Chapter 14: The Crisis of Going Public

"Wow, that's amazing! Why do I suddenly have something new in my mind?" Zhao Ze asked excitedly after closing his eyes and thinking for a moment.

"Idiot, I just transmitted it to you. Did you think it appeared out of nowhere? Remember the route I just showed you—follow that path when you practice, understand? If you do, go take a bath now; you stink. I just helped you cleanse your body and improve your talent. From now on, your cultivation will yield twice the result with half the effort," Lin Feng reminded the still-excited Zhao Ze.

Zhao Ze lowered his head and sniffed himself. Sure enough, an awful stench wafted from his body. He quickly apologized to Lin Feng and rushed off to bathe. Seeing Zhao Ze leave, Lin Feng turned and walked away—he had said all he needed to, and there was no reason to linger.

When Lin Feng returned home from the Dragon Rising Gang, it happened to be dinner time. Liu Runli, who hadn't seen Lin Feng for days, couldn't help but complain, "Look at you, you've lost weight again, haven't you? What have you been up to, never at home these days? You're worse than before—at least your mother could see you every day. Now, not only is your father rarely seen, but even you are hard to find!"

"Ah, Mom, it's because I'm starting my own business. The company has just been founded, and there are many things to take care of, right?" Lin Feng hurried forward to explain.

"Yes, I know, but I never wanted you to start a business. Your father doesn't have time for me anymore, and now you're always busy too. How about this: hurry up and find a wife, get married, and give me a grandchild. I promise not to bother you anymore—you can do whatever you want!" Liu Runli was clearly dissatisfied with his answer and pressed on.

"Uh, well, that's not something that happens just because you say so. I can't have a child on my own; I need a woman to cooperate," Lin Feng replied with a wry smile.

"Don't worry about women—I have my circle of friends, and they know plenty of girls. How about I arrange for you to meet some tomorrow? If you find one you like, get married and give me a child," Liu Runli declared boldly.

Hearing his mother's words, Lin Feng felt his head swell. So this was what she really wanted to talk about! In the end, unable to argue with her, he used Xia Ruoxi as a shield. Seeing his mother about to go on, Lin Feng quickly said, "Mom, you don't need to worry. I already have someone I like. As soon as I win her over, I'll bring her home for you to meet. You don't need to introduce anyone from your friends."

"Oh, you already have someone you like? That's good. But remember, don't look for those girls with unclear backgrounds," Lin Chuanzi, who was eating nearby, interjected.

"Yes, Dad, I know! The girl I like is actually the general manager of our company—I recruited her," Lin Feng quickly explained.

"That's good. How's your company doing? I haven't heard any news about it," Lin Chuanzi asked again.

"Hehe, Dad, don't worry! It's confidential for now, but our product is already in reserve. Once it's officially launched, you'll be proud of me," Lin Feng replied proudly.

"You kid, always bragging to the skies. As long as you don't cause trouble, your dad and I are happy. We don't expect much—just that you're safe and sound," Liu Runli chimed in, thinking Lin Feng was boasting again.

No matter what he said now, his parents wouldn't believe him. It seemed he'd have to wait until the product was launched and results came in before they would.

The next day, when Lin Feng returned to the company, he hadn't even sat down before the head of the marketing department walked into his office with a gloomy face. Seeing him so dejected, Lin Feng was immediately alarmed and asked him to sit down and explain what had happened.

"Chairman Lin, I'm sorry. I've let you and the company down. I've spoken with many agents recently, but none of them believe in our company. They think we're too small, lack strength, and that our products won't sell, so no one is willing to represent us," the marketing head said, sitting with his head down in disappointment.

"Oh? Did you tell them our products are designed in-house and use a brand-new operating system? Those features are excellent—didn't you mention them?" Lin Feng stood up in surprise and questioned him.

"I did. I told them everything, but they didn't believe me. They said I was joking. Because we can't reveal the product ahead of time, I couldn't bring a finished sample to discuss with them, so..." the marketing head replied helplessly.

"Chairman Lin, maybe I should resign. I feel I've let everyone down. Such a good product, and I can't find a single agent. I can't face the department," he said, seeing Lin Feng deep in thought and hurriedly offering to leave.

"It's all right; it's not really your fault. The main issue is that we can't show them the finished product for confidentiality, and what we've developed is truly astonishing. If I hadn't seen it myself, I'd think it was fake too. Let me think," Lin Feng quickly comforted him and sat down to ponder.

At the door, Xia Ruoxi was also anxious. She had overheard the conversation between Lin Feng and the marketing head. She knew how much effort the company had put into launching this product. If it didn't sell because no agents would represent it, it would be a huge blow to the staff.

"Idiots, you can't even handle this? I really have nothing to say. I guess I have to do it myself. If no one will represent you, sell it yourselves! Set up a sales page on your website and sell directly. Find a partner courier company, and set up physical experience stores in first- and second-tier cities. Problem solved!" Mo Tian chimed in disdainfully from the side.

Lin Feng's eyes lit up at Mo Tian's suggestion—it was indeed workable. If no one would represent them, they'd sell themselves. Who knew, it might even become a trend in marketing.

"Ruoxi, notify the heads of finance and publicity to come to my office for an emergency meeting," Lin Feng suddenly said to Xia Ruoxi.

Soon, all the notified staff gathered in Lin Feng's office. "Explain the current situation to everyone," Lin Feng instructed the marketing head.

"All right," the marketing head nodded, then described the company's predicament in detail to the others. After he finished, everyone in the room looked anxiously at Lin Feng.

"For this series of computers, what's the production cost from your calculations?" Lin Feng asked the finance head.

"For this series, the low-end model costs three thousand, the mid-range thirty-five hundred, and the high-end four thousand," the finance head replied after checking the data sheet, reporting to Lin Feng and those present in the meeting room.