Chapter 323 It’s too late to meet
Li Yan thought Huang Zhan would invite him to his office for a chat.

The negotiation room on the third floor...should it be a luxuriously decorated place for meeting with clients?

Does this mean that you are being taken more seriously or that you are “not qualified enough to talk in the office”?

March 2010, 3, Arbor Day.

Li Yan took the subway and bus to the headquarters of Chuangzu Company.

This isn’t my first time here, but the mood is very different this time.

Before, he came here to visit and learn, but today he hopes to have an equal dialogue.

Indeed, Huang Zhan has already developed a formal product, Chuangzu W8, which is available for use, while Li Yan only has a concept. Moreover, Li Yan came here to seek the support of Chuangzu, so it seems that he should not demand equality.

But what Li Yan gave Huang Zhan was something that no one in this world could give except him.

Some fragments of the future hidden in imagination.

You give me support and I give you opportunities.

If Huang Zhan can understand, everyone will achieve mutual success.

If he doesn't understand, Li Yan will look for someone else who is more knowledgeable.

Mr. Li is not here to look for investors today.

So he was very relaxed when he walked into the negotiation room.

Huang Zhan in the negotiation room was also very relaxed. He was lying on the big sofa, listening to vinyl records with his eyes closed.

This negotiation room is not very big, and its decoration is not as luxurious as Li Yan imagined.

Simple modernist style.

The sofa was quite comfortable, with milk, tea, orange juice and coffee available.

"This is not the first time we've met, so let's skip the pleasantries. I personally don't like those." Huang Zhan's voice sounded a little tired, and a few white hairs were vaguely visible on his crew cut.

He straightened up and took a sip of coffee.

"Just pick one drink. Mixing them together won't be pleasant."

"I don't like to be polite either," Li Yan smiled. "As I said on the phone, I came to see Mr. Huang this time to talk to you about the future of smartphones."

"Are we competing in imagination?" Huang Zhan stared at Li Yan, with a sharp edge in his small eyes.

“No, talking about the future is to realize it.”

Huang Zhan raised an eyebrow and put down his coffee, "Speak."

"I have to admit that I can't produce a formal product with my current strength." Li Yan's expression became serious. "So I'm not going to talk about imagination with you when I can't produce anything. I'll just say a few points. You can evaluate their value yourself, Mr. Huang."

Huang Zhan didn't say anything, just stretched out his hand to gesture "please".

"First, the mobile phone system has a different logic. Using the computer system to directly transplant is not a good idea. Let me be frank, although Chuangzu's Windows system transplantation has been done very well, the direction of this matter itself is not quite right."

"Fang Shu told me that we actually have the same opinion internally." Huang Zhan showed his sincerity in the communication.

"I can feel that Chuangzu has tried its best to make this system fit the mobile phone operation habits. My own mobile phone is W8, and I have compared it with Chen Fan's Pineapple 3. In terms of the operation of the main page, W8 is even easier to use and smarter."

Huang Zhan nodded.

"But the operation after entering the menu is not satisfactory. There are too many submenus, and the multi-level menus become more and more difficult to click. From my point of view, small-screen mobile phones have their limitations, and we should take the idea of ​​turning limitations into convenience."

"For example?"

"Gesture operation." Li Yan said, "On such a small screen, we don't need to implement some complex functions that can only be done by computers. Instead, we should combine the operating logic of various mobile phone software and implement all functions through operations such as clicking, dragging, and zooming."

"Instead of looking for a function key on the small screen." Huang Zhan added.

Things are getting better.

“Second, smartphones don’t need a cumbersome home button.”

Huang Zhan's expression changed.

In fact, Li Yan was not going to mention this point, but he was facing Huang Zhan, the boss who was sued by Pineapple because of the location of the home button.

"If we follow the idea I mentioned above, there is no need for physical keys at all. We can decide on a rare operation, such as swiping up from the screen border, and use this operation to replace the function of double-clicking the home button. As for returning to the home page with one click, as long as the operation I just mentioned is met, you only need to click a blank space to return to the home page."

"The home button also has a reset effect." Huang Zhan spoke slower.

"I didn't cancel the side buttons. Besides, this is actually a matter of system stability. We can even add a self-help function that will directly return to the desktop when the mobile phone software is stuck for a certain number of seconds or consumes a certain amount of memory."

"Have you ever considered the problem of mobile phone software? System stability is often destroyed by their adaptation problems."

Very good, Mr. Huang starts asking questions.

"This is my third point. Today, when everyone is starting to make smartphones, the software ecosystem is a blue ocean that must be seized." Li Yan took a sip of tea to moisten her throat. "I believe Mr. Huang understands this."

"The issue is……"

"There is no use for software." Li Yan interrupted. He wanted to take the initiative in the conversation after Boss Huang got into the mood. "QQ is an established product. It took a lot of effort for you to find Penguin to produce a customized version of this system. At present, everyone expects to move various software on the computer to the mobile phone, but software manufacturers are not willing to provide their own codes. We can only wait for them to actively adapt to our system."

