Reborn in 2005, starting with repairing mobile phones

Chapter 168 The Old Fox Principal Wang, and the Helpless Lin Dong

Lin Dong looked at him, hesitated for a moment, and leaned forward slightly. "Principal Wang, I'd like to ask you for a favor."

Principal Wang leaned back in his chair, holding a thermos, and remained silent, waiting for him to continue.

"I want more people to know about the press conference on December 25th." Lin Dong sat up straight, his tone becoming serious. "Could Shenzhen University help promote it?"

Principal Wang raised an eyebrow, and the corners of his mouth slowly curved into a smile. "Publicity?"

"Hmm." Lin Dong nodded, speaking a little faster. "Shenzhen University has tens of thousands of students, making it the best channel for spreading the word. Once the students know, they'll tell their families, and their families will tell their colleagues and friends. One person tells ten, ten tell a hundred—it's more effective than just saying 'GG'."

Principal Wang put down his thermos, placed his hands folded on the table, and looked at him with a smile. "You've got a pretty good plan."

Lin Dong chuckled twice, scratched his head, and didn't reply.

"Okay," Principal Wang said. "I'll help you with this. Students at Shenzhen University should know what their juniors, classmates, and seniors are doing outside of school."

Lin Dong breathed a sigh of relief. At least they agreed.

"What kind of publicity method do you want?" Principal Wang asked.

Lin Dong thought for a moment.

"I can print a batch of invitation letters and send them to the students—"

"Too slow," Principal Wang interrupted him, waving his hand. "Your method won't work."

Lin Dong looked at Principal Wang. He hadn't finished speaking, so why was it stopping?

Principal Wang picked up his thermos, took a sip, and said slowly, "Since you've asked me for help, then do it my way."

Lin Dong was taken aback. "What do you mean?"

Principal Wang put down his thermos, leaned back in his chair, and looked at him with a smile.

"Today is the first day of school, and tomorrow is the opening ceremony. You can go on stage and say a few words."

Lin Dong was stunned; so that's what they were waiting for.

"Principal Wang, this—"

"What? You don't want to?" Principal Wang raised an eyebrow.

"It's not that I'm unwilling," Lin Dong scratched his head. "I don't really have anything to say. I'm not some successful person, and the company has only been open for a year—"

"You still have nothing to say? You're not a successful person? Then all successful people might as well commit suicide."

Principal Wang interrupted him, raising his voice by half an octave, "Shenzhen University has been established for so many years, how many students start companies in their freshman year?"

How many students can win a PhD at Stanford?

How many students can sit on the same stage and chat with Steve Jobs?

How many students can afford a shop of more than 2,000 square meters in Futian CBD?

"You still don't have anything to say?"

Lin Dong opened his mouth, but no words came out. He did indeed seem quite impressive.

Principal Wang smiled at his expression. "Didn't you say you'd do whatever I said?"

Lin Dong then realized what was happening.

Principal Wang just asked him, "What kind of publicity method do you want?" He said, "I'll do whatever Principal Wang says."

This is a trap.

Principal Wang had already dug the hole, waiting for him to jump in.

"Principal Wang, what's wrong with you—" Lin Dong said with a pained expression.

"You said it yourself, so listen to me." Principal Wang picked up his thermos, took a slow sip, his eyes narrowed into slits, and his smile carried a hint of smugness, like an old fox who had stolen a chicken.

Lin Dong scratched his head.

Why is it that as soon as I get back to school, I have to give a speech on stage?

He declined when asked to be a representative of the new students at last year's opening ceremony.

He was asked to say a few words at this year's opening ceremony; he couldn't avoid it.

Is this a curse on the school?

"Principal Wang, I'll think about it—" Lin Dong wanted to try again.

"What's there to consider?"

Principal Wang put down his thermos, his voice low but leaving no room for negotiation, "It's settled then. You'll be on stage at the opening ceremony tomorrow. You can promote it however you want, say whatever you want."

Thousands of freshmen are sitting in the audience; one sentence from you is worth more than ten thousand invitations you send out.

Lin Dong looked at him, lost in thought.

