Chapter 134: Making a Personal Appearance
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Up to the present date, Xing Hai Technologies had only been established for less than a year and a half. It was an extremely “young” company. However, it had achieved a total sales volume of 15 million through the successive releases of the three types of robots. The total nation-wide box office sales of its movie “Wa-wah Robot: A Brave And Brilliant Rescue,” which had currently finished running in the domestic cinemas, was 7.8 billion with total global box office sales of 11.5 billion. The movie was taking the whole world by storm.
Xing Hai Technologies had become a tech company that was known by all in Z country. In addition, it had a budding reputation overseas as well. The official Weibo account of Xing Hai Technologies was followed by 34 million fans, which was almost twice of “Hua Yao Mobile” followers at 18 million. Moreover, it had millions more followers compared to the 24 million fans following “Da Mi Mobile.” Simply based on the number of fans and followers, it could be said that Xing Hai Technologies received the most attention. It was a company that brought along its own “super site traffic.”
Every Weibo post that Xing Hai Technologies made stirred up many discussions, and attracted countless. .h.i.ts and reposts. As for the all-new product that Xing Hai Technologies was about to announce, after vast numbers of netizens saw the Weibo posts that were published successively using hyperbolic language for maximum shock value, most netizens did not go along with the craze and blindly boast about the new product. There was only a minority of fanatic fans who posted expressions like “strongly antic.i.p.ating” and “quickly announce it.”
On the contrary, there was widespread ridicule and complaints.
“Stop joking! The product that you are launching is a learning machine. Stop making this kind of post on Weibo.”
“I feel like dying whenever I hear the word ‘learning.’ Don’t mention learning machines to me!”
“Can you do something that’s worth antic.i.p.ating, like a mobile phone, computer, gaming devices, and the like? Why make a learning machine out of the blue?”
“Mom, I don’t want to study!”
“Not interested. I’m not buying. I don’t want it even if it’s free!”
“It’s courting it’s own death. It’s throwing billions down the river just to produce a learning machine? I conclude that this is definitely a critical mistake in Xing Hai Technologies’ strategy.”
However, within the countless voices expressing their ridicule and disfavor, there were also a few feeble voices expressing support.
“I support Xing Hai Technologies. I support your learning machine. I’ll buy it for sure when it comes out! I have an unmotivated and useless grandson. In every exam, his results are top… from the bottom. He can’t be helped even if I buy 10 learning machines. But, I want to buy your learning machine and give it a try!”
“A good company that thinks of the welfare of the common citizens! Your cleaning robot has freed us from the drudgery of cleaning. And your learning machine will free us from the worries about our children’s studies. These products take into account the considerations of parents.”
“Look at the tech companies today. What do they produce all the time? Mobile phones that are barely used before the next upgraded one comes out. Various games that provide cheap thrills and destroy one’s motivation to lead a meaningful life. There are none that produce practical and honest goods! All these products entrap children; they entrap our next generation! Take another look at Xing Hai Technologies. After they are rich, they make products for learning and knowledge! Xing Hai Technologies is the ethical company in Z country!”
A reply under this comment expressed its agreement, “Yes, I’ve sent my child to Professor Yang three times, but his internet addiction just can’t be cured! I’m so worried that I could die! I wonder what the learning machine from Xing Hai Technologies is like? Can it help him quit his addiction to games and make him like learning?”
…
Besides the attention and discussions from the netizens, there were many bigwigs in the tech circles who privately paid much attention to the new product that Xing Hai Technologies was about to announce. This was especially true for the top leader in the field of the learning machines, Bubu Gao Company, who was very worried. Would the learning machine from Xing Hai Technologies become a strong compet.i.tor?
The CEO of Bubu Gao, Zheng Yongping, reported this situation to the founder, Huang Zhiqiang. He was a man close to 60, who still had perfect eyesight. Having experienced countless setbacks in life, he was also dubbed the “most mysterious VIP of the tech industry” and described as someone who was “well-versed in the Art of War.” Now, he merely shook his head and calmly stated, “I never thought that others would fight over leftovers.” He was unconcerned. After all, the market for learning machines only accounted for less than 5% of its business in present times.
…
On the night of the 14th, Chen Jin received a call from a familiar character. “Brother Chen, I wonder if it’s possible to reveal if Xing Hai Technologies really intends to make the learning machine their second product category?” The call was from Lei Xiao Jun to enquire about the new product, as he was very curious.
