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

Chen Feng didn't keep them waiting for long. After a moment's thought, he held up three fingers.

"Thirty million US dollars."

"I think the penguins are worth the price now."

Upon hearing this number, Ma Huateng and others' eyes lit up instantly.

Thirty million US dollars!

This is five or six times more than the previous round!

In today's market environment where everyone is on edge, this price is incredibly sincere!

"President Chen is so generous!"

Zhang Zhidong couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

"As for how much to invest..."

Chen Feng smiled, appearing very confident, "That depends on how many shares you are willing to give up. Whether it's increasing capital or taking over existing shares, I have a budget of five million US dollars."

Five million dollars!

That's over 40 million RMB!

Although Legendary Company currently only has a little over ten million in its accounts, with that terrifying money-printing speed, it will only take a month or two to raise that amount.

They could even draw some resources from internet cafes.

Funding is not a problem for Chen Feng at all now.

Ma Huateng took a deep breath and exchanged glances with Zeng Liqing and the others.

"Mr. Chen, this price is very fair."

Ma Huateng solemnly said, "Since you are so sincere, then we will not hide anything. If it is five million US dollars, we are willing to give up 15% of the shares."

"Yes, the five million US dollars investment will be fully credited to your account within a month."

Chen Feng played his last card: "I have only one additional condition: if your company raises new funds in the future, I will have the right of first refusal to co-invest under the same conditions."

Upon hearing the words "the money will arrive within a month," Ma Huateng's eyes lit up instantly.

Cash flow is life itself.

Without further hesitation, he immediately approved: "Alright! Mr. Chen is so generous, then it's settled, a valuation of thirty million US dollars, deal!"

"It's a pleasure working with you!"

Chen Feng stretched out his hand, a satisfied smile on his face.

With the business settled, the air in the office seemed to circulate much better.

Chen Feng picked up his teacup and casually remarked, "By the way, Mr. Ma, you mentioned at dinner last time that IDG seems to be considering withdrawing?"

"yes."

Ma Huateng sighed, a hint of helplessness on his face. "The economic climate is bad, and they feel that it's too difficult to monetize instant messaging software. They've been looking for someone to take over and cash out. When they heard you were going to invest, their reaction was lukewarm. I guess they're just eager to get rid of this hot potato they're holding onto."

A glint of light flashed in Chen Feng's eyes.

This is exactly the information he wants.

"Mr. Ma, do you think there's any chance I could take over IDG's shares?"

Ma Huateng was stunned for a moment, clearly not expecting Chen Feng to have such a big appetite.

"Mr. Chen, if the price is right, IDG would be more than happy to accept it; they would even be willing to offer a discount."

"but..."

Ma Huateng looked at Chen Feng with some hesitation, "IDG holds a 20% stake, which, according to the valuation we just agreed on, is a $600 million investment. What about your side..."

Although Chen Feng's "Legend of Mir" is very profitable, it is still tens of millions of RMB in cash, which is not a small amount.

Chen Feng smiled, appearing confident: "I definitely can't come up with that much right now, but after the New Year, I'll have the funds available."

"At that time, we will need Mr. Ma to act as a go-between and bridge the gap."

"No problem!" Ma Huateng agreed readily. "As long as President Chen has the capability, I will definitely do my best to make it happen."

For the founding team, selling shares to a knowledgeable individual investor who supports the company's development is far better than leaving them in the hands of an institution that only wants to cash out.

"Then it's settled." Chen Feng was in a great mood.

The rest is simple.

Both parties called in lawyers to draft a contract on the spot.

Chen Feng signed his name, promising to deposit two million US dollars within three days, with the remaining half to be paid within a month.

The contract was made in duplicate, and the words were put into writing.

Looking at the signed contract, Ma Huateng and the others felt a great sense of relief, their faces beaming with the joy of surviving a disaster.

This money saved the penguin's life.

For Chen Feng, this trip to Shenzhen was a resounding success.

Although he has only acquired 15% of the shares so far, as long as he can secure the remaining 20% ​​from IDG after the new year, he will hold 35% of Tencent's equity!

35%!

This could amount to hundreds of billions, or even trillions, of wealth in the future!

Even after multiple rounds of financing and dilution, the remaining shares would be enough for him to squander for several lifetimes.

That evening, Ma Huateng hosted another dinner party, and the group got completely drunk.

The next morning, Chen Feng boarded a flight back to Shanghai.

......

The day after returning to Shanghai, Chen Feng transferred two million US dollars, or more than 16 million RMB, to Tencent's account in one go.

With this, the first phase of the layout is complete.

After handling this important matter, Chen Feng immediately called Su Qing to his office.

"Su Qing, how's the investigation into the talent pool going?"

Su Qing walked into the office in high heels, holding a document in her hand, with a hint of embarrassment on her face.

"Mr. Chen, I've asked around. Most of my high school classmates have only graduated two or three years ago and are still working as cogs in the machine at their companies. I'm afraid they're not ready to take charge of a project independently."

"That's true." Chen Feng nodded, tapping his fingers lightly on the table.

Hardware development is not the same as writing code; experience and qualifications are often more important than talent.

"However, Mr. Chen."

Su Qing then changed the subject, "You can ask Manager Lin. She was a college graduate in the early 1990s, so her degree is much more valuable than ours. Her classmates should be in their prime now, and there might be some big names in this field."

A word to awaken the dreamer.

Chen Feng immediately picked up the phone and called Lin Wan over.

After listening to Chen Feng's request, Lin Wan adjusted her gold-rimmed glasses, thought for a moment, and said, "Mr. Chen, I actually know someone like that."

"His name is Zhou Hai, and he was my classmate in college. He's a tech fanatic. He went on to get a master's degree from the University of Science and Technology of China and then a doctorate. After graduating, he apparently went to work in R&D at BBK Electronics, and I heard he was a technical director there."

"BBK?" Chen Feng's eyes lit up.

That's the Whampoa Military Academy of the domestic electronics industry; the people who came from Duan Yongping's team are absolutely top-notch in terms of technology.

"but..."

Lin Wan looked troubled. "I heard he left his job a couple of years ago, apparently because he couldn't stand the back-and-forth of the workplace. Now he's back teaching at USTC. He's a bit of a weirdo; he might not want to leave."

"Capable people all have tempers."

Chen Feng didn't take it seriously; instead, he became even more interested. "Manager Lin, could you contact him for me? As long as he's willing to come, I'll name my price. If that doesn't work, I'll go and invite him myself."

"Okay, I'll give it a try."