"To have a conversation. It will be good for you too, Anderson."
"I don't know what could be good for me... I don't have anything to talk about with you."
His guard was higher than expected.
Ignoring this, I continued to smile and spoke on.
"Let's have a simple meal and talk. I'll treat you. I heard you like Chinese food, right?"
His eyes changed slightly at the mention of Chinese food.
Indeed, the idea that the best thing in the world is a free meal is universal.
"If you have a favorite place, I'll follow you. How about it?"
"It's... quite expensive. Is that okay?"
"Of course, no problem!"
He had a brief conversation with his friend next to him and then started walking ahead. We followed behind.
Upon arriving at a nearby Chinese restaurant and finding a seat, we placed our orders and continued the conversation.
"Are you the one who developed Mosaic?"
"Ah! You know about Mosaic?"
Mosaic, which was released earlier this year, has accelerated the popularization of the internet.
However, by now, the relationship between Anderson and the university had likely deteriorated due to differences of opinion.
Ultimately, the owner of Mosaic was the university's research institute, and Anderson had no rights.
"Of course I know. Even though no one in Korea knows about it yet, it's the web browser that opened a new world of the internet."
My praise for Mosaic broke down the remaining guard in Anderson.
He was, after all, a typical tech guy.
"Right? I made it because I was so frustrated. I didn't sleep for days with this guy, and we really suffered..."
So the guy next to him must be Eric Bina?
The food we ordered arrived at just the right time.
We continued our conversation while eating.
"Are you satisfied with the current Mosaic?"
"Satisfied? It hasn't even properly started yet. I have so many things I want to do..."
I saw an opportunity in his regretful expression.
"No matter how hard you develop and update it, it still belongs to the research institute, doesn't it? You both did the development, but... should the research institute reap all the benefits? Besides, they don't provide much support, do they?"
Anderson, who was fuming, was different from Eric Bina, the research institute employee, who was scratching his head, looking troubled.
"I won't interfere with the management."
I stopped eating and waited for his answer, which he pondered over for a long time, rubbing his chin.
Finally, he spoke.
"How much do you plan to invest?"
"Whatever amount you want. Tell me what you need."
He flinched at my confident response.
"1 million dollars. I think that should be enough to do everything I want. Is that possible?"
I suppressed a smile and replied.
"5 million dollars. But in return, you must not accept investments from anyone else. This must be clearly stated in the investment contract."
For a moment, Anderson was taken aback by the huge sum of 5 million dollars, then he shook his head in disbelief.
"5 million dollars for 40% equity? Is that enough? Are you some kind of philanthropist?"
"Of course. 5 million dollars... Well, what do you see in me?"
Indeed, if someone I just met suddenly offered such a large investment, I would be surprised too.
It was fortunate he didn't think I was a scammer.
"I see a future in you. I plan to invest in that future. So, will you sign a contract with me?"
"This is a sure thing. We just need to prepare and go to Silicon Valley next year. Hey! Eric! You should come too. I'll give you better treatment than working at the research institute. No, I'll share the equity with you."
Eric, who had been listening to our conversation with his mouth wide open, immediately answered without hesitation.
"Mark, if you go, I'll go too. We are the parents of Mosaic, aren't we?"
"Of course, my partner."
They looked at each other and laughed heartily, then turned back to me.
I pointed to Han Kyungjeong, who had been quietly observing the atmosphere.
"The person next to me is James Han, who will handle the investment in the U.S. for me. You'll probably see him more often than me. He will also help draft the contract."
Han Kyungjeong and Anderson exchanged greetings.
"I'm James Han."
"I'm Mark. Nice to meet you."
"Hahaha. I'll just do what our boss tells me. Right, boss?"
Han Kyungjeong winked at me.
We all finished the meal with satisfied smiles, having made a mutually beneficial deal.
"Let's meet again tomorrow."
I paid the bill and went outside, giving them space to talk.
"Why did you offer 5 million dollars when he asked for 1 million? Do you have extra money?"
