The summer breeze, carrying a faint warmth, brought Zhang Tianxing to the coffee shop.
"Zhang Tianxing, we're here," Li Dan stood up and waved to him.
Zhang Tianxing walked towards Li Dan.
Beside Li Dan stood a tall and thin man with a pale complexion, wearing black-rimmed glasses, giving him a scholarly appearance.
"Zhang Tianxing, this is Feng Changlun, the senior I mentioned. Senior Feng, this is Zhang Tianxing. He's the one who wants to recruit talent and enter the mobile phone industry."
Zhang Tianxing and Feng Changlun stood up and shook hands. Before Zhang Tianxing could speak, Feng Changlun said, "Zhang Tianxing, I know you. You're famous among Chinese international students. You made your name by shorting the Nasdaq. I didn't expect you to invest in real industries."
"Thank you for your praise, senior. What would you like to drink? It's my treat." Zhang Tianxing called out to a waiter. "Waiter, please come over."
"I've already ordered. It'll be here soon," Li Dan said with a charming smile. She wanted to see if Zhang Tianxing could change Feng Changlun's mind, as a senior executive position at Siemens was clearly much better than Zhang Tianxing's venture.
"Zhang Tianxing, to be honest, I admire you. To have accumulated such wealth at your age. Li Dan must have told you, I'm about to start my position at Siemens, so we might not have a chance to cooperate." Feng Changlun adjusted his glasses.
Feng Changlun was very curious about this junior. Zhang Tianxing was the only Chinese international student who had made such a name for himself while still in school. That achievement alone had dazzled countless people.
It was precisely for this reason that Feng Changlun decided to meet Zhang Tianxing.
"Senior, don't be so quick to conclude. You haven't started your new job yet, have you? Why not hear what I have to offer?" Zhang Tianxing chuckled.
"Alright, I'm all ears." Feng Changlun also smiled, wanting to see what Zhang Tianxing could offer. However, one was a newly established, unknown small factory, and the other was a senior executive from a giant in the mobile phone industry. Zhang Tianxing's offer seemed to have no appeal to Feng Changlun.
"I want to build my own brand. I'm not interested in producing OEM products," Zhang Tianxing stated his intentions directly.
Feng Changlun just smiled upon hearing this. Anyone could say that. He just hadn't seen Zhang Tianxing's strength. Only those with strength could succeed; those without it were merely indulging in wishful thinking.
"How about this, Zhang Tianxing. Show me your sincerity and strength, convince me. Otherwise, I'll have to go to Siemens and be an executive. The position at Siemens was hard-earned, and I won't give it up without sufficient leverage." Feng Changlun was a man of his own mind. He was aware of Zhang Tianxing's extraordinary qualities, but Zhang Tianxing seemed to be a newcomer in the mobile phone industry.
Seeing this, Zhang Tianxing smiled. He didn't fear ambitious people; he feared those who lacked any drive.
"All I have now are ideas, nothing tangible. Apart from money, that is," Zhang Tianxing said truthfully.
Li Dan, hearing this, became anxious and quickly kicked Zhang Tianxing's leg under the table.
Feng Changlun just smiled and said nothing. In this world, capitalists had plenty of money, but Feng Changlun would not be a slave to money.
"If that's the case, then I can only apologize."
"Mr. Feng, don't be so quick to judge. Perhaps there's still room for change," Zhang Tianxing said with a smile.
Feng Changlun leaned his head back, looking up at the ceiling, and said, "I'll give you ten more minutes. If you can't convince me by then, I'm leaving." He then took off his watch and placed it directly on the table. Zhang Tianxing's words had clearly not piqued his interest.
"It seems Mr. Feng is also someone with high standards. I suppose I'll have to show you my real skills. Mr. Feng, in which direction do you think mobile phones will develop in the future?"
"Are you testing me?" Feng Changlun smiled. "In the long run, the quality of mobile phones will definitely improve. Color screen phones will emerge, with better signal coverage across the globe. What's your take, Mr. Zhang?"
"My view is simple. In the future, mobile phones will have more and more functions, and they will significantly impact people's lives. We manufacturers will provide a platform to make people's lives more convenient and efficient."
"Mr. Zhang, can you give an example? I feel what you're saying is too general, like you haven't said anything at all. Technological advancements always drive social progress and development." Feng Changlun frowned and asked.
"An example, alright. I believe that in ten years, we'll be able to look at information on our phones at home. If we're hungry, we can order food from our phones, and within half an hour, someone will deliver it to our door. What's more, after we place an order, drones will deliver our goods right to our windows," Zhang Tianxing elaborated.
Li Dan listened, mesmerized. This was too incredible; even science fiction movies wouldn't dare to portray such things. But listening to Zhang Tianxing speak so convincingly, such a life truly sounded wonderful. Just thinking about it was delightful.
Feng Changlun's expression changed. He couldn't imagine all that Zhang Tianxing described. How could things develop to that point? It seemed impossible.
Then, Zhang Tianxing extended an olive branch. "So, are you interested in joining me? Let's make the future a little better together."
Feng Changlun felt conflicted. Undeniably, the vision Zhang Tianxing painted was exceptionally appealing. He admitted he was tempted. However, he harbored doubts. To realize the future Zhang Tianxing described, the funds Zhang Tianxing currently possessed would be far from sufficient.
"You truly are the 'King of Shorts.' Your description of the future has moved me. Regardless of whether the future reaches that point, your imagination is incredibly rich. I'm tempted," Feng Changlun stated frankly.
"Then, Mr. Feng, will you come and join my company?" Zhang Tianxing asked with a smile.
"Senior Feng, ten minutes are up. Shall we end today's meeting?" Li Dan checked the time and suggested directly. She wanted to see if Feng Changlun was interested in this small company.
"Ten minutes are already up? So soon. Let's have another ten minutes," Feng Changlun said dismissively, particularly intrigued by Zhang Tianxing's recent conversation.
"Is this enough, Mr. Feng?" Zhang Tianxing asked with a smile.
"Just these words are not enough. This is all talk; it can't be put into practice. I want something more concrete," Feng Changlun said meaningfully.
"That's not a problem. I can guarantee that once the chips are successfully produced, there will be equity incentives. We can agree on this in advance. I'm very sincere," Zhang Tianxing said, patting his chest.