Reborn in 2005, starting with repairing mobile phones

The next eleven days passed simply and repetitively.

Every morning at eight o'clock, Lin Dong and Zhou Chengyu would appear at the entrance of LG.

Zhou Chengyu went into the lab, and Lin Dong stayed beside him for half an hour before returning to the hotel to deal with emails.

I'll pick them up again this afternoon and check on the progress while I'm at it.

It's called "taking a look," but it's not just about looking.

Lin Dong understands things like screen parameters, driver protocols, and touch latency.

When Zhou Chengyu encountered a place where he was stuck, he would go over and take a look. Sometimes he would ask if we wanted to try this route, and Zhou Chengyu would run down it.

Sometimes, when they finally got through, Zhou Chengyu would turn around and give him a bright look.

Lin Dong nodded without saying anything more.

Park Jung-ho treated them to four or five meals in between.

After a few rounds of drinks, the conversation revolved around future collaborations.

LG had a very good impression of Zhou Chengyu, and an even better impression of Lin Dong.

After eleven days, the data ran even better than expected.

8 month 30 day.

Morning. LG Labs.

When the last parameter finished running, Zhou Chengyu stared at the result that popped up on the screen for a full five seconds.

Then he took off his glasses, wiped them with his sleeve, and put them back on. He stared at the screen again.

It's still the same number.

He smiled.

Lin Dong just pushed the door open and came in. Seeing his expression, he knew it was a success.

"Finished running?"

Zhou Chengyu turned his head, his eyes shining brightly.

"We're done running. Mr. Lin, we've run them all."

He pointed to the string of data on the screen, speaking twice as fast as usual.

"The response time is 0.5 milliseconds faster than we expected. Power consumption is 6% lower than the data provided by LG. And this..."

As Lin Dong listened, the corners of his mouth slowly curved into a smile. Eleven days had not been wasted.

What's the most important thing about a smartphone?

Screen and touch.

The screen is the face, the first thing users see.

Touch is the soul of interaction; all interactions rely on it.

Now that we have the screen and the parameters are running smoothly, although it's not the final version, the foundation is solid. We can continue to optimize it after returning to China, and then further refine it when the goods arrive in two months. This is much faster than starting from scratch.

In those eleven days, Zhou Chengyu mastered the most basic and crucial part.

He nodded.

"Thanks for your hard work."

The two engineers who often worked with him also came over and chattered away. The female engineer gave Zhou Chengyu a thumbs up and said something in slightly accented English.

"Zhou, you're really amazing."

Zhou Chengyu was stunned for a moment, then his face turned slightly red.

"Thanks."

Lin Dong stood to the side, watching this scene with a smile.

It seems that I've made quite a bit of progress these past few days.

Park Jung-ho also came in.

He walked to the screen, glanced at it, then turned around and reached out his hand to Lin Dong.

"Mr. Lin, congratulations. The data is even better than we expected."

Lin Dong grasped his hand.

"Thank you for taking care of me these past eleven days, Manager Park."

Park Jung-ho waved his hand.

"You're too kind. Mr. Zhou, you're welcome to come again anytime."

He paused, then looked at Zhou Chengyu.

"Mr. Zhou, to be honest, I didn't expect you to be able to run it so quickly. It would take our own engineers half a month to run this batch of parameters."

Zhou Chengyu paused for a moment, then smiled.

"The equipment is good, and the engineers are cooperative."

Park Jung-ho smiled.

"I like hearing that."

Everyone laughed.

Lin Dong looked at Park Jung-ho.

"Manager Park, I'll take five samples back with me. As for the rest, should we adjust them according to the parameters we've been running?"

Park Jung-ho nodded.

"No problem. Delivery will be in two months, and everything will be done according to these parameters."

Lin Dong nodded.

Zhou Chengyu took the samples off the test bench, carefully wrapped them up, and put them into a special shockproof box.

The movements were slow, as if they were handling some precious treasure.

There are five pieces in total.

That'll keep them busy for a while.

The female engineer, who was watching from the side, suddenly spoke up.

"Zhou, this is for you."

She handed me a small notebook.

Zhou Chengyu took it, opened it, and saw that it was filled with parameters and precautions.

He raised his head.

The female engineer smiled.

"I've seen you running around these past few days; there are some places where you might find this useful."

