Finding a way to contact this future graphics-card giant and founder of ATI Technologies Inc, Kwok, was not particularly difficult.
Although Kwok's career had not gone smoothly since immigrating to Canada, the brilliance of his past achievements could not be hidden.
All it took was a little networking through a local headhunting firm to easily obtain the contact information of this industry veteran currently going through a midlife career crisis.
Hearing the somewhat frivolous greeting from the other end of the phone, Kwok frowned slightly.
Clearly, this was not a callback from the headhunting company.
"Hello, how may I help you?"
"Mr. Kwok, I'm Ethan Hayes, founder and CEO of GAMENOVA."
Ethan's tone became more formal.
"I came across your profile through a recruitment agency."
"GAMENOVA?"
Hearing the unfamiliar name, Kwok furrowed his brows and thought for a moment, but it was futile.
No such company existed in his memory.
Moreover, this guy sounded remarkably young.
However, since he genuinely needed a job right now, Kwok did not hang up immediately.
"Mr. Kwok, our graphics chip division is looking for an outstanding architect. Would you be interested?"
Kwok was slightly stunned, his gaze unconsciously drifting toward the proposal sitting on his desk.
He had indeed been considering something along those lines.
If he still couldn't find suitable employment, he planned to establish a small company called ATI and make a living producing graphics chips.
If possible, though, he would much rather manufacture personal computers.
But the capital requirements for the PC business were staggering. Only giants like IBM could afford such an undertaking.
For a "poor man" like him, with only a few hundred thousand Canadian dollars left to his name, it was impossible.
Although he had entertained the idea, he did not immediately accept Ethan's offer.
Graphics chips were a small scale business with thin profit margins. The salary and benefits were unlikely to be anything special.
Besides, he had never even heard of a company called GAMENOVA. It sounded like some obscure outfit that had appeared out of nowhere.
Most importantly, Kwok firmly believed in one principle that his first boss had taught him.
"A company sees every employee as a wet towel. Once they've squeezed out the very last drop of water, they throw it away."
No matter how much he improved himself or how indispensable he became, being someone else's towel never felt particularly good.
If possible, he would rather start his own company.
Clearing his throat, Kwok asked the most important question.
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"What is the compensation package like?"
A little known company whose name suggested it was in the video game business certainly didn't sound like anything impressive.
"One hundred thousand US dollars a year. And if you're truly as capable as your profile suggests, there will also be some stock options agreement from our semiconductor subsidiary, MicroNova."
"Hmm?"
Kwok was startled.
He hadn't expected such an attractive offer right out of the gate.
At the moment, the average annual salary of a senior engineer was only a few tens of thousands of dollars.
Although this was still far below the five hundred thousand annual salary he had earned back then, it was already extremely respectable, not to mention the promise of getting some stocks options.
"Are you serious?"
Kwok suddenly felt irritated. He couldn't help but suspect that Ethan was some kid who enjoyed pulling pranks.
"GAMENOVA... this is the first time I've ever heard that name. Your company is involved in the video game business?"
"That's right. Our headquarters are in California. If you're interested, we can meet and discuss it in person."
Ethan directly gave him the address of Gerald's now closed VideoSoft office rather than his arcade.
At least it sounded more professional.
"Silicon Valley?"
Kwok wrote down the address, surprise appearing in his eyes.
Although Santa Clara was not the core of Silicon Valley, it was still an important technology hub.
"Our MicroNova division has already secured the participation of former Fairchild Semiconductor engineer Gerald Lawson."
Through a combination of persuasion, embellishment, and outright salesmanship, Ethan gradually planted the image of a rising semiconductor star in the heart of Silicon Valley into Kwok's mind.
A few days later, carrying a faint but hopeful anticipation, he boarded a flight south to California.
And then… standing under the blazing sun, staring at the faded, yellowed, curling, and barely hanging-on sign that read VideoSoft, Kwok's mouth twitched.
"Fuck!"
Even his normally mild temperament finally snapped, and he spat out a curse.
He'd been tricked!
Completely and utterly tricked!
Where was this promising startup backed by industry legends?
Where was this Silicon Valley rising star?
What the hell was this?
...
Bang! Bang!
Ethan, who was discussing home console hardware specifications with Gerald, heard a series of impatient knocks from outside.
Through the somewhat dirty glass, he saw a man standing outside.
His face was dark with anger as he stood at the door.
Putting on his harmless and innocent smile, Ethan opened the door and stood before the unfortunate fellow who had traveled all the way from Toronto, Canada.
A flash of light flickered in his eyes as Kwok's status panel appeared before him.
[Kwok]
[Overall Evaluation]: S (Mature Engineer)
[Electrical Engineering (Semiconductors)]: 162 (Growth Potential: S)
[Administration & Finance]: 88 (Growth Potential: A)
...
In terms of pure technical capability, he was practically on par with Gerald.
Ethan closed the panel and greeted him.
"Mr. Kwok. Finally got to meet you. Shall we talk inside?"
"I don't think there's much left to discuss."
Kwok replied coldly and turned to leave.
He had already concluded that this entire affair was nothing more than a prank orchestrated by the frivolous young man in front of him.
"Ethan, is this the guy you've been talking about?"
Hearing another voice behind him, Kwok slowly turned around.
Then he froze.
Naturally, he had a deep impression of this figure in the industry and recognized him immediately.
The somewhat overweight middle-aged black man standing before him was none other than Gerald Lawson.
"Mr. Kwok, we're in great need of someone with your talents."
Gerald removed his sunglasses and nodded politely.
"Ethan's ideas are simply too brilliant. It's difficult for me and the others to provide enough support on our own. Having you join us would be an enormous help."
He had long since heard Ethan mention this engineer whom he had recently become very interested in.
"??"
Kwok looked at Ethan, then at Gerald, disbelief written all over his face.
"You? Helping him? Are you sure you haven't got that backwards?"