America's No. 1 financial conglomerate

Chapter 342 The Bell Rings

The morning mist in Mountain View City had not yet dissipated, clinging to the glass curtain walls of the office buildings and refusing to budge. However, the central air conditioning vents of the new headquarters of Leap Games were already wafting with the aroma of butter and cheese.

That was the sweet, cloying smell in the air when wealth was about to be realized.

For all employees of YueDong Games, today is not an ordinary Friday; it's a big day when they can temporarily shed their working-class identity and kick themselves towards becoming potential millionaires.

Especially for those long-term employees who held original shares, their hearts were pounding faster than during the crucial match of the company's blockbuster game. After all, every number that jumped on the Nasdaq screen today could move the decimal point in their bank accounts one place to the right.

"Only 3,000 shares are exercised in the first tranche. Based on the media's estimated share price range of $120 to $150, that's $400,000!"

In the break room, a veteran programmer who had been with the company for three years was holding a coffee cup with trembling hands, completely unaware that the milk foam on the rim of the cup had splashed onto his shirt.

"Once I've accumulated 10,000 stock options in four years, I'll trade in that used Ford in my garage for a Mercedes, and put a millionaire's cushion in the passenger seat!"

According to this algorithm, as long as the stock options are fully unlocked, the long-term employees of Yuedong can basically put the label of millionaire on their employee badges.

Even newcomers who haven't received their stock options yet are keeping track of the days, since most of them are only a month or two away from the first vesting period. The allure of $400,000 is like a steak hanging on a carrot stalk—visible, tangible, and just waiting to be taken a bite.

The entire headquarters building was enveloped in an atmosphere of impending wealth. Xiao Juan's blush was three shades lighter than usual, and the usually taciturn techies in the technical department were even offering snacks to their colleagues. Even the background music in the elevator sounded exceptionally pleasant.

Daniel, the supervisor of the logistics area, was whistling a country tune, his steps light as if he were walking on springs, but his eyes were sharper than the company's anti-scratching system, scanning back and forth in front of the stainless steel countertop in the kitchen, checking even the curve of the lobster tail three times when it was plated.

"The executives are going crazy at NASDAQ in New York, but we can't let ourselves suffer here at headquarters!" Daniel said, as he lifted the lid of the insulated food cart, revealing a mountain of king crab legs piled up inside.

"The company has gone all out this time, allocating five million US dollars just for catering. With over 1,300 people, that's almost four thousand US dollars per person. We're going to eat our fill of luxury today."

Today is a big day for the entire YueDong Games community to celebrate. There's no work today, only feasting and cheering.

So when it comes to food, Daniel eats whatever is expensive and whatever is good.

Spanish Iberian ham must be aged for 36 months, French black truffles must have an earthy aroma, Alaskan king crabs must be freshly caught from cold storage, and Japanese Thousand Island abalone are bought by the head, each one so plump it could be a fitness instructor.

All the ingredients they used today were the highest quality they could get their hands on.

But when he got to the cheese-baked lobster counter, the corners of his mouth, which had been turned up, suddenly fell down, and his brows furrowed so deeply they could trap a fly.

"What is this? A Boston lobster?" He pointed at the lobster on the tray, his disdain practically overflowing. "Didn't I tell the purchasing department to buy Australian lobster? You're using this crayfish to make up the numbers? Do you think today's millionaires don't deserve to eat top-quality seafood?"

The chef in charge of the dish was so startled that his hand trembled, and he spilled cheese powder. He quickly explained, "Manager, it's not that we're just trying to make up the numbers. The Australian lobster you ordered, weighing over five pounds, was out of stock from our supplier. We simply couldn't meet the required quantity, so we used a Boston lobster weighing a little over three pounds to make up for it."

Daniel bent down and glanced at the Boston lobster on the tray, his gaze as disdainful as if he were looking at the intern who used to always mooch coffee at his desk back in his day job.

Although he was American, he thought disdainfully: "A crayfish, what's he doing pretending to be so great, even acting like a lobster!"

"It was one thing to eat this before I became rich, but now that I'm about to become a millionaire, why would I still eat this stuff? From now on, this stuff won't even be fit for my trash."

Don't think Daniel is arrogant; he has the right to be arrogant now.

As a mid-level manager at Leap Games, he was in charge of everything from food and drink to team building trips at the entire headquarters; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him the logistics tsar.

This also means that he can get more original shares, up to 28000 original shares.

Although not one of the original 170 founding employees, he was among the first batch of founding members to join the company. He triggered the equity incentive plan two months ago and received 7000 shares in the first exercise of his options.

Based on today's media estimates of the stock price, Daniel's stock holdings are worth over a million US dollars.

Thinking about this, he couldn't help but laugh. A little over a year ago, he was being bullied by his boss at his previous company, working overtime until midnight every day and still having to take the blame. In a fit of anger, he quit his job and came to Yuedong. He never expected that in just over a year, he would have undergone a magnificent transformation and become a millionaire in the making.

"At the next class reunion, I'll print out a screenshot of my stock account, slip it into my pocket, and deliberately leave a corner showing so that those who used to look down on me can have a good look!" Daniel muttered to himself as he directed the chef to take away the Boston lobster.

