Chapter 321: Encounter with the Boss (Part 2)
Lu Yiming looked at the familiar face of the young man and felt a sense of déjà vu, as if he had seen him somewhere.
It was not until the young man bent down to pick up the scattered banknotes on the ground and looked at Zhao Tiezhu next to him that he understood. The bad boy who had caused trouble before must have been taught a lesson by the strong man in front of him, so he ran back obediently to pay the money.
The young man was so moved that he kept saying, "Thank you, thank you."
Lu Yiming asked with a puzzled look on his face: "What's your name?"
The young man touched his head shyly and smiled: "My name is Zhang Xiaolong."
"Zhang Xiaolong??!"
Lu Yiming repeated it.
He finally understood why the person in front of him looked familiar.
This guy is Zhang Xiaolong, the father of WeChat!
Wait, Zhang Xiaolong is actually selling pirated CDs now?
It's totally off the mark!
Seeing Lu Yiming's slightly out of control, Zhang Xiaolong felt very strange: "Do you know me?"
Lu Yiming thought, I don’t just know you, everyone will line up to scold you in the future…
"Oh, sorry, I'm just a little surprised. I've heard of your name in the domestic Internet circle and have long wanted to meet you, a folk computer expert."
Lu Yiming took out his business card and handed it to Zhang Xiaolong, his tone more enthusiastic than ever before: "This is my business card. I am very interested in you. I want to talk to you about the future of the Internet. If you are interested, come to the address above to find me at noon tomorrow. It's getting late, you should go back first."
Just then a taxi passed by, and Lu Yiming waved and shouted, "Hey, taxi."
The car stopped, and Lu Yiming took out a hundred-dollar bill, pointed at Zhang Xiaolong, and said, "Send this gentleman home, no need to change."
Sitting in the taxi, Zhang Xiaolong looked at the business card in his hand and couldn't help but fall into deep thought.
What is going on?
When they arrived at their residence, Zhang Xiaolong got off the car at the entrance of the alley, dragging his sack. Just as he was about to enter the alley, the owner of the small shop at the intersection called him, "Xiaolong is back."
Zhang Xiaolong smiled and said, "I'm back, Sister Chen."
Sister Chen asked, "How is business today?"
"It's OK, no, I have to take a shower, it's so hot."
Zhang Xiaolong was about to enter the alley when Sister Chen said, "By the way, your mother called just now. I went to call you but you were not home."
"Then I'll call her back."
Sister Chen opened the wooden box that locked the phone and said, "Call, and pay attention to the time."
"Okay."
Zhang Xiaolong made a phone call and the call was answered by Zhang Xiaolong's mother.
"mom."
"Xiaolong."
Hearing his mother's voice, Zhang Xiaolong was a little excited, and his voice suddenly choked up: "Mom, you called me just now, is there something wrong?"
"Your birthday is in half a month. Eat well when you are out alone. Don't ruin your health just to save money. If you really can't make it, come back."
Hearing his mother's voice and feeling her love, Zhang Xiaolong's eyes were filled with tears, but he tried hard not to cry out loud.
Perhaps in the eyes of his parents, he has become a prodigal son who does not work properly. He gave up a good job in a public institution and went to Baiyun to open up wasteland by himself.
But in the end, I got nothing, not even a decent job.
But even so, his parents did not despise him, which made Zhang Xiaolong feel guilty and wanted to make a name for himself even more.
"Mom, I'm doing pretty well here. The big boss of the company appreciates me very much. When I make money, I will definitely go back with glory."
On the other end of the phone, my mother sighed softly and said in a gentle voice, "Well, the weather is getting cold, you should wear more clothes."
Zhang Xiaolong looked at his short-sleeved shirt and said, "It's okay. It's still hot here in Baiyun. Even in December, it's almost summer."
After chatting for a few more sentences, Zhang Xiaolong's phone credit was almost gone, so he had to hang up.
"Thank you, Sister Chen."
Zhang Xiaolong took out a five-dollar bill and handed it to Sister Chen. Sister Chen smiled and said, "Forget it, forget it. It's just a phone call and we didn't say much, so I won't charge you."
In recent days, Zhang Xiaolong has been coming home later and later at night. Sister Chen has seen this and guessed that business is not good, so she doesn't plan to charge Zhang Xiaolong any money this time.
After insisting several times, Sister Chen refused to take the money. Zhang Xiaolong reluctantly put the money into his pocket and said, "Well, when I get rich in the future, I'll treat you to a big meal."
