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On the eve of Christmas 1973, the atmosphere in the conference room of Lemon Technology was somber.

"Boss, Steve Jobs has arrived," the secretary announced in a low voice.

Su Ning nodded, looking out the window at the figure in jeans and an old T-shirt in the garage below...

Steve Jobs is emerging from his beat-up Volkswagen Beetle.

“Have him come directly to my office,” Su Ning said.

Five minutes later, Jobs walked in, his expression complicated.

He looked at this man, who was only a few years older than him, yet had already built a technological empire, and his eyes held envy, resentment, and an undisguised ambition.

“Mr. Jobs, please have a seat.” Su Ning gestured to the chair opposite him.

Jobs did not sit down immediately, but looked around the spacious office.

A chart showing the development history of Lemon Technology hangs on the wall, from the Lemon Type 1 in 1971 to the current Type 4, with the sales curve showing an almost vertical increase.

“Mr. Gan,” Jobs finally sat down and got straight to the point, “You called me here about Apple stock?”

“Not entirely.” Suning pushed a cup of coffee toward him. “I want to talk to you about the future of Apple.”

"Apple's future?" Jobs laughed, a laugh laced with sarcasm. "What future does Apple have now? Making game consoles, putting them in the corners of your dealerships, selling a few hundred units a month, barely surviving."

"So I'm here to give you a real future."

Suning opened the folder, which contained Apple's financial statements for the most recent year.

“Jobs, let’s be honest.” Suning pointed to the data, “Apple was founded two years ago and sold less than 500 computers in total. Now it has transformed into a game console manufacturer, with a monthly income of about $10,000. After deducting costs, the net profit is $2,000. You and Wozniak are on basic salaries, barely making ends meet.”

Jobs looked grim, but did not refute.

That's the truth.

“When Wozniak sold us a 10% stake, the company was valued at $50,000. Now? Probably less than $50,000.”

"Apple has value," Jobs said firmly. "We have the best design concepts, and Wozniak is the most brilliant engineer..."

“But we don’t have money,” Suning interrupted him. “We don’t have channels, we don’t have a supply chain, and we don’t have brand influence. All you have are ideas, and ideas are the least valuable thing in the business world—unless they can be turned into products and sold on a large scale.”

Steve Jobs remained silent.

“I know you’re not convinced,” Suning continued. “You think that if you were given enough resources, you could create a product that could beat Lemon.”

"I can." Jobs looked up, his eyes sharp.

“But I won’t give you that chance,” Suning said bluntly. “Lemon Technology’s current market value is estimated to be over one billion US dollars. Apple? Less than half a million. I can easily crush Apple, like crushing an ant.”

That's a harsh statement, but it's true.

Jobs clenched his fist: "Then why didn't you do that? Why did you keep Apple alive?"

“Because you have value.” Su Ning leaned forward. “Jobs, what I valued wasn’t Apple, but you as a person. Your vision, your taste, your dedication to user experience—these are rare commodities in the tech world.”

Jobs was stunned.

“I want you to work for me,” Su Ning said bluntly, “but not as an ordinary executive at Lemon Technology. I want you to continue leading Apple. I’ll give you funding, resources, and freedom—but Apple will become an independent brand under Lemon Technology.”

"You want to acquire Apple?" Jobs became alert.

“It’s more complicated than an acquisition.” Suning pulled up a document. “This is the plan.”

Jobs picked it up and looked at it.

The core of the plan has three points:
First, Lemon Technology invested two million US dollars in exchange for a 51% controlling stake in Apple. Of the remaining 49%, Jobs retained 24.5%, and Fleissgan and Wozniak each retained 12.25%.

Second, Jobs continued to serve as Apple's CEO, retaining complete autonomy over product development and daily operations.

However, major strategic decisions and projects with budgets exceeding $100,000 require approval from the Lemon board of directors.

Third, Apple positions itself as a "high-end designer brand," focusing on making computers that are works of art. Prices can be high, but the design must be the ultimate.

Its market positioning is different from that of mainstream lemon products.

"Why?" Jobs asked after reading it. "Why keep the Apple brand? Why not just let me design the high-end product line at Lemon?"

“Two reasons.” Su Ning held up a finger. “First, the name Apple has value. Although it’s not big now, it already has a certain level of brand recognition. Second, I need a ‘safe passage’.”

