Seeing LeTV succeed, OPPO was not to be outdone.
It decisively poached Chen Xi, the core designer of Flyme, and launched ColorOS 6, achieving a magnificent comeback in UI design, completely bidding farewell to the previously ugly UI.
It was precisely because of this that Meizu's Flyme division earned the title of "Whampoa Military Academy of the Tech Circle"!
And Yang Yan was precisely the principal who single-handedly built the Flyme Whampoa Military Academy!
Wang Yi decided to directly poach Yang Yan, uprooting him from the source!
Soon, Wang Yi arrived at an elegant private room where Yang Yan was already present.
"My apologies, I'm a step late,"
Wang Yi said, extending his hand with a smile.
"Boss Wang, you flatter me; I just arrived myself,"
Yang Yan said with a smile, though he was incredibly shocked in his heart.
Boss Wang of Meiyou, so young, truly a talent!
After some pleasantries, the two sat down, and dishes were served.
After a few drinks, Yang Yan smiled and said,
"I wonder, Boss Wang, why you sought me out..."
He had thought a lot but couldn't understand why a big shot like Wang Yi would look for him!
After all, Wang Yi was in clothing; could it be that he wanted him to join Meiyou to develop an app?
"It's like this, I think Mr. Yang, serving as a creative director at eico design, is a bit of a waste of talent. How about joining my company to do something big together!"
Wang Yi said, getting straight to the point.
Yang Yan's expression remained calm, but he felt a surge of excitement in his heart!
That was Meiyou Technology, a rapidly rising giant with explosive money-making capabilities.
And the person before him was precisely the business prodigy who single-handedly created the Meiyou legend!
For such an individual to personally invite him, it would be a lie for Yang Yan to say he wasn't tempted!
"Boss Wang, I would very much like to cooperate with you. But I'm not sure which area it would be in?"
Wang Yi smiled,
"Originally, I wanted you to go to Meiyou Technology to be responsible for software development. But your abilities should extend beyond that, so I want you to join the parent company of Meiyou Technology, Xingyi Technology!"
"The parent company of Meiyou Technology, Xingyi Technology!"
Yang Yan had not heard of it, but since it was Meiyou's parent company, its future must be formidable.
"You consider it. If you agree, start immediately. What's your annual salary at eico design? I'll give you double!"
Wang Yi said generously.
Money really wasn't an issue.
Like Chen Chuanqing, who was initially offered a basic salary of 6000 plus performance pay, he had just joined in August, and Wang Yi's performance evaluation for him was 9000!
In the first month, his monthly salary was 15,000!
His first-year annual salary would be at least 300,000, and it would continue to rise thereafter!
He was also prepared to reward a car worth 300,000!
Don't forget, this was an annual salary of 300,000 in an ordinary second-tier city in 2011, equivalent to an annual salary of millions in later generations.
As for Song Sining, it went without saying.
Her overt benefits were 200,000 higher than Chen Chuanqing's, and other benefits were much more extensive.
Similarly, as long as Yang Yan came to Xingyi Technology, Wang Yi would provide all benefits generously.
And the benefits would continue to increase!
Yang Yan's breathing became a little rapid; he knew he was facing an important choice.
A choice that impacted his career!
Choose correctly, and he would soar.
Choose incorrectly, and he would miss a great opportunity.
Watching Yang Yan ponder and hesitate, Wang Yi picked up his teacup, looking utterly calm and collected.
After a long pause, Yang Yan took a deep breath,
"Boss Wang, I'll work with you!"
"Great!"
Wang Yi smiled and extended his hand,
"Welcome to Xingyi Technology!"
"Thank you, Boss Wang, for giving me this opportunity. I hope for your continued guidance and support in the future,"
Yang Yan said very humbly.
Wang Yi waved his hand,
"Here, you can unleash as much capability as you possess. The greater your ability, the better your compensation. At Xingyi Technology, we won't restrict employees' abilities! As for compensation, how much do you earn at eico design?"
"An annual salary of 200,000."
"Then I'll give you an annual salary of 400,000!"
Wang Yi took out a contract and signed the number.
In addition, there was a confidentiality agreement and a non-compete agreement.
The double premium naturally included the price for the non-compete agreement.
Yang Yan didn't hesitate, signed his name, and then asked,
"Boss, what business does our Xingyi Technology do?"
"Smartphones!"
Wang Yi said with a smile.
"Smartphones!"
Yang Yan became excited:
"This is an excellent track and the most important trend right now. Meizu before, and Xiaomi released last month, are both in this track. It's perfect timing for Xingyi Technology to enter now!"