Principal Wang is right.

There's no better occasion for publicity than the opening ceremony.

Several thousand new students, plus returning students, teachers, and school leaders.

When he said on stage, "On December 25th, the Oriental Technology press conference will be held. Everyone is welcome to attend," thousands of people in the audience remembered it.

These thousands of people went back and told their roommates, classmates, and family members.

The news spread.

This is an exposure that no amount of money can buy.

"Okay," Lin Dong said. "I'll go."

Principal Wang laughed, his eyes narrowing into slits.

"That's more like it."

Lin Dong stood up. "Then, Principal Wang, I'll be going now."

"Wait a minute," Principal Wang called out to him.

Lin Dong turned around.

Principal Wang looked at him, his smile fading slightly, and he became more serious.

"Lin Dong, do you know why I let you go on stage?"

Lin Dong thought for a moment.

"Publicity press conference".

"It's not just that." Principal Wang shook his head. "The press conference was just a side event. I invited you on stage because the students of Shenzhen University need to know that someone like you exists."

Lin Dong looked at him.

"They attend classes, finish classes, take exams, and earn credits every day."

Unbeknownst to them, somewhere in the school, someone was doing something completely different from what they were doing.

They need to understand that Shenzhen University is more than just a place to get a diploma.

Principal Wang paused for a moment, then said, "By standing on this stage, you're showing them that they can do it too."

Lin Dong remained silent for a while. Principal Wang's words were not just polite talk; he genuinely cared about him.

Not every student can earn the president's words, "Students of Shenzhen University need to know people like you." He had no merit whatsoever; he had simply done what he was supposed to do. But since President Wang was willing to give him this opportunity, he had to accept it.

"Thank you, Principal Wang."

Principal Wang waved his hand. "Alright, go ahead and get busy. Don't be late tomorrow."

Lin Dong nodded and turned to walk towards the door.

As they reached the door, Principal Wang spoke again.

"Lin Dong".

Lin Dong turned around.

Principal Wang held a thermos cup, smiling broadly.

Dress smartly tomorrow.

Lin Dong's lips twitched slightly. "Understood."

He pushed open the door and went out.

He took out his phone and sent a text message to Uncle Cai: "I'm going back to school tomorrow to give a speech and promote the press conference. Keep pushing forward with the newspaper and outdoor advertising."

Uncle Cai replied instantly: "Okay."

Lin Dong put his phone in his pocket and walked towards the school gate.

Li Hu and the others should be arriving soon. He walked slowly, his mind still preoccupied with what Principal Wang had just said.

"Students at Shenzhen University need to know that people like you exist."

He never imagined he would become a role model for others.

He has been working diligently since last year.

Repairing mobile phones, negotiating business, writing code, building teams, and opening stores.

He didn't know if he was successful, or if he could be a role model for others.

But he knew that when he stood on the stage tomorrow, he would have to say something.

It shouldn't be too bureaucratic, too sentimental, or too much like a self-help book.

Just tell the truth.

He said he started by repairing mobile phones in Huaqiangbei, that he started with 1,500 yuan, and talked about how he got there.

They talked about the press conference, about Oriental Technology, and about making mobile phones.

The truth is the most touching.

He didn't want to preach; he just wanted to share his experiences. If someone listened and thought, "If he can do it, so can I," that would be enough. If someone listened and thought, "This senior is pretty capable; his phone must be pretty good too," that would be even better.

He walked to the school gate, where Li Hu and the others had already arrived.

Li Hu stood at the door, holding an ice cream cone in his hand, licking it.

Chen Long stood next to him, holding a bottle of water.

Xu Zang leaned against the wall, his hands in his pockets, his eyes closed.

"Fourth brother, why are you so late?" Li Hu mumbled. "We've been waiting for ages."

"Something came up," Lin Dong said.

"What is it?" Li Hu asked.

Lin Dong looked at him and hesitated for a moment.

"I will be giving a speech at the opening ceremony tomorrow."

Li Hu nearly dropped the ice cream in his hand. "What?"

"Go on stage and give a speech," Lin Dong repeated.

