Reborn in 2005, starting with repairing mobile phones

8 month 17 day.

Shenzhen Bao'an Airport.

The waiting hall was bustling with people, and flight information was being broadcast repeatedly over the loudspeaker.

Lin Dong sat by the window, looking at the silver-white plane on the tarmac outside.

Ground support vehicles shuttled back and forth below, some people were carrying luggage into the cargo hold, and others were holding batons to guide the aircraft into position.

Zhou Chengyu sat next to him.

The view outside the window was reflected in his glasses, and he was as quiet as a student waiting for class. Why did President Lin bring him here?

The algorithm is at a critical point; the parameters have just been tuned, and we're about to move on. This has taken several days, and the progress is definitely behind schedule.

But since President Lin had spoken, he couldn't say no.

Moreover… he also wants to come to South Korea to take a look. LG's screens are considered excellent in the industry. If they can meet in person to discuss the technical aspects, it will definitely save a lot of time when the screens arrive.

Fine, I'll listen to President Lin.

Lin Dong glanced at him. Was bringing him along the right or wrong decision?

The algorithm is at a critical stage, and I'll be away for several days. But we can't leave the screen behind. Waiting for the screen to arrive before adjusting it will take too long.

The boarding announcement came on.

"Attention passengers traveling to Seoul..."

The two stood up, lined up, and boarded the plane.

......

The plane flew through the clouds, and all that could be seen outside the window was a vast expanse of white.

The sunlight was filtered and softened, shining warmly on the seats.

Zhou Chengyu stared out the window for a while. He wondered what was happening with the system.

He'd overheard Manager Wang mention a few times that the headhunters had recommended several candidates, but none of them were quite right. Although General Manager Lin didn't say it aloud, he was definitely anxious.

He turned his head and spoke.

"President Lin."

Lin Dong leaned back in his seat with his eyes closed.

"Um."

Zhou Chengyu pushed up his glasses.

"Is there still no suitable person on the system side?"

Lin Dong opened his eyes.

He's worried about the schedule again. The hardware is almost ready, the screen is almost finalized, but the system is still empty. The launch event is next December, just over a year away. A system isn't something that can be developed in two or three months. Anyone would be worried.

"no."

After answering, he didn't say anything more.

There's no point in saying more; the person hasn't been found.

Zhou Chengyu remained silent for a few seconds.

He tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest twice, then stopped.

President Lin definitely knows the progress better than him; for him to repeat it again would be pointless.

But he still spoke up.

"On the hardware side, the battery is running smoothly, the casing is finalized, and the motherboard has been shipped out. Cheng Chuan and Cheng Yu have also arrived at their posts."

He paused.

"We've finalized the deal on the screen, and Manager Wang will handle the procurement of the other components. Once everything arrives in October, we can start operating."

Zhou Chengyu said another sentence.

"All that's missing is the system."

The cabin was quiet for a few seconds.

Lin Dong didn't respond.

Zhou Chengyu waited a few seconds, then said nothing more.

Never mind, Mr. Lin knows what he's doing and he's done what he should.

He turned his head and continued looking out the window.

Lin Dong closed his eyes again.

He knew. He knew it better than anyone else.

The system isn't hardware; you can't buy it ready-made. Someone has to write it, someone has to debug it, and someone has to build the framework from scratch. Zhang Mingyuan got it by chance, Zhou Chengyu got it by chance, Su Xiaowen got it by chance, and Cheng Chuan, Cheng Yu, and Ding Xiao also got it by chance.

What about the system?

There aren't that many bargains to be found.

Lin Dong opened his eyes.

Zhou Chengyu sat beside him, looking out the window.

His profile was slightly glistening in the sunlight, and his brows were furrowed slightly.

Lin Dong reached out and patted him on the shoulder.

Zhou Chengyu turned his head.

"Don't worry. I'll handle the system issue. Just like before."

Zhou Chengyu was stunned for a moment.

"it is good."

The two looked at each other and smiled.

The plane continued flying forward.

......

Seoul.

Five o'clock in the afternoon.

By the time the plane landed, it was already dark.

Stepping out of the cabin, a wave of unfamiliar air hit me.

Unlike Shenzhen, it's drier and cooler.

The broadcast was in Korean, and I couldn't understand a single word.

Lin Dong and Zhou Chengyu dragged their suitcases and walked out with the flow of people.

Go through customs, collect your luggage, and exit the airport.

A pre-arranged car was parked outside.

The driver was Korean and didn't speak Chinese. He confirmed the hotel address in broken English and then drove in silence the whole way.

Seoul outside the car window looks quite different from Shenzhen.

The buildings aren't as tall, but the streets are much neater.

The streetlights came on, and neon signs flashed by one after another, all covered in Korean characters that I couldn't understand.

Occasionally you can see a few local brand cars, but most are Hyundai and Kia.

Zhou Chengyu looked out the window.

