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Chapter 102 Investing in Apple

Ernst stood in the center of the chaotic scene, his brow furrowed as he watched the absurd carnival unfold before him.

On the roof, several young employees climbed to the top using a swaying aluminum ladder, spraying champagne from their bottles in exaggerated movements, creating golden arcs and splashing the liquid.

Cheers erupted from the stairwell as a dozen employees split into two factions, using beer and champagne as weapons, and launched a chaotic battle of attrition.

The cluttered piles of items in the stairwell became their best cover.

He really is crazy; even his way of throwing parties is different from other companies.

His gaze swept over the overturned office chairs and scattered documents. "There's such a big lawn outside, why do most employees insist on holding this kind of unbridled party indoors?"

"This is the employees' recognition of you." Jobs' voice came from behind, with a hint of barely perceptible mockery.

Ernst turned around, thinking that Jobs was making sarcastic remarks: "It's better to have less of this kind of recognition; most people's wallets can't handle it."

He gestured towards the liquor supplier at the gate not far away, where the man was busy directing workers to unload the last batch of liquor boxes, his smile almost reaching his ears.

Three truckloads of alcohol were consumed by these dozens of people in just a few hours.

Google has more than twice the number of employees as Pixar, and their last team-building event only used one truckload of food and drinks.

If you've already drunk it, that's fine; Ernst isn't a stingy person.

But filling an inflatable swimming pool with beer and wine is a bit much. More than half a truckload of beer and wine! Ernst was practically clicking his tongue in disgust.

The female employees got even more, and they even had the party contractor bring over a huge pile of swimsuits and took a bath in them.

Ernst strongly suspected that they used his money to shop; they really didn't care that it wasn't their own money. Hundreds of swimsuits were actually divided up by a few women.

Ernst finally understood the malicious smile and the words "You'd better be ready" that Steve Jobs had when he mentioned throwing a party.

This party won't end without spending two or three hundred thousand dollars.

"These swimsuits are so 'low-class'," Jobs said, his gaze sweeping over the people splashing around in the pool. "I wonder when you Playboys will release new swimsuit designs."

Ernst looked at Jobs and thought, "I didn't expect you, with your thick eyebrows and big eyes, to like watching this kind of show."

Just two days ago, the second episode of "Playboy's Peeping" aired.

The theme of the first episode was sexy, while the theme of the second episode was elegant.

Playboy once again shocked all the LSPs in America, proving that elegance can be so alluring.

The production team used a large amount of silk and Venetian lace as fabrics, paired with exquisite openwork designs and pearl embellishments, incorporating elements of retro, queen, and eroticism into an elegant tone.

After the show aired, it instantly became a hot topic of discussion among men across America.

To Ernst's surprise, the second batch of lingerie sold even better than the first.

It really proves the saying that the more you cover up, the more imaginative it becomes.

Christie has already led her team to China; the purpose of this business trip is to investigate and place orders.

Clearly, even with the machines running at full capacity, the output of the contract manufacturer they had previously found was still far from meeting Playboy's needs.

Some stores are already experiencing stock shortages, which has completely ignited the desire to buy lingerie across the United States.

After that, we'll have a different theme every week, and with more lingerie being released, there will be an even bigger sales surge. We must completely solve the problem of severe undercapacity.

With the booming sales of Playboy underwear, Ernst did not expect that Hugh Hefner would rekindle his fighting spirit.

Playboy's vast sums of money are not going to sit idle in accounts; plans to open 100 new stores across the United States are already underway.

Hugh Hefner actually took on this task himself, taking charge of everything from site selection and design to decoration of these shops.

Steve Jobs must have watched the show, otherwise he wouldn't have asked when the swimsuits would be released.

And believe it or not, one of the themes chosen for the show was swimsuits.

"The swimsuit line is already in the works," Ernst told Jobs. "I'll definitely send you a complete set once it's released."

Despite his generally unpopular nature, Steve Jobs was a man who could create a sense of distance in strangers.

But after getting to know him, Ernst found that he was quite easy to get along with.

Once he approves of you, the relationship instantly transforms into that of longtime best friends, and you'll speak more freely.

Jobs smiled noncommittally, and was about to say something when a head suddenly leaned over and said, "Could you send me a set too? Ideally, a set of all the styles."

The speaker was Ed Catmull, Pixar's technical director. Ernst looked at his serious expression and a strange thought popped into his head. Even Jobs and John Lasseter unconsciously moved to the side, as if they were meeting this person for the first time.

This guy doesn't seem to have any unusual fetishes, does he? Like lingerie?

"Don't misunderstand." Ed Catmull quickly waved his hand to explain, his cheeks flushed red. "It's Rianna who wants it. Your lingerie is so popular right now—"

"Oh~" John Lasseter drawled, his tone sarcastic, "So Ryana wants to use these suits to get you back into her bed?"

Ryana is Ed Catmull's wife, and it seems their relationship is experiencing some problems.

It's not emotional, but physiological.

When a man is middle-aged and has a significant age gap with his wife, everyone understands the situation.

The conversation had died down, and Ernst glanced at Jobs, asking with concern, "I heard you've gone back to Apple?"

"He's just a temporary consultant."

Jobs answered casually, but Ernst could detect the pleasure in his tone.

"I think it's only a matter of time before you return to Apple."

After reading the biography, Ernst predicts that Steve Jobs will fully return to Apple's management team this July, assuming the role of interim CEO.

By December, it will be officially recognized.

After that, they went on a winning streak, turning this company, which was on the verge of bankruptcy, into the world's most valuable company.

Jobs looked away, his eyes fixed intently on Ernst. "What exactly are you trying to say?"

Ernst gave a friendly smile and said, "If Apple needs investment, remember to contact me."

Jobs was stunned and surprised by the answer.

Apple is in such a dire state that it wouldn't be surprising if it announced bankruptcy tomorrow, which shows just how bad things are.

Why?

"For no particular reason, it's just that I'm optimistic about your return to Apple, and I believe you can save Apple."

When Steve Jobs took over Apple, the primary problem he faced was not product development or declining sales, but rather the bank loans that were about to expire.

After trying to borrow money from all sides without success, Microsoft made what was arguably the best decision in its history.

Steve Jobs called Bill Gates and asked this arch-rival of Apple to save the company.

Microsoft has been under investigation for market monopoly issues. If Apple falls, Microsoft will truly have no rivals.

The U.S. Department of Justice will not let go of the opportunity to dismantle this Tosla, so saving Apple is equivalent to saving themselves.

So Microsoft invested $1.5 million in Apple, but all it received were shares with no voting rights.

Because of this investment, Microsoft won its antitrust victory, which is why Microsoft calls it the best decision in its history.

Ernst didn't want to miss this opportunity to take over Apple; he not only planned for the .NET software system, but also didn't want to let go of the hardware.

Ernst could create his own mobile phone brand, but it's clearly not as lucrative as investing in Apple.

Firstly, Ernst of NET Corporation was unsure whether the other party would sell to him, and this software company was of great significance to Apple's iPhone.

Even if it's sold, many of Apple's current patented technologies are still present in the later Apple systems.

Then there are talent, supply chains, and so on, which require even greater investment to build from scratch.

Establishing your own brand also requires Wall Street funding; if you can acquire a large number of Apple shares, there is no difference in value.

Therefore, Ernst preferred to take over Apple rather than build his own brand.