"Impossible."
Zhou Hongwei's refusal was decisive, almost instinctive.
"Thirty million is far beyond the reasonable valuation of a single piece of software," he said calmly, folding his hands on the table. "Even if it targets the Ransomware Trojan, three million is already a premium price."
Zhao Ming nodded internally.
From a purely commercial perspective, the CEO wasn't wrong.
But—
Lu Xingye didn't look disappointed.
He didn't even look surprised.
Instead, he smiled faintly.
"Mr. Zhou," he said slowly, "may I ask you a question first?"
Zhou Hongwei gestured. "Please."
"How many computers are infected nationwide right now?"
Zhou Hongwei paused for a second. "According to our internal data… over forty million, and still rising."
Lu Xingye nodded. "Good. Then second question—how many of those users are using 360 Security Guard?"
Zhou Hongwei frowned slightly. "About forty percent."
"Which means," Lu Xingye continued calmly, "around sixteen million of your users are currently staring at a skull countdown, panicking, cursing your software, and considering uninstalling it."
Zhou Hongwei's expression stiffened.
"That's not all," Lu Xingye added, leaning slightly forward. "If Kingsoft, Spark, or any other competitor releases killer software first, how many of your remaining users do you think will stay?"
The private room fell silent.
Zhao Ming subconsciously swallowed.
This young man wasn't negotiating with emotion.
He was cutting directly into the artery.
Lu Xingye raised a finger.
"Let's calculate."
"Sixteen million users. Even if only half of them stay because Security Guard is the first to kill the Trojan—that's eight million retained users."
"Each user brings advertising value, ecosystem value, long-term data value."
"Now tell me, Mr. Zhou."
"Is thirty million expensive?"
Zhou Hongwei didn't answer immediately.
He had been in business for decades. He had seen geniuses, madmen, and bluffers.
But this—
This was neither bluff nor madness.
This was clarity.
"Even more," Lu Xingye continued, his tone steady, "this software is not a one-time patch."
"It can be integrated directly into Security Guard."
"It will become a symbol."
"A symbol that says: when disaster strikes, 360 saves you."
Zhou Hongwei slowly exhaled.
He realized something terrifying.
If this young man sold the software to a competitor—
The loss wouldn't be thirty million.
It would be strategic defeat.
"Mr. Lu," Zhou Hongwei finally said, "thirty million is not a small number."
"I know," Lu Xingye replied lightly. "That's why I didn't ask for fifty."
Zhao Ming almost choked.
This… was ruthless.
Zhou Hongwei stared at Lu Xingye for several seconds, then suddenly laughed.
A deep, hearty laugh.
"Young people these days…" he said, shaking his head, "…are terrifying."
He straightened up.
"Thirty million," Zhou Hongwei said firmly.
"But I want full commercial authorization and priority technical cooperation in the future."
Lu Xingye didn't hesitate.
"Deal."
The two men extended their hands.
Handshake.
In that instant—
A software engineer without capital, connections, or background—
Had just secured his first pot of gold.
Less than thirty minutes later.
A notification popped up on Lu Xingye's phone.
[Bank SMS]
[Your account has received a transfer of 30,000,000.00 yuan]
[Balance: 30,024,387.12 yuan]
Lu Xingye stared at the screen.
Thirty million.
Real.
Liquid.
Unrestricted.
For a moment, even his breathing slowed.
This wasn't excitement.
This was confirmation.
I'm on the right path.
Zhou Hongwei stood up and adjusted his suit.
"Mr. Lu," he said seriously, "I look forward to our next cooperation."
"You'll get that opportunity," Lu Xingye replied with a faint smile.
Very soon.
After Zhou Hongwei and his team left, Lu Xingye remained seated in the private room for a while.
He took a sip of milk tea.
Sweet.
Warm.
Outside, students passed by, laughing, arguing about classes, worrying about exams and internships.
None of them knew—
That in this small milk tea shop—
A new player had quietly stepped onto the stage.
Lu Xingye stood up, picked up his phone, and sent a single message.
To Jarvis.
"Phase One complete. Prepare next plan."
The first pot of gold was in hand.
And the real game—
Had just begun.