The World's Richest Man Arrives — Please Vote with Recommendation Tickets

"The world's richest man, Bill Gates, will visit Origin Company!"

Netizens who had just received the news all wore expressions that said, "I may not know much, but don't try to fool me."

Who was Bill? Most people knew him—the world's richest man, founder of the world's leading software company. Would he really care about an Origin Company that had only just been established?

Although Origin Company's Origin System had arrived with overwhelming momentum, there was no need for a special visit, was there?

Yet Bill had also updated his status on social media, saying he looked forward to the trip and hoped to reach a consensus on cooperation with Origin Company.

Moreover, Microsoft's official website published Bill's itinerary, confirming the authenticity of the news. It also released a statement saying that Origin Company's software met certification standards, contained no backdoors, vulnerabilities, or security risks, and could continue to be used.

How many days had it been? It had ended in such a half-hearted fashion. Was this still the system giant Microsoft?

Confirmation of the news caused an uproar around the world.

Had Microsoft backed down?

Chu Feng received the news as well. Microsoft had submitted a formal letter requesting to visit Origin Company.

"Tsk, tsk. The world's richest man."

Seeing Chu Feng's smug look, Lin Lin rolled her eyes several times.

"I wonder what the world's richest man wants from our company. Didn't he retire? Why is he still involved in this?"

"You think retirement means he just washes his hands of everything? He's still a shareholder, after all. Besides, anyone with eyes can see that while he stepped back from the front lines, he still has a say in the company!" Lin Lin said disdainfully, curling her lip.

Ever since Chu Feng had gone to Somalia and returned with Alita, Lin Lin had constantly bickered with him, leaving Chu Feng rather baffled. Still, he could not be bothered to argue with a little girl.

"Heh, of course I know that. I just don't know what could require him to come personally. Soldiers come, generals block them; water comes, earth dams it. Perfect—I'll get to meet this world's richest man myself!"

Chu Feng spoke with complete confidence.

In his previous life, Bill might have been someone he could only look up to. Now, however, Chu Feng did not fear him in the slightest.

He had technology when he needed technology, funds when he needed funds, policies when he needed policies, and backing when he needed backing. What the hell did he have to fear? If he was afraid even with all that, he might as well dissolve the company.

Chinese netizens were even more thrilled. How could they not be proud when a Chinese company had made the world's richest man come in person to discuss cooperation?

Weibo's trending headlines, which had been tormented beyond all endurance, were once again taken over by Origin Company.

Tieba, headlines, trending searches, and more were all eagerly discussing Bill's purpose in visiting Origin Company. They were also discussing how Microsoft and Origin Company could possibly cooperate. After all, Microsoft had risen through operating systems, while the Origin System was practically digging up its foundations. It might not be a fight to the death, but cooperation seemed impossible as well.

This incident rose to another level, and everyone could only marvel that Origin Company truly was China's favored child. It had genuinely reached the point where the whole nation was talking about it.

There were even rumors that Origin Company was secretly supported by the state, or that Origin Company's chairman was the illegitimate son of some high-ranking official. When Chu Feng saw those rumors, he did not know whether to laugh or cry.

This also became one more thing Lin Lin used to tease Chu Feng, as she put on a serious face and demanded that he "come clean."

It was not until Chu Feng smacked Lin Lin's pert backside that she finally settled down. Her flushed, pretty face was genuinely adorable. He had not expected this "witch" to have a shy side.

The next day, Origin Company also issued a statement welcoming Bill's visit and declaring that it welcomed cooperation offered in good faith.

Neither servile nor overbearing!

When the mayor of Hailing City received the news, he was also beside himself with excitement. The Chinese Academy of Sciences had only just left, and now the world's richest man was coming. One wave after another—when had little Hailing City become such a hot commodity? Shen Weimin understood the reason behind it all. Let the impact come even harder.

Others might only see the prestige and feel proud, but he could not look at it so simply.

The world's richest man was not merely someone with a lot of money, some nouveau riche. What he represented and the influence he wielded were on an entirely different level.

Hailing was only a third-tier city. Without Origin Company, the world's richest man would probably never have known that such a city even existed.

After all, Hailing's annual GDP was only a little over 400 billion Huaxia Currency, about the same as the man's personal wealth.

By noon, orders had already been issued to ensure proper security and reception arrangements. Shen Weimin naturally agreed without hesitation. The mayor felt filled with energy as he immediately organized a leadership meeting, issued directives, and strove to leave a good impression on their foreign guest.

The academicians from the Chinese Academy of Sciences had come secretly last time, so no one knew at first. But the world's richest man's visit was now common knowledge, and everyone was eagerly anticipating it, which made the security workload much heavier.

