What's wrong with me being a rich man?

Chapter 395 Half a day free

The company's pre-Lunar New Year business is nearing completion, and some unresolved issues have been left unresolved for the sake of resolution, so they will be postponed until after the New Year.

After Yu Xing "publicized" the documents of the Silicon Carbon Group to institutional shareholders, he received a series of inquiries from them. He could sense the confusion on the other end of the phone and received a similar simple question.

—Mr. Yu, do you have confidence in the development of the Silicon Carbon Group?

The answer to this question is self-evident.

The person asking the question knows they won't hear any other answers, but they still ask, suggesting they've resigned themselves to someone else out of desperation.

The discussion of parameters, research and development, and cooperation all ultimately boil down to Yu Xing's personal stance.

Yu Xing gave investors what they wanted to hear, and I reckon everyone should be able to have a good New Year.

However, looking back on the year late at night, he casually posted a comment on his WeChat Moments: "Another year of hard work, but it seems like I haven't achieved anything."

Yu Xing went to sleep after posting on his WeChat Moments.

The next day, he saw several investors making neat comments under the post.

Xiong, Xu, Zhang, Hu, and others said, "President Yu, please don't say that! I'm scared!"

Yu Xing responded to their comments with great interest, and then convened a meeting to discuss the last matter before the end of the year—the patent.

As funds burn through, Silicon Carbon Group has been applying for patents since its inception. Yu Xing had previously stated that he would release patents that could promote industry development for free, and this statement was certainly not a lie.

However, compared to its role in shaping a personal image, the company has given more thought to how to unite upstream and downstream partners to jointly build a patent system around the development of the silicon carbon group.

Or, to put it another way, an industry patent alliance.

The automotive industry has a long supply chain, but if we focus on key components such as batteries, electronic controls, and range extenders, the combined effect of cooperation can be greater than the sum of its parts.

From this perspective, cross-licensing of patents plus technology sharing are the core conditions for a patent alliance.

On the one hand, it's about working together; on the other hand, it's about seeking more exchanges of benefits.

The carbon silicon supply chain management company took on this task and, referring to similar international cases, first listed suitable upstream and downstream companies to be invited, and used "Chibaku" as a very suitable example to understand.

Zhibo Research's 77GHz millimeter-wave radar represents a cutting-edge exploration in the field in China. Once significant progress is made, it can be used to collaborate with companies like Huayu.

Huayu is a supply chain company centered around SAIC and is currently developing automotive head-up displays, which is also what Silicon Carbon Group needs.

Neither side has reached a final agreement yet, but at a certain stage, there can be substantive cooperation and contact.

In addition to more pragmatic considerations, carbon silicon supply chain companies also talked about strategic positioning and subtle suppression of competitors. In their words, this means building patent barriers with technological leadership, integrating industry chain resources through patent alliances, and achieving industry positioning through standard output.

Yu Xing felt that their thinking was somewhat far-sighted and sinister, so he just laughed it off and didn't discuss it further, but he wanted to see the initial formation of this patent alliance this year.

On January 23, the headquarters and factory area in Lingang were quite deserted because the company had given employees an early holiday.

Yu Xing was smoking and pondering things when his phone suddenly showed a call from an old friend.

Xu Rongxuan, a producer at Dragon TV.

A smile unconsciously appeared on his face as he recalled the programs he had recorded, and he had some really nice memories.

Xu Rongxuan hadn't had any formal contact with President Yu for a long time, but they would still exchange greetings via text message or WeChat during holidays. This time, the call was for the invitation to the New Year's special of "Only You".

After exchanging a few pleasantries with Xu Rongxuan, Yu Xing asked him with some puzzlement, "I've been so busy that I haven't been to the TV station in a long time. Why did you suddenly decide to have me record something?"

“I saw your WeChat Moments, Mr. Yu. You rarely post anything on WeChat Moments. It’s almost Chinese New Year, so I figured you might not be too busy and called you right away.” Xu Rongxuan said with a smile, “Mr. Yu, we’ve known each other for a long time. If you’re really busy, then go ahead and do your thing. But if you can spare a day or two, we can record something.”

