King of Technology: A Fresh Start in 1983

At this moment, Gao Jianmin finally realized what the difference between people really meant!

Moreover, this gap made him feel inferior and even ashamed.

Zhan Yiling, who was standing to the side, had already seen through Gao Jianmin's inner thoughts.

That's the kind of power and intimidation she wanted, so that Gao Jianmin wouldn't dare to be too presumptuous in front of her.

She let out a breath almost imperceptibly, and immediately felt completely safe.

Gao Jianmin then took a closer look at Zhan Yiling's business card and asked hesitantly, "You...you want to see me about something?"

Zhan Yiling put the large wallet back into her bag and smiled, "Let's order first. I want braised eggplant and a bowl of rice."

"You really know how to save me money."

Gao Jianmin gave a wry smile, ordered another Kung Pao Chicken, and then asked, "You called me because you need something, right?"

"Of course, otherwise how could I bother someone as busy as you?"

"Look at what you're saying, there's no need to be so polite between us old classmates."

Zhan Yiling continued, "Then I'll be blunt and say it directly!"

"Here's the thing, IBM is preparing to set up a research institute in Shenzhen and will be conducting campus recruitment at several key universities."

"When I heard this news, I immediately had a selfish thought: I wanted to fight for more job opportunities for our juniors at our alma mater."

"Oh, that's great!" Gao Jianmin immediately perked up.

Zhan Yiling continued, "I discussed it with the company's human resources manager, and we plan to start by recruiting applicants from our school."

"If both quantity and quality meet the requirements, then there's no need to bother with other schools, right?"

Gao Jianmin nodded.

Zhan Yiling continued, "Those who want to register must first submit their ID cards, and then I will make a roster."

"The key is quantity. As long as the number of applicants is sufficient, companies will focus on conducting written tests and interviews at our school."

"I asked, and there are no restrictions on majors! Bachelor's, Master's, PhD, or young teachers are all welcome, even those who have just finished their first year of university are fine."

"Furthermore, since the research institute will be located in Shenzhen, those whose original household registration is in Shenzhen will be given priority consideration."

"To save the special economic zone residency quota that the company worked so hard to obtain, it would be best to get more students from Shenzhen to sign up."

"This way, the quota for settling down can be reserved for more students with household registration outside the area."

Gao Jianmin was in a dilemma: "The problem is... it's already the holidays, and there aren't many people at school."

Zhan Yiling continued, "That's why I thought of you!"

"With your extensive network, strong appeal, and organizational skills, none of this is a problem for you."

Gao Jianmin pondered for a moment, then hesitated before saying, "Some canteens will be open during the holidays; we can post notices at the entrance..."

"The bathrooms also need to be marked. Students scattered across different departments and dormitories need to eat and shower..."

"Spreading the word widely is certainly an effective approach..."

"No notices can be posted!"

Upon hearing Zhan Yiling's words, Gao Jianmin looked puzzled.

Zhan Yiling quickly explained, "The company first recruited applicants from our school privately..."

"If we make a big fuss about it, people from other schools who come to visit classmates or friends will find out and it will spread immediately."

"In that case, other schools will definitely say that IBM is not treating everyone equally, which will put us in a passive position."

"So, we have no choice but to do it quietly and discreetly. Otherwise, it would be better for our company to directly approach the school's career guidance center."

Gao Jianmin lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then asked, "How many people do we need to recruit?"

"That depends on the luck of the younger students."

Zhan Yiling laughed and said, "Five hundred people is not too many, and one hundred people is not too few."

"Of course, the more the better. We should strive to have our alumni fully control the future IBM Pengcheng Design Institute, don't you think?"

Gao Jianmin asked, "When is the registration deadline?"

"Three days? Is that enough time? My company only gave me that much time, and then I have to go on a lecture tour to other schools."

"Okay, I'll figure something out. I'll let you know in three days."

After speaking solemnly, Gao Jianmin pondered for a moment before changing the subject, "How is He Fan?"

"Still the same."

"Still floating?"

"Yes." Zhan Yiling had just finished speaking when all the food was served. She immediately started eating, not wanting to continue the topic.

Just because Zhan Yiling doesn't want to talk about it doesn't mean Gao Jianmin won't.

He had barely taken a couple of bites of rice when he picked up where he left off, continuing the previous topic with a hint of resentment:

"I said it before: the difference between me and He Fan is that one is reliable and the other is not. You are still too young."

Because she needed his help, Zhan Yiling couldn't be too overbearing.

He chuckled immediately: "Hey, classmate, we seem to be about the same age..."

"I'm referring to your mental age. You're too naive and immature."

Gao Jianmin pointed with his chopsticks, "Of course, there's another factor, which is that you Beijingers secretly reject us outsiders, am I right?"

"Teacher Gao, what are you saying? I have never been prejudiced against people from other places."

"Besides, you spend far more time in the capital than I do these days."

"I spend at least two-thirds of the year traveling for work. Compared to you, I'm the one who's an outsider."

"Two-thirds? You'll have to travel all over the country, won't you?"

Gao Jianmin looked surprised. "Hey, working for a foreign company may seem glamorous on the surface, but it's actually quite tough."

Zhan Yiling tilted her head: "It's not just in China, people are getting old abroad too..."

"Sometimes I haven't even adjusted to the time difference yet, and I have to fly to the next city. I'm practically a frequent flyer. It's exhausting."

Gao Jianmin's eyes dimmed considerably, and he said wistfully:

"Actually, when I graduated from university, I could have worked hard to go abroad, but I chose to stay at the university because I wanted to stay in Beijing with you."

"Teacher Gao, let's not dwell on the past. We should always look forward, don't you think?"

Zhan Yiling said with a smile, "There will be more and more opportunities to go abroad in the future. Maybe in two years, you'll go abroad as a visiting scholar, which will be much more prestigious than being a foreign company employee like me!"

...

In this world, once the power of emotion is combined with self-motivation and strong execution, it is estimated that there is nothing that cannot be accomplished.

Gao Jianmin certainly lived up to the trust placed in him.

On the third night, he called Zhan Yiling and said that he had almost collected all the ID cards.

Zhan Yiling jumped and danced with joy in the house, and quickly arranged to meet at the same small restaurant the next day at noon.

When Zhan Yiling arrived at the agreed location, she instructed the taxi to wait at the door with the meter on, and then went into the small restaurant.

Gao Jianmin was already sitting at the dining table near the door, waiting with a rather large box in front of him.

When Zhan Yiling got closer, she saw that it was a shoebox.

She opened the shoebox and was immediately stunned!

Good heavens, a whole box full of ID cards!