Back to 17, My Brother is the Cult Leader

During this trip to Los Angeles, I signed a script contract with Warner Bros. for "Pan's Labyrinth".

This film weaves a dark adult fairy tale about choices, innocence, and cruelty through two intertwined storylines: 12-year-old Ophelia returns to the underground kingdom by completing three magical tasks given to her by Pan in a cruel reality, and her final choice determines her fate in reality and fantasy.

Fang Yuan recalls that the film cost $1800 million to make and ultimately grossed $8400 million worldwide.

After several rounds of negotiations, the two sides finally reached a cooperation agreement.

Fang Yuan's rights and interests were basically guaranteed, with an advance payment of US$120 million and a 10% share of the total revenue.

After the contract was signed, the rest was left to Ellie to handle.

Early September, Shenzhen.

The typhoon passed through, bringing torrential rain.

Fang Yuan took a taxi from Luohu Port and checked into the Futian Shangri-La Hotel.

After putting down his luggage, he hailed a taxi and went directly to SEG Technology Park in Nanshan District.

The taxi driver, speaking with a Cantonese accent, said, "Young man, what are you going to SEG Plaza for? The factories there have been mostly moved out."

"Looking for someone," Fang Yuan replied briefly.

7th floor, East Tower, SEG Technology Park. The elevator doors opened, and the air was filled with a damp, musty smell and residual heat from the server room.

The hand-drawn penguin logo is affixed to the glass door of Tencent's office.

A young woman at the front desk asked, "Who are you looking for?"

"I'm looking for Mr. Ma. We have an appointment. My surname is Fang."

"Mr. Fang, please wait a moment."

A moment later, Fang Yuan was led into an office.

Ma Huateng looked the young man up and down.

The other person was wearing an ordinary gray T-shirt, a pair of faded jeans, and a pair of Warrior shoes that looked like they came from a street stall.

By any measure, they don't look like they have money.

"Mr. Ma, I'm Fang Yuan." Fang Yuan extended his hand. "Manager Lin should have already greeted you."

Ma Huateng was stunned for a moment, then realized what was happening and quickly shook hands:

"Mr. Fang! Hello! Please have a seat."

The meeting room is partitioned off and is about 20 square meters in size.

A folding table, a few plastic chairs, a thick stack of code printing paper on the table, and two unopened boxes of Master Kong instant noodles in the corner.

"Mr. Fang, our conditions here are rather basic..." Ma Huateng said somewhat embarrassedly.

"It's nothing." Fang Yuan sat down and looked around. "I heard your servers have been under a lot of pressure lately?"

Ma Huateng sighed, took off his glasses, and rubbed the bridge of his nose:

"Yes, the number of users is growing too fast, with tens of thousands new users every day. But the money... the money in the account won't last more than two months."

We're looking for money everywhere, but the current market conditions are just too tough.

Fang Yuan nodded, took a folder from his laptop bag, and pushed it to the center of the table:

"Mr. Ma, let's get straight to the point. I'm here to resolve this issue."

Ma Huateng opened the folder with a puzzled look.

The first page contains the registration certificate and bank credit certificate of Qihang Capital Ltd.

The balance column clearly showed one hundred million US dollars.

The second page contains a "Strategic Cooperation and Investment Intent Agreement".

Ma Huateng's hand trembled slightly.

He looked up at Fang Yuan: "Mr. Fang, is this...is this true?"

"Really." Fang Yuan said calmly.

"My proposal is very simple. First, I will invest an additional $1500 million in Tencent through a Cayman Islands company."

The pre-investment valuation is based on your previous funding round's $5500 million, without any discount.

$1500 million! Ma Huateng felt his heart skip a beat.

This money is enough for them to triple their server capacity and survive the next two years of losses.

"Secondly," Fang Yuan continued.

"I heard that IDG and PCCW have some concerns about your business model."

Please ask them for me; if they're considering withdrawing, I'll take them all. Same price.

Ma Huateng was completely stunned.

Asking the founder to persuade existing shareholders to withdraw their investment? This is unheard of in the investment world.

What shocked him even more was that Fang Yuan's valuation was not reduced at all due to the internet winter.

"Mr. Fang," Ma Huateng took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down.

Why are you doing this? Aren't you worried about the risks?

"I have companies in both China and Hollywood, mainly producing film and television content."

Fang Yuan pointed to himself, "I know where the traffic is, that's where the story is."

Your QQ is a huge, untapped library of stories.

I'm submitting my work to you because I want to find a platform for my content.

He paused, looking into Ma Huateng's eyes:

"But I have one condition. I will not join the board of directors, attend shareholder meetings, and try to avoid seeing outsiders as much as possible."

The company is still run by your founding team.

I have only one request—if you're making games or film/television content in the future, please give me priority in collaborating.

Ma Huateng fell silent. He was rapidly calculating in his mind.

This Fang Yuan is unlike those investors who talk big or those investment banking elites who give orders.

He was like... a customer who really just came to buy things, and he paid in full.

"Mr. Fang," Ma Huateng finally spoke, his voice a little hoarse.

"You trust me too much."

"Isn't it worth it?" Fang Yuan corrected.

"It's about the probability of success. In my calculations, the success rate of this investment is over 95%. The remaining 5% depends on your execution."

He then took out a piece of paper from his bag, the top line of which read: "Power of Attorney".

"You handle the specific negotiations for me."

You should go and negotiate with IDG and Yingke.

The floor price is a valuation of $6000 million. As long as they agree, I'll transfer the money immediately.

Fang Yuan stood up and slung his laptop bag over his shoulder:

"I live in the Shangri-La Hotel in Futian, room number 808. Once your shareholders' meeting reaches a conclusion in the next few days, feel free to contact me."

No need to treat everyone to meals; just focus your energy on the server.

After saying that, he turned and left, leaving Ma Huateng alone in that small, simple conference room, looking at the few flimsy pieces of paper on the table, feeling like he was dreaming.

For the next ten days, Ma Huateng became Fang Yuan's "full power of attorney".

Instead of immediately going to IDG and Yingke, he first summoned Zhang Zhidong and Zeng Liqing. The three of them locked themselves in the conference room and went over Fang Yuan's plan three times.

"Pony, isn't this too simple?" Zhang Zhidong adjusted his glasses, his tone carrying the meticulousness of a programmer.

"A stranger, with a hundred million dollars, just decides to invest? Could there be some kind of trap?"

"I've thought about that too." Ma Huateng pushed the copy of the bank's credit certificate over.

"It's all true. Professor Fang is indeed a student of the Central Academy of Drama. He has companies in China and Hollywood and has won several major awards."

"I had the finance department check, and the company does exist in the Cayman Islands banks, and the deposits are genuine."

Moreover, Mr. Fang didn't impose any additional conditions; aside from requesting no interference in the business operations, he asked for almost nothing else.