Tech startup: I really do make mobile phones!

Chapter 167 Angrily Confronting the Short Pine
Shenzhen-Beijing route, first class.

Spacious seats, soft lighting.

Chen Mo had just sat down by the window when Zhao Tiezhu plopped down next to him.

Zhou Yumeng, as was her habit, picked up her small bag and prepared to walk to the back of the economy class.

"Hey? Xiaomeng!" Zhao Tiezhu, with his sharp eyes, immediately called out to her, "You didn't buy yourself a first-class ticket?"

Zhou Yumeng stopped, turned around, and shook her head with a professional smile: "President Zhao, according to company travel regulations, my class only allows me to book economy class!"

Zhao Tiezhu clicked his tongue and waved his hand.

"Rules are rules, but people are flexible! Come on, sit here!"

He pointed to the empty seat next to him and said, "It's empty anyway, upgrade!" Then he pressed the call button.

A flight attendant in a smart uniform quickly approached with a standard smile: "Hello sir, how can I help you?"

“Upgrade my little sister to a cabin class, right here!” Zhao Tiezhu pointed at Zhou Yumeng.

"Okay, sir!" The flight attendant maintained her smile. "However, I should clarify that the temporary upgrade only provides a seat upgrade; the original economy class meal service will still be provided."

Zhao Tiezhu waved his hand dismissively: "I understand! It's alright, go ahead with the promotion! Money is no problem!"

After he finished speaking with great bravado, he chuckled and took the mobile POS machine from the flight attendant with remarkable ease. He then stretched out his arm and handed it directly to Chen Mo, a fawning smile plastered on his face.

"Brother Chen! Swipe your card!"

Chen Mo was so angry at his "generous with other people's money" attitude that he laughed. He reached out and took the POS machine: "Fine, you do me the favor, and I'll pay for it? You're really trying to cheat me!"

Zhao Tiezhu was not embarrassed at all; on the contrary, he was quite self-righteous.

"Brother Chen, what are you saying! Xiaomeng is practically my sister from another hometown. When she's away from home, shouldn't I, as her brother, take care of her? This little bit of money is nothing to you!"

As Chen Mo skillfully swiped his card and entered his password, he jokingly remarked, "Half a fellow villager? I remember when we were still in a small workshop, you would even recognize a passing dog as half a fellow villager."

"Pfft!" Zhou Yumeng and the flight attendant holding the POS machine couldn't help but burst out laughing.

The flight attendant quickly pursed her lips, took the POS machine after swiping the card, and after confirming that everything was correct, respectfully said to Zhou Yumeng, "Madam, please follow me to complete the upgrade procedures. Your seat can be changed now!"

Zhou Yumeng glanced at Chen Mo somewhat embarrassedly.

Chen Mo smiled and nodded at her: "Go ahead, it's over three hours, you'll be more comfortable in first class!"

Zhou Yumeng gratefully followed the flight attendant.

The plane took off smoothly.

Three hours later, it landed at Beijing Capital International Airport.

Presidential Suite, Hilltown Hotel, Beijing.

A Rolls-Royce Ghost came to a smooth stop in front of the hotel.

Zhou Yumeng got out of the passenger seat, while Chen Mo and Zhao Tiezhu sat in the back.

The 365-square-meter presidential suite, with its luxurious décor, smart technology, and 24-hour butler service, exudes the style of a top-tier hotel.

Chen Mo stayed in the master bedroom, Zhao Tiezhu stayed in the second bedroom, and Zhou Yumeng stayed in the attached servant's room.

Standing in front of the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, Zhao Tiezhu looked down at the early spring scenery of Beijing. Under the hazy sky, the trees were just beginning to sprout, far less lush and green than those in the southern cities.

He clicked his tongue and said, "Tsk, spring in the north is still lacking something, not vibrant enough!"

Chen Mo took the hot tea that Zhou Yumeng had just brewed, walked to the window, and blew on the tea foam: "One region's water and soil nurture its people, and one region's climate nurtures its scenery. Each has its own unique flavor!"

Zhao Tiezhu turned around and waved to Zhou Yumeng with a grin: "Xiaomeng, stop working and sit down for a while!"