"That's right." Huang Zhan nodded.

"There are all kinds of problems and opportunities here. It is impossible for software manufacturers to release dozens of adaptation versions of a product, so there will only be a few mainstream systems in the smartphone market in the future, and software and hardware will affect each other's rise and fall and survival."

Li Yan's speaking speed has reached the level of a crosstalk actor showing off his tongue, but fortunately his pronunciation is clear and most of his ideas coincide with Huang Zhan's, so Boss Huang can keep up completely.

"This tells us that we must 'grab'. Whoever takes over the smartphone market first and wins consumer recognition will be able to form a virtuous cycle."

"This is the idea behind Chuangzu W8." Huang Zhan nodded repeatedly.

"Then I have to ask you a question first, Mr. Huang, what do you think the future of smartphones will be like?"

Li Yan suddenly asked and Huang Zhan frowned.

"The problem is too big. To put it simply, a small computer."

"Then let me ask it another way. Do you think mobile terminals will replace computers?"

Huang Zhan raised his eyebrows for the second time, "I hope so."

"I don't think so." Li Yan responded immediately, "No matter how it develops, some tasks are not suitable for small screens. It is right to make smartphone screens bigger, but it should not exceed a certain size. Once it loses the 'convenience' attribute of the mobile phone itself, it will become an embarrassing product."

Huang Zhan narrowed his already small eyes, "Are you tapping... the tablet?"

"No, I won't mention anything irrelevant. I'm not here to have an academic discussion with you." Li Yan said bluntly, "What I want to emphasize is that mobile phone software is not a copy of computer software. It actually follows two different paths from computers. Mobile phones must emphasize their convenience - carry it with you and use it at any time."

Huang Zhan stopped Li Yan, took a sip of coffee, and then gestured for him to continue.

"So we need to make full use of the mobile phone's ability to be carried with us at any time. Besides the common understanding that mobile phones are MP3, MP4, game consoles and telephone integrated products, we also need to know that mobile phone positioning is equal to personal positioning. This alone is promising."

"For example?"

“Delivery, taxis, ticket booking, reviews, socializing… too many things.”

Boss Huang was silent for a long time, drank the coffee in his hand, and then said: "You are going to challenge many industries."

"It's not a challenge, it's a service to them. And essentially, this is done to make people have a more convenient lifestyle."

"There are these websites now, do you want them to make mobile apps?"

"We do it ourselves."

Huang Zhan raised his eyebrows for the third time, "For example, how do I pay for takeout?"

"Mobile payment is also a route."

"You are too courageous."

"It's not necessarily a one-size-fits-all approach." Li Yan smiled, "We have to strive for some necessary support." "We need to talk to many companies about this."

"For example, Wei De Maps. They have developed mobile maps before. I think they will be interested."

Huang Zhan raised his eyebrows for the fourth time, but this time he said nothing, just motioned Li Yan to continue.

"The fourth point is to make others rely on our mobile phones, not just on 'performance'."

There was silence again. Huang Zhan seemed to be considering what Li Yan said very seriously.

"I believe you can also hear that my points are not independent of each other, but interdependent. The gesture operating system can achieve a full screen, and the software coordinated with the system can complement the system. The complete mobile phone ecosystem will make users unable to stop..."

"You are very ambitious."

"The world's founding clan." Li Yan recited half of the slogan of the founding clan company.

Huang Zhan smiled and fell into deep thought.

"People are lazy, Mr. Huang," Li Yan continued. "When new products first appear, people have the patience and interest to learn. But if an ecosystem has already been formed and the interest relationship has already taken shape, people will have little motivation to change."

"If you don't make progress and your business keeps getting worse and worse, it's normal for the market to be taken over by up-and-coming companies."

"The premise of not making progress and doing worse and worse will not be satisfied with me."

Huang Zhan raised his eyebrows for the fifth time, and he realized that he was doing this too much.

"Mr. Huang, there is no dominant player in the smartphone market right now."

"I know."

"If merchants have tasted the sweetness of food delivery and rolled out a food delivery app, other software will have no choice but to spend money to get involved. If everyone is used to our mobile phones and this system, other mobile phones may not be able to get involved even if they spend money. If I can tie the system, mobile phones, and software together, so that they complement each other..."

"Wait." Huang Zhan interrupted Li Yan, "No need to emphasize this anymore."

At this moment Li Yan was indeed a little nervous. If Huang Zhan did not agree with what he said, it would be troublesome to find someone else, and there was very little time.

"Come to my office."

After saying that, Huang Zhan stood up with a smile and walked out of the negotiation room with a relaxed pace.

Li Yan exhaled, shook her head and followed.

Good man, I really wasn’t qualified before?
But now this is a very good signal. Perhaps in Huang Zhan's heart, now is just the beginning of his dialogue with Li Yanping and others.

