Chapter 11: Asking for a Sky-high Price
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Change the world.
Zuckerberg and the school director had almost arrived at room 317 when they heard the three words. Zuckerberg understood the meaning of the Chinese phrase, which made him curious about the founder of the company and the designer of the amazing software he was about to meet.
Ren Hong heard the knock on the door. He showed a hand gesture to the group for them to lower their volume, before opening the door himself.
"Uh…" Ren Hong seemed startled.
The moment Zhang Han saw Ren Hong forcing a smile, he whispered, "Our boss has revealed a new skill; acting like he really didn't know that Zuckerberg was coming! Impressive!"
The group agreed.
"Ren Hong!" The school director apparently knew who Ren Hong was. He introduced with a smile. "I'm sure this man is no stranger to you! Meet Mr. Mark Zuckerberg."
Ren Hong quickly recovered from his 'shock' and spoke at the same time. "Mr. Zuckerberg, it's an honor to meet you."
"I'm honored to meet you too, Mr. Ren," Zuckerberg said with a smile.
After both sides shook hands warmly, Ren Hong expressed his confusion. "I wonder if Mr. Zuckerberg is here because of our product?"
"Yes!" Zuckerberg smiled. "I have read the email sent by XlouS to Facebook HQ and came to China as soon as I could. Facebook wishes to discuss a possible partnership with your company."
Westerners sure dislike beating about the bush.
Ren Hong thought.
Zuckerberg was unapologetically straight to the point right off the bat, but that was how Ren Hong liked things.
"It would be our honor. I'm looking forward to the possibility of working with the great company that is Facebook," Ren Hong said humbly and politely.
"Awesome, let's not delay any longer. How about we find a comfortable place to discuss this in detail?" Zuckerberg suggested.
"Agreed!" Ren Hong smiled and nodded, before continuing, "Please let me inform my team first."
Zuckerberg nodded kindly and watched as Ren Hong went back inside the classroom. Although the place was indeed kind of humble, it was also XlouS's corporate premises, after all, and Zuckerberg wouldn't enter without permission.
After a moment, Ren Hong came out. "Director, and Mr. Zuckerberg, please!" He stretched out his arm to invite them toward the stairwell. Facing the school director and a technology bigwig, Ren Hong didn't show any nervousness at all. He also wasn't obsequious toward them, which surprised the school director. It seemed like the person who designed this remarkable product was also a remarkable one. Or perhaps, he was a genius.
Such a person was always extraordinary.
After arriving downstairs, Zuckerberg, Ren Hong, and the school director walked side by side. Zuckerberg smiled as he conversed with Ren Hong on the left side from time to time.
All the alumni and students who witnessed this scene were stunned. Ren Hong was so young, clad in a black short-sleeved t-shirt and a pair of gray jeans. The only interesting thing was that his conversation with Zuckerberg seemed so amicable, with some exchange in casual body language from time to time.
The handy students took out their phones on the spot to capture the scene and sent it to the forum and friends.
"Huh! Who is this young man to the left of Zuckerberg?"
"What? Why does it feel like two internet bigwigs having a conversation? Is this a hallucination?"
"Who is that little guy? That's so awesome! If it were me, I would have had a heart attack!"
"Hurry! Where's the Emperor of Truth!"
"The young man on the left of Zuckerberg is Ren Hong; he's a sophomore in the computer science department. He is a star student who always cooped himself up in the library. He studied psychology, physics, and all sorts of nonsense, and only just recently suspended himself from school. He will be reinstated after a one-year suspension. He registered an internet technology company called XlouS and launched its first product, Real-time Online Translator. That's right, the translation software that exploded in popularity in the school was created by this tech company. Lastly, a friendly reminder that this guy is currently single. How do I know all that? Please call me Emperor of Truth!"
"Holy cow! The Emperor of Truth is here!"
"What a God!"
…
Ren Hong's popularity shot up in Tsinghua University just because he and Zuckerberg stood side by side and spoke to each other. It was a scene that stunned many people. Alumni had already dug for Ren Hong's information. In the end, they discovered that the school's popular Real-time Online Translator was actually designed by Ren Hong.