Li Hu's mouth dropped open. "Fourth brother, don't you hate these kinds of occasions the most? You even refused to be the freshman representative last year."

7

Lin Dong glanced at him.

Last year is last year.

Last year, he didn't want anyone to know anything; he just wanted to quietly study at university. Now it's different. The phone is finished, the launch event is about to be held, and the promotion can't stop.

Principal Wang gave him such a great opportunity, with thousands of people sitting in the audience. If he were to hide, he would be making things difficult for himself.

"Things are different now," he said.

Li Hu looked at him, paused for two seconds, and then laughed. "Well done, Fourth Brother, you're a big shot now."

Chen Long pushed up his glasses, didn't speak, but the corners of his mouth curved slightly. Xu Zang opened his eyes, glanced at Lin Dong, and then closed them again.

"Let's go eat," Lin Dong said. "It's on me."

"A street food stall?" Li Hu's eyes lit up.

"Street food stall".

The four of them walked out of the school. The sunlight fell on them, casting long shadows.

Li Hu walked in front, taking long strides, glancing back at Chen Long as he went. "Did you see those new female students just now? They're really pretty."

Chen Long adjusted his glasses. "Are you going to welcome the new students or to see the female freshmen?"

"It's all the same," Li Hu said matter-of-factly. "Isn't welcoming new students just about seeing the female freshmen?"

The food stall owner recognized them and greeted them with a smile as the four entered. "Your usual spot?"

"The usual spot," Li Hu said eagerly.

The four people sat down, and Li Hu took the menu and started ordering.

He ordered a long skewer of grilled skewers, chicken gizzards, eggplant, chives, enoki mushrooms, and sliced ​​steamed buns, along with several bottles of beer. Chen Long said, "Less spicy," and Li Hu said, "Okay," then turned to the owner and said, "More spicy."

Chen Long glanced at him, knowing he couldn't do anything about the kid.

The dishes were served piping hot.

Li Hu was the first to pick up his chopsticks, stuffing a skewer of mutton into his mouth and squinting his eyes.

"It's delicious," he mumbled.

Chen Long poured him a glass of water.

"Eat slowly, no one's going to take it from you."

Li Hu swallowed, took a big gulp of water, and wiped his mouth.

"Fourth brother, what are you going to say on stage, Hai Tian?"

Lin Dong picked up a skewer of grilled eggplant and took a couple of bites.

"I don't know yet."

"You didn't know?" Li Hu's eyes widened. "Hai Tian went on stage, and you still didn't know?"

"We'll see when the time comes," Lin Dong said.

Li Hu shook his head.

"You have a big heart."

Chen Long adjusted his glasses. "When hasn't he been like this?"

Everyone laughed.

Li Hu took another swig of beer, leaned back in his chair, and stared at the ceiling.

"Don't you guys think the four of us are pretty awesome?"

Chen Long glanced at him. "Which aspect are you referring to?"

"Awesome in every way."

Li Hu said, "Lao Si started a company to make mobile phones, I wrote the system, Chen Long worked on chips, Xu Zang..." He glanced at Xu Zang, "We're freshmen, no, Hai Tian is a sophomore. We're sophomores, and we've already done so much."

Lin Dong glanced at them.

"It's still early."

"Still early?" Li Hu sat up straight. "Fourth brother, you're asking too much. We're only sophomores, what more do you want?"

""

Lin Dong picked up his wine glass, took a sip, and put it down.

"Let's talk about it when the phones sell out."

Li Hu paused for a moment, then laughed.

"Alright, let's talk about it after the phones sell out." He picked up his glass. "Come on, let's toast Lao Si."

The four of them bumped into each other.

By the time we finished eating, it was already dark.

The four of them walked back to their dormitory, and the streetlights cast long shadows on them.

Li Hu walked at the front, his pace slower than usual. Chen Long walked beside him, occasionally adjusting his glasses. Xu Cang brought up the rear, his hands in his pockets.

Lin Dong walked in the middle, looking at the three of them.

"Good man hasn't come back," Li Hu said.

