Reborn in 2005, starting with repairing mobile phones

There was a few seconds of silence.

"Mr. Lin, to be honest, I didn't expect this."

"Having worked in the screen industry for so many years, I've seen quite a few customer samples. But to this extent..." He paused, his finger lightly tracing the edge of the mid-frame, "...not many."

He looked up at Lin Dong, a hint of surprise in his eyes.

"President Lin is truly young and promising."

Lin Dong smiled. It seemed this mid-frame had indeed surprised Manager Park. But that wasn't surprising. Right now, aside from the one Apple was developing, who could compare?

He picked up his teacup and took a sip.

"Manager Park, you flatter me."

Park Jung-ho glanced down at the mid-frame again, his brows furrowing slightly.

"Mr. Lin, may I ask a question?"

Lin Dong looked at him.

"Where is the keyboard mounted on this casing?"

He pointed to the blank area on the front of the mid-frame.

"There are no openings here."

Lin Dong glanced at the blank area, then looked at Park Jung-ho.

"There is no keyboard."

Park Jung-ho was stunned for a moment.

"No keyboard? How do I type?"

Lin Dong picked up his teacup and took a sip.

"Touchscreen control. Simply tap with your finger."

Park Jung-ho looked at him without saying a word.

Tap directly with your finger?

Which mobile phone on the market today, from Nokia, Motorola, and Samsung, doesn't have a keyboard?

Flip, slider, and candybar models all have keyboards.

Is a phone without a keyboard still a phone?

He looked down at the mid-frame again.

It's a completely blank space. There are no openings whatsoever.

If it's really as Mr. Lin said... if you could really tap the screen directly with your finger...

What will mobile phones be like in the future?

He looked up at Lin Dong.

His eyes looked completely different.

Lin Dong put down his teacup.

"Manager Park, I'll have to trouble you to take care of the screen issue."

"……good."

He paused, then added.

"Mr. Lin, I will carefully consider your terms."

Lin Dong nodded. It seems bringing this mid-frame was the right decision.

Park Jung-ho glanced at the dishes on the table, then checked the time.

"Mr. Lin, have you finished eating? Why don't you rest at the hotel for lunch, and we'll take you to see the factory this afternoon?"

Lin Dong stood up.

"it is good."

Park Jung-ho escorted them to the door, where the car was already waiting.

The car was quiet on the way back to the hotel.

Zhou Chengyu leaned back in his seat, looking out the window. He tried to hold back for a while, but he couldn't resist.

"President Lin."

Lin Dong looked at him.

"Um?"

Zhou Chengyu pushed up his glasses.

"I didn't quite understand what I was reading at the dinner table earlier..."

He paused.

"Manager Park said at the end, 'I'll think about it carefully,' which sounded like a polite remark. Is it possible to reach an agreement?"

Lin Dong glanced at him and smiled.

"It should be fine."

Zhou Chengyu was stunned for a moment.

"real?"

Lin Dong nodded.

Zhou Chengyu leaned back in his chair and let out a long breath.

"That's good."

The car stopped in front of the hotel.

Two o'clock in the afternoon.

hotel lobby.

Park Jung-ho's car was parked at the door on time.

Lin Dong and Zhou Chengyu got into the car and drove towards the LG factory.

The car wound its way through the industrial park before finally stopping in front of a gray-white building.

Park Jung-ho got out of the car, a slight smile playing on his lips, his eyes gleaming with confidence.

You had the upper hand at noon, now it's my turn. This factory was built with all our LG's resources, featuring the latest equipment and the best technology. We'll take you on a tour later; it'll be your turn to be amazed.

He gestured for him to proceed.

"Mr. Lin, this way please."

I changed into a dustproof suit, put on a hat and mask, and slipped on shoe covers. Pushing open the workshop door, a blast of cool air hit me.

Park Jung-ho walked ahead, his steps much lighter than in the morning.

"President Lin, this is our latest LTPS production line. It just started production last year, with an investment of 300 billion Korean won."

He paused, then turned and glanced back at Lin Dong.

Three hundred billion Korean won, which is equivalent to more than two hundred million US dollars. This figure would usually leave most customers stunned.

Lin Dong nodded.

"Um."

His face was expressionless, revealing no emotion whatsoever.

Two hundred million US dollars is not bad. But compared to Samsung and Apple, there is still a gap.

Park Jung-ho was stunned for a moment.

Hmm?

Over two hundred million US dollars. That's over a billion RMB. That's enough to buy countless companies like yours. And you just...huh?

I don't believe it anymore.

He took a deep breath and continued walking forward.

"This exposure machine, from Nikon, has a precision of 0.5 micrometers. There are only three companies in the world that can make this."

Lin Dong glanced at it. Nikon is indeed quite good now. But in a few years, ASML will be coming along.

"Um."

Park Jung-ho was stunned for a moment. This doesn't even intimidate you?

