Chapter 362 - Taitan, the God of Craze
Translator: lav
Editor: starlightsins
Shi Qiang laughed in disdain, "It's a good project. Why can't I join? Especially since they have a CEO who knows nothing and only has skills, he's giving me a platform that I can play with in whatever way i want. Why? Do you think I can't handle it?" Shi Qiang glanced at the side Jiang Yuanchao and Shi Lei finally understood. Shi Qiang wasn't unwilling to interact with him because he felt inferior. In fact, Shi Qiang wasn't even thinking about his cousin and Hu Xiaohua. This was an act where someone acted arrogantly due to a sense of inferiority of one's skills. However, Shi Qiang's looks could fool others and make them think that he was an incapable goon.
Shi Qiang then looked at Shi Lei and spoke earnestly, "Initially, I didn't really like you. To be honest, I don't like all of Xiaohua and Yuanchao's friends because you are all the same kind. But seeing that you are paying so much attention to someone like Zhen Xu, it proves that you have a good nature. It's only a few 100,000 yuan investment. Xiaohua and Yuanchao would probably ignore it. If you are taking the responsibility, I'll play with you. How about this? I'm going to go back and have a look at the current situation of the company and give you an evaluation as quick as possible. I don't have too much money in my hands but if I do, I will invest in it myself. Don't worry if I don't. If Xiaohua's family doesn't want to investment in it, I will find someone for you."
Shi Lei couldn't help but laugh. Still, he immediately followed up, "Condition?"
"Tell Zhen Xu to start Round A with ten growth points and I will give him a reasonable evaluation. Then, he can be the CTO. He will give me the company and I'll be the CEO."
CTO was Chief Technology Officer, which was the best option for someone like Zhen Xu.
Shi Lei didn't hesitate either and immediately decided, "Ok, I'll call him now."
It wasn't that Shi Lei believed others easily, but the way in which Shi Qiang reacted and Jiang Yuanchao acted was more than enough to tell him that this person had real skills. The key was that he had his own funds; if he didn't have control over it, why would he burn money on it?
The only small problem was that it had barely been a month since angel round and it was too soon to go into Round A.
But that wasn't something Shi Lei needed to worry about. He picked up his phone and called Zhen Xu.
Although Zhen Xu temporarily solved the problem of funds, he still only had 200,000 yuan. He could use it on a small scaled project, but Yu Deping would put another half a million in. He only forcefully increased promotion and the result of that was that his funds were almost gone again.
Although it was almost midnight, Zhen Xu was so worried that he couldn't sleep at all. He began to smoke.
"Mr. Shi…"
"You haven't slept yet, have you?" Shi Lei sounded light and relaxed.
Zhen Xu quickly replied, "No. To be honest, I can't sleep. The company…"
"That's what I'm going to talk about now. First, I'm sorry. I found out that the opposing company is targeting me due to some misunderstanding. It is my fault that an unreasonable competitor showed up at this time. I'm trying to solve the problem for you. My investment isn't as important. The main thing is that your business is been affected because of me. Second, I helped you find a professional manager who can help you save the situation. Third, he's joining with funds so you need to start Round A. He will give us a reasonable evaluation tomorrow or the day after. If you think it's fine, I suggest that you accept the Round A which came too soon. Fourth, give your CEO position to him. You will be the CTO and let him manage the company. Think about it. If it works, tell your girlfriend to calculate it and prepare an evaluation yourself. Then, give me a reply tomorrow."
Zhen Xu froze abruptly. He didn't think that Shi Lei would bring him news like this.
A CEO who joins with funds? This was more than enough to prove his confidence on his project.
But it had only been half a month since angel round. Wouldn't the value be affected if they went into Round A too soon? But no matter what, it was extremely good news.
"Isn't it a bit too soon for Round A?" Zhen Xu stuttered.
Shi Lei replied without hesitation, "Lawyer Zhang and I will give you the rest of the investments now. We have 250,000 yuan altogether and with the remaining funds on the company's account, how long do you think you can last? If you increase promotion and fight for the occupation rate, how much longer can you continue?"
Zhen Xu understood that his money could barely keep the business running. Rather than considering whether the value will be slightly lower, it was better to enter Round A and face the opposing company monetarily.
"Ok, I will check the accounts right now and see what's the evaluation for our company."
After understanding the advantages and disadvantages, Zhen Xu became decisive, which was rare.
Shi Lei hung up and returned to the room to talk to Shi Qiang, "There is no problem with Zhen Xu's side.ll that is left is for both parties to agree on an evaluation. Now, Mr. Shi Qiang, can you tell me what you did before?"
"Silicon Valley, I started business five times and all failed."
Shi Lei almost tripped over. What the hell.How are you so confident after failing five times? Are you kidding me?
What the hell. Can you do it or not? How are you so confident after failing? Especially after five failures?
Jiang Yuanchao, Jiang Yuanchao. Can you be more reliable? What kind of person did you give me? He failed five times but it sounded like he was successful! He has no same. This is another black hole!
Jiang Yuanchao also felt awkward. He could see the storminess in Shi Lei's heart and quickly explained, "Relatively speaking, they failed. However, he earned from all five times. None of these failed companies valued lower than a billion US dollars. But to him, it's a failure if it's not as big as Facebook. My cousin has a big heart."
Shi Lei felt slightly better. His heart was big, too big. If five companies worth over a billion US dollars were failures, then all the entrepreneurs at Silicon Valley should all go die.
But, Shi Qiang quickly gave Shi Lei a critical strike, "Don't listen to Yuanchao. He doesn't understand anything. I didn't earn money. The evaluations were indeed all over a billion US dollars, but I sighed Valuation Adjustment Mechanism with the investments. If the value is lower than three billion within a year, I'll quit without taking anything."
Uh…
Shi Lei was completely speechless. This guy was probably crazy.
However, Shi Qiang seemed to see right through him, "Say it if you think I'm crazy. That's what Silicon Valley is; only the paranoid will survive. Of course, the details of it is are very complicated and I can't explain it clearly to you guys. But these five companies were complete failures to me. Who am I? I'm Taitan, an ancient, great god. The project is good and the company is in my hands. If it isn't a failure to not reach a billion of profits and five billions in value, what is?"
Alright alright, you are awesome. You are a god and you have money to burn. Shi Lei was finally speechless to this guy who seemed like a goon.
"It's the same as the company you invested in. If I can't raise the value to three billion RMB… well, I'll play safer. Two billions, I'll f*ck off myself!"
Uh…
Shi Lei pondered for quite a while before speaking, "Don't worry.You won't leave without any posts. At least you are still a shareholder."
The four of them left the nightclub and found a place for supper before leaving.
When Shi Lei went home, his parents were already asleep. He laid in his bed feeling that his luck was too good as whatever he wanted came to him.