"Mm," Chen Long replied.

"Is the bed in the dormitory still there?" Li Hu asked.

"Yes," Xu Zang said.

Li Hu smiled.

"That's good."

The four of them went upstairs and opened the door to talk. Room 501 was still the same as before.

Four beds, four tables, and a class schedule from last year still on the wall, its corners curled up.

Li Hu walked to his bedside, touched the bed board, and found it covered in dust.

"It needs to be wiped clean," he said.

Chen Long had already taken out the rag.

The three of them made their own beds, and no one spoke.

Lin Dong wiped his bed clean, laid out a mat, and lay down.

"Fourth brother." Li Hu's voice came from the other side.

"Um.

""

"Do you think we can still be like this in the future?"

Lin Dong didn't rush to answer.

He knew what Li Hu was asking. In the future, when the company grows bigger and things get busier, would they still be able to lie in a dormitory room like this, chatting about anything and everything? He didn't know. Maybe they would, maybe they wouldn't.

"We'll see," he said.

Li Hu didn't ask any more questions.

The dormitory fell silent.

The moonlight shone in through the window and fell on the four people.

"Fourth brother, you're still awake?" Li Hu's voice drifted over again.

"no."

"nervous?"

"no."

You're lying.

Lin Dong didn't say anything unpleasant.

Li Hu also fell silent.

The next morning, Lin Dong was woken up by his alarm clock. He sat up and rubbed his eyes. Li Hu was still asleep, snoring loudly.

Chen Long was already up, sitting on the edge of the bed putting on his shoes. Xu Zang leaned against the headboard, his eyes half-closed, it was unclear whether he was awake or not.

Lin Dong picked up his phone and dialed Zheng Hao's number.

"Ah Hao, could you bring me a suit? Shenzhen University, Dorm 501."

Zheng Hao didn't ask why, he just said "okay".

Less than an hour later, Zheng Hao knocked on the door of the dormitory.

Lin Dong opened the door, and Zheng Hao stood in the doorway, carrying a suit bag in his hand and a bag slung over his shoulder.

"Brother Dong, a suit. And shoes."

Lin Dongchou walked over. "Thanks."

Zheng Hao nodded, turned around and left.

Lin Dong placed the suit bag on the bed and unzipped it.

He was wearing a dark gray suit, no tie, and a white shirt.

He hung up his suit, shook it, put on his shirt, buttoned it up, put on his suit jacket, and looked at himself in the mirror.

Okay.

He put on his leather shoes, walked a few steps around the dormitory, and looked at himself in the mirror.

Li Hu woke up at some point, lying on the bed, looking at him.

"Fourth brother, what's wrong with your outfit?"

Chen Long pushed up his glasses.

"Principal Wang told you to dress more smartly, but you're dressed way too smartly."

Lin Dong ignored them.

He smoothed his hair and took a deep breath. "Let's go."

The four people walked out of the dormitory building.

The sun was shining brightly, illuminating the campus and their bodies.

The playground was packed with people.

Several thousand freshmen, dressed in camouflage uniforms, sat neatly on the playground.

School leaders sat on the stage, with Principal Wang in the center, a microphone in front of him.

Professor Li sat next to him, and Vice Dean Zhang was also there.

Several people were talking in hushed tones.

Lin Dong stood to the side of the podium, waiting.

His suit was a little tight, so he tugged at the collar.

My palms were a little sweaty, so I wiped them on my pants.

I'm not nervous.

It's just a bit hot.

Principal Wang glanced at Lin Dong on the side of the podium, his lips twitched slightly, and he picked up the microphone.

Good morning, students and teachers.

The audience fell silent.

Principal Wang spoke for a while, then paused and glanced to the side of the podium.

"Today, we have a special guest. He is a student of Shenzhen University and the founder of Oriental Science Club. He bought a flagship store of more than 2,000 square meters in Futian CBD, won a PhD in Stanford, and shared the stage with Steve Jobs."

He paused for a moment, then said, "He is your senior, Lin Dong."

A murmur arose from the audience.

"Next, please welcome Lin Dong to the stage to speak."