After the representative named Tim Cook from Apple left, Wang Jian handed over the jointly drafted project proposal to Tom, who, along with Matthew, was in charge of the legal review.
Of course, this wasn’t the final version, as there was still a dispute over whether the domain name of the audio website should start with apple or wangwen.
However, according to the plan, the most important thing now was to send some technicians to San Jose to perfect the basic framework of the audio website with the Apple team.
"Dorsey," Wang Jian focused his gaze on the technical director of the website, "what do you think about reallocating some people..."
"No, Wang!" Dorsey immediately interrupted, "Look at me, and then look at our technicians."
He said this while touching his head.
Wang Jian looked up, puzzled, and was surprised to see...
Well, quite bald...
"Have we forgotten our dream?" Wang Jian instantly transformed into a passionate movie protagonist, "To let more people achieve their literary dreams, to let readers see more imaginative works."
"Cough, Wang." Dorsey pointed towards the busy employees outside, "If they drop dead, that would cost us quite a bit."
"Oh." Wang Jian quickly sat back down, "Then... let’s just hire a few more technicians. You’re in charge of this."
Only then did Dorsey nod in satisfaction, and before leaving, he used his middle finger to kindly express his gratitude.
Seeing that universally recognized gesture, Wang Jian was just about to go out and talk more about ideals with Dorsey.
But at that moment, a phone call came in.
"Wang," Lehman’s voice came through, "Are you guys thinking of investing in PayPal? The stakes involved are huge!"
"Banks, VISA, and others... their competitive tactics are not as gentle as yours in the internet industry."
Um...
Lehman was definitely a true American; should I tell him those reasons?
But thinking about the potential benefits that could come from minors and illegal immigrants, Wang Jian decided to be honest.
"Minors, illegal immigrants?"
Wang Jian only heard Lehman ponder for a moment on the other end, as if instructing a subordinate, "Check the number of cases involving minors logging into adult websites and those sued over illegal firearms."
Adult websites, illegal firearms?
Damn, your heart is much darker than mine!
Then, he could only hear faint murmuring about an alliance with the "Rifle Association" and the "Alcohol Federation."
Around fifteen minutes later, Lehman’s voice came through clearly again.
"Wang, when is the website planning to start using PayPal?"
"Once Musk is introduced to you and PayPal agrees to invest in the website," Wang Jian considered for a moment, then chose to answer honestly.
"No rush," Lehman’s voice concealed excitement, "Later, Goldman Sachs will send over a fax; we’ll ensure the website holds a 15% stake in PayPal."
"But, it will be after Goldman Sachs and Musk finish negotiating and complete the investment."
Musk caught the attention of Wall Street’s hyenas?
Wang Jian immediately thought of the time when the website was first started and targeted by Lehman Brothers and Goldman Sachs.
"How much stock will Musk retain?" he asked out of curiosity.
"As long as we keep PayPal out of the public eye for a while, we are confident that we could keep the founder’s shares around 10%."
Lehman laughed lightly, "After all, someone needs to bear the brunt of the banks’ anger and public’s scrutiny."
Wang Jian hung up the phone and pieced together the information he had just heard.
PayPal, minors, adult websites, illegal immigrants, Rifle Association, Alcohol Federation...
Goldman Sachs is playing a big game!
"Sigh, without stable profit points, there’s no say," he murmured to himself as he poured himself a cup of coffee.
But...
What does that have to do with me?
"Lucky for us, we attracted some paying readers initially," Wang Jian turned on the computer and logged into the website’s backend.
"So, the group of paying readers is truly the foundation for the website’s survival!"
At that moment, the website’s paid user base saw new growth.
Among them, "Anomalies and Creatures" and J.K. Rowling’s new book "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" were the fastest-growing.
Wang Jian clicked the mouse, checking the latest Chapter uploaded by that British female author.
Her writing had matured a lot, and she knew how to sell anticipation and exciting points well.
Only...
The updates were still too slow!
"Sigh, it always comes back to depending on myself," Wang Jian clicked the mouse and entered the review section of "Anomalies and Creatures."
Last time, he had forcefully explained the theory of "Information Unification" from the original work using "quantum mechanics," presenting it through a "brain in a vat" world concept.
Given the complexity of this theory and the lack of basic knowledge among the lower classes in the United States, such a far-fetched idea actually got past them.
Even two Hollywood scriptwriters, temporarily idle at home due to a strike, discussed through Twitter with Wang Jian about the possibility of all humanity living in a "brain in a vat" world controlled by "quantum computers."
"I can spin a good yarn, but you guys can spin it even better!" Wang Jian pulled a wry smile and shook his head helplessly, "The problem is, I can’t tell which is which!"
"And both of you are called Wachowski!"
He thought for a moment and started typing on the keyboard.
"I think the readers are the ones who pay for creativity. Instead of discussing with me, why not turn it directly into text and publish it on the website?"
About two to three minutes later, he saw their reply.
"Thank you for the reminder, Mr. Wang. We will promptly turn the idea into text and publish it on the website."
Great, I’ve roped in another one; scriptwriters should have some writing skills, right?
Soon, Wang Jian put this matter behind him.
He took out the outline, compared it with the original story in his mind, and prepared to continue revising "Anomalies and Creatures."
"Next is..."
The protagonist returns with a Demon to pick up his daughter?
Damn, it feels incredibly dissonant to imagine a Demon zooming through the Abyss in a spaceship.
Writing this would probably drive those orthodox D&D fans mad, right?
What happened to the balanced power among Angels, Demons, and Devils?
Where’s the blood war between the Abyss and Hell?
Wang Jian thought it over, "Well, it’ll be however it will be!"
After all, there shouldn’t be that many readers of sci-fi literature looking for D&D rules.
Probably...
So, a quarter-hour later.
As the sound of rapid typing echoed through the office, Wang Jian transformed from a "Technology Elite" back into a bestselling author.
And shortly after, in the book review section and Twitter discussions, people quickly started commenting.
"God, ’Anomalies and Creatures’ has finally updated!"
"Want to bet? The heroine in this part must be a Vampire!"
"Psh, just watch! The Husky is the true love!"