Reborn in 2005, starting with repairing mobile phones

Lin Dong subtly revealed a hint of awkwardness and respect as a junior meeting an industry giant, but he was not intimidated. "I'm mainly here to learn and broaden my horizons."

"I heard there are some trends in large-scale transactions here that are valuable for those of us in the real economy, so I took the liberty of coming here to get a feel for it." He sat down halfway, his posture humble, but his eyes were clear and open.

"Oh? A large transaction?"

Wu Ming picked up his bone china teacup, blew away non-existent foam, and said with a half-smile, "This pool is deep, with many whirlpools. I wonder which direction Mr. Lin is interested in?"

He was like a patient angler, waiting to see what valuable bait the little fish that swam over would spit out, or whether it would reveal its true intentions.

Lin Dong seemed oblivious to the deeper meaning, and following the conversation, said in a slightly sentimental tone:

"I just find it quite interesting. The same batch of goods seems to have completely different values ​​in the eyes of different people. For example, that batch of aluminum at the port, some people might only look at its current market price and resale profit, but perhaps..."

...Some people are also attracted by its "irreplaceability" in certain specific areas over the next five or ten years. Different needs, yet everyone is crowding into the same target, bidding against each other, just like...

He carefully considered his words, "It's like someone wants to buy a family heirloom, while someone else just wants to resell it for a profit, but they insist on competing under the same auction hammer, and in the end, neither of them may get what they want."

"Irreplaceability", "Specific field", "Heirloom and resale"...

Wu Ming's fingers, which were holding the teacup, paused almost imperceptibly.

These words, when put together, resemble a vague, unresolved mystery in his mind.

Gulf Capital's almost obsessive demands for secrecy and material "stability"—which go beyond the scope of conventional transactions—are they really after not the commercial profits of the entire shipment, but rather the portion with special strategic value?

The thought, like a sharp ray of light, exploded in his mind, connecting many fragments.

If that's the case, then his previous strategy of directly confronting Gulf Capital to compete for the entire shipment may not be the optimal solution, and may even lead to unnecessary losses and risks due to misaligned objectives.

He looked at Lin Dong again.

The young man's face still showed that frankness, as if he couldn't help but share and discuss anything he had seen or heard with his seniors.

Is it a coincidence?

No, it can't just be a coincidence.

To be able to appear here at this time and use such a precise metaphor to pinpoint this crucial point is no ordinary person.

This young man, or the person behind him, probably has an extraordinary insight into the movements and true intentions of Gulf Capital.

Are they bringing up this idea to curry favor?

Or are you trying to muddy the waters?

In the blink of an eye, countless thoughts had already crossed Wu Ming's mind.

His expression remained calm, even revealing a slightly teasing smile: "Mr. Lin's analogy is quite interesting. In business, mutual benefit is the norm. However..."

He shifted his tone slightly, a hint of cunning in his voice, "To sell antiques and handicrafts separately, you need knowledgeable experts and the seller's consent. The process is no less complex than bidding."

His words acknowledged the possibility Lin Dong pointed out, but also threw the difficult question back at him—even if you're right, how do we proceed? Who has the authority to define which part is an "antique"? And how do we convince the owner and all parties involved to accept the splitting?

Lin Dong seemed to have anticipated this question, and a slight embarrassment at being "suffocated" appeared on his face, which quickly turned into a serious expression based on a technical perspective:

"Mr. Wu is right, this is indeed the most difficult part."

A highly authoritative technical assessment may be needed to establish a convincing grading standard.

I've been in contact with some research institutes that conduct cutting-edge materials analysis; they have profound expertise in the long-term service performance and commercial batch stability of materials. Of course,

He shifted his tone, once again emphasizing his role as an "observer" and "learner".

"This is just my wild guess from a technical perspective. When it comes to such a complex transaction, how to balance the interests of all parties and how to design the transaction structure, only an experienced senior like Mr. Wu can handle it."

I only dared to share these immature thoughts after meeting you today, hoping to spark further discussion.

Technical assessment, classification standards, long-term service performance...

Wu Ming's mind tipped a little further.

This young man not only saw the problem, but even hinted at the tools to solve it.

What he offered was not mere speculation, but a seemingly actionable fulcrum, if a credible third-party technical force could clearly define that portion of "strategic" materials.

Therefore, negotiations with Gulf capital, and even with cargo owners, will open up a completely new situation.

Will he give up his ambition to monopolize the entire shipment?

of course not.

He will never give up everything until the situation becomes clear and he confirms that splitting up is more advantageous to him.

What Lin Dong offered was merely an "option" worthy of in-depth evaluation—a potential path that could allow him to avoid direct conflict with Gulf capital while ensuring core profits, and possibly gain additional prestige as a mediator.

But is there some hidden purpose behind this option?

What role does Lin Dong actually play?

Is it a pawn used by some force to probe the way?

Or is he a shrewd hunter trying to find gaps in the power struggle among giants and seize profits for himself?

Wu Ming's smile deepened, but his eyes gleamed with the calm, calculating light characteristic of a businessman.

He put down his teacup, took out a thick, gold-embossed business card from his card holder with contact information for Hong Kong and overseas, and handed it over.

"The younger generation is truly remarkable, with exceptional insight."

His tone carried a more substantial emphasis: "My conversation with Mr. Lin today was quite inspiring."

This is how I contact you.

If you encounter any difficulties in San Francisco, or... if you have more specific ideas, feel free to contact me again.

The matter concerning that shipment is complicated; it's best to take it into consideration.

He deliberately emphasized "more specific ideas," leaving a loophole, a channel for further observation and utilization.

He didn't promise anything, but his attitude was different.

Lin Dong has transformed from an insignificant passerby into a "variable" worthy of attention, whose background needs to be thoroughly investigated, and who may bring unexpected value.

"Thank you for your guidance, Mr. Wu!"

Lin Dong accepted the business card with both hands, appearing solemn, and then tactfully got up to take his leave, handling the situation perfectly.

Watching Lin Dong's figure disappear around the corner of the teahouse, Wu Ming's smile slowly faded.

He sat alone, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the smooth tabletop.

Gulf Capital... technology tiering... splitting deals... this Lin Dong who suddenly appeared...

He summoned a waiter and whispered a few instructions to him.

Soon, a preliminary background investigation into "Lin Dong" and "Dongfang Technology" will quietly begin through his channels.

The real battle, however, only begins after the seemingly relaxed tea conversation between the two sides, when it enters a more hidden and intense phase.

Wu Ming would never give up everything easily, but a new idea that would allow him to "have his cake and eat it too" was available.