Last Love chapter 55

“I admit that this proposal has improved a lot. Last Love can be considered a very unique product,” Fu Xiaoyu finally said.

Upon hearing this, Wen Ke couldn’t help but feel a bit excited. This was the first time in a long while that Fu Xiaoyu had given him positive feedback, even if it was just a small appreciation. He already felt quite satisfied.

However, Fu Xiaoyu pondered for a moment, took a sip of the red wine in his glass, and then spoke in a deep voice, “But I still can’t convince myself to invest.”

Wen Ke was momentarily stunned. “Why…?” he asked, a bit disappointed.

“It’s a risk issue,” Fu Xiaoyu explained. “The architecture of this app is too different from all the dating apps on the market. Being unique in itself is not a disadvantage, but the core issue is the control of risks.”

“But, but…” Wen Ke knew he was inexperienced in this regard, but he still tried hard to argue, “Isn’t there any commercial value in innovative and unique products? Although there’s risk, once successful, the profits could be enormous.”

“I understand the relationship between risk and reward and I understand your thoughts. But you need to realize one thing—this app is not just innovative; it is fundamentally disruptive. And this disruption is not only targeted at the dating app industry; it is a disruption of traditional societal marriage and relationship cultures and values. Introducing such a product into the market, even the top consulting companies would find it difficult to predict whether it will be profitable. I’m not afraid of risk; I’m afraid of risks that are fundamentally uncontrollable and unpredictable.”

Wen Ke didn’t know how to continue arguing. Although he felt reluctant, he also understood that Fu Xiaoyu’s concerns were quite realistic—

As long as risks could be predicted and calculated, they weren’t necessarily terrifying. But as an investor, the least favorite projects were probably those without any certainty.

“Mr. Fu, perhaps from the beginning, you don’t really agree with the core values of Last Love,” suddenly asked Xu Jiale, who had been listening.

“What do you mean?” Fu Xiaoyu turned to look at Xu Jiale.

“Let me rephrase it. If you were to choose this type of app now—would you choose Last Love or another app with an embedded pheromone compatibility matching system?” Xu Jiale asked calmly.

Fu Xiaoyu said calmly, “If it were me, I would choose an app with an embedded compatibility matching system.”

Xu Jiale and Wen Ke exchanged glances. After a while, Xu Jiale inquired softly, “So, do you believe that as long as an Alpha has a high compatibility with you, it’s certain that you will fall in love with them?”

Fu Xiaoyu fell silent.

Perhaps this question was too personal for him, so he hesitated for a moment before answering, “I believe that Alphas with high compatibility and high pheromone levels are the most suitable choice for me.”

He subtly changed the wording compared to Xu Jiale’s question.

Although it was a subtle detail, Xu Jiale, accustomed to research, naturally noticed it and squinted his eyes in thought.

“For me, direct matching through data computation is the simplest and most efficient process. My idea may not be romantic, and it differs from yours. But this is just my personal choice and won’t affect my business judgment—”

Fu Xiaoyu said slowly, “What you’re challenging is too profound, and what I hope for in a product I invest in is a pure commodity. It should conform to market values and trends, rather than being an idealized social experiment. I know it’s amazing that you managed to collaborate with M University like this, but for me, the significance of this collaboration is not academic. What I value more is how much marketing value such a collaboration can bring.”

Perhaps because Fu Xiaoyu made the collaboration with M University sound like a gimmick, the expression on Xu Jiale’s face suddenly turned colder, and he remained silent.

Feeling the tense atmosphere between the two, Wen Ke couldn’t help but feel nervous.

He suddenly understood the evaluation Xu Jiale had given to Fu Xiaoyu before.

Fu Xiaoyu, rather than being forceful, was downright focused on maximizing interests. He was pragmatic, realistic, and extremely rational.

This couldn’t be considered a major flaw, but it clashed with Xu Jiale.

Xu Jiale appeared lazy, but in fact, he was lazy because his family’s wealth was too powerful. Choosing a reclusive life, he took the high intellectual path. Such people were not only romantic but also inherently proud and temperamental.

Such people and Fu Xiaoyu were like fire and water.

