yournovel Chapter 139 Musk
Chapter 139 Musk
Chapter 139 Musk
May 16, Sunday morning, Los Angeles.
Jiang Yu rolled over on the soft bed, and sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains, falling directly on his eyelids.
He groggily opened his eyes, picked up the watch on the bedside table, glanced at it, and saw it was 10:20.
"I slept in so late..." he muttered, but did not get up immediately. Instead, he stretched and felt the comfort coming from his muscles.
It's been too long since I've experienced a morning like this, where I don't have to rush to meetings, deal with a barrage of phone calls, or check a screen full of emails.
He lingered in bed for another five minutes before slowly getting up.
Barefoot on the thick Persian carpet, I walked to the French windows and pulled back the curtains with a "whoosh".
The mornings in Beverly Hills are as beautiful as a postcard.
The sunlight was clear and bright, shining on the meticulously manicured lawn and the blooming rose bushes.
The surface of the pool shimmered, leaving shallow ripples.
In the distance, the Hollywood Hills are faintly visible through the thin mist.
Jiang Yu took a few deep breaths and then went into the bathroom.
I took a hot shower, changed into comfortable loungewear—a light gray cotton T-shirt, beige linen trousers—and walked barefoot on the floor.
When I went downstairs, Wang Wei was already busy in the kitchen.
The open kitchen is filled with the aroma of coffee and toast, mixed with the refreshing scent of oranges.
"Good morning, boss." Wang Wei turned around and saw him, somewhat surprised. "You got up a little late today."
"It's rare to get a break." Jiang Yu sat down at the bar. "What's there to eat?"
"Fried eggs, bacon, toast, and freshly squeezed orange juice." Wang Wei pushed the plate over. "David just called to ask what your plans are for today. I told him you were still resting, and he said he'd sleep in a bit longer too. Judging from his voice, it sounds like he went drinking again last night."
Jiang Yu smiled. That's just how David is—he works incredibly hard, and he plays incredibly hard too.
"Where is General Manager Wu?" he asked.
"I went to the company early this morning," Wang Wei said. "She said there are still a few shots in 'Avatar' that need to be adjusted, and director Cameron sent an email last night with new requirements."
"She's always like that." Jiang Yu shook his head, but his tone was full of admiration.
After finishing breakfast, Jiang Yu checked the time: 10:10.
After thinking about it, he decided to go to Crystal Animation.
It's a relaxing place, perfect for unwinding.
He didn't have any bodyguards with him, nor did he call a driver; he went into the garage by himself.
There were three cars parked in the garage: a black Mercedes-Benz S-Class minivan, a silver Porsche Cayenne SUV, and a red LaFerrari that had just been delivered yesterday and hadn't been registered yet.
Jiang Yu hesitated for a moment, then chose the Cayenne.
At 10:30, the car drove out of Beverly Hills and headed east along Sunset Boulevard.
Traffic was smooth in Los Angeles on the weekend, sunlight streamed through the windshield, and Norah Jones jazz was playing in the car stereo, creating a lazy and pleasant atmosphere.
Crystal Animation is located in Burbank, just two blocks from Disney headquarters.
This is a three-story building with a light blue exterior, white window frames, and a huge neon sign that reads "CRYSTALANIMATION" on the roof, which is lit up even during the day. Its lively and cute style contrasts sharply with the serious office buildings around it.
Jiang Yu parked his car in the designated parking space and had just gotten out when he heard a burst of exaggerated laughter coming from inside the building.
"Hahaha! This shot is amazing! I added some physics to the Minion's fall; look at the arc of its butt landing—perfect!"
It's the voice of Chris Meledandri, co-founder and CEO of Crystal Animations.
This guy is always full of energy, and his laughter can echo throughout the entire building.
Jiang Yu pushed open the door and walked into the hall.
The reception area is designed like an amusement park entrance, with cartoon rainbows painted on the walls and the reception desk shaped like a cloud.
The girl at the front desk was looking down at her phone when she heard footsteps. She looked up and her eyes widened immediately.
"Boss...boss!" She stood up in a panic, almost dropping her phone.
"It's alright, you can continue." Jiang Yu waved his hand with a smile. "Is Chris there?"
"Yes, yes, yes! In the animation studio on the third floor!" the girl said quickly. "Should I let him know?"
"No need, I'll go straight up."
Jiang Yu walked towards the stairs. There was actually an elevator, but he wanted to walk around and take a look.
