Rebirth 04: Starting from Taking an Unconventional Approach

Zhang Qiming walked briskly down the corridor, and from a distance he could hear the silvery laughter of a woman flowing out of the VIP reception room.

He pushed open the door, and the laughter stopped abruptly.

A man and a woman looked up at him, revealing standard professional fake smiles.

"It's truly an honor for us at China Mobile that Director Wang has come all this way," Zhang Qiming said, extending his hand.

"Mr. Zhang, you're too kind." Wang Yu lifted her leg, stood up from the sofa, and gracefully walked over to shake his hand. She was wearing a light gray business suit and had short hair.

Zhang Qiming reached out to the man again, his first thought being: the man's demeanor didn't quite match his apparent identity. In other words, he didn't seem like Wang Yu's follower.

He looked to be in his thirties, with a strong jawline, boyish dark eyes with smile lines at the corners, and a thick head of short hair. That green suit he was wearing would definitely look effeminate on any other man.

Zhang Qiming invited the two to sit on the sofa, while he himself sat in a chair. His secretary brought tea.

"Wangyi, as a leading internet company in China, has always been an important partner of ours," Zhang Qiming said, the warmth of his hand still lingering from the handshake with the man. "So, Director Wang, please feel free to ask if you have any instructions."

"Actually, the main reason for this visit," Wang Yu said with a smile, "is to learn from China Mobile. We've noticed that your company is deepening its involvement in the SP (Service Provider) business, especially in content value-added services, which you've done very well."

"Oh?" Zhang Qiming raised an eyebrow. "Director Wang is interested in this?"

"Of course. NetEase is also exploring new models that combine content with mobile communications. As you know, we have our own portal website and email service, with a considerable user base. Recently, the company has been discussing how to reach a wider range of users with high-quality content through SP channels."

The two looked at Zhang Qiming. Zhang Qiming neither confirmed nor denied these statements, only nodding in response, waiting for Wang Yu to continue.

"China Mobile is at the forefront of the SP (Service Provider) business," Wang Yu continued. "We've noticed that your company not only excels in traditional information services but is also exploring more diverse content collaborations. Do you have any new areas of cooperation that could inspire us?"

Zhang Qiming chuckled softly, picked up his teacup, and slowly took a sip.

He sensed the direction the conversation was taking and what the two men's true purpose was for their trip.

What's with all this talk about learning from others and finding inspiration for new collaborations? Isn't it just a way of asking what new SP business collaborations China Mobile has recently signed?

The barriers to entry for SP (Service Provider) business partnerships are very high; the only collaboration this year was the Han Fei project. And now, coincidentally, NetEase is sending people to inquire about new directions. Could it be that they're trying to find out about Han Fei's project?

"Speaking of which," Zhang Qiming said, "SP business is indeed expanding its boundaries. As a platform provider, China Mobile always welcomes cooperation with various high-quality content. Netease's traffic advantages, technological accumulation, and brand effect are all things that small teams do not have. Therefore, we still need to learn more from your company regarding new cooperation directions."

An awkward silence for a second.

Wang Yu stared at Zhang Qiming for a moment, forced a smile, and then deliberately glanced at her watch.

"It's getting late," Wang Yu stood up, glancing at the man. "I won't keep you any longer, Mr. Zhang. Today's exchange was very insightful. If there are any new developments in content cooperation within the mobile network, or any partners worth paying attention to, I hope Mr. Zhang will not hesitate to offer his guidance. Perhaps there will be new opportunities for cooperation."

"Definitely." Zhang Qiming smiled slightly and opened the door. "Director Wang, if you have a specific plan, you are welcome to go through the formal business process. China Mobile has always been open to high-quality cooperation."

The two have already left.

......

The sound of Alfa Romeo's engine echoed through the HP district, roaring along the busy highway and reverberating between the buildings.

Han Fei glanced at his watch. Three minutes had passed.

"There's a traffic jam ahead!" Zhang Ruiyi said.

An impassable wall of cars stretches all the way to the Starbucks coffee shop on Huaihai Middle Road.

"We should have taken Nanchang Road," Han Fei said, "or we would have taken Jiangjun Road."

"Too bad you're not driving," Zhang Ruiyi said, turning the front wheel onto the non-motorized vehicle lane, honking the horn, and accelerating. Several cyclists hurriedly swerved to avoid her.

"Hey!" Han Fei tensed his muscles, pressing both palms firmly against the dashboard. "Aren't you afraid of bumping into someone?"

"I've been keeping an eye on it. Let's try our luck on the inner ring road," Zhang Ruiyi said, turning the steering wheel and turning right at the intersection ahead. The tires spun freely, rubbing against the curb of the green belt, before finally reaching the asphalt road.

When they reached the Jing'an Temple section of the road, Han Fei's phone rang. He pulled one hand from the dashboard to answer the call, glancing at the time. Six minutes had passed. But they hadn't even driven 10 kilometers. The call was from Zhang Qiming, who told him to keep an eye out, as Wangyi might have already learned something about his new project, and asked if he was at the construction site.

"Okay, Uncle Zhang," Han Fei said. "I'll ask as soon as I get there... Be careful! No, no, I was just talking to... talking to the driver. Okay, Uncle Zhang, I understand."

Upon reaching the roundabout between the Ginza Shopping Plaza and the Shanghai Grand Hotel, Zhang Ruiyi quietly drove her car between a bus and a BYD truck, riding along the white dotted line. She sped at over 80 kilometers per hour to the elevated highway intersection, known as the "traffic machine," and with screeching tires, performed a perfect drift onto the sharp bend near the Shanghai Railway Station on the museum side. Han Fei then realized that victory wasn't guaranteed.

"Which driving school issued your driver's license?" Han Fei asked as he steadied himself, weaving in and out of the three-lane traffic as his sports car headed towards the Npu Bridge approach.

"Don't be so nervous, you have to trust me," Zhang Ruiyi said.

When we reached the center of the Npu Bridge approach, the traffic began to decrease.

Han Fei checked the time; there was still one and a half minutes left, and they were less than two kilometers from their destination.

He leaned back in his seat, exhaled a long breath, and felt his heart still pounding like a high-speed sewing machine.

The Alfa Romeo drove into the parking lot of the Innovation Building and precisely glided into a parking space.

Zhang Ruiyi stepped on the brakes. The car paused, then came to a stop.

Then she turned off the engine, removed the key, and pulled the handbrake.

Han Fei checked the time again. Nine minutes and forty-two seconds.

"How is it?" Zhang Ruiyi looked at him triumphantly and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.

"What do you mean, 'how about it'?" Han Fei laughed a few times. "Alright, you win."

Zhang Ruiyi reached out and patted his shoulder: "A month's worth of lavish meals, no backing out."