Reborn in 2005, starting with repairing mobile phones

"...The key is the testing equipment! Without a high-precision coordinate measuring machine, how can you verify the flatness of the touchscreen?"

Zhou Chengyu's voice rose slightly with excitement as he pointed to the densely packed algorithm formulas on the whiteboard. "My model can be optimized to millisecond-level response, but if the hardware tolerance exceeds 0.1 millimeters, all algorithm optimizations are just castles in the air!"

Zhang Mingyuan frowned, his fingers quickly drawing circuit diagrams on his notebook: "Dr. Zhou is right, but this is only one of the problems."

To address heat dissipation in motherboard stacking, multi-layer boards and special thermally conductive materials are required. Currently, the domestic supply chain for these materials is not mature, and they must be imported from Japan or Germany. Not only are they expensive, but the delivery time is at least two months!

Su Xiaowen sat to the side and silently pushed a list marked with a red exclamation mark to the center of the table: "This is a summary of the technical difficulties in implementing the design."

The seamless splicing of that curved metal frame alone requires at least a five-axis CNC engraving machine and special welding techniques. I contacted several suppliers, and no more than three could do it, with quotes all in the millions.

The three of them talked at once, listing more and more problems and making the difficulties seem bigger and bigger.

The whiteboard in the meeting room was already filled with writing, and the notebooks were densely covered with problems that needed to be solved.

Just then, the door was pushed open.

Lin Dong walked in.

The meeting room fell silent instantly.

The three who had been having a heated discussion just moments before fell silent, their faces showing solemnity and... a hint of barely perceptible fatigue.

"How did the discussion go?"

Lin Dong walked to the head of the table and sat down, his gaze sweeping over the whiteboard and the conspicuous red-marked list on the table. "Have all the questions been listed?"

Zhou Chengyu and Zhang Mingyuan exchanged a glance, and Zhou Chengyu finally spoke first. He briefly reported the key points of their discussion and concluded, "President Lin, we have a clear direction, but... to achieve it, we need a lot of investment in equipment and time."

His words were subtle, but everyone present understood the subtext—he needed money, a lot of money.

Zhang Mingyuan added, "On the hardware side, the SoC tape-out verification alone might take three or four rounds, each time..."

"The cost each time won't be less than 500,000," Lin Dong continued calmly. "I know."

He picked up Su Xiaowen's list and quickly scanned the red marks: "Five-axis engraving machine, high-precision measuring instrument, cleanroom, special welding equipment... these are all tough nuts to crack."

The three looked at Lin Dong, awaiting his reaction. Would he cut costs? Change direction? Or…?

Lin Dong put down the list and glanced at the three people.

"Very good, now that the problem is clear, there's nothing to fear. Dr. Zhou, you should focus your efforts on overcoming the core difficulties of touch algorithms, especially the real-time performance of palm touch and multi-finger tracking. I'll figure out a way for the hardware verification platform."

"Zhang, continue to work on the SoC selection and motherboard stacking design. For the supply chain issues, contact them first, send over your requirements and specifications, and I'll discuss the price and delivery time."

"Designer Su, your list of process challenges is very detailed. Continue to refine it, and list out the alternative solutions and partner suppliers for each challenge."

His arrangements were clear and decisive, as if those staggering expense figures didn't exist.

As the three listened, the tension in their hearts eased slightly, but the worry in their eyes did not completely disappear.

No matter how good the blueprint is, it's all just empty talk if there's no rice to cook.

Just then, Uncle Cai knocked on the door and came in, his face unusually solemn.

He walked over to Lin Dong and lowered his voice, but loud enough for everyone in the conference room to hear: "Mr. Lin, I need to report to you on the financial situation."

He quickly rattled off a string of figures: building purchases, acquisitions, equipment, daily expenses... Finally, he said, "We only have 1.05 million yuan in cash left in the account. Next month's salaries, supplier payments, factory renovations... this little bit of money won't last long."

The air in the conference room seemed to freeze.

Zhou Chengyu's fingers tapped unconsciously on the table, Zhang Mingyuan pursed his lips, and Su Xiaowen sighed softly.

One million is a drop in the bucket compared to the demands they just listed.

All eyes were focused on Lin Dong's face, trying to find a trace of panic or hesitation on his face.

But Lin Dong's face was expressionless.

It was still that calm, composed demeanor, as if everything was under control.

"understood."

Lin Dong nodded to Uncle Cai, then looked back at the three core members, "Don't worry about the money. Continue to push forward with the equipment purchases, experiments, and suppliers we need to contact. I'll take care of the funding."

His tone was so certain that it almost made people forget the harsh reality that there was only one million left in the account.

"At this stage, we are focusing our efforts on overcoming the core barrier of touch experience."

Lin Dong tapped his finger lightly on the table. "Dr. Zhou, this is your main battlefield. If you need any support, just ask."

Zhou Chengyu took a deep breath and nodded emphatically: "I understand, President Lin."

After the meeting ended, everyone left, leaving only Lin Dong and Uncle Cai in the conference room.

Only Lin Dong and Uncle Cai remained in the conference room.

Lin Dong walked to the window, looked at the darkening sky outside, and turned around.

"Uncle Cai, get ready and prepare all the documents for applying for a loan at the bank." He said crisply.

"Mr. Lin, the documents are ready."

Uncle Cai immediately took out a thick folder from his briefcase and placed it on the table. "The company's basic materials, the property ownership documents for that floor, the initial draft of the asset appraisal, and the outline of the project plan for the next three years that you mentioned last time are all here."

I slightly adjusted several versions according to the different focuses of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, China Construction Bank, and China Merchants Bank.

Lin Dong raised an eyebrow in surprise, picked up the folder and quickly flipped through it; the contents were clear and organized.

He closed the folder and looked at Uncle Cai: "The patent strategy needs to be started immediately; we can't wait."

Uncle Cai smiled, a hint of relief in his expression: "President Lin, this matter has been taken care of. After the core team meeting the other day, I found that the ideas everyone discussed were very crucial."

The very next day, we contacted the best patent agency in the city and worked overtime to submit the patent application documents for these core concepts through the expedited process.

Lin Dong looked at him, the surprise on his face slowly fading, finally turning into a genuine smile of approval.

He walked over and patted Uncle Cai on the shoulder: "Not bad, Uncle Cai. You think ahead and do practical things. You've grown a lot."

Uncle Cai was a little embarrassed by the praise, chuckled twice, and scratched the back of his head.

Lin Dong walked to the window and looked out at the city as dusk settled in.

"The patent matter was handled smoothly. What about the other thing?"

He turned around, his gaze landing on Uncle Cai's face. "Have you got any concrete news about that batch of 'aerospace-grade 7050 aluminum alloy billets' that I asked you to keep an eye on through Hong Kong?"