Chapter 2. First Meeting with Ma Tengyun
Li Mo could hardly believe his eyes.
His phone was just an ordinary device with internet access.
But the lines of text floating before him…
They seemed too surreal.
Just as he was grappling with shock—
Su Qingyan shuffled over in her slippers.
By now, the heat in her cheeks had faded.
She was worried Li Mo might do something drastic.
After all, losing both his marriage and his job at once…
Anyone in his position would struggle to cope.
She didn’t want him making any reckless decisions.
“Don’t you have class this afternoon?”
“I want to go to your university with you.”
“Shenzhen University?”
Su Qingyan blinked, stunned.
She had expected grief, anger—anything but this.
Is he going to campus to check out girls with long legs?
A sour pang twisted in her chest.
“Bro, if you want to see pretty girls…”
“…just look at me instead.”
Li Mo’s gaze flicked to her sheer-black-stockinged legs.
For a moment, he was speechless.
What’s going on in that head of hers?
“I’m not going to see girls.”
“I want to attend a lecture on internet entrepreneurship.”
Realizing her misunderstanding, Su Qingyan flushed.
“Since when are you interested in that?”
She knew Shenzhen University often hosted aspiring entrepreneurs.
Most were just trying to build their reputations.
But some investors scouted these talks, hoping to unearth gold.
“I’m unemployed now, aren’t I?”
“I need to explore opportunities.”
Li Mo didn’t know if the messages on his phone were real.
But even if they were fake…
He had to take the risk.
The potential returns from those internet companies?
“You’re starting a business?”
“I’ll skip class this afternoon.”
Deep down, she was still afraid—
Afraid Li Mo might spiral.
If he did, she’d never forgive herself.
Li Mo glanced at the phantom text hovering near his phone.
A realization struck him.
“Does my phone look… unusual to you?”
Su Qingyan tilted her head. “No?”
Her confusion confirmed it.
The messages were for his eyes only.
Su Qingyan had gotten permission from her advisor.
She wore light makeup—just enough to accentuate her natural beauty.
Her curves and innocent face created a striking contrast.
As they walked, every head turned.
Men shot Li Mo envious looks.
That guy must be filthy rich.
How else would he have such a gorgeous girlfriend?
“There really is an internet entrepreneurship lecture today.”
At the university gates, Su Qingyan looped her arm through Li Mo’s.
She tugged him toward the campus.
The sight of Shenzhen University’s campus belle—
Arm-in-arm with a man nearly a decade older—
Spread like wildfire.
Thankfully, the internet wasn’t as pervasive back then.
Otherwise, the whole school would’ve known within minutes.
Li Mo stiffened slightly at her cool, soft grip.
But then he remembered—
We’re not family anymore.
When Li Mo pushed open the door, only a handful of people sat inside.
A few students. Two middle-aged attendees.
Clearly, Ma Tengyun wasn’t a big name yet.
Right now, he was just another struggling entrepreneur.
Ma Tengyun’s heart sank when he saw the newcomers.
Another young guy. No investors.
His senior, Zhang Dinglei, was already an internet legend.
NetEase, Sohu, and Sina dominated as the “Big Three.”
Yet here he was, still figuring out his path.
He couldn’t even attract serious backers.
But despite the uncertainty…
Ma Tengyun knew the internet was a goldmine.
Even with the Big Three dominating,
vast territories remained untapped.
The potential was staggering.
Yet the path forward?
Ma Tengyun forced a smile at Li Mo and Su Qingyan.
They looked too young to be investors.
Unlike the two at the front—
“Thank you all for coming to my lecture on internet entrepreneurship.”
“Let me begin with its origins…”
Ma Tengyun launched into his presentation.
Su Qingyan fidgeted, bored.
But for Li Mo’s sake, she listened.
Meanwhile, Li Mo scrolled through his phone—
Reading Tencent’s future business plan.
Piece by piece, his vision sharpened.
Instant messaging wasn’t just useful.
it would be as essential as water or electricity.
Whoever controlled it…
would own an inexhaustible goldmine.
A trillion-dollar valuation?
Ma Tengyun glanced hopefully at the two mid-age men.
“Right now, ICQ is exploding overseas.”
“Everyone will need instant messaging software.”
“In the future, IM platforms—”
“—will be as universal as utilities!”
His voice trembled with conviction.