Chapter 22: Are You the Jester Summoned by the Monkey King?

Entrepreneurship Center Room 602 at Yanhuang University. The crowd, still buzzing with excitement, turned toward the sound of knocking and inquiry from outside. A beautiful woman, dressed in professional attire, smiled as she looked at them, several men in suits standing behind her, all wearing polite smiles.

At the forefront was a man with gold-rimmed glasses, appearing to be in his thirties, hair neatly combed, dignified in appearance. The others beside him seemed to be young men in their twenties, just out of university and newly entering society, carrying briefcases.

“Who are you?”

Zhao Dongye stepped forward, not answering their question but instead inquiring about their identities and purpose.

“Hello, we’re from Tianyun Venture Capital. This is our Investment Director, Zhang Yukun.”

The woman in business attire smiled naturally as she introduced her company and the man leading her group. There was a hint of pride in her tone, the pride of capital; she was used to entrepreneurs immediately currying favor as soon as she introduced her venture capital firm.

“Hello, Director Zhang. What brings you here?”

On hearing they were from a venture capital firm, Zhao Dongye frowned slightly but quickly wore a smile, shaking hands with each of them and directly asking their purpose.

Zhao Dongye knew a thing or two about venture capital. Of course, not many VC or PE firms could catch his eye, and clearly Tianyun Venture Capital was not among them. He could already guess their purpose with considerable accuracy and had no intention of wasting time, so he straightforwardly inquired, not even inviting them in for a seat.

Zhang Yukun frowned, surprised at Zhao Dongye’s lack of hospitality—he hadn’t even invited them to sit. Wherever he’d gone before, he’d been treated as an honored guest. But thinking about it, these were just university students who hadn’t even graduated yet, so Zhang Yukun let it go.

“You’re Zhao Dongye, CEO of King’s Glory, aren’t you? It’s a pleasure to meet you. Would you mind if we found a place to sit down, have some tea, and chat?”

Zhang Yukun smiled, keen to show his position as an investment director. Conducting business at someone’s doorway was never his way.

“Very well. The sixth-floor public meeting room should be empty now. Shen Xi, Peng Zhen, Bao Yishan, could you go ahead and prepare it?”

After a moment’s thought, Zhao Dongye nodded, agreeing, and instructed Shen Xi, who immediately went to get the meeting room ready.

As everyone prepared to head to the meeting room, several more groups arrived in quick succession. Judging by their demeanor, they were much like the people from Tianyun Venture Capital—mostly representatives from various VC and PE firms.

Zhao Dongye dealt with each group with a smile, leading them all to the sixth-floor public meeting room at the entrepreneurship center. The room was empty just then, and Shen Xi had already set it up, providing bottled water as refreshments.

Zhao Dongye, Li Fu, Wang Wanli, Qian Jin, and Shen Xi represented King’s Glory, with Zhao Dongye at the helm. The other investors and VC representatives sat grouped apart.

“The place is humble, and our hospitality may be lacking. Please forgive us.”

Zhao Dongye smiled, fully aware of who these people were. These venture capitalists and PE investors were sharks drawn by the scent of blood—the most skilled operators in the world of capital. But Zhao Dongye and his team were no fools. With King’s Glory’s remarkable ability to generate revenue, they had absolutely no need to curry favor with these investors.

The King’s Glory team didn’t require any VC or PE funding. Their strong revenue stream was more than enough to meet the needs of their ongoing development, with handsome profits to boot.

Their willingness to receive these visitors was mere courtesy; they had no intention of wasting time, so they gathered everyone together to dispatch them all at once.

“Directors Zhang, Li, Wang, and Liu, may I ask what brings you here today?”

Though Zhao Dongye smiled, his words made it clear: they were not close acquaintances, so he wanted them to get to the point and leave quickly.

The heads of the VC firms exchanged glances, letting Zhang Yukun, the first to arrive, speak for them—a gesture of professional courtesy.

