HPDBC Chapter 80 Bill's Invitation
Chapter 80 Bill's Invitation
The sunlight streamed in through the window without obstruction, but to Ling Yun, there was an unsettling stillness lurking beneath the brightness.
He stood by the office window, his gaze fixed on the street below, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the window frame.
It's been half a month.
More than 10 days have passed since he rejected Ballmer.
The storm he envisioned—patent lawsuits, media pressure, technological barriers, and even more direct business tactics—none of it came to pass.
It's highly unusual that Microsoft, this behemoth, has fallen silent.
Lingyun was well aware of Microsoft's operating style in the industry.
They might not care about an ant, but they would never ignore a rabbit capable of biting them.
Ballmer's personal involvement demonstrates a certain level of importance attached to the matter. However, it makes no sense to remain inactive after showing such importance.
"What are they waiting for?" Ling Yun turned around and asked Li Mo, who was sitting on the sofa reading technical documents. His voice carried a hint of irritation that he himself was unaware of.
Fearing a retaliation from Microsoft that would overwhelm him, Ling Yun brought Li Mo to Los Angeles. Even when he wasn't at the company, Li Mo could keep an eye on things for him.
Li Mo looked up and adjusted his glasses. "Could it be that their internal processes are too complicated, and large companies are slow to make decisions?"
Ling Yun shook his head. "Impossible. Either they think we pose no threat at all and are too lazy to bother with us..." He stopped there, not even believing that possibility himself.
"Or," Ling Yun said slowly, "they are preparing something else, a method we haven't thought of yet."
This uncertainty drained his energy. He was like a soldier who had been preparing for battle for a long time, his nerves taut, waiting for the enemy to charge, only to find that the opponent had disappeared into the fog. This waiting was more agonizing than direct confrontation.
Just then, there was a gentle knock on the office door, and the administrative assistant at the front desk poked her head in. "Mr. Lin, you have some mail."
A heavy envelope was delivered, with no extra information on it except a Redmond mailing address.
Ling Yun, filled with doubt, broke open the wax seal. Inside was an invitation with an extremely simple design, the paper was crisp, and the text was elegantly printed in relief.
Sincere invitation
Mr. Lingyun
于1996年12月1日星期日傍晚6:00
Visit the estate in Mondrian and attend an IT networking event.
Sincerely, Bill Gates.
The signature at the end was a familiar one, exuding a sense of power.
Lingyun held the thin piece of paper, feeling that it was heavier than any business document.
Li Mo leaned closer for a look, and his eyes widened instantly. "Bill Gates? He personally invited you."
"Hmm," Ling Yun gently placed the invitation on the table and leaned back in his chair. The mystery was revealed in another way: Microsoft didn't directly send reinforcements to the battlefield; instead, the king sent out invitations to a court banquet.
"Are you going?" Li Mo's voice was filled with barely suppressed excitement and nervousness.
"Go," Ling Yun answered without hesitation. "Why not? Seeing the emperor's palace and hearing what he has to say is much better than us guessing here."
Receiving this post is itself a form of certification.
He glanced at the bustling traffic outside the window, then at the elegantly worded invitation on the table. A very real problem immediately surfaced: "I need to solve the transportation problem," Ling Yun muttered to himself.
After arriving in the United States, he devoted most of his time to the company and technology.
When traveling, I either rely on temporary rental vehicles or occasionally use Eric's weathered Ford F-150, which is practical but noisy and has an old interior.
Driving it into the Mondrian Estate would likely result in being turned away by security. It's not just a matter of comfort; it's also about posture and dignity.
He cannot appear weak in any detail during the upcoming meeting.
"You should have bought one a long time ago," Li Mo immediately agreed. "Given your current status, it's really inappropriate for you to always drive that beat-up car. How about I go with you to look at some cars?"
"No need," Ling Yun waved his hand, "You keep an eye on the lab's progress, I'll handle it myself."
He needs time alone to process the shock of Bill's invitation and to think about how to cope. The process of choosing a car might help him clear his mind.
Instead of heading straight to any dealership, he walked to a city street map, his gaze sweeping over the well-known car brand stores.
Buying a decent car is necessary, but it shouldn't be rushed. He realized that a car is more than just a means of transportation; in the upcoming meeting, it's more like a silent business card, conveying the owner's taste, strength, and stance.
"Eric, come to my office." Ling Yun said, putting down the phone.
Soon, there was a knock on the door, and Eric walked into the office.
Ling Yun showed the invitation to Eric and asked, "Bill's invitation to an exchange meeting. I need to buy a car. Do you have any recommendations? I'd like to buy one."
Eric replied happily, "Boss, you should consider a Rolls-Royce Silver Spur. Only that car is worthy of your status and prestige."
Eric then added, "Many young bosses in the IT industry like to drive sports cars these days. I wonder if you have any particular preference for sports cars."
Ling Yun didn't have any particular fondness for sports cars. He was old enough to retire in both his previous lives, and he no longer had the desire to drive a sports car around town.
Principal Wang made a very good point: sports cars are something you have when you're born, and if you don't have them, you probably won't have them later in life.
They either lack the financial means to buy or the desire to buy.
"Let's buy a more business-like car. I don't like being flashy," Lingyun replied.
"Then let's buy a Silver Spur. It's understated luxury with substance. There's a Rolls-Royce dealership in Beverly Hills; I'll drive you there." Eric said excitedly.
"It's just buying a car, is it really necessary to be so dramatic?" Ling Yun was speechless at Eric's reaction.
"Boss, I've never been inside a Rolls-Royce showroom before, I'm afraid I'll be kicked out. I'm taking this opportunity to go in and broaden my horizons." Eric said with a fawning expression.
"You're just trying to show off to your friends and colleagues later, aren't you?" Ling Yun gave him an expression that said, "I know you perfectly well."
"Work hard, and once the company goes public, your stock options will be enough to buy dozens of Silver Spurs, right?" Ling Yun promised Eric.
Eric asked with a puzzled look, "Boss, why would I buy so many silver spikes?"
"Imagine a line of silver spikes driving on the highway, sometimes forming an S, sometimes a B, how smug it would be!" Ling Yun said with an innocent smile.
"The boss is right. I'm not just going to line up as an SB, I'm going to line up as a huge SB." Eric said solemnly.
"Okay, then work hard for your big, stupid dream. Let's go look at cars now." Ling Yun suppressed a laugh.