What's wrong with me being a rich man?

Chapter 397 Preparation is the Key to Success

On the eighth day of the Lunar New Year, Liu Wanying arrived in Haiyan from Nanjing.

She paid her respects to the locals before returning home before the Lunar New Year, and this was her way of paying her respects again before resuming work. In addition, Zhong Zhiling, Lü Haiying, and Zhong Ai, a family of three, also came over, making Yu Xing's place quite lively for a while.

The beauty of the sunrise in Haiyan needs no introduction. I thought that showing my child my love for the sunrise would make her very happy, but to my surprise, she showed no interest in the sunrise at all. Her attention was entirely focused on the sand under the cool sea breeze.

The group of five, except for Zhong Ai who joined midway, all shared a similar sentiment while enjoying the sunrise – time flies.

"Senior brother, you seem to be doing quite well lately, not working so non-stop anymore." Lu Haiying looked at her daughter digging in the sand, then turned to Yu Xing and smiled, "You can even go to the TV station to relive your old dreams."

Yu Xing nodded slightly: "Yes, that's true. Before the Lunar New Year, IDG and Capital Today reviewed the progress of the Silicon Carbon Group's project, and they both called to ask me what stage it was at. They couldn't assess the true situation and significance of the research and development, but actually..."

He shrugged: "The development of electric vehicles has reached this point, and neither they nor I can understand it. We can only wait and see what the final result will be."

Just like aluminum alloy materials used in integrated die casting, no matter what research and development information is written on the material, whether it can actually be successful in reality remains a question mark.

Since they can't understand it, they increasingly rely on professionals.

Yu Xing can only try his best to ensure that the selection of professionals is correct, the budget allocation mechanism is reasonable, and the feedback and adjustments during the research and development process are useful, so that he can hope that the final result will be as expected.

"Brother Xing, you know, when we first started working on Rose Love Network after graduating, we were incredibly busy," Zhong Zhiling asked. "How is the busyness different between then and now?"

Yu Xing thought for a moment, recalling his first entrepreneurial project, and replied: "There are only so many hours in a day, so it's really busy. But back then, I was quite apprehensive, afraid that the company would end up with unsold inventory. Now, I don't seem to be so afraid. If one fails, there's another one. If two fail, there's still one more."

Chung Chih-ling and Lu Hai-ying both laughed.

Liu Wanying then said slowly, "I'm still quite apprehensive."

Lu Haiying asked, "Sister Ying, are you afraid of losing your investment?"

Liu Wanying shook her head and did not answer.

Lu Haiying immediately thought of something else and didn't continue the conversation.

“I discovered a fun app during the Chinese New Year, and I found it quite interesting.” Liu Wanying couldn’t bring up the mountain peak, so she changed the subject and said with a smile, “Twitter released an app called Vine. I think your Carbon Silicon Data could do something similar. It lets users shoot a 6-second video, and the response to its launch on the Apple Store last month has been quite good.”

Zhong Zhiling pondered the advice from this unconventional investor and said, "A six-second video is too short. What kind of content can it possibly record?"

“I think this software’s format is quite forward-thinking. Mobile internet speeds are developing, just like text-based content. In the past, there were long blog posts, and later there were microblogs with only a dozen or so characters. As a result, Sina Weibo can’t even compete with Tencent. Isn’t this the trend?” Liu Wanying explained. “So, when I was in Hong Kong before, I came across this software and felt that the logic inside seemed to be the same.”

From long text to short text, from long video to short video, the former has the successful example of Weibo, and the latter seems to make sense with the improvement of smartphone data speed.

Lu Haiying lifted her daughter, who was sinking deeper and deeper into the sand, and pondered Yingjie's explanation. She smiled and said, "That makes sense. Hmm, we were discussing WiFi Master Key before. My senior brother said that the operators will definitely increase the speed and reduce the price. At that time, we should sell the Master Key. If that's the case, when should we sell the Master Key? We can try to use that money for this."

“Hmm, Mr. Yu, why aren’t you saying anything?” Liu Wanying glanced at Yu Xing, who was admiring the sunrise and only had his back to her, asked a question, and then continued, “I think this kind of project has some interesting aspects. Then I looked up Vine and found that although it is under Twitter, it was actually acquired by Twitter.”

“Vine was founded last June and has been in testing ever since, but Twitter saw its potential and acquired it for $30 million ahead of time.”

"Twitter's willingness to pay such a price for the acquisition suggests that its decision-making process is similar to my own, given that Twitter itself is a long-term beneficiary."

The evolution of internet projects both domestically and internationally shares similarities, with many differences stemming from variations in underlying conditions.

Lu Haiying was somewhat surprised: "Vine was acquired while it was still in beta testing. Twitter is very optimistic about its future."

