Chapter 94: Fang's Flicker
Chapter 94: Fang's Flicker
As the late afternoon sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow over the city, Fang Hong walked into the lobby of Quantum Beat Company. It was around 17:30, and he was here for a significant reason—today marked the beginning of their Pre-A financing round, a crucial milestone for the company. He had always been a visionary, but now, with a rapidly growing team and ambitious goals, the time had come to secure additional capital to fuel their expansion.
Inside the CEO's office, the five founders, including Xu Jingren, Lou Gaoyuan, and the others, had gathered early to prepare for Fang Hong's arrival. They were all eager, a mix of nervous excitement and anticipation swirling in the air. The conversation had been flowing when Fang Hong entered, his presence commanding attention as always.
Without missing a beat, Yuan Jie, who was lounging on the sofa, raised an eyebrow, his voice dripping with playful sarcasm. "Boss, you know, I'm starting to feel like we're doing all the heavy lifting while you're sitting back and enjoying yourself. You're always busy with the company, but also seem to have time to hang out with schoolgirls like He Xuan. What's the deal? First Lin Ruoshui, now Hexuan? Seems like you've got it easy."
Sun Xin, sitting on the opposite side, nodded with a concerned look. "Yeah, I second that. The more I think about it, the more it seems like we're pulling all the weight while you're enjoying yourself. It doesn't feel right."
Wang Ping, ever the realist, sighed dramatically. "You've really changed ever since you got involved with Lin Ruoshui. And now, after the breakup, you're with He Xuan? Back then, we were all about business, about building the company like brothers. But now, it feels like we've become background players while you chase after women."
There was an uncomfortable silence for a moment as Fang Hong took in their words, each one laced with concern, jealousy, and a hint of frustration.
He raised his hand, signaling for calm, and let out a small sigh. "Alright, alright. I know what you're all thinking. Look, I've been through a lot lately, and I get it—this might look strange to you. But I'm telling you, there's a method to the madness. I've lived through it, and if you want my advice, it's this: It's best to put off relationships as long as possible, because once you're in them, you're stuck with the responsibility. You end up spending all your time making sure they're happy, and it becomes a constant game of appeasing. Trust me, I've been there."
The brothers exchanged doubtful glances, clearly unconvinced. Fang Hong could see it in their eyes. They weren't buying it, not fully. But he wasn't about to back down.
"I'm telling you from experience. You think things are great when they're not. The sun rises, and you're supposed to focus on your career. When the sun sets, you're with your partner. And it's a constant balance between the two. But here's the thing—career comes first. It provides the value, the purpose. It's what will give you meaning."
Sun Xin, always the more curious one, leaned forward, eager to understand. "So, you're saying our career is the most important thing? Above all else?"
Fang Hong nodded, taking on the role of a mentor. "Exactly. A good career gives you a sense of value, and a good relationship gives you a sense of belonging. These two things—value and belonging—are what drive us. Your career is what helps you feel accomplished. And your relationships, they're what make you feel loved. But the foundation of all of it is your work."
The group was starting to nod in agreement, processing his words. Yet, Yuan Jie wasn't fully convinced. "But boss, you left Lin Ruoshui and immediately jumped into something with He Xuan. It doesn't really add up, does it? What about your advice?"
Fang Hong paused, a slight chuckle escaping his lips as he leaned back in his chair. "You're thinking too much into this. I get it. It looks hypocritical. But here's the thing—you all know He Xuan's family, right? They're rich. They have connections. If you really want to understand why I'm with her, it's simple. She's a way to get the capital we need to push forward with the company."
The room fell silent. Yuan Jie's eyes widened, a sudden realization dawning on him. "Wait, you're saying Hexuan's family is invested in Quantum Beat?"
Fang Hong smiled faintly, his tone filled with a mix of pride and strategy. "Exactly. You think investors just throw money at us because we're cute? No. We've got investors who care about returns. And Hexuan's family—well, they care about the business. They want to see us succeed, which is why I'm here."
Wang Ping, ever the schemer, raised an eyebrow. "So, all of this—your relationship with He Xuan—is really just a business move?"
Fang Hong nodded again, this time more solemnly. "It's not just a business move. It's about leverage. Relationships in the business world aren't always as straightforward as they seem. Hexuan's family is deeply connected, and that's why we got that angel investment of 5 million. You see, you can't think of business and relationships as separate things. They intertwine, and we need to use every advantage we have."
Lou Gaoyuan, who had been quiet up until this point, finally spoke, his face showing a mix of admiration and understanding. "I get it now. Hexuan's family played a key role in securing that investment, didn't they? It's not just about who you know—it's about who's backing you."
Fang Hong's eyes glimmered with approval. "Exactly. You're catching on. But this isn't just about one round of financing. We're talking about long-term gains. The more successful we become, the more valuable everything becomes. The money we raise, the shares we dilute—it's all part of the plan."
He leaned forward, eyes sharp and full of ambition. "We have to keep moving. Quantum Beat needs to expand, and fast. The market doesn't wait for anyone. If we slow down, we'll be left behind. Just look at the competition. We're in a race, and right now, we're leading. We just need to keep pushing."
Xu Jingren, who had been silent up to now, suddenly spoke. "What about the dilution of shares? We're giving up more control for less equity. Is it worth it?"
Fang Hong shrugged nonchalantly. "It's a matter of perspective. Sure, we're diluting, but look at the bigger picture. The valuation of the company is increasing, which means even diluted shares are worth more. You all started with 11.96% of the company. After this round of financing, your shares will be diluted to 8.372%. But here's the thing—the value of your shares has increased from just over 7 million to more than 25 million."
The room went silent as the magnitude of the situation sunk in. Wang Ping whistled under his breath. "Wait, so we're losing shares, but they're worth more than double what they were before?"
Fang Hong nodded, a satisfied smile curling on his lips. "That's right. We've made a strategic decision. The company's valuation is now 300 million. The more we raise, the more we dilute, but the more valuable our shares become. It's a game of balance. But ultimately, it's about the company's growth."
At this point, the tension in the room started to lift, replaced by excitement. Xu Jingren, looking satisfied, leaned back and said, "I get it now. The more we raise, the more the company grows, and the more valuable we all become in the long run. It's not about control—it's about scaling."
Fang Hong grinned, his usual confidence returning. "Exactly. Now, let's talk about the next steps. We need to keep moving forward, and we need to do it quickly. But remember, the biggest risk is stagnation. We can't afford to slow down."
The brothers nodded in unison, the weight of the conversation sinking in. They were all in this together, and they knew that with Fang Hong at the helm, their company was bound to succeed. They just had to keep pushing.
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