Reborn in 08, Public Enemy of Competitors

"No way!"

"You can build the platform you just mentioned for 1000 yuan?"

Lu Wenbin, Yuan Hua, and Qin Feng looked at each other, and could see the suspicion in each other's eyes.

"Why not?"

"A .com domain name costs around fifty or sixty yuan per year."

Shen Mo counted on his fingers and did some calculations.

"CN domains are even cheaper. I just checked, and this year is an Olympic year. To promote CNNIC (China Internet Network Information Center) nationwide, they launched the 'National Domain Name Soaring Plan,' which only costs 1 yuan to register a domain name."

"As for servers, you can just rent virtual hosting from Wanwang, West Digital, or other IDC resellers."

As we were talking, we logged onto West Digital's official website.

They immediately found a server rental and hosting service based on the "Yunan Netcom Data Center".

Business-grade, 500MB of storage space, supports PHP+MySQL, annual fee 299 yuan.

"These two items combined amount to a maximum of 359."

Yuan Hua stared intently at the screen.

Who will you hire to build your website?

"Can 600 yuan get me to hire a senior student?"

Qin Feng scratched his head.

In 08, the core curriculum for computer science majors was still "hardcore" foundational courses such as C/C++, data structures, operating systems, and computer organization. PHP, a more application-oriented dynamic web page technology, was rarely included in the compulsory syllabus.

"Why do we need to find someone?"

Is PHP + MySQL something really difficult?

Shen Mo curled his lip: "You can do that with your hands!"

Lu Wenbin said, "Wait, Brother Mo, are we taking the same class with the same teacher? I don't remember us learning PHP?"

"Just because it's not taught in school doesn't mean it's hard to learn. You can learn it on your own, understand?"

Shen Mo rolled his eyes. PHP is widely recognized as one of the easiest server-side scripting languages ​​to learn.

Let alone a full-stack engineer like him, there is no barrier to entry for even a student who has been exposed to basic programming.

"Holy crap, Mo-ge, that's so unfair! You were secretly studying behind our backs!"

Lu Wenbin's words immediately resonated with Yuan Hua and Qin Feng.

If you disturb my sleep in the dorm, I won't argue with you.

But if you secretly memorize things and work hard in secret, I will eliminate you in the name of justice!

"Stop talking nonsense. Even if you don't know PHP, there are plenty of freelance crowdsourcing system source codes available online."

"After downloading and modifying it, functions such as user registration and login, and task posting and display can basically be implemented."

"And just like that, a simple platform for boosting online reputation is created!"

Shen Mo waved his hand, "Spend money? With that spare money, you'd be better off going to the foot massage parlor a few more times!"

"Oh my god!"

Yuan Hua excitedly grabbed Shen Mo, "Not only did you secretly work hard without telling us, you even went to a foot massage parlor without our knowledge?"

Shen Mo dismissively replied, "It's just an inevitable stage for men."

Qin Feng said, "That's not right! You spent all your money on World of Warcraft and Liu Xin, how come you still have money to get a foot massage?"

Lu Wenbin stared expectantly, "Don't interrupt, Brother Mo, remember to take me with you next time you go!"

Qin Feng clasped his hands in a fist salute, "Me too!"

Yuan Hua rubbed his knees. "Since you're all going, it would be too much of a freak if I didn't go. Count me in!"

Shen Mo said, "Alright, once the platform goes live and makes money, I'll treat you guys to a barbecue, karaoke, and a foot massage—it'll be all done."

"Brother Mo!"

The three of them exclaimed excitedly in unison.

"Virtue!"

Shen Mo laughed and cursed.

They even called out "Brother Mo" just to get a foot wash.

If I take you to a shopping mall, wouldn't you have to call me "Dad"?

A playful look appeared on his face. "But let's make this clear beforehand, this all-inclusive service isn't free. You'll have to put in the work, and if the platform makes money, I'll pay you. But if it loses money..."

"You've already lost all your money, so of course we're treating you to a meal as a consolation prize."

Yuan Hua and Qin Feng strongly agreed with Lu Wenbin's answer.

Shen Mo glanced around and said, "Well then, for the sake of your integrated services, you'd better help me get the platform up and running."

Yuan Hua patted his chest and said, "No problem, Brother Mo, just tell us what we need to do?"

"What we are about to do is neither complicated nor simple."

Shen Mo said, "It mainly involves backend management, platform promotion, user acquisition, task review, fund settlement, risk control and prevention..."

Lu Wenbin asked, "Brother Mo, I understand the previous ones, but what exactly is this 'risk control and prevention'?"

"This risk control is actually aimed at preventing Taobao from operating."

He looked left and right silently, then explained carefully.

"I learned from your mutual order boosting group that if a booster account has multiple orders in the 'placed but not paid' or 'placed but not received' status within the same time period, it will be easily identified as abnormal transactions or even order boosting behavior by Taobao's big data system, resulting in the account being demoted."

"In more serious cases, the account could be banned outright."

"Therefore, to avoid this situation, each person who completes a task can only accept a maximum of two unfinished tasks at the same time."

"To avoid being flagged by Taobao for account irregularities and negatively impacting merchants, it's essential to use a real IP address and simulate a genuine shopping journey..."

"Brother Mo, aren't you overthinking this?"

Yuan Hua was speechless with astonishment.