Zhong Zhiling nodded in agreement, saying that this acquisition perfectly validated the logic he had just mentioned.

Seeing that Yu Xing hadn't spoken yet, Liu Wanying raised her voice: "Hey, Yu, say something, what do you think?"

"How is it? I don't know, let me study it." Yu Xing didn't turn around, still admiring the sunrise in his hometown, but he also understood why Tencent's Weishi was launched as early as 2013.

It turns out that Vine, which has a Twitter account, was launched this year.

“Listen to this, think about it first, and see if this logic is correct,” Liu Wanying demanded.

Yu Xing could only say, "Yes, that's right. I think your idea is correct, and your judgment of the project's potential is also very keen. You are definitely a top-notch investor."

Liu Wanying rolled her eyes.

She waved her hand: "If you don't want to discuss it, then don't. But I think it's worth trying."

Although Zhong Zhiling and Lü Haiying saw that their senior brother did not express his opinion, they both secretly kept it in mind and planned to check on the situation of foreign products after returning to Shanghai.

However, Liu Wanying still brought up Vine's potential with Yu Xing again that evening.

"You think it's so promising?" Yu Xing asked with a smile.

Liu Wanying said earnestly, "Yes, isn't this a novel and worthwhile direction to try? But the current problem is the cost and speed of domestic data traffic. I remember you mentioned last time that there are policies being prepared for 4G in China. Don't you think new applications under the new infrastructure initiative are promising? I think if the speed and cost issues are resolved, there will be another surge in demand. Long videos can also be vigorously developed on the mobile internet. Right now, they are still too expensive. People either cache them or go out to find Wi-Fi."

Yu Xing took a couple of sips of tea. He didn't need to think too much about this matter; he simply understood the reasons behind it after comparing the two. Tencent launched Weishi in 2013, and Kuaishou also launched in 2013. The reasons were obvious.

He put down his teacup: "Hmm, I think so too, but there's no rush."

Observing Yu Xing's expression, Liu Wanying felt that there was something else hidden behind it. After a moment's thought, she asked, "What aspect isn't urgent?"

“In terms of hardware, smartphones still have a few years of rapid expansion ahead. In terms of software, as you said, the speed and cost of data traffic will also be resolved, so there’s no rush.” Yu Xing paused. “Well, there’s another thing that’s not urgent. I don’t want Silicon Carbon Data to do this too early, so as not to attract the attention of Tencent and Alibaba.”

Liu Wanying felt that the second half of the sentence was Yu Xing's key consideration.

She was immediately surprised.

This isn't just pessimism, it's excessive optimism...

Liu Wanying couldn't help but laugh and said, "What's going on? Are you afraid that Alibaba and Tencent will copy your amazing creations?"

“It’s already annoying to see a penguin doing that, and now there’s even Alibaba that has learned penguin tricks…” Yu Xing chuckled as he said this, “So, we have to be more careful. As for the reasons, what you said today is all correct.”

Liu Wanying's expression was somewhat strange. Well, she thought that logic was correct, but... now seeing how certain Yu Xing was, she began to doubt herself. Could it really be that accurate?
“Not only will we not do it, but if Alibaba and Tencent also do similar projects, we should also try to mislead them. As a top-tier investor, you can also contribute your efforts appropriately.” Yu Xing said with a smile, “You should make a contrary argument, talk about the development of long-form video, talk about the rapid dominance of long-form video in the mobile internet, as for short-form video…” He learned about Vine in the morning and spent the whole afternoon on the sofa thinking about it, and now he has a better idea of ​​what to do.

Yu Xing gave two conditions: "If Tencent wants to make short videos similar to Vine, and if it wants to mislead its judgment, then it can start with Alibaba's WeChat and its own WeChat."

Liu Wanying perked up: "What do you mean?"

"Don't let these two companies treat short videos as independent projects," Yu Xing said slowly. "WeChat and Wechat both have Moments, where you can post photos. Since you can post photos, why can't you post short videos that are only a few seconds long?"

He picked up his teacup again and said, "Something that merely serves as an auxiliary function of an instant messaging app will be consciously diminished."

Liu Wanying understood instantly.

The short video function can be integrated into WeChat Moments, which would eliminate the need for a separate short video app. Moreover, this approach would leverage the existing user base of WeChat or Wechat.

First, we will add popular features to the app and enrich its social content. Second, we will not need to redirect traffic to external platforms and will continue to focus on the core instant messaging project.

This makes perfect sense no matter how you look at it.

She frowned and then laughed, "Oh, how can you be so insidious? This... this is using logic to fight logic..."

The logic behind creating short videos is correct, and the logic behind creating supplementary functions for instant messaging is also correct.

Hmm... even correctness has different levels of accuracy?

But all of this is based on the premise that short videos can truly achieve a brilliant future.

