Waiting to Become a Billionaire

Li Chen squinted slightly at the blazing sunlight, then said, "No, I need money."

Hearing this, Bill Duffy was somewhat surprised. "Chen, Sketchers' stock is rising steadily; it'll probably reach $15 in less than a month."

Seeing Bill Duffy's somewhat anxious expression, Li Chen said calmly, "Bill, I really need this money."

Bill Duffy paused for a moment, then nodded. "Okay!"

One hour later.

"Hello! Mr. Li Chen, it's nice to see you again." Robert Greenberg smiled and shook hands with Li Chen.

Li Chen simply smiled and shook hands with Robert Greenberg, saying, "Hello, Mr. Greenberg."

After exchanging pleasantries, both parties sat down and, with their mutual agreement, cancelled the original contract and drafted a new one.

A moment later, Bill Duffy finished reviewing the copy of the new contract, his brow furrowed, but he remained silent. He wanted to hear Li Chen's opinion before handing the contract to him and whispering, "Chen, see if you can accept this."

Li Chen took the new contract from Bill Duffy and began to read it carefully.

A moment later, Li Chen put down the new contract in his hand, then looked at Robert Greenberg and smiled, saying, "Mr. Greenberg, Sketchers' current market value is about $900 million, and the current stock price is a little over $10, and it's still rising. Let's just say $10 per share for now! My 3% stake shouldn't be worth 20 million, right? Are you testing my calculation skills?"

Robert Greenberg, though questioned, did not get angry. He smiled slightly and said, "Mr. Li Chen, you misunderstand. This is after tax."

Hearing this, Li Chen was slightly taken aback, then feigned sudden realization and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, Mr. Greenberg, I misunderstood you."

Although he said that, he was secretly cursing Robert Greenberg, that old fox, because he knew that if he didn't bring up the 20 million, it would only be before taxes.

A moment later, a lawyer brought out the original manuscript again, and Li Chen read it again. This time, the 20 million yuan compensation had been converted to after-tax terms.

Seeing that there were no problems, Li Chen picked up a pen and wrote his name. At that moment Li Chen's contract with Sketchers officially took effect.

Half an hour later.

"Mr. Greenberg, this Eastern Kid is really not easy to fool," one executive remarked.

Robert Greenberg nodded, then smiled and said, "Actually, we would have signed with him even if he hadn't given up 3% of his shares."

As Robert Greenberg said this, the other executives all smiled.

On the other side.

"Chen, to be honest, you really lost out this time."

Li Chen smiled but didn't say anything, then said, "Bill, could you please give me a ride..."

Mountain View, Santa Clara County, California.

"How is Page?" Sergey Brin stood up and looked at Larry Page expectantly.

Paige shook her head in slight frustration.

Sergey Brin slumped back into his chair, looking somewhat dejected.

Just then, a young man walked into the office. "Boss, a young man from the East wants to see you."

Upon hearing this, Larry Bird and Sergey Brin exchanged a glance, both seeing confusion in each other's eyes.

A moment later, Page and Brin exclaimed, "You mean you want to invest in our Google Company?" They felt as if they had been struck by lightning.

They could hardly believe it; they were struggling to raise funds when, unexpectedly, a windfall fell from the sky.

They looked at each other and saw hope in each other's eyes.

Then they expect you to ask, "Mr. Li Chen, how much do you want to invest?"

Li Chen smiled and slowly extended two fingers.

When they saw Li Chen's two fingers, Peiqi and Brin's eyes lit up; 300,000 was no small sum.

Page quickly thanked him, saying, "Thank you for your $300,000 investment. You definitely won't be disappointed. We will give you 10% of the shares—no, no, no! 20%!"

Peiqi quickly said, as if afraid that Li Chen would regret it.

Li Chen was slightly taken aback, thinking to himself, "You guys are actually so content now! 300,000 yuan makes you so happy."

Lost in thought, Li Chen smiled and said, "Excuse me, gentlemen, I must interrupt you. I didn't mean 300,000."

Upon hearing this, the two were stunned. Then, Page and Brin's mouths trembled. "Sir, you mean you want to invest two million?" Sergey Brin asked, his voice trembling.

"No, no! Gentlemen, I want to invest thirty million."

"Huh?" Paige and Brin were dumbfounded.

Seeing this, Bill Duffy was speechless. What could these two naive young men possibly achieve? He really couldn't understand why Li Chen would throw 30 million into this run-down company. That was his entire fortune!

Bill Duffy was certain that Li Chen's investment was a failure, and he might lose everything. He had tried to persuade Li Chen all the way, but Li Chen was determined, and there was nothing he could do. In fact, Li Chen had also invested himself; his money didn't come from thin air.

On the other side, Paige and Brin were a little dizzy from the huge pie.

Immediately following was their ecstatic joy. They never expected that just moments ago they had looked worried, but in the next moment things would take such a dramatic turn.

However, the two were surprised, wondering why Li Chen would invest in their Google.

"Mr. Li Chen, if we may ask one more question, why did you invest in Google?"

Honestly, they really couldn't understand why Li Chen, this Eastern man, would do this.

Why? Of course I won't tell you that you will become one of the world's leading giant companies in the future.

With his mind racing, Li Chen once again used the same rhetoric he had used to fool Kobe: "Actually, I am an Eastern metaphysician. I can see that you are destined for great wealth and honor. People like you will have smooth sailing in everything you do."

Hearing Li Chen's words, Bill Duffy really wanted to pull Li Chen away. What kind of bullshit metaphysics was this? He felt sorry for Li Chen!

Page and Brin were dumbfounded. Was this decision too hasty?

Although they were directly involved, they genuinely felt that Li Chen's decision was too hasty.

After a brief discussion, Page and Brin said, "I'm sorry, Mr. Li Chen, we need to make some preparations. We will get back to you by tomorrow at the latest."

Li Chen nodded.

Suddenly, a thought struck him, "Gentlemen, are you still buying the initial public offering (IPO) shares?"

Page and Brin were slightly taken aback, then said apologetically, "Sorry, the initial public offering (IPO) shares will circulate within the company; we will not sell them."

Li Chen thought to himself, "Then why did you sell it to that guy O'Neal?"

He mentally cursed himself, knowing that his idea wouldn't come true.

However, Li Chen didn't insist. After all, that venture capital firm, whatever its name was, had invested 25 million and turned it into more than 50 times its initial investment.

Having invested 30 million himself, oh my god! Li Chen felt his heart tremble slightly.

I can't take it anymore.