n a state of shock.In this moment of her astonishment, Su Can immediately recognized the source. It was one of the hostesses Feng Youfu had accompanied earlier. This girl wore a short skirt and a lace...Chapter 138: Acquaintances
The Wanli Network Company in Bayi and venture capitalists formed their own network. However, the influx of intelligence was on par with the information explosion level in America's internet scene. Almost every day, third-party intelligence departments would send back reports about Su Can and Mark Zuckerberg's movements. Their activities were practically no secret; during Su Can’s time in America, almost every party or invitation they received circulated within these giant venture capital firms and companies.
These developments spread through newspapers and magazines that were sensitive to information, which also boosted Facebook’s popularity. In fact, this wasn’t a rare occurrence in the past either.
The discussions among players like software company representatives, upper-class rich people, celebrities, and venture capitalists had shifted from Major League Baseball games or yesterday's Federal Cup golf tournament to which venture capital firm or famous figure invited Facebook’s top executives. What prices were discussed at these gatherings If one day the price for purchasing twenty percent or less of shares was a few thousand dollars, it would often cause regrettable sighs, because there was no doubt that such an influx pushed up Facebook's value無形中, making it even harder for them to enter.
As for if a corporation like Viacom wanted to acquire Facebook, some venture capitalists with conspiracy theories felt threatened. This indirectly further drove up the price of Facebook, crowding what was already a crowded circle even more.
But no one had thoughts of withdrawing. These people weren’t speculative investors; as financial elites, they possessed wisdom beyond ordinary reach. They realized that without sufficient patience and pinpoint accuracy in this battle over acquiring or financing Facebook, many wouldn't qualify to participate. And everyone was eagerly awaiting their chance, unwilling to give up lightly because it had transformed into a strategic game among all parties.
The prospects of Facebook were like its simulated military strategy on the American map – grand and unstoppable. The investment not only brought visible future benefits but also unforeseen advantages and prestige. All fund managers, internet company executives, even giant enterprises’ brains would be pleased with their victory, marking another significant triumph in their lives.
This collective behavior無形中 pushed up Facebook’s value, making people start to consider the feasibility of financing ten percent shares for millions of dollars.
So under these circumstances, Zhan Hua couldn't hold back any longer. The planted Sean should make his move as well.
Su Can knew about this situation and started taking action too; he began attending some invitations to gatherings where he thought progress could be made alongside Zuckerberg.
The core team of Facebook had only a faint confidence in Su Can. In this era, for a new internet company to raise two million dollars with ten percent equity was already incredibly unimaginable; much less so for Su Can's claim of eighty thousand dollars無形中股權的價值。
This cannot be said to lack confidence from the core team towards what they themselves are doing. Any confidence must rest on reality, which everyone feels. It's good that Su Cen has such drive and enthusiasm, but if he doesn't understand the situation in America and blindly believes in himself, it becomes arrogance.
No one likes arrogant people, and they don't want Su Cen, one of their leaders, to be like this either.
Shawn responds coolly; he does not believe that Su Cen can still cause a stir after this.
Zach is still willing to accompany Su Cen at these meet-and-greets and during those venture capital negotiations, but Shawn always follows up by pointing out the parasitic nature of some venture capitalists, often making Zach feel uneasy.
In the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, Song Zhen sits solemnly on a sofa in the seventh-floor lobby. She wears a black long dress, and beneath her feet is a floor so clean that only reflections can be seen. The sofas at the Fairmont are meant for two people and shaped like half-moons with a back pillow. Marble columns beside them make the area look regal; indeed it is, as there will be a buffet cocktail party on the rooftop terrace today.
At this banquet today, Song Zhen may very well be the most watched and also one of the most glamorous Chinese-American girls present, possibly even rivaling the San Francisco and Los Angeles socialites who have arrived here today.
The phone in her hand rings. Song Zhen picks it up, and Liu Ming's voice comes through.
"Song Zhen, so you're already at the Fairmont Hotel today There must be many celebrities there, right Is Mr. Trump also there I actually admire him very much personally. If possible, could you pass on my regards to him But speaking of which, a gathering at the Fairmont is really something to envy. I've heard that they play Hitchcock's movie 'The Birds,' filmed in their hotel lobby, 24/7. Since I haven't watched this film yet, maybe I'll find a way to come over tomorrow."
"I won't be here tomorrow," Song Zhen quickly ends the call and hangs up, cutting off Liu Ming's imagination. She had smiled politely as she listened to Liu Ming speak, but when she hung up, stood, and walked towards the hotel window, that smile faded away, replaced by a faintly cold expression.
More people are moving from this seventh floor to the rooftop; some dress in evening wear while others opt for simpler attire. Yet even those who look most understated have clothes made from top-tier custom-made garments worth a fortune, clearly showcasing various different personalities – taciturn, sullen, understated, flamboyant, dazzling. This is one of the numerous parties that happen daily in America. On the other side, an auntie with German heritage and Chinese ancestry, called by Song Zhen as such, is engaging with these people, making enthusiastic conversations to bring them up to the rooftop terrace.
