Rebirth: Fan Debiao rises from the Liaobei land

It was the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month, at 3 PM.

There were still seven or eight customers crammed into the Dexing Communications mobile phone store. Xiao Juan's voice was already hoarse: "Ma'am, the Xiaxin A8 is really out of stock! Take a look at this TCL 3188, pearl white, it's more suitable for women than the A8!"

The woman in the red cotton-padded jacket approached the counter, picked up the demo unit, and weighed it in her hand: "Does this ringtone sound good?"

"It's loud! A double chord!" Xiao Juan quickly pressed the demo button. "Listen, how crisp and bright it is!"

Over at the waveguide counter, several young men who had just returned from working surrounded the 8288 flip phone, their eyes fixed on the colorful scrolling lights.

"Won't this light blind you if you get a phone call at night?" a young man with a buzz cut grinned.

"Absolutely!" Salesperson Xiao Wang was sweating profusely. "Buy now and get a free phone case and spare battery! This is a once-in-a-lifetime offer!"

The area in front of the TCL counter was relatively quiet, with two middle-aged men studying the 3188.

"This machine is great," a man wearing a baseball cap nodded. "Get one for my wife, she'll definitely be impressive."

Liu Qiang squeezed in from outside, his cotton-padded coat collar still covered in snowflakes. He leaned close to Fan Debiao's ear and whispered, "Brother Biao, Old Zhang has sold five more Bird 8288s, leaving only three in stock. Sister Li's Xiaxin A8s ran out of stock this morning, and she asked if we could send a few over."

Fan Debiao glanced at the digital clock on the wall; it was 3:05. He waved his hand: "Tell Sister Li that Xiamen really is out of stock; the factories are all on holiday. Bird can manage to get a few units; have her send someone to pick them up."

"Okay."

Just as Liu Qiang was about to make a call, the landline at the counter rang. Xiao Ling answered, listened for a couple of minutes, then covered the receiver and shouted, "Brother Biao, it's the TCL provincial office!"

Fan Debiao walked over and answered the phone: "Hello, Director Li."

"Boss Fan! Congratulations!" The voice on the other end of the phone was booming. "I just received the data from across the province. Your Kaiyuan has the highest TCL sales in northern Liaoning this month! And it ranks third among all county-level cities in the province! That's a 40% increase compared to last month!"

"Director Li, you flatter me," Fan Debiao smiled. "It's all thanks to the excellent policy support from the office."

"You've done a great job, Boss Fan! We need to plan ahead for next year; the Kaiyuan market has huge potential! I'll come visit you after the New Year to investigate, and we'll discuss it in detail!"

"You're welcome anytime."

I had just hung up when the phone rang again. This time it was the Xiamen-Xinjiang Provincial Office.

"Mr. Fan! That's impressive!" A female voice came from the other end. "The Xiaxin A8 is sold out in Kaiyuan! There are only five dealerships in the entire province that are out of stock, and you're the only one in a county-level city!"

"Manager Wang, you flatter me. The main reason is that the machine is good and consumers recognize its value."

"Even the best machines need sellers! Mr. Fan, we need to sign a key client agreement after the New Year. I'll apply for the highest rebate for you! You can't put all your energy into TCL and Bird!"

"No, Xiaxin is my foundation."

After hanging up the phone, Fan Debiao lit a cigarette, but before he could take two puffs, Zhou Mingyuan from the Bird office called.

"President Fan!" Zhou Mingyuan's voice was filled with excitement. "I just finished a meeting! Your Kaiyuan Bird sales reached 260 units in the last twenty days of December! Second place among county-level cities in the entire province! Only behind Haicheng!"

"Mr. Zhou, didn't I say the Kaiyuan market has potential?"

"That's fantastic! Mr. Fan, I'll be the first to recommend Kaiyuan for next year's channel reform pilot program! I'll fight for a direct supply policy for you, and the price will be reduced by another three percent!"

"Thanks in advance."

After finishing three phone calls, Fan Debiao's cigarette was half-burnt. He stubbed it out in the ashtray, clapped his hands, and said, "Everyone, listen to me!"

The store gradually quieted down, and customers started looking this way.

"Today is the 29th of the twelfth lunar month, we're closing at 3:30!" Fan Debiao raised his voice. "Tonight, Victoria is hosting a New Year's Eve dinner and our annual party!"

The employees' eyes lit up with excitement. An elderly man in line asked, "So, are we still buying?"

"Buy! Buy them all!" Fan Debiao laughed. "Before we close, we'll provide top-notch service to every single customer! Each customer who finishes their purchase will receive a pair of Spring Festival couplets as a New Year's greeting from Dexing Communications!"

