Reborn in 2005, starting with repairing mobile phones

Pushing open the meeting room door, the corridor was quiet.

Sunlight streamed in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting long shadows on the floor.

Zheng Hao was leaning against the wall, waiting.

Hearing the door open, he stood up straight.

"Brother Dong."

Lin Dong glanced at him.

"Go to my parents' place."

Zheng Hao nodded.

The two walked toward the elevator, one after the other.

Upon reaching the first floor, the door opened. Lin Dong walked out, with Zheng Hao following behind.

The car stopped at the entrance, and Zheng Hao opened the driver's side door.

Lin Dong got into the passenger seat and pulled over.

Zheng Hao started the car and drove out of the parking lot.

Lin Dong leaned back in his seat, looking out the window.

I got back from South Korea yesterday, and as soon as I got off the plane, I received a call from my mom.

"Ah Dong, school starts the day after tomorrow, why don't you come stay over tonight?"

He said it was too late today, and he had a meeting tomorrow morning, so he would go over after the meeting.

Mom said okay, then remember to rest and don't overwork yourself.

I'll go there right after the meeting today.

He looked back.

Mom seems to have settled in quite well this past month.

The car drove into the tree-lined avenue.

The road was narrow, lined with old banyan trees whose branches intertwined overhead. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, scattering golden fragments across the ground.

At the end of the road, the black iron gate was already open.

The security guard recognized the car and pressed the switch from a distance.

The car drove in.

The bamboo is still the same bamboo, and the courtyard is still the same courtyard. The osmanthus tree is lush and green, and the stone table and benches are placed in its shade.

Lin Dong got out of the car and walked into the courtyard.

As soon as I reached the door, it opened.

Li Xiuzhen stood at the door, holding a spatula in her hand.

"Ah Dong! Why didn't you call when you arrived?"

Lin Dong looked at her.

"Just arrived."

Li Xiuzhen pulled him in.

"Come in, come in! Have you eaten yet?"

Lin Dong paused.

I really haven't eaten. I've been in a meeting since I got up this morning, and I haven't had a drop of water.

"no."

Upon hearing this, Li Xiuzhen frowned.

"I knew you hadn't eaten. Wait, Mom will heat it up for you."

She turned and walked towards the kitchen.

Lin Dong followed behind and sat down at the dining table.

Lin Guodong stood up from the sofa, glanced at him, and then sat back down.

He probably didn't sleep well again last night, and he had to get up early for a meeting this morning. Turn the TV down so he can eat in peace.

He put down the remote control and turned the TV volume down.

Dad is still the same; he doesn't talk much, but he sees everything.

Li Xiuzhen quickly brought out a bowl of porridge, several side dishes, and two fried eggs.

"Eat quickly. It was made this morning, it's still warm."

Lin Dong picked up his chopsticks.

The porridge was warm, just right for eating. The fried egg had slightly burnt edges, a taste he'd had since childhood.

Li Xiuzhen sat down next to him and watched him eat.

This child has lost weight again. He must not have eaten properly during his many days in Korea.

"Ah Dong, how's it going in Korea? Are you getting used to the food?"

Lin Dong looked up. Pickled vegetables every day, at every meal. Pickled vegetables in the morning, pickled vegetables at noon, and pickled vegetables again in the evening. The vegetables were cold, the rice was cold, the soup was cold. After eating like this for so many days, not a single meal was comfortable. Home-cooked meals were still the best.

"good."

Li Xiuzhen nodded.

"That's good. Next time you go, remember to bring some kimchi back with you. I've heard that the kimchi there is delicious."

Lin Dong's lips twitched. Kimchi too? The sight of kimchi makes him want to vomit. Anyway, he wouldn't eat it.

"it is good."

Li Xiuzhen then recounted the events of the past few days.

Aunt Wang next door also moved to Shenzhen; her son and Lin Dong were in the same graduating class.

The two families moved in around the same time, chatted a few times, and got along quite well. Aunt Wang even said she would introduce her son to Adong, since they were both young people and could look after each other in the future.

Mom has settled in so quickly?