As soon as Zhou Yumeng sat down in a corner of the sofa, he immediately perked up and began to recount Chen Mo's stories on his fingers.

"Brother Chen, look!"

The climate is different, and the women raised in it are also very different!

The girls from Northeast China are known for their boldness and sassiness, the girls from Beijing have a natural air of confidence, the women from Suzhou speak with a gentle and charming Wu dialect, the girls from Chongqing are fiery and straightforward, the girls from Lanzhou are simple and generous, and the girls from Xinjiang are talented singers and dancers with fiery passion.
"Tsk tsk, from north to south, from east to west, beauties of all shapes and sizes, each with their own charm, so many beauties, attracting countless heroes to fall at their feet!"

Chen Mo paused, holding his teacup, and glanced at Zhao Tiezhu speechlessly. This kid has no sense of propriety when it comes to his words, and the secretary is still here!

He immediately waved to Zhou Yumeng: "Xiaomeng, you must be tired from your journey. Go back to your room and rest for a while!"

The little flame of gossip in Zhou Yumeng's eyes was extinguished as soon as it was lit. She obediently replied, "Okay, President Chen, President Zhao, I'll go back to my room now."

As she turned to leave, she was already wondering if she could really take the Chanel toiletries from the presidential suite with her.

This was a "little perk" that the housekeeper had secretly told her about earlier.

The reason why these "high-end items" are placed in the entourage rooms is simple: people who usually stay in presidential suites do not book the rooms themselves; it is usually the assistants or secretaries of their entourage who arrange the accommodations.

After Zhou Yumeng closed the door, Chen Mo said to Zhao Tiezhu in an annoyed tone, "Can't you be a little more discerning? Xiaomeng is still here. Can't you be more mindful of your image when you're talking about this?"

Zhao Tiezhu chuckled, leaned closer, and lowered his voice.

"Brother Chen, I call this a 'test'!"
Xiao Meng has a special position, being closest to you, so she'll definitely know a lot of things in the future.

Let's test her mouth with these harmless 'gossip' stories first.

In case there's any trouble later, we can check if she's the source, so we'll have some idea of ​​what's going on, right?

That's what you call prevention is better than cure!

This kid seems pretty proud of himself.

Chen Mo looked at him and shook his head helplessly: "You're such a cunning kid, you're as shrewd as a sieve!"

Zhao Tiezhu smiled frankly: "Hey, these are all lessons learned from suffering! When you're out in the world, how can you avoid getting hurt? The more you suffer, the more cunning you become!"

Chen Mo took a sip of tea and suddenly asked, "By the way, Tiezhu, last time Sister Gong used Hong Kong Feichi's channels to distribute more than a million Orange 1 units of stockpiled goods, and according to the rules, she received a commission of nearly 50 million."

The three of us: the company is mine, Sister Gong herself is not short of money, and she lives a simple life.

You, with your monthly salary and bonuses combined, probably amount to seventy or eighty thousand, right? You're a spendthrift.

"Are you feeling any resentment?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Tiezhu burst into laughter and patted his chest: "Brother Chen! Do I look like someone who's unbalanced?"

"I, Zhao Tiezhu, eat well, dress well, and have even more fun. Life is short, so enjoy it to the fullest! Fifty million? Even if you gave me that, I couldn't hold onto it! Things are fine as they are now. I can spend whatever money I have without much pressure. I'm perfectly balanced!"

Chen Mo smiled at his easygoing demeanor: "Alright, as long as you have a good attitude. Here's what we'll do: I know you're short on cash, so I'll give you a chance to make a request. This offer won't last!"

When this kid made his demands at the China International Industry Fair, Chen Mo always felt that he held back at the end.
Based on Chen Mo's understanding of this kid over the years, the reason is probably not urgent, but he has a feeling that he wants it.

Zhao Tiezhu's eyes darted around, and he chuckled, "I don't have any requests for now, but Brother Chen, how about I give you a suggestion? You see, you're definitely going to come to Beijing quite often in the future."

"I heard that the Yosemite Hotel where Lei Jun lives is in Shunyi, right next to the airport expressway. It's super fast to get to the airport, and only forty minutes to get to Guomao."

The environment is excellent, security is strong, and privacy is top-notch.

