A day later, AOL held a press conference announcing that it would invest $5 million in ICQ, the hottest instant messaging app in the United States, and ICQ would transfer 8% of AOL's equity.

The news shocked the entire Silicon Valley and Wall Street, and although ICQ has risen at an unprecedented rate, almost all major venture capital institutions are waiting to see the market prospects of instant messaging software.

At this time, AOL suddenly struck hard, caught everyone off guard, and bought only 8% of ICQ's shares at a high price of $5 million. This means that ICQ's valuation has exceeded $60 million in an instant.

At the press conference, Steve Keys also explained in detail why he invested in ICQ as agreed with Zhang Chen: "I think our cooperation with ICQ will be a win-win cooperation, and AOL, as the largest network information service provider in the United States, needs to solve the problem of user stickiness and communication efficiency. As you know, almost everyone in the U.S. who is online uses AOL's services. But few people care if they land on our page. ICQ helps us do just that and improve the quality of our customers." And we are also ready to open up AOL and ICQ account services. ”

Hearing this explanation, Moretz slapped his thigh hard. Indeed, AOL needs software like ICQ to improve its user stickiness. The vast majority of AOL's revenue comes from advertising, and the number of active users is crucial.

But even then, the valuation is insane, and Moretz stubbornly believes it. He completely forgot that his previous psychological bottom line was $10 million and 20% of the shares, which would also make ICQ's valuation more than $50 million.

But the madness is not over yet, to Zhang Chen's surprise, on the morning of July 26, the day after AOL announced its investment in ICQ. Seven Wall Street investors announced that they will invest more than $100 million in WebVan, a newly established e-commerce company, which will be used to build fresh storage warehouses for Webvan across the United States, and Webvan's first fresh warehouse in San Francisco will start construction in '97. Second-hand book merchant Louis Balders' online fresh food business has already gained a valuation of more than 500 million yuan before it has even started.

All of a sudden, the entire investment community was boiling, and almost everyone thought that the spring of Internet investment and e-commerce had arrived.

In this case, as the most businessman in the whole Silicon Valley, how can Case not add a fire? Immediately announced that AOL will immediately launch its own online mall project, and jointly announced the launch of the long-awaited AOL credit card, which will be more convenient for online payment. The account connection between ICQ and AOL will be completed within 3 months.

For a time, the whole Silicon Valley was surging, and countless investment institutions were staring for investment opportunities, believing that the big era had arrived. ICQ, as the hottest entrepreneurial project recently, has once again become a piece of fat in the eyes of investment institutions.

In just two days, IDG, Blackstone, KPCB and other venture capital institutions have thrown olive branches to ICQ, and Zhang Chen is a little dumbfounded when he sees the situation.

In fact, Zhang Chen originally just wanted Steve Keyes to play a double reed, Steve's actual purchase price was $2.5 million, and Case first put $5 million into the ICQ account to complete the investment, and then Zhang Chen returned AOL $2.5 million in a cooperative way, or paid $7.5 million to Case in batches to buy back 8% of the shares. The purpose is to bring sequoia into the hub. Of course, this kind of undertable thing can only be done, not said.

Moretz was really anxious, but couldn't swallow this breath, so he contacted Viggs and Goldfinger privately. Although Viggs was a little moved, Goldfinger's opinion was very resolute, and asked Moretz and Zhang Chen to talk, saying that the three of them had carte blanche to Zhang Chen to handle the financing. Seeing this, Viggs had no choice but to give up, considering that he only had 20% of the shares.

Moretz could only bite the bullet and contact Zhang Chen again, and while scolding in his heart, he began to understand why Jobs hated this kid so much, in this matter, Moretz stood on the same front as his rival Jobs.

But Moretz also had some admiration in his heart, and even secretly guessed whether Zhang Chen had inside information about Wall Street, otherwise how could it be so coincidental, after Hao did not hesitate to refuse Sequoia's investment, the super bomb Webvan appeared.

The phone rang twice, and Zhang Chen's slightly immature voice came from the microphone, and Moritz said enthusiastically: "Zack, thank God, you finally answered the phone." ”

Today, Friday, Zhang Chen happened to return to Tang Miaomiao's villa, lying on Tang Miaomiao's lap and eating cherries, and said lazily: "Mr. Moretz, is there something wrong?"

Moretz's heart is full of 10,000 beasts, since he worked for Time magazine, only Jobs is the only fool who can be so rude to him, and now there is another unknown Chinese kid.

Moretz smiled heartily: "Last time, we didn't finish talking, Sequoia decided to invest in ICQ, and the original committee approved a 20% stake of $7 million. However, I found that we were still underestimating the potential of ICQ, so I specifically submitted an application to the committee to adjust the investment to 20% of the $10 million. ”

Zhang Chen sneered, "Mr. Moretz, I suggest you quit your assistant quickly, she didn't tell you about the five million dollars investment we just received from AOL, and she hasn't said that we only gave up 8% of AOL's shares. ”

Moritz sneered, "Zack, I know about this, but you know, Sequoia is different. If ICQ accepts our investment, we will help ICQ grow in all aspects. Sequoia has a strong relationship in the high-tech field and can bring you more added value. ”

Zhang Chen poked his ears to listen to him, and said lightly: "Mr. Moretz, if you want to say just that, I don't think we have any need to communicate." Good bye. ”

After that, Zhang Chen's hand that didn't hold the phone climbed onto Tang Miaomiao's slender and tight waist and kneaded it gently.

As soon as Moretz heard that Zhang Chen was about to hang up the phone again, he hurriedly said, "Zack, wait, tell me about your conditions." ”

A smile appeared at the corner of Zhang Chen's mouth, and the big fish was about to take the bait. Tang Miaomiao's face was red and red when she was teased by Zhang Chen's hand on her waist, and she dodged shyly. But Zhang Chen made a "shhh Fortunately, Zhang Chen's hand was just on his waist and he didn't go anywhere else.

In the microphone was still Zhang Chen's unhurried voice: "Our conditions are 20 million US dollars, 15% equity, and no voting rights." ”