“Mr. Zhao, you’re indeed young and accomplished, and refreshingly direct. In that spirit, I won’t waste any words.”

Zhang Yukun adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, smiling.

“We’re here because of your mobile game, King’s Glory. We hope to acquire your company, or, if that’s not possible, to invest in it.”

“Our firm, Tianyun Venture Capital, is very strong, and we come with genuine intent. The terms are negotiable.”

Zhang Yukun was confident, a confidence born of years dealing with startups. He knew their typical situation: almost all faced funding shortages and desperately needed investment at critical moments. At such times, VC firms could acquire large shares for a modest price. Once the enterprise grew and went public, they’d reap hundredfold or even thousandfold returns.

“Our company is running smoothly and has no need for additional funding. I’m afraid you’ve made the trip in vain, Director Zhang,”

Zhao Dongye nodded politely, smiling as he declined without hesitation. It was laughable—everyone knew King’s Glory was a golden goose. To share its profits now would be madness.

“Mr. Zhao, don’t be too quick to refuse. Tianyun Venture Capital is quite powerful, and we’re here with serious intent. If you’re willing, we can discuss terms.”

“Your company’s King’s Glory will surely require substantial funds for further development and upgrades, just to maintain its position. Otherwise, if imitators surpass you, your company could quickly lose value.”

Despite being rebuffed, Zhang Yukun kept his composure, smiling as he emphasized the strength of his firm and pointed out potential challenges ahead for King’s Glory.

“Director Zhang has a sharp eye. What terms can you offer?”

Zhao Dongye smiled, pretending to agree with Zhang Yukun’s assessment, curious to see what terms they’d propose. They kept claiming their VC firm was strong, but he’d never even heard of them—likely a minor player. Still, their information was timely: they’d come knocking on the second day, and as the first, at least Zhang Yukun was diligent.

Hearing Zhao Dongye’s words, Zhang Yukun smiled smugly. He knew the problem with startups: they wanted investment but hated to give up equity, especially controlling shares. But most were chronically short on funds, so they couldn’t stand firm before the VCs.

“Mr. Zhao, we’re very optimistic about your mobile game, King’s Glory. If possible, we’re willing to acquire your company for twenty million, or, if you’re not willing to sell, invest ten million for fifty percent of the shares.”

Zhang Yukun laid out his team’s evaluation, lifting his head slightly as he awaited Zhao Dongye’s counter-offer.

“Valued at twenty million—an enormous sum, one that most people could never hope to possess in a lifetime. Thank you, Director Zhang, for your recognition, but as I’ve said, our company truly isn’t short of funds. So I must decline your generous offer.”

Zhao Dongye nodded respectfully, though inwardly he sneered.

“A small investment firm, clearly lacking vision. To think they could buy us for twenty million—it’s a delusion. They haven’t grasped King’s Glory’s market value, or maybe they think we’re just college students, easy to fool. For most startups, twenty million would be suffocating, but alas!”

In his mind, Zhao Dongye thoroughly despised Zhang Yukun and his Tianyun Venture Capital, though outwardly he kept his professional smile and politely refused.

Qian Jin, unable to endure any longer, displayed open contempt; he lacked Zhao Dongye’s patience and Li Fu’s calm, so he snorted derisively.

Wang Wanli, too, wore a mocking smirk. Once, he might have thought twenty million was a decent offer; now, he barely regarded it, and the proposal made him want to punch the other party.

“Young man, don’t aim too high. Twenty million is already a very generous offer. As far as I know, your company has only existed for about two months.”

Zhang Yukun noticed the disdain from Qian Jin, Wang Wanli, and Zhao Dongye, but he wasn’t easily deterred and spoke with a hint of concern.

“Ha! Are you here for comic relief?”

“Seriously, you want to buy our company for twenty million? If you don’t have funds, don’t pretend to be a VC. And venture capital isn’t just about money—you need brains and vision, too.”

No longer able to restrain himself, Qian Jin shot back bluntly, his words full of scorn, even calling them paupers with no brains or vision.

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