Cao Gongzi: First, Buy Half of the Internet

What is market resilience?

This is market resilience.

While everyone else is still in expansion mode, the market hasn't reached saturation yet.

Simply put, there aren’t enough people using these products.

They haven’t achieved the coverage Cao Cheng wants.

Word-of-mouth hasn’t fully exploded either…

Most importantly,

these brands haven’t started fighting yet.

Once the market becomes saturated, they’ll tear each other apart.

Miracle Cosmetics won’t need to lift a finger—just sit back and watch them die.

When the snipe and clam fight, the fisherman profits. And after the fisherman, there’s the hunter. And after the hunter, there’s the boss.

Cao Cheng intends to be that boss.

After spending so much time setting up this grand scheme, he can’t let these people slip away.

Besides,

Miracle Cosmetics isn’t losing money—it’s just not making much.

Cao Cheng deliberately controls production, releasing only a small batch daily to fuel online frenzy.

Even Moutai would tip its hat in respect!

Sure, brands under L'Oréal have rolled out new products with massive stockpiles, thanks to their industrial-scale production lines.

But their prices are steep.

Almost as high as the scalper prices for Miracle Cosmetics.

So,

Miracle Cosmetics still offers great value—the only downside is how hard it is to get.

Scalper prices keep climbing too.

It’s enough to make Cao Cheng consider becoming a scalper himself.

……

Late April brought new turmoil in Europe—Greece’s credit rating was downgraded to "junk"!

Greece pleaded for aid!

Cao Cheng rubbed his hands together—finally, the moment had arrived.

……

May.

"L'Oréal spends 300 million, outbidding Wahaha Group’s 200 million and Langjiu’s 190 million, to secure the naming rights for the second season of The Voice."

The news left everyone stunned.

"No way? That expensive? Wasn’t Wahaha’s naming deal just 100 million for the first season? Am I remembering wrong?"

"You’re right—I checked, and it was 100 million. Did the price really triple for the second season?"

"Damn, are you guys only focused on the money? Shouldn’t the real shock be that L'Oréal and Cao Cheng are supposed to be enemies?"

"Yeah, exactly! How could they sponsor his show?"

"That’s just business logic. You guys don’t get it—businessmen don’t hold grudges. It’s all about profit."

"No wonder Cao Cheng’s the richest. Dude’s got no shame when it comes to money."

"Pathetic, honestly."

"If it were me, I wouldn’t let L'Oréal sponsor even for a billion."

"Which is why you don’t have a billion—hell, you probably don’t even have 100k."

"Ouch, bro."

"……"

……

Lately, Cao Cheng had been subtly mocking L'Oréal and other international brands online—Lancôme, Maybelline, Chanel, Guerlain, you name it.

Basically, anyone selling X-Essence Serum got roasted.

His digs made sure even regular folks knew the dirty details.

They learned how Cao Cheng had been screwed over by global capital.

But who would’ve thought?

Not long after,

L'Oréal ended up sponsoring The Voice, a show under Cao Cheng’s control.

Was 300 million a lot?

For ordinary people, sure. For Cao Cheng? Just another day at the office.

At least, that’s how most saw it.

If they were in his shoes, they’d never compromise their pride for money—even if it meant earning less.

But,

no one knew what Cao Cheng was really thinking. To them, he’d just humiliated himself.

Eldest Sister knew the reason.

Ren’s mother knew too.

But The Fourth didn’t.

The Fourth kicked him.

"What the hell? Three hundred million and you fold? You’re that cheap?"

Seriously.

What kind of nonsense was that?

Since when was 300 million "cheap"?

Do you know how much that could buy on a battlefield?

Cao Cheng chuckled, grabbing her leg and giving it a squeeze. "You don’t know a damn thing."

"Then explain it to me," The Fourth huffed, trying to pull her leg back before giving up and letting him massage it.

"Don’t worry about it. This benefits me—big time. Got it?"

"No."

"Even if you don’t, I can’t tell you. Secrets make success. Just wait and see. When have I ever lost out?"

"……"

The Fourth paused.

True.

This little bastard never lost.

Actually, Eldest Sister had figured out the scheme early on, and the family later caught on to the broad strokes.

No point hiding it.

None of them were blabbermouths.

But the finer details? Cao Cheng kept those to himself.

Especially this time.

Even knowing he had a plan, The Fourth couldn’t fathom why he’d swallow his pride.

Just for the money?

No way.

Cao Cheng had invested in Wahaha Group—if they’d sponsored instead, he might’ve made even more than 300 million.

What she didn’t know was,

Cao Cheng was after emotional currency.

Look at this wave of outrage.

Nationalists called him a disgrace, swore off Miracle products, even boycotted The Voice.

You know how much negative emotion that generated?

Money’s endless.

But emotional value? Finite.

And L'Oréal? After sponsoring, they underestimated him—more emotions to harvest.

Later, when Cao Cheng struck back and reclaimed X-Essence Serum’s rights,

L'Oréal’s backlash would be even richer.

Then, looking back on this moment? More emotional spikes.

