Turing's Code Chapter 1 46 Feb 01, 2020

F i r s t M o v e m e n t

Chapter I

September 1st, the sun shines brightly. As Wen TianHe's first day of being the CEO, the company went bankrupt.

The incident started three and a half hours ago when TianHe saw off his second brother Wen TianYue at the airport.

His second brother's eyes were full of tears. He said sincerely to his brother, “Baobao(baby), I'll be back in a month at most. During this period, the company will be yours to handle.”

TianHe replied unpleasantly, “Don't call me whatever pet name at the airport! Don't worry, I can do it. Take care of yourself in Silicon Valley. Remember to ask for Mark Zuckerberg's signature. I like him very much.”

“When I'm settled, I'll make an appointment with Xiao Zha and go to SaiSong for a meal together. In passing, I'll ask to see Steve Jobs.”

“Jobs is dead.” TianHe said blankly.

Wen TianYue immediately changed his tune, “I mean James Cook, you two must have a common topic.”

“Come on, go quickly.” TianHe said, “And stop drinking on the plane.”

When the boarding was announced, TianHe saw his elder brother across the glass wall staggering on the business plane with last night's two bottles of wine. He turned out of the VIP lounge, got on the car and said to the driver, “To the company. Notify the supervisor. The meeting will be held at 10.”

The driver looked at TianHe from the rearview mirror and played a song. In the melodious music of fourth Partita in D major, the car was stuck on an elevated road. Morning rush hour occurred with endless traffic jams.

“Boss, sleep first if you are sleepy?”

“Not sleepy.”

TianHe had a long talk with his elder brother before departure. This morning he was very spirited, only because it was the big day when he officially took over the company. He plucked his hair at the back mirror and looked at himself.

Wen TianHe, 23 years old, Leo, 180cm, 18 cm, 1.8 billion net worth, 1,800 square meters of large villas, 18 sets of self-owned houses in the world, Master's degree in Computer Science in Cambridge, the youngest son of the founder of Epeus Information Technology Co., Ltd., a long legged handsome man who likes to wear shirt and doesn't like tie, GAY, zero.

Maybe 18 cm doesn't do much.

TianHe's eyebrows and eyes were inherited from his Germanic mother, his nose and lips were from his father, which combines the advantages of his parents into one. When he was studying in Cambridge, his fair skin and exquisite facial features often caused many unnecessary troubles. A good looking leather bags are still the same but an interesting souls are one in a million. TianHe is not a vulgar person who only looks at appearances. Many times, he even hoped to look a little more ordinary. This way, professors would pay more attention to his code and marvel at his talent, rather than always stare at his face.

The driver, Liu Chao, turned his head to the backseat and said, “Boss, supervisors are ready.”

“Very well.” TianHe gracefully putted down his forehead, “Can I change the song? Now I need music other than Johann Bach.”

Xiao Liu sincerely said, “I heard Bach can calm people down.”

TianHe, “Bach was heard by Aunt Fang when she was doing housework. Some people say that God is responsible for washing the world and Bach is responsible for washing clothes. This song always reminds me of drum washing machine.”

Xiao Liu then changed to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Apparently, there were no traffic jams now but he still drove slowly, he hoped this Bentley would never reach its destination.

TianHe said politely, “Is it convenient to drive faster? If you don't feel well, you can have a rest and I'll drive?”

Xiao Liu quickened his speed slightly and looked at TianHe with pity from the rearview mirror.

Wisteria New District, 27th floor, Building 2, Hi-Tech Park, General Manager's Office Floor, Epeus Information Technology Co., Ltd.

“Second boss is now in the garage. Get ready!”

“I'm afraid the second boss will fight with the shareholders,” said the Chief Financial Officer solemnly.

The Deputy General patted the CFO on the shoulder, “You can just tell the truth, you can't beat. Let's just pretend to try to stop the fight, and press him to let the shareholders fight for a few times, it's okay right?”

“How can you do this to the second boss?” The CFO said incredulously.

Deputy General, “Creditors also need to vent their emotions. Besides, today, the boss still has two things to say.”

The CFO thought about it and asked, “Do you have to close the windows? What if the boss jumps off the building?”

Deputy General, “Right! Right! Just in case!”

CFO, “No way. Second boss is an elegant person. He won't jump off a building. It's too ugly. He needs a rope.”

“Hanging is more ugly!” The Deputy General said, “It'll be incontinent! In his style, the bed can only be covered with rose petals flown from Paris...”

“Here! Into the elevator!” In front of the water dispenser, all the senior executives dispersed and knocked on the door of the conference room. In the large conference room, there were a group of representatives of the banks, the investors, and the heads of the three funds.

“Our second boss will arrived soon.” said the General Assistant, “Five more minutes.”

“Okay, okay.” The band credit manager over fifty years old took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his bald head.

The head of the sub-branch bank, Chao ZongZhu, asked, “The second boss is a real legal person in your company, right?”

