Chapter 4. Bro, Calm Down!
The concept of instant messaging had come to Ma Tengyun after seeing ICQ’s explosive success abroad.
Countless foreigners were already using ICQ, and its popularity kept growing.
Soon…it would undoubtedly become a must-have software for everyone.
Ma Tengyun was confident he could build China’s leading messaging platform.
But…the question of profitability…was something he’d never seriously considered.
How would he solve this?
After all, even ICQ—despite its global popularity—
still hadn’t figured out a sustainable monetization model.
Seeing Ma Tengyun’s hesitation,
Ms. Liu immediately understood—he had no viable revenue plan.
At least for now, if instant messaging tried charging users directly…no one would pay.
Why bother with a new messaging tool, when SMS and phone calls already worked fine?
Without subscriptions…turning a profit seemed impossible.
“It seems,” she said gently, “this idea is just a spark of inspiration.”
“…but no concrete execution strategy.”
“Even your experience at RunXun hasn’t given you the answers.”
“Tell you what—if you ever develop a profit model…”
With an apologetic smile, she turned and left.
There was nothing more she could do for Ma Tengyun.
Students began filing out as well.
Ma Tengyun’s head drooped in defeat.
He’d already approached his senior Ding Xiaolei for funding, only to be rejected.
Ding believed the concept had no monetization potential, not worth investing in.
The polite refusal still stung.
And now today’s promising investor…had walked away too.
Would he have to return to some internet company as an employee?
Ding had even offered him a well-paying position.
But just as despair set in…he noticed a young man still seated in the back, watching him intently.
Could this stranger be interested in investing?
Most twenty-six-year-olds were broke.
Where would one find a million yuan?
“Your presentation was compelling.”
“I’d like to invest in you.”
“Are you interested?”
Beside him, Su Qingyan’s eyes widened in shock.
Li Mo would actually consider funding Ma Tengyun!
This project had no clear path to profitability, how could it possibly make money?
Even if Li Mo sold his apartment, he’d only get about a million!
“Snap out of it—this needs a million upfront!”
“My entire allowance wouldn’t cover a fraction!”
She gripped Li Mo’s arm, desperate to talk sense into him.
Rash decisions now…could lead to catastrophic losses.
But Ma Tengyun suddenly perked up.
“You’re serious about investing?”
He barely dared believe what he’d heard.
This felt like a dream.