“I understand,” Wen Ke hurriedly said, “I understand your concerns, Mr. Fu.”

“Are you really not considering embedding a pheromone compatibility matching system? Even if it runs parallel to your current design?” Fu Xiaoyu stared at Wen Ke and earnestly asked again, “Even so, the risks would be much smaller.”

“I…” Wen Ke paused for a moment. He didn’t actually dislike Fu Xiaoyu. At that moment, he almost felt that Fu Xiaoyu was genuinely confirming his thoughts. If he said he could consider it, Fu Xiaoyu might even accept his proposal.

“I won’t consider it.”

In the end, he said this. Wen Ke’s voice was soft but calm.

Of course, he was too eager to get Fu Xiaoyu’s investment. However, after experiencing so much in life, he was far more determined than others might imagine—

At this moment, he knew what he wanted most, so he also knew what he should persist in.

“Mr. Fu, once two systems run parallel, Last Love will lose its disruptiveness and its most unique significance. In my heart, there are values I want to adhere to. There’s no shortage of ways in the market for people to find love based on compatibility, but there are very few ways for people to explore love by understanding themselves and each other. I know you don’t like discussing these things in terms of commodities, but…”

Wen Ke thought for a moment about how to phrase it and said softly, “But I always feel that a successful product should certainly aim for economic benefits. However, a truly outstanding product should also look deeper. If we speak broadly, it should encourage us to reflect on current marriage and gender cultures. This, this actually has societal value.”

Fu Xiaoyu just shook his head without saying a word. The atmosphere suddenly became awkward.

“Let’s stop here for now,” Xu Jiale also put down his wine glass. He smiled faintly, but his eyes behind the lenses were a bit cold. He said to Wen Ke, “It seems that Mr. Fu indeed doesn’t fully accept the fundamental concept of Last Love, and that can’t be forced.”

“It is indeed quite late,” Wen Ke nodded. Of course, he also understood that continuing to force the conversation after reaching this point would be meaningless.

Fu Xiaoyu stood up on his side as well. However, before leaving, he, in a suit, hesitated and said, “How about this? Before coming here, I communicated with some of my connections in relevant areas. Mr. Wen, do you know Blue Rain Interactive Media?”

“I’m familiar with them,” Wen Ke couldn’t help but be a little surprised but quickly responded.

Of course, he knew Blue Rain, one of the top distributors in the country with extensive experience in overseas app promotion. It was also the primary agent for Facebook and Google in the Greater China region, holding extremely abundant resources.

“Blue Rain is currently expanding its business, not just satisfied with distribution but also looking to get involved in some popular app categories, and dating apps are, of course, one of them. I can help you get in touch and see if they would be interested in your app.”

“Really? Is it really Blue Rain?” Wen Ke was a bit stunned, and his speech became a bit stuttered.

This was beyond his expectations. Fu Xiaoyu actually had connections with Blue Rain and was willing to help him make contact. This was a huge surprise.

Blue Rain was undoubtedly one of the top three in the app industry, having distributed not only mobile games but also several blockbuster apps in various categories. He had never thought before that he could connect with such a giant.

“Yes, their company is also located in the Gemini Building in the North City district, so I know their business manager. But Blue Rain’s business is too busy, and I can only see if I can help you get an opportunity to have a face-to-face meeting with them.”

Fu Xiaoyu paused here, “And there’s a more serious situation. Blue Rain is actually in preliminary talks for the development and distribution of another dating app, but it hasn’t been finalized yet. You also know that a distribution company cannot promote two similar competing products at the same time. In simple terms, if you want to strive for a cooperation opportunity with Blue Rain, the other app will be your competitor.”

“Do you… do you know about the other app?” Wen Ke felt a bit sweaty in his palms. As soon as the words were spoken, he realized that this might be inappropriate and quickly added, “I’m sorry, is this confidential information from Blue Rain?”

“Blue Rain won’t tell me the specific details of the app,” Fu Xiaoyu looked at Wen Ke calmly and said, “But I know the name of the development company—Yuanteng Technology.”

Wen Ke was completely stunned, and even Xu Jiale couldn’t help but furrow his brows.

Yuanteng Technology.

Wasn’t that Zhuo Yuan’s company?