"Immediately contact the supplier to replace it with Australian lobster, even if it's a smaller one. We can't let our employees eat this kind of cheap seafood today."

While the kitchen staff were still agonizing over the lobster's identity, the office area had long since become a sea of ​​joy.

The marketing staff put the conference tables together to form a long table, which was filled with champagne, red wine and various desserts.

The women in the design department were taking selfies with their cameras in the background, with the Nasdaq trading floor being broadcast live on television.

Even the usually serious head of the legal department was clinking glasses with employees while holding a glass of champagne, not even noticing that his tie was askew.

"Isn't it a bit too indulgent to be indulging in such debauchery so early in the morning?" a newly hired intern whispered to his colleague.

"Indulge? Today's the day the company goes public. Even if we drink until tomorrow morning, isn't that normal?" My colleague said, pouring himself another glass of champagne. "Just wait and see, when the bell rings, the whole building will be in an uproar!"

Sure enough, not long after, the Nasdaq host on TV finally finished his long speech, and the scene switched to the stage in the trading floor, where Ryan Ruiz, CEO of Leap Games, was standing in the center of the stage with his management team and more than 20 employee representatives, each with a bright smile on their face.

The office area fell silent instantly, and everyone's eyes were focused on the television screen.

When Ryan Ruiz pressed the electronic bell button, the crisp electronic chime resounded throughout the building via the speakers, and the office area instantly erupted in excitement.

Some people jumped onto desks waving their arms, some hugged each other and screamed, and some called their families, their voices trembling with excitement.

"It's finally listed! My stocks can finally be cashed out!" Product manager Tom exclaimed, raising his glass so excitedly he almost spilled the wine on his laptop.

"This electronic bell is so perfunctory!" Lily, the operations specialist next to her, frowned. "I still think the NYSE bell ringing has more of a sense of ceremony. This electronic sound is like an alarm clock."

Because Nasdaq represents electronic trading, the bell-ringing ceremony is fundamentally different from that of the NYSE.

The NYSE bell-ringing ceremony uses a real gong that is struck repeatedly. Nasdaq, on the other hand, uses an electronic voice broadcast through a loudspeaker to everyone.

Mark, a long-time employee next to her, couldn't help but laugh. "Lily, don't be so ungrateful. Being able to ring the bell on Nasdaq is already better than 90% of listed companies, and you're already complaining."

As the saying goes, it's easy to go public but difficult to ring the bell. Although the listing threshold of Nasdaq is not high, as long as a company meets the basic conditions, it can be listed. However, the threshold for ringing the bell is frighteningly high. One of the hard rules is that the amount of funds raised must be no less than five million US dollars.

It's important to understand that when a company goes public, the shares it raises typically represent only 10% to 20% of the total equity. To raise five million US dollars, the company's valuation needs to be at least twenty-five million US dollars, which is more difficult than climbing Mount Everest for many startups.

"Of the companies that go public on Nasdaq each year, less than 10% can ring the bell. The fact that our company is standing there already makes us a big company," Mark said, raising his glass to clink with Lily's. "Besides, whether it's an electronic sound or a gong, if it makes our stock go up, then it's a good sound."

Lily nodded, and just as she was about to speak, she saw a familiar face among the employee representatives on the TV. It was Fran from the same department.

"Look at Fran, she actually got chosen to ring the bell!" Lily said enviously. "Her employee number is one place higher than mine. If I had joined a little later, I would be the one going to ring the bell now!"

To allow ordinary employees to participate in the listing ceremony, the company specially selected 25 lucky employees to go to New York to witness the bell-ringing moment.

Fran was one of them, while Lily's employee number was only one digit different from Fran's, and she unfortunately missed the opportunity.

"What's there to envy?" Mark patted her on the shoulder. "When you start your own business, take your company public, and ring the bell yourself, that's when you'll be truly impressive! Then, others will be envious of you!"

Such topics are never taboo in Ernst's company; on the contrary, many people talk about them.

Because his company strongly encourages employees to start their own businesses. As long as you have a good idea and can write a decent business plan, you can get angel investment from the company.

Of the company's 31 game studios, 12 were founded by former employees. Two of them have become dark horses in the industry, with their games receiving very positive feedback and their valuations already exceeding $100 million.

"A programmer I knew before left his job and made an indie game. The company gave him 200,000 yuan in angel investment. Now the game has been released on Steam and is doing quite well. He has also become a small business owner."

Mark continued, "As long as you have an idea, the company not only provides funding but also helps you connect with resources. This kind of opportunity doesn't come around everywhere."

"Me?" Lily shook her head, a wry smile on her face. "I'm not destined to be a boss in this lifetime."

As the two were chatting, they heard someone shout, "Everyone come quick! Let's take a picture together in front of the TV, and include the stock codes in the shot. This will be our commemorative photo of our wealth!"

Everyone immediately gathered around. Some straightened their ties, some smoothed their hair, and some even held their wine glasses to their chests, as if afraid the camera wouldn't capture it.

"Three, two, one, cheese!"

The moment the shutter was pressed, everyone smiled broadly.

In the background of the photo, on the electronic screen of the Nasdaq trading floor, the stock code LGC of Leap Games is flashing with golden light, like a seed that has just broken through the soil of wealth, foreshadowing that the stories of countless millionaires are just beginning.