He pointed to a row of equipment in the distance.

"That's the testing area, a fully automated optical inspection system. Yield control depends on it. Few companies in the industry can match LG's investment in this field."

Samsung also uses this testing equipment; they bought it from us. Surely you'll react by now.

Lin Dong nodded.

"Um."

Park Jung-ho opened his mouth, but no words came out. Why isn't this guy following the script?

He took a deep breath and continued walking forward.

"Mr. Lin, look at this aging test rack. It can test two hundred screens at a time. We run three sets simultaneously, with real-time data monitoring. We can do everything Samsung can do, and we can do it just as well."

This is LG's trump card. Is this alright?

Lin Dong looked at the row of shelves.

"Um."

The device is good. But Samsung's is a whole size bigger, and Apple's testing standards are stricter. That's about it.

Park Jung-ho stopped and turned to look at Lin Dong.

"Mr. Lin, do you think these things are nothing?"

Lin Dong looked at him.

"No. It's fine."

Park Jung-ho was momentarily speechless.

Zhou Chengyu stood beside him, head down, his shoulders trembling slightly.

Park Jung-ho looked at him, then at Lin Dong.

"...Mr. Lin, you are really calm."

Lin Dong nodded.

"Um."

Park Jung-ho didn't say anything more and continued walking forward.

His introductions became noticeably shorter for the rest of the journey.

"This is the fitting area."

"Um."

"This is the packaging line."

"Um."

After walking around the circle, Park Jung-ho felt like he was talking to a wall.

As he walked out of the workshop, he couldn't help but ask a question.

"Mr. Lin, haven't you seen someone better?"

Lin Dong thought for a moment. He had seen him before. But not now.

"No. Yours is good."

Park Jung-ho looked at him.

"Then why aren't you surprised at all?"

Lin Dong did not explain.

He knew better than anyone else. Samsung would catch up, and so would BOE. He knew exactly what LG was capable of.

What's so surprising?

Park Jung-ho glanced at Lin Dong.

"...Mr. Lin, it's about time. Shall we go eat? We can talk while we eat."

Lin Dong nodded.

"it is good."

......

night.

Seoul. A high-end Korean beef restaurant.

The car stopped in front of a traditional Korean house building.

The storefront is made of wood, with several warm yellow lanterns hanging on it, and waitresses dressed in hanbok standing at the entrance.

Park Jung-ho got out of the car and gestured for him to proceed.

"Mr. Lin, I'll treat you to Korean beef tonight. This is the best restaurant in Seoul."

Lin Dong nodded and followed him inside.

The private room was on the second floor. The moment the door was opened, the aroma of roasted meat wafted out.

The room was small, but exquisitely decorated with a low table, cushions, and traditional paintings on the walls.

A small courtyard can be seen through the floor-to-ceiling windows, with several pine trees standing quietly under the lights.

The waiter led them to their seats and served them side dishes, sauces, and several plates of sliced ​​beef.

The meat is a beautiful pink color, with evenly distributed fat and a marble-like texture.

Park Jung-ho picked up the tongs and started grilling the meat.

"Mr. Lin, this is the highest grade of Korean beef. Korean beef is very expensive, and Koreans themselves usually can't bear to eat this grade."

The meat sizzled on the baking tray, dripping oil and sending up plumes of white smoke.

Lin Dong nodded. He had never been to Korea in his previous life, nor had he ever eaten there. It looked quite good.

"Thank you for your help, Manager Park."

Park Jung-ho smiled.

"Of course."

The meat was cooked, and he picked up a piece and put it in Lin Dong's bowl, and then picked up another piece for Zhou Chengyu.

"Try it."

Lin Dong took a bite.

The meat melts in your mouth, and the aroma of the fat fills your entire oral cavity.

Tender, juicy, and with the smoky aroma of being grilled over charcoal.

It's really good.

This beef is far superior to any I've had in Shenzhen in my previous life. It's even comparable to the Wagyu beef I ate at a restaurant after I made some money.

He nodded.

Park Jung-ho also picked up a piece, put it in his mouth, and chewed it slowly.

The atmosphere was quiet for a few seconds.

Park Jung-ho put down his chopsticks and picked up his wine glass.

"Mr. Lin, let me toast you."

Lin Dong also raised his glass.

The two clinked glasses and each took a sip.

Park Jung-ho put down his glass and looked at Lin Dong.

"Mr. Lin, after I went back at noon, I communicated with my superiors."

"I've negotiated the terms, prices, delivery dates, and long-term agreements you requested for you."

Actually, it didn't take much effort. He still had that much authority; the higher-ups had already delegated it to him. But he had to say it this way so that President Lin would remember this favor.

He paused.

"Eight-week delivery time is acceptable. Price can be reduced by another 8%. Long-term agreements, three years preferred."

Lin Dong nodded.

