objective

The CCTV host, having weathered many storms, would gossip to liven the atmosphere, but he wouldn't keep gossiping.

Soon, the host asked a profound question.

“Student Lin Yuan,” because of Student Lin Yuan’s approachable demeanor and his youthful aura, like a fresh graduate, the host no longer addressed him as “President Lin.” Of course, calling him “Student Lin Yuan” was also to bridge the gap between them.

Since interviews inevitably touch on sensitive topics that might offend the interviewee, smart hosts always bridge the gap first, then ask sensitive questions in a friendly tone.

Actually, interviewing is somewhat of a mix of coaxing and trickery.

Hosts with professional ethics would give a heads-up beforehand; those without ethics, who only care about sensationalism, might try to trick information out of you on the spot.

Fortunately, the host present was decent; he had indeed spoken to Lin Yuan beforehand, informing him that he didn't have to answer any questions he didn't want to.

“Lin Yuan, forgive my bluntness. From your previous answers, it seems you don't fully agree with Tesla's values.”

The host looked at Lin Yuan with a mischievous smile, and Lin Yuan immediately felt a bit awkward, picking up the water glass on the table and taking a sip.

“Is my question a bit too much?” the host chuckled, “Director, ask someone to come over and refill Student Lin Yuan’s water.”

The audience below burst into laughter.

Lin Yuan didn't care that his embarrassment was seen by everyone; he calmed himself down, “Actually, when I joined Tesla, Elon asked me if I had any demands, and I said I had none.

Anyway, my interest in money is just so-so…”

“Ohh~” the host egged on, “It’s been a long time since someone said they weren’t very interested in money.”

Lin Yuan smiled, “Maybe my desires are relatively low. Elon and I share one view: ‘money’ is just a tool to achieve goals.

Therefore, I didn’t talk to Elon about the issue of dividing the pie for more than a minute.”

“You finished negotiating your salary in less than a minute?” the host asked, feigning surprise. His expression was clearly not from his true feelings, but rather asking on behalf of the young students in the audience. A qualified host should be able to ask questions for the audience, not for himself.

“Yes,” Lin Yuan admitted frankly, “I told Elon at the time, as long as you're not afraid that I'll say something wrong in public one day and bring negative effects to Tesla, if you dare to use me, then I dare to do it.

So, so, everyone knows the rest. Elon said he himself is a madman.”

“So, Student Lin Yuan, do you mean you’re going to speak your mind today?”

“Uh, actually, there’s nothing that can’t be said. I indeed don’t fully agree with all of Tesla’s values, and even Elon himself, I don’t fully agree with him either. However, as our ancient Dragon Kingdom saying goes, seek common ground while reserving differences.

Disagreement doesn’t mean we can’t cooperate. At least in reforming the takeout industry, Tesla, Elon, and I are highly aligned in our values.”

The host responded cheerfully, “Very well answered. A great company should indeed tolerate different voices, while also knowing how to gather strength to solve practical problems. So, what part of Tesla and Musk’s values do you find most unacceptable?”

“Do I have to answer?”

“You can certainly choose not to answer.”

Lin Yuan thought for a moment, then chose to answer, “Madness and aggressiveness. This is what I find most unacceptable.

Elon’s personal style of doing things sometimes looks like a computer.

Honestly, sometimes I really want to crack open his brain and see if there’s a CPU inside.”

“Hahaha~~~” The audience was once again amused by Lin Yuan and burst into laughter.

Lin Yuan waited for the laughter to subside before continuing, “Elon never champions his morality because he himself has no morality to speak of. In his world, there is only the target. In short, he is a good work partner. But in life, I don’t want to waste another word with him.”

Lin Yuan said this because before they met, Musk had repeatedly asked him, “Are you a physiological female?”, which disgusted Lin Yuan.

If it weren't for fear of gossip, Lin Yuan would really want to say, ‘That guy Musk, he’s probably just a large, walking DNA. He’s completely driven by biological instincts.’

“Besides Elon himself, let’s look at Tesla’s product design style. A car that can even remove the turn signal stalk, with almost no physical buttons—from an engineering perspective, this completely violates ergonomics.

If I wasn’t worried about affecting the company’s image, I would really love to sell my Cybertruck.

I just can’t get used to driving it.”

“Hahaha,” the host teased, “If you sell it, it will definitely be big news. I think many people would be willing to pay a high price for it. Student Lin Yuan, please continue, I don’t think anyone else dares to criticize Tesla like this on TV.”

Student Lin Yuan had a nonchalant attitude, “In fact, SpaceX’s overall style is also very aggressive; how many fireworks have they launched already?”

“Wow, you actually dare to say SpaceX is launching fireworks. Are you really not afraid of SpaceX and Tesla’s stock prices plummeting?”

Lin Yuan looked unconcerned, “It doesn’t matter, even if they fall, they will still rise again. Because those companies are unique. Not only are they unique in their products, but they are also unique in their pioneering spirit.

After the rise of domestic New Energy vehicles, many people, including myself, criticized Tesla as a ‘bare-bones’ house.” Lin Yuan was very frank, “The Cybertruck is only acceptable because it’s from Tesla; if it were a domestic product, you try it, it would be ridiculed to death.

It uses a stainless steel body, integral molding, saving a lot of sheet metal processing steps, and doesn’t even need paint…

Actually, I privately asked Elon if doing this was to save costs…”

“Ah?” The host’s mouth dropped open in surprise, “Is this something that can be publicly discussed? Director, extra drumsticks tonight, we’ve got a major news scoop!” The host looked like he was enjoying the show.

“So, how did Musk answer you?”

“Haha.”

“Ah? What?”

“He just laughed twice.”

“Student Lin Yuan, this is a live broadcast, we can’t edit it. Aren’t you afraid of being fired after the show?”

“Probably not,” Lin Yuan said with an air of confidence, “I don’t approve of some of Tesla’s outrageous operations, but I wholeheartedly agree with its core value of pursuing pioneering innovation.

You know. Even if Tesla’s cars are ‘bare-bones,’ it’s undeniable their pioneering role in the electric vehicle field.

The first person to eat a crab is always worthy of respect.

It is precisely because of this spirit that Elon was willing to burn money with me based on just one of my ideas.

Madman and genius are only a fine line apart.

When a person does something that everyone else dares not think about or touch, and this thing is beneficial to the future of all humanity, then he is great. This is the Musk in my eyes.”

Lin Yuan concluded with a brief statement.

The host looked around the audience and gave a summary, “I see little stars in everyone’s eyes, which means everyone actually agrees with this spirit.” Then he turned to Lin Yuan, “Can you tell Musk to be a little less ruthless with his cuts?”

“Hahaha~~~” Everyone on stage burst into laughter again.

Lin Yuan quipped, “Emotional value is inherently the most expensive, but it’s what everyone dreams of having.”

...

The exclusive interview ended in a joyful atmosphere.

The host concluded with a single sentence, “Musk has many criticized points, but I believe no one dislikes this relaxed and comfortable atmosphere.”