My son is a reincarnated soul; I overheard his inner thoughts and became the richest man.

Hearing his son's heartfelt words, Chen Feng's lips curled into a slight smile.

He was saying these words to his son, both to set the stage for his next move and to coax his son into revealing more "insider information".

"Su Qing is right."

Chen Feng took the MP3 player, weighed it in his hand, and said, "This thing doesn't look high-tech at all. It's just a chip and flash memory. If I invest in a research and development team and keep the cost under a thousand yuan, it could be a blockbuster."

At this moment, Chen Xiaotian finally couldn't hold back and interjected, "Dad, I think besides the price, we also need to look at the appearance."

"Look at this, it's all gray and dusty, like a brick, not cool at all."

Chen Xiaotian pointed at the Rio in his hand, looking disgusted. "If we were making it, we could design it to be much more stylish. For example, make it streamlined, or more rounded, and come in more colors, like red, blue, pink..."

"Also, just like buying a computer, we can get a high-end and a low-end configuration."

"The high-end models have larger capacities and better sound quality, and are sold to wealthy people. The low-end models have smaller capacities, focus on cost-effectiveness, and are sold to students."

After saying that, Chen Xiaotian glanced at his father somewhat nervously.

I'm ten years old now, so saying something like this shouldn't be considered too outrageous, right? After all, kids like pretty things.

As long as I don't reveal that I know the design philosophy of the iPod, it should be fine.

Hearing his son's cautious words, Chen Feng chuckled inwardly, but put on a look of delighted surprise.

"Wow! Son, that's a brilliant idea!"

Chen Feng slapped his thigh and gave a thumbs up. "No wonder he's my son! He's got a sharp mind! Multiple colors, and even differentiating them... isn't that differentiated marketing?"

Su Qing chimed in, "Yes, Mr. Chen, Xiao Tian is so clever. Young girls these days like things that are brightly colored and cute. If you could make something small and delicate, they could wear it around their necks as an accessory."

Seeing that neither of them suspected anything and instead praised him highly, Chen Xiaotian breathed a sigh of relief.

Thankfully, we got through it.

Since Dad's interested, I need to find an opportunity to instill some advanced design concepts in him.

[For example, Apple's classic rotating dial, or the future trend of OLED screens... as long as the design is good, it will absolutely crush the competition!]

If this MP3 business succeeds, we'll have the capital to make mobile phones later. At that point, hundreds of billions won't be a dream!

Listening to these heartfelt words, Chen Feng already had a clear understanding of the situation.

The MP3 project must be launched.

And it has to be fast.

"Alright, I've got this in mind."

Chen Feng returned the MP3 player to his son, then turned to Su Qing and said, "By the way, you have a wide network of connections, do you know anyone who does electronic hardware R&D? Especially someone who understands circuit boards and audio decoding."

"Electronic research and development?" Su Qing pondered for a moment, then parted her red lips slightly. "I did have a few classmates who studied electronic engineering in college, but we haven't kept in touch much since graduation. I don't know if they're still in this field."

"Let me inquire about it for you."

"Okay, as long as the skills are top-notch, salary is not a problem. Even if we have to pay them, we'll get them to come here."

"clear."

Su Qing agreed, then opened the folder and began to report on the important matters.

"Mr. Chen, the trouble in the Northeast has been resolved. A few local thugs wanted to collect protection money and were blocking our people from entering internet cafes to stock up on products. I went there personally, treated a few of the underworld bosses to drinks, and gave them some red envelopes. Now our game cards have been successfully stocked up."

At this point, Su Qing flicked her hair, her eyes revealing a capable air.

"As for other regions, progress is going very smoothly. We have covered all county-level cities in South and North China, and although the Southwest and Northwest are remote, we have captured more than 80% of the market."

"Now we don't have to actively seek them out; many internet cafe owners come to us on their own. After all, although the 15% commission isn't much, the volume is huge. It would be foolish not to make money when you can; every little bit helps."

Chen Feng nodded in satisfaction.

The importance of distribution channels is absolutely true.

With this nationwide sales network under our control, we can achieve twice the results with half the effort, no matter what product we promote in the future.

After reporting her work, Su Qing stood up to take her leave.

......

Two days later, Chen Feng flew to Shenzhen alone.

At three o'clock in the afternoon, the southern sun was still quite dazzling.

Chen Feng's purpose in coming here this time, besides building rapport with Ma Huateng, was primarily to finalize the investment in Tencent.

As soon as he exited Bao'an Airport, Chen Feng took out his phone and dialed Ma Huateng's number.

"Hey, Mr. Chen, you've landed?" Ma Huateng's slightly excited voice came from the other end of the phone.

"Just arrived," Chen Feng said with a smile. "Mr. Ma, when would be a convenient time to meet?"

"How about later? After I get off work, I'll find a place to welcome Mr. Chen back!" Ma Huateng said politely.

Chen Feng glanced at his watch and said, "No need for that. I'm free right now anyway, so why don't we just visit your company? I'm really curious about the place that gave birth to such amazing software as OICQ."

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone, clearly indicating that they hadn't expected Chen Feng to suggest going to the company.

"Of course! It's our honor that Mr. Chen is willing to come and provide guidance."

Ma Huateng's voice sounded a little hesitant, "However... our company's current conditions are rather basic, Mr. Chen, please don't mind."

"It's the same for everyone in the early stages of starting a business," Chen Feng said nonchalantly. "Send me the address, and I'll come over right away."

Do you know Huaqiangbei? It's the SEG Technology Park.

