After rebirth, I became a great master

Chapter 449 Sister
Zhou Haoran had long since lost the concept of money.

He closed a deal on an internet cafe system and earned a few hundred thousand yuan, but that's all negligible money, so he quickly forgot about it and didn't care about it.

However, if it's a large sum of money, I'll still be interested.

For example, their collaboration with Microsoft was priced at $2000 million!
The other party's attitude was very tough.

They asked him to lower the price.

Zhou Haoran was determined to fight to the death, sticking to his offer without wavering.

Microsoft was the one who compromised first.

Just after the first episode of "Everyone's Art" was recorded, Zhou Haoran was at his workplace guiding everyone in post-production when he received a notification that Du Jiayun, the president of Microsoft China, was coming again.

Zhou Haoran wanted to extend a little hospitality, so he invited him to have coffee at the Peace Hotel.

"Dr. Zhou, you're so modest!"

Du Jiayun sat in his Xiali car and felt a pang of sadness.

Zhou Haoran laughed and said, "It can't compare to a big company like Microsoft. I heard that Microsoft is going to spend $4 million to acquire an email product?"

Du Jiayun paused for a moment, then slowly said, "That's a decision made by headquarters. The Asian market is mainly about sales."

When the two arrived at the Peace Hotel, Zhou Haoran didn't beat around the bush. "This can't be kept secret. The news has already spread."

Du Jiayun said, "The same car might cost $5 in the US, but $20 in China. Different regions and different target audiences have different pricing systems."

Zhou Haoran understood his meaning and said calmly, "Mr. Du, there's no need for further words. If you want me to help Microsoft improve its email service, the price is $2000 million. I told Ballmer and Bill Gates the same thing when I was at Microsoft's Seattle headquarters."

Du Jiayun said in a deep voice, "A price of $2000 million is impossible. Microsoft is a publicly traded company, and every expense must be accountable to its shareholders."

"Mr. Du, this is my request, and it will not change."

Zhou Haoran was very determined.

Undeterred, Du Jiayun said, "Dr. Zhou, it's like this. You can't simply look at the price comparison between $4 million and $2000 million in this deal. Microsoft spending $4 million to acquire an email product seems like a bigger expense, but it's an investment, and the progress of the deal will benefit Microsoft's stock price. If they spend $2000 million to hire you for technical support, that would be included in the cost, an extra expense outside the budget, which would cause Microsoft's stock price to fall."

That's the magic of the capital market.

High spending will drive up stock prices.

Spending less can actually cause the stock price to fall.

Zhou Haoran laughed and said, "That's simple. I'm developing an email product, and it's already finished. If Microsoft is interested, they can buy it for $2000 million."

“That won’t work, will it?” Du Jiayun thought he was oversimplifying things. “Microsoft previously tried to acquire a domestic office software company, but it was restricted by regulatory measures.”

Zhou Haoran said, "If that's the case, then there's nothing we can do."

Du Jiayun sighed, "Dr. Zhou, from my personal perspective, I really hope you can reach a cooperation agreement with Microsoft. Ballmer has called me several times specifically about this, saying that he can offer you up to $500 million."

"No."

Zhou Haoran wasn't concerned about the money; he was looking for an opportunity to provoke Bill Gates.

We must go head-to-head with Bill Gates.

Even if we fail?
Du Jiayun said in a deep voice, "If this cooperation is successful, then you and Microsoft may have deeper cooperation in the future. To be honest, Microsoft is planning to increase its investment in China, and even intends to make this the center of the Asia-Pacific market."

Zhou Haoran remained unmoved. "That's not a reason."

Du Jiayun said, "Microsoft is the world's largest technology giant, and it's good to maintain a good relationship with it... Dr. Zhou, whether you start your own business, continue your studies in academia, or become a professional manager like me, you will have a bright future. Ballmer is very interested in this collaboration and has been paying close attention to it."

Zhou Haoran responded with an "Oh," his reaction indifferent.

Du Jiayun said solemnly, "Ballmer said that if this cooperation cannot be achieved, it will be difficult for you and Microsoft to establish any cooperative relationship in the future."

"A threat?"

Zhou Haoran raised his eyebrows.

“That’s Ballmer’s style,” Du Jiayun sighed. “But from what I know, he’s not joking.”

Zhou Haoran said calmly, "Microsoft is a big company, but that doesn't mean the world has to operate according to Microsoft's rules. My demands will not change. You can tell Ballmer and Bill Gates my original words."

“Uh…” Du Jiayun hesitated for a moment, then smiled, “Bill Gates will be coming to China next month.”

Zhou Haoran said "Oh".

Du Jiayun said, "Gates seems to have softened his stance. I heard he's willing to try again. Why don't we invite him over next month when he arrives, so you can meet him?"

“Okay.” Zhou Haoran’s heart stirred slightly. “I’ll send him an invitation when he arrives.”

……

The Asian financial crisis has spread to Hong Kong Island.

It was a scene of utter despair.

Not only did the stock market plummet, but the housing market also collapsed.

The harbor's property market was designed entirely based on the Hong Kong Island model, and as a result, it has been greatly affected. Many new developments have suffered setbacks and are unable to sell.

