149: (Chapter 1, Water) I owe Chen Chen a favor.

But the thought of Nvidia's exorbitant demands made Lei Jun feel a surge of irritation.

It was true that he wanted those things, but that didn't mean Lei Jun was willing to be a sucker.

Subsequently, Lei Jun thought of the investors and investment institutions behind him, and his gaze gradually became firm.

He had communicated with the investors behind him once, and the results were somewhat less than ideal.

From their few communications, the investors behind him expressed support for Lei Jun's desire to deeply cultivate and expand the India market, but they were very cold toward Xiaomi's development of its chip business. After all, wanting to intervene in the chip business meant they would have to keep pouring money into it.

Given the greed of capital, they were certainly unwilling to do such a thing; they only wanted to see profits, and short-term profits at that.

“Let's terminate these negotiations completely. The price is too high; it's a bit more trouble than it's worth.”

After saying this, Lei Jun slumped into his chair as if all his energy had been drained away.

“President Lei!”

Lin Bing looked at Lei Jun in disbelief.

He knew about Lei Jun's obsession with chips.

Now that it was right before his eyes, Lei Jun actually chose to give up.

“What is meant to be will be; what is not meant to be cannot be forced.”

“Without the support of the investors, if I agree to Nvidia's demands, the company's liquid capital will definitely become tight, which will affect our next strategic development.”

If Nvidia's asking price hadn't been so high, Lei Jun would have gritted his teeth and secured it even if he had to add funds out of his own pocket.

But now Nvidia was making exorbitant demands and wouldn't even let Xiaomi counter-offer. Coupled with the lack of support from investors, Lei Jun could only choose to give up.

“President Lei, I understand.” Lin Bing took a deep breath, preparing to go out and contact the people at Nvidia.

Just then, Lei Jun's phone rang. “Chen Chen?”

“Why is this kid calling me?”

“Lin Bing, wait a moment. It's a call from Chen Chen. Let's see what this kid has to say first.”

After answering the phone and listening to Chen Chen's voice on the other end, Lei Jun's eyes grew brighter and brighter. By the time he hung up, his face was full of joy.

“What did Chen Chen say?” Lin Bing asked curiously.

“Haha. That kid Chen Chen said he hasn't contacted Nvidia at all. This news was entirely self-directed and acted out by Old Huang. He told us to slash the price ruthlessly.”

“Really?” Lin Bing asked in disbelief. Was that kid Chen Chen really so kind-hearted?

“It's true. Chen Chen said that if Xiaomi gets Nvidia's technology, it strengthens our own China's scientific research capabilities. He hopes we can also do well with China's own chips.”

“Sigh, I really owe him a favor this time.”

“Lin Bing, tell Nvidia directly that if they don't agree to our price, then forget it. I believe Old Huang will relent.”

“President Lei, I understand what to do.” Subsequently, a joyful Lin Bing went out to contact the people at Nvidia.

At this moment, Old Huang was completely bewildered. Didn't they say Red Star's thirst for chip technology had reached the point of using any means necessary?

As it turned out, after waiting so long, he hadn't seen anyone from Red Star contact him. Old Huang had no choice but to direct a scene about Red Star rushing to buy. Now, things were great—Red Star hadn't contacted him, and Xiaomi had issued an ultimatum. Could it be that he really had to sell to Xiaomi at a low price?

No, since Red Star won't contact me, I can contact them to ask.

As for whether the higher-ups would allow the sale to Red Star, don't worry about that for now. He believed the investors wouldn't just watch this business rot in their hands. As long as an agreement could be reached with Red Star, someone would handle the issues from above.

“President Chen, take a look at this. It was sent over by Nvidia.” Lu Weiqi took out a document and handed it to Chen Chen.

“Is Old Huang crazy?”

“He dares to ask for 400 million dollars?”

“No wonder their progress with Xiaomi isn't smooth. I reckon Lei Jun isn't willing to be a sucker either.”

After Chen Chen took the document and finished reading it, he took a deep breath. Old Huang actually dared to ask for 400 million dollars. Now that he couldn't reach an agreement with Xiaomi, he was trying to target him instead?

Chen Chen thought even 200 million dollars was too expensive, let alone this doubled price.

Lei Jun could certainly come up with this money—it would be Lei Jun personally, not Xiaomi.

If Xiaomi were to accept this price, their account's liquid capital would probably be emptied, and the operations of the entire company would be significantly affected.

Now that he and Lei Jun were planning to work together to push the price down, there was no need to reject Nvidia. “Old Lu, reply to Nvidia. 100 million dollars, or no deal.”

“Old Huang will probably be fuming when he hears this price. He definitely quoted that price because he wanted to recoup all his previous investments,” Lu Weiqi said with a smile as he listened to the figure.

“I don't know what Xiaomi's bid is, but I've already had someone evaluate it. Most of their technologies are relatively outdated, and the total investment in the chip business is only around 150 million dollars. If we offer 100 million, Old Huang isn't exactly losing a limb.”

“Let's negotiate like this first and see what Old Huang says.”

Upon receiving Red Star's reply, Old Huang immediately flew into a rage. “Fuck! 100 million dollars? Why don't you just rob me!”

He had quoted 400 million dollars, but he hadn't actually expected to sell at that price. I ask for the moon, and you, Red Star, give a counter-offer on the spot. Old Huang's expectation was that Red Star could cut it in half, to a price of 200 million us dollars, and any extra gained through haggling would be pure profit.

He never expected Red Star's blade to be so sharp, directly offering him 100 million dollars.

Qualcomm had already clearly stated they were not interested in his technology. If they were forced to acquire it, fine—50 million us dollars. If he sold, they'd buy; if not? Then Nvidia could play by itself.

As for Fruit and Samsung, they didn't even look him in the eye. Old Huang was still the CEO of a company worth tens of billions of dollars; he naturally couldn't bring himself to suck up to Fruit.

Old Huang was truly in a bit of a dilemma. Now, the only ones interested in his technology were Xiaomi and Red Star, but Red Star's price indicated their attitude.

“Sigh, let's continue talking with Xiaomi.” There was no other way; compared to those other companies, Xiaomi's bid was relatively high. He could only continue to shamelessly negotiate with Xiaomi.

Based on his understanding of Lei Jun, Xiaomi really wanted these technologies; it was just that they couldn't agree on the price. If he made another concession, he believed Lei Jun would accept.

Subsequently, Old Huang directly dispatched a vice president to lead a team to fly to the Beijing for a face-to-face meeting with Xiaomi.

Seeing Nvidia's move, Lei Jun was immediately overjoyed. That kid Chen Chen really didn't lie to him!

Since Nvidia couldn't find any buyer other than Xiaomi, the initiative was now in his, Lei Jun's, hands. You gave an exorbitant quote; now it's my turn to suppress the price.

However, these things weren't something that could be completed overnight. Both sides repeatedly haggled over prices and conditions; it would likely take some time before the negotiations truly succeeded.