When she arrived, I was worried that she wouldn't be used to it and that she would be lonely away from her old neighbors. Now it seems that she is more capable than I imagined.

Lin Dong smiled slightly and continued drinking his porridge.

After they had almost finished eating, Li Xiuzhen suddenly asked, "School starts tomorrow, have you prepared your things?"

Lin Dong was stunned for a moment.

"Not prepared."

Li Xiuzhen's eyes lit up.

"I knew you weren't prepared. Mom has prepared everything for you upstairs."

She pulled Lin Dong upstairs.

Push open a door.

The room wasn't big, but it was very clean.

A bed, a wardrobe, a desk, and the window is open, letting in the sunlight.

The bed was covered with a new four-piece bedding set, and the desk had a lamp, several notebooks, and pens on it.

Li Xiuzhen pointed to the bed.

"This four-piece bedding set is brand new. It's pure cotton and very comfortable to sleep in."

He then pointed to the desk.

"A desk lamp, one that won't hurt your eyes. Notebooks and pens, all prepared."

She walked to the wardrobe and opened the door.

"I've hung up your clothes too. Summer clothes and autumn clothes are separated."

Lin Dong stood at the door and looked around.

Everything's ready. When did Mom get all this? I had no idea.

Li Xiuzhen turned around.

"What else do you need?"

Lin Dong shook his head.

That's enough.

Li Xiuzhen smiled.

"That's fine. I'll stay here tonight, it's close to school tomorrow."

Lin Dong looked at her.

It's close to school from anywhere by car. But Mom said that because she wanted him to live at home.

Let's stay here then.

He nodded.

"OK."

Li Xiuzhen patted the mattress again.

"Try this mattress, it's just the right firmness. Your dad and I spent a long time choosing one."

Lin Dong walked over and sat down.

It's actually not bad.

Li Xiuzhen looked at him. This child was only eighteen years old, but he looked like an adult.

She thought about what he had done in the past six months: paying off debts, starting a company, going to the United States, going to South Korea. Which of these was something she dared to even dream of?

She suddenly felt a little scared. He was walking too fast, so fast that she could hardly keep up.

She sighed.

"In the blink of an eye, you're already in college."

He paused for a moment.

"Is Mom getting old?"

Lin Dong looked at her.

Old? No. It's still the same face, the same voice. But if you look closely, there are indeed a few more gray hairs at the temples.

Since moving here from Shantou, she has never said a word about being tired or complained once.

He suddenly realized that she was also afraid. Afraid of not being able to keep up with him, afraid that he would go too far, afraid that she would become a burden.

He spoke.

"Mom, how could you get old? You're the most beautiful. You know, when I went to Korea, I met all the aunties your age, and none of them were as pretty as you."

Li Xiuzhen paused for a moment, then smiled.

"Fine, if you say no, then no."

Lin Dong looked at her, then suddenly remembered something.

"Oh, right, Mom, I bought some things from Korea."

Li Xiuzhen looked at him.

"What is it?"

Lin Dong stood up.

"Skincare products. Those are what Korean celebrities use. They're in the car, I'll go get them."

He turned and went downstairs.

Li Xiuzhen paused for a moment, then followed behind.

"Why did you buy all that stuff, kid...?"

Lin Dong ignored her, walked to the car, and opened the trunk.

Two bags, one large and one small.

He picked up the larger one and handed it to Li Xiuzhen.

"This is for you. It includes a face mask, serum, and eye cream."

Li Xiuzhen took them, looked down at the bottles and jars, and was a little at a loss.

Lin Dong picked up the smaller one and handed it to Lin Guodong.

"Dad, this is a Korean cigarette. Try it, have a change of pace."

Lin Guodong took it, glanced down at the Korean writing on the cigarette pack, and his lips twitched.

This kid, at least he knows to bring cigarettes.

"Okay, I'll try some Korean cigarettes."

Lin Guodong put the cigarette away.

Lin Dong turned his head and looked at Li Xiuzhen.

"Mom, come upstairs and I'll show you how to use it."

upstairs.