The General Assistant answered, “Last month the change procedures has been completed. He is a legal person, that's right.”

After the General Assistant left, everyone looked at each other.

“Who will start later?” said the bank's head.

“Start with the bank first,” the investor said, “This bank owes the most money.”

“Up to you.” The heart of the sub-branch head couldn't stand it, “Or, the Panda Fund first?”

“No, no, you should go first.”

“You first you first...”

The Panda Fund's head said, “I suggest you all to stop having unrealistic dreams. Given the current financial situation of this company, even if Warren Buffett is reincarnated, I don't think it can be saved.”

“Warren Buffett isn't dead yet.” said the Conrad Fund's head. “It's unlucky to say that our family just entrusted with more than 7 billion yuan.”

Panda Fund's head sneered, “Where did you find 7 billion in your family? Why haven't I heard of it? I think your boss asked Ma HuaTeng* to transfer back more than 7 billion QQ coins?”

TN* Ma HuaTeng aka Pony Ma is the founder, chairman and CEO of Tencent. Whereas QQ coins is a virtual currency used by QQ users to purchase items.

Conrad's Fund suddenly raised his voice to an octave, “I think everyone is like your family. If Tencent has invested in it, I will brush and read the industrial manuscripts of my family everyday!”

“Alright.” The head of the sub-branch said earnestly, “Everyone is here to collect debts so don't fight in vain. I remember you almost fought in order to invest in Epeus. If you had known today, why bother?”

Everyone in the room became silent. It's like waiting for Buffett's funeral.

When TianHe entered the company, all the employees on the General Manager's office floor were bright then suddenly become dim.

“Second boss, your coffee.”

“Thank you, but I don't drink Starbucks, and don't call me second boss anymore.” TianHe smiled and asked the CFO, “Mecy, are the executives in the conference room?”

The CFO immediately said, “I have a few guests here today. I want you to see first and sit in the large conference room. It's not convenient for us to change places.”

TianHe pushed the door and entered the conference room, turning back and said, “Then you inform, the regular meeting of the supervisor will be changed to the afternoon...what are you?”

In the conference room, a group of shareholders' representatives seemed to see Buffett uncovering his coffin, they jumped out and shouted, “Surprise!”

“Everyone...good afternoon. Today is not the quarterly shareholders' meeting, is it? Why is the bank here?” TianHe didn't understand the situation. The CFO and the Deputy General followed in and closed the door.

Inside, the driver asked the General Assistant, “Did you check the windows again? The locks in the company, the corridor?”

The General Assistant replied, “Even the men's toilet have been checked, no problem.”

Outside, all the colleagues looked up one after another at the door of the large conference room.

“What?” TianHe thought he heard it wrong and repeated, “How is that possible?”

There was dead silence in the room. Everyone looked at the sub-branch head who wiped his sweat again and said, “Your brother didn't tell you?”

“I just sent him off three and a half hours ago!” TianHe has gone through numerous storms and waves. But when facing insolvency and restitution, he didn't return to his mind a little, “You wait, I'll call him, no, no...he should be on the plane to San Francisco...”

“Now you're the company's legal entity, right?” The head of the fund said, “The shareholders have got a preliminary understanding of Epeus's financial situation. The asset lists, your director of MeiXi Mei's, has also accepted the first point.”

“Wait.” TianHe couldn't catch the information handed in and said, “Pour me some water.”

“This dept is two years overdue...”

“During your brother's time as the legal person and CEO, he successively mortgaged all his real estate and cars to the bank...”

“June this year, in order to ease financial pressure, Wen TianYue also took 60 million company funds out of the country by illlegal means and went to Macau. The next is obvious...”

“Little brother, you see, I'm going to retire next year. For the sake of your company, I can't count on this old age... What to do next? There must be a saying...”

“It wasn't like that when your two brothers raised funds. Now, not only the company hasn't finished gambling, it doesn't send emails, doesn't answer by phone, sends WeChat curses. One scold was minute-long...did you heard? Does it sound like a scholar's tone? It's humiliating!”

“Last year, your company also invested 180 million yuan in a science fiction film. Just to let the little actors bring funds into the group, they promised four billion box office. Finally, the director made a web game PPT and ran away first. The coal boss didn't even take you to play like this!”

“What I don't understand more is why Wen TianYue wants to guarantee loans for a company with no prospect of performance?”

“Toronto's server unit will burn 14 million US dollars in rent a year, which isn't even included in the electricity bill. Look at what you have developed yourself and use power servers to build your own personal server! When I first came here, I also saw your company programmers playing World of Warcraft...”

TianHe felt dizzy with all the noise. He took the water handed by the Deputy General, drank it in one gulp, put the cup down heavily.

The conference room became quite again.

TianHe stares at the water cup. Half a minute later, his eyes turned to the representatives of all shareholders.

“Ah, I see.” TianHe flashed and said, “You've gone to the wrong company!"

Two hours later, representatives of shareholders left the room. TianHe sat at one end of the table like a sculpture.

