Tech startup: I really do make mobile phones!

Chapter 158, Employee ID 009
Outside the office of the general manager of Orange Technology, a brand-new desk stands like a sentry blocking the only way.

Behind the table, Zhou Yumeng sat upright, trying hard to keep her face straight.

Those non-prescription black-rimmed glasses sat on her straight nose, and her well-tailored business suit, which fit her much better this time since she wasn't going out on fieldwork, made her look quite like a professional secretary.

However, her darting eyes, constantly glancing at the drawer under the table, betrayed her inner turmoil.

How could we abandon the little hamster's food reserves!
Open the drawer
Oh! I forgot, I already finished all my potato chips yesterday!
"Da da da!"

Someone arrived, and Zhou Yumeng immediately sat up straight.

Gong Yun walked over gracefully, carrying a stack of documents. When she saw Zhou Yumeng trying so hard to "act like an adult," a smile appeared in her eyes.

She gently placed a delicate little box on Zhou Yumeng's desk: "Here, Yumeng, congratulations on successfully passing your probation period! This is a Baumkuchen cake as a reward for you. From today onwards, you are President Chen's official secretary. Keep up the good work!"

Zhou Yumeng's eyes lit up instantly, like a little hamster seeing relief food. She quickly took the box, her voice crisp and clear.

"Thank you, Sister Gong! I will definitely do my best! I will never let you down!" She straightened her chest, her small fists clenching secretly under the table.

Gong Yun smiled and nodded: "Okay, I trust you. Is President Chen free now? I need to report something to him!"

"I'm free! Mr. Chen is in his office alone right now!" Zhou Yumeng replied immediately, quickly covering the tempting box of Baumkuchen with a thick folder, as if that would keep the temptation at bay.

She walked to the general manager's office with her little leather shoes, took a deep breath, adjusted her expression, and then raised her hand to knock on the door.

"Enter!"

Zhou Yumeng pushed the door open and went in.

Chen Mo was hunched over his large desk, a pile of papers covered with complex formulas and scribbles spread out in front of him, his brows furrowed, clearly engrossed in some technical problem.

Without even looking up, he casually asked, "What's wrong?"

"President Chen! Sister Gong is here!" Zhou Yumeng answered crisply.

Chen Mo then looked up, raising an eyebrow: "Sister Gong? What does she want with me?"

"Huh?" Zhou Yumeng's professional expression froze instantly, her mouth slightly open, revealing a blank expression that said "I'm doomed".

She was so busy being happy and covering the cake that she completely forgot to ask!

"Ha ha!"

Seeing her embarrassed expression, Chen Mo couldn't help but laugh out loud, his previous seriousness completely gone. "Secretary Xiao Meng, remember next time to find out the purpose of the visitor before reporting it. That's the basic procedure!"

Zhou Yumeng's face instantly turned bright red, and she nodded vigorously like a startled quail.

"I've got it, Mr. Chen! I'll definitely ask next time!"

"Alright, let her in!" Chen Mo waved his hand and buried himself in his drawings again. "You can go back to your work!"

Zhou Yumeng felt as if she had been granted a pardon and quickly slipped out to invite Gong Yun.

After Gong Yun entered, she handed a document to Chen Mo.

"President Chen, although we donated anonymously, Professor Xu still sent a thank-you letter to the company after receiving the money, based on the remittance address." She pointed to the strong handwriting on the envelope.

Chen Mo took the letter, stroked the envelope, and chuckled self-deprecatingly: "It seems my anonymous donation was a bit of a self-deception. Professor Xu, you've put in a lot of effort!"

He carefully tucked the letter away on the corner of the table, intending to look at it again when he had time, since it was Professor Xu's kind gesture.

Gong Yun then reported: "A few days ago you instructed us to look for a suitable, confidential factory in Takihwa, and we have shortlisted two locations."