Sister Chen smiled and nodded: "Okay, then I'll wait."
The next morning, Zhang Xiaolong was absent-minded, thinking about the young man he met last night.
At noon, when it was time to get off work, Zhang Xiaolong finally decided to go to Shijinji to look for Lu Yiming.
Lu Yiming was already waiting in the office. When he saw Zhang Xiaolong come in, he smiled and said, "Sit down."
Zhang Xiaolong was a little surprised and said to Lu Yiming: "Mr. Lu, I majored in computer science. This Shijinji is a food company. This..."
Lu Yiming got straight to the point and said, "I asked you to come here because I want you to help me make a software. This is my software design idea, take a look first."
Lu Yiming pushed a document in front of him towards Zhang Xiaolong.
Zhang Xiaolong took the document and started reading it with doubt in his mind.
Lu Yiming then continued, "Zhang Xiaolong, you are undoubtedly a rare talent. I would like to ask you to help me develop a software."
Zhang Xiaolong, who had been living in hardship for a long time, was confused at this moment: "Me? Excuse me, Mr. Lu, you seem to know me very well?"
Lu Yiming smiled, but did not explain in detail. He said casually, "I can only say that I have some impression of you, so I asked someone to find out. I wanted to find you, but I didn't expect to meet you by chance. Do you think this is fate?"
The number of users of Foxmail software developed by Zhang Xiaolong skyrocketed to 500,000 in just one year, and the user base even expanded from domestic to overseas.
Although he is a nobody in real life, he has already become a famous internet celebrity in the virtual world.
So much so that in the Internet circle of Xiaguo, the name "Zhang Xiaolong" is known to everyone on the Internet.
But the reality is cruel. Although he has a reputation now, his wallet is very tight. No matter how much spiritual food he has, he still has to eat.
But in Zhang Xiaolong's view, the essence of the Internet is sharing, so he does not intend to charge for the Foxmail he developed.
However, after the software is developed, it is not perfect. Users will inevitably find various problems during use. As a developer, Zhang Xiaolong needs to improve and upgrade the software from time to time to ensure its subsequent normal operation.
Over the past year or so, he has basically been relying entirely on selling pirated CDs and doing odd jobs to support Foxmail, and now even he can barely support himself.
He does not take a penny for developing the software, but also volunteers to help "clean up his mess". Even if his ideal halo is huge, a growling stomach can pull him back to reality.
During the conversation, Zhang Xiaolong also read the project requirements. For him, making such a software was not a difficult task.
But Zhang Xiaolong has a temper. He doesn't like to work for others or do things according to others' requirements. So, although Lu Yiming's offer was not low, he did not agree to it immediately.
"I'll think about it."
Lu Yiming did not ask for anything, but just said: "I will wait for you until twelve o'clock tonight."
"good."
Zhang Xiaolong stood up to leave, and Lu Yiming said, "Have you eaten yet? Together?"
Zhang Xiaolong said politely: "Thank you, I've eaten."
Although he lied, that was his character. He would not accept any favor from strangers before deciding to cooperate.
Before leaving, Zhang Xiaolong said, "Thank you, Mr. Lu, for last night. I'll return the hundred yuan to you later."
"good."
Lu Yiming agreed with a smile.
Walking out of Shijinji and facing the bright sun above his head, Zhang Xiaolong thought a lot.
Now, he has one last trump card in his hand, which is to sell Foxmail.
Just two months ago, he had discussed this deal with Lei Jun of Kingsoft Software. Once the deal was successful, he would be able to earn his first pot of gold, 150,000 yuan, and continue his dream.
This is also the reason why he did not directly agree to Lu Yiming .
After get off work in the afternoon, Zhang Xiaolong did not go to set up a stall for the first time.
In front of the shabby computer desk, the screen flickered with fluorescent light, reflecting Zhang Xiaolong's face that was once again confused.
He wants to display his talent, but he also doesn't want to pursue his dream on an empty stomach.
Although he treated Foxmail as his own son, Zhang Xiaolong needed the money.
The domestic Internet environment is really too bad - it can't be said to be bad, it can only be said to be too backward. Even the most basic Internet access is beyond the reach of ordinary people.
The computer in front of him is not connected to the Internet. Usually after writing the code, Zhang Xiaolong has to burn it down and find a place to test it.
After selling Foxmail, Zhang Xiaolong plans to try his luck in the United States.
"Zhang Xiaolong, answer the phone!"