"This boss is particular!" the old man chuckled.

At 3:30, the last customer walked out of the store carrying his newly purchased Bird 8288 and a pair of Spring Festival couplets. Xiao Juan pulled down the roller shutter, let out a long sigh, and sat down directly on the ground: "My goodness, my heels don't even feel like their own anymore."

Xiaoling leaned against the counter, rubbing her wrists: "My fingers cramped up from counting so much money..."

Fan Debiao came out of his office, carrying a manila envelope. He walked to the center of the shop and took out a stack of red envelopes from the envelope.

"Come here, all of you."

The employees gathered around.

Fan Debiao began calling out names and handing out envelopes: "Awei."

Awei walked over and took the envelope. It was quite thick.

"Gangzi."

Gangzi grinned and took it.

"Liu Qiang, Wang Fang, Xiao Juan, Xiao Ling, Sister Zhou..." He called out each name and sent the money one by one. "Eight hundred yuan per person, not a red envelope, but overtime pay. You all worked hard these past ten days in December."

Liu Qiang clutched the envelope, his eyes slightly red: "Brother Biao, this is too much..."

"What's the big deal?" Fan Debiao patted him on the shoulder. "You deserve it. I'll cover all the drinks for dinner tonight, everyone drink as much as you want."

Xiaoling asked in a low voice, "Brother Biao, can we bring our family members?"

"Bring them! Those with partners, bring them; those with kids, bring them!" Fan Debiao waved his hand. "Victoria's biggest private room—if three tables aren't enough, we'll open four!"

The employees cheered.

At six o'clock in the evening, the "Dragon and Phoenix Hall" in Victoria was filled with steam.

All the employees of Dexing Communications, along with their families, filled four tables. Children ran around between the tables, while adults busied themselves pouring drinks and serving dishes. In the middle, three copper hot pots bubbled and steamed, the aroma of mutton mingling with the tangy flavor of pickled cabbage, filling the entire room.

Fan Debiao sat at the head of the table, with Awei to his left and Gangzi to his right. Awei was wearing a red sweater today, which made her face look exceptionally fair. Gangzi, on the other hand, was wearing a black jacket and sat ramrod straight.

Fan Debiao picked up his wine glass, stood up, and tapped the glass.

The room gradually quieted down.

"Everyone," he said, looking around, "Today is the 29th of the twelfth lunar month. We've gathered you all here simply to have a reunion dinner and celebrate the Lunar New Year together."

Some people applauded.

"Since our Dexing Communications opened in 2002, we've been operating for at least six months," Fan Debiao said in a low voice, but everyone could hear him clearly. "We've sold 3,100 mobile phones in the last six months. We've taken on 20 base station projects, completed five, and will continue working on the remaining 15 next spring. We also won bids for 50 more base stations before the new year, and construction will begin next spring."

He paused for a moment, then said, "These achievements and accomplishments were not accomplished by me, Fan Debiao, alone. They were achieved by everyone here, working tirelessly from dawn till dusk, through wind and rain."

"So this first drink today," Fan Debiao raised his glass, "is for everyone. Thank you for your hard work."

He drank it all in one gulp.

Everyone followed suit.

Fan Debiao gestured for everyone to sit down, and he sat down himself. The waiter busied himself pouring drinks.

"The second thing," Fan Debiao took a folder from Awei's hand, "is the year-end bonus, which will be paid out today."

The room suddenly became so quiet that you could hear the hot pot bubbling.

"Those whose names are called, come and collect yours." Fan Debiao opened the folder. "Awei, twelve thousand."

Awei stood up and, under everyone's gaze, walked up to Fan Debiao, took the thick envelope, and her fingertips trembled slightly.

"Gangzi, ten thousand."

Gangzi strode over and took the envelope with both hands: "Thank you, Brother Biao!"

"Liu Qiang, eight thousand."

"Wang Fang, eight thousand."

"Xiao Juan, six thousand."

"Xiaoling, six thousand."

"Sister Zhou, six thousand."

"Liu Tiezhu, five thousand."

……

One name after another was read out, and one envelope after another was handed out. Some employees who received their bonuses opened them and counted the money on the spot, some clutched them tightly in their hands, and some already had tears in their eyes.

After sending out the last document, Fan Debiao closed the folder.

"There's one more thing," he said, "Starting from January 1, 2003, the company will pay for the pension and medical insurance of all full-time employees of Dexing Communications. The company will cover all of it."

This time, even the children stopped running. The room was silent for a few seconds, then exploded with a loud "boom".

