Entertainment mogul: Starting his business with the internet

Chapter 374 A Solid Step

On December 25, 2011, Tengda Group's instant messaging software WeChat and Wechat were simultaneously updated globally, launching a video call function. This innovative feature quickly sparked a user frenzy.

The following morning, in the chairman's office on the top floor of the technology building, the winter sun shone through the floor-to-ceiling windows, filling the entire space.

Lei Jun stood by the window, looking down at the bustling street scene in the distance, and sighed with emotion: "I really hope that Xiaomi can also have an office building like this soon."

Song Ci approached with a cup of tea, and chuckled upon hearing this: "Given Xiaomi's current rate of development, I think your wish will come true in less than five years, Mr. Lei."

"Then I'll take Mr. Song's good wishes!" Lei Jun took the teacup, and thinking of the booming success of Xiaomi phones, a look of anticipation for the future appeared on his face.

The two chatted for a few minutes and then sat down on the sofa.

Lei Jun sipped his fragrant tea and got down to business: "After nearly half a year of turmoil, the acquisition of AuthenTec has finally been settled. It cost a total of 380 million US dollars. Those bloodsuckers in the US Department of Commerce are really insatiable. They spent 10 million US dollars on public relations alone."

"Acquiring companies in the high-tech industry is inherently sensitive, and things that can be solved with money are not considered major problems. With AuthenTec fingerprint recognition technology, both Xiaomi and Tenda can continue to advance their respective development plans."

Song Ci secretly rejoiced that relations between China and the United States were still relatively harmonious at this time, unlike the tense situation a few years later. In five or six years, it would be wishful thinking for a Chinese company to acquire an American high-tech company. You should be grateful if they don't impose sanctions.

“That’s true.” Lei Jun nodded in agreement, even though Tengda Group held a dominant position in the acquisition of AuthenTec, owning 70% of the new company.

However, the right to use some of the technology patents is shared by the two companies. Xiaomi, which obtained the fingerprint recognition technology, has already begun to develop a new generation of high-end models.

In the middle of their conversation, a cheerful cell phone ringtone suddenly sounded. When Song Ci heard the familiar ringtone, he knew it was his wife calling him via WeChat video, and a helpless yet doting smile immediately appeared on his face.

He picked up his phone from the coffee table, and sure enough, it was Liu Shishi calling. Ever since WeChat launched its video call function yesterday, Ms. Liu had been calling him whenever she had a spare moment, and they had made at least ten calls since then.

The video call connected, and a beautiful face immediately filled the screen. Liu Shishi smiled radiantly and said in a melodious voice, "Husband!"

"Shishi, I can't concentrate on my work because you keep calling me on video."

Liu Shishi feigned sadness and looked aggrieved: "Song Yiyi, are you annoyed with me now?"

Song Ci sighed softly, rubbing her forehead. Here we go again! Her little darling wife could be both sweet and sassy these days, changing her expression in an instant: "President Lei is here discussing some business with me. Can I call him back later?"

"That's more like it!" Liu Shishi nodded smugly, smiling broadly. "Please give my regards to President Lei and Sister Tong!"

After hanging up the video call, Song Ci shook his head and smiled wryly, thinking to himself that the little devil had been a bit clingy lately.

Lei Jun smiled enigmatically and joked, "It seems that the biggest beneficiary of this new WeChat feature is President Song! President Song and Shishi are so loving, it's the envy of everyone."

Song Ci chuckled: "The WeChat video function has just been launched, and she's still very excited about it. Once the novelty wears off, she'll probably be too lazy to talk to me."

After the joke, Lei Jun's expression turned serious, and he exclaimed sincerely, "President Song, the video call function launched by WeChat this time can be described as a milestone breakthrough in the mobile Internet era."

Song Ci asked with great interest: "It seems that Mr. Lei has thoroughly studied this new feature. Why don't you tell us about it?"

"It's not just me! I think all the major tech companies around the world are studying this WeChat update."

Lei Jun's expression was serious. As the world's most popular instant messaging software, WeChat's major update is something no internet company can remain indifferent to.

"I won't go into detail about its huge technological advantages; WeChat has already created a generational gap with other IM software!"

More importantly, video calling is reshaping the use of instant messaging software in family settings. It's clear that images will inevitably ignite family bonds and, in the future, replace traditional phone calls as the mainstream method of family communication.

Listening to Lei Jun's analysis, Song Ci clapped his hands in approval and said, "As expected of President Lei, you really have profound insights into internet products!"

"Anyone who works on internet products can see the importance of WeChat video," Lei Jun said sincerely. "However, it's easier said than done. Even if other companies have thought of adding video functionality to their communication software, overcoming existing technological bottlenecks is a major challenge."