"One is Guanlan Industrial Park. Its advantages are that it is newly developed, sparsely populated, and highly confidential; its disadvantages are that it has just completed the site preparation and the supporting facilities are almost non-existent, making it very inconvenient for employees to live."

"The other is Qinghu Industrial Zone. Its advantages are that it is relatively mature and has complete basic supporting facilities; its disadvantages are that although there are currently few companies in the zone and the confidentiality is acceptable, there is more uncertainty in the future. As it develops, the flow of people may increase!"

Chen Mo tapped his fingers lightly on the table and pondered, "Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Let's put this aside for now and wait until Lin Junfeng's acquisition is progressing. We'll then decide based on the distance between the factory and the R&D team!"

The special "paint" of the MYT gyroscope and the core "polymer material" formula of the MWT micro motor are the exclusive trump cards for Orange Group's future business competition, and keeping them confidential is the top priority.

Just then, steady footsteps came from outside the office.

Lin Junfeng has arrived.

He wore a perfectly tailored dark suit, walked with ease, and wore frameless glasses that revealed a sharp and calm gaze behind the lenses.

What's most eye-catching is the plain titanium ring on his left ring finger. Under the natural light of the corridor, it gleams with a cold and restrained luster, silently showcasing the owner's taste and a hint of unapproachable elite aura.

Without looking to the side, he walked straight to the general manager's office and raised his hand to knock on the door.

"Hmph!" A soft snort, slightly fierce but cute, rang out.

Zhou Yumeng, like a little bird guarding its nest, rushed out from behind her "sentinel" and stood in front of Lin Junfeng with her arms outstretched, her little face tilted high, trying her best to look serious.

"Halt! Don't you know you need to greet people? No one is allowed in without Mr. Chen's permission!"

Lin Junfeng paused, his gaze falling on Zhou Yumeng's lips.
There were still some crumbs left there, which looked like cake, that hadn't been licked clean.

A knowing glint flashed in his eyes behind his glasses, and a faint, slightly sarcastic smile curved his lips: "Secretary Zhou, you're still as unprofessional as ever!"

Zhou Yumeng panicked under his gaze and instinctively used her nimble tongue to quickly lick and erase the "evidence." Then, feeling even more guilty, she said forcefully, "Hmph! Are you going to go and tell President Chen about me again?"

She hadn't forgotten that when she was interning at the patent company, it was Lin Junfeng's casual remark, "Not professional enough," that got her fired!

Although Zhou Yumeng later learned from Sister Sasha that her dismissal was merely an excuse used by Sister Shen in Lin Junfeng's name, the "old grudge" between the two was ultimately formed.

Lin Junfeng chuckled, his tone carrying his usual aloofness: "Heh, I'm not that free. Don't bring personal grudges into your work and let them interfere with important matters!"

His words were both a reminder and a warning.

Zhou Yumeng was taken aback, but the words "delaying important matters" stung her like a thorn.

She had just patted her chest and promised Sister Gong that she would definitely do a good job!

So Zhou Yumeng took a deep breath, suppressed her small grievances and resentment with a broad mind, and asked in a serious tone, trying to be businesslike.

"General Manager Chen is currently discussing matters with General Manager Gong! Manager Lin, may I ask what business you have with General Manager Chen? I need to relay your message first!"

Lin Junfeng looked at her trying to appear calm, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes, but he still cooperated and spoke.

"Tell President Chen that the compensation from Yudong has been fully received. In addition, the acquisition target has been identified!"

Zhou Yumeng tried her best to repeat: "The compensation from Yudong has been received. The acquisition target has been identified."

Her speech slowed down, and her brows furrowed. She was clearly unsure of the exact meaning of the word "lock," and fearing she might have misremembered, she had no choice but to steel herself and look up with a touch of stubbornness: "Manager Lin! Could you please repeat the details?"

This time, Lin Junfeng didn't mock her anymore; he clearly repeated what he said.

"The compensation for the damage to Yudong's goodwill has been fully received, and the target of acquiring Shenzhen Juchuang Polymer Materials Co., Ltd. has been locked in, so we can proceed to the next step."