Zhou Chengyu looked at her for two seconds.

"Thanks."

The female engineer waved her hand, turned around, and left.

Noon. Farewell lunch.

It's still that same Korean beef restaurant.

The meat sizzled on the grill; this time, Park Jung-ho grilled it himself.

"Mr. Lin, Mr. Zhou, remember to look for me next time you come to Seoul."

Lin Dong picked up his wine glass.

"must."

Zhou Chengyu also picked up his wine glass, a smile still lingering on his face.

"Thank you, Manager Park."

The three of them bumped into each other.

Park Jung-ho put down his glass and looked at Joo Seung-woo.

The engineers in the lab have been praising him these past few days, saying he has solid technical skills and innovative ideas. If only we could recruit him…

"Mr. Zhou, you've worked hard these past few days."

Zhou Chengyu shook his head.

No. I learned a lot.

Park Jung-ho nodded.

"Mr. Zhou is too modest." He looked at Lin Dong. "With such a capable assistant, President Lin, the phones we make in the future will definitely be excellent."

Lin Dong smiled.

"Manager Park's team is quite capable as well. They've been working together very well these past few days."

Park Jung-ho waved his hand.

"No, no."

He picked up a piece of freshly grilled meat and put it in Zhou Chengyu's bowl.

"Mr. Zhou, have you been enjoying the Korean food these past few days?"

Lin Dong paused for a moment while picking up the meat.

After going around in circles, it turns out they were trying to poach someone from the other side.

His lips twitched, but could you dig it out?

He continued eating meat.

Zhou Chengyu looked down at the meat in the bowl.

"Thank you, Manager Park. Korean food is quite delicious, but I still prefer the food in Shenzhen."

Park Jung-ho paused for a moment, glanced at Lin Dong who was eating meat with his head down, and then smiled.

"Okay, then next time we go to Shenzhen, Mr. Zhou will treat me to the delicious food there."

Zhou Chengyu nodded.

"it is good."

After the meal, Park Jung-ho saw them off to their car.

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

"Mr. Lin, the remaining goods will arrive on time in two months."

Lin Dong grasped his hand.

"Hard."

The car started and slowly drove away.

In the rearview mirror, Park Jung-ho was still standing at the door, waving at them.

Zhou Chengyu withdrew his gaze and leaned back in his chair.

Back in school, we ran data collection programs to publish papers. The results were: first author was the advisor, second author was a senior student (who was listed last). The quality didn't matter, as long as it was published.

This time is different.

For eleven days, I left early and returned late every day, exhausted like a dog, but every time I got a parameter, I knew where it would be used in the future.

And just now, during dinner, Manager Park asked him if Korean food was delicious.

He didn't know if it was a test, but he knew how he answered.

I'm used to the food in Shenzhen.

who cares.

No one can dig it up.

He suddenly felt like saying something to Lin Dong.

He turned his head.

"President Lin."

Lin Dong looked at him.

"Um?"

Zhou Chengyu thought for a moment.

"I had a very happy eleven days."

"Back in school, I was running data for others. This time, I'm running it for myself."

Lin Dong looked at him.

"How does it feel?"

Zhou Chengyu thought for a moment.

"Down-to-earth".

He paused, then added.

"Mr. Lin, thank you."

Lin Dong didn't say anything.

Zhou Chengyu didn't say anything more, leaned back in his seat, and looked out the window.

Outside the car window, the street scenes of Seoul receded one after another. I've gotten used to those unfamiliar words, unfamiliar streets, and unfamiliar GG signs after eleven days.

As he looked at it, his eyelids grew heavier and heavier.

The sound faded into the distance.

When Lin Dong turned his head, he was already asleep.

His head was tilted to one side, his glasses still perched on his nose, and his chest rose and fell with his breath. He still had a smile on his face; I wonder if he was still running data in his dream.

Lin Dong looked at him for a few seconds. He had been running day and night for eleven days and was exhausted.

He reached out and gently took off Zhou Chengyu's glasses from the bridge of his nose, folded them neatly, and placed them on the seat next to him.

Zhou Chengyu did not wake up.

Lin Dong turned his gaze away and looked out the window.

Thanks for your hard work.

Airport. Boarding.

Zhou Chengyu arrived at the boarding gate in a daze.

