Chapter 1274 – Whitman
After knowing Taobao has been set up, Whitman, the CEO of eBay, immediately flew to Shanghai. China is the market she is targeting after the North American market. If she can get the majority of the market share, it will bring enormous profit.
Although China is still a developing nation, its average income is not high, but most people in the cities have above-average income. More importantly, China has a high population, and a standard middle-class family’s six-month salary is enough for them to spend for a year. The remaining half will be spent on luxury items to improve their lives.
In North America, even if a third of its population are eBay’s registered users, it is only tens of million people. But China has 1 billion people, and even 5% of its population is more than the North American market.
Kirilenko had also come to China with Whitman. He has nothing to do in the US and wants to have a short vacation in China before returning to Moscow.
A plane landed in Shanghai airport, and Kirilenko and Whitman stepped out.
Feng Yu is standing there waiting to receive his best friend.
“Feng, why didn’t you visit me in the US for so long?” Kirilenko gave Feng Yu a hug.
“I told you that my wife is pregnant and I need to remain in China during this period. Furthermore, you can come over to visit me.”
“Mr. Feng, nice to meet you. I am Whitman, President, and CEO of eBay.” Whitman extended her right hand for a handshake.
Feng Yu has always wanted to meet this legendary business executive. If she were not working in eBay, he would have recruited her for Amazon. In his previous life, many people said eBay can be successful is because of her. Even eBay’s shareholders admitted this.
When Whitman resigned, she appointed one of her former colleagues as her successor, and eBay continued to succeed.
Whitman moved on to her new job as HP’s CEO. Her salary at HP is not as high as eBay, but she sees it as a challenge.
“Nice to meet you, Ms. Whitman. If you are not working for Kirilenko, I would have recruited you personally to my company.” Feng Yu did not hide his admiration for her.
“Thank you, Mr. Feng. I am quite happy at eBay, and I am confident eBay can become an eCommerce giant!” Whitman replied proudly.
“Feng, she is not someone you can recruit.” Kirilenko gloated.
In the past, Kirilenko had looked down on Whitman as she is a woman. But he soon realizes she is different and is more capable than most men. She is also very good at managing the company, and eBay’s success today is all her credit.
Of course, Kirilenko did not treat Whitman badly. He learned from Feng Yu to treat his subordinates well and gave her shares of the company as bonuses. When it’s time for her to leave, she should own more than 100 million USD worth of eBay shares. This is not something most companies’ CEO will get.
“Hahaha… I also have a good management team and will not snatch with you. But if she gets bored at your place and wants a change of environment, she can come over anytime.”
Whitman thought Feng Yu is joking with Kirilenko and her. But when she saw Feng Yu’s serious expression, she knows he admires her capability.
Being appreciated by the World’s Richest man is an honor.
They exchanged a few words, and Feng Yu invited them into the car. Kirilenko and Whitman boarded a custom-made Songjiang limousine. This is considered a simplified version of Kirilenko’s wedding car, and two Songjiang S class cars escorted them. The S class model is currently the most expensive car from Songjiang.
“Is this building Mr. Feng’s?” Whitman looks at the Wind and Rain Building in Shanghai.
Whitman had heard that the Chinese likes to buy properties but did not expect the World’s Richest Man, Feng Yu, to be one of them.
“This building belongs to Tai Hua Holdings, and most of Tai Hua Holdings’ subsidiaries have offices here. Some overseas companies rented office space here. For example, your eBay Yi Qu’s office is in this building. You should know about this, right?”
Of course, Whitman knew about this. She had come to the office before when eBay invested and acquired most of Yi Qu’s shares. Both transactions are more than 160 million USD, and she must be present to make sure everything is in order.
When they reach Feng Yu’s office, Kirilenko went to the bar and opened a bottle of alcohol.
Whitman looks around curiously. Why does Feng Yu not have a secretary in his office? She does not know Feng Yu does not like to be disturbed in his office, and no one will enter if he did not call for them. If a secretary is stationed in his office and saw him playing online games, his image will be tarnished!
How can the World’s Richest Man behaving like ordinary staff who plays games secretly at work? Kirilenko knows about Feng Yu’s habits and went to pour drinks for himself.
“Ms. Whitman. What would you like to drink? I will get someone to prepare for you.”
Kirilenko poured a glass of alcohol and placed it in front of Whitman. “No need. I believe she will like this bottle of alcohol.”
Another thing about Whitman which Kirilenko likes is she also likes alcohol. Although she cannot drink much, it’s enough to impress him.
Someone who likes to drink must be a nice person!
This is what Kirilenko believes.
Feng Yu shrugged his shoulders and brewed a pot of tea for himself. Birds of the same feather flock together.
“Mr. Feng, your office is quite small.” Whitman looks around.
“I am not in this office most of the time, and that’s why it is smaller. It will be too wasteful if I have a big office here.”
Feng Yu’s office is smaller than Zhong Qingxian’s. Zhong Qingxian felt awkward about this in the past, but Feng Yu did not mind as he is not in Shanghai most of the time.
“I did not expect you to be so thrifty even though you are the World’s Richest Man.”
“The World’s Richest Man is only a title. My companies still cannot be compared to Bill Gates’ Microsoft or those top companies. When my companies can exceed them one day, I will be glad to receive this title. At that time, I believe my companies’ shareholders and top executives will also be listed on the Forbes list!”