Basically,

Cao Cheng was playing the long game.

Only by flipping the script could he milk maximum emotion.

Everything was for the emotional payoff.

……

Critics lambasted Cao Cheng for "betraying his principles."

The backlash wasn’t huge,

but it spread far.

Fans even flooded Wang Haodong’s platform:

"Boss Wang, can’t you talk some sense into your buddy? He’s trading dignity for cash."

"Boss Wang, we’re counting on you."

"Hey, that’s just rude."

"Step up, Boss Wang. Rein in your friend."

"If Boss Wang steps in, I’ll move my elephant."

"You play xiangqi??"

"Boss Wang, if your pal keeps this up, I’m done with The Voice. And my wife’s switching to L'Oréal."

"Helping foreigners profit off us? Disgusting."

"This is treason, Boss Wang!"

Wang Haodong had been thriving lately.

After last incident, his followers blew past a million, and he’d tasted the perks of fame.

He even splurged on a small talent agency, dipping into showbiz.

All Cao Cheng’s idea.

Future plans involved girl groups.

Better to let a sleazeball like Wang Haodong take the heat than Cao Cheng himself.

After all, Cao Cheng was the "hero of the people." Wang? Just a troublemaker.

His reputation didn’t matter.

If influencers existed yet, Cao Cheng would’ve had him date a bunch for clout.

Wang Haodong had no clue what future awaited—but for now, he was loving the spotlight.

Wang Haodong sent a message: "Don’t worry, everyone. I’ll go talk to him tonight and set him straight. Money isn’t everything—what matters is standing tall. A real man should carry himself with dignity. If we’re strong, then China is strong."

"Nice!"

"Boss Wang, you’re the man!"

"Forever a fan."

"Boss Wang, love you!"

"Husband, I love you. I’ve already divorced that guy surnamed Cao. You’re my man now."

"..."

Wang Haodong burst into laughter as he read the comments, practically glowing with pride. He raised an eyebrow at his butler.

"So? Pretty badass, huh?"

"Young Master, you’re the baddest of them all!" The butler gave a thumbs-up.

"Damn right."

Wang Haodong lifted his chin, oozing arrogance. "But credit where it’s due—my bro’s the real genius. He showed me this shining path, and I’ve never been more sure that I’m meant to be a hero. You, on the other hand, what good are you? Twenty-something years of my life wasted because you couldn’t give me a single decent idea."

"..."

The butler’s face darkened. "Young Master, no need to lift one by putting another down, is there?"

"I’ll put you down if I want. What’re you gonna do about it?"

"You’re the Young Master. What can this old servant do? Though, there’s something I feel I should say—"

"Don’t. Keep it to yourself."

"Understood, Young Master. But I just meant… perhaps a bit more humility—"

"I said shut it."

"I know, but what I’m trying to say is—"

"Get out!"

"What I mean—"

"You leaving or not? Driver, stop the car."

Screech.

Wang Haodong kicked the butler out of the car, sending him flying a few hundred meters. Moments later, the butler scurried back, wiping sweat off his brow.

"This servant won’t speak anymore. Young Master, you’re truly mighty."

"Hmph!" Wang Haodong snorted proudly.

A few seconds of silence passed.

The butler spoke again. "Young Master—"

Wang Haodong shot him a sidelong glare.

The butler quickly corrected himself. "I won’t say anything. Just wanted to ask—are we heading to the Ren family now?"

"Why would we go there?" Wang Haodong frowned.

The butler hesitated. "Didn’t you promise your fans you’d go talk to that Young Master Cao?"

"Are you brain-dead? That was just to hype up the fans. Me, confront him? You think I can out-talk him? Besides, I still need his advice to get ahead. You’re useless—if you had half a brain, I’d have been famous years ago."

"..."

The butler cursed inwardly while maintaining a pitiful expression.

When would this nightmare end?

The old Young Master was at least just a bit dim.

But this new version?

Somehow, he’d convinced himself he was radiant, floating on cloud nine, deaf to any advice.

He had no idea what "low-key" even meant.

Was this level of arrogance good?

Obviously not.

Pride comes before a fall, and fools rush in where angels fear to tread.

Master, maybe it’s time to have another kid. This one’s a lost cause.

...

While the battle between The Voice and Cosmetics War 1.0 raged on,

Cao Cheng’s focus was on industrial expansion.

His vision was broad.

There was much to be done.

But he was also… well, lazy. Or rather, too bogged down by trivial family matters to handle everything personally.

Yeah.

That was the reason.

Still, Young Master Cao occasionally made time for strategic investments.

So far, he’d acquired stakes in countless ventures—many of which flew under the public radar.

Take the internet, for example.

Cao Cheng now owned half of it.

Social media, e-commerce, mobile app development, AI infrastructure, future content platforms, online music, gaming, logistics, even cryptocurrency (though not domestically).

In a few years, when these companies matured, Cao Cheng’s influence would rise with them.

And that was just the digital world.

His reach extended into other industries too.

The costs were staggering.

The future?

Limitless.