In the quiet of his luxurious apartment, Fang Bowen sat on the edge of his bed, the jade amulet resting on the bedside table. The room was a stark contrast to the dingy apartment he once called home. The sleek furnishings and expansive view of Shanghai's skyline were symbols of how far he had come.
He picked up the amulet, running his fingers over its smooth surface. "Liang," he said softly, his voice carrying a mixture of gratitude and longing, "I've done it. I turned your guidance into something real. I've built a company, made a fortune… but it still feels incomplete without you here to see it."
He waited, hoping for even a flicker of warmth, a faint glow, or Liang's familiar voice echoing in his mind. But the amulet remained cold and lifeless, as it had since Liang's departure.
Bowen sighed and set the amulet back down. "I'll keep going," he said firmly. "I'll make something even greater by the time you wake up."
The next morning, Bowen sat in his office, the city bustling far below. On his desk lay a notebook filled with ideas and insights he had extracted from Liang's shared memories. One particular entry caught his eye, and his pulse quickened as he reread it: The rise of smartphones as indispensable devices.
The world of 2008 was just beginning to embrace the potential of smartphones. Companies like Apple and BlackBerry were leading the charge, but Bowen knew from Liang's memories that this was only the tip of the iceberg. The global demand for smartphones would skyrocket in the coming years, reshaping industries and daily life.
He tapped his pen against the desk, his mind racing. "This is it," he muttered. "The next big move."
Bowen wasted no time. He called Zhang Lin into his office. She walked in, her professional demeanor unshaken despite her growing workload.
"You've got that look again," she said, raising an eyebrow. "What's the new idea this time?"
"Smartphones," Bowen replied, leaning forward. "I'm going to start a company that makes them. Not just any company—we'll redefine the market, get ahead of the competition before they even realize the race has started."
Zhang Lin crossed her arms, skepticism flashing across her face. "Smartphones are already a thing, Bowen. Companies like Apple are dominating. What makes you think we can compete with them?"
"Because I know what's coming," Bowen said, his confidence unwavering. "I know the mistakes these companies will make. I know what features consumers will demand in the next five years. If we move now, we can build something that outpaces them."
She studied him for a moment. "Do you have a plan, or is this just another one of your gut feelings?"
Bowen smiled and slid a stack of documents across the desk. "Take a look."
Zhang Lin flipped through the papers, her eyes narrowing as she read. They outlined a clear strategy: innovative designs, affordable pricing, and aggressive marketing in untapped regions.
"This…" she began, her tone shifting. "This actually makes sense. But it's going to take a lot of resources—development, manufacturing, marketing. Do we even have the capital for something like this?"
"We'll raise it," Bowen said confidently. "Investors are looking for the next big thing, and I'll convince them that this is it."
Zhang Lin sighed, a small smile tugging at her lips. "You're impossible to argue with when you're this determined. Fine, let's do it."
As Bowen walked home one evening, the city's darker mood was impossible to ignore. The global financial crisis had left its mark everywhere. People shuffled along the streets, their faces weary. Cafés and small shops had closed their doors, and beggars lined the sidewalks.
He paused outside an electronics store where a news broadcast played on the TVs in the window. The reporter's voice was grim as she discussed the ongoing crisis.
"Unemployment continues to rise as more companies announce layoffs. Economists warn that the recovery could take years."
Bowen felt a pang of guilt as he thought about Dongfang Textiles and the people who had lost their jobs. But he also felt a spark of determination. He couldn't fix everything, but he could create opportunities, jobs, and hope through his new venture.
By the end of the month, Bowen's smartphone company—tentatively named NovaTech—was beginning to take shape. The office buzzed with energy as the team worked on prototypes and marketing strategies.
One evening, Zhang Lin entered his office with a cup of coffee. She set it down on his desk and gave him a thoughtful look.
"You know," she said, "for someone who built this much in such a short time, you still seem… distracted."
Bowen glanced at the amulet on his desk, its green surface dull. "I guess I'm still waiting for someone to come back," he admitted.
She nodded, her expression softening. "Whoever it is, I think they'd be proud of what you've done so far. But don't lose sight of what's in front of you, Bowen. You're building something incredible here."