This time, Zhou Yumeng understood. She quickly repeated it to herself several times to make sure it was correct before turning around and knocking on the door to announce her arrival.

"Bring him in!" Chen Mo's voice rang out.

Lin Junfeng entered the office, and Chen Mo and Gong Yun had already moved to the reception area.

Zhou Yumeng skillfully poured water for the three of them. Then, at Chen Mo's gesture, she understood what he meant, quietly withdrew, gently closed the door, and returned to her "post".

The first thing she did was open the folder, make a little face at the Baumkuchen, and say, "Little cake! You've been waiting, haven't you? Here I come!", then took a big bite.
In the reception area, Lin Junfeng handed a document to Chen Mo: "President Chen, the compensation from Yudong has been received. Just follow the procedures. This is the detailed information of Shenzhen Juchuang Polymer Materials Co., Ltd."

Chen Mo opened the file:

Shenzhen Juchuang Polymer Materials Co., Ltd.

Date of Establishment: November 17, 2010

Registered capital: 300 million yuan (288 million yuan actually paid in)

Number of insured persons: 6 (all highly educated: 5 PhDs, 1 Master's degree)

Business scope: Sales of plastic paints and related solvents, sales of plastic raw materials and products, wholesale of polymer materials, etc.
Business status: A typical technology-based micro and small enterprise, established at the end of 2010, with operating liabilities, extremely small scale, mainly engaged in trade and technical support services related to polymer materials.

Valuation reference: Based on the registered capital and current situation, it meets the lower limit of the valuation range of 200 million to 500 million.

Key points of the acquisition: Initial contact revealed that the team had a strong technical background but severely lacked management skills.

Established for only 3 months, it already has a debt of 380 million yuan.

The current shareholders are eager to sell. We can acquire all their shares for a symbolic price of 1 yuan, but we will need to assume all of their 380 million yuan debt and inject operating funds to revitalize the company.

Chen Mo carefully examined the document, especially the team composition of "5 PhDs and 1 Master's degree" and the "achievement" of "380 million yuan in debt in 3 months".

He couldn't help but chuckle: "Tsk, this experience is a bit like my early days of starting a business. I only had technical skills and enthusiasm, but I didn't know how to run a business. If it weren't for you guys, Orange might have ended up like this 'Juchuang' now!"

Gong Yun lowered her eyes and chuckled softly. Lin Junfeng pushed up his glasses, his tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible respect.

"Mr. Chen, you are too modest! Juchuang's technology is just an optimization within the existing system, while the gaseous lithium battery and biomimetic mechanical structure (MYT/MYW) that you led are revolutionary breakthroughs that open up a completely new path."

"Gilding may bring temporary glory, but only pure gold can withstand the test of fire!"

Chen Mo waved his hand, putting away his sentimentality. He wasn't there to listen to flattery, and he made a decisive decision.

"Okay, it's settled!"

"Sister Gong, hurry up and take the two factory site plans, Guanlan and Qinghu, to communicate with Director Li, sound out his opinion and level of support, and select the location of the confidential factory site as soon as possible!"

He turned to Lin Junfeng, his gaze sharp: "Manager Lin, the task of acquiring 'Juchuang' is entirely yours! Make sure all legal procedures are completed within a week. After the acquisition, the company will assume the debts."

“Those six highly educated talents must be retained at all costs! Their business management skills are weak, but they dare to venture out with their technical expertise, so they must have real skills.”

"We're not Lei Jun, we don't have that 'insightful vision,' but talent reserves are like saving money. If you save enough, it will always come in handy someday!"

Lin Junfeng nodded calmly: "Understood. I will expedite the acquisition and persuade them to stay!"

He paused, then raised the key question.

"However, Mr. Chen, there are two issues that need to be addressed after the acquisition is completed."

First, will the company name remain "Juchuang" or be renamed in the style of the Orange Group?

