Reborn in 2005, starting with repairing mobile phones

Chapter 181 Tomorrow, the whole world will know that Eastern Technology has arrived.

She picked up her phone, found Lin Dong's number, and looked at the name.

She looked at it for a long time, wanting to post something, but didn't know what to post.

"arrive"?

Too wordy.

"See you tomorrow"?

Too deliberate.

"come on"?

He looks too much like a leader.

She thought about it for a long time, but in the end she didn't send anything and put her phone down.

She will be sitting in the front row tomorrow.

It's not in the very center, it's on the outermost left.

That was arranged by Lin Dong.

She didn't know why he arranged them that way, but she didn't care.

She came back not because of the front row seats, but because she should have been in the audience when he was on stage.

She looked at the countdown clock outside the window, a slight smile playing on her lips, and softly said, "See you tomorrow."

The lights were still on in the company's laboratory.

Li Hu sat in front of the computer, the screen displaying the system logs he had been writing for almost half a year.

The green "SUCCESS" scrolls up line by line, finally stopping at the very bottom.

Chen Long sat beside him, holding a chip manual. He flipped to a page in the middle, paused for a long time, and didn't turn the page. Xu Zang leaned against the wall, his eyes closed, but he wasn't asleep. None of the three spoke.

"The phone will be unveiled tomorrow."

Li Hu spoke.

Chen Long pushed up his glasses.

"Um."

Xu Zang opened his eyes, glanced at the ceiling, and then closed them again.

Li Hu leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling.

"The fourth brother said he's invited everyone to sit in the front row tomorrow. Ma Huateng, the president of Shenzhen University, and those foreigners."

Chen Long said, "Mm."

Li Hu then asked, "What do you think they'll think when they see our phones?"

Chen Long thought for a moment.

"I don't know. But I think it won't be worse than Nokia."

Li Hu paused for a moment, then laughed.

"That's for sure. Nokia's crappy system, can it compare to ours?"

He stood up from the chair, stretched, and his bones cracked and popped.

"Alright, go back to sleep. We have to get up early tomorrow."

Chen Long closed the book and stood up.

Xu Zang opened his eyes and stood up.

The three people turned off the lights and left the laboratory.

Li Hu walked at the front, his pace slower than usual.

When he reached the elevator, he suddenly stopped, looked back at the laboratory door, which was closed and the lights were off.

Tomorrow, this door will open again.

They will still sit here, continuing to write code, adjust parameters, and run tests.

But after tomorrow, they will no longer be writing code in the lab, but in mobile phones sold to users.

He stood there for two seconds, then turned and entered the elevator.

Zhang Mingyuan didn't leave.

He sat alone in the innermost corner of the lab, a prototype in front of him, its screen lit up, displaying the sunrise Iogo.

It stood quietly in the very center.

He had been staring at the prototype for almost an hour.

It's been almost a year and a half since Lin Dong picked me up from Guanlan Alley.

At that time, he was squatting in the alley, pinned against the wall by two tattooed young men with knives held to his hands.

He thought he was going to lose his arm, but then Lin Dong arrived in a Mercedes, threw down 90,000 yuan, and handed over the IOU.

It was burned.

Then I asked him: "Do you dare to try making your own motherboard?" He said he did. Now the motherboard has been running for almost a hundred days without crashing.

He looked at the prototype, reached out, and swiped his finger across the screen.

The screen followed his finger smoothly, without lag or stuttering. He withdrew his hand, placed it on his knee, and stared at the prototype for a long time. Then he stood up, turned off the prototype, and put it back on the table. He didn't look back, walked out, and turned off the light.

At the doorway, Zhou Chengyu stood, the emergency light at the end of the corridor reflected in his glasses, looking like two tiny stars.

The two looked at each other but said nothing.

Tomorrow, touchscreens will be running on every prototype.

Within ten milliseconds.

He did it.

Su Xiaowen leaned against the wall.

That wall used to be covered with her design drawings, but now it's empty.

She took the last picture with her and locked it in the flagship store's safe. It will appear on the exhibition stand tomorrow along with the demo unit.

She revised it more than a hundred times, from the first version to the hundredth version.

Later, it was revised version after version, but the revisions became slower and slower, and the more it was revised, the more it felt that nothing was right. The curvature of the arc, the width of the bezel, the position of the buttons, the opening of the camera, every detail was revised countless times.

When she finished drawing the final version, she stared at the drawing for a long time.

She knew she had finished drawing, not because she couldn't change it anymore, but because she finally didn't need to change it anymore.

The lab was empty; Ding Xiao hadn't noticed when she left.

She placed the mid-frame model back on the table; the last one, flawless. She didn't need to polish it anymore.

Shenzhen University campus, girls' dormitory.

Chen Lu sat on the edge of the bed, holding the invitation in her hand.

A white card with the sunrise logo printed in the center and the words "December 25th, Oriental Technology Launch Event, Futian CBD Flagship Store" written below.

