Chapter Sixty-Six: The Mobile Phone [Part One]

The rapid evolution of mobile phones was as astonishing as that of many other technological products. In this simply furnished shop, where there were barely even a few real mobile phones, Zhang Ye found himself surrounded almost entirely by those brick-like “Big Brother” phones.

In 1995, the “Big Brother” was still the dominant force in China’s mobile phone market. Yet, it was also during this year that the first simple and compact phone finally appeared on the scene, though its “compactness” would still seem enormous by later standards.

It was a monochrome phone, with a long antenna protruding from its head. Its slender body was adorned with round buttons and a small screen, crude and minimalistic in design.

His memories of mobile phones from that era were somewhat hazy; he only recalled that in 1996, the Nokia 9000 model was all the rage, one of the most popular phones at the time.

But now, the phone Zhang Ye beheld was a Nokia 5110, priced at an astonishing eight thousand.

To Zhang Ye, this phone was unimpressive—far too basic and simplistic. Still, considering the times, he deliberated, then decided to buy it. At this moment, owning a mobile phone was certainly the most enviable status symbol. Zhang Ye cared little for others’ opinions, but greatly valued the ability to communicate instantly.

Having grown accustomed to the convenience of mobile phones, he could not tolerate the frequent running around to make calls, or the frustration of not being able to find someone.

For someone his age to purchase a phone, the shop assistant was taken aback. Hesitating, she watched as Zhang Ye, calm and composed, drew from his pocket a thick stack of blue-black hundred yuan bills.

In an era when even coins were still in use, hundred yuan notes were rare. Buying a phone with such bills was not uncommon in their shop, but someone like Zhang Ye, carrying a thick wad of money and spending so freely without a second thought, was almost unheard of.

How old was he? Fifteen or sixteen?

For someone so young to carry such wealth, what kind of person was he? Surely, his parents must be big business owners.

The shop assistant speculated, not daring to show the slightest disrespect, but hesitant about whether she should sell the phone to him. After all, someone his age handling so much money should have a guardian present.

“I pay, you sell—business is business. Why worry so much? Rest assured, the money’s clean, legal, and not counterfeit,” Zhang Ye smiled and said.

He understood the shop assistant’s caution, but he wasn’t inclined to explain further. He only cared about getting what he wanted, regardless of others’ guesses.

The assistant, considering his words, nodded in agreement. She demonstrated the phone’s setup in front of Zhang Ye, confirmed everything was in order, then packed all the necessary items into a box and handed him a bag.

Zhang Ye nodded in satisfaction and walked out of the shop, never once haggling over the price. Sometimes, keeping up appearances was simply habitual.

Leaving the phone shop, Zhang Ye continued to wander. Having come to Guangyang City, he naturally wanted to buy a few things—some for himself, and some for Wang Mengzi.

Since that awkward incident, their relationship had become strangely tense; she, in particular, sought escape and went traveling. Zhang Ye didn’t quite understand her actions, but it didn’t lessen his concern for her.

So, after carefully choosing a few gifts, he carried several bags and strolled leisurely toward the warehouse.

The computer monitors of this era were boxy, like televisions, and with their large towers, each computer took up considerable space. It took two trucks to load all twenty-something machines.

With Liu Wentao overseeing everything, the placement was safe and secure. Zhang Ye did a round of inspection and was quite satisfied. Then he sat nearby, patiently waiting.

With time to spare, Zhang Ye took out his phone and fiddled with it. But soon he found it dull—the phone’s features were so limited, there was nothing entertaining apart from making calls.

While Zhang Ye lost interest, Liu Wentao, who had just finished his work and was coming over to rest, caught sight of Zhang Ye’s phone and cried out in surprise.

“Xiao Ye, is that a mobile phone? How much did you pay for it?” His astonishment was understandable; at that time, mobile phones were famously expensive. For an ordinary family, even if both spouses worked and saved all year, they might not afford a single phone. Thus, only big bosses or leaders who required them for work could own one.

Seeing Zhang Ye with a new phone was a shock to Liu Wentao. Though he had suddenly become wealthy, he still considered himself a poor man, with nearly ten thousand yuan hidden away, his mindset unchanged from the days of wandering without money.

It was only now that he realized, somewhat dazedly, that he too was now a man of means.

“Eight thousand,” Zhang Ye replied, handing the phone directly to him.

Liu Wentao, flustered, took the phone, turning it over as if it were a rare treasure, handling it with such care as though afraid it might fall and break.

“This isn’t a Big Brother, is it? It’s much smaller than those in the ads. Truly exquisite!” Liu Wentao marveled, unable to put it down. Without waiting for Zhang Ye’s answer, he continued, “Can it make calls? Wonderful!” and immediately dialed a familiar number.

“It’s connected!” Liu Wentao exclaimed, tense and excited.

“Hello, is this Xiao Mei? Guess who I am?” he said, waving with excitement as if Sister Mei were right there in front of him.

Zhang Ye watched, smiling wryly, saying nothing. He tidied his package and loaded it onto the truck.

All these computers were to be shipped to Lihua County, and Zhang Ye and his group hitched a ride, saving on travel expenses.

Just then, Wu Dongjun returned. From the joy on his face, Zhang Ye could tell his confidence in the matter had grown.

What Zhang Ye didn’t expect was that, as Wu Dongjun entered, though he saw Liu Wentao using the phone, he showed no surprise, heading straight to Zhang Ye and handing him a notebook.

“Brother Xiao Ye, these are the results of my investigation over the past two days. Inside are their opinions about computers, and what they’d most like to do if they had one—a series of survey results. Of course, I didn’t reveal our intentions, just asked indirectly. Take a look, see what you think?” he said, his face alight with excitement, clearly pleased with the outcome.