Reborn in 2005, starting with repairing mobile phones

Chapter 167 continues the build-up: Back to school.

August 30th, Lin Dong's office.

Uncle Cai knocked on the door and came in with a smile on his face.

"Mr. Lin, the results have been quite good lately. Your strategy of using someone else's strength against them is being talked about all over the industry. In the past few days, several distributors have called to ask about our mobile phones and when they can get the goods."

He paused for a moment, then added, "There were also people asking if they could see the prototype in advance."

Lin Dong leaned back in his chair and nodded.

Less than half a month after Zhang Hongsheng's article was published, Nokia's sales increased, and Dongfang Technology's brand awareness also rose.

One side wants to suppress, the other wants to promote; each gets what they need.

It was an unexpected stroke of luck, but it was also an opportunity that Zhang Hongsheng himself handed over.

"Out of stock," Lin Dong said. "There's no stock before the press conference. If you want to see a demo unit, come to the press conference."

Uncle Cai nodded and wrote it down in his notebook.

He also mentioned a few other miscellaneous matters: Li Hu's system development was 85% complete, the flagship store setup was nearing completion, and Zhou Jing was in her third week of rotation, with everything proceeding smoothly.

Lin Dong listened without saying anything.

"President Lin, there's been no word from Zhang Hongsheng these past few days, and Lao Ma hasn't contacted us either." Uncle Cai closed his notebook. "However, people in the industry are still talking about it, saying that our press conference was held on Christmas Day, and that we deliberately chose that date."

Lin Dong's lips twitched slightly. "Let them say what they want. They can say whatever they want, as long as they come."

Uncle Cai smiled and turned to leave.

"Manager Wang," Lin Dong called out to him.

Uncle Cai turned around.

"Zhang Hongsheng's actions have provided us with free publicity. Distributors are asking because they've heard rumors about it in their circles. But simply letting distributors know isn't enough."

He turned to look at Uncle Cai, "I want everyone in Shenzhen to know."

Uncle Cai was stunned for a moment.

"We're about to launch a groundbreaking product," Lin Dong said. "The promotion can't stop. From now until the launch day, we'll keep building hype."

Uncle Cai took half a step forward. "Mr. Lin, what do you suggest we do?"

Lin Dong didn't rush to answer.

He stood up, walked to the window, and turned his back to Uncle Cai. "What's the best way to promote right now?"

Uncle Cai thought for a moment.

"Newspapers. Southern Metropolis Daily and Shenzhen Special Zone Daily have wide coverage and great influence. Science and technology magazines are also acceptable, but their publication cycles are too long."

"Anything else?"

"Outdoor advertising is great. Bus stops, subway stations, and outdoor screens in the Futian CBD area—high foot traffic, good results." Uncle Cai paused, "but it's expensive."

Lin Dong turned around and looked at him.

"Price isn't the issue. Effectiveness is."

Uncle Cai nodded and wrote it down in his notebook.

"And then there's Shenzhen University," Lin Dong said. "Tens of thousands of students are the best free channel for dissemination. I'll go back to the school and spread the word about the press conference. The students will be curious and will spread the word. One person tells ten, ten tell a hundred, it's more effective than playing games."

Uncle Cai was taken aback. "Mr. Lin, are you going in person?"

"Yeah," Lin Dong said. "School starts tomorrow, so I'll go back for a visit."

Uncle Cai thought for a moment and nodded. "Then I'll contact the newspaper and the outdoor advertising team. You can handle things at Shenzhen University."

1

Lin Dong nodded.

"I'll explain the specifics to you later. You can go and get back to work now."

Uncle Cai responded and turned to leave.

Lin Dong stood alone by the window, staring out the window for a while.

Tomorrow is September 1st.

It's been a year since last year.

That year, he went from a freshman in college who had just arrived in Shenzhen to the boss of a company. From one person, to a dozen people, to more than a hundred people. From an office building in Futian CBD to a flagship store of more than 2,000 square meters.

time flies.

He withdrew his gaze, left the office, and went to find Li Hu.

In the lab, Li Hu sat in front of the computer, the screen filled with code.

He's lost weight, his dark circles are more pronounced, and his hair has grown long; he hasn't had time to get a haircut.

But his eyes were bright, staring at the screen, his fingers clattering on the keyboard.

Chen Long sat next to him, flipping through a thick chip manual slowly, occasionally pausing to think.

Xu Zang sat in the corner with a laptop in front of him. The screen was full of logs, which he read very carefully, not missing a single line.

Lin Dong stood at the door for a while without saying a word.

In the past three months, Li Hu has increased the system's write rate from 30% to 85%.

Lin Dong didn't know how many nights he had stayed up.

But he knew that without Li Hu, he would still be carrying the system alone.

