Reborn in 2005, starting with repairing mobile phones

The corridor fell silent.

Lin Dong leaned against the wall.

He closed his eyes.

Jobs walked onto the stage.

Black sweater, jeans, a thin face.

When the more than a thousand people in the audience stood up and applauded, he also stood up.

But he didn't applaud.

He stood in the third row, watching that person.

Listen to his calligraphy class.

He was fired.

Talking about death.

He had heard those words countless times.

But when he heard it with his own ears, he discovered something.

He understood every word this person said.

Then he went on stage.

He knew Steve Jobs was watching him from the sidelines.

He stood on the stage, looking at the people below.

There's nothing to be nervous about.

He had seen much bigger scenes than this.

But today is different.

It's not because there are too many people today.

It's because that person is watching him.

He spoke.

"I came to Stanford not to prove how great I am. I came to learn."

"I have a team in Shenzhen, and we're making mobile phones from scratch."

"That place is empty now. There's only a blueprint and a few people who want to build it."

"I think this is fine."

He's finished speaking.

The audience applauded.

He turned and stepped off the stage.

Then that person stood in front of him.

"Well said."

He looked at that face. That face he had seen countless times in videos, photos, and dreams.

Stand right in front of him right now and say, "Well said."

Then they talked for a long time.

LNA, team, supply chain, "You still have a long way to go."

Finally, he called out to the figure that had turned away.

"Take care of yourself," he said.

The man turned to look at him.

"I'm afraid I'll be too lonely in the future."

The man paused for a moment.

Then he laughed.

"Young man, you should finish making the phone first."

That person is gone now.

He was the only one left in the corridor.

Lin Dong opened his eyes.

He suddenly remembered what his father had said the night the college entrance exam ended.

"When you have the ability, don't just focus on filling your own bowl."

He understood then.

But that's one answer.

He's standing here now, having just finished talking to that person, standing where that person stood, saying what he wanted to say.

He suddenly realized something.

When his father said "put in some effort," he didn't mean he should help anyone.

It's about getting him into that position.

Walk to where that person stood.

Go to a spot where everyone can see you.

Then stand there and say what you believe.

He smiled.

He leaned against the wall, looking at the door at the end of the corridor.

He came looking for someone.

Now he knew that he had found something else.

he himself.

At the other end of the corridor.

Steve Jobs walked very slowly.

He didn't look back, but his mind was filled with the image of the young man from before.

Eighteen years old.

From China.

I just finished taking the college entrance examination.

He has seen too many young people.

Stanford, MIT, the world's top universities.

Some people are smart, some are hardworking, and some have ideas.

But for most people, the path is predictable: graduate, get a job at a big company, earn a high salary, buy a house, and retire.

That young man was different.

It wasn't because he beat Mark.

Winning against one person is no big deal.

It's because of the way he looks on stage.

The things he said.

"That place is empty now. There's only a blueprint and a few people who want to build it."

"I think this is fine."

And that line from earlier: "I'm afraid I'll be too lonely in the future."

Jobs paused in his tracks.

lonely.

Thirty years have passed.

He started Apple from the garage, got kicked out, and came back.

Over the past thirty years, he has met countless people.

Collaborator, competitor, follower, imitator.

But there were no rivals.

Those people at Nokia were no match for us.

They just want to sell what they already have for a better price.

Those people at Samsung aren't either.

They just want to copy faster than others.

Those people at Motorola are even less so.

They are already dead, they just haven't been buried yet.

The real opponent is the one who keeps him up at night.

He's the kind of person who makes him feel, "I need to do better."

He searched for a long time.

Now there is one standing in front of him.

Eighteen years old.

I just graduated from high school.

He suddenly smiled.

interesting.

If this person's phone were actually made, what would it look like?

he does not know.

But he wanted to know.

He continued walking forward.

just wait.

Let me see how far you can go.

Dean Brown and Vice Dean Carter stood on the side of the curtain.

They witnessed the entire process.

Steve Jobs went in, the two talked, then Jobs came out and walked away.

Now Steve Jobs is gone.

Brown saw it very clearly.

When Steve Jobs went in, he had that same expression on his face, no matter who he was talking to.

When I came out, things were different.

That smile.

And then there's the last line, "I'm waiting."

Brown spent thirty years at Stanford and met Jobs many times.

He knew this person wouldn't just say "I'm waiting" to anyone.

This young man considered him a rival.

Brown suddenly found it interesting.

An 18-year-old Chinese boy, just graduated from high school, made Steve Jobs say, "I'm waiting."

We must make sure Lin Dong goes to Stanford University.

He took a step forward.

"Mr. Lin."

Lin Dong turned his head.

Brown wore that perfectly timed smile.

"That speech was excellent."

He said, "We were all deeply moved."

Lin Dong nodded.

"Thanks."

Brown paused.

"What about that thing I mentioned before—studying at Stanford—what's your decision?"

Lin Dong looked at him.

"That's very kind of you."

He said, "I've made up my mind."

Brown waited for him to continue.

"I'm going back to Shenzhen."

Brown paused for a moment.

Carter, standing nearby, was also taken aback for a moment.

"Mr. Lin,"

Brown said, "You might not be aware, but the conditions we're offering are—"

"I know."

Lin Dong interrupted him, "Full scholarship, the best mentor, any lab you want, and your parents can arrange it too."

He looked into Brown's eyes.

"I appreciate it."

Brown opened his mouth, but no words came out.

Lin Dong smiled.

"But I have a group of people waiting for me in Shenzhen."

He said, "What you promise, you have to do."

Brown was silent for a few seconds.

Then he nodded.

"understand."

He said, "I completely understand."

He stretched out his hand.

"Stanford's doors are always open. Contact us anytime you want to come."

Lin Dong grasped his hand.

"Thanks."

Carter also reached out his hand.

"Mr. Lin,"

He said, "Although you can't come, I hope we'll have the opportunity to work together in the future."

Lin Dong nodded.

There will be an opportunity.

He turned and walked towards the auditorium.

Brown's voice came from behind me.

"By the way, Mr. Lin."

Lin Dong stopped and turned around.

Brown smiled.

"From today onward, Stanford will remember your name."

Lin Dong looked at him.

"Me too."