Reborn in 2014: A One-Man Tycoon

"Hello, I am Zhang Erming, please come in."

Zhang Erming rushed out of the office in a great hurry, frantically putting on his shoes as he ran.

How embarrassed and miserable he looked.

When Zhang Erming's gaze fell on Meng Chuan, he couldn't help but frown slightly.

They were clearly surprised and skeptical of Meng Chuan's youthful appearance.

But he suppressed his thoughts and, in his hoarse voice, warmly welcomed Meng Chuan and the other two into the office.

"Mr. Zhang, your voice..."

Meng Chuan knew exactly what was going on, but he still pretended to be surprised and asked.

"Haha, I've been getting so many investors looking for me lately, my throat is practically burning from talking so much, I'm feeling a bit uncomfortable."

Zhang Erming forced a smile and said in a seemingly relaxed manner.

But that smile seemed to carry a hint of bitterness.

In fact, he has been working himself to the bone to attract investment for the company during this period.

He visited almost all the prominent investors in Beijing.

But each time, they went full of hope and returned dejected.

No one was willing to lend him a helping hand.

So when he heard that Meng Chuan was an investor in "Meng Chuan Capital", he rushed out as if he had grasped a lifeline.

"Mr. Zhang, let's be frank, are there really that many investors approaching you?"

Meng Chuan's lips curled up slightly as he looked at Zhang Erming with a half-smile, his eyes seeming to see right through him.

Zhang Erming was suddenly jolted, and instantly realized what was going on.

In the investment world, nothing stays secret forever!

These investors are being very polite in saying they're keeping each other informed.

In reality, sometimes they are practically in cahoots.

During this period, he encountered setbacks everywhere and became quite "famous" in the investment world.

After all, he visits several or even a dozen investment institutions in a single day. Even if those bigwigs haven't met him in person, they must have heard of his "deeds".

"Mr. Meng, to be honest, I meticulously prepared dozens of business plans and met with no fewer than a hundred investors, but the result... well, it's hard to describe!"

At this point, Zhang Erming, like a defeated rooster, lowered his head in frustration, his face filled with helplessness and defeat.

"What's wrong? Have you lost confidence because of this?"

Meng Chuan still wore a smile, but that smile was unfathomable.

"I was really hit hard, but I never lost faith in myself or ByteDance! It's just that this gem is covered in dust and no one appreciates it!"

Zhang Erming suddenly raised his head, his eyes burning with fierce fighting spirit.

"As long as you have confidence, that's good. How much are you planning to raise this time?"

Meng Chuan nodded in satisfaction, a barely perceptible glint in his eyes.

"Mr. Meng, are you... are you really sure you want to invest?"

Zhang Erming stared blankly at Meng Chuan, his eyes filled with doubt.

There was no way around it; Meng Chuan was so young, and he was accompanied by two beautiful and stylish women.

He looks like a good-for-nothing playboy, making it hard to believe he has the ability and vision to invest.

"Why don't you go first? What if it works out?"

Meng Chuan found it amusing; Zhang Erming was indeed adorably cautious.

"Well... Mr. Meng, please wait a moment while I get you the project proposal."

Zhang Erming seemed to suddenly remember something, and excitedly stood up, preparing to retrieve the project plan he had placed high hopes on.

"No need, that thing is useless to me, and I don't understand it."

Meng Chuan waved his hand and said calmly.

This wasn't Meng Chuan deliberately trying to look cool.

Rather, his investment company had just been established, and ByteDance was the first project he had ventured into.

Having never done investment before, he might not be able to understand those complex business plans.

"Uh……"

Zhang Erming was stunned; he never expected Meng Chuan to say that.

After hesitating for a moment, he cautiously said:

"This is a Series C funding round. I originally planned to raise $100 million."

In fact, this $100 million was the result of him lowering his standards after several setbacks.

After being rejected by countless investors, he even felt that he would be grateful if he could raise 100 million RMB.

Otherwise, the company will have to close down next month.

"One hundred million US dollars? Mr. Zhang, that's far too conservative! How can ByteDance possibly stand out in this fierce market competition with just that much money?"

Meng Chuan shook his head, a look of disapproval on his face.

Meng Chuan had never run a business before, but he understood the situation perfectly.

In today's fiercely competitive business world, becoming an industry leader requires a willingness to invest heavily.

In the race to seize market share, whoever has the most capital will gain the upper hand.

"This……"

Zhang Erming smiled bitterly, his face full of helplessness.

Doesn't he understand this truth?

But before ByteDance achieves outstanding results and can show investors any hope of profitability, who would be willing to invest in it?

He originally only thought about getting through this difficult period first, and then raising Series D funding once the company started to improve.

"Alright then, Mr. Zhang, I won't beat around the bush. I'll just invest 100 billion in you directly!"

Meng Chuan held up one finger and said firmly, as if the 100 billion was just a trivial amount.

Zhang Erming's eyes widened instantly, and he was completely stunned.

I felt a chill run down my spine, as if I had been struck by lightning.

He couldn't believe his ears.

The figure of 100 billion is like an astronomical number to him now, completely beyond his imagination.

Not only Zhang Erming, but even Liu Qian standing to the side was so surprised that she couldn't close her mouth.

His eyes were wide open, filled with disbelief.

Even if you're rich, you can't be this reckless!

Chen Yiyi looked at Meng Chuan as if he were a monster. She gently nudged Liu Qian and asked in a low voice:

"Has your boyfriend lost his mind?"

Didn't they say he came from the countryside?

Didn't Liu Qian secretly serve him meat at school?

How come you're talking about 10 billion right off the bat?

"Mr. Meng, how much did you just say?"

Zhang Erming finally came to his senses and asked in a trembling voice, still unable to believe that what he had heard was true.

"You heard me right, 100 billion! But I have a condition."

Meng Chuan said with a serious expression:

“I want 30% of ByteDance’s permanent shares. Moreover, regardless of whether the company goes public or issues new shares in the future, I must be guaranteed to hold 30% of the shares permanently, and I must have priority rights. As for the company’s management and decision-making rights, I don’t want any of them; I will give them all to you.”

Zhang Erming was stunned again; he really hadn't expected Meng Chuan's conditions to be so simple.

Investing 100 billion but only wanting 30% equity is like a windfall!

"Mr. Meng, do you...do you really understand ByteDance? The company's market value isn't even worth 100 million right now. I'm barely able to pay next month's salaries. Your 10 billion is enough to buy the company several times over, yet you only want 30% of the shares...this..."

Zhang Erming's voice choked with emotion; he was truly moved by Meng Chuan's sincerity and courage.

“100 billion could indeed buy ByteDance many times over, but without you, Zhang Erming, ByteDance is worthless. What I value is your ability and potential. As long as you are still with ByteDance, it is worth my 100 billion investment. Otherwise, even if you gave it to me for free, I wouldn’t want it.”

Meng Chuan's eyes were filled with trust and expectation.

Upon hearing Meng Chuan's words, Zhang Erming's eyes immediately reddened, and tears welled up in them.

A true man will die for one who understands him! Even in his most difficult and desperate times, there were still people who trusted him so much.

“Mr. Meng, since you trust me so much, give me 100 billion, and I will give you 50% of the permanent equity!”

Zhang Erming gritted his teeth, his eyes flashing with determination and emotion.

"make a deal!"

Without the slightest hesitation, Meng Chuan made the decision immediately:

"100 billion, transfer it now!"