Chapter 93

Second update! Votes please!

If the expansion of Chenxing Computer Systems Co., Ltd. can be described as rapid, then the growth of QQ's registered users can almost be described as a steep line. By mid-February, QQ's registered users had almost reached one-fifth of the total number of internet users in 1996, nearly a hundred thousand people, with nearly thirty thousand online users! For this reason, QQ's servers had already increased to three! Next month, not only would the number of servers need to be increased, but negotiations with the telecommunications company for increased bandwidth would also be necessary.

It's worth mentioning that although the costs of hosting fees and maintenance are expensive, the current broadband usage fees are still in the reduction period. However, the telecommunications company noticed the big business of Chenxing's two major departments and quickly reached an agreement with Song Chen. Under the condition that the free bandwidth discount would remain unchanged for two months (the free days are about to expire), the free period would be extended by one month, and the bandwidth level for Chenxing Company would be increased.

Of course, the reason for such a smooth negotiation was due to Jiang Yan's personal involvement. If it weren't for the need to avoid giving the impression of favoritism and considering the concerns of venture capitalists, Manager Jiang could have secured even more favorable discounts.

Although the growth of Alibaba's registered users was not as rapid as QQ's, the nearly six thousand free members in a month still gave the Alibaba department a significant boost. This also strongly supported Chenxing Company's impressive performance—despite the company's revenue still being zero, representatives of angel investors continued to visit Chenxing Company one after another.

This time, international capital not only favored Alibaba's broad prospects but was also very interested in the "Little Penguin" in Chenxing's hands. However, Song Chen had no plans to bring out the Little Penguin yet, at least not until Mirabilis entered the capital market and sold ICQ for a sky-high price. He intended to hold on and nurture it.

As for Alibaba, with the increase in investment, the rapid growth in member registrations bolstered Song Chen's resolve to hold out. He was still waiting! Waiting for the "Internet Godfather" to notice Chenxing Company. For this, he had already rejected over a dozen venture capital firms, most of which were Hong Kong funds. The Wanda-led venture capital fund even proactively proposed an offer to invest five million dollars in Alibaba, requiring a 30% equity stake.

The representatives of the venture capital firms didn't understand where Song Chen's confidence came from! According to their investigations, Chenxing Company's account only had over fifty thousand RMB, and even if Song Chen's personal computer room and internet cafe profits were included, it wouldn't exceed seventy thousand! If the server purchase costs and employee salaries for February were factored in, Chenxing Company would run out of funds in no more than two months!

"Really not considering the investment from the investment group?"

Song Chen's office remained unchanged, but Song Chen himself had changed. His eyes were sharp and focused, and his demeanor was gradually becoming more refined. The beard he had grown gave him a more mature and steady appearance.

Over the past two months, Zhai Yan had become increasingly admiring of Song Chen. The e-commerce department had indeed become a favorite of venture capitalists, which made her and Jiang Yan look forward to the value of the other two main businesses.

"Not that I'm not considering it!" Song Chen stood up and walked to the transparent floor-to-ceiling window, placing his hand on the stainless steel safety rail and gazing at the clear weather and the bustling traffic below. He spoke in a calm tone, "Although the company lacks funds, we can still manage for another two months if we save carefully! Compared to accepting the conditions of venture capital, I prefer to use the money from selling the internet cafe billing system to support us for a few more months. By then, the financing conditions for Alibaba will be more favorable..."

Zhai Yan said bluntly, "But I think if we can get those three million dollars, the company can expand more quickly! Although you haven't restricted recruitment, the funding gap is always a sword of Damocles hanging over the company. Until it's resolved, we can't be at ease, especially since some of the older employees, particularly the interns from Dongou University, know your situation! If the entire company finds out that it's about to go bankrupt, it will be difficult to manage the panic!"

Jiang Yan nodded, not without concern, "I also think that the conditions from the Wanda-led investment group are not excessive. Five million dollars for 30% of Alibaba is a very generous offer! If the company really runs out of funds, it's uncertain whether VC will offer such good terms again!"

Song Chen silently tapped the stainless steel safety rail, the light tapping sound revealing his inner turmoil. He exhaled and nodded, "Alright, let me think about it some more! I'll give you a response by the end of this month!"

Zhai Yan smiled, "I really can't figure out what you're thinking, turning down money that's being offered to you!"

"By the way, the Chenxing Internet Cafe in Lucheng is opening today. As a shareholder, do you want to go and support it?" The financial problem finally had a solution, and the usually cold Jiang Yan finally showed a relieved smile.

"Since so many shareholders are going, one more or less won't make a difference. We'll see how it goes!" Song Chen smiled bitterly and shook his head. Then, the office door was knocked on by Zeng Qian.

Compared to Song Chen, who always wore casual clothes, Zeng Qian was dressed in a neat and formal suit. Her black suit and trousers accentuated her slender figure, and the slightly open collar of her white shirt revealed a glimpse of her smooth, white skin and ample chest.

"Mr. Song, a Mr. Cai Chongxin, who claims to be the Vice President of Swedish Investor Group, wants to see you!"

"Another venture capitalist?" Jiang Yan raised an eyebrow and smiled at Song Chen, "I hope he brings better terms!"

Song Chen didn't smile; instead, he frowned at the name "Cai Chongxin." The name seemed to leave a deep impression in his memory. Those who left a deep impression on him in his previous life were likely high-level elites who made waves. He guessed this person was a celebrity he had seen in newspapers or on the internet, and he felt somewhat helpless about it.

Chenxing Company lacked high-level talent, and he wondered if the small company could retain such talent. For example, if Steve Jobs joined Chenxing Company, even knowing that he was a notorious autocrat, Song Chen would still generously offer a large amount of equity to retain such talent.

Unfortunately, Steve Jobs was currently working for Apple, doing his best to save the company. This was just a fantasy of Song Chen's.

It wasn't until he met Cai Chongxin in person that Song Chen remembered why he was familiar with him. In his previous life, he had seen pictures of this person in newspapers. He was the CFO of the real Alibaba, a key figure and strategist for Jack Ma!

However... it seemed that Cai Chongxin was doing well now, with impressive titles and background. This made Song Chen very puzzled. How did Cai Chongxin join Alibaba in the first place? How much original equity did Jack Ma give him?

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