Many people from other places rushed over as well. Everyone knew of the world's richest man, but very few had actually seen him. People were curious—what was the world's richest man's life like, and did he look any different?

With huge numbers of people pouring in, unremarkable third-tier Hailing City became lively and bustling. Local restaurants and hotels were delighted. More people meant more customers, and everyone needed somewhere to stay.

However, for the city's sustainable development, the authorities also issued orders prohibiting price gouging and scams. Violators would be severely punished. This made certain restless people behave themselves much more. Combined with the recent crackdown on organized crime, those who came to Hailing found themselves captivated by the historic cultural city.

Hailing was a famous Chinese historical and cultural city, with recorded history tracing back more than two thousand years to the early Western Zhou Dynasty.

In ancient times, the area now known as Hailing lay in the shallow sea outside the mouth of the Yangtze River. It began forming into land roughly seven to ten thousand years ago, and humans had already settled there five thousand years ago. During the Xia and Shang dynasties, it was a coastal region bordering the Yangtze River, belonging to Yangzhou, one of the "Nine Provinces" mentioned in the Book of Documents: Tribute of Yu.

During the Western Zhou Dynasty, it was called Haiyang and belonged to the Kingdom of Wu. During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, it successively belonged to Wu, Yue, and Chu. Under Chu, it was the territory of Haiyang Township.

As times developed, people's pace of life became faster and their pressure grew greater. Everyone needed a chance to catch their breath, so many people now liked to go out and take a look around.

Only after arriving in Hailing did they discover such a slow-paced city.

At four in the morning, the world's richest man, Bill Gates, arrived at Hailing Airport aboard a private jet.

Hailing Airport, usually deserted, was packed today. News media workers from all over, tourists, and spectators crammed the small waiting hall to the brim. Security personnel patrolled back and forth, ensuring the safety of the scene. Even a minor incident would disgrace the country.

Chu Feng had received the news as well. He waited with Zheng Yun and other Origin Company executives. No matter how opposed the two companies were, a guest was still a guest. China's traditional culture could not be cast aside.

Bill emerged from the specially reserved VIP passageway, and camera flashes instantly turned the waiting hall as bright as day. Seeing the enthusiastic Chinese crowd, Bill happily greeted everyone.

His slightly curly golden hair and graying sideburns showed that he was no longer young. Wrinkles lined his forehead, and he wore simple black-rimmed glasses, but his eyes were sharp and lively. Dressed in a light gray suit and a plaid shirt, he looked like an ordinary elderly American man, yet the presence he exuded made it impossible to ignore him.

Escorted by a group of bodyguards, Bill approached Chu Feng.

Americans tended to have trouble distinguishing Chinese faces, so Bill had done his homework. He spotted Chu Feng and the others waiting at a glance, then warmly extended his hand to shake theirs and greeted them in somewhat clumsy Chinese.

This immediately won everyone over considerably.

Chu Feng was also filled with emotion. Anyone who could build such a massive multinational corporation was no ordinary person. You could see a person's character from even the smallest details. It reminded Chu Feng of how people described Bill: "He enjoyed arguing, wanted to hear different opinions, and always wanted to win. But his competitiveness and curiosity did not prevent Bill from ultimately becoming a humble man."

Although Origin Company was still somewhat insignificant compared to the behemoth that was Microsoft, the technological foundation and growth potential Origin Company had displayed were not to be underestimated.

"Welcome to my hometown, beautiful Hailing, Mr. Bill. Please allow me, as the host, to entertain a guest who has come from afar."

Chu Feng greeted Bill politely.

After the interpreter conveyed his words, Bill smiled and thanked Chu Feng for his hospitality.

They passed through the somewhat narrow passageway and, under the escort of security personnel, finally boarded the Red Flag Car sent to welcome them.

With police cars leading the way, the drive to the Haiyan Grand Hotel took less than an hour. At that moment, the hotel's client manager had already led the staff to the entrance to prepare for their arrival.

Inside the welcoming car, Bill and his assistant sat on one side of the back seat, while Chu Feng and Lin Lin sat opposite them, the four seated face-to-face in pairs.

According to Lin Lin, Chu Feng's English was at a level where "even an elementary school student is better than you," while Bill's Chinese was limited to things like "hello." They could only rely on their two assistants to interpret.

Check-in, day 19. I'm working hard to build up a backlog now, first to ensure thirty consecutive days of updates. Thank you all for your support! Also, a timid request for recommendation votes. Some previously horribly toxic plotlines have been revised. I hope to hear everyone's thoughts. I'll take any fair suggestions into consideration, but please spare me the mockery—I don't owe you anything.