When Lin Dong called him, he rubbed his eyes and mumbled, "Have we arrived?" Lin Dong didn't answer, but pointed to the boarding gate sign.

Zhou Chengyu glanced at it before realizing what was happening, and then stood up to join the queue.

He fell asleep again after boarding the plane.

Lin Dong leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes to rest. The plane passed through the clouds, and it was pitch black outside the window.

10:30 PM. Shenzhen Bao'an Airport.

Zhou Chengyu was still asleep when the plane landed.

Lin Dong patted him on the shoulder.

"arrive."

Zhou Chengyu opened his eyes, paused for a moment, then sat up and put on his glasses.

"arrive?"

Lin Dong nodded.

Zhou Chengyu glanced out the window at the Shenzhen night view. Familiar lights, familiar GG sign.

He let out a breath.

"I'm back."

Ah-hao was already waiting at the exit.

Seeing them come out, he quickly went to greet them.

"Brother Dong, Dr. Zhou."

Lin Dong nodded.

"Back to the company."

Zhou Chengyu followed behind, dragging his suitcase, his face still showing signs of sleepiness.

The company. 11:20 PM.

The office lights were still on when the elevator doors opened.

Lin Dong pushed open the door and went in.

Zhang Mingyuan sat in his usual spot, staring at the computer screen, his brow furrowed.

Cheng Chuan and Cheng Yu sat together. Cheng Chuan was looking at something on his phone, while Cheng Yu leaned back in his chair with his eyes closed.

Ding Xiao sat in the corner, typing on the keyboard in front of the screen. Su Xiaowen stood in front of the wall, holding a pen, sketching something on a drawing board.

Uncle Cai and Zheng Hao were also there, sitting on the sofa near the door, holding teacups.

Hearing the door open, everyone looked up.

Zhang Mingyuan was the first to stand up.

"President Lin! Dr. Zhou!"

Cheng Chuan jumped up as well.

"They're back! They're back!"

Several people gathered around.

Zhang Mingyuan patted Zhou Chengyu on the shoulder.

"Thanks for your hard work."

Zhou Chengyu smiled.

"good."

Cheng Chuan leaned closer.

"Dr. Zhou, how's South Korea? Is it fun?"

Zhou Chengyu glanced at him.

"You've been running data for eleven days, what do you think?"

Cheng Chuan paused for a moment, then smiled.

"Then I'll go next time."

Cheng Yu rubbed his forehead beside him.

Lin Dong looked at them, and the corners of his mouth slowly curved up.

He scanned the area.

Zhang Mingyuan's eyes were a little red, Cheng Chuan looked energetic, Cheng Yu leaned back in his chair without moving, Ding Xiao was still typing on the keyboard, and Su Xiaowen stood by the wall with a pen in her hand. Uncle Cai and Zheng Hao watched with smiles, holding teacups.

He spoke.

"Come here, everyone."

The group looked at each other, walked over, and formed a circle.

Lin Dong looked at them.

"These past few months have been tough."

Zhang Mingyuan shook his head.

"no."

Cheng Chuan chimed in from the side.

"President Lin has worked so hard, rushing straight to the company as soon as he got off the plane."

Lin Dong glanced at him.

Cheng Chuan chuckled twice.

Lin Dong continued.

"I'm not working overtime tonight. Pack your things, let's go out for a late-night snack."

The group of people were stunned for a moment.

Cheng Chuan was the first to react.

"Late-night snack? Mr. Lin is treating?"

Lin Dong nodded.

Cheng Chuan's eyes lit up.

"Walk!"

Zhang Mingyuan checked the time.

"Now?"

Lin Dong looked at him.

"Now."

Zhang Mingyuan opened his mouth but didn't say anything. He stood up and started packing his things.

Cheng Chuan had already run to the door.

"Hurry, hurry! I'm hungry!"

Cheng Yu stood up and followed behind him.

Ding Xiao turned off the computer and stood up.

Su Xiaowen put down her pen and walked over.

Uncle Cai and Zheng Hao also stood up.

Nine people walked out the door in a grand procession.

Street food stall.

Midnight.

It's the same place that Uncle Cai and Ah Hao came to before.

Several tables were set up by the roadside, under a plastic canopy overhead, with light bulbs casting a warm yellow glow. The air was filled with the aroma of barbecue, mixed with the scents of beer and cumin.

