Reborn in 08, Public Enemy of Competitors

Chapter 106 Money Blinded Their Eyes

With Fanfou still closed, it would be very easy for Zhang Yiming to ask for leave.

Summer in Hangzhou is much hotter than in Beijing. Zhang Yiming arrived at the Jinsha Century Building at the agreed time.

The moment I saw Shen Mo, I felt a mix of envy and jealousy. I had changed jobs four times in four years, achieved nothing, and was constantly on the move.

Shen Mo has now firmly established himself as one of the top three e-commerce figures, second only to Jack Ma and Liu Qiangdong, and may well become a future internet mogul.

At this moment, the 26-year-old stood before Shen Mo, a senior in the realm of martial arts, and felt like an ant.

"President Shen."

"sit."

Shen Mo raised his finger and pointed to the chair opposite him.

Zhang Yiming frowned slightly when he saw a black leather suitcase on the table, but did not ask any further questions.

Shen Mo said, "The headhunter should have spoken with you and said he wants you to join Lingyun Technology."

"Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Shen."

Zhang Yiming asked, puzzled, "But I've only worked on social products before, and I have no experience in e-commerce. I'm not very familiar with..."

"I understand. Why me?"

"I've seen your resume; it's very impressive, especially your roles as CTO of Renren.com and Fanfou."

Shen Mo said, "That proves you have no technical problems."

Zhang Yiming hesitated for a moment, then said, "But I'm not really interested in e-commerce—"

"I'm not contacting you about e-commerce, but about a new subsidiary that Lingyun Technology is about to establish."

Shen Mo said, "I want you to be the CEO of this new company."

"Me? The CEO?"

Zhang Yiming's head was buzzing. He had originally thought that Shen Mo at most wanted him to be the deputy technical director, or even the CT0.

I never imagined that I was still too hasty!

Shen Mo retorted, "What, do you think you're incompetent, or do you think I have poor judgment?"

"No, Mr. Shen!"

Zhang Yiming was intrigued. "I just want to know, what exactly does this subsidiary do?"

"There are currently two directions."

Shen Mo held up two fingers: "The first one is mobile app distribution platforms."

Zhang Yiming asked, "Like 91 Mobile Assistant?"

"That's right!"

Shen Mo snapped his fingers.

In his previous life, Zhang Yiming rose to prominence through Toutiao, an information distribution platform.

In the era of smartphones and 3G, and even in the future 4G era, application distribution platforms will become one of the most important traffic entry points.

Because users usually only install an app on their phone once, and once they form a habit, it's very difficult to switch.

Generally speaking, users keep 20 to 50 apps on their phones.

For example, use Baidu and Gaode for navigation, Ele.me and Meituan for food delivery, and UC for search.

If you want users to switch to other apps with similar functions, you have to pay several times the price and cost.

This is precisely a crucial part of their strategy to establish WeChat and seize the initiative from Tencent!

Payment + e-commerce + gaming + distribution + shopping guide – this combination is far more comprehensive than Lei Jun's MiTalk back in the day.

many!

"I wonder if Mr. Shen will be working on iOS or Android?"

Zhang Yiming pondered for a long time before slowly speaking.

"Of course I want them all!"

Shen Mo said bluntly.

"This project, tentatively named 'App Store,' aims to provide app push notifications, content transfer, and device management functionality in the form of PC-based mobile management software, while also supporting Android systems and jailbreaking iOS."

"You just mentioned there are two directions, but I don't know what the other one is—"

Zhang Yiming glanced at the black leather suitcase on the table.

"Let's talk about the second project after you've finished developing App Store."

Shen Mo wouldn't open up and reveal his intention to betray others and create a WeChat account.

We're using Tencent right now! We absolutely can't let Ma Huateng know that we're using Tencent's traffic and funds to attack Tencent!

"Well, Mr. Shen, I'm still a CT0 at Fanfou, and I haven't resigned yet."

Zhang Yiming opened his mouth, his tone revealing a hint of hesitation.

"Look, you're in such a hurry again."

Shen Mo raised his hand slightly, and Zhong Xue understood immediately, bending down to open the black leather suitcase.

Stacks of banknotes were neatly arranged, their reddish hue gleaming in the sunlight.

Zhang Yiming's pupils contracted slightly, his Adam's apple bobbed, and he swallowed back the words he wanted to say.

"Mr. Shen, what do you mean by this?"

"Actually, it didn't mean anything by it, it was just a token gesture."

"Mr. Shen, I still don't understand what you mean."

"Don't be shy, it's just a small token of my appreciation."

Shen Mo waved his hand: "This shows Lingyun Technology's appreciation and sincerity towards talents like you. Do you feel that?"

Zhang Yiming tried hard to look away from the banknotes, took a deep breath, and adjusted his mindset.