What's most impressive is that Tenda was able to complete product development so soon after 3G networks became widespread. I spoke with an engineer from Xiaomi yesterday, and Tenda's technology is at least 18 months ahead of other internet social networking companies globally.

Song Ci looked proud. After years of planning, it finally bore fruit. The video call function marked WeChat's magnificent transformation from a single communication tool to a comprehensive digital life platform, and its position as the dominant IM software is now unshakeable.

At this moment, the richest man was in a great mood and happily shared: "Mr. Lei, according to the latest data feedback, the average daily usage time of WeChat users increased significantly yesterday, but the general feedback is that the video quality needs to be improved."

Lei Jun, with his deep understanding of user needs, immediately grasped the point; how could he not understand the implications of Song Ci's words?

The increase in daily WeChat usage time indicates that video call functionality is very popular among users, but the image quality issues expose the limitations of current smartphone hardware configurations.

"I never thought that a piece of software could stimulate an increase in the configuration rate of front-facing cameras on smartphones. Xiaomi 2 couldn't make adjustments in time, and the third generation must upgrade the camera module group, especially the front-facing camera."

As a strategic partner, Song Ci earnestly reminded Lei Jun: "Mr. Lei, Xiaomi must attach importance to the research and development of core technologies. Without independent innovation, Xiaomi phones will always be stuck at the bottom of the industry chain."

Lei Jun said solemnly, "That's natural. Xiaomi has increased its investment in areas such as chip design, system optimization, image processing, and fast charging technology. However, Xiaomi is still relatively new and lacks sufficient technological reserves, so the effects won't be visible in the short term. It needs time to mature."

"No rush. The first half of the mobile internet era has only just begun. We have plenty of time."

"The first half!" Lei Jun was taken aback upon hearing this, keenly catching the key words. "President Song, does Tengda have an even bigger plan?"

"The time is not yet ripe." Song Ci smiled mysteriously, with a sense of unfathomable depth. Due to the limitations of current hardware conditions, many product ideas cannot be implemented. The golden age of mobile internet will only arrive in a few years with the advent of the 4G era.

Seeing that Song Ci didn't want to say more, and assuming it involved Tengda Group's secrets, Lei Jun wisely stopped asking and changed the subject: "I recently received a special invitation!"

"Oh, what kind of invitation?"

"The Mount Tai Gathering!"

Song Ci was somewhat surprised: "As far as I know, new members who want to join the Taishan Club need recommendations from two official members and must be approved by a vote of all members to become probationary members. When did the conditions for joining change to active invitation?"

Lei Jun explained, "The rules were just changed this year, and Li Yanhong from Baidu and Duan Yongping from BBK jointly recommended me. I heard that Taishan Club had also contacted you before."

Song Ci scoffed: "They're just a bunch of scoundrels who made their fortunes by taking advantage of policy dividends in the early days of reform and opening up. Now that regulations in all sectors of the country are gradually being improved and supervision is becoming stricter, their old ways of doing things no longer work. Li Yanhong is involved with that group, no wonder Baidu is becoming increasingly incompetent."

Lei Jun was secretly surprised. He hadn't expected the richest man to have such a bad impression of the Taishan Club. He cautiously probed, "Does President Song have a grudge against the Taishan Club?"

Song Ci said dismissively, "No, we have different paths and cannot work together. Those people seem glamorous, but they're really nothing special. They just do real estate and sell health products. The only thing that's done is that Lenovo has some scale."

Seeing Song Ci's strong aversion to the Taishan Club, Lei Jun immediately became wary. The richest man's information channels were extraordinary; he might have overheard some rumors.

Next year's imperial court meeting will see a change in the emperor's will, and no one can predict how the policy direction will shift. It seems best for me to have less contact with the Taishan Society.

Song Ci leaned back on the sofa, looked directly at Lei Jun, and said in a flat tone: "President Lei, the Taishan Club's model of sticking together for warmth is no longer suitable for technology companies in the new era."

The social environment is subtly changing; some people are "business gods" today, but their reputations can reverse in an instant, turning them into negative figures.

Lei Jun's heart skipped a beat. The richest man was implying something, though he didn't say it explicitly, it was obvious who he was referring to. "President Song, that person's status in the business world is extraordinary, you mustn't get into a conflict with him."

Song Ci waved his hand: "Mr. Lei, you're overthinking it! I'm just telling you that times have changed! As long as you maintain a superficial relationship with them, don't get too close."

Some people have questionable pasts and their wealth doesn't stand up to scrutiny. Besides, they offer no help to your or my career; they might even become competitors in the future.

The richest man's warning was quite clear, and Lei Jun was already determined to never associate with the Taishan Club again: "I understand, thank you for the reminder, President Song."

"Actually, truly like-minded people are a minority. If you are interested in business alliances, you can take the lead in establishing one, and I am willing to support you."