Yu Xing hesitated for two seconds before laughing and said, "Hey, Director Xu, your call is really... better late than never. If you had called a couple of days earlier, I would still be busy."

Xu Rongxuan was immediately overjoyed, knowing that this busy man had agreed, and asked to confirm the time, "How about this Saturday or the weekend?"

“Hmm, oh right, you record at a fixed time, but what about the weekend…” Yu Xing hesitated.

Xu Rongxuan sensed Mr. Yu's hesitation, and without asking what his plans were for the weekend, he said without hesitation, "What about tomorrow? Or the day after? Mr. Yu, I'll go with your schedule, and we'll coordinate the recording once the time is confirmed."

Upon hearing this, Yu Xing laughed and said, "Isn't that inappropriate?"

“No problem, I’ll coordinate. The Lunar New Year special is designed to be released when everyone is available,” Xu Rongxuan stated clearly.

Yu Xing thought for a moment and then said, "Then let's do it the day after tomorrow. I might have to meet with a supplier who's flying to Shanghai tomorrow."

Xu Rongxuan confirmed the time, thanked President Yu for accepting the invitation to the program, and then hung up the phone to coordinate the recording schedules of the guests.

"Only You" is an old program that has been recorded for several years, and the recording time has always been the usual weekend. This sudden change has caused dissatisfaction among some guests.

Chen Ou of Jumei.com, for example, asked Xu Rongxuan, who was on the phone, with a mixture of confusion and displeasure: "Director Xu, wasn't the date set for the weekend? How did it suddenly become the day after tomorrow? We won't make it in time for the day after tomorrow."

Xu Rongxuan explained, "President Chen, the main reason is that there were some last-minute changes at the station. In addition, we also invited Mr. Yu from the Silicon Carbon Group for this recording, hoping to bring everyone a higher quality program."

Chen Ou was somewhat surprised to hear "General Manager Yu of the Silicon Carbon Group". After thinking for a moment, he said, "Okay, then see you the day after tomorrow. I'll work overtime to finish what I'm doing."

He hung up the phone, still feeling surprised and curious about Mr. Yu's participation in the recording.

Compared to the identity of Silicon Carbon Group, Chen Ou is more familiar with the other party's "Silicon Carbon Data" because Jumei.com purchases some of its traffic from the software matrix under Silicon Carbon Data.

In addition, Meilijie, which was reportedly merged by Silicon Carbon Data, now also competes with Jumei in some product categories.

"Only You" is a great promotional channel for Jumei.com.

After pondering for a while, Chen Ou shared the news with co-founder Dai Yusen.

"Yu Xing is going too? That's quite rare. Isn't he busy building cars?" Dai Yusen was surprised and then instructed, "When you go to record the show, don't offend him. I don't know about the car, but I think his carbon silicon data company is quite extraordinary."

Chen Ou laughed and said, "Isn't Carbon Silicon Data Company special? Several companies have already terminated their cooperation with it, and there's even a newspaper suing it."

Dai Yusen shook his head: "You don't know, these things were resolved quickly. The newspaper withdrew the lawsuit, and the cooperation with Sina and others was not restored, but Latest Hot Topics reached a cooperation agreement with Tencent and UC."

Chen Ou raised an eyebrow: "Doesn't Yu Xing have a bad relationship with Tencent?"

Anyone who's been around the internet knows a lot about Yu Xing's exploits. People are still occasionally bothered by the "reproductive isolation" of WeChat and Wechat, while Yu Xing's crying over the horse, his "arrest him but not me" incident, and his reputation management are all widely known.

However, since Yu Xing shifted his focus to car manufacturing, his public profile has indeed calmed down considerably, but the industry has not forgotten him.

“Didn’t Yu Xing have some brilliant ideas he hadn’t used up a while ago? I don’t really understand what’s going on here, but according to previous reports, he can still get money from Alibaba and Tencent and use their resources to supplement the content. It’s really… I think it’s quite unpredictable.” Dai Yusen said seriously, “Don’t think he’s a bit ‘past his prime’ now. Carbon Silicon Data’s app is developing too fast. It’s still working with companies of the level of Alibaba, Tencent, Sina, and NetEase. If he can break through like this, I think there’s still a lot of fun to be had in the mobile internet industry.”