Why don't you consider spending around 400 million to buy a place there?
As our Orange Group companies grow bigger and bigger, it'll be common for you to come to Beijing. Having your own place is so convenient!

Chen Mo raised an eyebrow and looked at him with a teasing tone: "Buy a house? What, you want to keep a mistress in a golden cage? I remember you had your own house for that honey trap, right? It's even in the city center?"

Zhao Tiezhu quickly waved his hand: "Oh, Brother Chen! I swear to God! Sister Chunru is the head of the wheat supply chain. Our friendship is purely platonic. We just thought that since Lei Jun lives there, the feng shui is good and it's suitable for a big shot like you to settle down!"

Chen Mo chuckled: "Buying a house is no problem. Last year, the dividends from the catalysts were over six million!"

Buying a high-end villa in Beijing for over four million yuan now is indeed a good deal, and the price is expected to continue to rise!
"Pure? You little brat, didn't you tell me you used a honey trap and then turned it on, doing the same thing to both the company and your lover? Who exactly is that beauty? She's got your boss, Mr. Zhao, completely bewildered!"

Zhao Tiezhu blushed for once and chuckled.

"Sister Chunru is a really nice person!"

But don't worry, Brother Chen, I, Zhao Tiezhu, will always keep my personal and public affairs separate!

I can recommend some reliable suppliers for wheat, but I will never divulge a single word of our oranges' core secrets, even if you kill me!

She knows at most... well, honestly... about one-sixth of me!

Seeing his expression, Chen Mo didn't bother to investigate further, but simply reminded him, "Just keep it in mind, or the company will have to clean up your mess when things go wrong!"

Zhao Tiezhu patted his chest and assured him, "Don't worry! I'm perfectly confident!"

He changed the subject, winking and saying, "But you, Brother Chen, seem to be living a life that's too detached from worldly desires. How about I introduce you to a woman or two to add some color to your life?"

Chen Mo chuckled.

"A soulmate? Are you trying to introduce me to a young widow or an older single woman?"

Zhao Tiezhu said with a mocking smile, "How could that be! If I had a young widow, I would have taken her myself long ago. Why would I leave her for you? I'm serious!"

"Come on!" Chen Mo waved his hand: "That's not where my fun lies."

Zhao Tiezhu nodded: "That's true, Brother Chen, it's good that you remain chaste. You can find a well-bred lady from a similar social class in the future, which will save you a lot of trouble!"

"Whether I keep my chastity or not is none of your concern!" Chen Mo interrupted him with a smile: "Let's get down to business. Tomorrow I'm going to Peking University to give a special report on gaseous lithium. Do you want to come along? Last time I came to Beijing for 'Orange Wind and Waves,' you couldn't get into such a top university!"

Zhao Tiezhu immediately perked up: "Let's go! We absolutely have to go! Thanks to Brother Chen, we can also experience the influence of the top university!"

The following day, at Peking University, by the Weiming Lake.

The Hilltown Hotel's shuttle car took the three of them to the west gate of Kyoto University.

Academician Zhang, the dean of the School of Materials Science and Engineering, personally greeted them at the entrance.

This elderly man, with his gray hair and vigorous spirit, is a leading figure in academia, and his academician title speaks volumes about his stature.

It is said that the number of academicians at Qingdao and Beijing universities in China is really large, accounting for an astonishing 21.1%. It is not surprising that the dean of a branch school is an academician.

Dean Lin of the School of Materials Science and Engineering at Shenzhen University: Hmm! Not surprising at all! If I hadn't let Jiang Zemin win back then, I would have easily become an academician!

"President Chen, welcome, welcome! I've heard so much about you!" Academician Zhang warmly shook hands with Chen Mo, his smile amiable. "Old Lin and I were classmates in college. He raved about you. This old man of mine will take the liberty of calling you 'Little Chen.' Do you mind?"

Chen Mo replied humbly, "Academician Zhang, you're too kind. It's my honor to be addressed like that by you!"

Looking at the excessively young Chen Mo in front of him, Academician Zhang sighed and said, "Little Chen, you are too modest! Most of us are just making some repairs and additions based on the work of our predecessors."

Like you, you've directly opened up a new track and brought gaseous lithium to its current level. I've even heard that your third-generation technology has caught up with liquid lithium.
You are truly a pillar of the nation! You make us old men feel like we're falling behind the times!