"Third brother," Lin Dong called out.

Li Hu turned his head, saw Lin Dong, and grinned.

"Fourth brother, you're here?"

"I've come to see you all." Lin Dong walked in and leaned against the table.

"School starts tomorrow, aren't you going back?"

Li Hu was stunned for a moment.

"School starts?"

"September 1st. You forgot?"

Li Hu scratched his head and glanced at the calendar.

August 30th.

"I'd really forgotten. I've been so busy coding these past few months that I've completely lost track of time."

"Let's go back."

Lin Dong said, "I'll stroll around campus and meet the new female students."

Li Hu's eyes lit up.

"A new female student?"

Chen Long, standing to the side, adjusted his glasses and his lips twitched slightly.

Xu Zang looked up from behind the screen, glanced at Lin Dong, and then looked down again.

"Now that you mention it, I do want to go back." Li Hu stretched and stood up from his chair. "It's been so long since I've been back to school, I don't even know if my bed in the dorm is still there."

"Yes," Lin Dong said. "Xu Zang has always lived in the dormitory and hasn't let anyone else move in."

Li Hu glanced at Xu Zang.

Xu Zang didn't look up, but the corners of his mouth curved slightly.

"Okay, then let's go back."

Li Hu said, "Relax a bit, stroll around campus, and meet the new female students." He paused, then added, "Fourth brother, we can't forget the food stalls; you have to arrange it."

Lin Dong ignored him.

The next day, September 1st, at the entrance of Shenzhen University.

Four people got out of the car.

The sunlight was bright, shining on the stone pillars at the school gate, making the words on them gleam.

Students came and went, some dragging suitcases, some carrying backpacks, some holding textbooks, and some riding bicycles past them.

Li Hu stood at the door and took a deep breath.

"It's been a long time since I've been back," he said. "School is so much better; even the air smells nice."

"The Four Heavenly Kings are back."

Li Hu opened his arms and shouted towards the school gate.

A freshman passing by glanced at him and quickly walked away.

Chen Long pressed his hand down.

Xu Zang stood at the very back, his hands in his pockets, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"Alright, stop embarrassing yourself," Lin Dong said.

"Everyone go about your own business, we'll meet at the school gate this afternoon."

Li Hu pulled Chen Long away.

"Let's go see the new female students." Chen Long was pulled along by him.

Xu Zang said he was going back to his dorm. Lin Dong walked alone into the campus.

Lin Dong walked on campus.

The road is still the same road, and the banyan trees on both sides are still the same banyan trees. A year has passed, and nothing has changed.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, falling on the ground and onto him.

He walked slowly, watching the students come and go.

Some people know him, some don't.

Some people nodded at him, while others glanced at him and then looked away.

He didn't know them, and they didn't know him.

He did spend time at this school, though not for long, and he was on leave most of the time.

He walked to the entrance of the teaching building and stopped.

Song Yao stood there, holding a stack of materials, talking to a freshman.

She was wearing a white shirt and her hair was tied in a low ponytail. She was a little thinner than last year, but she looked great.

Lin Dong stood to the side and waited for a while.

After speaking with the new students, Song Yao turned around and saw him, then paused in surprise. "Lin Dong?"

Lin Dong smiled and said, "Teacher Song."

Song Yao looked him up and down.

"You've lost weight. Have you been neglecting your meals again?"

Lin Dong's lips twitched slightly as he handed over the milk tea in his hand.

"I owe you milk tea."

Song Yao glanced at the milk tea, then at Lin Dong, and snorted.

"You're smart to take it." She took it, took a sip, and narrowed her eyes.

"It's alright, the taste is good."

"The most popular thing right now," Lin Dong said.

Song Yao looked at him.

"When is the press conference?" she asked.

Lin Dong looked at her. "How did you know?"

Song Yao glanced at him, took out a folded newspaper from her bag, and spread it out in front of him.

"I saw it in the newspaper. Oriental Technology's press conference on December 25th, flagship store in Futian CBD, a phone you've never seen before." She read the headline, looking up at Lin Dong, "GG even called my office door."

1

Lin Dong's lips twitched slightly.

"So when you said you came to chat with me, you actually came to send out invitations, right?" Song Yao folded the newspaper and stuffed it back into her bag.

"almost."

"Alright." Song Yao smiled. "Then go ahead, Jiao. I want to see what you've actually made."

Lin Dong said, "I won't let you down."

Song Yao smiled.

"Alright, go ahead and get busy. The students are waiting for me."

She waved and turned to leave. Her ponytail swayed in the sunlight.

Lin Dong stood there for a while, then turned and continued walking.

He walked to the library entrance and stopped.

Chen Lu came out from inside, carrying several books in her arms.

