Jiang Cheng laughed. If he remembered correctly, in '25, Lei Jun would leap to become the richest man in China.
Even though this position as the richest man only lasted for an hour.
But the stock price of Rice, which had been sluggish for several years, also soared rapidly after the car was launched.
So his ability to become the richest man naturally didn't rely on mobile phones, but on car manufacturing.
However, for Rice Company back in '18, relying solely on Rice mobile phones, it was indeed still a step behind the top companies.
Jiang Cheng followed the conversation and said, "Rice definitely has potential. There are more and more people around me using Rice mobile phones now."
As soon as he finished speaking, Lei Jun leaned forward. "I really like chatting about future strategies with young people like you. At my age, I'm always afraid of being out of touch with the market. When we make products, in the end, we still have to capture the hearts of the youth. If you don't mind, from your personal perspective, could you tell me your thoughts on Rice? It won't take up too much of your time."
The reason why he caught Jiang Cheng to talk about this issue was ultimately because he had been quite confused during this period.
Rice was preparing to go public. Although he was looking forward to it, he was also very apprehensive.
Going public is good, but there are also risks.
Plus, the bet he made with Miss Dong was also due to expire this year.
Based on the current operating revenue, he didn't know if he could surpass the revenue of Miss Dong's company by the end of the year.
Although this bet was just a matter of keeping up appearances, if he couldn't beat her when the time came...
Then he might be mocked for several more years.
Jiang Cheng took a bite of pickles and deliberately feigned a dazed look. "I can't really talk about opinions or suggestions. I haven't really looked into it. What else does your Rice do besides mobile phones?"
It wasn't that Jiang Cheng was pretending; he really didn't know that much.
Regarding those products, he had only seen them but never actually used them.
So you want him to give ideas and opinions?
Firstly, having never used them, he couldn't represent anyone; secondly, he couldn't represent the netizens.
So what the hell could he suggest?
Oh, actually, that wasn't entirely true.
After all, not long ago, his own prototype had been adapted into an anime.
In the manga, on the first day he received the tycoon system, the system rewarded him with a Xiaomi SU7.
So the one who could best give an opinion was probably the Jiang Cheng in the manga.
*Cough cough.*
"Quite a lot!" Lei Jun immediately started counting on his fingers, his eyes showing a pragmatic drive. "Smart homes, air purifiers, Rice cookers... as long as it's an appliance related to daily life, we basically make it."
Jiang Cheng glanced at his bugatti not far away and said, "Such a broad business? I wonder if President Lei has considered making cars?"
Right now, he naturally hadn't.
Seeing Jiang Cheng suddenly shift the scope so drastically, Lei Jun's expression was clearly surprised.
Currently, Rice's products had both praisers and detractors.
He was apprehensive even about going public, so how could he possibly think of turning from a mobile phone manufacturer into a car manufacturer?
Not to mention that funds and technology were immature; primarily, these two weren't even in the same field.
Lei Jun shook his head with a bitter smile and replied, "Mr. Jiang, you really know how to joke. This kind of large-scale manufacturing is not a field that our Rice can easily venture into. Setting aside the issues of funds and technology, just in terms of the differences between these two industries, they are completely on different levels."
He paused and continued, "Manufacturing cars is much more complex than making phones or Rice cookers. It requires massive R&D investment, advanced production equipment, and professional technical talent. Our current capabilities and resources are far from enough to support such a transformation."
His words showed some self-awareness.
His ability to build cars would naturally come with policy support. In China, as long as any enterprise can secure local support...
...developing will naturally be much easier than going it alone.
But for Rice to be able to put up its entire net worth to cooperate in car manufacturing also required considerable courage.
His words indeed showed some self-awareness.
You know, in today's society, it's not easy for any enterprise to succeed.
Especially in an environment like China.
If local government support can be obtained, the development path of the enterprise will undoubtedly become smoother.
Just like his car manufacturing venture, being able to achieve certain results is naturally inseparable from policy support.
And Rice's willingness to put up its entire net worth to cooperate in car manufacturing undoubtedly requires considerable courage.
After all, it means he has to bear huge risks.
But it is precisely this spirit of daring to take risks and being brave enough to try that makes it possible for him to achieve a breakthrough in this field.
After hearing his words, Jiang Cheng couldn't help but laugh.
He thought Lei Jun was quite an interesting person.
He couldn't help but tease, "I'm telling the truth. You're not doing it now, but who can say for sure about the future? Maybe one day you really will build it. If one day your Rice dares to try, even if you 'copy' a bit of bugatti's design, maybe you really could head towards becoming the richest man."
Lei Jun burst into laughter at Jiang Cheng's words. He slapped the table, and even the fine lines at the corners of his eyes became more prominent because of the smile, revealing a hearty aura.
He responded with a laugh, "Mr. Jiang, you're really joking! However, if that day truly comes, I'll definitely save a 'Rice bugatti' for you, haha!"
Jiang Cheng smiled and couldn't help but tease, "I'm telling the truth. You're not doing it now, but who can say for sure about the future? Maybe one day you really will build it. If one day your Rice dares to try, even if you 'copy' a bit of bugatti's design, maybe you really could head towards becoming the richest man."
Lei Jun was amused by these words and slapped the table laughing, the fine lines at the corners of his eyes showing heartiness. "Mr. Jiang, what a joke you're making! If that day really comes, I'll save a 'Rice bugatti' for you first!"
"Alright then, those are your words. I'll be waiting for this car of yours."
Seeing that Jiang Cheng sounded somewhat serious, Lei Jun rubbed his chin, a thoughtful light flashing in his eyes. "Haha, I'm a man of my word."
Actually, he was a bit moved when he heard this, but he was also very self-aware and knew his own weight right now.
However, Jiang Cheng's words were like a seed, deeply buried in the bottom of Lei Jun's heart.
In the following years, this seed gradually took root, sprouted, and grew vigorously.
And Jiang Cheng's casual suggestion at this time, carrying a butterfly effect, became an important turning point in Lei Jun's life.
Years later, when being interviewed on multiple occasions, he would always gratefully mention the time Jiang Cheng brought up car manufacturing with him.
Of course, that's a story for later.
Right now, his mind was still focused more on going public.
Taking a deep breath, he adjusted his emotions slightly, then changed the subject, saying with a bit of earnestness.
"Mr. Jiang, in a while, we will be holding our 2018 new product launch event. I sincerely want to invite you to see it in person. Your experience and insights are very valuable to us. I hope you can give our team more suggestions. Do you think it would be convenient?"
Jiang Cheng nodded slightly, neither agreeing nor refusing. "Sure, if I have time then, I'll definitely go."
Lei Jun quickly took out his phone. "That's great! Let's add each other on WeChat. I'll have my assistant send you the specific time and address of the launch event later to make it easier for you to arrange."
As he spoke, he proactively opened his WeChat QR code and handed it to Jiang Cheng.
Since things had reached this point, Jiang Cheng naturally took out his phone, scanned the code, and passed the friend request.
After chatting for a few more sentences, Lei Jun didn't talk further. He stood up, said goodbye to the two of them, and left.
Just after Lei Jun left, he saw Shen Shuang trotting hurriedly towards them.
Because she was running so fast, by the time she hurriedly sat down on the chair, her originally A-cup chest had forcefully burst out with an A+ momentum.
Seeing Shen Shuang suddenly appear, Jiang Cheng glanced at Xu Yan with some surprise.
However, Jiang Cheng only took a glance and didn't say anything.