"Really?"

"Boss Fan, how much does this cost?"

Awei turned her head and whispered, "Brother Biao, this expense is quite large..."

"It's expensive, but we have to do it," Fan Debiao raised his voice. "We're not a state-owned enterprise, so there's no such thing as a guaranteed job. But as long as we work here, I have to make sure everyone has a secure retirement and access to medical care. That's my promise, Fan Debiao."

Liu Tiezhu suddenly stood up, the man in his forties with bloodshot eyes: "Boss Fan! I...I respect you!"

He picked up his wine glass, his hand trembling slightly, and spilled some wine. He tilted his head back and gulped down three ounces of liquor, choking and coughing.

Immediately afterwards, everyone stood up.

"Boss Fan! I'll do it!"

"Brother Biao! From now on, if you say go east, I'll never go west!"

Fan Debiao waved his hand, gesturing for everyone to sit down: "Sit down, everyone, I haven't finished speaking yet."

Everyone sat down, their eyes fixed on him.

"Our tasks are even heavier in 2003," Fan Debiao said. "On the mobile phone side, we need to double the sales of our three brands. On the engineering side, we need to finish 15 base stations and start construction on 50 new base stations. We also need to expand into surrounding counties and cities to grow the market."

"But let me make this clear," he said, his gaze sweeping across each face, "as the market grows, everyone's income will rise accordingly. By this time next year, I'll guarantee that everyone here will receive at least a 30% increase in their year-end bonus!"

"good!"

"Boss Fan is awesome!"

"Dry!"

Four tables of people raised their glasses together, the clinking of glasses mingling with the laughter of children and the bubbling of hot pot, creating a truly authentic scene of everyday life on this night of the 29th of the twelfth lunar month.

That night, the lively atmosphere in Victoria's private room continued until after nine o'clock.

Fan Debiao was toasted repeatedly, his face flushed red. Awei shielded him from several drinks, her own cheeks also turning red. Gangzi, caught up in the drinking, pulled Liu Tiezhu into a drinking game, losing several rounds in the process.

As the event ended, it began to snow lightly outside.

The employees helped each other out, while family members led their children, all with smiles on their faces. Someone started humming "Come Home Often," and it quickly turned into a large-scale chorus.

Fan Debiao stood at the door to see everyone off, giving them instructions one by one: "Drive carefully on the road," "Take good care of the children," and "Have a good New Year tomorrow."

In the end, only Awei remained. She took Fan Debiao's arm and said, "Brother Biao, I'll take you home."

"No need, I can walk in a straight line." Fan Debiao said this, but he stumbled.

Awei didn't say anything, but helped him hail a taxi.

The snow fell heavier and heavier, melting instantly when it landed on my shoulders.

The car was moving very slowly. Fan Debiao leaned back in the passenger seat, looking out the window at the night view of Kaiyuan, a small town. The streetlights cast halos of light through the snow, and there were hardly any pedestrians on the street, with only the occasional cyclist hurrying by.

"Brother Biao," Awei said softly, "what you said today... was really good."

"What did you say?" Fan Debiao asked with his eyes closed.

"I'm paying for everyone's insurance," Awei said. "In Kaiyuan, not many private business owners do this."

"If others won't do it, I will." Fan Debiao opened his eyes, looking at the street scenes rushing past the car window. "Awei, let me tell you, in this life, you can't just think about making money for yourself. You have to think about how to make the people who work with you also have a future."

Avi didn't reply, but simply nodded slightly.

The car pulled up to the building where Fan Debiao rented a place. Awei came around to help him.

The two went upstairs, opened the door, and turned on the lights.

Fan Debiao slumped onto the sofa, feeling the ceiling spinning. Awei boiled some water, made a strong cup of tea, and brought it over.

"Have some to sober up."

Fan Debiao took it, took a big gulp, and grimaced from the heat.

Avi sat on the chair next to him, watching him.

The room was quiet; you could hear the gurgling of water from the radiators.

"Awei," Fan Debiao suddenly said, "In 2003, work hard with me. Let's expand our business, make it number one in Kaiyuan, number one in northern Liaoning."

"Mm." Avi nodded.

"Once this busy period is over, and everything is sorted out," Fan Debiao looked at her, his eyes slightly blurry from the alcohol, "we..."

Before he could finish speaking, his head lolled to the side and he fell asleep.

Awei sat quietly for a while, then got up and took a blanket to cover him. She squatted by the sofa, looking at Fan Debiao's sleeping face for a long time.

Finally, she whispered, "Brother Biao, Happy New Year."