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

The dinner at Xinrongji ended around 9 p.m.

Lu Chen and Lin Bing said goodbye at the restaurant entrance.

The winter night in Beijing was still chilly.

When the two shook hands, they could both feel the firm strength emanating from each other's palms.

"Mr. Lu,

These ideas and visions of yours,

I was deeply moved.

Lin Bing pushed up her glasses, her eyes behind the lenses revealing a complex expression.

There is admiration, but also hesitation and difficulty in making a decision.

"But this matter... is too important for me and my family."

Give me some more time to think it over and discuss it with my family.

"I completely understand, Dean Lin."

Lu Chen said sincerely.

"This is not a decision that can be made easily."

I await your message, no matter how long it takes!

He paused, then added:

"The doors of Conquer Online Technology are always open for you."

The two parted ways.

Lu Chen returned to the hotel.

At this moment, he felt both anticipation and a touch of trepidation.

He knew that the bait he had thrown out was enticing enough.

But whether they can catch Lin Bing, this big fish.

It also requires a bit of luck and patience.

He plans to stay in the capital for another two or three days.

While continuing to conduct market research, I awaited Lin Bing's reply.

However, two days have passed.

There was no word from Lin Bing.

A greeting text message sent by Lu Chen.

All I received was a brief reply: "Still under consideration, sorry to have kept you waiting."

at first,

Lu Chen thought this was just Lin Bing making a careful decision.

But on the fifth and sixth days...

There has still been no substantial progress or a definite answer.

Lu Chen began to sense that something was wrong.

Logically speaking, the decision to leave Google China was difficult.

But it shouldn't have dragged on for so long.

After all, no one who can accomplish great things hesitates.

For Lu Chen,

Whether Lin Bing decides to join ZhengTu Technology or stay as before, it doesn't matter.

He can accept any of them.

Therefore, Lin Bing shouldn't have dragged it out for so long.

The afternoon of the seventh day.

Unable to contain himself any longer, Lu Chen took the initiative to call Lin Bing.

This time, the phone rang for a long time before it was answered.

Lin Bing sounded even more tired than when they last met.

It even carried a hint of apology.

"Mr. Lu, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting so long."

A few things have happened these past few days.

"Dean Lin, are you alright?"

Hearing Lin Bing's hoarse voice, Lu Chen asked with concern.

"I'm fine."

Lin Bing paused for a moment, seemingly organizing her thoughts.

"only……

Mr. Lu, perhaps we need to meet again.

There are some things I feel I should tell you face to face.

An ominous premonition crept into Lu Chen's heart.

"Okay, you decide on the time and place."

That night,

They met again at Xinrongji.

Lin Bing arrived a few minutes late.

He sat down, his face showing obvious signs of fatigue.

There was also a complex expression.

"Mr. Lu, first of all, I must apologize again for my delay."

Lin Bing got straight to the point, without beating around the bush.

"These past few days, I have indeed been thinking repeatedly about your invitation."

ZhengTu Technology's plans and concepts are extremely attractive.

but……"

The main point of a conversation usually comes after the "but".

As expected, Lin Bing spoke again:

"It was the day after we last met."

I received a call from someone else.

Lu Chen's heart sank slightly.

But he asked calmly:

"Oh? Would you mind revealing who it is?"

Lei Jun.

Lin Bing said the name.

Upon hearing this name, Lu Chen's breathing paused almost imperceptibly.

Lei Jun!

It's Lei Jun!

Lei Jun had already resigned from Kingsoft more than a year ago in 2009.

During that year, as an angel investor, he invested in many projects, including UC, Vancl, and Duokan Reading.

This was a time when he was feeling lost.

According to the original timeline

Lei Jun will remain confused for a while longer.

Until the second half of 2009.

Lei Jun, in his capacity as an angel investor, visited Huang Zhang, the founder of Meizu, multiple times.

During this period, they had in-depth discussions on topics such as mobile phone product design, supply chain management, and user communities.

Huang Zhang even shared some details about the Meizu M9 with Lei Jun.

At the same time, Lei Jun proposed to invest in Meizu for a 30% stake at a valuation of one billion yuan.

He also intends to become the chairman of Meizu.

However, Huang Zhang is extremely averse to investment.

They even publicly stated that investors were speculators.

Lei Jun's investment failed.

Xiaomi was founded in April 2010.

As a result, the relationship between Lei Jun and Huang Zhang deteriorated rapidly.

And on the eve of the release of Xiaomi 1 in 2011.

Huang Zhang publicly accused Lei Jun of stealing trade secrets on Meizu's forum.

However, whether Lei Jun actually obtained any trade secrets during his contact with Huang Zhang is unknown to others.

It's true that Lei Jun is now coming to see Lin Bing.

The two were old acquaintances.

Last year, at a meeting about a collaboration between UC Browser and Google.

The two met for business purposes.

They also became acquainted because of their shared love of mobile phones.

but,

Lei Jun currently has no intention of entering the smartphone manufacturing industry.

Why did he contact Lin Bing at this time?

Is the inertia of history really that powerful?

The butterfly effect brought about by Lu Chen's rebirth.

It seems that at this critical juncture...

It collided with the original trajectory.

"Lei Jun?"

Lu Chen tried to keep his tone as calm as possible.

"Why did he contact you?"

"It's also about mobile phones."

I am!

Convex (fuck dish)

Lu Chen silently gave the middle finger in his mind.

When Lin Bing said those words.

Lu Chen suddenly felt tightness in his chest and shortness of breath.

Is it really such a coincidence?!

Lei Jun came to our door looking very excited.

He took a device out of his backpack.

It's your company's Journey Z1.

Lin Bing recalled the events, her expression somewhat dazed as she spoke.

He said,

He accidentally saw your company's Z1 Journey promotion online.

I was pleasantly surprised after seeing the pictures.

So he bought one to try it out...

Hear this,

Lu Chen wanted nothing more than to slap himself across the face.

But Lin Bing's storytelling did not stop there; she continued:

Lei Jun told me at the time

This MP4 player, regardless of its appearance design,

It's still about the product's design philosophy.

And a smooth touch experience,

They were all amazed, thinking it was divine.

he thinks,

This represents a completely new interaction logic and ecosystem prototype for mobile devices.

He also saw the huge wave of mobile internet and smartphones.

They believe now is the best time for Chinese manufacturers.

Lin Bing paused for a moment, then continued:

Lei Jun said,

It's a pity this device is an MP4 player.

If only I had a cell phone!

So he invited me,

Start a new company with him

To create a mobile ecosystem that combines hardware and software, belonging to China.

His vision was equally grand.

Moreover, his connections and resources in the software and internet industries, as well as his personal abilities…”

Lin Bing didn't finish her sentence, but the meaning was already quite clear.

On one side is Lu Chen, a promising and passionate young entrepreneur.

It has successful products and a clear development blueprint.

On the other side are those who have already achieved great success.

Lei Jun, who has a wide influence in the industry.

Both of them extended the same olive branch: to create a top-of-the-line smartphone.

This choice is incredibly difficult for anyone.