Chapter 61

Chen Tiandu spoke confidently, "I think 1 million is still reasonable. But you know I'm in the film industry, and although I've only made one movie so far, the box office was pretty good. No matter what happens in the future, I don't plan to change careers. Although I'm not a computer illiterate, my technical skills are definitely far behind yours, and I won't have much time to manage the company in the future, so I need your help. Besides arranging some financial positions, you will have development autonomy and won't have to worry about me micromanaging."

"In the early stages, I will invest no less than 5 million dollars into the company to help develop and improve the Google search engine, so the website can go live as soon as possible. If you both work for the company for more than two years and help the projects get on track, I promise to give each of you no less than 10% of the shares. This number can increase, depending on your performance, and this can be written into the contract."

"If you have no other objections, I hope we can complete the entire company transfer as soon as possible. What do you think?"

Donny's brows furrowed, and he sighed helplessly. He was just a lawyer; the money was Chen Tiandu's, and he just needed to manage his own affairs.

Larry and Sergey's eyes widened, and they were speechless for a moment. Chen Tiandu wasn't in a hurry and looked at them calmly. After a while, Larry said, "For the next two years, our salary expectation is 4... no, 300,000. Do you think that's okay?"

"I'll give you a salary of 500,000. Have your lawyer draft the contract."

Larry was surprised, "We're talking about dollars, right?"

"Of course, I won't give you pounds." Chen Tiandu smiled and shook their hands, "So, let's have a pleasant cooperation. You don't need to be拘束 (restrained), I'm younger than you, just a lucky tycoon who made a fortune. We're all around the same age, and I think we can be friends."

Larry and Sergey's expressions relaxed, but Donny was even more displeased. The two of them subconsciously avoided looking at Donny's expression, fearing the deal might fall through.

Chen Tiandu took out a stack of printed papers and placed them on the table, "Here are some materials for your reference. Don't open them now; wait until after you sign."

After the formal signing, Chen Tiandu entrusted Donny to register an investment company in the Cayman Islands and hire a batch of professional managers to help manage the company. He only needed regular updates, which was what a big chairman should do.

After signing the sale contract, Larry and Sergey calmed down but felt a sense of loss.

"Sergey, building a search engine is our dream. Now with substantial funding, our dream is about to come true, but why do I feel a sense of loss?" Larry was amazed by Chen Tiandu's immediate payment. They had instantly transformed from poor students living in a dorm to millionaires, and it felt surreal.

After the financial department was reorganized, another 5 million dollars would be quickly injected into the company account. Was this a rich man's frivolous spending, or did he really see great potential in Google? He was confused.

"This is our choice. What's the point of saying this now? Who are we to be tycoons? By the way, didn't Chen leave us some materials? What is it?"

The two curiously opened the materials and found a website construction suggestion. Initially, they didn't pay much attention, but the more they read, the more surprised they became, unable to look away.

The materials listed many of Google's main search services, including web pages, images, music, videos, maps, news, and Q&A. Even the server architecture and search engine development had very detailed and professional suggestions. This document alone could save them years of development time.

And it was clear that this was not the complete material, leaving them with a sense of unfinished business.

"This is called unprofessional?" Larry's eyes widened.

Sergey was puzzled, "Isn't he in the film industry?"

The sense of loss they had just felt was instantly forgotten. With this plan and substantial funding, even if Chen Tiandu went it alone, he would definitely succeed. Now, they felt the deal was satisfactory.

By the time they finished this, it was already December.

The Oscar nomination predictions were once again a hot topic. Chen Tiandu provided 1 million dollars to have Matrix Films and DreamWorks jointly promote "The Sixth Sense." However, this year's Oscars had strong competition, with "Saving Private Ryan," "Shakespeare in Love," and the Italian film "Life Is Beautiful" all being strong contenders for the golden statue.

Chen Tiandu believed that "The Sixth Sense" had a good reputation and box office, so it shouldn't have a problem getting nominated, but he was prepared for a one-day trip to the Oscars. Oscar promotion was still necessary, at least to gain some experience.

They printed 6,000 beautifully packaged DVDs, complete with a fancy booklet and a few small gifts, and sent them to each Oscar judge. The focus of this promotion was on the Best Supporting Actress and Best Supporting Actor awards.

Regardless of the final outcome, whether successful or not, Chen Tiandu didn't care about these things now.

He was eager to return home after being away for a year and a half. Finally, after "The Matrix" officially announced its start of production, Chen Tiandu and the crew, led by producer Steven Spielberg, flew to China to begin filming.

The flight was direct to Yanjing. Upon landing, they found quite a few journalists at the airport. However, the shooting schedule was tight, and there was very little filming to be done in China, which had to be completed before Christmas, so no interviews were arranged.

Chen Tiandu had thought he would be treated like a returning hero, enjoying star treatment, but the journalists were clearly more interested in Spielberg. "Saving Private Ryan" had grossed nearly 90 million dollars in China this year, and Spielberg was a renowned Oscar-winning director. This was his first visit to China, and the domestic media was clearly more interested in him than in Chen Tiandu.

Seeing no major media reporters, Chen Tiandu just waved at the camera. Old Kong was there to pick them up. Everyone was exhausted, so they briefly greeted each other and headed straight to the hotel. Chen Tiandu, however, went directly home.

"Dad, Mom, Grandpa, Grandma... I'm back."

It was a sunny day. He drove back and, as soon as he entered the alley, he shouted loudly. Then he saw a familiar figure walk out. It was a middle-aged woman with a bun, a good-looking face, fair skin, and a petite figure, looking more like she was in her early forties than over fifty—his mother.