Chapter Twelve: Preparations for Going Public

Standing at the front, Lin Feng addressed the people in the conference room with confidence. “This is the operating system for our FutureTech company. I’ve named it FutureTech OS Generation One. Before I came here, I ran a round of testing myself. Based on my results, this system is far more stable and secure, incredibly easy and intuitive to use, and it operates smoothly while demanding very little from the computer’s hardware.”

“Chairman Lin, may I give it a try?” the head of the R&D department asked curiously.

“Of course, come here,” Lin Feng nodded in agreement.

With Lin Feng’s permission, the R&D head hurried over to the laptop, quickly grabbed the mouse, and began opening web pages and downloading several professional benchmarking tools. As he ran the tests, he found the system to be consistently stable and remarkably smooth.

“Chairman Lin, I’d like to take this back to my department and have the team run further tests. If this really works as you say, our company is going to take off overnight! This is an operating system developed by our own people—we could dominate the domestic market in no time!” the R&D head exclaimed with excitement.

“Of course, further testing is no problem. But we’re still in the middle of a meeting. Once we’ve finished, you can do as you wish,” Lin Feng replied with a smile.

“But Chairman Lin, what’s the point in continuing the meeting? This is far more important—this is a product that could shock the world!” the R&D head insisted, unable to contain his enthusiasm.

This man’s name was Zhang Wen. He was nearly fifty years old and had formerly been a leading expert in the national laboratory, at the forefront of developing a domestic operating system. Success had always eluded him, and it was only recently that Xia Ruoxi had managed to recruit him—he was practically a national treasure. Now, seeing a ready-made system before him, his excitement was palpable.

“So Chairman Lin, does this mean our company will focus solely on selling operating systems from now on?” the marketing manager asked at this point.

“No, I want you all to take a look at these computer design blueprints. Tell me what you think of this,” Lin Feng said, opening a set of finished computer design renderings that Mo Tian had prepared.

Projected onto the screen was a computer design—noble, grand, and nothing short of perfect. The entire room was struck silent with awe. Seizing the moment, Lin Feng continued, “We’re not going to sell just the system; we’re selling the whole computer. The system, the design—these are our signature features.”

“With this operating system and such an exterior design, do you have confidence to compete with the major computer brands out there? I don’t know what you all think, but I have absolute faith in this!” Lin Feng declared with conviction.

“Chairman Lin, if the OS really performs as you say, then our marketing team is bursting with confidence!” the marketing manager responded, barely able to contain his excitement.

“Excellent. Today, I’ll have to trouble the technical department to continue testing. President Xia, please arrange for our partner assembly company to produce finished units as quickly as possible according to these designs. Once we receive them, our own techs will install the system. When you get your hands on the finished product, you’ll see for yourselves! Our system is compatible with all mainstream software, and its greatest feature is its intelligence,” Lin Feng said with a smile.

“Starting tomorrow, we’ll begin stockpiling inventory. Our operating system will only be installed on our own computers—we will not sell it separately,” Lin Feng added.

Seeing that no one voiced any objections, Lin Feng began delegating tasks, discussing the production of the company’s new computers, coordinating with manufacturing partners, and more.

Finally, he turned to the matter of recruitment. Now that the system was complete, it was clear the product would soon be a sensation, but the company was severely understaffed when it came to software engineers. They would need more to maintain and update the system, as well as to develop a suite of office software tailored to their OS. Additionally, they needed to hire more structural engineers, process engineers, and designers in order to bring to life the subsequent design models provided by Mo Tian.

The meeting lasted until after 6 p.m. When it ended, Lin Feng took the management team to a nearby hotel for dinner—a gesture of early celebration. After the meal, the software engineers returned to the office to continue testing the system, while Lin Feng and the others left. Lin Feng wasn’t the least bit worried about the operating system’s secrets leaking out. According to Mo Tian, this system used an entirely new algorithm that no one on this planet could decipher yet. If no one could understand it, there was naturally nothing to fear.

Over the course of the week, Lin Feng dutifully showed up at the company daily, working alongside Xia Ruoxi to manage operations. On the evening of the fifth day, the first finished computers emerged, identical to Mo Tian’s original designs. Lin Feng immediately ordered the logistics department to replace every employee’s office computer with the new machines.

The next morning, when the white-collar staff arrived at work, they found a brand-new computer and a user manual for the operating system on each desk. Excitement buzzed through the office as everyone flipped through the manual. Rumors had already been circulating that this new computer would be the company’s star product, so everyone eagerly powered up their machines. Using the new and unfamiliar operating system, guided by the manual, they discovered that the interface was smooth and intuitive, and the laptops themselves excelled in both appearance and performance.

Soon, department heads came around with further instructions: all details about the new computers and operating system were to remain strictly confidential. The time was not yet right to share this with outsiders. Everyone was also asked to familiarize themselves with the new system as quickly as possible and to provide feedback to the R&D department on any issues or suggestions for improvement.

Gradually, the company settled into a smooth rhythm. Lin Feng remained busy beyond measure—were it not for Mo Tian’s constant stream of advice, he would have been completely overwhelmed.

During this period, feedback from employees trickled in, and without exception, it was overwhelmingly positive. Unsurprisingly so—the laptops’ casings were made of the latest alloy, beautifully finished and electroplated in a sleek silver-white, giving them a sense of elegance and professionalism. Every employee was utterly enamored with their new device.

One day, as Lin Feng was reviewing documents in his office, a sudden knock sounded at the door.

“Come in,” Lin Feng called.

Zhang Wen, the head of R&D, burst in, clutching a laptop and barely able to contain his excitement. “Chairman Lin, we did it! We’ve succeeded! I dare say this is the best computer in the world, the most powerful. We tested the system, and it’s perfectly compatible with every machine.”