"I think I know why Zuckerberg came to our school!"
"Hey commenter above, are you trying to be funny? At this point in time, who doesn't know that Zuckerberg came to our school for Ren Hong and his company's product!"
"Yup, the commenter above me is right! It just amazes me that Zuckerberg came in person. I have a feeling XlouS is going to be a hit! It's definitely going to be popular!"
While the campus forum debated regarding the topic of Ren Hong and Zuckerberg, the parties involved arrived at one of the school's nearest European-style Starbucks.
The school director didn't follow along because he already knew the purpose of Zuckerberg's visit. However, knowing that Ren Hong and Zuckerberg would be discussing business partnership, he arranged for two students who were about to graduate from law school to accompany Ren Hong. Ren Hong was grateful because the school wouldn't intervene or affect his decision making.
In one of the quiet and comfortable compartments, both parties sat opposite each other. The two law students and seniors—a male and female—sat behind Ren Hong. They were a few years older than him. It was apparent that they were also very curious about Ren Hong. However, their good qualities kept them sitting quietly beside each other.
As for the opposite side, it was Zuckerberg and his assistant.
Zuckerberg was the first to speak after taking a sip of coffee. "So, Mr. Ren, let's get straight to the point."
Ren Hong smiled and nodded in agreement. Zuckerberg paused and immediately substituted into the role of a businessman negotiator, saying, "I wonder if Facebook has the possibility of investing in your company? We will invest in your company with the utmost sincerity!"
Faced with this tentative opening from Zuckerberg, Ren Hong shook his head, only to reply slowly. "XlouS is not considering any investment at the moment. Apologies!"
"That's a shame, but I have to admit that seeing Sequoia Capital and IDG returning home in defeat sets my heart at ease too," Zuckerberg teased, and both sides revealed a good-natured smile.
"So, Mr. Zuckerberg, what kind of a partnership do you intend for us to have? If it is possible," Ren Hong asked with a plain smile.
The two seniors at the back were startled to see this junior putting on a calm smile and not acting obsequious toward a technology bigwig like Zuckerberg. At the same time, they also admired Ren Hong. Ren Hong was still a young man, while his negotiation partner was a powerful man.
Zuckerberg paused for a moment and said, "Facebook is willing to purchase the exclusive license to use your company's Real-time Online Translator in the social networking space for 2 billion USD. What do you think about this offer?"
Ren Hong listened with a smile to the other man's words. During the negotiation, Zuckerberg spoke English. After a moment of silence, Ren Hong shook his head slightly, held out two fingers, and replied in perfect English. "There are two issues here. One, your concept is vague because none of us know if someone will launch a new social networking platform the very next second, so wouldn't that make it easy for me to default on my contract?"
Zuckerberg apologized instantly. "Sorry, maybe I didn't express myself clearly, but this issue can be addressed specifically. So what about the second?"
Ren Hong nodded to show his understanding and continued. "The price of 2 billion USD isn't enough to buy this exclusive license."
The two seniors at the back were stunned. The proposed 2 billion USD that Zuckerberg proposed surprised them. 2 billion USD was already an astronomical figure. However, they didn't expect this junior of theirs to disagree that amount? Just how much was enough for him?
The negotiation fell silent for a brief moment. After which, Zuckerberg looked at Ren Hong, "So what price do you think is appropriate, Mr. Ren?"
"12 billion USD!" Ren Hong wasted no time in stating his price.
At the next moment, the whole room became still. Zuckerberg's assistant and the two seniors looked at Ren Hong incredulously. Even Zuckerberg was also bewildered when he heard those numbers.
The people present had just one thought at that moment.
Is Ren Hong crazy for money?
However, Zuckerberg was extremely well-cultured. He didn't leave to return to his country right away or curse "12 billion USD?! You're better off robbing a bank!"
In the end, he resisted the urge to express his displeasure. He knew full well the importance of this trip. He had to get his hands on Real-time Online Translator.
-- Gift
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