When the proprietress saw such a large group of people, she quickly arranged for two tables to be pushed together.

Cheng Chuan was the first to sit down, picked up the menu, and started ordering.

"Boss, thirty lamb skewers, thirty beef skewers! One chicken wing each! And grilled eggplant, grilled chives, grilled steamed buns..."

Zhang Mingyuan laughed beside him.

"You ordered so much, are you sure you can finish it all?"

Zhou Chengyu added from the side.

"I can finish it. I haven't had anything good to eat for over ten days, and I've been craving this for so long."

Cheng Chuan paused for a moment, then smiled.

"Yes, yes, I just got back from Korea, I can eat as much as I want."

Everyone laughed.

The beer was served, and the glass was filled.

Cheng Chuan raised his glass.

"Come, let's toast General Manager Lin! Let's toast Dr. Zhou!"

Several people raised their glasses.

"Respect to General Manager Lin! Respect to Dr. Zhou!"

Lin Dong picked up his cup and took a sip.

As he put down the cup, he glanced at Su Xiaowen.

She sat next to Ding Xiao, her face slightly flushed.

The beer in front of me was barely touched, but I drank quite a lot of water.

Cheng Chuan was still chattering away, talking about how boring he'd been at the company these past few days, how Cheng Yu didn't like to talk, and how Zhang Mingyuan was always staring at the data.

Zhang Mingyuan laughed beside him.

"Say less."

Cheng Chuan wouldn't listen.

"I'm telling the truth."

The group laughed again.

The atmosphere gradually warmed up.

After several rounds of drinks, dish after dish was served.

Su Xiaowen's face grew increasingly red.

She picked up her wine glass, glanced at Lin Dong, and then put it down.

Ding Xiao glanced at it from the side but didn't say anything.

Su Xiaowen picked up her wine glass again.

"President Lin."

Lin Dong looked at her.

Su Xiaowen opened her mouth, but no words came out.

Her face turned even redder.

Ding Xiao gently tugged at her from the side.

Su Xiaowen paused for a moment, then smiled.

"President Lin, I toast you."

She picked up her glass and took a sip.

Lin Dong nodded and took a sip as well.

Cheng Chuan started making a fuss from the side.

"Sister Su, your face is so red!"

Su Xiaowen glared at him.

Cheng Chuan chuckled twice and then said nothing more.

Ding Xiao, standing beside her, smiled slightly.

After a while, Cheng Chuan also got drunk.

He leaned on Cheng Yu's shoulder, muttering something under his breath.

Zhang Mingyuan and Zhou Chengyu were chatting quietly nearby, occasionally letting out a laugh.

Ding Xiao looked down at her phone.

Su Xiaowen leaned back in her chair, her eyes half-closed.

Uncle Cai and Zheng Hao sat opposite each other, holding teacups and smiling as they looked at the group of people at the table.

Lin Dong looked at them.

almost.

He picked up his wine glass and stood up.

Several people looked at him.

Lin Dong spoke.

"Tonight's dinner is on me."

Cheng Chuan called out from the side.

"President Lin is so generous!"

Lin Dong ignored him.

He looked at the people in front of him.

"Thank you all for your hard work these past few months."

Everyone looked at Lin Dong.

Lin Dong paused.

"From Shenzhen to San Francisco, from Stanford to Dongguan, from batteries to screens, from casings to motherboards... you've been running every single step of the way."

"You've been running around for me, and I've never even said thank you."

Everyone waved their hands.

"President Lin, why are you saying all this?"

"You've been taking care of us all along."

"That's right, that's right."

Lin Dong didn't reply, but raised his glass.

Thank you for believing in me.

"Thank you for working with me."

"This glass is for you all."

He tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp.

No one spoke.

Zhang Mingyuan's eyes reddened, and he picked up his wine glass and downed it in one gulp.

Zhou Chengyu picked up his wine glass, but it was too heavy.

Cheng Chuan sat up straight, picked up his wine glass, and sulked.

Cheng Yu picked up his wine glass and sulked.

Su Xiaowen picked up her wine glass, took a sip, and tears fell from her eyes.

Ding Xiao picked up her wine glass, took a sip, and said nothing.

Uncle Cai and Zheng Hao raised their glasses, but remained silent.

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

"Get a good rest tonight. There's a meeting tomorrow."