Shen Mo's smile held a hint of sadness.

Is it fine?

It was all earned with the hair, health, and blood of cattle and horses.

Qin Feng pressed on, "Brother Mo, you still haven't told us what this platform is called?"

"The domain name for 'Woshou.com' is either 'handshake.com' or 'woshou.com'."

I've also come up with a slogan for the website.

"Connecting strangers, entrusting trust, shaking hands remotely, achieving a secure transaction every time."

Shen Mo extended his left hand, grasped his right hand, and demonstrated.

"You've come up with so much in the time it takes me to take a shower?"

Lu Wenbin clapped and cheered, "My brother is amazing! Absolutely incredible!"

Qin Feng nodded repeatedly: "Yeah, you've got me all fired up. I don't even want to play DNF anymore. When are we starting?"

"No rush. Domain registration, platform setup, internal testing, and official launch—the whole process takes some time."

Shen Mo said, "You guys should think carefully about how to attract merchants and 'brushing' users to Woshou.com."

"I know this business stuff like the back of my hand!"

Lu Wenbin said, "I know quite a few people who are currently trying to boost their credit scores or want to do so, some of whom are even from our school."

Shen Mo asked, "After attracting acquaintances, how do you plan to attract new customers?"

Lu Wenbin said, "I joined several mutual boosting groups. I created a mass messaging software and sent private messages to the members of each group."

"Is there anything else?"

Shen Mo asked again.

"You can also go to Taobao seller forums, Baidu Tieba, Mop, Tianya, KDnet and post GG on Woshou.com."

"Woshou.com, professional Taobao reputation boosting service, safe and fast, guaranteed to pass audits, trustworthy, website link attached."

Lu Wenbin proudly raised his chin. "Brother Mo, what do you think of this 'GG' word?"

Shen Mo said, "Not bad, but not enough. It would be best to add some case studies or tutorials that can attract traffic."

Lu Wenbin couldn't help but wonder, "A tutorial? Does it teach people how to open an online store?"

"The content should ideally cover the store opening process, product selection tips, promotion methods, and pitfalls for beginners..."

Shen Mo nodded, "But when writing about 'how to quickly improve online store credit,' you should say, 'Due to space limitations, please add my QQ number to receive the full version for free, and mention 'Woshou.com' in your message…'"

"Brilliant, Brother Mo!"

Yuan Hua slapped his thigh and said, "If people who get the tutorial find it useful, they will definitely add me on QQ or even go to Woshou.com."

"But I can't even run an online store properly myself, how am I supposed to teach others how to do it?"

Lu Wenbin gave an awkward smile.

"I'll write this; you just need to send it."

Shen Mo said, "The title will be 'From Zero to Crown Level on Taobao: A Beginner's Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls'."

Lu Wenbin readily agreed: "Okay!"

Shen Mo said, "Don't agree so quickly. This tutorial needs to be distributed not only online but also offline."

"Offline?"

Qin Feng was extremely surprised.

"The school regularly organizes e-commerce training sessions, and students also need our services."

Shen Mo stroked his chin. Online is different from offline. It would be best to create a successful model room.

Once people see that Woshou.com can boost online store sales and rankings, more students will naturally be drawn to join.

Whether you open an online store or work as a "brushing" agent (someone who artificially inflates sales figures)!

With a quick glance out of the corner of his eye, he saw "Half Summer Breeze" still online, and a flash of inspiration struck him.

Du Manqing, the most beautiful girl in the fashion college, isn't she the best publicity tool?

Thinking of this, Shen Mo started typing furiously on the keyboard.

[Silence is Golden: Are you still there?]

[Half-Summer Breeze: Have you decided when to meet?]

[Silence is Golden: Let's do it Saturday morning. You decide the specific time and place.]

[Half-summer coolness: Then 10 o'clock, tea and oranges will be there.]

[Silence is golden: Okay.]

[Half-summer's Slight Coolness: See you there!]

After sending the message, Du Manqing put down her phone.

His gaze fell on Liu Xin, who was being comforted by Huang Jiajia, and he slowly said, "Liu Xin, don't cry."

With tears in her eyes, Liu Xin said, "Manqing, don't you think Shen Mo is being really unreasonable, saying he'd just stop pursuing her like that?"

Huang Jiajia reassured Liu Xin, "Don't worry, I think Shen Mo is definitely faking it."

"Is it an act?"

Liu Xin raised her head.

Huang Jiajia analyzed, "He's just pretending to be indifferent because he feels embarrassed after being rejected by you multiple times. I estimate he won't be able to hold out for more than a few days before he takes the initiative to beg for your forgiveness."

"Even if he really regrets it, I will never give him another chance!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Xin indeed stopped crying.

Huang Jiajia said, "Yes, you absolutely mustn't give him a chance!"

Liu Xin gritted her teeth, "Then when will he regret it?"

"Do you really want to see him regret it?"

Du Manqing couldn't help but ask a question.

Liu Xin nodded seriously. She felt that Shen Mo was too bad, toying with her feelings and self-esteem.

Only when he regrets his actions and comes back to her, only to be harshly rejected by her, can she finally vent her anger.

Du Manqing sighed inwardly, unsure how to respond.

She even suddenly felt that her advice to Shen Mo to reconcile with Liu Xin might have been meddling in other people's business.