Chapter 1953: Biting the Hook

Even those salesmen with glamorous appearances would not have dinner in the hotel room. Similarly, even if things were not going well, there was no reason for Zenstrom to order food in the hotel room.

After all these years, he first worked for others and now worked for himself. He was almost 40 years old and his wallet was actually quite full.

And this time, he seemed to have the urge to turn depression into food.

The restaurant he chose also fully reflected his concept, which was high-end, delicious, but not expensive.

That is Restaurant\ Gary \ Danko, located at the intersection of Hyde Street and North\ Point\ St.

In fact, many tourists have passed by this restaurant.

Take the most classic and popular Powell/Hyde Line in San Francisco and experience the unique urban roller coaster in San Francisco. After visiting Lombard Street, before going to Hyde Pier or Fisherman's Wharf, many people will choose to go to Ghirardelli Square to eat the famous American Ghirardelli chocolate. This restaurant, which is painted in metallic black, is located in the first block east of Chocolate Square.

Or it can be said that Ghirardelli Chocolate Square is located in the next block west of this restaurant.

The reason for this is that this Michelin restaurant is really awesome. It was once rated as the number one restaurant in the United States.

Last year, it was awarded the North American AAA\ Five-Diamond\ Award, which is the 3A Five-Diamond Award. What is more attractive is its consumption, Tasting\Menu, which is less than one hundred dollars.

So this restaurant, which looks ordinary and can only accommodate 65 people, has always been hard to find a seat, and reservations have to be made at least one month later.

But that is for ordinary people.

For Zenstrom, it was no problem to come here today and eat here today. His local venture capital could solve the problem with just one phone call. In short, in the United States, you can intuitively feel the power of capital in many ways. To put it simply, it is the power of money.

Zenstrom sat down at the window seat. When the first dish of deep-sea oysters and Osetra caviar, zucchini and lettuce cream soup came, he still frowned and looked worried.

Whether it was the oysters from the deep sea of ​​British Columbia in the soup, or the dark brown, pearl-like Osetra caviar piled on the four oysters, or the wine from the five major wineries in France, they could not relax his brows at all. The drama was still a bit exaggerated.

According to his posture, the restaurant chef Gary\Danko might come to him first and ask, "Will the dishes I cook make you so dissatisfied?"

But tonight, there is a group of people who care more about this guy who looks unhappy than the best chef in California.

After eating just one oyster, someone came to Zenstrom's table, "Hello, Mr. Zenstrom,"

So soon? Zenstrom looked up in surprise, "Hello, Ms. Whitman,"

She actually came in person?

"Can I..." Whitman pointed to the seat opposite him and asked.

"Please," Zenstrom walked over to her and helped her pull out the chair.

"Don't bother me," Whitman asked with a smile.

"Not at all,"

The waiter had brought the menu over, and Whitman didn't even look at it, "Just follow today's chef's recommendation,"

"Zenstrom, I'm sorry to meet you in such an intrusive way. I believe you also know that we at eBay are very interested in Skype, which you founded. Therefore, we all agree that we should take advantage of this rare opportunity of your coming to Silicon Valley to meet with you and exchange our views on some issues frankly,"

So impatient?

"Ms. Whitman, please forgive me, I really don't want to talk about work tonight," Zenstrom's eyebrows, which had just relaxed, frowned tightly again.

"Oh?" Whitman glanced at him, but wanted to talk to him about this issue.

What made him so sad? Was it Feng Yiping?

If it was, it would be great.

Even if it wasn't, it was a good opportunity.

Whitman believed that if the acquisition was officially launched, it would be difficult to encounter such an emotional moment as Zenstrom.

"I'm sorry, but if you think there is anything we eBay can help with, please don't hesitate. We have long wanted to become a family with Skype,"

"Thank you, but this time, no one should be able to help me," Zenstrom took a big sip of the wine glass, "No one,"

"If you can, can you tell me what the problem is?" Whitman persuaded.

"Your food is here," Zenstrom pointed behind her and said.

"Ms. Whitman," not only the waiter came, but also the chef of this restaurant, Gary\Danko.

As a chef who has taken root in San Francisco, he naturally knew Whitman, and Whitman's visit was also worth his personal entertainment.

"Hello Danko, please let me introduce you to my friend, Mr. Zennstrom, an outstanding engineer and entrepreneur from Denmark. I think you must be a user of his company's product, Skype,"

"Are you the founder of Skype?" Danko immediately asked Zengström enthusiastically, "Sir, we all have to thank you. With Skype, our contact with relatives and friends in France is not only more convenient, but also more affordable... …,”

This was an obviously flattering introduction, but Whitman didn't say it for a long time.

But she felt that her words obviously had some effect. At least after the chef left, Zengstrom seemed a little excited. Also, from an engineer's point of view, the products he developed were affected by users. love, that can be said to be the highest affirmation.

But Whitman's reluctance only ended there, "Tell the truth, Zenstrom, it's not an accident that you met me here today,"

"I can imagine," Zenstrom nodded.

This is not a question that can be played dumb. If you still can't see clearly at this time that Whitman came specifically to see him, then he is really stupid.

"Just so you know, I can't talk to you about any company-related issues right now,"

"I came tonight just to talk to you about this issue, not to eat," Whitman said directly.

She also acted like Zengstrom, not interested in appreciating chef Danko's craftsmanship.

The waiter looked at the appetizer that Whitman had set aside and couldn't help but frown. The two people at that table were both like this. Should I tell the chef?

"Look, the question I don't understand the most is that we clearly know that you had a positive attitude towards the company being acquired before. Why does it seem that this attitude has changed now?"

You finally asked.

Zenstrom took another sip of wine and smiled silently, "Otherwise, what can I do?"

"What problem did you encounter?" Whitman asked, "We all know that during your trip to Silicon Valley, you mainly met with Feng. Could it be that Feng opposed your decision?"

"Feng is not alone now. Ms. Whitman, you should also know how influential Feng is. There are already many members on our company's board of directors who are on Feng's side."

Whitman's heart sank. Is this Feng Yiping really going to interfere with his perfect plan again?

Not only did you mess up my business in China, but now you are not letting go of my merger and acquisition in Europe.

"Can you tell me more specifically?" She waved to the waiter, and immediately, there was another half glass of wine in front of Zengstrom.

"...In short, Feng emphasized to the board of directors that he has the right of first refusal,"

Whitman's face darkened. If this was true, then this time, just like his business in China, he would have no chance at all.

"Zengstrom, I think you can do more, don't you?" Whitman wanted to stand up and yell at this guy, but are you just going to accept your fate passively?

"I believe that I will eventually be able to convince the board of directors to find the most suitable home for our product,"

"eBay is the perfect home for it," Whitman said immediately.

"But Feng will definitely not give up. I think his bottom line must be to take the lead in relevant negotiations,"

Whitman was stunned again. Could it be that he couldn't get around him no matter what?

But after thinking about it, she became relaxed again, "If your company's board of directors approves his request, then, except that Feng will not use his right of first refusal, Google will not be the most favorable competitor in this merger. "

Her reaction was indeed not slow.

This is also the good news among the bad news.

"Oh, what did I do?" Zenstrom seemed to have just realized what he had said before, "I'm sorry, I have to leave first,"

Zenstrom scrawled something to Whitman, turned around and walked out.

Whitman could still hear him muttering, "I shouldn't drink so much,"

In that case, why are you still holding that empty wine bottle in your hand?

ps: Sorry, I happened to have something to do in the evening, so I delayed it until now. Please forgive me!