My Lord, you need to stand up!

Chapter 494 For the Children
Since starting his career at the food factory in Shangzhou, Wei Dong has had a particular fondness for glass.

In the mid-1980s, there was a severe shortage of various materials, and those materials that were advanced for the times could only be imported.

Only glass.

They'll be piled up and still be fashionable for forty years from now.

Perhaps this stereotype originated from the ostentatious atmosphere of Apple's flagship stores.

When Shi Tou went to arrange for the photos to be developed, he asked Wei Dong to find a local architecture student from Shanghai to hand-draw the concept sketch for him.

Moreover, he vaguely remembered that there was a very famous design internationally, in which a glass pyramid was built in the middle of ancient sites in Europe and America, which later became a very classic existence.

The construction salesperson said he had never heard of it.

But I got really into it and, comparing the photos of the Bund observation deck, hand-drew a concept sketch.

Wei Dong then took the photos and hand-drawn sketches to Shanghai to report on his work.

Of course, I also brought my daughter.

Not far away, just one of these buildings.

Everyone was still a little stunned as he walked into the government building with a baby girl hanging on his chest.

Wei Dong explained with a smile: "My wife went abroad for further studies, and I was the only one taking care of the child. But the past six months have obviously had a great impact on the child. He used to be talkative and cheerful, but he has become silent. I have also communicated with experts at several hospitals and medical schools in Shanghai, and there are indeed signs of autism. So I have to take him with me and communicate with him at all times. My career and work are very important, but my child's growth is also very important."

This is a common argument forty years later.

It was still a bit unconventional in 1986.

But this is Shanghai after all, and the leaders here have extraordinary insight. In the end, the gray-haired man even smiled, bowed, and gently clapped to amuse the child.

Then she looked up and saw a kind of elder-like emotion in Wei Dong's eyes: "Your reaction is a bit off. Please take good care of yourself. Let's walk around and chat casually."

Perhaps this is what Wei Dong felt during his recent trips to the city to report and discuss work.

This magnificent building on the Bund must have been a bank building before, with a design similar to the White House.

Wei Dong used this as an example:

“Look at this government building, for example. It’s surrounded by greenery in the middle, which has a lot of historical charm. But if you build a glass pyramid in the center, it will have a lot of artistic feel. I’ve heard that famous historical sites abroad have received similar design approvals. My goal is to showcase our most advanced personal computers, home computers, and business computers in this glass pyramid on the Bund, and encourage all people to get in touch with and use computers.”

After saying that, he explained, "It's a paid use. We'll build it ourselves and pay the city 100,000 yuan a year for the area. It doesn't need to be too big, just two or three hundred square meters. It's very modern and technological. If the city doesn't think it's suitable in the end, they can ask us to demolish it and restore it to its original state."

I wonder if anyone has dared to think this way since the reform and opening up.

When Wei Dong shared this idea, the other party couldn't help but walk to the window to take a look: "A glass pyramid? Why can't we make something with our national characteristics... Ah, I'm just exploring it."

Judging from the tone of his voice, it seemed like there wasn't much of a problem. He then asked Wei Dong to explain: "Ethnic? Let me share my thoughts. Last spring, I visited the World Expo in Tokyo, which is where I got involved with Apple computers, but I saw our domestic pavilion..."

He hesitated for a moment, then saw Xiaodie turn around as if looking at her father. He continued...

Rang Weidong then became less secretive: "While Japan was showcasing super-giant displays, jet-powered single-person flight, and robots playing the piano, Citibank was displaying the most advanced personal computers, heralding the imminent arrival of the computer trend that would shape the entire direction of human technological development. Meanwhile, we had erected a particularly exquisite archway in front of the exhibition hall, and our booths displayed silk, medicine and health products, local specialties, and handicrafts. There wasn't a single scientific item on display. At that time, I felt only bitterness. This is the biggest reason why I tried every means to promote the development of personal computers in China, even if it meant clashing with some people who wanted to make a lot of money. Our children must stand at the pinnacle of technological development."

The loving look in the other person's eyes deepened, and they even made two more funny faces to amuse the child!

He calmly approved, "Okay! I understand what you mean... then give it a try."

As a former security guard at the tax compound, he is still a civil servant with a formal position.

Wei Donglai took the application form and project description, and had two copies signed by the leader.

Then give a copy to the other party's secretary for filing.

I also signed the agreement with the city for the development of the international community.

It feels like a multi-billion dollar mega-project, but this is just an accessory to this few hundred square meter "temporary building".

He immediately turned around and started arranging the construction!
Super fast.

After all, there are thousands of construction workers working in the electronics industrial park.

Nothing is missing.

It takes two or three days to prepare the materials.

The battalion commander even led his men to simulate the construction of the entire building on an open space.