Chen Ou pondered carefully.

Dai Yusen added, "Yu Xing is also very familiar with investors. IDG and Capital Today have invested a lot of money in him. Given his resume, it's quite remarkable that he can raise so much money to build cars."

He had to add again, "There's something else very important: he has a bad temper, and he might change his attitude in an instant, so you'd better not provoke him."

Chen Ou shrugged: "I'm not stupid." However, contrary to the image he had in the talk, when he actually met Yu Xing at the recording site, Chen Ou found him to be very amiable. At first glance, he saw Yu Xing chatting and laughing with producer Xu Rongxuan, showing no signs of sharpness.

"I don't have any old friends here. Hey, Director Xu, I don't think I should have come."

Yu Xing glanced at some of the guests present at the recording and smiled as he expressed his regret to Xu Rongxuan.

"President Yu, I fully support you!" Xu Rongxuan patted President Yu on the shoulder. "I haven't even registered for WeChat yet!"

Yu Xing laughed heartily: "Alright, alright, if you put it that way, then I'll come back to record next time I have time."

He chatted for a few more minutes, then walked onto the stage with a smile. He waved to Li Song from Zhenai.com, who had just arrived, as one of the few old friends present.

Moreover, Li Song is now suspected of engaging in short selling, which is quite...

Based on their backgrounds, Yu Xing had never met any of his fellow short sellers in person, so meeting Li Song was quite a pleasant surprise.

"President Yu, you're really good at building cars. Xu Xin frowned as soon as she saw the documents you gave her." Li Song didn't stand on ceremony and started by intimidating her.

Hearing this, Chen Ou, who was standing next to him, couldn't help but lean forward curiously.

Upon hearing this, Yu Xing remained calm and replied, "Is that so?"

Li Song said seriously, "Yes."

Yu Xing glanced at the small empty head and asked, "What's her opinion?"

Li Song felt a chill run down his spine as he was met with that gaze, and quickly laughed, "I was just joking with you, look at you."

Yu Xing said gently, "I'm afraid she might have a problem with it, so I'll have to call and talk to her."

“Hey, you have one bad point, which is that you take things too seriously.” Li Song changed the subject, “but that’s a great thing when it comes to making cars. I’m looking forward to buying your car.”

Seeing this conversation between the two, especially Li Song's performance, Chen Ou felt like reminding him, "Mr. Li, you need to step up! Where did your performance on the show go?"

As a long-time guest, Li Song has always been quite assertive, but for a moment he was like a little lamb.

Seeing that the two had chatted for a while, Chen Ou finally took the opportunity to introduce himself: "Mr. Yu, hello, hello. I've heard so much about you. I'm Chen Ou from Jumei.com, a vertical e-commerce company that makes cosmetics."

Yu Xing shook hands with this man and said with a smile, "Hello, Mr. Chen, I've heard of you."

Chen Ou knew that Yu Xing had discussed the development of vertical e-commerce before, so upon hearing this, he asked, "Mr. Yu, have you heard of Jumei? Is it good or bad?"

Yu Xing said after careful consideration, "Yesterday I was lurking on the Baixiaosheng Forum and saw someone say that they bought your cosmetics but had an allergic reaction. This should be an isolated case, and I don't think it has attracted much attention."

For a moment, Chen Ou almost suspected that President Yu wanted to collect protection money from him...

He suddenly realized something: besides discussing the other party's car manufacturing and software matrix, Baixiaosheng was also quite prominent in many situations.

“Well, Mr. Yu, we have very strict traceability policies for the product categories we sell,” Chen Ou stated.

Yu Xing looked at him carefully for a moment and asked, "Really?"

Chen Ou must be really scared.

Fortunately, the show started recording at this time.

Yu Xing had no other intentions towards Chen Ou, taking it as just casual conversation. Seeing that the recording process was about to begin, he casually flipped through the resumes of the contestants who came on stage.

