But he was a shrewd businessman.
"We don't do profit sharing, only outright purchase. It's impossible for you to take shares in the company with this. A lump sum, tell me, how much do you want if I sign?"
While developing the software, Chen Dongyang also conducted market research and product valuation.
Once the app was launched, in his calculations, he expected to receive at least one to two million in design fees.
However, since he did it all by himself from start to finish, the labor cost was lower than that of a professional design company, and there was no team to share profits with. Moreover, he himself was not from a professional gaming background, so the other party definitely wouldn't offer that price.
"800,000. A lump sum. I'll sell it to you outright for 800,000."
Manager Wang began to haggle according to the old rules of the workplace, neither saying more nor less, delaying a decision.
They were not in a hurry, but Chen Dongyang was.
Not only was he pressed for time, but he also hated to drag things out. If it works, it works; if not, forget it. Endless back-and-forth talk was extremely boring.
"To be frank, Manager Wang, I'm in urgent need of money. We're all straightforward people. With your professional eye and keen insight, you should know that my price isn't high."
"But this is our first collaboration, you don't trust me enough, and I do have shortcomings. So let's not push it. 500,000. If we can close the deal, we'll sign right now and you give me the money immediately. If not, then forget it."
Manager Wang saw that 300,000 had been reduced in just a few minutes, and there was definitely room for further savings. He wanted to negotiate further, but Chen Dongyang was impatient.
"500,000 wouldn't even cover the initial expenses for a professional design team. Since you have no sincere intention to cooperate, let's not talk anymore. I'll take out a loan. If there's an opportunity in the future, I'll find other platforms to launch it on. You might regret it then."
He left, still hoping Manager Wang would call him back. However, the old man knew he was short of money and there was room to lower the price, so he stubbornly refrained from calling.
Chen Dongyang returned to his car and angrily slammed his fists on the steering wheel, then called his boss, Old Huang.
Old Huang was well aware of his personal situation and had already advanced him money several times. When he called this time, he guessed that he would need to borrow money again. Before Chen Dongyang could even speak, he started complaining about his financial difficulties.
The material costs he had covered were not being settled promptly, while the other party kept finding excuses to demand rework. It was a harsh winter for the industry, business was difficult, the company's storefront rent was due soon, and the rent had increased. He still had a mortgage to pay, and the mortgage payment date was approaching... He rambled on about a lot of things.
Chen Dongyang was not a fool. After listening to his complaints for a while, he said calmly.
"I'm not calling to borrow money, don't be scared. I'm just letting you know I'm back. Do you have any orders for me? I'll take whatever you throw at me."
Old Huang actually didn't have many orders.
His complaints were half true and half false.
The real estate industry was indeed approaching saturation, and business had become increasingly difficult in recent years.
Their renovation work, as a downstream derivative of the real estate industry, was also affected, naturally making it difficult.
Moreover, his company was small and less competitive, so he personally handled most of the business development.
He kept the profitable projects for himself.
This year, he had given the less profitable ones to Chen Dongyang, who, working overtime, had almost completed them.
"Alas, I've been swamped lately and haven't gotten any new business. I was just worrying about it. How about this, Dongyang, you're handsome and have strong professional skills. Why don't you come and run business with me?"
"I don't care about losing face, and you don't care about risking your life. If we join forces, we'll surely achieve great things next month."
Chen Dongyang wasn't afraid of running business, but he couldn't wait until next month.
Even if he couldn't find a suitable heart, he had to prepare the surgery fees first, otherwise, he wouldn't be able to sleep soundly.
When one is down on their luck, even drinking cold water can get stuck in their throat, and they won't have any true friends.
Since he couldn't raise money anywhere, he had to resort to loans.
He returned to the hospital, physically and mentally exhausted. Fortunately, Dou Bao had been moved out of the intensive care unit.
When Zeng Hui saw him, she hurried to greet him.
"Where have you been for so long? Dou Bao just woke up once and asked for you as soon as he opened his eyes."
"Have you eaten? Why are your lips so dry? Haven't you had any water all day?"
Chen Dongyang couldn't remember how long it had been since he had drunk water. He was just living mechanically, feeling neither thirsty nor hungry.
Looking at Dou Bao's sleeping face, quiet and adorable, he walked over and touched him.
"Did he make any trouble?"
Hui Hui followed his gaze to their son, her face filled with affection. "No, he's always been well-behaved since he was little, you know that."
Chen Dongyang knew that, which was why he couldn't bear for anything to happen to him.
"You must be tired too. Rest for a while, I'll watch him."
Zeng Hui shook her head. "I'm not tired. My sister took me to the hospital yesterday and I slept soundly..."
She became a little embarrassed at this point.
"I'll go buy you some food. You must not have eaten yet."
Chen Dongyang stopped her. "I've eaten. If you're not sleepy, I'll go to sleep. My eyes hurt."
His usually bright, piercing eyes were now bloodshot, and a layer of stubble covered his chin.
He had only been back by her side for a day and a night, how could he have become so haggard?
Zeng Hui felt heartbroken and wanted to touch his face. Chen Dongyang stood up and walked around to the inside of Dou Bao's bed.
"I'll just rest here for a while. Call me if anything happens."
Zeng Hui said with concern, "You're so big, how can you sleep here? Your legs will go numb soon."
"Director Gao arranged a special care room for us. There's a small room inside with a bed. You go and sleep in there."
Chen Dongyang didn't stand on ceremony. His sister was right.
He needed to take care of his health to look after them, his wife and son, and not to burden his sister. No matter what, he had to take care of himself.
He slept uneasily, his dreams filled with confusion.
In his dreams, he was running and smiling with Tiantian one moment, and arguing with her the next.
Tiantian was crying sadly, but he didn't know what to do.
In a panic, he woke up. It turned out his phone by his ear was vibrating.
He picked it up without even checking who was calling.
A man's voice came from the other end.
"Chen Dongyang, right? I'm Zhang Baofeng, the host of the Youth Design Competition."
The competition had just ended, how could they be calling so soon?
Chen Dongyang had a premonition that something good was about to happen, and he quickly sat up.
"Hello, Director Zhang. I'm Chen Dongyang. May I ask what this is about?"
"It's like this, Dongyang, congratulations. Our entire review team has seen the design drafts you submitted. They are the highest in quality and most creative among this year's contestants."
"Normally, the results would be announced in half a month, but we can't wait any longer. We don't want to lose such a talented person to other design institutes, so we want to pre-book you."
"Are you interested in working at our design institute? As the first-place winner of this competition, we would like to sincerely invite you with a monthly salary of 100,000. Would you be willing to come?"