"Thanks, Zhang Lin. I needed that."
Fang Bowen leaned back in his chair, exhaustion etched into his face. The once-bustling energy of pitching his smartphone company, NovaTech, had turned into a string of disheartening meetings. Investor after investor had examined his meticulously crafted plans, nodded politely, and then torn him apart with cold, logical questions.
"Mr. Fang, your vision is impressive," one had said, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth, "but forgive me for asking—what's your background in technology?"
Another investor had leaned forward, his gaze sharp. "Have you ever worked in a tech company? Built anything before?"
And the final blow: "Why should we trust you to deliver when all we see is an ambitious entrepreneur with no track record?"
Bowen had tried to explain, to convey his belief in the market and the unique product he envisioned, but his words were met with skepticism. By the end of the day, he found himself alone in his office, staring at the jade amulet on his desk.
He clenched his fists, determination flaring in his chest. "If they don't believe in me," he muttered, "then I'll show them. I'll make them see."
The next morning, Bowen called an emergency meeting with his team. Zhang Lin sat at the head of the table, arms crossed, her sharp eyes scanning his expression. Lin Kai, the eccentric designer, was scribbling on a napkin, while the engineers and developers exchanged curious glances.
"What's going on?" Zhang Lin asked.
Bowen took a deep breath, standing to address them. "Investors don't trust us because we have no proven track record. We can't just sell them an idea—they need to see the product. So we're going to build it. A prototype of the Cosmos Phone 1."
The room buzzed with murmurs.
Lin Kai stopped scribbling, his eyebrows shooting up. "A full prototype? That's going to take serious cash—and time. Do we even have the resources?"
Bowen nodded. "I'm putting 48 million yuan into this. It's more than four times what a typical prototype costs, but this won't be a typical prototype. It has to be flawless—sleek design, powerful hardware, cutting-edge features. Something so ahead of its time that no investor will question our capabilities."
"48 million?" Zhang Lin exclaimed. "That's nearly half of your savings, Bowen. Are you sure about this?"
"I have to be," Bowen replied firmly. "This is our chance to prove ourselves."
Zhang Lin studied him for a moment before nodding. "If you're willing to risk that much, then we're with you."
The next few months were grueling. The team worked tirelessly, often pulling late nights and early mornings. Bowen shared every detail of his vision, using the fragmented memories from Liang to guide the design and functionality of the phone.
"This screen has to be larger than anything on the market," he explained during one meeting, gesturing to a rough sketch. "It needs to be bright, sharp, and responsive—perfect for media and gaming."
"And the processor?" asked one of the engineers.
"Fast enough to handle multiple applications without lag," Bowen said. "We're setting the standard here, not following it."
Lin Kai's creative flair was crucial in bringing the phone's sleek aesthetic to life. He sketched and revised tirelessly, crafting a design that was both futuristic and practical.
"This isn't just a phone," Lin Kai said one evening, holding up a mockup. "It's a statement."
Bowen smiled. "Exactly. And it's going to change everything."
The journey was far from smooth. Unexpected technical hurdles arose, draining time and money. Suppliers missed deadlines, and some team members began to doubt whether they could pull it off.
One evening, Zhang Lin approached Bowen as he sat alone in the office, poring over the budget. "We're cutting it close," she said. "If this doesn't work…"
"It will," Bowen interrupted, his tone resolute. "It has to."
She placed a hand on his shoulder. "You're carrying a lot on your shoulders, Bowen. Just remember—we're in this together."
Her words gave him the boost he needed to keep going.
Finally, after months of relentless effort, the Cosmos Phone 1 was ready. Bowen stood in the dimly lit lab, holding the sleek device in his hands. Its polished black surface gleamed under the overhead lights, the large touchscreen seeming to blend seamlessly into the frame.
He powered it on, and the screen lit up with vibrant colors, the user interface smooth and intuitive.
"It's beautiful," Lin Kai said, his voice filled with awe.
"It's more than that," Zhang Lin added. "It's a game-changer."
Bowen nodded, a rare smile breaking across his face. "We did it. Now, let's show the world what we're capable of."