The walls of the staircase are covered with hand-drawn artwork and photos by employees, ranging from concept art for "Despicable Me" to group photos from team-building activities.
Upon reaching the second floor, he saw a familiar scene: a group photo of Cheng Teng, Li Xia, and several other young Chinese people, with a caption in both Chinese and English: "Welcome to the animation geniuses from China!"
He smiled and continued walking uphill.
As soon as we reached the third floor, we heard Chris's loud voice: "No, no, no, this expression isn't exaggerated enough! Minions are nonsensical; their expressions need to be three times more exaggerated than real people! Redraw it!"
Jiang Yu pushed open the door and went in.
The animation studio is very large, covering 200 square meters, and is divided into several areas: the storyboard area is covered with hand-drawn storyboards; the modeling area has dozens of high-performance workstations; and the rendering area has more than a dozen screens displaying various 3D models.
More than twenty animators are busy at work. Some are drawing with digital tablets, some are adjusting parameters on the screen, and some are discussing motion design on the whiteboard.
"Hi, Jiang!" Chris was the first to see him, put down his tablet, and strode over. "What a rare guest!"
"What brings you, this Hollywood upstart, to our tiny animation studio?"
Today he wore a bright yellow T-shirt with a dozen or so Minions making faces on it. With his slightly chubby figure and beard, he looked like an oversized cartoon character.
"I came to see you guys." Jiang Yu hugged him, "and also to check on the progress of 'Despicable Me'."
"Progress? Fantastic!" Chris put his arm around Jiang Yu's shoulder and led him to a computer. "Look at this shot."
An animation is playing on the screen: three Minions are trying to steal a cake.
The first Minion tiptoed to reach the cake on the table, the second lay on the ground to act as a human ladder, and the third kept watch at the door.
Just when they were about to succeed, the stalker Minion sneezed, startling the owner. The three Minions ran away in a panic, bumping into each other, and finally fell out of the door in a comical manner.
"The humor in this scene lies in its rhythm," Chris explained excitedly. "Tense—relaxed—tense—explosive. Look at their movements as they run away; I referenced Chaplin's silent films and Jackie Chan's action comedies..."
"Boss!" A surprised voice interrupted Chris.
Cheng Teng ran over from another workbench, holding a pressure-sensitive pen in his hand.
This 22-year-old was wearing a Pikachu T-shirt, and behind his black-rimmed glasses were a pair of eyes that were slightly bloodshot but bright after staying up all night.
Immediately afterwards, Li Xia, Yuan Zhichao, Xiong Zhiwu, and Yang Jia also gathered around.
The five young Chinese people were as excited as if they were seeing relatives.
"Boss, what brings you here?" Li Xia asked.
She was the only girl in the team, with a high ponytail, wearing a sweatshirt with a Mickey Mouse pattern, and two deep dimples when she smiled.
"Let's see how your studies are going." Jiang Yu looked around at the five people. "Are you all still alive?"
"Alive! And living very well!" Yuan Zhichao answered quickly, he was the most outgoing one, "It's just that I've eaten too many hamburgers, and I'm missing Beijing's soy milk and fried dough sticks."
Xiong Zhiwu adjusted his glasses, becoming more practical: "The technological progress is significant. The workflow here is completely different from that in China—it's more systematic and efficient. Especially the project management software; it's far more advanced than what we used before."
"The pressure is immense," Cheng Teng added. "There are weekly progress reviews, and every shot needs repeated revisions. I've already revised thirty-seven shots this month..."
"But you learned something too, right?" Chris interjected, patting Cheng Teng on the shoulder. "Last week, Pierre said the scene you designed for the Minions dancing was brilliant! That's exactly the feeling we wanted!"
Cheng Teng scratched his head sheepishly: "It was a team effort..."
Jiang Yu was very satisfied. He remembered that when he sent these five young people to the United States half a year ago, they were just new students at their alma mater and their English was not very fluent. Now, they are able to independently undertake important tasks and have even gained the recognition of Hollywood directors.
"When will Despicable Me be finished?" he asked Chris.
"By the end of next month, or at the latest early August." Chris pulled up the project schedule. "The voice acting is complete, and Steve Carell's voice for Gru is absolutely amazing! The music is in progress, with Hans Zimmer personally handling the score. Although he mainly does film scores, he made an exception for this animated film, saying he was charmed by the Minions."
How was the feedback on the sample photos?
