At a casual meetup in a Beijing hotel lobby earlier this year, DeepSeek’s founder Liang Wenfeng threw a curveball at serial entrepreneur Luo Yonghao—best known for his charisma and public speaking chops. Liang asked why someone with Luo’s gift for persuasion would dive into the tech startup world instead of leveraging his natural strengths. Luo shared the story at a recent tech event, offering a glimpse into the self-reflection that shapes entrepreneurial journeys—just as DeepSeek’s AI models started gaining global buzz for their efficiency.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just a quirky anecdote—it’s a reminder that even successful founders wrestle with doubts about their path. The conversation highlights how self-awareness (or lack thereof) can steer careers, especially in fast-moving fields like AI. For aspiring entrepreneurs, it’s a nudge to ask: Am I playing to my strengths, or just following the hype? Plus, it’s a rare peek behind the curtain of China’s tech scene, where personal stories often take a backseat to product launches.