New apartments that originally cost 6000-7000 yuan per square meter are already being quietly reduced in many places.

"Teacher Jiang!"

Zhou Haoran was at school, guiding students in developing email systems, when he met Jiang Minsi in the teaching building.

“Dr. Zhou.” Jiang Minsi’s hair was styled in large waves, looking both charming and elegant, with a refined feel typical of local harbor women.

Once she got closer, Jiang Minsi lowered her voice and asked, "What's wrong?"

Zhou Haoran said, "Come with me in a bit!"

"Where?"

"See Qiao Suiqing."

"Huh?" Jiang Minsi was taken aback. "So sudden?"

Zhou Haoran chuckled and said, "This is sudden? Didn't I tell you already?"

Jiang Minsi panicked a little, "I didn't prepare a gift."

Zhou Haoran instructed, "No need to prepare anything. We're all family, and she's very easy to talk to... When the time comes, just offer her a cup of tea, call her 'sister,' and it'll be settled."

Jiang Minsi blushed. "Do I still have to call you 'older sister'?"

“If you really can’t bring yourself to call her, it’s fine. Just offer her a cup of tea as a token gesture.” Zhou Haoran felt that for a stable and harmonious family, there still needed to be clear rules and regulations. “She wouldn’t care too much.”

"What do you think I should do?" Jiang Minsi asked, somewhat embarrassed. "I'll listen to you."

Zhou Haoran suggested, "I think you should set an example. Call me 'sister' if you should. It's just a form of address, what's the big deal? You still call me 'Master'."

“You’re the male head of the household, that’s different.”

Jiang Minsi's face was flushed. Qiao Suiqing was several years younger than her, and asking her to call her "sister" felt like turning back time a hundred years.

Zhou Haoran said, "You should set an example. Once you've established the connections, Aunt Wan will be more likely to get close to you. If you ask me, it's better to have clear rules. Offer her a cup of tea, call her 'sister,' and the relationship will be clear. She'll be happy, and you'll be more relaxed."

“Then…” Jiang Minsi hesitated for a moment, her beautiful eyes flashing, “I don’t need to kneel when serving tea, right?”

Zhou Haoran said, "No need for that."

"Um……"

Jiang Minsi's eyes flickered, their expression uncertain.

Zhou Haoran said in a low voice, "I've heard about it. The housing market in the harbor is in turmoil, and prices have started to fall. It's time to take action. You sisters need to unite and act together to buy more houses and stock up. Twenty or thirty houses are a bit few, but fifty or sixty houses aren't too many either."

"Why buy so many houses? Are they all for keeping mistresses?"

Jiang Minsi had a half-smile on her face.

Zhou Haoran said, "Why hide it? It's mainly for our own family. Like you, your sisters, brothers, and sisters will have a place to live when they come to work in the harbor. Your sister is about to take the college entrance exam, so having a house will be very convenient. Also, your parents are getting old, so if they come to the harbor to retire, they'll have a place to live."

Jiang Minsi's eyes softened immediately, and she gently hummed in agreement, "Thank you."

Zhou Haoran said dismissively, "What's the big deal? Even in ancient times, the families of wives, concubines, and maids would receive care from their masters. It's only natural and what should be done."

"Buying so many houses will cost a lot of money."

"Houses won't go bad if you just leave them there. The properties near the Huangpu River are in the most prime locations. In twenty or thirty years, you might not be able to buy them even if you wanted to."

"Ah."

Jiang Minsi became much more obedient.

Zhou Haoran whispered, "You'll come with me in a bit to see Qiao Suiqing."

"Yes, I am the younger sister, so it is only right that I go to pay my respects to her."

Jiang Minsi simply let go of her inhibitions.

Zhou Haoran laughed and said, "That's more like it. You set a good example. If you handle things well... then next week, we'll have Aunt Wan come over too!"

That's what they say, but it's a bit strange when you think about it.

Does Aunt Wan also have to call Qiao Suiqing "sister"?

It feels a bit chaotic.

"Oh, by the way, Mr. Zhang came looking for you. I saw him."

Jiang Min thought of something, her eyes filled with admiration.

Zhou Haoran laughed and said, "Zhang Chaoyang, I know him. I'm going to see him later; he wants me to do him a favor."

"He begged you?" Jiang Minsi's eyes widened. "Isn't he a startup star?"

Zhou Haoran scoffed, "So what if I'm a startup star? I'm a startup mentor!"

Jiang Minsi pursed her lips. Just then, she heard footsteps coming from a distance in the corridor. She quickly straightened up, patted her face to relax, and said quickly, "I'll wait for you at the school gate in a bit. Don't let anyone from work see us together."

"Okay, I'll go and meet Old Zhang."

Zhou Haoran went to see Zhang Chaoyang.

This guy is here for the email address too.

“I wanted to sell to Microsoft for $2000 million, but Bill Gates disagreed,” Zhou Haoran said bluntly. “Next month, Bill Gates will come to China to talk to me about this, and then we’ll discuss it further.”

Zhang Chaoyang was very reluctant, "Are you really going to sell?"

Zhou Haoran said calmly, "I have two choices: either sell it to him, or I'll open-source it and share it with the whole world!"

(End of this chapter)