In late January, on a night, carrying a stack of pre-approved documents, a dozen or so construction vehicles arrived with materials and personnel at midnight.

With lightning speed, bolts were driven into the open space of the Bund Park at the far end of the Bund viewing platform, closest to the confluence of the two rivers. Then, the steel frame was assembled like building blocks.

The metal frame, which occupies an area of ​​20 meters by 20 meters and is about 10 meters high, was installed in just two hours.

Then they frantically started piling up glass.

Large pieces of tempered glass were used, taking into account sun exposure, rain, and thermal expansion and contraction. In the end, small pieces of glass were assembled by filling them with a large amount of insulating adhesive.

Moreover, limited by the material capabilities of that era, only black rubber could be used for waterproofing.

The glass wasn't as clear or transparent either.

The blue-green pyramid, with its slightly blacked-out edges, left the sanitation workers speechless when they came to clean it up in the early morning!

Overnight, as if by a prank, the "X" computer flagship store, covering 400 square meters and spanning two floors, stood in the most conspicuous place on the Bund.

Right now, the X Computer employees, dressed in their uniforms, are setting up and arranging dozens of computers on the long table that the engineering team has laid out for them.

In fact, this scene alone has greatly reduced the feeling that the entire pyramid is a commercial marketplace.

Because I haven't seen a supermarket in China yet!
All the appliances were displayed on shelves, and the salespeople, seemingly indifferent, introduced them from across the counter, depending on their mood.

For example, for large items like televisions, don't expect salespeople to bring them over for you to touch and examine. You have to ask other families for their opinions and experiences yourself. Department stores are just places to sell things!
Therefore, this kind of purely experiential computer specialty store is absolutely unique.

It should even be considered a leading model internationally.

Moreover, they don't sell computers here; they only showcase, test, and offer hands-on experiences.

If you want to buy it, go to the store in the back there and pay to pick it up.

Thus, the entire glass pyramid embodies the public welfare spirit of science popularization and science museums.

Anyway, it was packed from dawn onwards!

It literally means that the glass walls would be shattered from the pressure.

The once bustling observation deck was now filled with tourists, all of whom were involuntarily gathering in this direction, craning their necks to look at this seemingly "out of place" modern-style building.

Once it's clear there are no restrictions, anyone can go in and touch these devices worth thousands of dollars, experience the games on them, and try typing with Pinyin. Wouldn't that cause long queues?!

There wasn't enough room inside, so everyone circled around the four doors from all four sides like a greedy snake, going round and round.

Even through the glass, you can see the figures crowded around the long tables, clumsily and curiously using the mouse and keyboard.

There are no signs or markings on the glass building.

In order to reduce the commercial elements, it actually increases the sense of mystery.

Moreover, along the surrounding streets and bus stops, waves of citizens came to see what was happening.

The entire riverside park viewing platform was packed with people!
Wei Dong naturally wouldn't join the crowd. His coat, open at the chest, covered his daughter, leaving only her head showing. He leaned against the nearby Bund railing and said, "See? This is what Dad is doing. We are doing our best to help change things, to let more people access computers and learn about computers... Hey, Shi Tou, tell them to send more people to maintain order. We mustn't let there be a stampede."

Having seen countless crowds at Shitou, I was still amazed by the sheer number of people here, and immediately ran to inform them.

The store only had twenty or thirty technical service staff, and nearly a hundred construction workers were stationed outside, but that couldn't stop so many people from curiously watching.

This inevitably attracted interviews from various newspapers, magazines, and news organizations in the city.

Before Wei Dong could finish eating the breakfast that Ram was holding, a huge crowd had already arrived in the city. They had to clear the area immediately.
After Wei Dong finished wolfing down his food and cleaning up, and wiped his mouth vigorously, it was difficult for him to even approach her!

Seeing the leaders' inspection and so many young men in uniform construction company jackets crowding the passage, the citizens knew to quickly make way.

But they squeezed in and didn't leave, creating a scene of welcoming them.

Wei Dong had no other choice but to lift his daughter up with all his might, which finally caught the attention of the construction workers who were separated by the crowd. They quickly took his hand and squeezed through a gap to let the boss in.

This gave Wei Dong the opportunity to explain the details inside the glass pyramid to everyone, his brow beaded with sweat.

However, he vaguely heard Gao Ju's daughter seem to giggle twice.
Does this mean I have to work on one of those... those amusement rides where a huge round plate hangs a small house and spins around in the air?
Jiangzhou Zoo, being the only amusement park, doesn't have this yet.

I don't know if Shanghai has it.

In just a short while, several people from the city, quite satisfied, followed and stepped into the pyramid.

Wei Dong seemed to recall some short videos or social media posts from somewhere that claimed pyramids possessed mysterious powers that could lead to longevity and good health.

This is the hottest life science right now.

(End of this chapter)