"Indeed, most other domestic mobile phone brands are currently working on feature phones. We'll enter the market and get started as quickly as possible, no problem!"
Wang Yi nodded,
"What I want you to do is the mobile phone system."
Yang Yan instantly understood,
"Like Xiaomi's MIUI, that kind of deeply customized system based on Android?"
"Exactly!"
Wang Yi raised his wine glass:
"I want you to lead the establishment of the Xingyi Mobile System Department and, based on Android, develop our Xingyi OS as quickly as possible within three months! Are you confident?"
"There's pressure, but I'm confident; this is my area of expertise,"
Yang Yan said, raising his glass and drinking it all.
Developing a new system from scratch is very difficult; not to mention three months, three years would be more realistic.
But creating a deeply customized system based on Android is much easier.
To put it plainly, the underlying system is still Android; they just put a UI on top, add some new features, and make the Android system more aligned with Chinese user habits!
Whether it's Meizu and Xiaomi now, or Huawei and OV in the coming years, they all do it this way.
It wasn't until ten years later, when Huawei launched HarmonyOS, that it was a completely self-developed system!
Xingyi Mobile also used modified Android in its early years, and later, when it became stronger, it invested heavily to develop its own system.
"Boss, this will require hiring many people. I have a few subordinates who are quite good in this area..."
Wang Yi nodded,
"Regarding hiring, you recruit one batch, and I'll arrange for others to help you recruit another. Then you can choose. Those who are suitable will stay in the mobile system department; those who aren't, I'll arrange for them to join other departments.
As for your subordinates and friends, as long as their abilities are sufficient and their character is fine, recruit them without hesitation. Let's increase their compensation by 30% first!"
"Alright, Boss, I won't let you down!"
Seeing Wang Yi trust him so much, Yang Yan was pleasantly surprised.
This was just the beginning, and Wang Yi handed over the entire mobile phone system department to him, even giving him full responsibility for recruitment.
This truly showed trust, 100% trust!
Wang Yi employed people he trusted and didn't employ those he doubted!
As the father of the Whampoa Military Academy for deeply customized domestic mobile phone systems, Wang Yi had no doubts about Yang Yan's abilities.
After all, without Yang Yan, there would be no Flyme Whampoa Military Academy division.
Without the Flyme division, other mobile phone brands wouldn't have anyone to poach or anything to copy!
"Oh, by the way, if you know any talent in hardware, supply chain, or other related areas, you can also recommend them. As long as their abilities are up to par, give them high compensation!"
Wang Yi patted Yang Yan on the shoulder.
Currently, Xingyi Mobile was just an empty shell, with only a system expert Yang Yan and a few system development engineers newly recruited by Song Sining.
Nothing else was there!
It was truly starting from scratch!
"There really is!"
Yang Yan said with a smile:
"My previous company, eico design, specialized in internet design. Its clients included software and hardware companies like Google, Microsoft, Tencent, HTC, Huawei, Meizu, Lenovo, Changhong, etc. I genuinely know a few talents in these areas; I'll contact them later!"
"Great!"
Wang Yi's eyebrows rose with joy; this made things much easier.
As long as they were capable enough, Wang Yi would definitely poach them!
"By the way, Boss, where is our office location?"
"Well..."
Wang Yi smiled,
"In the Imperial City, there's an industrial park going up for auction tomorrow. If it's suitable, I'll bid for it directly. Then we'll have our own Xingyi Industrial Park."
"This... good!"
Yang Yan's expression was somewhat complex, feeling like he had boarded a pirate ship.
In the end, not only was he tasked with recruiting for a phone company, but it turned out the company was just an empty shell, without even an office!
Unbelievable!
But with the contract signed, he could only close his eyes and follow Wang Yi down this path into the unknown.
What if it succeeded?
Subsequently, Wang Yi and Yang Yan discussed many things, especially UI style and interaction concepts.
Wang Yi directly requested a flat design and minimalist aesthetics!
Hm, walk Meizu's path, making it difficult for Meizu to walk.
Wang Yi also didn't plan to use Android's three physical navigation keys; he would directly use Meizu MX2's small circular home button.
Meizu was only going to release the MX with a regular home button early next year.
Wang Yi's early use of the small circular button from the next-next-generation MX2 would surely shine.
After all, one small circle integrated the functions of Android's three buttons, making it more concise and elegant.
Tap the small circle: return to the previous level (no vibration feedback).
Press the small circle: return to the home screen (with vibration feedback).
Swipe up on both sides of the small circle to bring up the multitasking background.
