Chapter 25
Zhao Zhen's departure was like removing the backbone and most robust muscle of "Mingyu Technology," leaving behind only a weak and bewildered skeleton. The once bustling office now only had Li Ming, Wang Hao, Liu Qiang, and Li Ziqing left; it was so empty that even breathing echoed. The pressure of repaying the 600,000 yuan loan weighed heavily on everyone's hearts, and even more so on the company's already depleted coffers.
Wang Hao's platform project team lost stable funding, and progress almost came to a standstill. The planned recruitment of graphic designers and operations and maintenance personnel fell through, and even server renewals became a struggle. Wang Hao was forced to devote more energy to taking on odd technical outsourcing projects to earn meager income to subsidize the company's basic operations, resulting in intermittent platform code updates.
The logistics and external communications that Liu Qiang was in charge of also became extremely difficult due to the sharp decline in the company's influence. Some partners who had previously been there out of respect for Zhao Zhen or who thought "Mingyu" had potential have become noticeably colder.
On Li Ziqing's financial statements, the number of red figures increased, inflows decreased sharply, while outflows remained constant. She had to meticulously calculate every unit of electricity and every sheet of printing paper. The former richest woman's daughter now had to weigh the cost of office supplies, which was only a few hundred yuan, and a lingering worry appeared between her brows.
Li Ming, on the other hand, was plunged into deeper anxiety and self-blame. He spent his days frantically searching for new business opportunities, and his nights glued to his computer screen, repeatedly calculating the 600,000 yuan that seemed impossible to raise within three months. Zhou Ruilin's threat, "I'll make your platform completely collapse within three months," hung like a Damocles' sword over his head, constantly reminding him of the perilous nature of his situation.
He tried every possible method. He humbly visited some of his old customers from "Mingqing's Little Shop," hoping to obtain some advance payments or short-term loans, but few responded. He even considered going home to ask his parents again, but thinking of his father Li Jianhua's increasingly gray hair and his mother's hardworking figure, he swallowed the words back. He had returned to life to let his parents enjoy a better life, not to drag them into a deeper quagmire.
Beset by internal and external troubles, Li Ming was nearly driven to despair. He often stayed alone in his office late at night, gazing at the city lights outside the window, feeling an unprecedented loneliness and helplessness. Was it really a mistake to reject Zhang Lei? Was persisting in his platform dream too naive? If he had accepted Zhao Zhen's advice and focused on e-commerce, would things be different now?
Self-doubt, like a venomous snake, gnawed at his confidence.
However, whenever he saw Wang Hao still silently debugging code under the dim desk lamp, saw Liu Qiang moving goods and contacting potential opportunities without complaint, and saw Li Ziqing insisting on sorting out every invoice and checking every number even when she was exhausted, that flame that was about to be extinguished would be rekindled.
He cannot fall! At least not in front of those who still believe in him and follow him!
Just when he was almost at his wit's end, a glimmer of light quietly emerged from his domain name investment, which he had placed high hopes on but which had yet to yield any returns.
One evening, Li Ming was searching for potential opportunities online when an unfamiliar number from the south dialed his cell phone. The caller identified himself as Cheng Wei, the founder of "XunJie Chuxing," and sounded anxious and excited.
"Mr. Li? Hello! I found you through the domain registration information! Are you considering transferring the domain name 'kuaidi' you own?" Cheng Wei got straight to the point, his voice carrying the urgency typical of people from the South.
Kuaidi? Li Ming's heart skipped a beat! This was another keyword he remembered related to a future giant! He suppressed his excitement and tried to respond calmly, "Hello, Mr. Cheng, this domain name is indeed in my possession. I wonder if you are here..."
It turns out that Cheng Hua's team was developing an online ride-hailing app, which they wanted to name "Kuaidi," but the core domain name "kuaidi" was already owned by Li Ming. Their project had just received its first major angel investment and urgently needed the domain name to unify the brand and facilitate subsequent promotion.
“Mr. Li, we really need this domain name! We can discuss the price!” Cheng Wei’s tone was earnest and determined.
An opportunity! Another opportunity! Moreover, the timing is even more opportune than with Zoom before, as a wave of internet entrepreneurship is sweeping across China!
Li Ming didn't agree immediately; he needed to assess the other party's needs and ability to pay. He used the excuse of needing an evaluation to inquire about more information about the "Swift Mobility" project and arranged to discuss it in detail the next day.
After hanging up the phone, Li Ming immediately asked Wang Hao to help investigate "XunJie Chuxing" and Cheng Wei's background. The feedback confirmed the company's existence and its recent funding. Although its scale was not as large as Zoom's, it had already begun to make a name for itself in the domestic travel industry.
This time, Li Ming decided to be more proactive. Instead of passively waiting for the other party to make an offer, he demonstrated a deep understanding of the online travel industry during the call the next day. He analyzed everything from user pain points and technical challenges to market prospects in a very logical and insightful manner, once again astonishing Cheng Wei on the other end of the phone.
