Reborn in 2000, starting from the university website

The air in the private room was heavy.

The Nokia 8110 in Ma Huateng's hand was still buzzing and vibrating tirelessly on the table. The number flashing on the screen was a number that made his heart pound – a specialist from Shenzhen Telecom Bureau demanding payment of server hosting fees.

He didn't answer; he just stared at the phone screen for a few seconds, then reached out and pressed the reject button.

This press seemed to have shattered his last shred of resolve.

"Give me the pen," Ma Huateng said hoarsely.

Bai Yuhang didn't say anything, but pushed the acquisition intention letter and a Parker pen that Zhang Lei had prepared in front of him over.

The signing process was so quick that Ma Huateng felt it was unreal.

With the final transaction completed, OICQ, the "hot potato" that had kept him up at night for months and even nearly landed him in jail, was handed over to him in cash for $300,000.

The penguin has changed hands; the dust has settled.

Ma Huateng threw his pen on the table, then slumped into his armchair like a deflated balloon, staring blankly at the palace lanterns on the ceiling, unsure whether it was relief or resentment.

Just then, the heavy, carved wooden door of the private room was pushed open from the outside, and a cool breeze mixed with the sandalwood scent from the corridor drifted in.

"Sorry, sorry, there was traffic on the way, I'm late."

Before you see him, you hear his voice.

Immediately afterwards, two figures walked in, guided by a waiter.

The man walking in front was dressed in a well-tailored suit with a professional smile on his face; he was Wang Jingbo from IDG.

The man following behind him wore frameless glasses and had a meticulously styled haircut. Although young, he exuded the air of a wealthy and powerful family—Li Zekai, the second son of Li, the "Little Superman" of Hong Kong's business world.

Having just emerged from the oppressive atmosphere, Ma Huateng froze, instinctively trying to stand up, only to find his legs a little weak.

As soon as Wang Jingbo entered the room, her gaze swept across the entire space. When she saw Bai Yuhang, the smile on her face visibly froze for a moment. Her expression was like finding a fly in her food, unsure whether to swallow it or spit it out.

But he was a seasoned veteran, and that slight embarrassment vanished in an instant, quickly replaced by a warm and friendly demeanor.

"Oh, Mr. Zhang, this must be Bai? What a coincidence." Wang Jingbo chuckled, but his gaze involuntarily drifted to the several documents that hadn't been put away on the table.

Zhang Lei stood up with a smile, not angry at the guests' lateness. Instead, he gave Bai Yuhang a meaningful look: "Unfortunately, I was waiting specifically for you. But Mr. Wang, I deliberately rescheduled this meeting tonight by an hour."

"An hour?" Wang Jingbo was taken aback for a moment, then her gaze fell on the document on the table and Ma Huateng's dejected face.

He was a smart man; a thought flashed through his mind, and he instantly understood.

He walked a few steps to the table, disregarding manners, and glanced down at the title of the letter of intent—"Agreement on the Acquisition of Tencent and OICQ Business Assets."

At the end of the signature, Ma Huateng's ink was still wet.

"This..." Wang Jingbo suddenly looked up at the freshman who was calmly drinking tea. The regret in her heart rushed to the top of her head, and she almost slapped her thigh.

Just an hour ago, OICQ was an abandoned mess; now, it's owned by the Chinese.

"Mr. Wang, it seems that IDG's decision-making process is still too slow." Bai Yuhang put down his teacup, a smile playing on his lips. "I've already adopted this penguin."

Wang Jingbo gave a wry smile, and without putting on airs, pulled out a chair and sat down: "President Bai, you've really pulled a fast one. I misjudged you before, thinking you were just a student working on campus networks. Now it seems you've been eyeing this lucrative but not particularly attractive piece of meat for a long time."

He turned to Zhang Lei, his tone tinged with reproach: "Old Zhang, that's not fair of you. You invited me to eat, and now you're making me watch you eat all by yourself?"

"That's not how it works." Li Zekai, who had been silent until now, spoke up with interest. His Mandarin had a slight Hong Kong accent, and his gaze swept over Bai Yuhang. "OICQ on its own is indeed a bottomless pit that only loses money. But in Qihang's hands, it's the key to opening up the social network. This deal is shrewd."