Secondly, and more importantly, all six of them are technically skilled but lack management and business experience.

The new company needs a leader who can oversee the entire operation, someone who understands management and operations, and can also command technical expertise; otherwise, it will be difficult to manage this highly educated team.

Chen Mo rubbed his temples; this was indeed a difficult problem.

"Changing the name is easy! The materials company, as a wholly-owned, non-listed subsidiary, will be directly incorporated into the Orange Group and called 'Orange Innovation Materials,' which is simple and clear."

He looked at Gong Yun: "As for this leader, Sister Gong, there are many people among our own who understand management and business, and some who understand technology, but it's really hard to find someone who has all three and can keep a group of PhDs in check."

After a moment's thought, Chen Mo made a decision: "In that case, let's proceed with the acquisition first. As for the personnel, Sister Gong, you should start working on it simultaneously and find headhunters! We should prioritize candidates with backgrounds in polymer materials or fine chemicals, as well as management and technical backgrounds."

"The primary condition is obedience, the ability to understand and resolutely execute the headquarters' intentions. After all, the core mission of 'Orange Creation' is to ensure the confidential production of our exclusive materials, while the parent company will personally control the direction of technology research and development!"

With the matter settled, Gong Yun and Lin Junfeng accepted their orders and left.

The office fell silent.

Chen Mo once again immersed himself in the manuscript, which was a detailed roadmap for the development of Yuancheng 3rd generation gaseous lithium battery, including the first-stage and second-stage boosting technologies, based on the complete mass production plan provided by the system deep in his mind.

A single-stage boosted gaseous lithium battery, while maintaining its safety and fast-charging advantages, can match the capacity of mainstream liquid lithium batteries on the market.

If we're talking about the drawbacks of a first-stage boosted gaseous lithium battery, it's probably the cost.

It's worth noting that the cost of a second-generation MOF-honeycomb battery has reached 62 yuan, while the cost of a mature liquid lithium battery of the same capacity on the market is only 15 yuan!

Therefore, once the capacity of gaseous lithium batteries catches up, they can only be used for battery solutions in a portion of high-value-added products, such as mobile phones, drones, and emergency equipment.

An hour later, he put down his pen and felt that his thoughts had become much clearer.

Press the internal intercom key "9": "Xiao Meng, come in for a moment."

Zhou Yumeng immediately pushed the door open and came in, still holding her notebook and pen, standing ramrod straight: "President Chen, you wanted to see me?"

"Ok!"

Chen Mo pointed to the blueprints spread out on the table: "Starting tomorrow, I need to go to Yuancheng's No. 1 laboratory to focus on developing the third-generation gaseous lithium battery technology solution. It is expected to take a week. Write this down and arrange your schedule."

Zhou Yumeng immediately opened her notebook, found a blank page, and focused intently, her pen scribbling away.

"Okay, Mr. Chen, we'll be developing the third-generation gaseous lithium battery technology at the Far Orange No. 1 Laboratory. It should take about a week!"

This time, her note-taking speed was significantly faster, and her handwriting was much neater, clearly the result of her private practice.

Seeing her serious expression, Chen Mo decided to test and train her: "Xiao Zhou, tell me, how should this itinerary be arranged? What's the process?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yumeng subconsciously rested the back cap of her ballpoint pen on her chin, tilted her head slightly, and furrowed her delicate eyebrows as she fell into deep thought.

Chen Mo didn't urge him, but patiently waited while writing and drawing on the manuscript paper.

After thinking for a while, Zhou Yumeng raised her head, her eyes shining with a hint of attempt, and answered in a fairly clear manner.

"Well, first of all, we need to inform Mr. Xu of Yuancheng that you will be going to use Laboratory No. 1 tomorrow."

Then I'll have driver Mr. Li pick you up on time tomorrow morning. Oh, and he'll pick me up too.

Then and then

She got stuck, feeling like something was missing, but she couldn't remember it for the time being.