It was pretty much as he had expected.

Park Jung-ho looked at him and added another sentence.

"President Lin, to be honest, it took me a lot of persuasion to get these conditions approved. The higher-ups were initially reluctant, after all, your first phase wasn't very large."

He smiled.

"But I convinced them. I'm optimistic about your project."

Lin Dong looked at him. How much of that was true and how much was false?

Park Jung-ho has worked at LG for so many years; he should have this much authority. He doesn't need to waste a lot of time or persuade his superiors. He said this to get a favor in return.

Lin Dong smiled.

"Manager Park, thank you for your trouble. This toast is for you."

He picked up his wine glass.

Park Jung-ho also raised his glass.

The two bumped into each other again.

After finishing his drink, Park Jung-ho picked up the tongs and flipped over a few more pieces of meat.

"Mr. Lin, we can sign the contract tomorrow morning. What are your thoughts on the specific terms?"

Lin Dong thought for a moment.

"What are the payment methods?"

Park Jung-ho put down the clip.

"Normally, it's a 30% prepayment, with the balance due before shipment. But since this is Mr. Lin's first time working with us, we can discuss it."

Lin Dong looked at him.

"50% cash on delivery, the remaining balance due in 30 days."

Park Jung-ho was stunned for a moment.

"Mr. Lin, this..."

Park Jung-ho did the math. 50% cash on delivery meant they had to pay half upfront. Paying the rest in 30 days was quite risky.

But if they don't agree, the deal might fall through.

He glanced at Lin Dong.

This Mr. Lin is really difficult to deal with.

He picked up his glass and took a sip.

"Mr. Lin, I can accept 50% cash on delivery. But the remaining balance after 30 days... How about we compromise: 70% cash on delivery, and the remaining balance after 30 days? What do you think?"

Lin Dong looked at him.

70% is okay.

He nodded.

"Can."

Park Jung-ho breathed a sigh of relief.

"As for the other terms, have the legal department review them tomorrow. If there are no problems, then we'll sign them."

Lin Dong nodded.

"it is good."

Zhou Chengyu remained silent the entire time, but his chopsticks never stopped moving.

He picked up a piece of freshly grilled meat, put it in his mouth, and squinted his eyes.

Park Jung-ho glanced at him and smiled.

"Mr. Zhou, please eat more. You've worked hard today."

Zhou Chengyu nodded.

"Thank you, Manager Park."

The meat continues to be grilled, and the wine continues to be drunk.

Park Jung-ho talked about LG's future plans.

"Mr. Lin, although LG is not as good as Samsung now, it won't stay that way forever. After LTPS, we've already started planning for OLED. Let's see how things go in a few years."

Lin Dong nodded.

He knew. He knew it better than anyone else.

Park Jung-ho then brought up their collaboration with Apple.

"Apple is also in contact with us. Although they mainly use Samsung screens now, that won't last. They need to diversify their suppliers."

Lin Dong glanced at him.

This suggests that they may become Apple's suppliers in the future.

He smiled but didn't say anything.

Park Jung-ho picked up another piece of meat for him.

"Mr. Lin, I hope our cooperation goes smoothly this time. We hope you'll continue to use our screens in the second and third generations."

Lin Dong picked up his wine glass.

"The cooperation went smoothly."

Park Jung-ho also raised his glass.

The two cups clinked together.

After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became increasingly lively.

Park Jung-ho's face turned slightly red, but his eyes remained clear.

He put down his wine glass and looked at Lin Dong.

"Mr. Lin, I have a question I'd like to ask you."

Lin Dong looked at him.

"ask."

Park Jung-ho thought for a moment.

When will your phone be released?

"Next December."

Park Jung-ho nodded.

"That's still over a year. Time is tight."

Lin Dong nodded.

"So we need to hurry."

Park Jung-ho asked another question.

"That keyboard-less design...can it really work?"

Lin Dong looked at him.

"able."

Park Jung-ho was stunned for a moment.

So confident?

He looked at Lin Dong's calm face and suddenly smiled.

"President Lin, I believe you."

He picked up his wine glass.

"To you."

Lin Dong also raised his glass.

The two bumped into each other again.

It was almost nine o'clock when we finished eating.

Park Jung-ho saw them off to their car.

Standing by the car door, he reached out his hand.

"See you tomorrow morning, Mr. Lin."

Lin Dong grasped his hand.

"See you tomorrow."

The car started and slowly drove out of the restaurant.

In the rearview mirror, Park Jung-ho was still standing there, watching them go.

Zhou Chengyu leaned back in his seat and let out a sigh.

"Mr. Lin, did you close the deal?"

Lin Dong nodded.

"The deal is done."

Zhou Chengyu smiled.

He looked out the window and added another sentence.

"That Korean beef is really good."

Lin Dong glanced at him, and the corner of his mouth twitched.

"Tomorrow, it's your turn to play."