A world-renowned magnate arrived at the nation's most prestigious institution of higher learning. As a matter of fact, he had come here to give a speech years ago. This man was currently one of the most famous godfathers of the business world, the founder of the retail empire, Alibaba, which was once worth $300 billion—Jack Ma.
Ren Hong was 19 and a self-taught top star student. He had gotten through one and a half years in Tsinghua University and just made a very important decision of his life. He was ready to quit school to start a business. In other words, he was about to drop out.
He felt like the university wasn't teaching him anything new, despite him only just about to become a sophomore.
"Mr. Ma, may I ask…"
This was the scene that Ren Hong witnessed when he headed toward the Academic Affairs Office. Jack Ma happened to pass through after giving his speech. A dozen reporters interviewed the godfather of the business world, while students stood and watched from the side. It was a roaring scene with the reporters' madness, a cluster of security officers, and Jack Ma's smile. Ren Hong witnessed everything before him but didn't come to a halt. Coincidentally, Jack Ma's eyes met his, and the former revealed a polite smile. Ren Hong did likewise without any so-called excitement. A calm response simply displayed a sense of natural confidence and ease.
Numerous students who dreamt of entrepreneurship gathered in the lecture hall to hear Jack Ma's speech. However, Ren Hong didn't attend. He knew very well that this so-called sharing session by the world-renowned magnate wasn't beneficial to him at all. To him, the speech was merely chicken soup for the soul—also known as a form of poison.
Jack Ma's success didn't mean that others would succeed too. Ren Hong admired him, but didn't worship him. He firmly believed that he could also create a great technology company with a world-wide reputation one day.
The exchange of glances between them lasted for a second, before Ren Hong continued riding the electric bicycle toward the Academic Affairs Office of the Department of Computer Science.
The path of self-employment might be tough, but he was determined. He always believed that one day, in that hall, he would be standing at the podium and not sitting among the audience.
After a few minutes, he finally arrived at his destination. The door was opened and he gently knocked.
"Come in!"
Upon hearing the voice coming from inside, Ren Hong calmly entered the office without displaying any nervous tension.
"Director Yu, I would like to apply for suspension from school," Ren Hong paused, before speaking his mind.
Sitting on the other side of the office desk was a middle-aged man. He lifted his head instantly and pushed up his glasses as though to take a closer look at this student before him.
"Ren Hong?" It was apparent that Director Yu recognized this student. Ren Hong's outstanding achievements in Computer Science had left a deep impression on him.
"Sure, the school respects your decision. But why the sudden decision?" Director Yu didn't reject his application. Despite being surprised by this outstanding student, the latter was an adult, after all. It was his decision to decide if he wanted to drop out from school.
"I'm ready to start my own business," Ren Hong said frankly.
"Business?" The astonished Director Yu scanned him, came to a pause, and suddenly chuckled. "Were you there to listen to Jack Ma's speech?"
"No!" Ren Hong shook his head and said.
"Oh?" Director Yu looked at him with surprise, "I thought you did. It does feel a little strange that students who are thirsty for entrepreneurship like you aren't interested in hearing his speech. I thought you were momentarily awestruck by his 'chicken soup' and got carried away." Director Yu teased, gazing at Ren Hong.
"I dislike success stories. That is a stage that belongs only to him and has nothing to do with me, neither does it benefit me at all. It took me more than a month to come to this decision to drop out from school and start a business," Ren Hong said honestly.
"Those are some big words," Director Yu chuckled, gazed at him solemnly. Then, he continued. "The school respects your decision, but do know that this isn't child's play. Are you sure you've made up your mind?"
"I'm certain," Ren Hong nodded firmly.
The office fell into a temporary silence. After a few moments, Director Yu stood up and stepped away from the desk. He retrieved an application form from one of the folders and handed it to Ren Hong. "In that case, fill this in!"
Ren Hong accepted the application form and filled in his name, student ID, and reason for dropping out, et cetera.
"There are pros and cons for university students starting their own business. And it is important that you consider the weight of them," Director Yu advised.
"I will, Director Yu. Thank you," Ren Hong answered.
Director Yu nodded and said with a smile: "Can you tell me the project that you are preparing for?"
Ren Hong completed the application form in no time. After handing it over to Director Yu, he pondered and replied: "I want to start a technology company, an internet company. The first product is almost perfected."