Lin Dong laid out the bottles and jars on the table and taught them one by one.

"This is for morning use, apply after washing your face. This is for nighttime use, apply before bed. This is eye cream, apply around the eyes. This is a face mask, use twice a week..."

Li Xiuzhen watched from the side and nodded.

After Lin Dong finished speaking, he glanced at her.

"Mom, did you not use any of the cosmetics I bought before?"

Li Xiuzhen paused for a moment, then nodded somewhat embarrassedly.

Those things are too expensive; I can't bear to use them. I'm afraid I'll have to buy more after I run out, and that would be a waste of money.

Lin Dong looked at her.

"mom."

Lin Dong pretended to be serious.

"You absolutely have to use these. Otherwise, people will say that I, Lin Dong, don't buy nice things for my parents."

Li Xiuzhen opened her mouth.

"No, Ah Dong, I..."

Lin Dong interrupted her.

"Starting today, I'll supervise you every night. I'll get angry if I see you're useless."

Li Xiuzhen paused for a moment, then smiled.

"Okay, okay, I'll use it, I'll use it."

Lin Dong nodded.

"That's more like it."

Li Xiuzhen checked the time.

"Alright, I'm not talking to you anymore, I'm going to buy groceries and cook."

She turned and went downstairs.

Lin Dong stood by the window, watching her back.

That's just how my parents are; they're used to being poor. They're always reluctant to use good things because they're afraid they won't have enough money in the future and that they'll be a burden to him.

They didn't know that he could afford it now.

He smiled.

We must get them to change this bad habit.

At dinner time, Li Xiuzhen prepared another table full of dishes.

Braised pork belly, steamed fish, stir-fried vegetables, pork rib soup, and a plate of braised goose filled the table.

Lin Dong glanced at the plate of braised goose.

Chaoshan braised goose. Mom knows he loves this.

Lin Guodong poured a glass of wine and pushed it in front of Lin Dong.

"Want some drinks?"

Lin Dong glanced at it and picked it up.

The father and son clinked their glasses and each took a sip.

Li Xiuzhen served them food.

"Eat more. School starts tomorrow, and the food in the cafeteria is nowhere near as good as home-cooked meals."

Lin Dong nodded and picked up a piece of braised goose leg.

The braised goose was perfectly seasoned, with just the right amount of saltiness and savory flavor. He took a bite, and it was that familiar taste again.

Halfway through the meal, Li Xiuzhen put down her chopsticks, glanced at him, and then lowered her head again.

Should I say it or not?

This kid has been so busy these past few months, going to the US and then South Korea, without a single day off. Now that he's finally back for a meal, he's bringing up the college drinking party again.

But if she doesn't tell them, her relatives back home have asked her several times, and she doesn't know how to answer.

She looked up and glanced at Lin Dong again.

I'll mention it anyway. Just a brief mention; if he's busy, then forget it.

"Ah Dong, there's something Mom's been wanting to tell you."

Lin Dong put down his chopsticks.

Li Xiuzhen paused.

"You got into university, so we should have had a celebration. Back home, relatives have been asking about it several times."

She glanced at Lin Dong.

"But you were busy at the time, going to the US and South Korea, so I didn't dare tell you."

Lin Dong was stunned for a moment.

College wine?

He tore up that college acceptance letter from his past life. No university, no alcohol, nothing at all.

He passed the exam in this life, but he never thought about it.

He looked at Li Xiuzhen.

"Mom, what do you want to do?"

Li Xiuzhen waved her hand. "I want to." "Why wouldn't I?" "My son got into university, who wouldn't throw a banquet? Relatives back home have asked several times, and she's always given vague answers. But seeing how busy he is, traveling all over America and South Korea, how could he possibly have time for a banquet?"

"It's fine if we don't do it, I just wanted to let you know. Anyway, we're in Shenzhen right now, and we'll talk about it back home after we go back for Chinese New Year."

Lin Dong glanced at her, then glanced at Lin Guodong.

Mom said, "It's okay if we don't do it," but the glint in her eyes betrayed her. Dad didn't say anything, but his chopsticks were still on, he wasn't eating, he was also waiting for what was to come.