Chen Mo repeatedly said he didn't deserve such praise, explaining that he was standing on the shoulders of giants.

Academician Zhang was in a good mood. Seeing that it was still early, he suggested taking Chen Mo and his group for a walk on campus to enjoy the spring scenery of Peking University.

The group strolled to the shore of Weiming Lake.

The lake shimmered and sparkled, and the stone boat on the island in the middle of the lake appeared ancient and tranquil under the spring sunshine.

However, this tranquility was soon broken.

A small group of students had gathered by the lake. In the center of the crowd, a middle-aged man with gold-rimmed glasses, suspicious stains on his jeans, and slightly curly hair was leaning against the white marble railing, giving a speech with spittle flying everywhere.

This person, Ai Xiaosong, who is currently quite active in China as a musician and public intellectual, came specifically to participate in the arts salon at Peking University.

"Students, did you know?" the short pine said in a drawn-out tone, with a deliberately convincing tone, "India is a very peaceful country!"

“Look, even in their slums, you rarely see police. What does this show? It shows that the local people have strong self-discipline, resulting in a low crime rate. This reflects a deep-rooted peace and kindness.”

He was speaking with great enthusiasm when a clear, slightly dismissive chuckle suddenly rang out.

"Hehe, cultural workers should at least have the corresponding cultural literacy. Even if their cultural reserves are limited, they should still have basic logic and common sense. Without police, there may be a lack of systematic crime statistics, but to think that things we can't see don't exist just because of that seems like 'burying our heads in the sand'?"

The sound was soft, yet like a fine needle, it quietly broke the atmosphere created by the dwarf pine.

Everyone looked over at the sound and saw a composed young man walking towards them, accompanied by an elderly professor, a secretary, and several entourage members.

The one who spoke just now was Chen Mo, who had a different opinion on the matter.

The students watching were taken aback at first, but then they realized that there were indeed obvious logical flaws in Ai Xiaosong's words. Many of them looked enlightened and took out their phones to record the scene.

Despite the limitations of mobile phone camera pixels, such exchanges of viewpoints seem worth preserving.

The short, slender Song, whose speech had been interrupted, showed a barely perceptible hint of anger on his face. However, when he saw Academician Zhang, whose identity was clearly extraordinary, and Zhao Tiezhu and others accompanying Chen Mo, his eyes flickered, and he immediately put on a tolerant expression, a smile spreading across his face.

"Oh dear, isn't this young man's language a bit too sharp? It's good for young people to have a sharp edge, but there's no need to use 'logic' as a weapon indiscriminately in arguments!"

He deliberately raised his voice and glanced at the students present: "What I'm emphasizing is the rare peaceful atmosphere in Indian society. The absence of police on constant alert precisely reflects the high level of self-management among the people. This harmony rooted in the culture is perhaps worth our consideration and learning from, isn't it?"

The short, slender man slightly protruded his belly, trying to project an air of earnestness, but the few stains on his jeans made the whole scene look somewhat out of place.

"Students, art emphasizes leaving blank spaces, and we should do the same when looking at the world. If we always focus on cold numbers like the crime rate, our vision will inevitably become narrow. We might as well take a look at the peaceful atmosphere in their streets and alleys, and their optimistic and content attitude towards life. There are actually many things we can learn from them."

Changing his tone, he turned his gaze back to Chen Mo, spreading his hands in an innocent manner: "But you, young man, are a bit extreme in judging me right off the bat with 'burying your head in the sand,' 'uncultured,' and 'lacking common sense.' Haven't I traveled to some places and seen different aspects of life?"

Before Ai Xiaosong could finish speaking, Chen Mo took a step forward, his voice suddenly rising and becoming exceptionally clear on the shore of Weiming Lake: "Self-discipline? Optimism and acceptance of fate? Perhaps some external factors have caused your perception of things to be distorted."

He looked at the short pine tree and said seriously, "Children in Indian slums face difficulties in accessing drinking water, and homeless people live in garbage dumps. These are objective problems. Does your so-called 'peacefulness' overlook these realities? And is your so-called 'contentment with one's fate' a misinterpretation of the plight of the underprivileged?"