Zhang Xiaolong was in a daze when Sister Chen downstairs shouted and startled him.
“Oh, here it comes.”
Zhang Xiaolong scared Lou, and Sister Chen said, "I saw the light on in your room. Why didn't you go to set up the stall tonight?"
"Oh, I plan to take a break."
"It's good to take a break. Young people nowadays work so hard and so hard. Don't overwork yourself and ruin your health. It's not worth it."
Zhang Xiaolong thanked Sister Chen for her concern, then went to the store and picked up the receiver.
"Hello?"
The call was from Kingsoft Software's general manager Lei Jun, who informed Zhang Xiaolong that they no longer planned to purchase FoxMail.
Zhang Xiaolong became anxious when he heard this. If he couldn't get the 150,000 yuan, how could he carry out his future plans?
"Haven't we already agreed on this? Why are you just saying you don't want to buy it?"
Lei Jun said calmly: "The company held a meeting to discuss this a few days ago, and everyone felt that FoxMail was not worth 150,000."
Zhang Xiaolong felt very dissatisfied after hearing this. Foxmail was a software , and it was very well-known in the industry and had many users. He felt that the price of 150,000 yuan was already the lowest price.
In fact, Lei Jun knew all these things. The reason why he didn't buy them and felt they were not worth 150,000 yuan was because several of his subordinates said that with software of this level, they only needed half a month to replicate an identical one.
"Since Mr. Lei thinks this Foxmail is not worth $150,000, I won't sell it."
Zhang Xiaolong is also a hot-tempered person. After saying that, he hung up the phone.
Sister Chen, who was standing by, saw that Zhang Xiaolong looked unhappy. Although she didn't understand what happened, she still comforted him and said, "Xiaolong, there are no hurdles in life that you can't overcome. You are still young and there will be plenty of opportunities in the future."
"Thank you, Sister Chen."
Zhang Xiaolong thanked Sister Chen for her concern and walked into the rental house with a heavy expression.
Now that the software has not been sold and I have no income, life is becoming increasingly difficult.
He had just returned home and was about to take a shower and go to bed when there was a knock on the door.
Zhang Xiaolong opened the door and looked at the person standing outside, his eyes suddenly widened.
"Mr. Jay, why are you here?"
The person who came was Zhou Hongyi, who was later known as the Red-robed Leader.
Zhou Hongyi walked into the house, looked around, and then said to Zhang Xiaolong: "Xiaolong, I told you before that you have superb skills and I am very optimistic about you. I still hope you can change your mind."
Obviously, Zhou Hongyi had a good vision. He saw the commercial value of Foxmail, so a month ago, he proposed to Zhang Xiaolong to change the software model and wanted him to try to add advertisements in it.
At present, portal websites are in vogue and Internet advertising is booming. With the huge user base of the Foxmail software, if advertisements are added to drive traffic, Zhang Xiaolong can just sit back and collect money relying on advertising traffic alone, and living a life of luxury will be a piece of cake.
However, Zhang Xiaolong rejected Zhou Hongyi's proposal without hesitation.
He originally developed this software purely for sentimentality, with the intention of creating the first universal email system in Xia Country. He felt that if he added advertisements to it, the purpose would be impure and incompatible with his philosophy.
Looking at the simple furnishings around him, Zhou Hongyi said with a sigh: "I really don't understand, if your feelings can't support yourself, what's the point of it?"
If it was before, Zhang Xiaolong would definitely refute it. But today, he remained silent.
However, silence itself is a kind of persistence and an answer.
Seeing that Zhang Xiaolong didn't say anything but his eyes were firm, Zhou Hongyi was helpless and advised: "Xiaolong, you are talented, but talent alone is not enough in life. Without money, you can't move forward. Think about it carefully."
Looking at Zhou Hongyi's leaving back and thinking of his mother's worry on the phone, Zhang Xiaolong felt heartbroken.
Did I really do something wrong?
Whether to persist or to give up, people always face too many choices in their lives.
In fact, Zhang Xiaolong has been smart since he was a child. He understood what Zhou Hongyi said, but he knew very well that the reason why Foxmail was successful was because of its free strategy and clean product core. Whether it was charging or adding advertisements, doing so would only ruin Foxmail.
Zhang Xiaolong saw the future trends early on, but he had no confidence at all as to whether he could live to see that bright future.
Foxmail, which cannot be sold, has now become a hot potato in his hands.
After hesitating for a long time, Zhang Xiaolong decided to go find Lu Yiming.