"It's just an assumption for now. Anyway, there's no word yet on the current traffic policy, so we'll just observe. If Tencent or Alibaba sees Vine and wants to make something similar, then we can use it," Yu Xing said with a smile. "If Tencent really launches an app similar to Vine, then I'll persuade Alibaba to add short videos to WeChat Moments. Once WeChat is replicated as usual, Tencent will have two projects with similar attributes, and then there will inevitably be a choice to make."

WeChat and WeChat are like two brothers that follow each other closely.

If WeChat's Moments feature is launched and receives a positive response, WeChat Chat will inevitably follow suit, and vice versa.

As for how Tencent will choose, WeChat, which has already invested heavily in it, will obviously be in a higher priority.

And, can Yu Xing persuade and promote Alibaba's WeChat...?

Liu Wanying stared blankly for a while before finally sighing, "This is a trap."

She still believes that short videos have a very promising future. WeChat and Wechat are currently mainly alternatives to text messages between acquaintances, with some social content added on top, but platforms that focus entirely on social sharing also have a future.

Short videos can be compatible with both unfamiliar and familiar ecosystems, without being confined to the rigid need for instant messaging.

Instant messaging is indeed powerful, enabling WeChat and WeChat to develop rapidly. However, this same feature can also hinder the expansion of its application scenarios.

Liu Wanying looked at Yu Xing, pretended to tie her tie in front of her chest, shook her head and announced, "From now on, I am a staunch supporter of long-form video platforms."

In everything, preparation is key to success, while lack of preparation leads to failure.

……

Once the Spring Festival is over, the thoughts, decisions, and judgments that have been accumulated during the holiday come rushing back.

The most important thing is the new round of financing for the Silicon Carbon Group.

IDG and Capital Today both pretended to digest the progress of the Silicon Carbon Group project. Xiong Xiaoge and Xu Xin hit it off immediately. Since they couldn't understand it anyway, they would just praise it and bring in Qiming Venture Partners as well.

As for how to boast, just talk eloquently about the research and development in the documents.

Can Hu Xubo understand it?
As it turned out, they really couldn't understand it.

However, since people like Mr. Xiong and Mr. Xu are so certain, this is a good opportunity for the Silicon Carbon Group.

When Qiming Venture Partners was first established, it didn't have many investment ideas and invested in some rather strange projects. However, after experiencing both gains and losses, it became quite good. This time, Hu Xubo was willing to participate in the Series B financing of Silicon Carbon Group without much concern.

Of course, when he thought about Mr. Xiong and Mr. Xu's overly supportive attitude late at night, there was a slight suspicion out of an investor's instinct, but it was immediately dispelled by a thought.

Last time I didn't hold on and got fucked, but this time I'll hold on to the end. Go ahead and fuck me again if you dare?
IDG, Capital Today, Red Falcon Capital, and Qiming Venture Partners have thus established four clear intentions, but there are still some disagreements regarding the specific financing scale and company valuation.

Yu Xing wasn't in a hurry, so he let the company continue the negotiations.

Mitsubishi Motors' stock price is currently fluctuating between rebounds and declines. The gains from this peak are gradually being realized, but due to Japan's financial system, the scale of these gains is significantly lower than expected.

This experience taught Guo Shanfeng that if there are suitable projects in Japan in the future, they must make sufficient preparations in advance.

In March, just as the Silicon Carbon Group and its investors had finalized the Series B financing, Yu Xing was greeted by Liu Jiankai bursting into his office in a great hurry.

"Mr. Yu!" Liu Jiankai excitedly pushed open the door and entered. "Bitcoin has gone up! It's gone up a lot! Damn, I haven't checked for a week, and it's gone from $40 to $70 this week! I've already recovered my initial investment! Not only that, I'm making a profit!"

Yu Xing looked up and calmly nodded: "Oh, it's gone up that much. What about your principal? What does that have to do with you?"

Liu Jiankai's excitement came to an abrupt halt; he opened his mouth but couldn't utter a word for several seconds.

After a long pause, he said sheepishly, "Mr. Yu, it's your capital, you're the one who can make a profit."

Yu Xing said casually, "So, there is indeed a profit to be made. Not only did I make a profit on my investment, but I also got a vice president with rich investment experience to work for me for free. Not bad, not bad, not bad at all."

Liu Jiankai found himself experiencing a complex surge of emotions. He took a deep breath and said, "President Yu, I have to go now. I won't talk to you about Bitcoin next time."

Yu Xing watched his hurried departure and raised his voice to remind him, "President Liu, Brother Liu, Liu Ge, you forgot, you've cut ties with Bitcoin!"

Liu Jiankai waved his hand without turning his head, "It's cut, it's cut," and then didn't go back in.

(End of this chapter)