200: Chapter 200 Model Workers

Lin Ning sat on a sofa in the corner, holding a brochure he didn't even bother to flip through, his gaze fixed on another set of sofas twenty meters away.

Sitting there was a "Golden Buddha."

After Company entered, he checked his watch and went straight to a sofa to sit down. He opened his laptop and started typing.

From time to time, he would press his earpiece and say a few words.

His expression was so focused that it was as if everything around him didn't exist.

Ever since he entered, Lin Ning's gaze had not left him.

He examined him over and over again.

His shirt was a standard Uniqlo style, but it was ironed very neatly. The watch on his wrist was not a luxury brand. The edges of the sneakers on his feet were slightly worn, but they were spotlessly clean. His laptop was covered in several sticky notes, the corners curled, clearly having been flipped through many times.

He wasn't some big shot who had already achieved success; he fit the characteristics of the entrepreneurs and people seeking financing that he had seen before.

It was just his state of mind; it was more relaxed and confident.

Lin Ning's gaze shifted to the top of his head.

It was brilliant with golden light, almost blinding his eyes.

Lin Ning slowly let out a breath.

He waited for the moment the man looked up to rub his eyes, then stood up and walked over.

"Brother, sorry to bother you."

Company looked up, his gaze falling on Lin Ning. His eyes were sharp, carrying a hint of wariness, but no rejection.

Lin Ning sat down on the sofa next to him, maintaining a polite distance, his tone natural: "I've seen you sitting here for a long time; you're here to seek investment, right?"

Company didn't speak.

Lin Ning smiled and pointed to himself: "Don't misunderstand, I'm no big shot. I'm just from a small investment firm, new to the industry, and haven't seen much of the world."

Company's expression softened a little.

Lin Ning continued: "Those capital big shots only give you half an hour when you meet. You don't have time to explain slowly. Why not—"

He paused, his tone sincere: "You can use me to practice first. Tell me about your project, just as a rehearsal. Anyway, I have nothing to do, and you won't lose anything."

Company looked at him for two seconds.

Then he suddenly laughed.

"You're quite interesting." He moved his computer to the side and turned to face Lin Ning, "Alright, let's practice."

He reached out his hand: "Company."

Lin Ning shook it: "Lin Ning."

Company didn't waste words and spoke directly.

"I do AI."

Lin Ning nodded, not interrupting.

"It's not a general large model, but training efficiency optimization in vertical fields." Company spoke quickly, but his logic was extremely clear, "The current training methods are too expensive; the cost of a single GPT-4 training session is over a hundred million USD. Our technology can reduce computing costs by more than 30%—optimization at the algorithmic level, no need to change hardware."

Lin Ning asked: "Do you have a product?"

"Yes." Company opened his laptop and showed him a few screenshots, "This is our testing platform, and we've already taken on a few small clients. A certain autonomous driving Company tried it for a month, and their training efficiency increased by 22%. Their CTO called personally to say they want to sign an official contract."

Lin Ning looked at the data on the screen, and his heart slowly warmed up.

It wasn't just a PPT; it was the real deal.

Company continued: "In terms of the team, there are four core members—three are PhDs from the Computer Science Department at Tsinghua University, and one is a former Google AI engineer. I have a background in architecture; my last Company was acquired, so I came out to start my own."

He paused, his tone becoming calmer, but the confidence was impossible to hide: "We have the technical barriers, we have the customer feedback, and the track is right. What we lack now is money."

Lin Ning asked: "How much are you raising?"

"The goal for the first round is three to four hundred million, with a minimum share of fifty million."

When this number was dropped, Lin Ning's facial expression didn't change, but his heart skipped a beat.

Seeing no reaction from him, Company explained: "The AI track burns money. Three or four hundred million sounds like a lot, but it's not enough for servers for one year. Servers, bandwidth, data cleaning, team expansion—every cent has to be spent where it counts."

Lin Ning was silent for two seconds, then asked: "Can the minimum share be split?"

Company shook his head: "Fifty million is the minimum share."

He paused and added a sentence: "And I have conditions."

Lin Ning looked at him.

Company's voice was very steady: "I only want pure financial investment. No participation in decision-making, no interference in operations, and no board members sent."

He leaned back, his gaze calm but firm: "The Company's control must be in my hands. We have designed an A/B share structure—Class A shares have ten votes per share and are held by the founding team; Class B shares have one vote per share and are for investors. At any time, the founding team must retain more than two-thirds of the voting rights."

Lin Ning was taken aback.

Company continued: "Not just me, but the entire core team. We have signed a concerted action agreement; if anyone quits within five years, their voting rights automatically transfer to me. We have also added protection clauses to the Company's articles of association—major matters require more than 75% agreement from the founding team, and the investors' portion of the votes is not enough."

After listening, Lin Ning suddenly laughed.

"You've blocked all the paths."

Company also laughed, a sharp edge in his smile: "If I don't block them, I'll be manipulated. Are there few cases in the circle where people took the money and lost their Company?"

Lin Ning nodded, not refuting.

He understood.

This kind of person is not here to work for capital.

He really wants to get things done.

After a few seconds of silence, Lin Ning asked again: "What about the second round?"

Company said: "Once the first round produces results, we will immediately launch the second round. Half a year if we're fast, a year if we're slow."

"What do you expect the minimum share for the second round to be?"

"Fifty million to one hundred million." Company said, "The valuation will rise by then, but the investment threshold will not drop. Our goal is to become an industry leader; we won't lack people to invest."

Lin Ning didn't speak.

Fifty million.

He has 15 million now.

He is short by 35 million.

He looked up at Company: "Can I have your contact information?"

Company glanced at him and recited his mobile number.

Lin Ning saved it, put his phone away, and said seriously: "I don't have that much money right now. But by the second round, I should be able to catch up."

Company was taken aback, and a hint of closeness appeared in his eyes.

Then he reached out his hand: "Alright. Let's get in touch then."

Lin Ning shook his hand.

That hand was dry and strong, with thin calluses on the knuckles—from typing on the keyboard.

He let go, stood up, and walked out.

After walking a few steps, he suddenly looked back.

Company had already opened his computer again, staring at the screen, the golden light lingering above his head.

Lin Ning withdrew his gaze and pushed the door open to leave.

The sun, which had already begun to set in the west, was still blinding.

He stood at the door, squinting, his mind filled with those words from just now.

Fifty million. AI. Training efficiency. A/B shares. Second round.

He took out his phone and checked his bank balance.

Still short 35 million.

He walked forward slowly, walked back to where his little e-bike was parked, and sat on it, but didn't start it.

His mind began to calculate—

Sun Guoqiang's case was closed, and Duan Pingheng's bonus hadn't arrived yet; that sum should also be quite significant.

But it was still a lot of money short.

Red names.

Those red names.

He desperately needed those red names now.

He suddenly laughed.

Damn.

This is forcing him to be a model worker.