Rebirth 08: Can a mobile game company also build a tech empire?

The Spring Festival holiday has passed in the blink of an eye.

On the eighth day of the first lunar month, Lu Chen boarded a plane back to Hangzhou.

Before leaving, Li Xiulan packed her suitcase full.

Specialties from Shaanxi Province, homemade cured meat, and even two sweaters she knitted herself.

"Mom, it's not that cold in Hangzhou."

Lu Chen was both amused and exasperated.

"Take this with you! It's damp and cold in the south, wear this to keep warm!"

Without saying a word, Li Xiulan forced the things inside.

Lu Jianguo then pulled Lu Chen aside and said earnestly:

"Chen'er, your company is bigger than your old man's."

So I can't teach anything.

However, you must remember,

Do things conscientiously and be honest; the more you do, the more stable you need to be.

You have to live up to the expectations of those who work for you.

Lu Chen nodded solemnly without saying anything.

Finally, Lu Jianguo patted Lu Chen on the shoulder and, unusually, praised him:

"You did a great job, Dad is so proud of you!"

As the plane took off, the city of Chang'an gradually shrank outside the porthole.

Lu Chen leaned back in his chair, feeling a surge of strength within him.

Back in Hangzhou, Lu Chen rested and recuperated for a day.

It was the ninth day of the first lunar month, at 8:00 AM.

Lu Chen had already stood downstairs at the building belonging to ZhengTu Technology, looking up at that familiar window.

There are already people in the company.

Inside the glass door,

Several early-arriving employees are preparing for the first day of work in the new year.

Zheng Yong stood on a stool, holding a rag, and carefully wiped the dust off the company logo.

Jiang Chang was already sitting at the computer, getting into work mode.

Susie tidied up Lu Chen's office.

The company was already bustling with activity.

"President Lu is back!"

Someone shouted, and everyone stopped what they were doing and turned around.

As Lu Chen pushed open the door and entered, a chorus of greetings rang out.

Happy New Year, Mr. Lu!

"The boss is finally back!"

Lu Chen responded to everyone with a smile.

Looking around at all the familiar faces.

I noticed that everyone had a smile on their face.

It's clear that everyone had a very happy New Year.

"How was your New Year?"

Lu Chen walked to the staff office area.

"I'm fine!"

Mr. Lu, your year-end bonus...

My parents are counting money until their hands are sore!

Tao Manwen said with a grin.

"I bought my mom one of our Conquer Online Z1s."

She listens to music on it every day.

The elderly lady next door was incredibly envious!

Another employee chimed in.

Lu Chen felt a warm glow in his heart as he listened to everyone enthusiastically sharing their fun stories from the New Year.

It seems everyone really considers Journey Tech their home.

Lu Chen shared the local specialties he brought from his hometown with everyone.

The office suddenly became lively.

"Smoked pork from Qin Province!"

I've been thinking about this for so long!

Jiang Chang accepted the large piece without hesitation.

"There are also amber walnuts, persimmon cakes..."

Susie helped distribute them, and the office suddenly became as lively as a small market.

"Share the food, don't fight over it."

Lu Chen said with a smile.

After a brief period of excitement, work quickly got back on track.

At 10:00 a.m., Lu Chen convened a meeting of all staff.

More than twenty people squeezed into Lu Chen's office, making it so crowded that those who came later could only lean against the door.

Despite the crowd, everyone's eyes were focused on Lu Chen, filled with anticipation.

Lu Chen's opening remarks were very brief:

"Seeing that everyone had a good New Year makes me feel relieved."

Therefore, with the new year comes a new look, and our company should also make some changes.

"Um?"

"Are we about to make a big move?"

A murmur of discussion arose from below.

Instead of answering directly, Lu Chen began to review his achievements from the previous year.

"Last year, we created a miracle."

Lu Chen's voice was steady and powerful.

Plants vs. Zombies received a 9.6 rating from IGN.

The Z1 achieved monthly sales of over 340,000 units, generating revenue exceeding 300 million yuan.

But this is just the beginning.

He paused, his gaze sweeping over every face:

"This year, we're going to do something even bigger."

So first and foremost, the company needs a bigger home.

Lu Chen stood in front of the whiteboard and pointed to the crowded space.

"It's time for our company to move to a new location."

The meeting room fell silent for a moment, then erupted in cheers.

"Finally moving!"

"Great! This place is a bit crowded."

"Where is the new office?"

Lu Chen raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet.

"The company's location hasn't been decided yet; I'll go check it out in the next few days."

The new office location will have a larger workspace, convenient transportation, and a beautiful environment.

Most importantly, it should allow everyone to work comfortably.

After the meeting,

Lu Chen called Susie over.

"Could you help me find suitable office space for rent in Hangzhou?"

Around 1,000 square meters, preferably near a high-tech industrial park.

"Yes, Mr. Lu, I'll take care of it right away."

The Hangzhou office building market in 2009 was in a period of rapid development.

New commercial districts are springing up like mushrooms after rain.

The next three days.

Lu Chen and Su Xi visited almost every suitable office location in Hangzhou.

From a luxury Grade A office building in Qianjiang New City.

Visit the quiet creative park in Xihu District.

He looked at no fewer than ten places in total.

In some places, the rent is outrageously expensive.

It costs 150 yuan per square meter per month, so 1,000 square meters would cost 150,000 yuan, or 1.8 million yuan per year.

This is still the price of a bare-bones apartment.

ZhengTu Technology wants to move in, but they'll have to do the renovations themselves.

Although the rent is completely affordable for ZhengTu Technology at present.

But Lu Chen felt it wasn't worth it.

Some places are located in remote areas.

There isn't even a decent restaurant around.

Even getting meals for employees is a problem.

Some have outdated decor and cramped ceilings.

The moment you step inside, you feel suffocated.

Until the afternoon of the third day.

Lu Chen saw a newly built office building in the high-tech industrial park in the west of the city.

The words "Hangzhou Entrepreneurship Center" are prominently displayed above the main gate.

The building has a modern exterior.

The glass curtain wall is illuminated by the winter sun.

It looks clean and bright.

The park is shaded by green trees.

There is also a small leisure square.

The real estate agent was a man in his thirties.

While showing Lu Chen the apartment, he explained:

"Mr. Lu, this building was just completed last year, and all the facilities are brand new."

The floor you are looking at has a building area of ​​1020 square meters, and an actual usable area of ​​approximately 950 square meters.

The overall layout faces south, resulting in excellent natural lighting.

Lu Chen walked around the empty room.

The room only had floor tiles and white walls; there was nothing else.

The ceiling is a full three and a half meters high, so it doesn't feel cramped at all.

The room has very few pillars, allowing the space to be freely divided.

The view from the window is expansive, offering a view of the distant West Lake skyline.

"How much is the rent?"

Lu Chen asked.

"It costs 3 yuan per square meter per day, or 90 yuan per square meter per month if you pay monthly."

The agent quoted a price.

Lu Chen shook his head and said:

"Too expensive."

The location is good, but it's not in the city center after all.

"For 80 yuan, I can sign a two-year contract."

The agent looked troubled and hesitated for a moment before saying:

"Mr. Lu, this price..."

"I can pay a year's rent upfront."

Lu Chen added.

The agent's eyes lit up, and he immediately said:

"I'll go and discuss it with the homeowner!"

The next day, the agent called.

The homeowner agreed to the price of $80, but demanded a four-year lease.

Lu Chen readily agreed.

Given the current pace of development of ZhengTu Technology.

Let alone four years, we'll probably have to move again in two years.