"We've seen it three times internally, and each time we laughed from beginning to end." Chris's eyes lit up. "Universal and Disney both want the distribution rights and are bidding against each other. Universal's advantage is its experience with Illumination Entertainment, while Disney's advantage is its large family audience base. We're waiting for better terms, ideally a minimum guarantee plus a high share of the revenue."
"No rush," Jiang Yu said. "Good works will sell. By the way, take me to see the parts you've worked on."
Chris showed him around the animation room, and Jiang Yu looked around very carefully, stopping from time to time to ask questions.
At Cheng Teng's workbench, a screen was displaying a scene of a Minion eating a banana.
"Boss, look," Cheng Teng explained nervously, "I've done three drafts of this shot. The physics of the banana peel falling off has to take into account gravity, air resistance, the shape and flexibility of the banana peel. The deformation of the banana flesh when bitten has to simulate the pressure distribution of teeth biting, as well as the elasticity and stickiness of the flesh. And the Minion's satisfied expression—its eyes have to be squinted into crescents, its cheeks puffed out, and its body has to sway slightly with chewing..."
On the screen, a yellow, capsule-shaped Minion is happily devouring a banana, each bite radiating exaggerated satisfaction, so adorable you just want to pinch it.
"Very good." Jiang Yu nodded. "These are the details that the audience will remember. They may not be able to explain why they find them cute, but these subtle gestures are the reason."
Upon receiving the boss's approval, Cheng Teng broke into a bright smile.
Li Xia showed Jiang Yu the part she was in charge of: "Boss, we also added Easter eggs to the animation. Look at this shot..."
""
She brought up a scene: Gru's laboratory, with bookshelves filled with books in the background.
As the camera pans quickly across the screen, a Chinese book can be vaguely seen.
"Journey to the West!" Jiang Yu recognized it.
"Yes!" Li Xia exclaimed excitedly, "Although it only appears for 0.5 seconds, Chinese audiences will definitely notice! And that's not all, there's also 'The Art of War', 'Dream of the Red Chamber'... we've secretly crammed in a lot of Chinese elements!"
"Well done," Jiang Yu praised in Chinese. "That's how cultural dissemination should be done—subtle and gradual, like a gentle rain nourishing the earth."
After visiting the animation studio, it was already noon.
Jiang Yu waved his hand dismissively: "Lunch is on me today, everyone!"
"Yay!!!" The entire animation room erupted in cheers.
The Mexican restaurant not far from the company was packed with eight tables.
Crystal Animation has more than sixty employees, and with Jiang Yu and his assistant, the restaurant's large private room was packed with people.
"Boss," Cheng Teng asked quietly during the meal, "when can we go back to China to work on our own project?"
As soon as the question was asked, Li Xia, Yuan Zhichao, and the others looked over, their eyes full of anticipation.
Jiang Yu put down his corn chips and looked at them seriously: "It'll be soon. Once you finish 'Despicable Me' here and have accumulated enough project experience, I'll arrange for you to go back to China."
"Really?" Yang Jia's eyes lit up. "We can make Chinese-style animation? Not the kind of 'hodgepodge of Chinese elements' for foreigners, but a story with a real Chinese core?"
"Of course," Jiang Yu said confidently. "Moreover, we want to create a globalized Chinese style, telling Chinese stories in an international language. It's not just about pandas, kung fu, and lanterns, but something deeper: the Chinese way of expressing emotions, philosophical thinking, and..."
Aesthetic taste...
He paused, then continued, "But it won't be easy. You need to be mentally prepared; you might fail, you might be questioned, and it might be very tough."
"We're not afraid!" Cheng Teng immediately said. "As long as we can make our own things, we're willing to endure any hardship!"
The others nodded vigorously as well.
Looking at these young and determined faces, Jiang Yu felt a surge of warmth in his heart.
This is the kind of talent he hopes to cultivate: someone with technical skills, a broad vision, and cultural confidence.
"Okay." He raised his drink glass. "Then I'll wait for you to return after your studies. By then, you'll be the pioneers of animation studios in China."
"Cheers!" The young people clinked their glasses excitedly.
After dinner, Jiang Yu had a private chat with Chris for a while.
"How is the development of Frozen progressing?" he asked.
