Steal the enemy's base at the start and build a technological empire.

Chapter 190 Doha Spark Internet Cafe

At 10 a.m., Khalid led a person into Lingyun's office.

The man was dressed in a tailored suit, around fifty years old, with neatly combed gray hair. He carried a black leather bag in his hand; the leather was very soft, and the edges had been worn smooth and shiny.

"This is Faisal, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority," Khalid introduced.

Faisal nodded, took a folder from his briefcase, and placed it on the table. The folder cover bore the ADIA logo.

"We've studied StarCraft Technology," Faisal said, his English tinged with a slight Arabic accent. "Operating system, browser, instant messaging—a very complete setup."

"Thank you." Ling Yun opened the folder. Inside were ADIA's internal analysis reports, more than thirty pages long, with detailed data, even including the Star Language user growth prediction model.

"You need your next round of funding," Faisal said. "We're willing to lead the investment."

Valuation?

"Fifty billion US dollars. Invest five hundred million, which is ten percent."

Lingyun closed the report.

"We plan to conduct a new round of financing in three months," he said. "I need three months to complete the plans and tasks for this phase. The Windows version of Xingyu has just been launched, the search cooperation has just begun, and the data center is still under construction. In three months, the data will be better."

Faisal and Khalid exchanged a glance.

"The valuation will be even higher in three months," Faisal said.

"It could be even higher," Ling Yun said. "If you're willing to wait, I'll give you priority investment rights."

"What are the conditions?"

"We're signing a letter of intent today. You've secured a 500 million quota, representing 10%. However, the valuation will be based on the market price three months from now, with an upward adjustment of no more than 40%."

Faisal was silent for a few seconds, then tapped his fingers lightly on the table.

"Okay," he said, "but we need an observer seat on the board."

"Can."

Khalid took out a pre-prepared letter of intent from his bag, three pages long. The terms were simple and clear: ADIA had the right to invest $500 million in Star Technology at a valuation not exceeding $7 billion three months later.

Lingyun signed the document. Faisal signed the document.

They shook hands. Faisal's hands were dry and cold.

"There's one more thing," Khalid said. "Doha's first Spark Internet Cafe opens next Saturday. I hope you can come."

"Next Saturday?"

"Yes. Private jet pick-up and drop-off will take up little of your time."

Ling Yun glanced at the calendar. "Okay."

"Then it's settled." Khalid put away the letter of intent. "Flying Thursday night, returning Sunday night. You'll spend four days in Silicon Valley and three days in Doha."

Four days later, the plane landed in Doha.

It wasn't a commercial airliner. It was Khalid's private jet, with a light gold interior and genuine leather seats. The water cups served by the flight attendants had gold trim on the rims.

Three black Mercedes-Benz G-Class cars, with tinted front and rear windows. Ling Yun and Khalid were in the middle car. Four bodyguards, dressed in white robes with subtle bulges at their waists, sat in each of the two cars.

The car drove into the city. The streets were wide, and lights shone from the scaffolding of the high-rise buildings under construction on both sides. Rows of brightly colored sports cars were parked in front of the shopping mall.

The internet cafe is located in a newly built commercial building, spanning two floors and covering 800 square meters. A stage has been set up at the entrance, covered with a red carpet. Workers are adjusting the lighting.

"The opening will be at 10 a.m. tomorrow," Khalid said. "Several local television stations will be there, and members of the royal family may also come."

"The royal family?"

My cousin is interested in games.

Lingyun walked into the internet cafe, which was already set up. There were a hundred computers, all of them the latest Alienware configurations. Keyboards and mice were neatly arranged, and bottled water and brochures were placed on each table. There was a coffee bar, a sofa area, and even a separate smoking room—separated by glass and with its own ventilation system.

"Were these machines shipped in?" Ling Yun asked.

"Air freight," Khalid said. "I don't want to wait. The shipping cost is higher than the machine, but time is more important."

That evening, Khalid invited Lingyun to his place for dinner.

It was a seaside villa with a single piece of bronze sculpture as its main gate. Pushing it open led to a courtyard with a fountain in the center. Several silvery-white fish, each about the length of a forearm, swam in the pool.

