I suggest you investigate; this person doesn't seem to be a first-time reborn individual.

Zhou Hongyi leaned back in her chair, sizing up the young man in front of her.

To be honest, he wasn't interested in having an extra, dispensable assistant. A software with a few million users was nothing special to him, considering that 360 had hundreds of millions of users.

However, he was quite interested in Lin Ran.

Back when he was working on 3721, what methods didn't he use? Web vulnerability exploitation, software bundling, interfering with other software, browser tampering…

Whether users are willing or not is not important; what matters is that the software is installed and cannot be uninstalled.

Back then, when people in the internet community talked about him, they called him the "father of malware".

He himself didn't care about the label. So what if he was a rogue? Rogues can survive, can grow big, can become the later 360 Security Guard. Those who care about appearances are long gone.

Not only has he cleared his name, but 360 can not only remove malware, but also conveniently install the 360 ​​suite and bird wallpaper for users.

The kid in front of me has a wicked streak when he does things.

He swaggered into his office carrying a ladder, actively promoted various negative news stories about his own products, and finally shifted the blame to Tencent.

He has quite the flair he had back then.

"Momo's user growth rate is indeed astonishing, but what makes you think that a software with only a few million users can be my partner?"

Lin Ran glanced at the whiteboard in the corner of the office: "May I borrow your office whiteboard?"

Zhou Hongyi raised her chin, indicating that it was okay.

"Last month, 360 released a 'Privacy Protector,' claiming that it could detect QQ spying on users' privacy. This move was indeed ruthless, directly causing users to panic about QQ."

"However, I think you shouldn't have only prepared this one thing; you should have a backup plan."

Zhou Hongyi narrowed her eyes.

Lin Ran continued, "As for what the backup plan is, I don't know, but I can guess that it's something that could directly affect QQ's business model."

He wrote the words "business model" on the whiteboard and then drew two lines below it.

"QQ's biggest revenue sources right now are its value-added services and GG services. If we can touch these two areas, we can really hit its Achilles' heel."

Zhou Hongyi's eyes flickered.

That's right, they are preparing to release QQ Protector, whose core function is to filter QQ messages and block pop-ups and promotions for value-added services.

He neither admitted nor denied it: "Go on."

"If I were Tencent, and my core business were impacted, my counterattack would be absolutely desperate. For example..."

"For example, when issuing a statement, users can only choose between QQ and 360..."

"In this situation, do you think users will abandon their communication tools or switch to different antivirus software?"

Zhou Hongyi's pupils suddenly contracted.

Of course he knew the answer. What is QQ? It's the ID card of Chinese netizens. Asking users to uninstall QQ? Unless they never contact anyone online again for the rest of their lives.

If Tencent really does this, the number of uninstalls from 360 will be enormous.

"What can you do for me?" he asked.

"We can be a weapon in your hands. Although our strength may be limited in this war, having one more ally is better than having none, don't you think?"

"Could you be more specific?"

"We can first issue a statement to formally declare war on Tencent. For example, the current online discussions about Tencent attacking Momo can make more people feel that Tencent is suppressing any potential rivals."

"Then you can bring out that backup plan."

Zhou Hongyi shook her head slightly; the power was too weak and had no practical significance.

He can do this kind of public opinion guidance himself, and he can do it even better.

Lin Ran continued, "Of course, you may not care about these things, but... don't you want to deliver the most fatal blow to Tencent in the social media sphere?"

Zhou Hongyi looked at him and said, "Tell me about it."

Lin Ran waved to Tang Chen.

Seeing the boss's gesture, Tang Chen took a deep breath, took out his laptop from his backpack, opened the PPT he had prepared in advance, and turned the screen towards Zhou Hongyi.

"Mr. Zhou, look."

Zhou Hongyi looked at the computer screen. The cover of the PPT had two big characters written on it: Yunxin.

"What is it?"

"This is our new product, an instant messaging software."

Zhou Hongyi raised her head and looked at him.

"If Tencent really forces you to choose between two options, this product can help you get promoted."

Zhou Hongyi stared at him for a few seconds.

"You mean, you want users to switch from QQ to your cloud messaging service?"

"right."

"On what grounds?"

Lin Ran smiled.

"Because we are lighter than QQ, registration only requires a mobile phone number, no bugs or pop-ups; because in the future, countless people will want to find a replacement for QQ."

He paused for a moment: "Most importantly, 360 is the security software with the largest number of installations in China. And we have 360's security endorsement."

Zhou Hongyi's brows furrowed into a knot. How could this kid be so cunning at such a young age?

You want us to help you acquire users, and you want us to endorse you?

"So, according to you, why doesn't 360 develop a similar product? Why do we have to use yours?"

Lin Ran had anticipated this problem long ago.

"Mr. Zhou, what is 360's core business? It's security. Your team excels in antivirus, firewalls, and system optimization. Social networking... isn't that a different field?"

Zhou Hongyi didn't say anything.

Lin Ran continued, "Besides, you're busy fighting with Tencent right now, how can you have the energy to develop a new social product? By the time you finish it, the battle will be over."

He pointed to the computer screen.

"Our product is ready and can be launched at any time."

"If Tencent doesn't do what I suspect, then just pretend I was never here. But if Tencent really does force users to choose between two options, then you can bring out our product. It will not only hurt the competition, but also help you retain users."

Zhou Hongyi stared at the PowerPoint presentation for a long time in silence.

He had to admit that it was indeed quite attractive. He decided to treat it as an emergency solution, since 360 ​​wouldn't suffer any losses and could even take a bite out of Tencent.

Zhou Hongyi was silent for a moment: "What do you need us to do?"

It's done! Lin Ran was overjoyed.

"I know you'll be holding a press conference when you release the next tool to target Tencent, and I'd like to take a moment at the end of your conference."

"Also, I need support from your technical team..."

He spoke very softly, so that only two people could hear him.

As Zhou Hongyi listened, her eyes slowly widened.

After Lin Ran finished speaking, the nonchalant expression on his face completely disappeared.

black.

That's fucking shady.

"Holy crap! You're really still in college?"

Lin Ran: "..."

"Would you be interested in working at 360?"

Lin Ran was stunned for a moment. Why did this scene seem so familiar?

He then resorted to the same excuse he used to deal with Jin Ding: "I'm still a freshman, and at most I'll be doing an internship during my free time. Besides, you're in Beijing, and I'm in Jiangning, so it's not convenient for me to come over."

Zhou Hongyi waved her hand.

"Okay, no pressure. Go and exchange contact information with Secretary Zhang."

……