Reborn in 2000, starting from the university website

At 8 p.m., everyone took the last bus back to the school gate and sat around a round table at the barbecue restaurant.

Jun Ge's barbecue table was a bit wobbly; it was only stabilized by placing two beer bottle caps underneath. As soon as the charcoal grill was put on, the surrounding cold air was immediately forced back three feet.

The meat skewers sizzled with oil, and the peanuts were sprinkled with salt—the same familiar recipe, but the wine tasted different tonight.

Bai Yuhang filled his Harbin beer glass to the brim, then tapped the bottom of the glass on the table with a crisp "thud".

"Guys, raise your glasses."

When the seven glasses were put together, the foam overflowed and got all over my hands.

"This drink isn't just a celebration." Bai Yuhang looked at the faces around him, their reddened by the charcoal fire. "Remember this day, March 28, 2000. If Qihang Technology ever has its own skyscraper and thousands or tens of thousands of employees, don't forget that we started out at this broken table. If anyone dares to forget their roots then, I'll be the first to kick them."

"Whoever forgets is a grandson!" Liu Jing shouted the loudest, veins bulging on his neck. "Sixth Brother, just tell me, how big can we go in the future? Can we be even more awesome than Blue Speed?"

"Blue Speed?" Bai Yuhang laughed, tilting his head back to down his drink. "Blue Speed ​​is just an internet cafe company. We're going to make every internet cafe owner in China work for us someday. Well, not really, it's just the accumulation we have to do now. Later, our office won't be in some small place; it'll be a skyscraper, on the top floor, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Songhua River, the Huangpu River, the Pearl River, Victoria Harbour, the Thames, and the Hudson River! Haha!"

"Let me think about it." Liu Jing wiped the grease from his mouth. "I'll get a big executive desk, the kind made of solid wood, with two secretaries standing behind it, one to pour water and the other to read the newspaper to me."

"Ambitious." Zhang Jian gave him a disdainful look, picked up a bean with his chopsticks, and said, "I just want our company's server room to be full of top-of-the-line equipment in the future. Voodoo5 graphics cards, Pentium 4 processors, I can take them out and put them away whenever I want, and I won't care if I break them."

"How much will that cost..." Zhang Qingheng muttered to himself, reluctant to eat the meat skewers in his hand, taking small bites at a time.

"Seventh Brother, broaden your horizons!" Wan Lianghao patted Zhang Qingheng on the back, almost knocking him into a plate. "When we're rich, you can eat as many skewers as you want. If all else fails, we can buy two sheep and raise them in the dorm, slaughtering them fresh every day in shifts. What do you think?"

Everyone laughed, and Zhang Qingheng grinned foolishly, revealing a set of white teeth: "That dormitory would stink to death. Besides, we'd have to cut grass for the sheep, too much trouble."

"I don't have any other thoughts." Yang Bo, who hadn't said much until now, pushed up his glasses, which were fogged up. "I just want us to sign contracts in the future without having to put up with other people's attitudes. We're the client, and we have to be the most difficult client to deal with."

"That day will come." Jiao Liwei opened another bottle for everyone. "Come on, let's drink to becoming clients in the future!"

After several rounds of drinks, the table was piled high with empty name tags.

Yang Bo pulled a brand-new black hardcover notebook from his bag, complete with a bookmark string. He opened the notebook, and in the dim light of the barbecue stall's bulbs, cleared his throat.

"Quiet down, everyone. Since this is a company, there must be rules. Today, I'll report on the first account to everyone."

The group of people who were playing rock-paper-scissors suddenly fell silent and stared intently at the notebook.

"Today's income: 15,000 from Lansu Club, 1,000 each from the other three in Nangang, totaling 18,000." Yang Bo's voice wasn't loud, but it was exceptionally clear amidst the noisy barbecue stall. "The 1,000 yuan surplus that Lao Liu had before has been deposited into the company account. Today's expenses: 1,000 yuan more for business registration, 1,000 yuan for Brother Zhao's agency fee. Also..."

He glanced at Jiao Liwei.

Jiao Liwei understood immediately and patted his bulging chest: "The three thousand yuan activity fund is with me. From now on, meals and taxi fares will all come from here. I'll keep a separate account."

"Surplus deposited: 13,000 yuan." Yang Bo closed his notebook with a "snap," as if drawing a perfect period to end tonight's hard work.

"Thirteen thousand..." Liu Jing muttered to himself, his eyes glazed over. "I've never seen so much money in my life."

Jiao Liwei took out a wad of change from his pocket, counted out seven fifty-yuan bills, and slapped them in front of each person one by one.

"Here you go. This is today's payment. Although we are shareholders, we did the work, so we deserve this money. Don't think it's too little; we'll raise it later if it gets more."

Zhang Qingheng held the fifty-yuan note in both hands, grinning from ear to ear. He flattened the money, examined the watermark under the light, carefully folded it, and stuffed it into the pocket of his undershirt, the closest place to his heart.

"Boss, is this money... really for us?"

"Nonsense, who else would I give it to if not you?" Jiao Liwei glared. "Use the money you have left to buy two good pairs of socks. Stop wearing those that show your heels and are always being patched up."

Zhang Qingheng chuckled to himself, his eyes a little red, and grabbed his glass, taking a big gulp of wine.

Everyone joined him in taking a big bite.

This was the first time they felt that they weren't playing house, or helping Bai Yuhang with his plans, but were doing something that could support them and even change their destiny.

The meal lasted until almost 10 p.m., when all the students had left and the owner was starting to pack up. Only then did the group of people stroll back home.

The night breeze in Harbin dissipated much of the effects of the alcohol.

Bai Yuhang walked at the back of the group, looking at the six figures in front of him with their arms around each other's shoulders.

Liu Jing was still arguing with Zhang Jian about whether a secretary or a graphics card was better, Wan Lianghao was teaching Zhang Qingheng how to curse in Northeastern dialect with more force, and Jiao Liwei and Yang Bo were discussing what to buy at Taikoo Street tomorrow.

These people are really nice.

Bai Yuhang touched the lighter in his pocket, but didn't light a cigarette.

The current smooth sailing is merely an illusion. As traffic surges, the server pressure will soon be immense. Those yet-to-be-revealed competitors, and Baidu lurking in Beijing, won't give them much time to breathe.

Qihang Technology is now like a small, newly assembled sampan sailing into a deep sea full of reefs and giant ships.

But he wasn't afraid.

He glanced at the figures still fooling around in front of him, and a smile appeared on his lips.

The ship may be small, but it has ballast.

"Hey, Lao Liu! Hurry up! The dorm supervisor's going to start yelling again soon!" Jiao Liwei shouted from ahead.

"They're here!"

Bai Yuhang tightened his collar and strode after him.

As long as these brothers are here, this ship won't capsize.

Now that the foundation is in place, the next step is to launch the crazy plan for the "music category site" based on the blueprint that has already been drawn up.