His trip was purely because he had time before the new year, plus a favor from an old friend. After all, he had indeed benefited a lot from the Dragon TV stage when he was working on the "Hundred Knowledgeable Person" project. Even Tang Jun, the "Emperor of Hired Managers," had confronted him there, which was quite memorable.

As is customary, host Zhang Shaogang introduced the guests for this recording. When he read out Yu Xing's name, he improvised and joked, "Welcome back to the stage, Mr. Yu Xing of the Silicon Carbon Group. The biggest difference between his return and before is that he is now sitting in the center position!"

Yu Xing waved confidently at the camera, appearing utterly deserving of the title.

A murmur of discussion arose among the attendees; this Mr. Yu was indeed a well-known figure.

Yu Xing didn't come here with any intention of winning over the audience on the show; he just went through the motions with a smile.

However, when the third contestant took the stage, Liu Xin, with her rich resume, sparked discussion both on and off stage. She had tried her hand in multiple fields such as the wine industry, microfinance, and real estate. Now, she was on stage more to look for opportunities to cooperate on projects she had already undertaken, and she had switched to the field of PCB micro-tools.

This complicated experience did not bring enough trust; instead, it led to more skepticism due to repeated defeats.

Many guests criticized her, believing that her most important task now is to find a stable job and earn money.

After observing the guests' criticisms, host Zhang Shaogang asked Liu Xin, who had been criticized, "Liu Xin, what do you want to say now? Are you willing to accept everyone's advice on your career path?"

Liu Xin had sweat on her forehead, but she said something unexpected: "I want to ask President Yu if he can give me a chance."

Zhang Shaogang was surprised and asked, "You want to go to President Yu's company?"

Liu Xin was already looking at Yu Xing and said quickly, "I heard that President Yu has investments in the industrial sector, and that he knows many people in this field, so..."

Zhang Shaogang asked Yu Xing, "President Yu, what do you have to say? You didn't seem to say anything just now."

Yu Xing said, "Well... I didn't say anything just now, mainly because I don't understand what this PCB micro-tool is or what its market is, so I can't comment on it."

He thought for a moment, then said to the sweating contestant, "However, I feel that the guests here don't really understand this either, so Liu Xin, you don't have to pay too much attention to what they say."

It was as if a winter wind had suddenly blown into the recording studio, freezing the expressions on many people's faces.

Seeing Mr. Yu's attitude, Liu Xin felt even more hopeful: "Mr. Yu, Mr. Yu, could you... could you introduce me to an investor who understands this field?"

Yu Xing felt that this contestant had come prepared, so he asked bluntly, "Do you know or have heard of anyone who understands this area?"

Liu Xin said nervously, "I heard that Shenzhen Capital Group might have some knowledge of this field."

Yu Xing checked his phone and said, "Well then, since you're more focused on finding investment now, I'll send you the number of Mr. Zhong Lian from Shenzhen Capital Group, and we'll see if there are any opportunities."

Liu Xin immediately expressed her gratitude repeatedly.

This atypical job seeker stepped down.

After exchanging contact information, Zhang Shaogang asked with a smile, "President Yu, what made you willing to help find investors? Why do you think her complicated resume still gives her a chance in the new project?"

Yu Xing could hardly help but recall the person who had helped Zhang Shaogang up on stage, and almost brought it up directly, but he remained much gentler: "This is a New Year special, and I happen to know someone there, so consider it a New Year's gift. President Zhong will also make a professional judgment, and ultimately it depends on Liu Xin's own preparation."

He paused for a moment, then smiled and recalled the past: "I remember when I first looked for investors, I found Mr. Li's wife, Ms. Xu. But Ms. Xu didn't know me at all, and my project wasn't very convincing. However, she still gave me a chance very enthusiastically, so I can sit here today. I think Liu Xin should also thank Ms. Xu if she succeeds in the future."

Upon hearing this, Li Song glanced at Yu Xing. He knew best what had happened back then; Xu Xin had ordered Yu Xing to be thrown out...

Things have changed, and the person surnamed Yu is no longer the same as before...

(End of this chapter)