The two stood in the elevator, and the atmosphere was different from the relaxed atmosphere at the beginning.

"Fifth floor? Don't bosses like to go higher? The Chuangzu Building has so many floors."

"They all say I'm a hermit and a homebody. I stay at home most of the time doing research and do very little management work. I am only responsible for the product and I only care about the product."

He is indeed a somewhat paranoid person.

The elevator door opened, and the fifth floor was actually a high-level office, two of which had their doors closed and lights on.

When Huang Zhan and Li Yan passed by the vice president's office, they heard a loud male voice from inside: "Old Huang, who are you taking with you?"

"Dear guest." Huang Zhan called out and pushed open the door and entered his office.

This is not an office at all... It can almost be described as empty. At least it should be similar to the vice president's office that I just glanced at, right?

There are mountains of reference materials, stacked folders, and some personalized tables and chairs, matched with some personal favorite green plants and ornaments.

In fact, Huang Zhan’s office is no different from the negotiation room just now. It doesn’t have any “personal” atmosphere at all.

"I seldom come here, only when something important happens, so the administration department uses the office as a VIP room. I think it's good, since I'm here mainly to receive VIPs." Huang Zhan walked into his office as if he had entered an unfamiliar conference room. He walked around but couldn't find the cup. "I don't know where they put it for me..."

"No need for a cup, just drink mineral water." Li Yan said.

"I have to have a cup," Huang Zhandu began to look through his empty desk. "It's funny, I've been living here for quite a while recently. This is the longest time I've ever stayed in the company."

"Is Mr. Huang usually busy with visits and business trips?" Li Yan found it quite magical.

"I'm a homebody, how can I go out?" Huang Zhan finally found a cup. He was too lazy to make tea, so he opened two bottles of mineral water and poured them into the cup. "I haven't even been to Shanghai, Beijing, Shanghai or Haikou. Please sit down."

"Ah?" This was really beyond Li Yan's expectations.

"There's nothing to be surprised about. I'm the best at making smart phones in the country. Is there any other place in the country worth visiting?" At this time, the madness in Huang Zhan was finally released, making Li Yan feel very comfortable.

He is happy to communicate with such people, and he should pretend to be cool when it is time to do so.

"I'm not the only one making smartphones, but many people use Taiwan's solutions to make phones. They're very fast, and you could say they're half-finished products. That's not interesting, so I chose independent research and development. The result is beautiful, but not beautiful."

Huang showed a little sadness.

"You are very interesting." He suddenly smiled and pointed at Li Yan.

"What's wrong?"

"You are not the first person to talk to me, nor are you the first person I share with. Lao Lei, Lao Lin and Lao Li have all come to me, and I have shared my ideas about mobile phone development with them without reservation. I have always liked talented people. With their skills, they can always create something to make the world a better place."

It’s just that other people aren’t necessarily here for it.

"But Li Yan, you are the first person to share with me."

It’s good to know Mr. Li’s value.

"Let's talk about something else, Li Yan." Huang Zhan's tone suddenly became relaxed, "Let's not talk about mobile phones for now."

"That?"

"Let's talk about you and me, and ourselves." Huang Zhan took a big sip of water. "When we talk about cooperation, we are ultimately working with others. What kind of person you are is very important to me."

Now is probably the real test.

What kind of people are worth collaborating with is a very subjective question.

Apart from basic integrity and character, there are always huge differences in people's concepts.

Realism and idealism cannot sit down and have a good talk. Sooner or later, they will become enemies if they cooperate.

It seems that it will take some effort to have a chat with Boss Huang today.

In fact, some of Li Yan and Huang Zhan’s characteristics are quite similar.

Proud, ambitious, pursuing excellence and perfection, idealistic.

So when they talked about themselves, they were so unrestrained, pretending to be very smooth, and talking in large quantities.

Huang Zhan also drove Li Yan to two private restaurants for dinner, and while eating they talked about interesting things that happened during their school days.

Of course, it was still a bit awkward for Mr. Huang, a high school dropout, to talk about this in front of Li Yan, who was number one in the Excellence Class.

By the evening, his voice was a little hoarse. Except for the two hours of work he spent in the afternoon when he just returned to the company, he was chatting with Li Yan.

After dinner, the two of them lay on the sofa in the office, and Huang Zhan was still talking with great energy - one of the essential elements of a successful person, extremely high energy.

"I've followed your debate on Weibo about creating gods."

"That's not called debate, that's called beating the dog."

"Hahahahahaha, I want to ask, why do you run Weibo?"

"You should know this. After all, you brought up the issue of online communication and fan culture in 2003, and you were a forum poster."

"We really get along very well and share many of the same ideas. I hope you're not trying to please me."

"There's a saying that if you can cater to others without them realizing it, it means there's a level difference between the two of you. Mr. Huang, if I'm really catering to you, you should be happy."

"Very good. Then tell me, what do you want from the Chuang Clan?"

(End of this chapter)