Perfect chips
Wutong Cafe is located on a quiet old street in the heart of the city. At three o'clock in the afternoon, the sunlight shines through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting warm dappled light on the dark wooden tabletops.
Shixu and Yunxi arrived ten minutes early. Shixu was still dressed in simple dark clothes, her aloof demeanor clashing with the warm colors around her. Yunxi wore a slightly formal shirt, trying to appear more "reliable," but the excitement and wariness flashing in her eyes still betrayed her youth and sharpness.
At exactly three o'clock, a figure appeared at the door. The man was in his late twenties, wearing a well-tailored casual suit, exuding a calm and capable demeanor. His gaze swept across the store before landing precisely on them, and he walked straight over.
"Time Sequence, Cloud Gap? Hello, I am Lin Feng." He extended his hand, his voice gentle yet firm.
Shi Xu and Yun Xi stood up and shook hands with him. Up close, Lin Feng's eyes were bright, carrying the shrewdness of a businessman, yet without any sense of oppression.
"Hello, Mr. Lin," Shi Xu replied, his tone neither humble nor arrogant.
"Just call me Lin Feng." He smiled, sat down, ordered an Americano, and got straight to the point, "I've reviewed the detailed materials for your national competition project, including the core technology and the final presentation record. It's outstanding."
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the two men's faces: "Especially when faced with non-technical interference, your adaptability and control over the project were truly impressive."
Both Shi Xu and Yun Xi were startled. He even knew about the final data review controversy?
"Thank you," Shixu replied cautiously.
“I understand your current situation,” Lin Feng picked up his coffee and stirred it gently. “You’ve left the Yun family’s resources to start your own business. To be honest, I admire that courage.”
He put down his spoon and leaned forward slightly: "What I value is not just your skills, but your team as a whole. You're young, energetic, technically proficient, and... pure in spirit."
“Lin’s Venture Capital can provide you with seed funding,” Lin Feng stated directly, “The first round is five million. You will hold a 20% stake. We will provide basic support such as office space, legal and financial assistance, but we will not interfere with your specific technology development and company operations.”
This offer was incredibly generous compared to the investors they had previously encountered who were trying to seize control.
Yunxi's eyes lit up instantly, and she almost agreed immediately, but she forced herself to hold back and looked at Shixu.
Shi Xu did not immediately express his opinion. He pondered, "Why us? As far as I know, there are similar projects in the market, some with much stronger backgrounds than us."
Lin Feng smiled, as if he had expected this: "What I value is 'potential' and 'uniqueness.' You have proven that you can still create top-notch products without abundant resources. This ability to go from zero to one is more valuable than simply having resources."
A sharp glint flashed in his eyes: "Moreover, I don't like investing in teams with overly complicated backstories. Your 'cleanliness' is a huge plus."
“We need time to consider,” Shi Xu finally said.
"Of course." Lin Feng handed over his business card. "You have three days. Regardless of the outcome, I hope there will be opportunities to cooperate in the future."
Leaving the coffee shop, the evening breeze couldn't dispel the excitement on Yunying's face.
"Five million! Twenty percent! And no interference in operations! Yunya, these terms are amazing!" She almost jumped for joy. "What are we even considering?"
Shi Xu looked at the simple business card in his hand and frowned slightly: "The conditions are indeed very good. So good... that it's somewhat unexpected."
"You suspect he has ulterior motives?"
“I don’t know. But it’s unusual that he knows so much about us and the Shi family. He repeatedly emphasizes ‘independence’ and ‘cleanliness,’ which may mean that he wants us to completely sever ties with the Yun family.”
Yunxi also fell into deep thought: "Then... should we refuse? And miss this opportunity..."
“No,” Shi Xu raised his head, his gaze fixed on the distant office buildings, his eyes resolute. “Opportunities are fleeting. We can accept it, but we must be more cautious. Before signing the final agreement, we need to consult a professional lawyer to carefully review every clause and ensure that our core interests and technological control are absolutely protected.”
He looked at the gap in the clouds: "We must learn to protect ourselves while embracing opportunities."
Looking at his calm and wise profile, Yunxi's initial excitement slowly transformed into a firm trust. She nodded vigorously, "Okay! I'll listen to you!"
Just then, Shi Xu's phone vibrated. A text message from an unknown number:
Beware of Lin Feng. What he wants might be more than just a return on investment. —Unknown Number
Time's pupils contracted slightly.
Was the olive branch extended by the Lin family intentional? The path ahead, which had just seen a glimmer of hope, seems to be shrouded in mist once again.
But Shi Xu knew they had no way out. Whether Lin Feng was a mentor or had ulterior motives, whether the warning was well-intentioned or another form of interference, they had to face the challenge head-on.
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