"Oh? What type of product?" Director Yu took the application form. He skimmed through it, signed, and stamped, at the same time asking curiously.
The moment the topic was about his product, Ren Hong was instantly brimming with confidence. However, he kept Director Yu in suspense. "Heh, heh, I have a proposal, Director Yu."
"Tell me about it," Director Yu smiled and didn't refuse straightaway.
"I checked; Building 003 by the western courtyard has basically become a warehouse. I spotted a vacant classroom and want to rent it out as the company's office address. Well, the rent in Beijing is a little expensive, you see…" Ren Hong said with a hollow laugh.
Director Yu thought about it. "Building 003, huh… That's true. It'll definitely be better for it to serve some purpose. I can do you this favor. But judging the matter as it stands, the price for a few hundred square meters isn't cheap. How much start-up capital do you have for your company?"
"Half a million US dollars," Ren Hong thought about it and responded.
This time, Director Yu was stumped. "Half a million USD? That's millions of yuan. Where did you get that much start-up capital from? I remember you being from an average family background."
"This was what happened. I received this funding some time ago for helping Microsoft detect system vulnerabilities, and there is absolutely no problem with this funding source," Ren Hong explained. Anyone would have been more or less confused, so he understood Director Yu's puzzlement. Director Yu revealed a smile instantly upon hearing his explanation. "Good! All in all, you're still my student. You have the best overall computer literacy I've ever seen, and I'm not at all surprised that you can spot vulnerabilities for Microsoft. Now I'm even more curious as to what your first product is going to be, seeing as you're hiding your idea like you're afraid that I will steal it away."
"It is definitely a great product. Please allow me to keep it a secret for now; you'll know soon enough." Ren Hong said confidently.
Director Yu presented the application form to Ren Hong again, smiling. "Take this to Room 318 in the Academic Affairs Department for filing. It is on the third floor of Building 12, located by the west of the eastern courtyard. A week later, that vacant classroom will be your corporate office; I will help you settle the paperwork. When the time comes, let me see how great your product is. I'll wait with some anticipation!"
"Thank you, Director!" Ren Hong gladly took the form and left the academic office.
"It sure feels good to be young and energetic!" Director Yu looked at the disappearing figure in the doorway. He broke into laughter, shook his head, and continued with his work.
Ren Hong rode the electric bicycle straight to Building 12 on the west of the eastern courtyard. After arriving at Room 318, he looked at the three huge words on the door of the teaching department and entered. "Sir, this is my withdrawal procedure." Ren Hong handed the form to the teacher-in-charge. The latter nodded and didn't say a word. He took the form and typed on the computer. It was taking a while, so Ren Hong could only wait patiently and do nothing else.
In the end, the teacher handed Ren Hong another form. Upon receiving the form titled 'Student Withdrawal Procedure', Ren Hong thanked the teacher, left Room 318, and went downstairs to Room 213 for refund procedures. After getting the stamp of approval, he arrived at the second floor of 'Yifu building' by the western courtyard to handle the return procedures for library books.
The withdrawal procedures were complicated. He had to go all around the school. Fortunately, he borrowed an electric bicycle; otherwise, the entire process would be even draggier. But the procedures couldn't be rushed through and had to be done step by step.
Ren Hong exited the library and arrived at the western school hospital. He went up to the third floor of the small northern building to find the finance department and cancel medical treatment procedures at public expense. Shortly after, he went to the registration office to the left of the first window to sign the necessary forms before he was able to get the form stamped by the school hospital.
Next, he went over to Room 212 of the main building for the withdrawal of the network procedures. After getting it done, he arrived at the department to hand over his paper student certificate and school badge. He eventually returned the student card and went to Dormitory C to find the building manager to sign and hand over the dormitory key.
Finally, after a busy morning, the boring procedures and formalities came to an end. And after returning to Building 12 to submit the forms again, Ren Hong received a withdrawal certificate.
"The moment you receive this document, you are temporarily disassociated from the school for one year. Ren Hong, go and do what you wish, but make sure to return to resume school at the specified time. Or else you will be deemed a permanent leaver of the school," this teacher said nonchalantly.
"Thank you, Sir, I will take note." After Ren Hong got his withdrawal certificate, he couldn't explain the excitement in him. He was finally able to do what he wanted.