King of Technology: A Fresh Start in 1983

Two months later, one morning, Zhang Wei returned to Beijing from a business trip to Tangcheng. As soon as he entered the company, he received a page from Lin Yidan.

Zhang Wei called back and asked, "What's up?"

Unexpectedly, Lin Yidan immediately asked, "Hey, what do you usually do when you're with your girlfriend?"

At this moment, Zhang Wei was troubled by the problems encountered in the Qinshui Provincial Transportation Design Institute project...

He answered absentmindedly, "Usually, I accompany her to self-study classes."

"Wow! You have a girlfriend?! I never knew..."

"I didn't expect you to be so easily fooled; you confessed the truth as soon as you were asked."

After exclaiming in surprise, Lin Yidan looked somewhat dejected and muttered, "Is your girlfriend a junior from elementary school? You're so old, and you're still accompanying her to self-study class..."

"What? She was my classmate! I was talking about when we were in school, not now."

"Oh, and now?"

"Now? Do nothing. She's studying in the UK, and we haven't been in touch for over a year."

"Neither writing letters nor making phone calls?"

Zhang Wei gave a sullen "hmm".

"oh…"

Lin Yidan seemed to understand something, and her emotions immediately surged again.

Then she asked, "So, what did you do when you were together, during those unusual times?"

"Unusual times? Mainly when watching movies."

"Okay, then you'll come watch a movie with me."

"Oh, by the way, 'The Story of Qiu Ju' just premiered recently, would you like to see it? Gong Li is in it..."

"Gong Li? The Jiu'er from 'Red Sorghum'?"

"Oh ho! It seems you have a deep impression of Jiu'er, you still remember her after all these years..."

Before Zhang Wei could answer, she continued, "Are you going on any more business trips recently?"

"I just got back last night, I hope I won't be going on another business trip soon."

"Okay, I'll try to get some movie tickets right away. I might not be able to, though. This movie is super popular, everyone's coming for Gong Li... I'll let you know as soon as I get the tickets."

"Okay, I'll wait for your call."

"If you can't get it... hey, what did you and your ex-girlfriend do besides watching movies?"

Lin Yidan thought for a moment, then continued, "For example, in a room..."

"Are you ever going to stop?"

Zhang Wei wasn't in the mood to chat with Lin Yidan any longer, so he hung up the phone.

During this period, the work at Tiangong Pengcheng factory has basically gotten back on track.

Lin Wei, Wang Liping, and Zhao Lin are mainly in charge of keeping an eye on things on a daily basis.

Chen Jianghe and Zhao Xiaobo spend half of each month in Beijing.

At 10:00 a.m., Zhao Xiaobo invited Zhang Wei and several other key sales personnel to Chen Jianghe's office for a meeting.

The room was too small, so Zhang Wei pulled up a chair and sat by the door.

Chen Jianghe said to everyone, "It's the beginning of the month again, so let's have our monthly sales meeting. Everyone will take turns to introduce the situation of their respective responsibilities."

...

When it was Zhang Wei's turn, in addition to managing the three major regions of Northeast, North China and Northwest, he was in charge of almost all the miscellaneous affairs of Tiangong Jingcheng Company.

However, of the three major regions he was in charge of, only North China and Northeast China performed relatively well, while the performance in Northwest China remained stagnant.

When reporting on the situation in each region, Zhang Wei gave a brief introduction to the Qinjiang Provincial Transportation Design Institute, though he lacked confidence.

Chen Jianghe said with a smile, "You can learn from Xiaobo's experience in developing industry clients in Guangzhou back then..."

Zhao Xiaobo also encouraged him from the side: "Don't be discouraged, Xiao Zhang. We've already conquered the Northeast, so I believe we'll be able to open up the Northwest soon."

Hearing this, Zhang Wei felt even more pressured.

Finally, Chen Jianghe briefly summarized everyone's reports and then informed everyone of several important matters at the company level.

He continued, "There's an important task that Zhou, Teacher Li, and I have been working on. We've made some progress, and I wanted to give you a brief update."

"But do not spread it outside, nor discuss it in private."

"As everyone has heard, since Deng Xiaoping's Southern Tour speech, Tiangong has been preparing for its IPO..."

"Before the listing, our company's nature and shareholding structure will be adjusted, which means restructuring."

"Therefore, the plan is to distribute Tiangong's shares to the company's founders, management, and all key employees."

"Initially, we will not allocate shares to individuals, but instead establish an employee stock ownership committee to represent each of us in holding shares."

"This makes it more like collective ownership than private ownership, so as not to be too ostentatious and attract the envy of outsiders."

"If this restructuring is successful, Tiangong will have a clear and standardized equity structure that conforms to the modern corporate system."

"To create favorable conditions for the next stage of financing, listing, and capital operations..."

Just then, a loud "bang" came from the doorway, startling Chen Jianghe and the others.

It turned out to be Zhang Wei.

He suddenly stood up, his chair bumping into the door.

Chen Jianghe looked at Zhang Wei: "Xiao Zhang, don't get agitated!"

Whether out of embarrassment or overwhelming excitement, Zhang Wei's face was flushed: "President Chen, President Zhao, I need to go to Tangcheng right now!"

Zhao Xiaobo looked surprised: "Didn't you just come back from Tangcheng last night? You're leaving again after only half a day? Isn't that just making a fuss?"

"Don't worry, Mr. Zhao, I didn't mess around. I suddenly came up with a plan. I'll know what to do when I go to Tangcheng this time."

Although Chen Jianghe looked puzzled, he still said, "Alright, I'm almost done talking. Go do your thing."

"Okay! I'll go book the tickets first, and I'll tell you my thoughts later."

Just as Zhang Wei was about to leave, he suddenly turned back and said, "I'm not taking the train this time; I'm flying. Don't worry, the money for the plane ticket definitely won't be wasted!"

...

When Zhang Wei received Lin Yidan's pager, he was already sitting in the waiting hall of the Capital Airport. He found a public phone and dialed the number.

Lin Yidan said happily on the other end of the phone, "I got the movie tickets! How about that? Aren't I incredibly resourceful?"

"Tonight at the CPPCC Auditorium. 6:30 PM. Don't be late!"

Hearing Lin Yidan say this, Zhang Wei suddenly remembered his appointment with her this morning…

She could only say apologetically, "I'm so sorry, I forgot to tell you when I came out."

"I have urgent business to attend to in Tangcheng right now. I'm already in the waiting area and about to board the plane."

There was no response on the other end of the phone, and Zhang Wei felt a little panicked.

Amidst anxious anticipation, Lin Yidan finally roared indignantly, "What kind of robot are you?! How can you go back on your word?!"

"I'm not a robot, you know. It was a last-minute decision; I really didn't mean to stand you up."

"You did it on purpose! You're a heartless, big liar!"

"Don't think you're indispensable!"

Lin Yidan said fiercely, "Hmph, I don't believe there isn't a man willing to go to the movies with me!"

Zhang Wei didn't say a word.

As he walked back to the waiting room, the sound of Lin Yidan slamming down the phone was still ringing in his ears.