There was no seat number, but Lin Dong told her, "Just come here."

She examined it over and over again, until the edges were worn smooth from touching it so much.

Zhou Lin poked her head out from the bed.

"What are you looking at? I've seen it eight hundred times."

Chen Lu put the invitation down.

What should I wear tomorrow?

Zhou Lin's eyes lit up, and she jumped out of bed, opening the wardrobe and starting to rummage through it. "This one? This one? This one?" Chen Lu shook her head, one item at a time.

Zhou Lin flipped to the very back and took out a light blue dress. "What about this one?"

Chen Lu looked at the dress and hesitated for a moment.

"Wouldn't that be too formal?"

Zhou Lin said, "Of course, the press conference should be formal."

Chen Lu held the dress in front of the mirror and compared it to herself. The dress was a little above her knees, the neckline was just the right size, and the color was very clean.

She looked at it for two seconds, then put the dress on the bed.

Zhou Lin lay on the edge of the bed, her chin resting on her crossed arms, watching her with a smile.

"When you're going to see your sweetheart, of course you should dress nicely."

Chen Lu glared at her.

"Who said it was to see him?"

Zhou Lin said, "Then you shouldn't go."

Chen Lu did not respond.

She carefully put the invitation into her bag, then picked up the light blue dress, folded it, and placed it on the bedside table.

Tomorrow, she will wear this dress, walk into that store, sit in the audience, and watch him stand in the spotlight.

Shenzhen University, President's Dormitory.

Principal Wang sat at his desk, with the invitation to tomorrow's press conference spread out in front of him.

He looked at it for a while, then closed it and put it aside.

He picked up his phone, found Lin Dong's number, but didn't dial it, and put it down again.

Chen Guo sat on the sofa next to him, holding a cup of tea. He looked at Principal Wang's back and hesitated for a moment.

"Principal, are you really going tomorrow?"

Principal Wang did not turn around.

"go."

Chen Guo thought for a moment, then asked another question.

"First row, middle?"

Principal Wang turned around and looked at him.

"Lin Dong arranged it. He said I would sit in the middle, Ma Huateng would sit to my left, and Wu Ming from Hong Kong would sit to my right." He put his phone on the table and leaned back in his chair.

He said I was the president of Shenzhen University and should sit in the middle.

Chen Guo did not respond.

Principal Wang stood up and walked to the window. Outside the window was the campus of Shenzhen University, with streetlights on and students walking by in twos and threes.

"Do you think his phone will work?" he asked.

Chen Guo thought for a moment.

"I don't know. But I think he's a good candidate."

Principal Wang looked at him and smiled.

"You're right." He sat back down at his desk, picked up the invitation, opened it, and looked at the sun inside. Shenzhen University students have gone to such lengths; the school should support them. He closed the invitation, put it in his drawer, stood up, and turned off the light.

Tencent Building, 42nd floor.

Ma Huateng hasn't left yet.

He sat in his office with a document spread out in front of him—introduction materials for Dongfang Technology, which Uncle Cai had sent over.

He picked up his phone and flipped through the calendar.

Tomorrow is the 25th, the press conference.

He put down his phone and leaned back in his chair. The lights were off, and outside the window was the night view of Shenzhen, with the lit buildings stretching out in the darkness.

He was thinking about one thing: a fully touchscreen phone, without a keyboard, unlike any other phone on the market. He had experience in product development, and he knew how difficult it was to create something completely different from everyone else.

When QQ first came out, nobody believed it would succeed. He picked up his phone and sent a message to his assistant: "Tomorrow morning at nine, to Futian CBD."

The assistant replied, "Yes, Mr. Ma."

He glanced at it and put his phone on the table. He would go tomorrow. Not because Lin Dong had invited him, but because he wanted to see what this junior from Shenzhen University had actually accomplished.

Huaqiangbei, Hongfa Telecom. Zhang Hongsheng's office light was still on.

He sat behind his desk with an evening newspaper in front of him.

The last edition was printed with "GG" (Girl's name) for Oriental Technology, on a black background with a sun in the middle and a line of white text below.

On December 25th, Oriental Technology held a press conference at its flagship store in Futian CBD.

He glanced at it and then turned the newspaper over.

Old Ma stood to the side, his hands hanging at his sides, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the seams of his trousers.

He wanted to speak, but he didn't know whether he should or not.

"explain."

Zhang Hongsheng picked up his teacup.

"Mr. Zhang, at tomorrow's press conference, Ma Huateng will be there, President Wang of Shenzhen University will be there, and Wu Ming from Hong Kong will also be there. The countdown clock at that store has been changed to '1' today, and there are people taking pictures at the entrance."

Zhang Hongsheng did not respond.

Old Ma waited a few seconds.

"Mr. Zhang, are we really not going to do anything?"

"Don't do anything." Zhang Hongsheng's voice was flat, devoid of emotion. "Let him open it. Let's see what he can come up with."

