The deputy manager of the housekeeping company watched the phone hang up, fuming. "What's so great about a guy who lives off his wife? Don't move, I win!" he declared, pushing his tiles forward. "Pay up, pay up."
Xiao Xun thanked the security captain, turned, got into his car, and drove towards the company.
He arrived at the company quite early and went directly to the second-floor canteen.
Ever since he started living with Mu Jiahe, he hadn't tasted the company's breakfast. His appearance today surprised the auntie serving the food.
"A rare visitor! President Xiao, it's been a while since we've seen you for breakfast."
Xiao Xun smiled. "I used to wake up early and cook at home, but today I was too lazy."
After breakfast, Xiao Xun went to his director's office, opened his computer, and sorted and summarized the recent reports and documents that needed signatures, then processed them all.
Just as he was about to leave, Director Liu from the group's research and development department stopped him. "President Xiao, have you seen the news?"
Xiao Xun looked at Director Liu curiously. "What news?"
Director Liu took out his phone and opened the news homepage to show him. "Look, the Jingji Group is globally recalling its new flagship phone, but not in our country."
Xiao Xun took Director Liu's phone and read the details. It included a joint statement from the president and CTO Cui Zhihao of the Jingji Group for this country, stating that the domestic version of the flagship phone was absolutely fine and therefore did not require a recall.
Director Liu said to Xiao Xun, "Isn't the Jingji Group asking for trouble? If there's a problem globally but not in our country, it makes you wonder if the Jingji Group's president has any brains.
The market share is only so big. A slight tremor will be exploited by others, let alone such a huge safety hazard. Even if your domestic version is truly problem-free, other manufacturers will ensure it has problems!"
After hearing Director Liu's words, Xiao Xun returned the phone, patted his shoulder, and took the elevator to the communications department.
Director Mi had been promoted to Chairman Mi, and the entire communications department had been reorganized into another technology company specializing in mobile phone research and development.
Just as he started work, before he could even enter his office with his briefcase, Xiao Xun intercepted him.
"You scared me! President Xiao, is there something important so early?"
Xiao Xun grabbed his arm. "Boss Mi, this is urgent. Is the phone ready?"
Director Mi pushed open his office door and gestured for Xiao Xun to come in to talk.
"The design drawings are complete, but they haven't been submitted to Chairman Mu and the other directors for approval yet."
Xiao Xun immediately said, "By the time she approves it, it'll be too late. She's too busy with work matters these days. If you think it's fine, just approve it and send it to the contract manufacturer. I'll handle the rest with her. Now is the best time for domestic products to rise."
Director Mi considered for a moment and said, "The phone is fine. How is your system coming along? Oh, and that highly anticipated game."
Xiao Xun replied directly, "The game isn't urgent for now. Anyway, once our phone is released, it will be invincible."
He wasn't in a hurry, but Director Mi was. "Why isn't it urgent? Isn't the game one of our major selling points?"
Xiao Xun sat on the desk, looking at Director Mi. "A good game needs meticulous refinement. If it's released too quickly, the quality will be low, it won't set a trend, and it will give competitors an opportunity to exploit. It's better to release the phone first, earn the initial money and reputation."
Director Mi took out the design drawings from his briefcase. "Take a look at the style. The detailed specifications are all marked."
Xiao Xun looked at the drawings, but he couldn't understand much. He could only pick holes in the specifications. "Everything else is good, but why this phone chip? They can't even make good computer chips, how can they make good phone chips? By the way, aren't we cooperating with Jingji Group? Why aren't we using Jingji Group's chips?"
Director Mi became displeased. "You really don't know the cost of things. You make it sound so easy. We have a cooperation agreement with Jingji Group, and the contract clearly states that we have priority. It's not that they're giving it to us for free. If you use Jingji Group's chips, the cost will increase. This company's chips are a bit inferior, but this is their trial product, so they want to cooperate deeply with us. They gave us the lowest price from the start, and I thought it was suitable, so I signed the contract."
Xiao Xun became unhappy. "Don't just consider the cost. It's okay if the first phone doesn't make money. The most important thing is to seize the market and cultivate user habits."
Director Mi also found it difficult. "But the contract has already been signed, and the chips have been sent to the contract manufacturer. What do you suggest?"
Xiao Xun lowered his head, resting his chin on his hand, and pondered for a moment. "I've got it. Just create two versions: a flagship version and a youth version."
Director Mi didn't understand. "What do you mean?"
Xiao Xun stood up and explained. "This youth version is the low-end version. But this isn't a car. As soon as you say 'low-end version,' sales will surely drop. Give it a different name, and more people will be willing to buy it.
The low-end version will use your current chips. The high-end version will use slightly better chips, and increase the memory. Those who are willing to pay more will get the flagship, and those who aren't will get the youth version."
Director Mi thought about it and smiled. "Brilliant! This idea of yours is great! It's worth a try. There's only a hundred-dollar difference in between, but the effect will be vastly different."
"What do you mean 'my idea'? These are just old tricks from online games. I'm just copying them."
After leaving Director Mi, Xiao Xun took the elevator directly to the fifth floor.
The HR specialist had hired a person in charge of the game studio as per Xiao Xun's request. He was also very willing to join the new company, mainly because he was happy to work in the Saint Roman Building.
The best part was that this person in charge brought his own team, and over ten people joined on their first day.
Although it was a young team, they had developed many famous flash games during their university years and had won numerous awards.
Xiao Xun thought to himself, 'Heaven truly helps me.'
He said to the person in charge of the studio, "Have you played 3D competitive RPG games?"
The person in charge nodded. "Yes, I have."
"From now on, your team's task is to develop a similar game that can be played on mobile phones. The requirement is that it must be original and run smoothly on current mainstream models."
The person in charge thought for a moment. "No problem. I'll call a meeting and convey your instructions."
As soon as he left, the design director of the game company came over, closed the door, and said with displeasure, "President Xiao, what do you mean by this?"
Xiao Xun looked at him curiously. "What's wrong?"
The design director's displeasure was evident on his face. "We've already entered the final production stage, so why did you hire another team to develop the same game?"
Xiao Xun smiled and retorted, "When you joined the company, what position did I give you?"
"Design Director!"
Xiao Xun patted his shoulder. "Exactly! You are the company's Design Director. At most, one of these two teams is your direct subordinate, and the other is a subordinate to your subordinate. Both report to you. I just hope there will be healthy competition between the two teams. If brothers compete, no matter who wins, it's our company that wins. It's better for us to win ourselves than for outsiders to win."
Hearing Xiao Xun say this, the design director's mood instantly brightened, and his earlier gloominess completely disappeared. He even felt quite pleased.