Reborn in 2005, starting with repairing mobile phones

Chapter 147 Putting Them in a Deadly Situation

Another half month passed.

Lin Dong didn't go back to school or home. He ate and slept at the company. The cot in his office was salvaged from the warehouse; it was dusty and worn, and he just spread a blanket on it and used it as a bed.

His mother called several times to ask if he was home for dinner, but he said he was busy and wouldn't be coming back. His mother didn't ask further, only telling him to take care of himself. He hung up and continued coding.

Lin Dong broke Zhang Mingyuan's record for leaving get off work the latest.

Zhang Mingyuan used to be the last person to leave the company, sometimes until one or two in the morning. After Lin Dong arrived, that record changed to three or four in the morning, and later he simply stopped leaving altogether.

One morning at seven o'clock, Zhang Mingyuan saw Lin Dong come out of the office, holding a cup to get water. He had dark circles under his eyes, messy hair, and was wearing the same clothes as yesterday.

"President Lin, you didn't go back?" Zhang Mingyuan asked.

"Okay." Lin Dong finished getting the water and turned back to his office.

Zhang Mingyuan stood in the corridor, staring at the closed door, for a long time.

He wanted to say something, but didn't know what to say. Should he advise President Lin to rest? He himself often stayed up late; he wasn't qualified to advise him. Should he advise President Lin to go home? He knew the system couldn't write the code, and President Lin wouldn't go home.

One time, Zhou Chengyu was working overtime until the early hours of the morning when he passed by Lin Dong's office, where the light was still on.

Through the glass door, he saw Lin Dong sitting in front of the computer, his fingers resting on the keyboard, staring blankly at the screen. Zhou Chengyu stood there for a while, then knocked on the door.

Lin Dong turned his head, saw it was him, nodded, and then turned back. Zhou Chengyu pushed open the door, placed a cup of hot water on the table, said nothing, and turned to leave.

Su Xiaowen once brought food for Lin Dong and left it on the table.

When she arrived in the afternoon, the food was still on the table, untouched. She opened it and glanced at it; it was already cold. She took the lunchbox away without saying anything. The next day, she brought another meal, and this time she watched Lin Dong eat a couple of bites before leaving.

Everyone felt sorry for Lin Dong, but no one could persuade him to stop.

It was no use trying to persuade them.

He won't stop if the system can't write the code.

April 1st, April Fool's Day.

Uncle Cai brought another person.

This resume is quite good. I graduated from a prestigious domestic university and worked for five years in system development at a major company, where I worked on two embedded projects.

Lin Dong looked at the resume and thought it was worth a try.

During the interview, Lin Dong asked him several questions, which he answered clearly and logically.

Lin Dong asked another question about system architecture design, and the person thought for a moment and then answered.

Lin Dong listened without saying a word. He stood up, walked to the window, and turned his back to the person. He took a deep breath and turned around.

"What you're saying is all written in books," Lin Dong said, his voice low but each word clear. "Have you ever designed a system yourself? Not by modifying an existing one, but by starting from scratch, designing the architecture, defining the interfaces, and fixing all the bugs yourself?"

The man paused for a moment, opened his mouth, but couldn't say anything.

Lin Dong looked at him, waited a few seconds, and then said, "You can go now."

The man stood up, bowed, and left.

Uncle Cai went out to see him off, and after a while he came back, opened the door, and saw Lin Dong standing by the window, not moving.

Just as Uncle Cai was about to speak, Lin Dong suddenly turned around and slammed his hand on the table.

"They're all fucking trash!"

The sound was very loud; the whole office could hear it.

Everyone looked up and headed towards the conference room.

Zhang Mingyuan paused his soldering iron, Zhou Chengyu peeked out from behind the screen, Su Xiaowen put down the mid-frame she was working on, and Cheng Chuan stood up from his chair but was pushed back down by Cheng Yu. Ding Xiao's keyboard clicks stopped.

Uncle Cai in the corridor was stunned.

In the conference room, Lin Dong's chest heaved, his hands still resting on the table.

Uncle Cai opened his mouth, but didn't dare to speak.

Lin Dong looked at him for a few seconds, then looked away, turned around and walked out of the conference room into his office, slamming the door shut.

The corridor fell silent.

Everyone was looking at the closed door.

Uncle Cai stood in the corridor, looking at the door, and sighed.

He walked over and knocked on the door.

"President Lin?"

There was no sound inside.

Uncle Cai knocked again: "President Lin?"

"Leave me alone for a while." The muffled voice came from behind the door.

Uncle Cai stood there for a while, then turned and left.

He walked back to his workstation.

Zhang Mingyuan walked over and lowered his voice: "Uncle Cai, President Lin, he..."