"Those engaged in cultural and artistic work should adhere to their conscience and bottom line. The integrity of the older generation of cultural workers is something we should cherish and pass on."

"Does the absence of police equate to a low crime rate? According to this logic, does the whole world not need any force to maintain order? This obviously flawed view not only lacks an understanding of reality but also ignores basic common sense."

"You're talking about civilization and vision here?" Chen Mo's tone was tinged with coldness. "If you turn a blind eye to your own country's development achievements while unilaterally praising certain superficial aspects of other countries, then you probably can't be considered to have a true vision."

"I believe that true vision lies in distinguishing right from wrong, adhering to principles, and viewing the world with an objective and rational attitude, rather than deliberately beautifying certain phenomena or ignoring the problems behind them."

These words were sincere, yet carried an undeniable force, directly addressing the crux of the matter in Dwarf Pine's viewpoint.

He was scolded until his face turned from red to green and then to purple. His gold-rimmed glasses slipped down to the tip of his nose, and his last bit of pretense was completely torn away!
Ai Xiaosong ripped off his glasses and slammed them to the ground. Like an enraged mad dog, he lunged at Chen Mo, baring his teeth and claws: "AUV! You little brat! I'll tear your mouth apart!"

"boom!"

Zhao Tiezhu reacted with lightning speed, already standing in front of Chen Mo, and swung his arm in a wide arc to deliver a powerful "turtle punch," which landed squarely on Ai Xiaosong's face!

This kid is skinny, but he's always done heavy work, so he's definitely strong. He knows he's not tall and only has one chance, so he never holds back.

"what!"

With a piercing scream, Dwarf Pine flew backward like a tattered sack, clearing the low railing and landing with a "plop" precisely in the water at the edge of the island in the middle of the lake, splashing water high into the air!

He thrashed about in the icy lake water, his jeans soaked through, his carefully styled curly hair now drenched, clinging desperately to the edge of the stone boat, spitting out lake water and cursing loudly.

"You bastard! I'm going to sue you! Intentional assault! I have a green card! I'm a North American! I'll make sure you rot in jail!"

"Tell me?" Chen Mo walked to the water's edge and looked down at the short pine trees in the water.

The surrounding students, upon hearing about green cards and North Americans, were already indignant, their phones waving like a small forest.

"He started it! We filmed it all!" a bespectacled boy shouted, holding up his phone.

"Yes! That was self-defense! Serves him right!" A girl said angrily, her face turning red.

Chen Mo cupped his hands in thanks to those around him: "Thank you all for speaking up for me!"

He turned to look at the short pine tree in the water, spat, and said, "If you're so capable, climb up and sue me now! Dozens of cell phones have captured it clearly. You struck first. What we're doing is called eliminating a scourge for the people, and legally it's called self-defense!"

Chen Mo paused, his voice icy and chilling.

"The dog hole in North America is wide open for you. You can crawl through it on your knees if you want, no one will stop you. But once you've crawled through, tuck your tail between your legs and be a dog. Don't come back barking and howling!"

Academician Zhang watched this scene with no anger on his face, but rather with a hint of approving smile.

He stepped forward and announced loudly to the students who were watching: "Dear students! This is Mr. Chen Mo, the creator of 'Chen's Gaseous Lithium'! He is the pride of our nation in the field of materials science!"
Later in the auditorium, he will give a special report on gaseous lithium battery technology. Everyone is welcome to attend and discuss!

Wow! The father of gaseous lithium? So young?

"Damn! The hydrogen-based gaseous lithium that just made a breakthrough in North America is reported to have lower energy density and safety than our Chen's gaseous lithium!"

"Awesome! Let's go listen to that!"

The crowd erupted in excitement. The students looked at Chen Mo with surprise and admiration, and a few bold female students even squeezed in to ask Chen Mo if he had a girlfriend.

Academician Zhang had to once again exert his "teacher authority" to protect Chen Mo and the other two as they struggled to "break out" and head towards the auditorium.

Peking University Auditorium.

The auditorium, which can accommodate nearly a thousand people, was already seven or eight tenths full, mostly with students from the School of Materials Science and Engineering.