Chris pulled up the information on his tablet: "The third draft of the script is finished, but it's still being revised. Character design is in progress; Elsa and Anna's designs are finalized, but Olaf and the gnomes are still being adjusted. For the music, we've hired Broadway composers Robert Lopez and Christine Anderson-Lopez, who just won a Tony Award for The Book of Mormon—they're top-notch."
"What about the budget?"
"Currently estimated... $1.5 million." Chris was a little nervous. "This could be the most expensive animated film in history."
Disney's "The Lion King" only cost 4500 million back then...
"We must spend the money where it's necessary." Jiang Yu said without hesitation, "Frozen will be a milestone for Crystal Animation, so we can't skimp on expenses. Special effects, music, voice acting... everything must be the best."
"I'm relieved to hear that," Chris breathed a sigh of relief, then chuckled, "But Jiang, you're now collaborating with Disney, Warner Bros., doing animation, special effects, and live-action films... You have 48 [unclear - possibly referring to a number of tasks] a day..."
"Hours?"
Jiang Yu smiled: "That's why we need a professional team like yours. I'll only handle the strategic direction and the allocation of major resources; the specific execution is up to you. This is trust, and also a division of labor. Only by fulfilling our respective responsibilities can we grow big."
Chris nodded. "Understood. We'll do what we're supposed to do."
At 3 PM, Jiang Yu left Crystal Animation.
Cheng Teng and the others escorted him all the way to the parking lot, reluctant to part.
"Senior brother," Cheng Teng hesitated for a moment, then said, "Thank you for giving us this opportunity. We... will definitely create a work that will make you proud."
The others nodded vigorously, their eyes filled with gratitude and determination.
Looking at these young faces, Jiang Yu seemed to see the future of Chinese animation.
He patted Cheng Teng on the shoulder: "I believe in you. Study hard and do your best. The future belongs to you."
Jiang Yu was in a good mood on the drive back to Santa Monica.
Outside the car window, the afternoon sun shone in Los Angeles, and the palm trees along the street swayed in the breeze.
The car stereo was switched to upbeat pop music, and he hummed along for a few seconds.
The feeling of seeing the seeds you've sown grow strong is more satisfying than signing a billion-dollar contract.
Because the contract represents the outcome, while these young people represent the future.
Over the next few days, Jiang Yu enjoyed a rare "semi-retirement" life, if working only four hours a day counts as retirement.
On Monday, May 17, he woke up naturally at 8:30 a.m., changed into his workout clothes, and went for a run on Santa Monica Beach.
The beach was quiet in the early morning, with the air carrying the salty smell of the sea and the warmth of the sun.
He jogged along the coastline with a podcast playing in his earphones, telling the history of Hollywood's golden age.
By the time I reached the third kilometer, my sweatshirt was soaked with sweat, but I felt great.
After running five kilometers, he took a quick shower at the beach showers and then went to a coffee shop on the corner for breakfast.
This cafe is small, with only six tables, but its coffee is widely considered to be the best in Los Angeles.
Jiang Yu ordered a Yirgacheffe hand-drip coffee and an almond croissant, and sat by the window reading the newspaper.
The Los Angeles Times' entertainment section still features his signing with Disney on its front page, but today it takes a new angle.
"China's Globalization Strategy: From Content Investment to Technology Holding".
The article analyzes his strategy over the past few years: first, he established a special effects company to build a technological barrier; then, he invested in Marvel movies to gain influence; and finally, he formed an alliance with Disney to obtain global distribution channels.
"Very accurate." Jiang Yu took a sip of coffee, thinking to himself that the reporter had done his homework.
Two middle-aged men at the next table were also discussing this topic.
"This guy is amazing. He established himself in Hollywood in just four years," said the man with glasses.
"I heard he's only twenty-seven?" another bald man clicked his tongue in amazement. "When I was twenty-seven, I was still working at a video store. He was negotiating multi-billion dollar deals with Disney at twenty-seven."
"That's not all," the bespectacled man lowered his voice, "My nephew works at Warner, and he said that a few days ago the president of Warner personally went to the headquarters of Light Chaser to negotiate and stayed for four hours. I guess it's another big project."
Jiang Yu smiled and continued reading the newspaper.
It feels a little strange to be talked about by strangers, but it's also a kind of recognition.
Around 10 a.m., he strolled over to the headquarters of Light Chaser Pictures.
He entered the room without prior notice by swiping his card; his access card had the highest access privileges in the entire company.
Emily, the receptionist, was scrolling through Instagram when she looked up and saw him. She nearly dropped her phone in surprise: "Boss...boss! What brings you here?"