Richard Li originally came here with the intention of finding a bargain and seeing if he could acquire OICQ at a low price and incorporate it into PCCW's business line.

But what he sees now is not a mess, but the nascent form of a social empire that is already taking shape.

"So, Mr. Zhang wants us to carry his sedan chair?" Li Zekai blurted out.

"Eating alone won't make you fat." Zhang Lei poured them both a cup of tea. "Qihang has swallowed OICQ, its size has increased, and so have the risks. For this fire to burn, one company like China Entrepreneurship Network isn't enough; everyone needs to contribute fuel, and we'll all make money together when it goes public. How about it, you two? This cake isn't fully baked yet, but can you smell the aroma?"

Wang Jingbo looked at Bai Yuhang, and her attitude completely changed.

His previous arrogance had vanished, replaced by a respect for opponents of equal strength, even bordering on ingratiating.

"Mr. Bai, there was a misunderstanding between us before. IDG has always been very interested in Qihang." Wang Jingbo leaned forward, her tone sincere. "Now that OICQ has been acquired, how about we talk about the Series A round? I'm a stubborn person; having missed the angel round, I still want to get on board with the Series A round, even if it's at a premium."

The situation in the private room was instantly reversed.

What was just a tense life-or-death negotiation has turned into a grand feast of capital and fame in the blink of an eye.

Sitting to the side, Ma Huateng watched as these investors, who had just been avoiding him, were now chatting and laughing with this young man who was even younger than himself. He felt a mix of emotions.

That's capitalism—cruel and realistic.

Bai Yuhang did not become arrogant because of the two big shots' overtures.

He raised his glass and first toasted Ma Huateng: "Mr. Ma, the agreement states that I would like to hire you as Qihang's technical consultant. OICQ is your child; how to raise it will require your careful attention."

Ma Huateng was somewhat surprised. Looking into Bai Yuhang's clear eyes, most of the lingering resentment in his heart dissipated.

He picked up his glass and drank it all in one gulp: "Okay, I'll take the job."

After calming Ma Huateng down, Bai Yuhang turned to look at Wang Jingbo and Li Zekai, a cryptic smile on his face.

"Gentlemen, we definitely need to raise Series A funding. But I think, not now." Bai Yuhang pointed to the night outside the window, "Let's wait another half month, until my 'Blue Speed ​​Cup' finals are over, and until the new version of Qihang Campus Network is launched. Then, we'll let the data speak for itself. Whoever offers the highest price and the best resources, I'll let them on board."

"At the moment of embarking on this journey, we don't lack money, but we lack partners who can go crazy with me."

These words were arrogant, but none of the people present found them offensive.

The drinking party ended late at night.

Bai Yuhang walked out of the gate of Courtyard No. 16. The night wind in Beijing in April was still chilly, blowing on his face and dispelling most of his slight intoxication.

A black Santana was parked under the streetlights at the entrance.

Su Muqing leaned against the car door, a black trench coat draped over her arm. Seeing Bai Yuhang emerge, she quickly went to him and draped the coat over his shoulders.

"Why did it take you so long to come out? I saw Wang Jingbo's car had already left." Su Muqing pulled his collar up for him; his nose was a little red from the cold.

"The stage inside had just been dismantled, so we chatted for a bit longer." Bai Yuhang tightened his coat, feeling the lingering warmth of his body heat, and felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

"How did it go? Did you get it?" Su Muqing asked OICQ.

"Got it." Bai Yuhang glanced back at the two tightly closed vermilion doors, as if he could still see the shadows of people drinking and feasting inside. "Next, we need to prepare to burn money. These old foxes have quite the appetite."

Su Muqing smiled, her eyes sparkling under the streetlights: "What are you afraid of? As long as you're here, the sky won't fall down."

Bai Yuhang reached out and took her hand, leading her to the car: "Let's go back to Haidian. Starting tomorrow, we need to make a name for ourselves in Zhongguancun."