Chapter 82: A Pleasant Exchange?

Cook did not expect Legion Ant Company to be so firm. This was already the third rejection today, and each time it was so blunt. He had never had a day as frustrating as this one. Even though he was upset, he had to hold it in for now. Otherwise, not only would the acquisition fail, but even cooperation might become impossible.

This path was blocked; he had to look for another way.

“Ms. Zhao, could I speak with your Chairman?” Cook broke the tension in the reception room.

Zhao Min smiled slightly and glanced at Xiaoyu beside her. Understanding the cue, Xiaoyu immediately dialed Chen Mo’s number. “Chen Mo, Mr. Cook would like to see you.”

“Alright.”

After Xiaoyu hung up, the reception room fell silent again. Not long after, Chen Mo pushed open the door and walked in.

“Mr. Cook, this is our Chairman, Chen Mo.”

When Cook saw Chen Mo, his eyes showed surprise. He was so young—unbelievably young. After a few seconds of stunned silence, Cook snapped out of it, stood up, and shook Chen Mo’s hand, exchanging a simple greeting.

Only after Chen Mo sat down on the sofa did Cook speak. “Mr. Chen Mo, I came here to acquire your company. Before coming, we asked Brand Finance to evaluate your company’s value at 13 billion U.S. dollars. Personally, I think that valuation is low, so we are offering 15 billion U.S. dollars to buy 100% of your company’s shares.”

“Sorry, the company is not for sale.” Before Zhao Min could translate for him, Chen Mo spoke. His spoken English was not good, but he understood what Cook meant.

Chen Mo’s bluntness was within Zhao Min’s expectations. After translating Chen Mo’s words, she saw Cook’s face darken.

When Zhao Min had rejected him, there was at least some politeness. Now, Chen Mo had cut him off with just a few words, refusing without a second thought.

That was 15 billion U.S. dollars, not 150 dollars. Chen Mo’s quick refusal made Cook wonder if he had misspoken. But once he confirmed it, Cook’s mood soured completely.

Today was the day he had been rejected the most. 15 billion U.S. dollars was almost over 90 billion in Huaxia currency—a staggering amount.

“Mr. Chen Mo, it’s 15 billion U.S. dollars,” Cook emphasized.

“I know. Not for sale,” Chen Mo said.

This time, Cook was sure he had heard correctly.

“Since Chen doesn’t want to sell the company, let’s try another way to cooperate,” Cook said, quickly finding a way to save face. Otherwise, the discussion would go nowhere.

“Go ahead,” Chen Mo said with a smile.

And Zhao Min, the President, became the translator for both of them.

“Could your company consider financing? We could invest in your company. 8 billion U.S. dollars for 51% of the shares.”

“Our company doesn’t need money, Mr. Cook. Please suggest other forms of cooperation. The company’s shares are not for sale,” Chen Mo said.

Cook fell silent. He had just observed that Chen Mo’s tone and demeanor were very firm. It seemed that taking control of Legion Ant Company was also impossible.

“Then let’s talk about cooperation,” Cook said. “I hope Smart Assistant can be released for iOS.”

“It’s not that I don’t want to release an iOS version, but I can’t. We need the core source code and architecture of the operating system to design and release it based on that. Without these, it won’t run, or the phone system will restrict it as an unknown software. Mr. Cook, would you open iOS’s source code to our company?”

This was a difficult problem that stumped Cook completely.

Opening the source code to Army Ant would mean Apple Inc. completely bowing to Legion Ant Company—something absolutely unacceptable. According to Chen Mo, without the source code, Smart Assistant was a no-go.

What to do?

A huge question mark appeared in Cook’s mind, and a sharp glint flickered deep in his eyes.

The reception room fell into dead silence. Everyone was waiting for Cook’s answer. After a long time, Cook finally looked up. “Chen, we can open the source code, but under one condition.”

“Go on.”

“We both open our source codes. We open iOS’s source code to your company, and you open Smart Assistant’s source code to us. That’s fair cooperation,” Cook said.

“Impossible,” Chen Mo refused without hesitation.

The source code for Smart Assistant was currently known only to them and the authorities. No other domestic company could get it, let alone a foreign company.

Besides, he had no interest in iOS’s source code. Army Ant System was better than Apple System in every aspect.

“Chen, you’re rejecting every form of cooperation. We can’t continue like this,” Cook said with a dark expression.

“We’re not the ones insisting on cooperation. We’re just developing software. The source code cannot be opened to you. We would like to release an iOS version, but without the iOS system architecture, Smart Assistant can’t control the phone system, and its functions won’t work.

The only way for us to develop an iOS version is for you to open iOS’s source code to our company. If you can’t agree to this condition, then Mr. Cook will have to leave empty-handed this time.”

After speaking, Chen Mo picked up the tea prepared by Xiaoyu and took a sip, waiting quietly.

Cook’s eyes flickered, and his expression was not good. Chen Mo’s demand was too big. Even he couldn’t casually open iOS’s source code to Chen Mo.

Bowing to a company that had only been established for half a year would be a huge blow to Apple. Moreover, iOS’s source code involved deeper security issues.

They couldn’t hand over something so important unilaterally to a Huaxia company. The board would never allow him to do so.

“Mr. Chen, is there no other way?” Cook said.

“Mr. Cook, your company’s iOS system security is too good. We can’t bypass the phone system to control the phone. Besides, your company has Siri; you don’t need our Xiao Die that much.”

After thinking for a long time, Cook sighed and stood up. “Chen, I need to consider your proposal.”

“Alright. Would Mr. Cook like to tour the company?”

“No, I’ll head back now. I look forward to our next meeting.” Cook reached out and shook Chen Mo’s hand.

“Zhao Min, please see Mr. Cook out,” Chen Mo said to Zhao Min with a smile.

“Alright.”

Zhao Min nodded with a smile and led Cook out of the company’s reception room. Soon, the group left Legion Ant Company under the guidance of staff.

As soon as they reached the company’s entrance, reporters gathered at the gate started snapping photos wildly.

The news of Cook entering Legion Ant Company had already spread among reporters.

Those who had left Legion Ant Company had returned. Now, over forty reporters were waiting outside the office building for Cook to emerge.

“General Manager Zhao, what cooperation did you reach this time?”

“Mr. Cook, what collaboration have you and Legion Ant Company agreed on?”

“General Manager Zhao…”

A crowd of reporters swarmed around, bombarding them with questions.

Cook walked to his car door, turned to the surrounding reporters, and raised a slight smile.

“Thank you, friends from the press. I was very happy to be invited to Legion Ant Company to discuss cooperation with them. We had a very pleasant exchange. Legion Ant is a very promising enterprise. In the future, our two companies will have more opportunities for collaboration.”

After saying this to the reporters, Cook got into the car. Once the door closed, his smile vanished, and his expression turned grim. Under the watchful eyes of the many reporters, the car sped away.