Chapter 758 – Another Steve
Steve is a common name in America. It is like Xiao Qiang in Hong Kong, Xiao Ming in China, Tom in English textbooks. It is very, very common. But if the last name of Steve is Forbes, then it is no longer common.
Steve Forbes was the Editor-in-Chief and CEO of Forbes. The Chairman of Forbes was an old man. The real decisionmaker in Forbes was Steve.
Today, Steve was here to meet a Chinese man from China. Someone he always wanted to interview but had no chance.
Feng Yu did not expect to meet another person by the name of Steve. Although this person was famous in the business circle, Feng Yu did not want to meet him.
It was because Steve was also a reporter, other than a businessman. This type of people was susceptible. Feng Yu could not explain about the things he did in the past, and those should be what Steve wants to ask.
But this meeting was arranged by Bill Gates, and it was hard for Feng Yu to reject him. Actually, Feng Yu was also curious about Steve. He was also known as “The best forecaster of the financial market.” Feng Yu also wanted to know how Forbes magazine become so successful? There were at least 5 million readers of that magazine, and it was one of the top business magazines in the world.
Bill Gates and Steve Forbes entered Feng Yu’s office.
“You all should not need me to introduce, right?”
Feng Yu turned to Bill Gates: “Have you tell Steve about my conditions?”
Steve nodded. “Of course. This is not an interview, and I do not have any recording devices with me. Without Bill’s permission, even I have to leave those devices outside.”
Feng Yu was satisfied. He still wants to keep low for the time being. In the future, he will be fine to appear in front of the cameras. But now it was still not a good time, especially in the US, where guns are everywhere.
The US President had the best protection in the world, but one of them was also assassinated. Feng Yu does not want to die early without enjoying his life!
More importantly, Feng Yu was not a US citizen!
“Feng, can we have a chat?” Steve took out his pen and notebook from his bag. This was his habit of taking notes.
Feng Yu frowned. “Steve, I think I have made myself clear. I do not want to expose myself. Please do not take notes.”
Feng Yu was speechless. I said this is not an interview and why the hell are you taking notes?
Steve kept his pen embarrassedly. “Sorry. It’s a habit. I have written some questions in my notebook. Can I look at it?”
Damn. Why does this still feel like an interview? Did Bill Gates say this meeting is just a chat among friends? Also, why is Bill Gates sitting down? I thought you are very busy?!
Bill Gates saw Feng Yu looking at him and shrugged his shoulders. “I do not have anything to do now. Let’s have a chat.”
Bill Gates is also very curious about Feng Yu. But Feng Yu is not an American, and he had no way to look into Feng Yu’s past. He had asked his men in China to find out more about Feng Yu. The information gathered was shocking. There was only one man in China that was a super tycoon like Bill Gates, and his age also matches Feng Yu.
This man is the king of manufacturing, retail, electronics, home appliances, and there were rumors that he was also involved in telecommunications and F&B, etc. Someone also said that “person” had even sat down and chatted with this man.
Of course, these were all rumors and could not be verified with any media reports. But for all these rumors to spread, there must be some truth elements in it. Even if Feng Yu held only one of the rumored titles, it was also terrifying.
Look at all those MNC. All of them were controlling some industries, like manufacturing, electronics, telecommunications, retail, etc. No matter what industry Feng Yu had control over in China, it just shows how influential he is.
Based on China’s growth potential, Feng Yu’s net worth would reach more than 1 billion USD in the future. Bill Gates wants to hear from Feng Yu, which industries he was involved in.
In the future, Bill Gates will sell away his Microsoft shares and set up a fund to invest in other industries. This shows that Bill Gates was not willing to focus on one sector for his whole life.
Ralph brought the coffee in and left, closing the door behind him. Feng Yu was pleased with Ralph’s actions. He does not need to tell him much, and he knew what to do.
Steve looked at Feng Yu. “Feng, are you really holding on to 15% of Microsoft shares?”
“Actually, it is not so much. I am only holding on to 14.9%.”
Steve used his fingernails to scratch the first question in his notebook. Feng Yu had answered this question.
“I am very curious. All your shares are circulating shares. That means you bought it from other investors in the open market. Is it because you are confident of Microsoft’s earning potential, that’s why you invest in it?”
“Of course. To be more precise, I am confident of the whole industry. Microsoft is one of the top companies in this industry. In China, we call such companies as the head goat, meaning the leader of the pack. Investments are for making more money, and Microsoft can help me make more money.”
There was nothing to hide about this. Feng Yu couldn’t be telling them that he invests in Microsoft was not for money, and it was because he wants to enter the board of directors and then let his company overtake Microsoft in the future.
“I understand that Microsoft shares are still growing. All your shares are bought over the past few years. Can we talk about where did you get so much money to buy these shares? Even if it was two years ago, your investment is also a large amount.”
“I earned it. I earned every single cent legally. With my status, do I need to get involved with illegal businesses?” Feng Yu did not give a direct reply. Why should I tell you how I earn my money from? Do you want me to tell you all my trade secrets?
Steve was not happy with Feng Yu’s answer. He had interviewed other tycoons and knew their primary source of income and how they become wealthy. But he knew nothing about Feng Yu, as Forbes was not influential in China.
If it was in the US, Forbes could quickly obtain any information he wants. At least all the available information. But this was enough. Forbes would not dig into someone’s hidden past. That’s the job of other media.
“Feng, you should know what I want to ask. Let me change the question a bit. Other than Microsoft, what other companies did you invest in? Hmmm, the more profitable companies.”