Han Kyungjeong, who was clearly confused, asked as soon as we parted ways.
"Bro, do you trust me? Trust me one more time. That 5 million dollars will come back as hundreds of millions."
"You're crazy. Speak sensibly."
I just smirked and got into the car.
Upon arriving at the hotel in Chicago, I explained the details to Han Kyungjeong.
"Do you know a lawyer?"
"Lawyer? There's someone who helped me set up a company. Should I call him?"
"Yeah, tell him to come to Chicago tomorrow and help us draft the contract."
"Got it."
I emphasized again what I had stressed to Anderson.
"Did you hear that? Make sure the contract states that no other investments will be accepted. We should have the right of first refusal if more investment is needed, and my 40% equity should never be diluted. The lawyer will know how to handle this."
"Is that all?"
He nodded.
"Don't worry about the rest. They are better at handling their own affairs than we are."
"Hmm... I'll do it as you say, but I'm worried you might be throwing money away."
To Han Kyungjeong, who didn't understand the future of the internet, it probably made no sense.
But he would understand in just a year. And when the company goes public in 1995, he might even faint from shock.
"Trust me! And even if I lose 5 million dollars, you'll make it back, right?"
Han Kyungjeong laughed, unable to argue with my confident grin.
Han Kyungjeong went to his room, and I turned to Ma Seokdae.
"Let's talk in my room for a moment?"
"Sure."
I led Ma Seokdae to my room.
I opened a can of beer and offered it to him, but he shook his head.
I took a different can and drank it myself.
"Manager Ma, am I still not good enough to serve you? Haven't I shown you enough? I will walk my own path, not the one I inherited from my grandfather. Now, show me your heart. Only then can I trust and continue to work with you."
Ma Seokdae's eyes slightly narrowed, but his gaze remained unchanged as he stood there silently.
"If you don't answer by the time we return to Korea, I'll look for someone else. I can't have a secretary who isn't loyal to me following me 24/7, can I?"
A sip of beer refreshed my throat, and my tired body relaxed a bit.
Then, Ma Seokdae, who had been silent, spoke.
"Can I answer before we return to Korea?"
"Sure, do that. But whether you join me or not, what happened on this trip must remain a secret. Can you do that?"
"Understood."
"Go and rest."
I watched him leave, finishing the remaining beer.
"I wonder what choice you'll make. I really like you. I want you on my team."
Muttering to myself, I got into bed.
The next day, I met Anderson again at the University of Illinois, along with a lawyer who flew in from New York to draft the contract.
I saw him enter the restaurant in front of the university with someone who looked like a lawyer.
"This is a lawyer who supports student startups."
"Ah, nice to meet you."
After a brief greeting and taking our seats, we handed the contract to Mark.
The lawyer, who had been reviewing the contract for quite a while, whispered something to Anderson.
Then he looked at me and smiled.
"I've met many investors, but this is the first time I've seen such a contract. The terms are too good for Mark, and I was quite surprised."
"Haha, really?"
"However, there are a few adjustments that need to be made."
"Sure, discuss those with our lawyer."
I signaled to our lawyer, and the lawyers moved to another table with the contract.
Anderson's face was already filled with excitement.
"Charlie! Thank you so much! I feel like I can do everything I want. I won't let you down."
"No, you'll do great."
We looked at each other and smiled deeply.
He seemed incredibly excited as he described the company he dreamed of in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
A little while later.
The lawyers returned to our table after finalizing the details in the contract.
They explained the revised terms to their respective clients, and we each received a copy of the contract.
"Let's sign it then."
We signed and exchanged the contracts.
"The investment will be deposited into your account on the day you leave the university. You can contact James here if you have any issues or need more funds. However, my equity will increase accordingly."
"Charlie, thank you."
As he stood up, Anderson, who was extremely happy, even hugged me.
'Thank you? I'm the one who should be grateful.'
This way, I brought Netscape, the company that would spark the dot-com bubble, into my fold.