In the northwest corner of Hangzhou West Lake Science and Technology Park, the largest and closest plot of land to West Lake was designated as the Huaxia Group Hangzhou base.
Before the grand entrance with massive stone pillars lies a lawn spanning hundreds of square meters, exuding an air of grandeur. Inside the entrance, flagpoles bearing the national flag, the Science and Technology Park flag, the Huaxia company flag, and the flags of numerous international partner companies flutter in the breeze, showcasing Huaxia Group's proud achievements in overseas expansion.
Before him stood a 30-story geometric building known as the Huaxia International Tower. Several research institutes and subsidiaries of Huaxia Group's highest profit-contributing Communication Technology Group were located here. It was among the four major business groups of Huaxia Group.
Murong Feng parked his car in the lot below and confidently walked into the building.
In the bright and spacious lobby, two young women dressed in light purple uniforms stood at the reception desk. As Murong Feng entered, one of the women immediately approached him politely and asked, "Hello sir, how can I help you?"
"Please help me find Mr. Li Xiangnan from the Communication Technology Company," Murong Feng replied courteously.
The woman's expression immediately brightened with excitement as she nodded. "Okay, may I have your name, sir?" Murong Feng, puzzled by her reaction, answered, "Murong."
The woman, nearly jubilant, returned to the desk, picked up the phone, and dialed a number, her face brimming with a smile as she spoke sweetly, "Mr. Li, there's a Mr. Murong here to see you at the lobby… Alright." She hung up the phone and smiled at Murong Feng. "Please wait a moment, Mr. Li will be down shortly." The other receptionist also squealed with delight, whispering, "Mr. Li is really coming down! Wow, that's great!"
Standing aside, Murong Feng observed the two receptionists' infatuated expressions, growing more curious about the Huaxia Communication Technology Company's Executive President, Li Xiangnan.
Soon, a scholarly-looking young man in his early twenties with glasses walked out of the elevator. The moment he stepped out, people waiting for the elevator respectfully bowed their heads, greeting him, "Hello, Mr. Li!" He nodded kindly in response and walked toward the reception.
The two receptionists had already stood up, bowing respectfully and saying, "Hello, Mr. Li!" with admiration in their eyes as they looked at him. Murong Feng was quite surprised, never expecting the top figure at Huaxia Group's Hangzhou base to be such a young man who looked more like a recent college graduate.
"You must be Mr. Murong. Hello, I'm Li Xiangnan," Li Xiangnan smiled, extending his hand to Murong Feng.
"Hello, Mr. Li!" Murong Feng, impressed by his demeanor, spoke more politely, "Here's my appointment letter..." Li Xiangnan smiled and said, "No need to see it. The Chairman called me. I know the purpose of your visit." Murong Feng suddenly realized that Li Xiangnan's speech carried a warmth and calmness that made people feel close to him.
"Come, Mr. Murong, let's go upstairs and talk." "Alright, please lead the way."
Murong Feng followed Li Xiangnan to the elevator, glancing back at the reception. The two receptionists were still watching with longing eyes, making Murong Feng shake his head. This seemingly ordinary Li Xiangnan must have extraordinary qualities to command such respect and admiration from his subordinates.
Li Xiangnan's office was on the 29th floor, which also housed the Strategy Planning Department.
"The Strategy Planning Department is the core department of Huaxia Communications. It is mainly responsible for studying network development trends and business solutions in the communications business, collecting new technology trends, and so on. Strategic planning means telling the management what market changes will happen next and what we should plan to do next." While speaking, Li Xiangnan's secretary brought in a cup of coffee for Murong Feng and then retreated.
Li Xiangnan raised his hand with a smile, "This is Santos coffee I brought back from Brazil. It's very fragrant. Try it." Murong Feng took a sip and smiled, "Indeed, the taste is very rich." His expression and demeanor exuded a relaxed elegance.
Li Xiangnan's eyes also flashed with appreciation as he smiled and said, "I heard from Zhenjun that you have some telecommunications ventures?" Murong Feng nodded modestly, "I have a wireless value-added entertainment company with a friend, but it's nothing compared to Huaxia, a provider of communications equipment and technical solutions." Li Xiangnan shook his head with a smile, "Don't say that. The communication network has entered the 3G era, with strong trends for new applications. We are also preparing for related technologies and business extensions. Several departments under Huaxia Communications are researching mobile broadband and softswitch. You can talk to them to see if there's any potential for collaboration with your company."
Murong Feng naturally nodded and thanked him.