More than twenty silver plates were laid out on the long table in the restaurant. Only the two of them were dining, and a waiter stood three meters away, wearing white gloves.

"These were all air-freighted in today," Khalid said, pointing to a plate of fish. "Have a taste."

After dinner, Khalid took him to see the garage. There were seven cars parked inside. The oldest was a 1995 Ferrari F50, and the newest was a newly released Lamborghini Diablo VT.

"Which one do you like? We can drive it tomorrow," Khalid said.

"No."

"Then I'll arrange a driver for you."

When Ling Yun returned to his room, he saw two bodyguards standing at either end of the corridor. They nodded to him, placing their hands where they could see them.

The room was large, with silk canopies. The bathroom floor was made of solid marble, and the faucets were gold. In the courtyard outside the window, workers were pruning palm trees with electric shears, making very little noise.

The opening ceremony took place the following day.

At 9:30 a.m., guests began to arrive. The men wore white robes, and the women wore black robes, but the black robes were embroidered with intricate patterns in gold thread. The children, dressed in little suits or dresses, ran around on the red carpet.

At exactly 10:00, a Rolls-Royce pulled up. The person who stepped out was dressed in a distinctly white robe, with a headscarf secured by a black headband. Khalid quickly stepped forward and bowed in greeting.

"My cousin, Prince Nasser," Khalid introduced to Ling Yun.

Nasser extended his hand, and Ling Yun shook it. The prince's hand was soft, and he wore a large gemstone ring.

"I've heard about you from Khalid," Nasser said. "I've tried that optical mouse; it's better than Microsoft's."

"Thanks."

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was simple. Nasser and Lingyun each took a pair of golden scissors and cut the red ribbon. Applause rang out.

Then the prince went into the internet cafe. He tried out the mouse and fired a few shots in Quake.

"Does this voice function work?" he asked.

"Yes, you can. You'll need to wear headphones."

The waiter immediately handed over a new pair of headphones. The prince put them on and said a few words in Arabic. The player at the next machine responded.

He smiled.

"That's fine," he said to Khalid. "We can install a few sets in the palace's recreation room."

"Ten sets have been prepared for you and will be delivered this afternoon."

After the opening ceremony came lunch in the hotel's banquet hall. Long tables were laden with food, and a band played in a corner. Nasser sat for twenty minutes before leaving, telling Ling Yun before he left, "Welcome to Doha. If you need anything, just ask Khalid."

In the afternoon, the internet cafe officially opened for business. The hourly rate was 50 Qatari riyals (approximately US$14). Within half an hour, all one hundred machines were full.

Many customers bought mice and keyboards. They bought two or three mice at a time, each costing $69.

"To give away," a customer said in English. "My brother and my cousin, I want them both."

That evening, Khalid hosted a party at a private club. A champagne tower stood by the pool, and waiters moved about carrying trays. Several young members of the royal family were gathered around a computer, playing online games.

Lingyun stood on the edge of the terrace, looking at the city lights in the distance.

Khalid came over and handed him a glass of water.

"How are you feeling?" Khalid asked.

"It's very different," Ling Yun said.

"This is just the beginning." Khalid took a sip of his drink. "The Dubai branch will open next month, and we're also in talks in Riyadh. Next year, we'll be able to open Spark Internet Cafes in all the major cities of the Arab countries."

How much equipment do you need?

"At least three thousand sets. Can you supply them?"

"Yes, but you need to place your order three months in advance."

"it is good."

Khalid took a small velvet box from his pocket and opened it. Inside was a gold badge engraved with Arabic script and the Spark Technology logo.

"This is for you," he said. "Here, this badge can help you avoid some trouble."

"What's the trouble?"

"Inspections, questioning, some unnecessary procedures." Khalid closed the box. "Wear it, and people will know you are a respected guest."

Lingyun took the box.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome." Khalid glanced at the noisy crowd by the pool. "We are partners. Here, partnership means much more."

The party lasted until the early hours of the morning.

Back at the villa, Ling Yun placed the badge on the bedside table. The gold gleamed softly under the lamplight.

Outside the window, the night in Doha is quiet. In the distance, there are the lights of a mosque, and further still, the black surface of the Persian Gulf.