"Mr. Lin, have you ever been to South Korea?"

Lin Dong shook his head.

"no."

Zhou Chengyu nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

He continued looking out the window.

Those unfamiliar words, unfamiliar streets, unfamiliar GG signs, all slid past my eyes one by one.

The hotel is located in Gangnam District, has over twenty floors, and the lobby is very clean.

After checking in and getting the room key, the elevator went up.

Lin Dong's room was on the sixteenth floor, and Zhou Chengyu's room was next to his.

Swipe your card, enter the room, and put your suitcase in the corner.

Lin Dong sat down on the edge of the bed.

The view outside the window is of Seoul at night.

An unfamiliar city, unfamiliar lights. In the distance, several tall buildings are lit up, and nearby, crisscrossing streets are filled with cars that resemble luminous rivers.

He stared at it for a long time.

Screen.

That's why I came here.

We've arranged to meet with LG tomorrow morning. I've looked at the specifications and the quote, but those are just on paper. We'll only know what we can actually negotiate when we meet.

How much can the price be reduced? How much can the delivery time be shortened? What level of technical support can be provided?

Both need to be discussed.

The system is still empty.

The question Zhou Chengyu asked on the plane kept replaying in his mind.

"All that's missing is the system."

Yes, all that's missing is the system.

We have the battery, the casing, and the motherboard design has been sent out. We'll discuss the screen tomorrow. The rest of the team is ready.

All that's missing is the system.

Where are the people who can provide the system?

He rubbed his temples.

First, fix the screen.

We'll talk about the system later.

He stood up and went into the bathroom.

He closed his eyes as the hot water poured down.

The following day, Seoul.

The morning sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains, falling on the hotel room floor.

Lin Dong opened his eyes and glanced at the time. 7:30.

He sat up, rubbed his face, and went into the bathroom to wash up.

I arranged to meet LG at nine o'clock.

The caller was account manager Park Jung-ho. I spoke with him on the phone yesterday, and his English sounded alright.

There are three things to discuss: price, delivery time, and cooperation framework.

He turned off the water, dried his hair, and changed his clothes.

When I went out, Zhou Chengyu was already waiting in the corridor.

His glasses were clean, his hair was neatly styled, and he held the notebook he always carried with him.

"Good morning, Mr. Lin."

Lin Dong nodded.

"Let's go."

LG headquarters is not far from the hotel, about a 20-minute taxi ride.

The car was parked in front of a glass-walled building. The LG logo was hanging at the entrance, and several potted plants were placed on both sides of the entrance. People in suits were going in and out.

As Lin Dong and Zhou Chengyu reached the door, a South Korean man in his forties came out to greet them.

He wore a dark suit, a white shirt, and his hair was neatly combed. He had a perfectly timed smile on his face.

"Mr. Lin? Hello, hello, I'm Park Jung-ho, Account Manager of LG Screen Business Unit."

He speaks fluent English with a light accent.

Lin Dong extended his hand.

"Manager Park, I've heard so much about you."

Park Jung-ho smiled and then looked at Joo Seung-woo.

"This must be Mr. Zhou? I heard he's the head of algorithms at your company?"

Zhou Chengyu nodded.

"Hello."

Park Jung-ho gestured for him to proceed.

"This way, please. The meeting room is ready."

The meeting room is on the twelfth floor.

Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, you can see the entire city of Seoul. High-rise buildings are densely packed together, with rolling mountains in the distance, and the sky is a beautiful blue.

Several documents were laid out on the table, along with coffee and bottled water.

The group sat down and exchanged a few pleasantries.

Park Jung-ho asked them how their stay was last night and what their impressions of Seoul were. Zhou Chengyu said it was fine, just a bit dry. Park Jung-ho smiled and said Seoul is drier than Shenzhen, so they should drink more water.

We chatted for about ten minutes, and the atmosphere warmed up a bit.

Park Jung-ho put down his coffee cup and opened a document in front of him.

"Mr. Lin, shall we begin?"

Lin Dong nodded.

Park Jung-ho began his introduction.

The slides were flipped through one by one, showing parameters, production capacity, yield, and customer case studies in great detail.

Lin Dong listened, nodding occasionally.

Zhou Chengyu held a pen and wrote something in his notebook.

After speaking for about twenty minutes, Park Jung-ho stopped.

"That's roughly the situation. Mr. Lin, is there anything you'd like to ask?"

Lin Dong thought for a moment.

What is the current yield rate of your LTPS production line?

Park Jung-ho opened another document.

"Currently, it's stable at around 75%. It's expected to reach 85% next year."

Lin Dong nodded. 75% isn't high, but it's sufficient for the catalog.

Zhou Chengyu asked a question from the side.

Do you have any reference solutions regarding driver IC compatibility?

Park Jung-ho looked at him.

"Yes. If Mr. Zhou is interested, he can speak with the technical staff this afternoon."