"Just browsing," Jiang Yu smiled. "No need to notify anyone, just pretend I don't exist."
"Okay...okay!" Emily hurriedly put away her phone, pretending to organize documents.
Jiang Yu walked into the office area.
Monday morning is the busiest time.
In the open-plan office area, programmers are coding, special effects artists are adjusting parameters, and project managers are holding stand-up meetings.
No one noticed the boss had arrived, or rather, they noticed but pretended not to, continuing to bury themselves in their work.
He first went to the Pacific Rim project team.
This is a large, separate room with a sign on the door that reads "Mech and Monster Research Center," and rough sketches of mechs are drawn on it.
Pushing open the door, the interior resembled a science fiction movie set.
The walls were covered with design drawings: six mechs from different countries, twelve different monsters, and each drawing had a detailed design description.
On the table are 3D printed models, ranging in size from the palm of a hand to half a person's height.
In one corner, there's even a sand table simulating a miniature landscape of Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong, complete with miniature mechs and monsters, like a child's toy battlefield.
Project manager Jack Thomson was arguing with several designers: "No, the head design of this Chinese mecha looks too much like a terracotta warrior! We want a modern, technological feel, not a replica of an artifact!"
"These are Chinese elements..." a Chinese designer said timidly.
"Chinese elements can be reflected in the paint and patterns, not by directly copying ancient designs," Jack insisted. "General Manager Jiang said that we need to appeal to a global audience."
Jiang Yu cleared his throat.
Everyone turned around, saw it was him, and immediately stood up: "Boss!"
"Sit down, let's continue our discussion." Jiang Yu waved his hand. "I just heard you arguing about the design of Chinese mecha?"
Jack was a little embarrassed: "Yes, boss. We designed three versions, and this one... might be too traditional."
Jiang Yu walked up to the design drawings.
It was a red and gold painted mecha, codenamed "Red Sky". The head design did indeed draw inspiration from the terracotta warriors' hair bun and mask design, and there were dragon reliefs on the shoulders. The overall style was very "Chinese".
"The idea is good," Jiang Yu said after a moment's observation. "It does need some adjustments. Here's how: retain the dragon pattern and the main red color scheme, which are symbols of China. The head should be more streamlined and have a more futuristic feel. We can take inspiration from fighter jet cockpit designs, using Chinese red paint and gold accents."
He picked up a pen and sketched a few lines on the drawing: "Here, here, and here, we'll reinterpret traditional elements using modern industrial design language. It's not about directly copying, but deconstructing and recombining them."
The designers' eyes lit up: "Got it! Thank you, boss!"
"How's the progress?" Jiang Yu asked Jack.
"The concept design is 80% complete." Jack pulled up the progress chart on his computer. "The initial designs for the six mechs and twelve monsters are out, and they're being refined. On the technical side, we've made a breakthrough in the physics simulation of giant object battles. We just completed a 15-second test yesterday, and the results were fantastic."
He played a test clip: a mech fighting a monster in the sea, each punch creating towering waves, sparks flying from the metal collision, and the fluid simulation of seawater and rainwater was extremely realistic.
"Not bad." Jiang Yu nodded. "That's the sense of realism. The audience needs to believe that these mechs and monsters really exist."
He then looked at several other projects: In the final color grading stage of Inception, director Nolan had special requirements for the color tone of several shots.
The Hunger Games didn't have a lot of special effects, but it required a stylized aesthetic; the early design phase of The Dark Knight Rises is also underway, and Nolan wants a darker visual style this time.
At noon, Jiang Yu ate lunch in the staff canteen.
He carried his plate—grilled salmon, quinoa salad, and vegetable soup—and found an empty seat to sit down.
My tablemates were three young employees, two men and one woman, all of whom looked to be in their early twenties.
At first, they were very reserved, keeping their heads down and eating without saying a word.
Jiang Yu took the initiative to ask, "Which department are you from?"
"Special effects department," a bespectacled boy whispered. "I'm new here, I just joined last month."
"My name is Lily," the girl said, a little bolder. "I'm a compositor for the Hunger Games project. Boss, I saw you on the news, you're so handsome!"
Jiang Yu smiled: "Thank you. How's the work going?"
"I've gotten used to it!" another guy said. "It's just that the pressure is a bit high. The project standards here are much higher than at my previous company; every shot has to be revised repeatedly..."