Meanwhile, on Peking University's BBS, the post about "angrily confronting the dwarf pine tree by Weiming Lake" was spreading at an astonishing speed, and students who heard the news kept pouring into the auditorium, wanting to catch a glimpse of this "unique" young scientist.

Zhou Yumeng handed the prepared USB drive to Chen Mo, which contained a PowerPoint presentation of a special report.

Chen Mo took it and whispered, "Xiao Meng, contact Manager Lin right away and ask about that short Song. See if he can handle it. Don't let him disgust you."

Zhao Tiezhu patted his chest reassuringly, "Don't worry, Brother Chen! If Manager Lin can't handle it, we still have Lei Jun, the local bigwig in Beijing!"

Chen Mo shook his head: "Try not to trouble President Lei. Chengzi and Xiaomai might be competing with each other in the future. It's hard to repay favors, and it will hold us back!"

Zhao Tiezhu nodded.

Afterwards, Chen Mo straightened his clothes and walked onto the stage amidst Academician Zhang's introduction and enthusiastic applause from the audience.

The special report was substantial and explained in a clear and concise manner the principles, technological breakthroughs, and industrialization process of Chen's gaseous lithium batteries.

The students at Peking University were highly qualified. During the Q&A session, most of the questions focused on technical details and future applications, creating a lively and professional atmosphere.

Of course, some lively students were also curious and gossipy: "Mr. Chen, you developed such amazing technology, how much money did you make? Have you achieved financial freedom?"

Chen Mo recalled a famous quote from a powerful figure in his past life and blurted it out without thinking.

"Battery manufacturing doesn't actually make much money. The profits all go into upgrading production lines and building new factories. My main business is making mobile phones. I make a little money from mobile phones, maybe five small goals a year!"

He originally intended to take advantage of the "small goal of 100 million" meme to promote Orange Phone.

As a result, the audience erupted in good-natured laughter and gasps of amazement.

Chen Mo's small goal has truly become a small goal!
The report concluded successfully amidst applause.

Chen Mo stepped off the stage, took the bottled water with ice from Zhou Yumeng, took a sip, and asked, "What did Manager Lin say?"

Zhou Yumeng smiled easily: "Manager Lin said that there's no need to worry even if the other party has a green card. On land where flowers are grown, the laws governing flowers must be followed."

“He attacked first, we have video evidence, it was self-defense. If he dares to cause trouble, we will fight him to the end.”

Chen Mo nodded, relieved: "That's good!"

As Chen Mo stepped out of the auditorium, the car sent by Lei Jun to pick him up was already waiting at the door.

Zhao Tiezhu stammered, "Brother Chen, I have some personal matters to attend to, so I won't be going to Boss Lei's place with you!"

Chen Mo knew perfectly well what was going on, but didn't point it out. She smiled and patted his shoulder, "Alright, you're free to do whatever you want now, Xiao Meng, let's go!"

Chen Mo and Zhou Yumeng left Peking University by car.

Meanwhile, blurry video clips and text descriptions of "Chen Mo angrily confronting a dwarf pine tree at Weiming Lake in Peking University" have begun to circulate online.

In his desperation, Dwarf Pine shouted, "I have a green card! I'm a North American!" which became the most powerful irony.

Chen Mo's resounding statement, "Cultural workers should at least be cultured," instantly went viral online, becoming a new meme to mock certain "public intellectuals," and its popularity soared.

As for Chen Mo's intention to use the popular meme "a small goal" to advertise Orange Phone? Sorry, it was completely overshadowed by the explosive news of "cultural workers have no culture" and "Green Card Guy falls into the water".

The Green Card Guy incident has prompted a group of people in the industry to prove their innocence, and everyone's attention has been stolen by these gold pots.

The reason why "a small goal" became a popular meme was because it was said by the "richest man in China"!

This is a case of misusing a meme!

Chen Mo! How could someone who is famous in the academic field of battery materials but has little public recognition possibly make this phrase popular!
To put it simply, Chen Mo caused Ai Xiaosong's career to collapse, prompting people in the industry to prove their innocence, which is the real big news, while the advertising effect of Orange Phone was basically zero!
Chen Mo was unaware that by "hunting" one traitor, he had attracted a group of traitors eager to pledge their loyalty to their North American masters, who were ready to jump out and bite him at any moment.

(End of this chapter)