"Forget it, I'm not qualified to establish any chamber of commerce!" Lei Jun quickly shook his head. The various circles in the business world may seem glamorous, but in reality, they are mostly exchanges of interests and do not provide any real help to business development.

Today's meeting was very fruitful. After exchanging a few more polite words with Song Ci, Lei Jun got up to take his leave.

"President Song, please wait a moment." At the office door, Lei Jun politely declined Song Ci's offer to see him off and walked straight to the end of the corridor.

After watching Lei Jun leave, Song Ci returned to her office, sat down behind her desk, and made a video call to Liu Shishi via WeChat.

"Honey, are you done with your work?" On the screen, Liu Shishi held up her phone and slowly turned around so that Song Ci could see the background behind her.

Looking at the backdrop and camera on the screen, Song Ci laughed and said, "Are you still shooting commercials?"

"Yes, we're on break. We'll continue filming this afternoon." Liu Shishi immediately looked distressed. She had been filming a New Year's advertisement for Omega in Donghai today, posing and faking smiles for several hours straight. After only half a day, her facial muscles were stiff from smiling.

Song Ci offered words of concern: "Don't push yourself too hard; rest more when you're tired."

"Hmm." Liu Shishi held up her phone, took light steps, and slowly moved the camera around, showing her husband around the advertising shoot set. "Sister K, Xiaoxia and Xiaoxiao are here."

Cai Yinong, who was standing nearby, noticed the figure appearing on the screen of the female celebrity's phone and quickly greeted her: "President Song!"

Song Ci was in a good mood and joked, "It seems that President Cai has been doing very well lately and is looking increasingly blessed."

Cai Yinong was mortified; the richest man was teasing her about gaining weight.

Liu Shishi carefully examined K-sister's noticeably rounder face and couldn't help but laugh out loud.

The cheerful laughter caught the attention of the Vice President of Omega China, who approached curiously and asked, "Ms. Liu, what's going on here?"

“Mr. Yang, I’m video chatting with my husband.” Liu Shishi explained with a smile, then introduced him to her husband: “Honey, this is Yang Hua, the person in charge of Omega in China.”

Yang Hua recognized the figure in Liu Shishi's phone, his expression hardened, and he hurriedly greeted, "Hello, Chairman Song."

Song Ci nodded to the middle-aged man appearing on the screen, exuding an imposing and authoritative aura.

Yang Hua greeted him with a smile, and sensing the tycoon's extraordinary demeanor, the little thought that had arisen in his heart immediately subsided.

Previously, as the head of Omega's China region, he had been advocating for the company to renew its endorsement deal with Zhang Ziyi, because Zhang Ziyi had a weak background and would express her support to him, the actual person in charge of the region, every year.

Now that the Swiss headquarters insists on replacing the spokesperson with Liu Shishi, who has a powerful background, his voice in front of the new spokesperson has been greatly weakened, so he is naturally somewhat unwilling.

I had originally planned to give them a hard time during the commercial shoot, but upon seeing Song Ci, I immediately sobered up and my little scheme vanished.

In the scene, the richest man sits upright with a dignified posture, seemingly ignoring Yang Hua and appearing somewhat aloof.

"Ms. Liu, you and Chairman Song can talk. I won't bother you any longer." Seeing that the richest man was too lazy to pay attention to her, Yang Hua tactfully left.

Liu Shishi took her phone, found a chair, sat down, and quietly looked at her husband on the screen. She said coquettishly, "The resolution is a bit low, which makes it harder for me to appreciate your stunning beauty."

Song Ci set up her phone aside with the screen facing her, multitasking as she worked and talked to Liu Shishi at the same time: "The phone hardware can only support this level of resolution at the moment."

Liu Shishi rested her chin on her hand, quietly watching her husband who was working with his head down. She felt a sense of peace and tranquility and grew to like the new video function on WeChat even more. In the future, she could see her husband anytime she was on set, which would ease her longing for him.

"By the way, honey, how's the script I'm working on with my mentor coming along?"

"The basic framework is all set." Song Ci didn't even look up. "It's a spy thriller with a strong female lead, based on the life of a legendary female agent on the hidden front during the Republic of China era. What's wrong, are you in a hurry to read the script?"

"No, I was worried you were too busy, and I thought I shouldn't take up your time with writing a script. Daylight Entertainment is better at serious dramas, and I was originally planning to ask them to write the script."

"It's okay. I write screenplays and novels as a way to relax after work. You just mentioned Daylight Entertainment; I think it would be good to have them direct a film."

Kong Sheng is better at serious dramas; Tangren Media isn't as professional at making spy dramas. I'll write the first draft of the script, and then you can ask Daylight Entertainment to polish it to perfection.

Liu Shishi smiled sweetly: "Okay, I'll listen to you, honey."

(End of this chapter)