...
Later, when home button fingerprint recognition emerges, the small circular button's interaction logic can be perfectly upgraded to fingerprint recognition, with one Home button solving everything, which is Meizu's M-back!
A few years later, those Android phones with the three physical navigation keys also evolved into Meizu's M-back!
After their discussion, Yang Yan was shocked and deeply impressed by many of Wang Yi's ingenious ideas.
But as they chatted, a critical issue arose between the two.
"Boss, Android 4.0 hasn't been released yet. Should we develop our phone based on Android 3.2?"
Wang Yi then remembered that Android 4.0 was to be released next month.
So, the problem became awkward.
Developing Xingyi OS based on Android 4.0 would mean waiting until next month to start.
Developing Xingyi OS based on Android 3.2 could proceed this month, but once 4.0 came out next month, 3.2 would be outdated!
Awkward!
Like the recently released Xiaomi 1st generation, it was based on Android 3.2.
The Meizu MX, released after the New Year, was also based on Android 3.2.
But Wang Yi pursued perfection and decided to go directly with Android 4.0!
After all, from 3.2 to 4.0 was a major version iteration, not a minor tweak; many underlying interaction logics had changed!
Wang Yi thought for a moment and said,
"Let's still develop directly based on Android 4.0. This month, we'll first recruit people, then design our UI interface, including redrawing all common app icons!
Also, finalize all interaction logics. We can conduct development and testing on Android 3.2. Once all these tasks are completed, Android 4.0 will also be released next month, and we can directly adapt to Android 4.0!"
"Good! This is the best approach for now."
Finally, Wang Yi patted Yang Yan on the shoulder and said earnestly,
"I'm entrusting the mobile system department to you. You'll be fully responsible!"
"Don't worry, boss, I'll definitely do a good job!"
Yang Yan took a deep breath, his fighting spirit soaring.
He had a wealth of talent, just waiting for an opportunity to display it.
Subsequently, the two parted ways.
Wang Yi went straight back to school; there was an auction tomorrow.
And Yang Yan also went home, planning to go to his company tomorrow to resign, and at the same time, take several design talents with him!
The company he worked for specialized in internet design!
No wonder the Flyme UI interface was designed so beautifully and elegantly.
The next morning, Wang Yi opened his laptop and began reviewing yesterday's reports.
With the movie's booming box office and the spokesperson's viral popularity, Meiyou's profits in recent days had exceeded 30 million!
As of September 15th, Meiyou had over 1.65 billion in available funds in its account!
Even taking out seven or eight hundred million to buy an industrial park would not be a problem.
And the box office for "Love Is Not Blind" also exceeded 230 million.
It wouldn't be a problem to see another small peak this weekend, but breaking 300 million would have to wait until next week!
Breaking 300 million at the box office in about ten days was already excellent.
"Yi Ge, go to class!"
Fu Yanliang couldn't help but say,
"Are you skipping class again?"
Wang Yi: "..."
"I have something today. If there's a roll call, please answer for me."
"Okay, don't worry, leave it to me."
Fu Yanliang and the others went to the classroom, and Wang Yi also left with his bag.
Just downstairs, he saw Jian Ziyan:
"Boss Wang... junior, good morning, let's go to the auction together."
"Okay,"
Wang Yi took out his car keys.
"Get in, we'll go straight there."
"Alright!"
Jian Ziyan sat in the passenger seat.
Half an hour later, the two arrived at the auction center, in the underground parking lot.
In 2011, online judicial auctions were just starting and not yet mature enough.
Most judicial auctions, especially those with high asset values, still had to be conducted offline.
Jian Ziyan checked the time,
"No rush, the auction doesn't start for another forty minutes. You haven't had breakfast yet, have you? Let's have some snacks for now!"
Saying that, Jian Ziyan opened her bag and took out bread, milk, White Rabbit candy, chocolate, and also an orange and an apple.
She generously said,
"See what you like!"
Wang Yi laughed,
"You brought so many snacks!"
Other girls' bags contained cosmetics, but Jian Ziyan's bag was full of snacks and fruits.
Amazing!
"This is called 'food in your pocket, no panic at all',"
Jian Ziyan said with a smile.
"Okay, thank you,"
Wang Yi ate a piece of bread and drank a carton of milk.
Jian Ziyan, on the other hand, ate an orange and then an apple.
Subsequently, the two entered the auction hall.
Wang Yi looked around; not many people were attending the auction today.
Not many companies could afford an industrial park worth a billion yuan.
Business operations and development all require money.