Ma Huateng said somewhat embarrassedly, "It's on the fourth floor of an old building in the Science Park. That building... is a bit old. You can see it when you get to SEG Plaza; it's the most dilapidated one."

Chen Feng chuckled to himself.

The most dilapidated one?

Who would have thought that a behemoth with a future market value of trillions, capable of even influencing the landscape of China's internet, would now be huddled in a dilapidated building in Huaqiangbei?

"Okay, I know that spot," Chen Feng replied casually.

He also owns property in Shenzhen. Of the ten houses he bought last year, one is near Huaqiangbei.

However, he didn't plan to stay there. Although the place had been renovated, there were no ride-hailing apps these days, and he would have to clean it himself, so staying in a hotel would be more comfortable.

After hanging up the phone, Chen Feng hailed a red taxi and headed straight for Huaqiangbei.

After dropping off his luggage at the hotel and quickly washing his face, Chen Feng went to the hotel according to the address.

When Chen Feng arrived at SEG Technology Park, he realized that Ma Huateng's use of the word "old" was actually quite subtle.

The building's exterior walls are mottled, and there are tangled wires everywhere. The stairwells are plastered with little signs advertising document and stamp services.

The air was filled with the smell of burnt electronic components and the smoky aroma of boxed lunches.

After climbing to the fourth floor, Chen Feng stopped in front of a small door with "Tencent Computer Systems Co., Ltd." on it.

There wasn't even a proper receptionist.

Knock knock knock.

Chen Feng knocked on the door and then pushed it open to enter.

What comes into view is a small office area, probably only thirty or forty square meters, with several desks squeezed together, piled with various computer parts, books and fast food boxes.

There were only four or five people in the room, engrossed in typing code on their computers, and no one even noticed that someone had come in.

Is this the future penguin empire?

Is this the headquarters of the company with tens of millions of users?

Even though he already knew the prophecy in his son's heart, seeing this shabby scene with his own eyes, Chen Feng couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

This is like seeing the future world's richest person squatting on the roadside eating instant noodles—it's full of magical realism.

Upon hearing the knock on the door, a young man sitting by the window looked up.

He wore gold-rimmed glasses and a slightly wrinkled plaid shirt, looking very refined; it was Ma Huateng.

"Oh, is this Mr. Chen?"

Ma Huateng quickly stood up and strode forward, a warm smile on his face. "I'm Ma Huateng, just call me Xiao Ma!"

Everyone else in the office area stopped what they were doing and curiously looked at this legendary patron.

"Mr. Ma, it's a pleasure to meet you."

Chen Feng reached out and smiled as he grasped the hand that would one day stir up a storm.

"Come, come, Mr. Chen, please have a seat."

Ma Huateng awkwardly moved the clutter off the chair, rubbed his hands sheepishly, and said, "The place is too small and too messy. I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Mr. Chen."

"Zhidong, could you please pour me a glass of water?"

Ma Huateng shouted at a slightly chubby young man sitting by the window.

The young man stood up immediately and quickly grabbed a disposable paper cup to get water from the water dispenser.

Taking advantage of the break, Ma Huateng pointed to the people in the room and introduced them to Chen Feng one by one:

"Mr. Chen, these are all brothers who have worked alongside me from the very beginning. This is Zhang Zhidong, who's in charge of technology. This is Zeng Liqing, who's in charge of marketing. This is Chen Yidan, and this is Xu Chenye..."

"Hello everyone." Chen Feng smiled and nodded in greeting, showing no airs whatsoever.

"Hello, Mr. Chen!"

Zeng Liqing and others also stood up and warmly extended their hands.

At this moment, Zhang Zhidong walked over with several glasses of warm water, placed them in front of Chen Feng, and said with a grateful expression, "Mr. Chen, we are so grateful for your suggestion about the pop-up error last time. Without this error fee, we probably wouldn't have been able to pay the rent for the server room this month."

"yes."

Ma Huateng chimed in, sighing, "President Chen's move was a godsend. In the past month or so, thanks to the pop-up ads, the company's account has seen an extra few hundred thousand in revenue, finally managing to keep things afloat."

"You're too kind, everyone. It's a mutually beneficial arrangement."

Chen Feng picked up his paper cup, took a sip, and glanced around the crowded and cluttered office. Feigning ignorance, he asked, "However, I'm a little puzzled. As far as I know, OICQ has tens of millions of registered users and a high daily active user count. With such a large user base, how could..."

He pointed to the simple surroundings, then hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but stopped himself.

When this was mentioned, Ma Huateng and the other founders all looked rather grim, even a little bitter.

"Mr. Chen, you're an expert, you should be able to tell too."

Ma Huateng sighed and helplessly spread his hands, "Having a lot of users can sometimes be a disaster."

"We're free software, and the more users we have, the greater the pressure on our servers and bandwidth. It's a bottomless pit; every day we wake up to hundreds of thousands in expenses."

"Now it's the internet winter again, Nasdaq has crashed, and investors are holding onto their money tightly."

At this point, Ma Huateng's eyes dimmed slightly.

"To be honest, we've approached Sina, Sohu, NetEase... we've tried everything to raise funds, but no one is willing to invest. Even IDG, our earliest investor, is now looking for a new investor to cash out and leave."

"The two million US dollars raised in the last round has been completely burned up."

"If it weren't for your timely pop-up help, we really don't know how many more days we could have lasted."

The atmosphere in the office became somewhat subdued for a moment.

Seeing the current gloomy and miserable appearance of these future billionaires, Chen Feng couldn't help but sigh.

Who could have imagined that this future behemoth would be so fragile in its infancy?