"Let him wait a while," Uncle Cai said.

Zhang Mingyuan glanced at the door, nodded, and returned to his workstation. But he didn't pick up the soldering iron; he simply sat there, staring at the unfinished circuit board on the table. Zhou Chengyu also stopped coding, leaning back in his chair and staring at the ceiling.

The office was so quiet you could hear the air conditioner running.

In the office, Lin Dong stood by the window, his back to the door.

He stared at the street outside the window; the April sunlight shone on the glass curtain wall, reflecting a blinding light.

The hand he used to slam his hand on the table was still trembling slightly.

He couldn't remember the last time he had a full night's sleep.

The system can't be written, the person can't be found, and the progress can't be pushed forward.

Everyone is waiting for him, but he can't give them anything.

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

It's been three months since January.

He wrote tens of thousands of lines of code. The system could boot up and run the desktop, but it was still far from being usable.

He interviewed more than a dozen people, but none of them were suitable.

He thought that being reborn meant he could handle anything, but the system was something he couldn't figure out. Was he too hasty?

Maybe.

He always benchmarked himself against Apple, wanting to make the system the best it could be, but perfection takes time. How could one person accomplish in three months what Apple took years to achieve?

He opened his eyes and looked out the window. Perhaps he should lower his standards.

First, build the system; as long as it works, that's fine. We can optimize it later.

But then he remembered what he had said: if you're going to do something, do it the best.

If we lower the standards, is he still him?

He turned around and looked at the office door.

Outside the door were the people he had recruited, the brothers who had fought alongside him from scratch. Zhang Mingyuan, Zhou Chengyu, Su Xiaowen, Cheng Chuan,

Cheng Yu, Ding Xiao, Uncle Cai, Zheng Hao.

He personally recruited everyone, and everyone trusted him and worked for him.

They all heard his roar. What are they thinking? Do they think President Lin has gone mad? Do they think there's no future working for this guy?

He took a deep breath, walked over, and opened the door.

In the corridor, Zhang Mingyuan was the first to see him.

He stood up. Zhou Chengyu also stood up. Su Xiaowen got up from her chair. Cheng Chuan stood up, and Cheng Yu stood up too. Ding Xiao looked up from behind the screen. Uncle Cai put down his teacup and stood up. Everyone was watching him.

Lin Dong stood at the office door, looking at them.

He opened his mouth as if to say something, but then swallowed it back.

Then he spoke.

"Come here for a moment, everyone."

Everyone gathered around.

Lin Dong looked at them and remained silent for a few seconds.

"That last moment," he said, "was because I lost control of my emotions. I'm sorry."

Zhang Mingyuan opened his mouth as if to say something, but Lin Dong raised his hand to stop him.

"It's not your fault. It's my own problem. The system couldn't write the code, and I couldn't find anyone. I panicked."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "I haven't been doing well lately, as you've all seen. I eat at the company, sleep at the company, and my dark circles are worse than anyone else's. But it's not your fault; it's because I've been too stressed."

He took a deep breath.

"I don't want you to feel that following me is a mistake."

Every single one of you was recruited by me.

Zhang Mingyuan, you've been with me since Guanlan.

Zhou Chengyu, you left the Harbin Institute of Technology lab without even wanting your thesis and certificate.

Su Xiaowen, you've painted over a hundred versions of that picture on your wall without a single complaint.

Cheng Chuan and Cheng Yu, you came back from Stanford and started working for me without asking for anything.

Ding Xiao, you're a girl, and you've been working overtime with us day and night.

Uncle Cai, you've been with me since Huaqiangbei, running errands and getting things done for me.

Zheng Hao, you didn't say anything, but I know you've always been there.

He paused for a moment, then lowered his voice.

"I'm exhausted lately. But I won't stop. I'll definitely get the system working. I'll definitely make the phone." He looked at them. "Do you still believe in me?"

No one spoke.

Zhang Mingyuan was the first to speak: "President Lin, you saved my life. If you say do it, I'll do it."

Zhou Chengyu pushed up his glasses: "I never planned to go back when I left."

Su Xiaowen leaned against the wall and said in a low voice, "I've drawn over a hundred versions already, one more won't make a difference."

Cheng Chuan shouted, "Let's do it!"

Cheng Yu stopped him, but Cheng Yu nodded to himself.

Ding Xiao said from behind, "The code isn't finished yet."

Uncle Cai, holding his teacup, smiled and said, "President Lin, you're being too polite."

Zheng Hao didn't speak, but he nodded.

Lin Dong looked at them, his throat tightening slightly. He didn't say anything more, just nodded.