Zhou Chengyu nodded.

"it is good."

They discussed a few more technical questions, which Park Jung-ho answered one by one.

Lin Dong checked the time.

It's almost eleven o'clock.

Park Jung-ho closed the documents.

"Mr. Lin, is this all for this morning? We'll have a quick lunch, and this afternoon I'll show you around the production line."

Lin Dong nodded.

"it is good."

......

Park Jung-ho took them to a Korean set meal restaurant.

The shop is small, but very clean.

You must take off your shoes before entering and sit cross-legged at the low table.

The waiter brought out more than a dozen small dishes, including kimchi, bean sprouts, spinach, and braised beef, and laid them out on the table. Each person also received a bowl of hot soup and a bowl of rice.

Park Jung-ho poured them a cup of tea.

"We won't drink alcohol at noon, in case it affects the afternoon's tour."

Lin Dong nodded.

"it is good."

Several people picked up their chopsticks and began to eat.

Park Jung-ho picked up a piece of kimchi with his chopsticks, chewed it a couple of times, and casually asked a question.

"Mr. Lin, you reviewed our materials this morning. What are your thoughts?"

Lin Dong put down his chopsticks.

"The production line is good. It would be even better if the yield rate were higher."

Park Jung-ho smiled.

"The yield rate is improving. It should reach over 85% next year."

He paused.

"Mr. Lin, what stage is your project at now?"

Lin Dong looked at him. He was trying to figure him out.

That's normal. He would have asked too. It's the first time working together, and everyone wants to know as much as possible about the other person.

Lin Dong didn't mind telling him. What should be said can be said, and what shouldn't be said can be kept to oneself.

"The casing is finished, the battery is working smoothly, and the motherboard has been shipped out. We are currently procuring the other components."

Park Jung-ho was stunned for a moment.

"So fast?"

Lin Dong nodded. "I just want you to know I'm not here to test the waters. The product is finished, the project is at this stage. Everything we need is here. The screen is the last piece, but it's not indispensable."

Samsung, Sharp, Toshiba. LG isn't the only option, but it's the most suitable one.

He knew the other party was short of customers.

Therefore, he is not afraid of being exposed.

Park Jung-ho was a beat slow in picking up food.

The casing is finished, the battery is working smoothly, and the motherboard has been shipped out.

This isn't a fledgling company. It's a real company with substance.

We've progressed this far; all that's left is the screen.

He looked up and glanced at Lin Dong again.

All that's missing is the screen.

That's fine. You can set conditions. But don't be too harsh, or you might scare them away and end up benefiting someone else.

He quickly did the math: price, delivery time, payment method... what could be compromised, and what couldn't?

How many people are on the team?

"More than a dozen. The core members are all here."

Park Jung-ho nodded.

"Software, hardware, and design—you have it all?"

Lin Dong nodded.

"Yes, we have them all."

He didn't mention the system. I can't say.

Park Jung-ho thought for a moment, then asked another question.

"So, what specific requirements do you have on this side of the screen?"

Lin Dong looked at him.

"LTPS. Sizes as per our specifications. Fast delivery and reasonable price."

He paused.

"The first phase costs a few thousand yuan, but the second phase will double that. The volume will continue to increase in the future."

Park Jung-ho nodded.

He'd heard that phrase far too often: "The first installment is a few thousand yuan, but the volume will increase later."

Nine out of ten clients say that, but very few actually show up. He can't back down just because of that.

"Mr. Lin, regarding pricing, our standard quote is..."

He gave a number.

The price is still the same as in the document from this morning. Not a penny less.

Lin Dong knew the other party wouldn't agree easily. He would have done the same if he were in their shoes.

He glanced at Zhou Chengyu.

Zhou Chengyu took a file folder out of his bag and placed it on the table.

Park Jung-ho was stunned for a moment.

Lin Dong opened the file bag, took out the silver-white frame from it, and pushed it in front of Park Jung-ho.

"This is the finished shell sample."

Park Jung-ho reached out and picked up the mid-frame piece.

My first impression: It's heavy.

The edges are smooth, without any burrs, and it fits perfectly in your hand.

He turned it over and looked at the back. Then he held it up to the light and examined the internal structure.

My fingers traced the edge. Then they slowly slid along the curves.

The feel of it...

He froze for a moment.

Having worked in the screen industry for so many years, he's handled countless mobile phones—Nokia, Samsung, Motorola. But those were all finished products.

This is a semi-finished product. It's the casing before the screen is installed and the motherboard is put into place.

But holding it in my hand, I already had an indescribable feeling.

Those lines, those curves, every detail is just right.

He looked up and glanced at Lin Dong.

This wasn't done by just anyone. It was made in a factory with equipment and specialized technical personnel.

He glanced down at the mid-frame again.

Those subtle traces left by processing, that perfect weight in your hand, those smooth yet non-slip edges.

perfect.

He gently placed the frame back on the table.