Chapter 5. “This project—I, Li Mo, am investing in it!”
The two investors he had worked so hard to invite…
Had no interest in his project.
As for instant messaging… they simply didn’t believe in it.
Just as he was sinking into despair about the future, this man, about his own age, standing before him, actually said he wanted to invest?
For a moment, Ma Tengyun wondered if he was dreaming.
Or if the man was joking.
“Of course, it’s real.”
“I’m very interested in your instant messaging idea.”
Li Mo looked at Ma Tengyun with utmost seriousness.
He had already decided to trust the investment information on his phone.
Naturally, he would charge forward without hesitation.
And never look back. This was his biggest chance to turn his life around.
“So… sir, do you really think instant messaging has a future?”
Watching Li Mo speak so earnestly with Ma Tengyun, Su Qingyan grew anxious instead.
Was Li Mo actually serious about this?
I was planning to marry him!
The family savings are all we have…
If he invests in Ma Tengyun, we might have to sell the house.
Where would we live then? Even if she emptied her own savings, it wouldn’t be enough for a down payment on a home.
“I believe it has enormous potential.”
Li Mo’s expression was unwavering.
“Just as you said—ICQ is already exploding overseas.”
“Even if it hasn’t taken off domestically yet, the future is clear.”
“As long as we invest wholeheartedly in this project,”
“I’m certain it can dominate the domestic market.”
Ma Tengyun was electrified—
It was like meeting a kindred spirit.
From Li Mo’s words and demeanor,
He sensed genuine confidence—
The same faith he had in instant messaging’s bright future.
“This isn’t the best place to talk.”
“May I ask how I should address you?”
“It’s almost dinnertime—let’s find a restaurant outside campus.”
Ma Tengyun didn’t have much money left,
He wouldn’t hesitate to spend it on this meal.
Even if he was broke, Li Mo’s passion alone proved he was a true believer.
If I ever find investors in the future, I’ll bring him in as a partner.
Su Qingyan clung to Li Mo’s arm, her heart uneasy—
Where will we live after we get married?
How will we raise our children?
At least her grades were good. After graduation, she could land a decent job.
Even if the investment failed,
She could support Li Mo and their future child.
Speaking of children…
Should we have a boy or a girl?
A boy… what if he turns out to be a jerk?
Better a girl—she’d be as beautiful as me.
After all, even my sister is not as pretty as I am.
Her thoughts drifted further away…
Ma Tengyun enthusiastically booked a private room.
Dishes soon began arriving.
Ma Tengyun poured Li Mo a full glass of beer.
“I don’t know your exact age,”
“But since you’re willing to invest in me, you’re my benefactor.”
“So I’ll call you ‘Brother Li’—whether you’re older or younger, it’s my honor.”
“This glass—I’ll finish it. You drink as you please.”
With a flushed face, Ma Tengyun downed the beer in one go—
His excitement was palpable.
Li Mo raised his glass and took a sip.
Then, Ma Tengyun began probing.
“Brother Li, have you worked in the internet industry before?”
He figured only someone with internet experience would believe so strongly in instant messaging.
“My work was somewhat internet-related.”
“But things have not been great… I recently lost my job.”
So Brother Li is unemployed?
Does he even have money to invest?
“I’ve heard about you.”
Li Mo redirected the conversation.
Ma Tengyun’s face reddened with excitement again.
If it were Ding Xiaolei—the legendary alumnus behind NetEase, Sohu, and Sina—that wouldn’t be surprising.
Those three were genuine internet giants.
But him? He was still a nobody.
“You’ve heard of me?”
“First, through your stock analysis system—your first big break.”
“It proved you had unique insights into the internet.”
Tencent’s archives had documented Ma Tengyun’s early ventures,
So Li Mo could recite them effortlessly.
He had too many investments to manage everything personally.
Choosing a visionary like Ma Tengyun as his proxy—
And offering strategic guidance—
Was undoubtedly the best approach.
“You even know about that?!”
“Later, your stock trading system also earned you a good sum.”
“With those profits, why isn’t it enough to start an instant messaging company?”
“Brother Li… to be honest, I used to work at RunXun.”
“Three years ago, I couldn’t resist quitting to start my own business.”
“I threw everything into it—otherwise, I’d have the capital now.”
“Senior Ding Xiaolei started NetEase with just 500,000 yuan.”
“But these days, that’s far from enough.”
Regret laced his voice.
“No matter what others think,”
“I firmly believe in instant messaging’s future.”
“As surely as I believe the sun will rise tomorrow.”
Overcome with emotion, Ma Tengyun downed another glass.
“Exactly! I believe it too!”
Then, deflating slightly—
“But sometimes, when I think calmly… I don’t know how to move forward.”
“Even if instant messaging takes off, how do we monetize it?”
“And in the early stages—how do we gain traction?”
“After all, it does overlap with SMS.”
Li Mo chuckled lightly.
“Sometimes, overthinking is a burden.”
“The future never unfolds exactly as planned.”
“Even with a perfect blueprint, so what?”
“The future is unknown. It’s an adventure.”
“This project—I, Li Mo, am investing in it.”
“Come see me the day after tomorrow. I’ll give you one million.”
Ma Tengyun, already flushed from drinking, couldn’t believe his ears.
He had given up on securing investment…
He’s really doing it?
Ma Tengyun could no longer contain himself.
He pulled out six more bottles of beer.
“I—I’m too excited, Brother Li!”
“No more words—let’s drink!”