Girls need to be able to go to the hall and go to the kitchen

They were sitting in an American retro-style country café.

Jiang Fan was with the Pei sisters while Xu Feng was with his two business partners. They got a table for six by the window, sitting across from each other in pairs.

Xu Feng, who was in his early thirties, was somewhat introverted and not good at socializing. He looked honest and awkward, a typical IT man. His two partners were pretty much the same. All three were engineers at Tencent who saw a potential in the short video industry and ventured out to start their own platform. However, after two years, the platform was still struggling. The seed round and angel round funds were all used up, but the A round was nowhere in sight. Capital markets didn't hold much hope for it.

Jiang Fan has also tried their APP. It had elements of both Bilibili and Kuaishou.

In short, it was a mishmash with no unique features. In a few years, if it's not known, it's definitely dead. There were countless internet startups like this, basically, every day there would be companies that couldn't make it and had to disband.

Predictably, this startup team would also meet the same fate.

Jiang Fan cut to the chase, "We've talked about this before, and I think you all know why I'm here. I need a technical team. You have the technical skills, and I can help you achieve your dream."

Xu Feng remained silent. He had interacted with Jiang Fan enough times to know his purpose. Today's meeting meant that he was leaving the door open for negotiations. In truth, it was also a helpless choice when they had reached the end of the line. If they really didn't want to talk, they wouldn't have come to the meeting. After some consideration, he said, "I have enough confidence in our product. You can invest."

Jiang Fan smiled and asked, "Let me ask you something, how did you position your product in the niche market?"

Xu Feng said, "High-quality and vertical specialization is the future trend of the short video industry."

Jiang Fan asked further, "What about the entry point? What is the entry point? This is not the same as three years ago when there was a slew of competitors. If there isn't an excellent entry point, breaking through would be incredibly difficult. You should know this."

Xu Feng remained silent, clearly pondering on this question.

The co-founder, Han Xi Ping said, "Focusing on daily life as the entry point can't go wrong."

Jiang Fan flatly said, "Kuaishou is already far ahead on this front. Where is your competitive edge?"

Upon this, Han Xi Ping fell silent.

Jiang Fan continued, "In the era of fragmented reading, how do you increase user stickiness? How do you break down content? I haven't seen any of this in your product. I'll speak frankly - your product doesn't have a clear market positioning."

Their faces turned a shade darker upon these words.

The Pei sisters were watching the interaction with surprise. They hadn't realized that their boss Jiang was so verbal and knowledgeable about the internet. Those concepts about niche markets were a bit complex for the sisters to comprehend. However, they did think that Boss Jiang suddenly seemed very high-end and mysterious.

After a few seconds of silence, Xu Feng asked, "How do you want to cooperate?"

Jiang Fan smiled and said, "I have two plans. The first is where I fully acquire your company. I will lead, and you guys are responsible for achieving the targets. After the product is developed, I will offer you a certain proportion of equity options. The second is where I invest capital into your company, but I will need at least 70% of the shares. If there is any capital increase in the future, you will have to contribute proportionally, or your equity will be diluted."

There was a long pause before Xu Feng finally said, "We'll think about it."

...

On the way back to Mingya Garden, Pei Wenwen curiously asked, "Brother Jiang, you understand the Internet?"

Jiang Fan didn't even turn his head, "I don't."

Pei Wenwen was even more curious, "That's not right, you sounded like a pro just now."

Pei Shishi nodded in agreement, equally curious.

Jiang Fan responded vaguely, "Then you just assume that I know."

The sisters looked at each other and shrugged.

Pei Wenwen then asked, "How much does it cost to acquire their company?"

Jiang Fan replied, "I don't know. You will negotiate with them."

Pei Wenwen gasped, "But I don't know how to negotiate."

Jiang Fan rubbed his temples, "Why are you both so slow?"

The sisters puffed their cheeks, feeling quite upset. What a tactless man. Serves him right for not having a girlfriend.

By the time they returned to Mingya Garden, it was already five o'clock.

Jiang Fan instructed, "We're not eating out tonight. You two are cooking."

Pei Wenwen retorted, "Why should we be the ones cooking?"

Jiang Fan asked in surprise, "So you expect me to cook?"

Pei Shishi lost her patience, "Can't you cook?"

Jiang Fan answered as a matter-of-factly, "I can't."

The two sisters were at a loss for words, looking at each other without knowing what to say.

In the end, they could only obediently go shopping for groceries and cook. Thankfully, Boss Jiang was generous enough to give them money for the groceries.

The meal was ready by six.

The two sisters had prepared four dishes, including two meat dishes and two vegetable ones.

Jiang Fan took a few bites and was overwhelmed by the spiciness, "Anhui isn't known for spicy food, how are you two so into spicy meals?"

Pei Shishi said, "Our entire family loves spicy food."

Pei Wenwen seemed to realize then, "Brother Jiang, don't you eat spicy food?"

Jiang Fan responded with a nod, "In the future, use fewer chili peppers when you're cooking."

The sisters looked at each other, silently complaining.Were they supposed to continue in the future?

Really treating people as maids here!

Pei Wenwen, thinking quickly, asked again, "Brother Jiang, if we cook, who's going to wash the dishes?"

Jiang Fan gave her a puzzled look, "Does that even require asking? Of course, you two are!"

The two sisters were aghast. They hadn't witnessed such brazenness before.

Pei Shishi was somewhat used to Jiang Fan's laziness.

Pei Wenwen, however, was still not accustomed to it. She protested, "We cooked the meal, couldn't you wash the dishes?"

Jiang Fan looked at her with a smile, "You really want me to wash?"

Pei Wenwen for some reason, felt a bit guilty, "I'll do it!"

"That's more like it!"

Jiang Fan smiled, "A girl should be able to present herself in a court and also be able to cook in a kitchen!"

Pei Wenwen refrained from commenting, looking glum.

On Sunday, Jiang Fan found a trademark agency and started the registration of the Douyin trademark. There was no time to delay this matter as it would create a load of trouble if someone else registered it first.

He also met with two start-up teams. Just like fishing, you shouldn't only cast one net. He needed to meet more start-up companies to select the one offering the best value for money.

He only interacted with the ones that were running out of funds and had nowhere to go. The ones with resources don't have spare time to meet with him.

Those who dared to venture into startups were mostly skilled. Jiang Fan didn't have technical skills. Organizing a mature team took a lot of time and energy. It takes a significant amount of time and effort to recruit and coordinate the team. The launch of Douyin, which is going to take place next year, can't wait. Acquiring a fairly mature technical team is the most efficient approach. With such a team as the base, expansion would be a lot easier.