to new chapters.
You can also purchase the next 100 chapters of the novel directly from my Patreon page.
Hurry up! The promotion ends on January 2, 2026.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Albino1