"Miss Song, it's about time, let's head upstairs; your aunt requests that we mustn't make any mistakes."
The speaker, Lucy, is the secretary to Donald, the president of The Washington Post Group. She is a rather arrogant woman. Her words toward Song Zhen were professionally cold and distant; when Song first came to America, she had an unpleasant encounter with her in Washington. Despite her seemingly beautiful exterior, under the surface, if it comes down to a fight, Song always has a self-protective cunningness and sharpness.
During their time in the US, some verbal conflicts between them made Lucy and Song Zhen dislike each other even more. Looking at Song wearing all black today, Lucy's evaluation was: "Miss Song, do you know that you look like a Chinese puppet in mourning clothes."
"Thank you, Lucy. Your outfit isn't great either; this year’s hairstyle makes you look like a walking mushroom, which suits you well," replied Song.
Lucy's face turned from pale to red and back again as she said, "I don’t need to tell you how important today’s gathering is not only for your aunt but also for Chairman Donald. You weren't originally invited because of your behavior, but many guests who are close friends with Mr. Chang Wei are here today. As a lady, you should be more gracious rather than being so sharp and disrespectful; otherwise, it'll leave a bad impression on others. Don’t keep looking unhappy, as this directly affects the atmosphere at the party. I don't think that's what your aunt wants to see!"
Lucy spoke loudly and confidently in this special echoey space formed by marble columns on the seventh floor. She didn't have the courage to embarrass Song Zhen at the party, but she could give her a warning here.
Louise's words interrupted her aunt who was chatting with a film company president nearby; after apologizing briefly, she walked over and stood before Song Zhen. With her black hair neatly styled into an elegant bun, she exuded elegance and grandeur.
She is Diana, someone many people know brought down the former US President Nixon during the Watergate scandal through The Washington Post. Few in China knew that there was a Chinese vice president behind it. This Chinese woman serving as both general counsel and secretary to the board "hid" within The Washington Post, quietly protecting the corporation.
During Diana's nearly two decades of protection, The Washington Post Group had never lost a legal battle; this shows her influence.
Looking at Diana before her, Song Zhen clenched her fist inwardly. Although she could wear an unyielding mask for anyone else and maintain her proud demeanor, in front of her aunt Diana, all her defenses seemed to be stripped away under her gaze. This woman’s eyes were like a knife that peeled back every layer of her.
Song Zhen could argue sharply with Lucy using any sharp words, but the power difference between this woman was too great; anything she said might make Song tremble all over.
Like when she was little, her aunt in black pointed at her nose and cursed her harshly for some mistake, calling her names like "whore" or "devil." Next to her stood her birth mother who didn’t dare say a word. The atmosphere felt as solidified as concrete, dimly fixed in Song Zhen’s memory. It clashed with another cherished memory of the lively aunt without such stern attire, smiling kindly and warmly.
Now Diana was towering over Song Zhen, making them look strikingly different; Diana appeared deeper and darker than Song Zhen. Compared to her, Song felt insignificant, thus fearing her deeply.
After Diana sized Song Zhen up from top to bottom, she merely snorted and said, "Don’t embarrass me today, little demon," her serious demeanor in public completely changing.
With that, she turned around and walked away. Lucy gave her a victorious yet disdainful look before leaving, leaving behind only the stunned Song Zhen.
In black from head to toe, she looked full of resentment, as her aunt treated her like a prostitute with such frivolity. This was why Lucy, who worked as her secretary, spoke ill of and constantly troubled her — no one respected her.
Indeed, today she could not make any mistakes at all. Everyone here knew how important this was because today’s event was a dinner party held by The Washington Post Group chairman Donald Graham for business partners and local celebrities in San Francisco. There was also her fiancé Chang Wei, an old friend from the New York high society, secretly observing her from afar. In addition, Mark Zuckerberg, the recently hyped Silicon Valley celebrity, would be arriving today.
She had to perform well and project a harmonious relationship with her aunt in order to dispel those rumors spread by the media.
"Who is that mushroom-headed woman who could speak to you so rudely right before your aunt"
Hearing this, Song Zhen immediately turned around. With a guarded look, she saw someone familiar.
It was Su Can sitting on the sofa behind her. He stood out because of his casual attire, which seemed like a crime in such a social setting.
Song Zhen naturally froze when she saw him, but then Su Can said with a smile, "Oh, I see, you don’t have a good relationship with your aunt."
Today’s mountain-climbing trip with family members was almost fatal for her since she hadn’t exercised in so long. She nearly doubted whether she could even come down the mountain. In the end, she dragged herself back home after climbing up the entire way.
The pain all over her body was unbearable, but at least I managed to type out a chapter and present it to you guys. Sorry for the poor update frequency recently. My relatives who came for my sister’s wedding will be leaving tomorrow, so updates will speed up in the near future with more chapters.call with fondness these humble surroundings.This kind of simple place could provide Su Cen and Tang Wu more time and space to spend together, while also helping Tang Wu relax. It was really an excell...