Old Ma nodded, turned around and left.

The door closed very quietly.

Zhang Hongsheng sat alone in his office.

He'd worked here for ten years and had never seen anything like it.

GG is everywhere in subway stations, bus stops, and outdoor billboards. Its flagship store is located in Futian CBD, with Ma Huateng sitting in the front row.

This young man only took less than two years.

He's waiting to see what tomorrow brings.

When Lin Dong got home, it was almost 10 p.m.

The red lanterns at the entrance of the courtyard are still lit. Mom bought them a few days ago, saying that it's almost Chinese New Year and they're festive.

He pushed open the door, and the aroma of braised goose wafted out.

Li Xiuzhen poked her head out from the kitchen. "You're back? Have you eaten?"

He said he had eaten, but Li Xiuzhen didn't believe him. She brought out a bowl of porridge and a plate of braised goose and placed them on the table.

"Eat some more. You'll be busy tomorrow and won't be able to eat all day."

Lin Dong sat down and picked up his chopsticks.

The porridge was warm, just right for eating.

The braised goose still tastes the same, perfectly salty and savory, just the way he's been eating it since he was a child.

Li Xiuzhen sat opposite him, watching him eat, and suddenly said something.

"Ah Dong, Mom will go tomorrow."

Lin Dong raised his head.

"Didn't you say there were too many people and you weren't going?"

"If your dad isn't going, I will."

Li Xiuzhen said, "How could I not go to my son's press conference?"

She paused for a moment, then said, "I won't sit in the front, I'll just stand in the back. I'll just take a look."

Lin Dong's lips twitched slightly, but he didn't say anything and lowered his head to continue drinking his porridge.

Li Xiuzhen didn't say anything more, just sat opposite him and watched him finish the bowl of porridge.

Lin Guodong walked over from the living room, holding a red envelope in his hand, and placed it on the table.

"for you."

Lin Dong glanced at the red envelope, a thick stack, but didn't open it. He looked at his father.

"What?"

"I'll use it tomorrow," Lin Guodong said. "Treating people to dinner, taking taxis, buying water—all of that costs money." Lin Dong pushed the red envelope back. "Dad, I have money."

Lin Guodong didn't answer and turned to leave.

Li Xiuzhen stuffed the red envelope into Lin Dong's pocket.

"Take it. It's what your dad saved up. He'll be unhappy if you don't take it."

Lin Dong did not refuse again.

After finishing his porridge, he put the bowl in the kitchen, washed his hands, and went upstairs.

When he reached the corner of the stairs, he stopped and looked back.

Li Xiuzhen was still washing dishes in the kitchen, while Lin Guodong sat in the living room watching TV, the volume turned down so low it was almost inaudible.

Lin Dong returned to his room and closed the door.

He sat on the edge of the bed, took out the red envelope, and opened it.

Inside were brand-new banknotes, stacked neatly in piles. He didn't know how long his father had been saving them, and he didn't ask. He placed the red envelope on the bedside table, lay down, and stared at the ceiling.

There's still that Shenzhen University admission letter in the drawer.

At this time last year, it was brand new, with a red cover and gold lettering.

It now lies at the very bottom of the drawer, its edges slightly curled, and a thin layer of dust on the cover.

He didn't take it out; he just stared at the drawer for a while.

He closed his eyes and mentally went over tomorrow's schedule: entering, opening, going on stage, explaining the product, explaining the concept, explaining the price, and ending.

He rehearsed each segment countless times and memorized every single line.

He has twenty years of memories; he has seen the future.

He knew that touchscreen phones would win, he knew that Apple would win, and he knew that Nokia would fall.

But he couldn't tell anyone these things.

He can't say "I've seen the future," he can only take it one step at a time and prove it step by step.

He reached into his pocket and took out his phone.

There were several messages: Uncle Cai's "President Lin, everything is arranged, you can get some rest," Zhou Jing's "Final check completed, no problems," Li Hu's "Fourth brother, let's take care of him tomorrow," Zheng Hao's "Brother Dong, I'll pick you up at seven tomorrow morning," and no news from Chen Wei'an.

He looked at it for a long time, and finally only replied with one word: "Okay".

He put his phone on the bedside table and turned off the light.

Outside the window, the night in Shenzhen is still lit.

The lights in Futian CBD are still on, and the countdown timer at the flagship store is still lit. Tomorrow, it will turn to zero.

He closed his eyes.

Tomorrow, everything will be different.

He rolled over, pulled the blanket under his chin, and his breathing gradually became even.

A breeze was blowing outside the window, making the osmanthus trees in the yard rustle.

He listened to the voice, and slowly, he sank into the darkness.

Tomorrow, he will stand under the spotlight and pick up that phone.

Tomorrow, he will say those words, those words he has been preparing for a year and a half.

Tomorrow, the whole world will know—Eastern Technology has arrived.