Chapter 277 Not Magnanimous Enough
"Regarding Xinghai's IPO, Carly and I are actually in agreement," Su Yuanshan said as he walked slowly along the lakeshore, explaining patiently to Qin Si. "Sure, the internet is the hottest emerging trend right now, but to truly establish Xinghai as a heavyweight, for the time being, we still need to rely on hardware growth."
"Xinghai's development isn't following an investment route; it's taking an industrial route, seizing industry opportunities. So there's no need to wait for the perfect moment to go public. Xinghai's IPO is about raising funds, not just cashing out. Although the outcomes might look similar, the underlying motivations are completely different."
Su Yuanshan paused for a moment, then smiled. "You're aware that Xinghai needs money, right?"
Qin Si was slightly surprised, but she nodded.
She was part of Star Ventures, which had spun off from Xinghai, and thanks to her position and connections, she knew Xinghai's financial situation very well.
Strictly speaking, Xinghai wasn't lacking money because it wasn't profitable — it was short of funds for further expansion.
Su Yuanshan had big ambitions, and Carly's ambitions weren't small either. On the hardware side especially, as the first company in history to simultaneously develop both CPU and GPU businesses in such a short time, the pressure on Carly was enormous.
To ensure that Xinghai's industries survived and stayed competitive, money was essential.
"You're right that the internet is a boom, but games and the application software brought about by the internet are also booms. These will inevitably drive a revolution in hardware too."
"In the past ten years, CPUs made Intel dominant. In the next ten years, why couldn't GPUs make Xinghai dominant too?" Su Yuanshan said, clasping his hands behind his back as he walked. "And besides, after a successful IPO, if we then ride a second wave with internet applications, it'll only make investors even happier."
Qin Si thought about it and then smiled, lips pursed. "That's true — who doesn't want their stocks to soar?"
"Exactly. For a company with real aspirations, the first rule of fundraising is to raise money when you need it, not just to cash out.
When evaluating startups in the future, always look closely at the founders' character and ambitions.
If they're just looking to get rich and achieve financial freedom as quickly as possible, we should withdraw early.
But if they have real ideals and ambitions, then we can walk farther with them."
Qin Si nodded thoughtfully. "Got it.
By the way, what's the current state of IT and tech companies in China? Are game companies worth investing in?"
"Every single serious IT company in China is worth investing in, as long as the people and the direction are solid.
As for those talking big about 'going international' right from the start, be cautious — the international market is a bottomless pit right now..."
Qin Si couldn't help but laugh behind her hand.
She knew Su Yuanshan was indirectly talking about Yuanxin's own Internet Division — the youngest department, which hadn't earned a penny yet but was burning through money at an incredible pace.
Given that there were only two undersea internet cables at the time, and international connection speeds were painfully slow, pursuing internationalization meant setting up servers abroad, opening overseas offices, and hiring multilingual or even foreign employees.
Right now, the only domestic company brave enough to attempt international internet operations was Yuanxin.
"As for game and software companies, I'll give you a list tomorrow," Su Yuanshan said.
"Just go down the list and reach out to each one."
"Is it the Caotang Club list?" Qin Si asked.
"Yes," Su Yuanshan nodded.
"These people are genuinely passionate about their work and open-minded in their thinking. I originally intended for Yuanxin's investment division to invest in them, but out of respect for their independence — and because I wanted to test my own judgment — I shelved the idea."
Su Yuanshan chuckled. "Now those guys in the Caotang Club are doing pretty well. Especially several game developers — they're thriving. Proves my eye for talent isn't bad."
Hearing Su Yuanshan shamelessly brag about his judgment, Qin Si was left speechless.
She thought to herself:
Your 'eye for talent' is practically fortune-telling — who could compete with that?
As they walked through the Plum Garden and entered the Peach Grove, they happened to run into Xi Xiaoding, Chen Haoming, and Tang Jun.
"Just talking about finding you guys," Su Yuanshan said with a grin, looking at Chen Haoming. "Senior Brother Chen, how do you feel about the tech park?"
"It's great.
Perfect for focusing on technology work," Chen Haoming said, gently squeezing Qin Si's hand beside him. "Good enough for retirement too."
"I think it's wonderful," Qin Si added quickly, following her fiancé's words.
"I heard this lake is about two meters deep — you could even launch a yacht on it."
"Haha, forget the yacht," Su Yuanshan laughed. "Maybe a few paddle boats. But since you both like it here, once you get married, I'll give you a villa."
Qin Si's eyes lit up. "Really?"
"Of course," Su Yuanshan said, pointing to a plot of land near the optical laboratory. "We're secretly building some small villas over there. You're welcome to retire there whenever you like."
"Deal!" Chen Haoming said with a big laugh, turning to Qin Si.
"Why don't we just go register our marriage right now?"
Qin Si lightly kicked him. "Let's wait until the villas are finished."
Everyone burst into laughter.
...
After dropping everyone off at the hotel, Su Yuanshan and Xi Xiaoding prepared to return to their own dormitories.
Technically, they should have moved into the hotel —
After all, when it was built, they had considered improving executive accommodations.
But they were used to living in the single-apartment dorms, and without family members, moving into a big three-bedroom suite just felt too empty.
Since neither of them moved, Chen Jing hadn't either — she had already made her apartment so cozy that she was reluctant to leave.
As a result, none of Yuanxin's top executives had relocated.
Instead, some regular employees who were willing to share apartments had moved into the new accommodations.
"This time Haoming rushed over mainly because he wanted to see you in person," Xi Xiaoding said as they strolled side-by-side through the dormitory area.
"And you... ended up chatting with his fiancée instead."
"Technically, his fiancée is my professional manager," Su Yuanshan chuckled.
"So of course I talked to her."
"I know what Haoming is worried about," he added. "Tomorrow, tell him not to worry. He's walking the right path."
Xi Xiaoding let out a small breath of relief and laughed. "If you already know that, why don't you just tell him yourself?"
Su Yuanshan smiled but said, "There's something I can't tell him."
Xi Xiaoding looked puzzled. "What is it?"
Su Yuanshan thought for a moment.
"It's his character... he still has a bit of an inferiority complex.
If I had to sum it up in one phrase..."
He paused, then said quietly:
"Not magnanimous enough."
Xi Xiaoding was momentarily stunned, silently chewing over the words "not magnanimous."
Clearly, Su Yuanshan hoped he would find a way to pass that message to Chen Haoming — that he needed to broaden his mindset.
But was Chen Haoming really lacking in magnanimity?
Xi Xiaoding frowned, clearly puzzled, and looked at Su Yuanshan for clarification.
"A true tech leader must have complete faith in technology," Su Yuanshan said quietly.
"And they must possess the spirit to charge forward without hesitation.
He's still missing that boldness."
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