“Boss?” The CFO asked tentatively.

TianHe, “I urgently need to listen to Bach.”

“Not good! The director is about to jump off the building! The windows of the women's toilet aren't locked yet. Come on male colleagues hold him—”

Deputy General, “···”

Another hour later, TianHe waved his hand wearily facing the bento on the table. “No, thank you.”

“I always want to eat rice.” The Deputy General opened Yoshinoya's lunch box and was already starving. He said, “Director Wen, don't get into trouble with your body.”

The CFO looked at the packed lunch on the table anxiously. He still paid for the lunch. Now that he's off the bill, he didn't know if he could still reimburse it. He owed three months' salary and also didn't know when it will be paid. Wen TianYue vowed and told them that his brother had a solution. Now it seemed it's all hoax.

“You always know?” TianHe muttered.

“Mr. Wen said that after you take over as a legal person, the money will be paid soon.” Deputy General said. “Would you like to convene the small shareholders of the company to hold a meeting?”

TianHe calmly said, “No, I don't think the E-round financing has completed. Isn't it planned to be listed in the next year..”

CFO, “There are 60 million E-rounds financing in total, all in Macau,”

“You are the Chief Financial Officer,” TianHe said incredulously, “How can you let him gamble 60 million in Macau?! This is dereliction of duty!”

“What can I do?” The CFO cried out, “It's always been Mr. Wen who makes the final decision, and it's not a day or two since he embezzle the company's funds. I didn't know he used the money to play slot machines!”

“What slot machine can play 60 million?” TianHe despairingly said.

Deputy General, “The VIP room are full of 100,000 matches, showing 10. He thought it was 10 to 100 so he pressed a pile of zeros. As soon as it starts shaking, a big ball falls off. The casino were full of cheering thus he thought he was gonna...”

“All right, stop it.” The CFO interrupted.

“Oh right! I also brought a lot of almond cakes.” Deputy General remembered, “They're all in the company's refrigerator, would you like some? It's already been three months but it hasn't expired yet. The performance bonus was issued last month, but it hasn't been fully paid yet.”

TianHe, “···”

TianHe, “What now?”

The CFO said, “Can we get new financing?”

TianHe looked at the CFO blankly. The Deputy General beside him offered a plan, “Do you still have a big brother?”

“My eldest brother is studying space shuttle,” TianHe replied. “We haven't been in contact for 15 years already.”

The CFO thought for a moment and said, “Then what about your mother's side...”

“Impossible.” TianHe retorted, “My maternal uncle will not give me any cent, and she has remarried.”

The Deputy General also thought and said, “Your father's reputation is still there. You can either ask an old friend for help and have another F-round financing. First, you can pay off some debts, and apply for dept-to-equity swap for the rest?”

The CFO said, ”I'll be honest. Now the wind is changing outside. It's not easy to fool.”

Deputy General, “Then we can only find a way to go public and hope for investors...”

CFO, “With the current accounts, it's impossible for the audit to let us go public, and the securities firms will not sign it. After the implementation of the IQ access system by the CSRC, the management are much stricter than before.”

The CFO kept blinking his eyes at the Deputy General who just couldn't see it. Neither of them was willing to say those two words.

“How much in all?” TianHe was a little distracted and asked. “I didn't hear you clearly just now.”

“1.4 billion.” The Deputy General replied. “June to now, the company hasn't been paid.”

The CFO watched the Deputy General finished two large servings of plum meat, he got up and said, “Why dont I'll send you the debt details to your home first. You have to look at it these days before consulting your private financial advisor.”

“So you want to file for bankruptcy, right?” TianHe spoke heavily.

The two men looked at each other without speaking.

The General Assistant knocked on the door and came in saying, “Mr. Wen's phone has been shut down.”

“Still on the plane.” TianHe said. “This time, maybe it's to talk about new investment. Let's all wait and see. There's still hope.”

“Yes, yes.” Both said simultaneously.

“If we can find a way to get the wages worked out first, the employees will not have much opinion,” Deputy General said. “It's the most important to stabilize people's hearts. Everyone has feelings for Epeus. You mustn't forget it, huh?”

TianHe greeted the Deputy General's worried eyes and replied, “The wages will definitely be paid...but now I think... I have to go back and rest first.”

TianHe felt dizzy when he stood up. The Deputy General opened the door and sent him out. A group of reporters who he didn't know where they came from immediately surrounded him and flashed wildly.

“Director Wen! How are you feeling now? Is it convenient for an interview?”

“Will Epeus file for bankruptcy?"

“Do you have any hope of introducing the landmark artificial intelligence that'll be released in the fourth quarter?”

“Director Wen, are you all right?”

“Ya! Don't do this! We're always decent towards people, don't go too far!” The General Assistant pushed away the reporter. The driver loyally protects TianHe, entered the elevator and ran off.

TN* Another work! No spoilers please, I haven't read the whole novel yet. Also, I'm still translating Consort Qing and SSA. Thank you!（＾ν＾）