"Everyone go home and rest today," he said. "I'll be alone for a while."

The group looked at each other but didn't move.

"Let's go," Lin Dong said.

Zhang Mingyuan was the first to turn around, pick up his bag from the table, walk to the door, glance back at Lin Dong, and then push the door open and leave. Everyone else followed suit.

Uncle Cai, holding a teacup, walked over to Lin Dong and patted him on the shoulder.

"Mr. Lin, don't stay up too late."

Lin Dong nodded.

Uncle Cai is gone.

Zheng Hao stood at the door, not moving.

"Ah Hao, you go back too," Lin Dong said.

Zheng Hao looked at him, wanting to say something, but swallowed it back, nodded, and pushed the door open to leave.

The corridor fell silent.

Lin Dong stood there alone, staring at the closed door.

He stood there for a long time, then walked back to his office and sat down.

He was the only one left in the office.

Outside the window is the night view of Shenzhen, brightly lit.

He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.

My mind is a mess; system matters, recruitment matters, team matters—it's all mixed up.

He took a deep breath and calmed himself down.

He remembered the day he was reborn. He woke up in class, and at that moment he didn't think about anything except one thing: in this life, he couldn't live like he did in his previous life.

He needed to pay off his debts, support his parents, and get him into university. He paid off the debts, his parents came to Shenzhen, he got into Shenzhen University, and he finished most of the phone project. All that was left was the operating system. But then he got stuck.

He opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling.

Perhaps he was too tense.

Having been reborn, he was terrified of losing everything he had now.

I was afraid the company would fail, afraid the team would fall apart, afraid my parents would be disappointed, and afraid I would let everyone down.

But what does he have to be afraid of? He has experience with the future, knows how the mobile phone industry will develop, knows how the supply chain will operate, knows which technologies will become popular, and knows which companies will fail.

Even if this company goes under, he won't be any worse than anyone else. So what is he afraid of?

He thought about it and came to an answer: he was afraid of disappointing everyone.

Zhang Mingyuan followed him because he saved Zhang Mingyuan's life.

Zhou Chengyu followed him because he gave Zhou Chengyu a platform where he didn't have to compromise.

Su Xiaowen followed him because he brought her design from paper to reality.

Cheng Chuan and Cheng Yu followed him because he beat Mark at Stanford.

Ding Xiao followed him because she found what he did interesting.

Li Guohui and Wang Mei followed him because he gave them a factory where they didn't have to accept the "good enough" attitude.

Uncle Cai followed him because he helped Uncle Cai get from his stall in Huaqiangbei to where he is now.

These people have staked their lives on him, and he can't let them lose.

He took a deep breath and stood up.

Never mind, I'll go for a walk.

He pushed open the office door and walked out.

The corridor was quiet.

Most of the lights were off, with only the emergency lights on, emitting a faint glow.

He walked to the company entrance, and just as he was about to push the door open, he suddenly stopped.

Zheng Hao leaned against the wall by the door.

He sat there, head down. Hearing the door open, he looked up, saw Lin Dong, and stood up.

"Brother Dong."

Lin Dong looked at him.

He thought everyone had left, but he didn't expect Zheng Hao to still be there.

Zheng Hao has always been like this, from Huaqiangbei to now.

Talk little, complain little, don't ask what you shouldn't ask, and don't say what you shouldn't say.

Zheng Hao is always there for him when he needs him.

It was the same in my past life.

At that time, he was starting his business in Huaqiangbei, and Zheng Hao followed him, starting from a small stall, all the way until he was reborn.

Two lifetimes.

Lin Dong walked over and patted Zheng Hao on the shoulder.

Zheng Hao paused for a moment, looked at Lin Dong, and nodded without saying anything.

Lin Dong didn't say anything either.

Between brothers, there's no need for words.

"Ah Hao, give me the keys," Lin Dong said. "I'll drive around by myself."

Zheng Hao hesitated for a moment, then said, "Brother Dong, let me give you a ride."

"No need. I want to walk around by myself."

Zheng Hao looked at him, took out the key from his pocket, and handed it over.

Lin Dong took it and patted him on the shoulder: "You should go back and rest early too."

Zheng Hao nodded: "Brother Dong, call me if you need anything."

Lin Dong didn't reply, but pushed the door open and went out.

Lin Dong drove aimlessly through the streets of Shenzhen.

From Futian to Nanshan, and from Nanshan to the Science and Technology Park.

Streetlights swept past his head one by one, and car lights strung together in a line.

He didn't know where he was going, he just didn't want to stop.

As he drove, before he came to his senses, the car had already stopped at the entrance of Shenzhen University.

He stared at the school gate for a long time.