"You can learn something, right?"
"Of course!" Lily answered quickly. "Last week, Mr. Wu personally guided me in adjusting a fire effect and taught me three different particle simulation methods. I worked at my previous company for two years, and no one taught me these things."
Once the group started chatting, the atmosphere became more relaxed.
Jiang Yu asked about their backgrounds and listened to their interesting stories and troubles at work.
The boy with glasses is named Zhang Wei. He comes from Beijing. His parents are both teachers, and they are both proud and worried about his coming to work in the United States.
"Boss," Zhang Wei hesitated for a moment, "my parents keep asking how my work here is helping Chinese cinema..."
"Every special effects shot you create is an accumulation of experience," Jiang Yu said earnestly. "Once you've completed your training, you can bring this experience back to China and help improve the industrial level of Chinese films. This isn't just empty talk; technology can be transferred, and experience can be passed on."
Zhang Wei nodded vigorously: "I understand! Thank you, boss!"
After finishing his meal, Jiang Yu went to sit in Wu Na's office for a while.
Wu Na stared at the screen, her brows furrowed, her fingers slid rapidly across the graphics tablet.
"Is there a problem?" Jiang Yu asked.
"Cameron..." Wu Na sighed, without turning her head, "He demanded that every frame of this shot of the Na'vi's pupils reflecting light have subtle changes. He said that real eyes aren't static; the pupils adjust slightly depending on the light, emotions, and level of fatigue. We've already done twenty versions, and he's still not satisfied."
The screen shows a close-up of a Na'vi's eye.
Indeed, the reflection in the pupil is extremely subtle, with delicate changes in light and shadow as the eyeball moves.
"Then adjust it to his satisfaction," Jiang Yu said. "Cameron is known for his obsession, and it's this very obsession that made Titanic possible. If you learn from him, you can learn something truly valuable."
"I know." Wu Na rubbed her temples and finally turned her head. "It's just... I'm a little tired. I haven't slept for more than six hours in three days."
"Take care and get some rest," Jiang Yu said earnestly. "You're the company's core technical expert; you can't afford to overwork yourself. How about this, leave work early today, and I'll treat you to dinner."
Wu Na was taken aback for a moment: "Dinner?"
"Yes, relax. I know a good Italian restaurant that does a great job with seafood."
"...Okay." Wu Na, unusually, didn't refuse. "Let me finish processing this shot."
The two left the company at 5 p.m.
The restaurant is located near Santa Monica Pier, and the terrace seating offers views of the sea and sunset.
"Honestly," Wu Na said, looking at Jiang Yu after ordering, "you seem very relaxed right now. Unlike the past few months, when you were always frowning."
"The first few months were the sprint phase, and now we're in the consolidation phase," Jiang Yu said. "Moreover, seeing that the company is running well and you can all handle things independently, I naturally feel more relaxed."
"You can't relax for too long," Wu Na joked, a rare occurrence for her. "Warner, Disney, domestic... all this work of yours will keep you busy until you retire."
"That's why I need capable assistants like you." Jiang Yu raised his glass. "Come on, let's toast to our cooperation."
"Respectfully yours, please cooperate."
The meal was very enjoyable.
Wu Na rarely spoke so much, sharing her thoughts on technological development, her experience in team management, and even amusing anecdotes about her cat.
Jiang Yu discovered that, beneath her workaholic exterior, Wu Na was actually a very interesting person.
On Wednesday, May 26th, Chen Jingming flew in from Beijing.
Chen Jingming is the general manager of Chasing Light Investment and the person Jiang Yu trusts most in capital operations.
He was calm and meticulous, a stark contrast to David.
The two met in the study of the Beverly Hills villa.
"Mr. Jiang," Chen Jingming handed over a thick file folder, "all the materials for the Tesla project. We've been following up for six months and finally secured the lead investment opportunity. This is the final version of the investment agreement; please take a look."
Jiang Yu took the document.
.
The cover reads: "Tesla Motors Series B Funding Plan".
He opened it; inside were detailed financial data, technical assessments, market analysis, and investment terms.
「估值5亿美金，融资1亿，我们投6000万占12%，戴姆勒跟投4000万占8%。」
Chen Jingming reported, "To be honest, this valuation is a bit high. Tesla's annual sales are currently less than a thousand vehicles, and it is still suffering serious losses. The Roadster's costs have far exceeded the budget, and the selling price has been raised to $11, but it is still being sold at a loss."
