(Recommendation Ticket Portal())
No one sitting here was a fool; everyone more or less understood what Li Zhou meant.
There was another point Li Zhou had not mentioned: if manufacturers let users who had not purchased Intelligent Assistant use it for free, what would the users who had already paid for Intelligent Assistant think?
Li Zhou did not want to see that happen.
Looking at the four top executives, whose expressions were not looking too good, Li Zhou voiced some of his thoughts.
"Actually, you've all fallen into a misunderstanding. I'm guessing you're worried that if other manufacturers give away Intelligent Assistant for free, it will seriously affect phone sales and even impact the user experience."
"I can guarantee that I won't sell it to anyone. Even if I really do decide to sell it, I'll notify all of you first."
With Li Zhou's assurance, although Yu Chengbei and the other three were somewhat disappointed to be leaving empty-handed, a great weight was finally lifted from their hearts.
Seeing the changes in their expressions, Li Zhou pressed his advantage.
"Cough, cough. Although I won't sell Intelligent Assistant, well..."
As soon as Li Zhou left them hanging, the four of them became nervous.
Even Lei Jun, who usually loved to laugh, wore an expression as bitter as a melon.
"Director Li, I can't take this kind of suspense. My heart can't handle it!"
"If you have something to say, just say it."
After Director Lei said that, Li Zhou became a little embarrassed instead.
He said awkwardly,
"Actually, you can attract more phone users by customizing exclusive voices and exclusive virtual avatars."
"Think about it. Buy a phone and get free voice packs and virtual avatars. With the public mindset, they'd be fools not to take advantage of it. But there's one thing you need to pay attention to: users who bought them before and are still using them must receive the same treatment. Otherwise, the gains won't be worth the losses."
"That way, whichever company designs the more popular voice packs and virtual avatars will surely see its phones sell like crazy. Don't you agree?"
Li Zhou's suggestion made the four men's eyes light up. It had to be said that this was a very good idea, but the cost probably would not be cheap.
After Yu Chengbei and the other three exchanged glances, Yu Chengbei once again took the lead in voicing their doubts.
"Director Li, how would this plan of yours be priced?"
Charging money? That was something Li Zhou was good at!
Li Zhou rubbed his hands together and pretended to be embarrassed as he spoke.
"I have two options here. The first is based on the number of activation codes you distribute. It's not expensive, only ten yuan per activation code. Of course, let me make this clear first: voice packs and virtual avatars are separate. As for the second option, it's a one-time deal. One fixed price for two sets of voice packs plus virtual avatars... one hundred million!"
Li Zhou held up one finger at the four of them.
The four frowned. Based on the sales volume of their companies, the fixed-price deal looked more cost-effective no matter how they calculated it. However, there was another issue involved: modifications.
"Director Li, a fixed price is fine, but what if we make some changes to the voices and virtual avatars later? How would that be handled?"
Li Zhou scratched his head, then slapped his forehead.
"How about this? If you make changes, you'll need to send them to me for review. If the changes aren't too major, then forget about it. If they're substantial, the price will need to be adjusted depending on the circumstances."
The request was reasonable, and the four could accept it.
However, what came next would be a contest between their four companies. They would see whose designers were more capable.
The four of them smiled at one another with open hostility.
Clearly, everyone was confident in their own designers.
"Director Li, since we've reached an agreement, let's sign the contract."
"Ah?!..."
Li Zhou scratched his head awkwardly.
"You probably won't believe it, but there isn't a printer at home."
Fortunately, such a small matter was quickly resolved. Before coming here, Yu Chengdong had asked his assistant to bring a printer.
After signing the contract, Li Zhou took out the company seal and stamped it with a smack. Future Technology's first time sharing had been lost just like that.
After watching the four executives leave with four contracts and four business cards in hand, Li Zhou put away the contracts and company seal before remembering that he had only eaten half his meal.
"Damn! No wonder my stomach feels so empty."
Meanwhile, Yu Chengdong and the other three got into their cars, preparing to find a farmhouse courtyard and make do with a meal.
Besides Yu Chengdong, there was a driver and a security guard in his car.
Once the car started moving, the security guard in the front passenger seat suddenly spoke.
"Director Yu, those four are special forces soldiers, and the best of the best at that."
Yu Chengbei was resting with his eyes closed. After hearing Anzi's reminder, he said, "I noticed."
However, Anzi's next words made Yu Chengbei open his eyes in shock.
"Director Yu, they aren't just special forces soldiers. If I'm not mistaken, they're armed as well."
"Are you sure?"
Anzi turned and nodded at Yu Chengbei.
Yu Chengbei flexed his knuckles, making them crack sharply.
At the same time, he looked thoughtfully at the scenery continuously sliding past outside the window.
"Anzi, only the three of us need to know about this. Don't mention it in front of outsiders."
"Understood!"
"Understood!"
The same conversation was taking place in the other three cars at almost the same time. Clearly, none of the security personnel serving these top executives were ordinary people.
After Yu Chengbei and the others left, the small village returned to its tranquility.
After two in the afternoon, however, Li Zhou became busy.
From the ten résumés Liebao Company had sent over yesterday, Li Zhou had ultimately selected three applicants.
Two women and one man, all around the same age. One was in her twenties, while the other two were only in their thirties.
Judging from their résumés, they all met Li Zhou's requirements very well, but he would not know how they actually performed until after the interviews.
Thanks to how advanced the internet was now, there was no need to travel across the country to the capital for interviews.
That was right. Li Zhou had arranged times with the three applicants and would conduct remote video interviews in order, starting at three in the afternoon.
By the time Li Zhou was ready, it was already 3:01 p.m.
Sitting on the sofa, Li Zhou placed a video call to the first interviewee, Xiong Kexuan. A young woman appeared on his computer screen. It had to be said that she was very pretty, but her exhausted expression made Li Zhou frown slightly.
The first interviewee was the youngest female applicant.
Xiong Kexuan was surprised to see such a young man on the screen, but after noticing his slight frown, the faint bitterness in her heart deepened.
Although Li Zhou did not know why this applicant looked like this despite knowing about the interview in advance, it did not stop him from continuing the interview.
"Mm, Ms. Xiong Kexuan, what do you think of our company, Future Technology?"
Before you continue