“Mr. Cheng, I have a very positive outlook on the future of the travel industry.” After establishing a professional image, Li Ming got to the point. “The domain name ‘kuaidi’ also has strategic value for me. However, if it can help an excellent team realize their dreams faster, I am willing to consider transferring it.”
He quoted a price: 1.2 million RMB.
This price far exceeded the previous transaction amount of the Zoom domain name, and was undoubtedly an astronomical price in 2006!
There was a long silence on the other end of the phone, with only Cheng Wei's heavy breathing audible.
“Mr. Li…can we discuss this price further? We’re just starting out and don’t have enough funds…” Cheng Wei’s voice was strained.
"The price reflects the value of this domain name to your brand and future, Mr. Cheng," Li Ming said calmly but firmly. "Moreover, as last time, I can accept part of the payment in the form of your company stock options."
After another round of intense back-and-forth negotiations, the two parties finally reached a creative agreement: "XunJie Travel" would acquire the "kuaidi" domain name for RMB 800,000 in cash, plus an option worth RMB 400,000 within the next year, calculated based on a specific valuation. The cash payment would be made in two installments: the first installment of RMB 400,000 would be paid upon signing the contract, and the remaining RMB 400,000 would be paid within three months.
When the text message notification sounded that the first 400,000 yuan in cash had been deposited, Li Ming stood in the center of the office, holding his old cell phone, and remained motionless for a long time.
The other three people in the office, Wang Hao, Liu Qiang, and Li Ziqing, held their breath and watched him nervously.
After a long while, Li Ming slowly raised his head and looked at them. There was no ecstasy on his face, only a sense of relief and exhaustion, and a deeper determination.
"The first payment, 400,000, has arrived." His voice was a little hoarse.
"How...how much?" Liu Qiang stammered.
“Four hundred thousand,” Li Ming repeated.
In an instant, the pent-up emotions exploded in the office!
"Great! Brother Ming! We're saved!" Liu Qiang jumped up excitedly, his eyes reddening.
Wang Hao pushed up his glasses heavily, and a relieved smile appeared on his usually expressionless face.
Li Ziqing turned her back, her shoulders trembling slightly, and quietly wiped away the tears welling up in her eyes. This wasn't just about money; it was about seeing hope in the face of utter despair!
This 400,000 yuan was like a timely rain after a long drought, instantly relieving Mingyu Technology's urgent crisis! Not only could it immediately repay part of Zhao Zhen's debt (Li Ming decided to repay 300,000 yuan first to appease him and retain 100,000 yuan in operating funds), but it could also revitalize the platform project, pay for server costs, and even allow them to consider giving core members a small salary to stabilize morale.
“First, pay Zhao Zhen 300,000 yuan. The remaining 100,000 yuan will be used as operating and R&D funds for the company for the next three months.” Li Ming quickly made the arrangements. “Wang Hao, the platform project can be restarted at full speed! Liu Qiang, go and settle the outstanding property and network fees. Zi Qing, make a financial plan.”
The team's morale soared instantly due to this unexpected injection of funds. A glimmer of hope pierced through the heavy clouds.
However, Li Ming wasn't entirely at ease. He knew that the 400,000 yuan was only a temporary solution; whether the remaining 400,000 yuan and the 400,000 yuan worth of stock options could be cashed out smoothly remained uncertain. More importantly, Zhou Ruilin's threat hadn't been eliminated. Having this money certainly increased his leverage, but it could also attract a more intense attack from the other side.
Sure enough, just as Mingyu Technology had recovered a bit of its strength and was preparing to regroup, Li Ziqing received a call from her father, Li Yuanshan. This time, Li Yuanshan's tone was no longer the previous warning or scrutiny, but carried an unprecedented seriousness, even... a hint of barely perceptible solemnity.
“Ziqing, tell Li Ming,” Li Yuanshan’s voice carried an undeniable weight through the receiver, “has he... offended someone again recently?”
Li Ziqing was startled: "Dad, what's wrong?"
“Something’s not right with the Zhou family,” Li Yuanshan said in a deep voice. “Zhou Ruilin has mobilized resources far beyond his authority, and his target is very clear: Li Ming and his company. Moreover… it seems that there’s more than just the Zhou family behind this.”
He paused, then said something even more chilling:
"I've received information that someone... is secretly investigating Li Ming's background, including his parents back home. You'd better be prepared."
Li Ziqing's face turned deathly pale instantly.
Li Ming stood to the side and clearly heard the contents of the phone call. His heart clenched, and a chill ran from the soles of his feet to the top of his head.
Investigating his parents? Zhou Ruilin actually extended his reach to his family! And there are other forces behind it?
The newly ignited flame of hope seemed to be instantly shaken by a cold wind from the depths of darkness.
A bigger storm is brewing. And this time, the other side seems no longer content with mere commercial suppression; they intend to... cut off our lifeline?
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