"The technology is worth the price." Jiang Yu flipped to the technology evaluation section, "Battery management system, motor control... Tesla's technology is at least five years ahead of its competitors."
"That's true." Chen Jingming nodded. "We invited a team of professors from the Department of Automotive Engineering at Tsinghua University to conduct an evaluation, and the conclusion was that Tesla's electric control technology is indeed world-class. In particular, the battery thermal management, using thousands of 18650 batteries to form a battery pack, can still ensure safety and lifespan, which requires extremely complex algorithms and hardware design."
"What about the market?"
"The short-term outlook is not optimistic," Chen Jingming stated frankly. "The US market is dominated by pickup trucks and SUVs; electric vehicles are still a niche product. In the long term... if oil prices rise and environmental awareness increases, electric vehicles have potential."
"It's not 'if,' it's inevitable." Jiang Yu closed the file. "Oil will become more and more expensive, and environmental protection requirements will become more and more stringent."
Electric vehicles are not a replacement; they are the future.
Chen Jingming adjusted his glasses: "President Jiang, you seem particularly confident in electric vehicles?"
"Because I believe in technological revolutions." Jiang Yu stood up and walked to the window. "The first industrial revolution was the steam engine, the second was electricity, the third was computers and the internet... Now, we are standing at the threshold of the fourth industrial revolution; new energy, artificial intelligence, biotechnology. Tesla is right on the cusp of this revolution."
Chen Jingming pondered these words and slowly nodded: "I understand."
"Very good." Jiang Yu said with satisfaction.
The value of this clause will far exceed $6000 million in the future.
"When are you going to Texas?"
"The flight is at 10 a.m. tomorrow, a direct flight to Austin. Musk will pick me up at the airport in person."
"Okay." Jiang Yu glanced at his watch; it was 7 PM. "Get a good rest tonight and adjust to the time difference. See you tomorrow."
"Mr. Jiang," Chen Jingming hesitated for a moment, "there's something else. Many domestic investors have heard we're investing in Tesla and want to co-invest. Should we open up some of our quota?"
"Not for now," Jiang Yu shook his head. "This round of financing is already set and can't be changed. The next round... we can discuss it if they're still interested."
"Understood."
After Chen Jingming left, Jiang Yu made a video call to Liu Yifei.
It was evening for her; she was in her hotel room preparing to go to the film set to shoot a night scene.
"Is it hot in Thailand?" Jiang Yu asked.
On the screen, Liu Yifei is wearing a cool sundress, her hair is tied in a bun, and she has light makeup on her face.
"It's so hot!" she exclaimed, fanning herself dramatically. "It's 35 degrees Celsius outside, and it's even hotter in the studio, probably around 40 degrees. I have to film an action scene today, wearing this heavy costume... just thinking about it makes me want to scream."
"Take precautions against heatstroke. Drink plenty of water and be careful to avoid heatstroke."
"Okay, I know." Liu Yifei paused, blinked, and asked, "Are you going to Texas tomorrow?"
"Yes, let's look at Tesla's project."
"Tesla...you mean that electric car? I've seen it on the news, it looks really cool. It looks like a sports car, but it's silent."
"It's really cool," Jiang Yu said with a smile. "I'll buy you one later, a pink one."
"Okay! But I want the interior custom-made, it has to be all Hello Kitty!"
Jiang Yu was both amused and exasperated: "Alright, alright, whatever you say."
The two chatted for a while longer when Liu Yifei's assistant urged them on.
"I have to go to the film set," she said reluctantly. "Shall we talk again tomorrow?"
"Okay. Be careful while filming."
"You too... Even though you're just going there for business, you should still be careful. I've heard Texas is chaotic, everyone carries a gun..."
Jiang Yu smiled: "Don't worry, I'll be careful."
Putting down his phone, Jiang Yu looked into the distance.
Tesla, Disney, Warner Bros.... this game is getting bigger and bigger.
May 27th, Thursday, 10:00 AM.
At Los Angeles private airport, Jiang Yu and his entourage boarded a Gulfstream G550 business jet.
In addition to Jiang Yu, Chen Jingming, and Wang Wei, there are two senior analysts in the investment department, Li Ming and Zhao Xue, both of whom are elites who have returned from Wall Street.
After the plane took off, Chen Jingming quickly gave his final report.
