Rebirth 1979: Hunting wild boars and saving educated youth

Chen Feng responded to Tim: "I haven't been to the United States, but I know a little bit about it. It's a free and tolerant place."

Tim nodded. "Indeed, America has its own unique charm. And China is ancient and great. Peking Opera fascinates me. Its culture is profound."

After the two men exchanged business praise, the topic turned to computers.

Chen Feng asked, "Tim, what were you thinking when you developed 86-DOS?"

Tim thought for a moment. "At the time, I just wanted to solve compatibility issues and make computers easier to use. I didn't think too much about it, I just did it."

Chen Feng continued, "The future of computing is full of possibilities, and your system may play a key role."

Tim smiled. "Thank you for the compliment. It makes me happy. But my system is unremarkable right now, and the technical approach is controversial. I'm not sure I'm right. However, I hope you're right!"

After saying that, Tim burst into laughter.

Director Xu looked at Chen Feng and a foreigner chatting enthusiastically in English, his eyes widened and his face looked incredulous.

I was thinking: This guy, isn't he from a peasant family? When did he learn this foreign stuff?

He frowned, full of suspicion, and the corners of his mouth almost drooped to the ground.

Think about Chen Feng, he knows Chinese medicine, can manage a factory, and now he is fluent in English. Talking about computers with American experts is like playing. What else can't he do?

Director Xu was wondering in his heart: If all the farmers are at this level, then sending intellectuals to the countryside to receive re-education from the poor and lower-middle peasants was really the right thing to do!

He felt that he needed to go back to school and learn some new things.

Recalling the incident between Chen Feng and Teresa Teng, the relevant departments at the time investigated Chen Feng thoroughly and found that he was just a poor peasant. His family had never been rich for generations. He was poor from a legitimate family. Overseas connections? Non-existent.

Just a poor country boy!

Director Xu thought to himself, if it weren't for this, he would have suspected that Chen Feng was a spy. This was too puzzling.

But when he thought that Chen Feng was Mr. Geng's grandson, he suddenly realized.

There's no need to tell him everything. Maybe he's already been secretly training her.

Director Xu couldn't help but think of what Mr. Geng had mentioned about getting his daughter engaged to Chen Feng, and he couldn't help but think about it again.

At this time, Director Xu was not the only one who was surprised. Ning Yao was also stunned.

Ever since she entered the Department of Mathematics, she had been glancing at Chen Feng unconsciously. She had a mission at school, so she couldn't just go over to him, so she could only watch him secretly.

Seeing Chen Feng chatting with the delegation members, she thought her chance had come. It was her duty to receive the delegation, so she quickly grabbed a tray, poured two cups of coffee, and headed over.

Ning Yao walked up to Chen Feng and Tim Patterson and handed them coffee.

Tim thanked her repeatedly, and Chen Feng also took the coffee, said "thank you", and winked at her.

Ning Yao felt this little ambiguity, her heart trembled, her face turned slightly red, and her heartbeat accelerated.

She didn't leave, but stood aside and listened to Chen Feng and Tim chatting excitedly.

When she heard this, she was quite surprised.

The two of them actually chatted directly in English!

Not many people know English these days, and sometimes we can’t even find a translator for foreign affairs activities.

Sometimes there is no other way. When it is really urgent, I can only look through the files to see which teacher knew English in the past. Even if he is feeding pigs in the countryside now, I have to call him back to take over.

When did Chen Feng learn English? Ning Yao was extremely surprised that he could chat so happily with foreigners.

She listened to the two of them chatting and laughing like old friends, which was completely different from the translator who was translating one sentence at a time. The atmosphere was as serious as a memorial service.

Ning Yao looked at Chen Feng, and stars began to appear in her eyes.

When she first met him, he was fearless and brave in his fight against a blind bear. Later, he ran a factory and a business, calm and composed, with the demeanor of a general. The last time she saw him, he was in uniform, handsome and dashing. Now, he was chatting happily with a foreigner, so confident and charming that her heart was simply moved.

Ning Yao felt like he was almost becoming a fan.

I didn't expect to meet such a man when I came here as an educated youth.

He surpassed Ning Yao's most romantic fantasies from her teenage years. For a moment, she felt something was unreal, as if she were dreaming.

Chen Feng and Tim Patterson chatted for a long time and finally got to the key point.

As soon as Tim described his development plans, Chen Feng applauded and said, "Tim, your idea is brilliant! Technology requires constant innovation. While innovation doesn't guarantee success, without innovation, there's no hope. I support you, and I think your DOS system could be further developed. Have you ever considered selling the copyright to me?"

When Tim heard this, he was stunned.

During his time in China, he'd felt that the technology was backward and funding was tight. Those he'd interacted with from their delegation were either looking for technical cooperation or investment. He'd never seen someone like Chen Feng directly buy their products and then develop them himself.

Of course, China does have a lot of things it wants to import, but most of them are production lines that have been eliminated there. Although they are outdated there, they can still solve many problems in China.

But someone like Chen Feng, who spends money to buy a software that has not been tested in the market and relies on his own feeling that it will work in the future, is truly unique!

Seeing Tim's surprise, Chen Feng continued, "Tim, I'm optimistic about your DOS system and think it has potential. If I buy it, I can continue to develop it, and you can get the money to start a new project. Isn't this a win-win situation?"

After hearing what Chen Feng said, Tim thought he was serious, so he asked, "Chen, how much are you going to pay for my system?"

Chen Feng smiled and stretched out his hand, turning it over and said, "One hundred thousand US dollars, how about it?"

He remembered that Microsoft only spent 50,000 US dollars to buy Tim's system, and he doubled the price. Even if Gates called Tim personally at night, his price would still be advantageous!

Tim was stunned when he heard this. He hadn't expected Chen Feng to offer such a high price. A few days ago, their delegation visited a province in eastern China, where they had imported a set of American textile equipment for only $60,000. Many Chinese officials were present to sign the contract.

Now Chen Feng is drinking coffee alone, and every time he asks for money he wants one hundred thousand US dollars. This feeling doesn’t seem like he is in China, but rather in Silicon Valley!

Of course, the price was indeed attractive, and Tim was willing to accept it, but he just couldn't believe it! Besides, Chen Feng was just a college student.

"Chen, are you kidding me?" Tim asked.

"I'm serious, Tim. We can sign a contract," Chen Feng said. "I can pay $5 upfront. After we've finalized the system and copyright transfer, I'll pay you the balance. What do you think?"

Tim smiled and said to the dizzy Ning Yao beside him, "Beautiful lady, can you give us two glasses of red wine? I think I need to clink glasses with Xu to celebrate our agreement and successful cooperation!"