One Year Left to Play

At most, the number of people using this software is just over 10,000.

Although this software has a higher technical content, the content is fixed and locked, and the server requirements are not high. The mechanism of the software is different from ICQ: it connects server password functions within the network. Simply put, employees can use this software for convenient communication almost exclusively within the company, without the hassle of phone calls or emails. To receive information externally, they just need to acquire the company's unique password via the server. So, after the software is designed and offered for free, the maintenance costs required are very low.

Additionally, the functionality is very simple, with no unnecessary features added; it's purely an internal company social software.

The other party wants to acquire this, not the ICQ with a huge online presence, which surprises both Zhang Hao and Pelinka.

But it doesn't matter; selling one is one.

Just before two o'clock, the waiter notified Pelinka that the person he was meeting had arrived.

Pelinka adjusted his mindset, tidied up his attire, mimicked Zhang Hao's calm demeanor, and went out to greet the person he was meeting.

The person he was meeting was a large group led by Paul Allen, the co-founder and one of the executives of Microsoft, known for his active pursuit of acquiring the Portland Trail Blazers.

After the pleasantries, the unnecessary people left, leaving only secretaries, lawyers, and finance officers on both sides.

"I want to buy your entire ICQ-TIM department. I appreciate your technological creativity. Name your price," Paul Allen said directly.

Such a small software acquisition doesn't usually require Paul Allen, but as there was no live broadcast, he wanted to watch the Blazers and Lakers game. He was enjoying it initially, but in the second half, the momentum took a drastic turn...

Pelinka could feel that the other party wasn't in a great mood, especially since the day before, the Blazers, who were being acquired by the other party, were brutally beaten by the Lakers. Second-year player Zhang Hao achieved a terrifying stat line that no one else in NBA history has accomplished.

Remembering the base price given by the boss after learning about the acquisition of this software yesterday, Pelinka felt a tug at his heart.

This software has consumed nearly 4 million US Dollars so far, making it the lowest-cost investment among their company's three software projects. However, the boss set the base price surprisingly at ten times their investment!

Then just report the base price, and if the other party doesn't agree, negotiate well to earn a few million.

Pelinka mustered his courage, stretched out his hand, tucked in his thumb, and spread out the other four fingers. But before he could speak, Paul Allen nodded.

"4 billion? I didn't expect you to be so honest. I thought you would ask for 10 billion and negotiate slowly with me. Okay, I agree. I have other matters to attend to, so my secretary will handle the rest with you."

After speaking, Paul Allen left.

Just like when he lost to Charles Dolan in the competition for the American Cable TV Station and vented by selling all his shares in it, Paul Allen has a fiery temperament, throwing 4 billion US Dollars in Pelinka's face and leaving.

Faced with such impolite behavior, Pelinka was stunned and felt that he should extend his other cheek for another slap!

...

...

At 7 p.m., the game between the Lakers and Pacers started.

Kenny Anderson's gums still had a cavity but otherwise, he was fine, returning to start the game.

The Magician can finally play as a substitute with peace of mind; his efficiency is higher coming off the bench than starting.

Throughout this near year since the Magician's comeback, experts and media have expressed regret over his excellent physique and basketball IQ, lamenting his fall during his peak.

After the game started, the Lakers didn't perform very well. Zhang Hao, who had just scored 64 points the day before, seemed to have exhausted his touch, and his shots were often rushed, unlike his usual self.

But tonight Zhang Hao was very proactive in battling for rebounds, completing two tip-ins over Rick Smits in the first quarter. O'Neal and Barkley are quick to react now; whenever either of them finds that Zhang Hao is charging towards him at a rebounding position, they quickly retreat...

Although Zhang Hao's shooting performance was poor, and the two big men were slacking, even with Kenny Anderson's return, the Lakers played averagely. The Pacers, without Mark Jackson, were indeed struggling. He was a top organizational core with the ability to win the assists title, who reduced his dribbling patience and organized the Pacers' attacks effectively, fitting perfectly with their lineup.

The Pacers' highest assists now come from second-year Travis Best, with an average of 4.4 assists, followed by Reggie Miller, with an average of 3.8 assists. As the game went on, it became a mass of scorers surrounding the basket with distant shooters.

Zhang Hao was very proactive in rebounding tonight, shooting 9 out of 23, missing all three three-point attempts but hitting all eight free throws, totaling 26 points, 16 rebounds, and 3 blocks.

Alongside O'Neal's 24 points and 11 rebounds, Barkley's 7 points and 6 rebounds, Kenny Anderson's 12 points and 8 assists, and Byron Scott's 11 points...

The Lakers firmly defeated the Pacers 98 to 90, reaching a 12-game winning streak and improving their record to 21 wins and 4 losses!

...

The game ends, and after Zhang Hao finishes his Celestial Hook-style physiotherapy, he returns home still excited. He wraps his left arm around the little girl Le Lin and his right arm around Aprile Clark, sharing the joyful news that he can't tell his teammates or outsiders with them.

The little girl has started her vacation again, with Christmas approaching. There's a month-long holiday, and she'll start school again on January 15th. After the vacation started, she ran to Zhang Hao first.