She was wearing a white T-shirt and jeans, and her hair was loose and not tied up.

She was taken aback when she saw Lin Dong.

The two stared at each other for a few seconds.

"Long time no see," Lin Dong said.

Chen Lu smiled, her eyes curving into two crescent moons.

"have not seen you for a long time."

She got a little tanned, and her hair grew a little longer.

But his eyes were still the same, bright and clear, as if they held a light within them.

"You've lost weight," she said.

"You've lost weight too," Lin Dong said.

The two stood at the library entrance, neither of them speaking.

People passed by them, and some even turned around to look.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, falling on the ground and onto him and her.

"I heard you started a company?" Chen Lu asked.

"Um.

""

"Making mobile phones?"

"Um."

"I heard it's very powerful?"

Lin Dongyi said, "It's alright."

Chen Lu smiled, her eyes crinkling into crescents.

"You're still the same as always, everything's fine."

Lin Dong didn't respond.

Chen Lu didn't mind. She leaned against the wall, holding her books, watching the students come and go.

"I'm going to pursue graduate studies," she said. "I want to continue my education."

Lin Dong looked at her. "It's fine."

"What about you? Now that your company has grown so big, are you still going to school?"

"7

Lin Dong paused for a moment.

study?

He has hardly attended any classes since last year. He hasn't taken any exams either. Principal Wang said there's no need to worry about his studies, and that Ju was attending Shenzhen University to fulfill his dream, so he can't truly integrate into campus life like a student.

"We'll see," he said.

Chen Lu nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

The two remained silent for a while.

"The press conference is on December 25th," Lin Dong said. "At the flagship store in Futian CBD. Are you coming?"

Chen Lu looked at him, paused for a second, then smiled. "Come on."

"Okay," Lin Dong said.

Chen Lu stood there, holding her book, looking at him.

She wanted to say something, but didn't know what to say. She wanted to ask him how he'd been these past few months, why he'd lost so much weight, and if he'd...

But in the end, he didn't say anything.

"Then I'm leaving," she said.

"it is good."

Chen Lu turned and left.

He took two steps, then turned back. "Lin Dong."

"Um?"

"Additional work."

Lin Dong looked at her and nodded.

Chen Lu smiled, turned around and left.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, falling on her. Her hair shone with a faint brown hue in the light, her ponytail swaying gently, and her skirt fluttered softly in the breeze.

Her silhouette flickered in the light and shadow, like a slow-motion scene in a movie. Lin Dong stood there, watching that silhouette, time seemed to stand still.

She walked to the corner of the intersection, stopped, and looked back.

Their eyes met, even though they were several dozen meters apart.

She smiled, waved, turned the corner, and disappeared.

Lin Dong walked down to the administration building and looked up.

He went up to the third floor.

The cabin was quiet, and sunlight streamed in through the windows, dappling the floor in squares.

The door to Principal Wang's office was ajar, and voices could be heard coming from inside. He knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Lin Dong pushed open the door and went in.

Principal Wang sat behind his desk, holding a thermos, reading a document.

Upon seeing Lin Dong, he put down the documents and smiled.

"Lin Dong? What a rare guest. Please have a seat."

Lin Dong sat down in the chair.

Principal Wang looked him up and down. "You've lost weight."

"no."

"You've lost weight," Principal Wang insisted. "You've lost a lot of weight since the last time I saw you. Are you busy at work?"

"good."

Principal Wang smiled.

"I've been to the store in Futian CBD."

Lin Dong was stunned for a moment.

I glanced at it as I passed by.

Principal Wang picked up his thermos, took a sip, and said slowly, "Glass curtain wall, two sides of flat, widening at the intersection."

"When the lights come on at night, the whole building looks like it's under a single lamp. Your shop is more impressive than any mobile phone store I've ever seen in Shenzhen."

Lin Dong didn't say anything.

"But you, as a person, are even more of a surprise to me than your shop."

Shenzhen University has produced many outstanding students over the years.

There are people in the internet industry, people in real estate, and people in investment. But you're the first to make mobile phones.

He turned around and looked at Lin Dong, "Ju, the phones you make are different from others. Others make knock-offs, you make touchscreen phones. Others use distribution channels, you operate your own. Others use OEM brands, you start from scratch. The path you're taking is one that no one has ever walked before."

"When is the press conference?" Principal Wang asked.

"December 25th, Futian CBD flagship store."

Principal Wang nodded.

"I will go." He paused, "not because you are a student at Shenzhen University, but because I want to see what you have actually accomplished."

Lin Dong was silent for a second.

"I won't let you down."

Principal Wang smiled.

"I'll remember what you said."

He patted Lin Dong on the shoulder, "Alright, you came all this way to see me, what's up?"