"Mr. Shen, Wang Xing from Fanfou.com is my fellow townsman, an elder brother, and a dear friend!"

"I cannot choose to do this at such a critical time for Fanfou."

"Besides money, if the App Store project runs well, I'll not only make you CEO, but also give you 5% of the profits from your subsidiary."

"Your equity, vesting over five years, you must know just how much value that represents, right?"

Shen Mo took out a wad of banknotes from the box and shook it gently.

Zhang Yiming pushed up his glasses, his gaze becoming more intense.

"Even if you can't guess, just think of Pinduoduo and YiTaoGO."

Shen Mo crossed his arms: "Pinduoduo's valuation in the investment community has already exceeded 1 billion US dollars, and YiTao's Series C valuation is only going to be higher. How much do you think the subsidiary you will be in charge of will be worth?"

In an instant, Zhang Yiming felt his heart skip a beat.

Do you think Fanfou.com can reach the same level of success as my subsidiary in the future?

Shen Mo corrected him, saying, "Oh, I misspoke. It's uncertain whether Fanfou will even exist in the future, and you, the CT0—"

Zhang Yiming finally showed a conflicted expression, his gaze shifting back and forth between the banknotes in Shen Mo's hand and the banknotes in the box.

"People should always look forward!"

Shen Mo patted him on the shoulder. "Besides, a true man is born between heaven and earth; how can he remain subservient to others for long!"

Then, casting a meaningful glance, he asked, "Are you really content to stay holed up on Fanfou, just a CT0?"

Zhang Yiming's lips trembled slightly. "Mr. Shen, could you give me some time? Wang Xing is, after all, one of our own."

After meeting with Shen Mo, Zhang Yiming was in a daze, and even his steps felt a little unsteady.

Besides being willing to give money, Shen Mo was even willing to hand over the naming rights of the subsidiary to himself, the future CEO.

What incredible trust!

What a high regard this is!

Just as the scales had tipped in Shenmo's favor, a phone call suddenly came through.

It turned out to be his former boss, who wanted to invite Zhang Yiming to join 99fang, a real estate information company, as its CTO.

"Yiming, Fanfou is a dead end; there's no point in staying!"

Thank you for your kindness.

Zhang Yiming made a solemn vow on the phone: "There can't be two suns in the sky, and there's only one sun in my heart."

But whether this sun is Wang Xing or Shen Mo, don't ask!

After much hesitation, she decided to say goodbye to Wang Xing in person and knocked on the office door.

Wang Xing was sitting at the table. He looked much thinner than when they last met. His eyes were sunken, he was losing hair frequently, and he looked extremely haggard.

During the period when Fanfou was ordered to rectify, every time I inquired about the news, the answer I received was "It hasn't been decided yet."

But this response already signaled the death of Fanfou.

Including Renren.com, this is Wang Xing's Nth failed startup. He has truly been fighting on despite repeated failures!

"It's you, Yiming."

"Brother Wang, I—"

"I know what you're trying to say, do you want to quit?"

"Brother Wang, I'm sorry."

Zhang Yiming showed a hint of apology.

"I'm sorry, but no one would stay on Fanfou in its current state."

Wang Xing sighed and said, "You're not the first, and you won't be the last, but have you found someone else yet?"

Zhang Yiming briefly explained Shen Mo's invitation, saying, "I'm somewhat interested in this 'App Store'."

"Then let's go! A good bird chooses a good tree to perch on, and Shen Mo is already a fine tree!"

Wang Xing couldn't help but sigh, "The journey through the martial world is long; I hope we'll meet again someday."

"Brother Wang, take care!"

Zhang Yiming was surprised that he agreed so readily, and all the excuses he had prepared along the way were of no use.

As he was leaving the office, he ran into Wang Huiwen, the second-in-command of Fanfou and also Wang Xing's roommate.

Wang Hui glanced at Zhang Yiming's retreating figure, her expression complex: "Old Wang, is Yiming leaving?"

"Well, if it's going to rain, it's going to rain; if Mother wants to remarry, let it be."

Wang Xing said, "The fact that he stayed here for almost a month is already more than enough."

Wang Huiwen said, "But Yiming is Fanfou's CTO. If Fanfou is unblocked in the future, what will happen without a CTO?"

Do you think Fanfou has a future?

Wang Xing should try to persuade Zhang Yiming to stay, both emotionally and logically, but he doesn't know how.

Wang Hui was speechless for a moment and remained silent.

"We should also think about what to do after Fanfou is over."

Wang Xing scratched his head, which was already starting to bald.

What do you think of group buying?

Wang Hui suddenly blurted out, "The silent Pinduoduo and YiTaoG0, relying on group buying links, have grown bigger and bigger!"