Even Fortune 500 giants mostly rent office buildings and industrial parks.
Buying it directly would be too costly.
If he weren't a reborn person who knew that property prices in the Imperial City were about to skyrocket and land prices would surge, Wang Yi wouldn't have spent so much money to buy it directly!
But others didn't have this awareness.
Those who had this awareness also lacked the financial strength.
Those who had both the awareness and the financial strength also lacked the determination!
So, apart from Wang Yi, there were only four competing companies participating in today's auction.
However, the more so, the better!
With fewer competitors, Wang Yi might be able to secure it directly at the lowest cost.
In an auction of this magnitude, one less bid could save tens of millions!
Soon, the judicial auction began.
The auctioneer first introduced information about Qianghui Electronic Industrial Park:
"Qianghui Electronic Industrial Park acquired land in 2008, and its first phase was completed in 2010. Due to funding issues, the second phase has been temporarily shelved. So, it's considered half an industrial park."
"The entire Qianghui Electronic Industrial Park covers an area of 400 mu, or 266,700 square meters. Currently, only the first phase has been built, with a total construction area of 200,000 square meters. The second phase has 200 mu of undeveloped land, allowing for another 200,000 square meters of expansion."
"Because the second phase has not been completed, the appraised value is lower, only 1 billion."
Hearing this, everyone nodded.
If fully built, the price of this industrial park would be 1.5 billion.
Even the already built portion, 200,000 square meters, calculated at 4,000 per square meter, would be 800 million!
Adding the vacant 200 mu of land, it would also be worth 400 million.
Of course, the management committee provides land subsidies to high-tech enterprises, so it could be acquired for two or three hundred million.
Thus, the total valuation of Qianghui Industrial Park at 1-1.1 billion is quite reasonable.
A total valuation of 1 billion isn't expensive; the key is how much it will be auctioned for.
"Currently, Qianghui Electronics has undergone bankruptcy liquidation, and the industrial park is deserted, so there are no issues with vacating the premises.
The property rights are clear, and there are no other disputes. Once auctioned, the court and management committee will fully assist with the handover and transfer of ownership, helping the enterprise operate smoothly!"
This served as reassurance for the bidding companies, encouraging everyone to bid enthusiastically!
"Furthermore, the entire industrial park is located in Zhongguancun, a national independent innovation demonstration zone and a national-level talent zone, enjoying various preferential policies. Bidding enterprises are required to be high-tech enterprises in Beijing..."
"The auction now begins. The starting price is 300 million, and each bid increment must not be less than 1 million!"
"The auction begins, please place your bids!"
Wang Yi, without any hesitation, immediately raised his paddle:
"550 million!"
Instantly, the entire venue fell silent.
All four companies felt like swearing!
They came with the mentality of finding a bargain.
This kind of judicial auction property, valued at 1 billion, usually sells for half price, which is over 500 million!
Selling it off like that, after deducting taxes and costs, one could still make two to three hundred million, which was quite appealing.
If it were at original price, who would spend 1 billion to buy a second-hand, old industrial park?
And only half-built at that?
Wouldn't it be better to bid for land yourself, plan yourself, and build yourself?
But Wang Yi, on the other hand, immediately raised it to 550 million!
It almost exceeded their maximum budget!
How could this be?
Shouldn't they start with 310 million, 320 million, 350 million... and take it slowly?
Who just goes all out from the start?
A nouveau riche, perhaps?
Truly, a newborn calf fears no tiger!
After some hesitation, three companies directly gave up; their highest price was 550 million!
Any higher, and profits would be limited.
Reselling would also take time, incur costs, and taxes, making it unprofitable.
For a moment, only the last middle-aged man frowned, still hesitating.
Wang Yi was very satisfied with this; raising the price immediately was meant to scare off opponents!
It saved the trouble of everyone randomly raising prices, getting carried away, and driving the price higher and higher.
It was better to clear the field from the start, scare everyone off, and leave only the last opponent for the ultimate game!
The middle-aged man hesitated for a moment, then raised his paddle:
"560 million!"
His highest psychological price was also 550 million!
However, he wanted to buy it for his own use, so even going slightly over budget was acceptable.
"570 million!"
Wang Yi raised his paddle again, still within his expectations.
The middle-aged man's face turned grim; 570 million was over budget!
After all, this was a judicial auction industrial park; it was supposed to be discounted compared to market price!
But he gritted his teeth and still raised his paddle:
"580 million!"
This time, Wang Yi did not rush to raise his paddle but fell into silence, seemingly also considering whether this price was appropriate.
(End of this chapter)