"Emergency exit?"

“Yes.” Su Ning stood up and walked to the window. “Lemon Technology’s market share is too large now, and it has begun to attract antitrust attention. I need Apple to live, and thrive, as evidence of ‘competition’ in the market.”

Jobs instantly understood: "You want me to use Apple to prove that the market is open? To prove that lemons don't have a monopoly?"

“Smart.” Suning turned around. “But that’s not all. Apple also wants to do one more thing—explore areas that Lemon isn’t currently suited for. For example, extremely expensive designer computers, or experimental new technologies. If we succeed, we can promote them to the Lemon brand. If we fail, the losses will be limited.”

"Are you using apples as a testing ground?"

“To be more precise, it’s a strategic reserve.” Suning returned to his seat. “Steve Jobs, let me be frank with you. The personal computer market will eventually become saturated. Although Lemon is currently in the lead, technology will be updated, and the market will change. I need someone to plan ahead for the next era—and I think you have that vision.”

Jobs was thinking.

This proposal is tantamount to acknowledging his and Wozniak's value and providing them with a platform and resources to continue their work.

But the price was that Apple no longer belonged entirely to them.

"What if I refuse?" Jobs asked.

“Then I’ll have to take other measures.” Suning said calmly but firmly. “Lemon will launch its own high-end brand and use ten times the marketing budget of Apple. At the same time, I will acquire more shares from Wozniak—as far as I know, he’s been under a lot of financial pressure lately.”

"Do you threaten me?"

“I’m stating a fact,” Suning said. “That’s how the business world is. You have choices, but the consequences of each choice are different.”

The meeting room remained quiet for a long time.

Jobs was calculating rapidly in his mind.

If they refuse, Apple could be crushed, and his and Wozniak's two years of hard work would be wasted.

He accepted that Apple could survive and still have two million dollars in funding, but he lost absolute control.

"I need to talk to Wozniak," Jobs concluded.

“Okay. But I’ll give you three days.” Su Ning glanced at the calendar. “If you don’t agree after three days, I’ll activate Plan B.”

"What plan B?"

"You'll know then."

"..." At this moment, Jobs felt fear upon seeing this Eastern face.

He knew that compared to the powerful Lemon Technology, he and Apple were worthless, and accepting their offer of surrender seemed to be the only way out.

……

That evening, Jobs returned to the garage and called Wozniak over.

He explained Suning's plan in its entirety.

Wozniak remained silent for a long time after listening.

"What do you think?" Jobs asked.

“From a rational point of view, this is the best way out,” Wozniak sighed. “Two million dollars, we’ve never seen so much money in our lives. With this money, Apple can really succeed.”

"But we want to relinquish control!"

"Steve, do we have control now?" Wozniak countered. "What do we control? A company on the verge of bankruptcy, selling a few hundred game consoles a month, with its accounts potentially going to zero at any moment. Is that what you call control?"

Jobs was speechless. “Suninggan is right,” Wozniak said pragmatically. “We have plenty of ideas, but we lack the ability to turn them into big business. He has the ability, but he needs our ideas.”

"But then the apples won't be ours anymore..."

“But Apple will survive.” Wozniak looked at Jobs. “And we can continue to do what we want to do—design the best computers. It’s just that now, someone is paying for it.”

Wozniak paused, then said the crucial sentence: "Steve, you're only nineteen. If you refuse now out of spite and Apple dies, you'll regret it for the rest of your life. If you accept, even if it's only 36.75% of the shares, it will be a huge fortune when Apple grows big."

This statement truly moved Jobs.

He recalled the vow he made when he dropped out of school to start his own business—to change the world.

If Apple were to die now, how could it change the world?

“Furthermore,” Wozniak added, “Suning said that we have complete autonomy over product development. If we do it well, Apple might make more money than Lemon. Maybe then we can buy back the shares?”

This gave Jobs a glimmer of hope.

……

On the afternoon of the third day, Jobs and Wozniak walked into the headquarters of Lemon Technology.

Suning was already waiting for them in the conference room.

"What's your decision?" Su Ning asked.

“We have a few conditions,” Jobs said.

"explain."

"First, Apple must maintain its independent brand, independent team, and independent office location—it cannot move into Lemon's headquarters."