They want to do it.

That's true. A son getting into university is a big deal for the people back home. Even if Mom doesn't say anything, people will ask. Every time she brushes it off, she must feel terrible inside.

We should do one.

However, his time...

He thought for a moment and looked at Li Xiuzhen.

"Mom, how about this? Let me check the schedule and pick a suitable time to do it. Is that alright?"

Li Xiuzhen paused for a moment, then smiled.

"Okay, whatever you say."

She picked up her chopsticks and placed another piece of braised goose leg on his plate.

Eat more.

He picked up his bowl and continued eating.

But another thought popped into my head.

the University.

He lived two lives and never attended university.

In my past life, I tore up my acceptance letter and went to Shenzhen. I started a business in Huaqiangbei, slept under bridges, and ate instant noodles.

Back then, he always wondered what it would be like if he could go to university.

Now I really have to go.

Suddenly I feel a bit expectant.

After finishing his meal, Lin Dong went upstairs to his room.

He sat down at his desk and took out his phone.

Uncle Cai sent me a few messages.

[Mr. Lin, we've reached an agreement with OmniVision. Half will be paid upfront, and the other half upon delivery.]

He finished reading it and nodded.

Uncle Cai is efficient. I gave the instructions in the morning, and it was all done by evening. Now all that's left is to see when the goods arrive.

Scrolling down, I saw that Uncle Cai had posted a few more messages.

The system still hasn't found a suitable candidate. We've sent a few resumes to your email.

He put down his phone and leaned back in his chair.

The system is still empty.

If all else fails, he'll step in himself. He understands Linux, the architecture, and the direction. He should be able to hold out for a few months.

He rubbed his temples.

Take it one step at a time.

Go to sleep now, school starts tomorrow.

He stood up and walked to the window.

Outside the window, the courtyard lights were on, casting the shadow of the osmanthus tree on the ground. A night breeze blew by, carrying a slight chill.

He stood for a while, then turned and lay back down on the bed.

At 7:30 the next morning, sunlight streamed into the room.

Lin Dong woke up, washed up, and changed his clothes.

I went downstairs and heard Li Xiuzhen talking to someone in the courtyard.

He walked over.

Li Xiuzhen was chatting with a woman next door. When she saw him come out, she waved.

"Ah Dong, come over and introduce yourself. This is Aunt Wang."

Aunt Wang smiled and nodded.

"Lin Dong, right? I've heard your mom mention him so many times. He runs a company in Shenzhen; he's young and promising."

Lin Dong nodded.

Hello, Aunt Wang.

Li Xiuzhen laughed beside her.

"Aunt Wang's son is also at Shenzhen University, in the same year as you. You can look out for each other at school and help each other out if needed."

Lin Dong was stunned for a moment.

The four families living here were all arranged by Shenzhen University. They should all be from the same graduating class, but I don't know which college they're in.

He nodded.

"understood."

After chatting for a few more minutes, Aunt Wang left.

Li Xiuzhen pulled Lin Dong into the house.

"Eat your food, eat your food. School starts today, we can't be late."

At the dinner table, Li Xiuzhen started talking again.

"Did you bring your backpack? Did you bring your ID? Did you bring enough money?"

Lin Dong nodded as he ate.

"I brought it, I brought it, that's enough."

After finishing his meal, Lin Dong stood up.

"I'm gone."

Li Xiuzhen escorted him to the door.

"Drive carefully. Send Mom a message when you arrive."

Lin Dong nodded.

"it is good."

Lin Guodong also came out and stood at the door looking at him.

Lin Dong got on the bus.

Zheng Hao started the car.

The car window rolled down.

"Mom, Dad, they're gone."

Li Xiuzhen waved.

"Drive carefully."

Lin Guodong nodded.

The car slowly drove out of the yard.

In the rearview mirror, the two men were still standing at the gate, watching him.

It gets farther and farther away, and smaller and smaller.

Lin Dong withdrew his gaze.

school starts.

Having lived two lives, I'm finally going to university.

Kind of looking forward to it.