“Yes, it’s indeed a learning machine. The netizens guessed right.”
Lei Xiao Jun was beyond shocked. “You invested billions just to make a learning machine? Isn’t it better to use the money for R&D on a different product? Extravagant, brother, you’re too extravagant! There’s no future in producing learning machines. This is a sunset industry, there won’t be another boom! Brother Chen, don’t think that I’m being rude. This time, you’re really making a mistake. You’ve gone somewhat overboard with your obsession. You should consult more with the professional investors and get their suggestions.”
Chen Jin asked, “I heard that Brother Lei is a famous angel investor, so I’ll just ask you: What kind of product is better for me to do? What kind of product has better prospects?”
“Um, mobiles phones, computers, and AI ecosystems. All of these would work.”
“Let’s say I’ll make mobile phones. If Xing Hai Technologies focused on producing mobile phones, it’ll drive your Da Mi out of business and make it collapse within three years. Do you believe me?”
Lei Xiao Jun was stunned speechless by his extremely conceited tone.
Chen Jin asked, “Would you still advise me to go into mobile phones if Xing Hai Technologies really did possess this capability?”
Lei Xiao Jun did not know how to answer this question. He wanted to retaliate and tell the young man to learn humility. Young people should know how to be humble. Just as the words were about to be spoken, he swallowed them back. When he heard the statement ‘it’ll drive your Da Mi out of business and make it collapse within three years,’ he did not find it funny. On the contrary, he could feel a chill crawling up his spine. There was no trace of humor in the young man’s tone. “Hahaha, then I would have to thank you for leaving me some means of survival. I’m also congratulating you on the learning machine. I hope it becomes a huge success and sell like hot cakes!”
“Good luck on your endeavors.” Chen Jin smiled and shook his head. He realized that there were no simpletons amongst those successful bigwigs. All of them possessed an extremely high IQ and EQ.
…
On the 15th of March, at the same location of the Workers’ Stadium in Shang Hai City, the preparations for Xing Hai Technologies’ third launch event was basically completed. It would begin in less than two hours.
The audience arrived in never-ending droves. All 30,000 entrance tickets were sold out. There were no empty seats. The prime attraction of this launch event was not the learning machines that countless netizens had correctly guessed. It was a person!
The founder of Xing Hai Technologies, who was only 25 and built the company from scratch to the point where he now possessed tens of billions, would reveal his face and personally host this new product launch!
That was right. Chen Jin was sick of being in the shadows. He decided to make a personal appearance. He had no intention on missing out on such a good opportunity to be in the limelight, enjoying all the attention and wors.h.i.+p from countless fans. Of course, for his own safety, he was actually using his double to host the launch event onstage. His real self was in the Base of Operations where he could “remote control” his double via a network cable that he had linked to the Base. He would share the vision of his double and control its speech and actions, achieving the effect of “making a personal appearance.”
There was another advantage to this. He would not have stage fright easily. Therefore, he could train himself to develop the guts to face thousands of people. Moreover, he had rehea.r.s.ed more than 10 times in the simulated reality environment. In the beginning, he would stammer. But now, he could express himself smoothly. He had experienced various last-minute situations. Even if there was widespread booing from the audience, he would be able to respond calmly.
As the double was remotely controlled, a 30 millisecond or so network delay existed. There was the potential danger of an interruption in the network connection. This could be caused by a signal blockage or a disconnected network.
Chen Jin had also prepared a Plan B for this potential pitfall. If the network interruption went on for more than five seconds, the double would go into “autonomous mode.” It would continue hosting the launch event based on the backup plan, thus ensuring the event would not be screwed up. He had made ample preparations.
…
By 7:50 pm, the launch event was about to start. In a corner by the stage were some female staff with the employee cards of Xing Hai Technologies hanging from their necks. They were chatting enthusiastically with excited expressions.
“This is awesome; we’ll see the big boss soon!”
“I’ve heard that the boss is very young and really handsome. I wonder if that’s true?”
“Strange. I’ve joined the company for half a year, but I don’t think I’ve seen the boss even once. It’s said that all the technicians in the development plants have seen him, but he doesn’t really come to headquarters.”
Zhen Ker s.h.i.+n mumbled to herself, “It’s great now, I can finally see the real appearance of the boss!” She was filled with antic.i.p.ation. Beside her was Vice President Liang Ying. However, she did not notice the glances that Liang Ying snuck at her, or the strange smile on her face.