“Sure. I could even rent a decent office building for Apple in Palo Alto, so we wouldn’t have to live in a garage anymore.”

"Secondly, Wozniak and I have absolute decision-making power over product development and design. The Lemon board can make suggestions, but cannot force it."

"As long as the budget is not exceeded, it's fine."

"Third, if Apple grows bigger in the future, we have the right of first refusal to buy back the shares held by Lemon at the agreed price."

Suning thought for a moment and said, "Okay, but the price will be calculated based on future valuations, not the original price."

“That makes perfect sense!” Jobs nodded, then took a deep breath. “Fourth, Apple employees’ salaries and stock options cannot be lower than those of Lemon employees at the same level.”

Suning laughed: "Jobs, you've started thinking about the team. Okay, I agree with that too."

Suning agreed to all four conditions.

"Then...deal?" Su Ning held out his hand.

Jobs looked at the hand, then at Wozniak.

Woz nodded.

Steve Jobs finally reached out and shook hands with Suning.

"make a deal."

A week later, the agreement was officially signed in the presence of a lawyer.

Lemon Technology invested two million US dollars to acquire a 51% stake in Apple.

Jobs retained 24.5%, Wozniak retained 12.25%, and Fleisgan held 12.25%.

The signing ceremony was simple and took place in Lemon Technology's conference room.

After signing the papers, Suning said to Jobs, "Now, you are the CEO of Apple, and I am your chairman. I will review the financial reports once a month and hold a board meeting once a quarter. The rest of the time, you are free to do your own thing."

"What's the first thing to do?" Jobs asked.

“Move the team out of the garage first,” Suning said. “I’ve rented a small building for you in Palo Alto, it’s already furnished. Hire some more people—designers, engineers, salespeople. Two million dollars should be enough for you for a year.”

What about product direction?

“Make what you’ve always wanted to do—an art computer,” Suning said. “Don’t worry about cost, don’t worry about mass production. First, make a machine that will amaze everyone. The price can be over ten thousand dollars, even twenty thousand. We want to prove that computers are not just tools, but can also be works of art.”

This is exactly what Jobs wanted to do.

"When will the funds arrive?" Woz asked the practical question.

“It’s already in the account,” Su Ning said. “It was transferred to Apple’s account yesterday. Now you have two million dollars in your account, you’re no longer penniless.”

Jobs and Wozniak exchanged a glance, both looking somewhat dazed.

Two days ago, they were still worrying about next month's rent.

Now, there are two million in the account.

“Remember,” Suning concluded, “Apple is now part of Lemon Technology, but we need to appear independent to the outside world. If the media asks, say it's a strategic investment, not an acquisition. Understand?”

"Understood." Jobs nodded.

He knew he had become Suning's "front man," but at this moment, what he cared more about was that he finally had the opportunity to make a big splash.

……

After Jobs and Wozniak left, Suning called Robert over.

"Boss, are you really going to give Apple two million? What if they can't make it work?"

“If it doesn’t work out, consider it tuition,” Suning said. “But I believe Jobs could make good things. The important thing is that Apple is now under our control.”

"Should we send someone to supervise?"

“No need,” Suning shook his head. “Sending people would only make Jobs resist. I’ll give him complete autonomy so he can give it his all. We just need to control the budget and the final product direction.”

"What about the anti-monopoly side..."

“Now we can say this: the market is open. Look, we’ve invested in our competitor Apple and are even helping them grow.” Suning smiled. “That’s called strategic planning.”

Robert nodded admiringly.

As Suning walked out of the office, he stood by the window and watched Jobs and Wozniak drive away.

He knew that Jobs was a tiger and wouldn't be content to be controlled forever.

But he's not worried.

Because he has two things in his possession...

Funding and patents.

No matter what Apple does in the future, it will be unable to bypass Lemon's patent wall.

Even the most brilliant Steve Jobs had to dance within the framework drawn by Suning.

This is the rule of the game for capital.

You can have dreams, you can be talented, but if you need my money to realize your dreams, then you have to follow my rules.

Suning's rules are simple: winner takes all.

Now, he has turned his last potential genius opponent into a piece on his chessboard.

He was getting closer and closer to complete control of the game.

...(End of chapter)