"Musk is... a very special person." He flipped through the documents. "Born in South Africa in 1971, he later studied in Canada, and then at the University of Pennsylvania in the United States, he studied physics and economics. He dropped out of school in 1995 to start his own business, Zip2, which he sold to Kang in 1999."
Bai earned $2200 million. That same year, he founded X.com, which later became PayPal, and sold it to eBay in 2002 for $1.8 million.
"A typical serial entrepreneur," Jiang Yu said.
"His style changed after that," Chen Jingming continued. "In 2002, he founded SpaceX with the goal of reducing the cost of space transportation and making humanity a multi-planetary species. In 2004, he invested in Tesla and became its chairman. In 2006, he founded SolarCity."
Simultaneously operating three high-tech companies, all of which are major money-burners: SpaceX builds rockets, Tesla makes electric cars, and SolarCity deals in solar energy.
"How much is he worth now?" Wang Wei asked curiously.
"On paper... they might already be bankrupt." Chen Jingming smiled bitterly. "He staked his entire fortune on these three companies. During the 2008 financial crisis, both Tesla and SpaceX almost went bankrupt. Tesla survived thanks to a $5000 million investment from Daimler. SpaceX was in even more trouble; its first two launches failed, and if it failed again, the company might be finished."
"But the fourth time was successful," Jiang Yu said.
"Yes, in September 2008, the Falcon 1 successfully launched for the fourth time and secured a contract with NASA." Chen Jingming nodded. "So it's truly a miracle that it has lasted this long."
Jiang Yu nodded.
That's Musk for you: either go to heaven or go to the earth, there's no middle ground.
This extreme personality led to extreme success, but also brought extreme risks.
"Have we agreed on all the terms?" he asked.
"It's settled." Chen Jingming turned to the agreement page. "$6000 million, 12% equity. Additional terms: Tesla must cooperate with us to establish a joint venture to enter the Chinese market, with us holding 51% of the shares. In addition, we have the right to participate in the next round of financing first, maintaining a shareholding of no less than 10%."
"What about Daimler?"
"Their main interest lies in Tesla's battery technology, which they want to use in their hybrid models. That's why they only invested 4000."
"I don't require a board seat, just technical cooperation."
"Very good." Jiang Yu said with satisfaction.
This investment structure is ideal, as it has the backing of an automotive giant while maintaining influence over Tesla.
The plane landed at Austin Airport at 2 p.m. local time.
The Texas sun was stronger than in Los Angeles, and the sky was a clear, cloudless blue.
As soon as he stepped off the gangway, Jiang Yu saw that familiar yet unfamiliar figure.
Elon Musk.
Elon Musk, who is not yet the world's richest man, looks younger and more... haggard than Jiang Yu remembered.
He was wearing a simple gray T-shirt and jeans, his hair was a little messy, and he had very noticeable dark circles under his eyes.
Those eyes were incredibly bright, like burning flames, full of passion and obsession.
He was standing next to a red Tesla Roadster, waving at the plane.
The car is eye-catching, with its streamlined sports car shape, frameless doors, and low-slung body, making it an anomaly in Texas parking lots filled with pickup trucks and SUVs.
"Jiang! Welcome to Texas!" Musk strode over, shaking hands firmly with a bright smile.
"Elon, thank you for picking me up at the airport," Jiang Yu replied with a smile. "This is Chen Jingming, my investment manager. This is Wang Wei, my assistant. These two are analysts Li Ming and Zhao Xue."
"Welcome, welcome!" Musk shook hands with everyone quickly, like a wound-up toy. "Let's go, let's go eat first!"
I can't wait to show you Tesla's technology!
The group got into the car.
Musk drove the Roadster himself, with Jiang Yu in the passenger seat.
The others rode in the van behind.
"Fasten your seatbelts!" Musk said excitedly, stepping on the accelerator.
The electric car accelerates instantly, providing a strong yet smooth push-back sensation.
There was no roar of an engine, only the faint hum of the electric motor and the noise of the wind.
"How does it feel?" Musk asked, his eyes fixed on the road, his fingers tapping lightly on the steering wheel.
"It's very quiet, and the acceleration is very linear," Jiang Yu commented. "And there's no shift shock."
"Right!" Musk exclaimed even more excitedly. "That's the advantage of electric cars! The motor can output maximum torque from zero RPM, resulting in a perfect acceleration curve! Gasoline cars have to wait for the RPM to build up and then shift gears; they can never achieve this kind of smoothness!"
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