The words "Shenzhen University" are engraved on the stone pillars at the entrance, gleaming faintly under the streetlights.

Students carrying backpacks and riding bicycles came and went, chatting and laughing.

How long has it been since he came back?

I didn't come to school when it started and asked for leave.

I haven't come in March, so I'm continuing to take leave.

It's April, and it still hasn't come.

He picked up his phone, found Li Hu's number, and dialed it.

"Fourth brother?" Li Hu's voice came from the other end of the phone, tinged with surprise and delight. "You finally remembered us?"

"Alright, stop joking." Lin Dong's lips twitched slightly. "Are you all in the dorm?"

"Everyone's here. What's wrong?"

"Let's go out for drinks. The food stall next to the school."

"Alright!" Li Hu's voice suddenly rose eight octaves, and Chen Long's voice came from the background, "Is Fourth Brother on the phone?"

"What did you say?" Li Hu shouted, "Come out for a drink!" Then he said into the phone, "Fourth Brother, we're on our way!"

The phone hangs up.

Lin Dong put down his phone, started the engine, and drove towards the street next to the school.

The food stall owner recognized Lin Dong and greeted him with a smile, "Long time no see!"

"Coming." Lin Dong found a seat and sat down. "Boss, four cases of beer, please. I'll order a lot of food."

"Four boxes?" The shopkeeper paused, then asked, "How many people?"

"Four."

The boss opened his mouth, but didn't say anything, and turned to get more wine.

Lin Dong took the menu and started ordering. Grilled skewers, chicken wings, eggplant, chives, enoki mushrooms, potato slices, and steamed bread slices—he picked out a long skewer, and added a few cold dishes: peanuts, smashed cucumber, and cold black fungus salad.

The owner brought over the beer; four cases of beer were stacked on the side of the table, the green bottles gleaming under the light.

Lin Dong opened a bottle and drank it himself before they arrived.

After a while, Li Hu's voice came from afar: "Fourth Brother!"

Three people walked over from the school gate.

Li Hu walked in front, taking long strides with a smile on his face. Chen Long followed behind him, adjusting his glasses. Xu Zang walked at the very back, his hands in his pockets.

Li Hu walked to the table, saw the four cases of beer, and paused for a moment: "Four cases? Fourth brother, are you going to drink until you drop?"

Lin Dong didn't speak, but pointed to the seat: "Sit."

Chen Long sat down and glanced at the dishes on the table: "So much food? Fourth brother, are you making it up to us?"

Lin Dong's lips twitched slightly: "Want some or not? If not, I'll take it back."

"Eat, eat, eat!" Li Hu quickly picked up his chopsticks, grabbed a skewer, stuffed it into his mouth, and his eyes lit up. "Delicious!"

Xu Zang sat down without saying a word and opened a bottle of beer.

The four of them started drinking. At first, they chatted casually.

Li Hu talked about school matters, mentioning which teacher took attendance, the cat downstairs in the dorm had a litter of kittens, and the cafeteria prices had gone up. Chen Long occasionally chimed in. Xu Zang drank quietly. Lin Dong spoke the least, but drank the most.

Unbeknownst to him, the number of empty bottles in front of Lin Dong was increasing.

Two bottles, four bottles, six bottles, eight bottles, ten bottles. The other three people also drank seven or eight bottles, their faces turned red, and they started talking more.

Li Hu's face turned as red as Guan Yu's. He held his wine glass, suddenly stood up, and pointed at Lin Dong: "Fourth brother, are you a brother?"

Lin Dong looked up at him.

"Is there something you're hiding from us?"

Li Hu's voice was a bit loud, attracting the attention of people at several surrounding tables, but he didn't care. "Look at your face! Look at yourself! Is this still you?"

He pointed at Lin Dong's face, his voice lowered, "I couldn't bear to look at you when I saw you just now. How many days has it been since you've had a proper rest?"

Chen Long remained silent, but his eyes showed heartache as he looked at Lin Dong.

Xu Zang put down his wine glass, looked at Lin Dong, and said nothing.

"What do you want to say to us?!" Li Hu's voice rose again. "What, you look down on us? Huh?"

Lin Dong didn't say anything.

He lowered his head, opened a bottle of wine, and poured it into his mouth.

Li Hu snatched the bottle and smashed it on the ground with a "crack".

Glass shards were scattered all over the floor, startling the people at the surrounding tables.

The boss glanced over here but didn't dare come over.

"Fourth brother!" Li Hu roared, "Speak up!"

Chen Long stood up and pressed Li Hu's shoulder: "Sit down."

Li Hu shook off his hand, but didn't yell anymore.

He stood there, his chest heaving, staring at Lin Dong.