Li Xiangnan personally introduced Murong Feng to the Strategy Planning Department's office, where he met the department staff, before smiling and leaving.
Truly integrating into Huaxia Group, Murong Feng gradually began to understand what Huaxia Group's corporate culture was all about. It seemed like a closed world where Huaxia Group provided its employees with a much superior living environment than those around them but also kept them semi-isolated within the company. Military-style management and almost hypnotic cultural training were omnipresent.
Huaxia Group employees seemed to live in a world detached from society, where there was only relentless research, inspiring words from Huaxia's corporate culture, high equity incentives, and continuous motivation through honor, responsibility, and material rewards to push employees to devote all their energy to research, innovation, and progress. Whether this approach was good or bad was hard to say, but the results were evident. However, Murong Feng gradually realized that he was absolutely not suited for this culture...
The Strategy Planning Department was one of the few departments in Huaxia Group that had frequent contact with the outside world. At least Murong Feng could use his private email, go on MSN, and regularly attend various industry seminars.
He also learned more about Li Xiangnan: a figure considered legendary within the group. After graduating from university, he joined Huaxia Group, and in his second year, his talent in technical research earned him a promotion to Vice President of Technology. In his third year, he became the group's Vice President. By the fourth year, he was the Executive President of Huaxia Communications Technology, the largest business unit in Huaxia Group, highly trusted by Li Zhengyi and capable of handling things independently. Now only 25 years old, he was already the third most important figure in the group, seen as the most likely successor besides Li Zhenguo. There were even rumors that he might be Li Zhengyi's illegitimate son.
Thinking of Li Xiangnan's gentle young face, Murong Feng was astonished. He could not believe such a capable person existed.
Before he knew it, Murong Feng had been in Hangzhou for over a month.
One day, Li Xiangnan invited Murong Feng to play golf. Li Xiangnan's greatest hobby was golf. After a game with Li Zhenjun and Murong Feng when Li Zhenjun had visited Hangzhou, Li Xiangnan and Murong Feng had become golf buddies, playing a few holes together weekly.
Hangzhou West Lake International Golf and Country Club was the best golf course in Hangzhou, where Li Xiangnan and Murong Feng usually played. When Murong Feng arrived, he saw Li Xiangnan walking and laughing with a man in his thirties, sporting slicked-back hair and silver-rimmed glasses.
Seeing Murong Feng, Li Xiangnan smiled, "Murong, I ran into a friend. Let me introduce you. This is Mr. Shen Dong, a partner at KPCB China. And this is Mr. Murong Feng." He introduced Murong Feng simply, not sure how else to introduce him. To their surprise, Shen Dong smiled warmly and extended his hand, "So, you're Mr. Murong from Fengxing Wireless Entertainment. I've heard a lot about you. It's a pleasure to meet you!"
Both Li Xiangnan and Murong Feng were surprised. Shen Dong explained, "I just spoke with your company's Mr. Liu Xin in Shenzhen a few days ago, so I've heard a lot about you, Mr. Murong. I didn't expect to run into you here." Murong Feng suddenly understood. Recently, Fengxing had been doing well, and Liu Xin had mentioned several times that venture capital firms had been discussing investments with him. This must be one of those firms. Li Xiangnan quickly laughed and said, "So, there's a connection between you two. How about we play a game and chat?"
While strolling and chatting on the course, Murong Feng realized Shen Dong was trying to persuade Li Xiangnan to start his own business. From Li Xiangnan's words, it seemed Huaxia Group had an "internal entrepreneurship" policy, and he was somewhat tempted. However, considering Li Zhengyi's trust in him, he felt it might be inappropriate.
Shen Dong urged Li Xiangnan, saying that the rapid development of the communication industry presented numerous new opportunities. With Li Zhenguo still in Huaxia Group, Li Xiangnan had hit a ceiling, leaving little room for further advancement. On the other hand, starting his own business now, given his technical background and industry influence, with venture capital support, would be the perfect time for him to make a significant mark.
As they discussed intently, they both got distracted, and Murong Feng won three holes in a row. Shen Dong laughed, "Impressive, Murong! Playing golf with us is like printing money!" Murong Feng pointed at Li Xiangnan, smiling, "It's just that you and Xiangnan weren't playing your best. Normally, I lose more than I win against him!"
The three laughed heartily. Murong Feng also started contemplating that if someone as talented as Li Xiangnan did venture out on his own, partnering with him could be very promising. He decided to keep a close eye on Li Xiangnan and engage him in more conversations to understand his intentions better.