Chen Mo smiled and gently guided him.

"The idea is correct, but the order and coverage can be further optimized."

Remember two principles:

First, direct associates will be notified first.

You need to notify several managers within Orange Technology first: Zhao Tiezhu, Gong Yun, Jiang Yu, Lin Junfeng, and Wang Kai. Make sure they are all notified.

Inform them that I will be mainly at the Far Orange Lab for the next week, and that they should handle non-urgent matters themselves or coordinate with General Manager Zhao and General Manager Gong, and not disturb my research and development.

This is to let them know what's going on and make proper work arrangements.

Chen Mo paused, watching Zhou Yumeng quickly take notes, and continued to teach her the experience she had figured out on her own.

"Second, the transaction chain is opened up from top to bottom."

On the Yuancheng side, we first notified the highest-ranking person in charge—General Manager Xu—to explain our need for and timing of using the laboratory.

Then we immediately contacted the executive level, namely Director Liu, the person in charge of Laboratory No. 1, to confirm the laboratory's schedule, equipment status, and whether the required special materials were ready, to ensure that we could start work smoothly as soon as we arrived.

Finally, they notified our driver, Xiao Li, to confirm the departure time, location, and pick-up/drop-off personnel.

Zhou Yumeng's pen flew across the paper, meticulously recording every word of Chen Mo's instructions. She even drew underlines under "Notify the supervisor" and "Notify General Manager Xu - Director Liu" to emphasize them.

"Mr. Chen, I understand! First, settle things internally (notify the supervisor), then communicate externally (notify Mr. Xu), and external communication should also be tiered (Mr. Xu -> Director Liu), and finally, logistical support (drivers)!"

She looked up, her face slightly flushed with seriousness and a hint of excitement at being given guidance.

"I will make sure everything is arranged perfectly this time, and there will be absolutely no mistakes!"

Looking at the young secretary in front of him, who was still a bit inexperienced but whose eyes were full of energy and enthusiasm for learning, Chen Mo smiled with approval.

"Very good! Remember, this is just based on experience; you can refine the process according to your own understanding."

"Don't be afraid of making mistakes, Xiaomeng! Whether it's people or technology," he pointed to the three generations of gaseous lithium battery blueprints on the table, "it gets better little by little through continuous trial and error and continuous improvement!"

Zhou Yumeng nodded vigorously, clenched her little fists, and a confident smile bloomed on her face.

"Yes! Thank you for your encouragement, Mr. Chen! I will definitely work harder and study harder!"

In her eyes, it was as if she could already see her future as a top-notch secretary who could handle anything.

The door to Chen Mo's office closed gently, shutting out the outside world.

Zhou Yumeng sat back down at her post, carefully opened the folder, broke off a small piece of Baumkuchen and put it in her mouth, the sweet taste melting on her tongue.

She turned to a new page in her notebook and neatly wrote down the title:
[Key Points for Optimizing Mr. Chen's Itinerary Arrangement Process (Mr. Chen's Instructional Version)]

The scratching sound of the pen nib across the paper, mixed with the faint hustle and bustle of the city outside the window, played the first movement on the path of the Orange System's first-generation chief secretary's growth.

The camera zooms in on the secretary's name tag.
009! !! !!

The employee number changed from 101 to 009. On the surface, Zhou Mingzhe is the most inspiring, but in reality, it is she who truly rose to the top in Orange!

Orange's seventh "hidden" executive - Zhou Yumeng.

Don't underestimate the power of a steamed bun. Even a seventh-rank official has to serve the prime minister. When Chen Mo truly treated his secretary like a secretary, this was a case of low rank but great power.

Although the secretary's rank is only equivalent to a team leader, similar to Lin Xiaoxia and Zeng Baifang, are you looking down on our little secretary Zhou Yumeng's indirect "influence" in the Orange Group?

At times, she is Chen Mo's "spokesperson".

(End of this chapter)