Chapter 899
Waterdrop MP3, the first clear sound dedicated to the world.
It can be said that the 53 billion yuan raised from the auction of the Gangcheng Digital Port land...
It instantly ignited the entire Century Group.
An unprecedented and powerful "fast-forward" atmosphere permeated from top to bottom. Every department and every subsidiary seemed to be wound up tightly, emitting a deep roar on the high-speed track.
The first to report the good news came from the wafer fab in Luzhou.
The new generation of decoding chips suitable for DVDs has been successfully mass-produced in the factory, significantly reducing the production costs of products for many of the group's technology companies.
Little Prodigy, Little Genius, BBK... These brand factories, which embody Century Group's ambitions in the VCD/DVD field, received notifications and price quotes for new chips from headquarters at almost the same time.
"What?! Costs have been reduced this much?!"
Xiao Jun, the president of Little Prodigy Corporation, who had just gotten out of a woman's arms after a night of heavy drinking, took the quotation from the deputy factory director in charge of production. His hands trembled slightly, followed by an uncontrollable surge of joy.
The effects of the alcohol wore off immediately.
"Quickly! Notify the production department to immediately adjust the BOM (Bill of Materials) for all our DVD products! The purchasing department to sign long-term supply agreements with the wafer foundry based on the new prices! And the marketing department? Get me a new pricing plan right away! We need to turn this around spectacularly!"
The same scene was playing out simultaneously in multiple factories across the group.
The cost advantage brought by self-developed chips is overwhelming.
While competitors are squeezing their meager profits to purchase expensive imported decoding chips from Philips, Sony, and other manufacturers, Century Group's products can launch a fierce price war with lower costs, while still maintaining or even increasing profit margins.
The market reaction was explosive.
"Little Prodigy DVD, shocking price 999 yuan! Supports all format decoding, super error correction!"
"Little Genius DVD, Home Theater Center, only 1099 yuan! Includes 10 genuine blockbuster movies!"
"BBK Super DVD, flagship quality, affordable price, bring it home for only 1399 yuan!"
Eye-catching red promotional posters were plastered all over major electronics stores overnight.
The price reduction, combined with the already solid workmanship and accumulated brand reputation, instantly ignited consumers' enthusiasm for buying.
Sales figures skyrocketed, factories quickly reached full capacity, production lines roared day and night, and long lines of trucks formed in warehouse shipping areas.
The industry was in an uproar.
"The wolves are coming again! And they're armed to the teeth!"
"They've only been quiet for a few years? DVDs have just become widespread, and now the Century Group is going to monopolize the market again?"
"The fear of being dominated by them in the VCD era... Is history about to repeat itself in the DVD era?"
"That's outrageous! How did they manage to price it that way? Do they think chips are free?"
"I heard they've developed their own high-end decoding chip... Their cost control is terrifying..."
A sense of astonishment, panic, and helplessness permeated the competitors.
With its breakthroughs in core technologies, Century Group has once again taken an unparalleled position at the forefront of industry transformation, looking down on its competitors who are still struggling in the old supply chains.
Meanwhile, deep within the factory grounds of Xiaotiancai, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the group, in a highly confidential laboratory, another exciting "fusion" is taking place.
Several prototypes, which look slightly different from the existing DVD players of Little Prodigy and Little Genius, but appear more robust, lay quietly on the test bench.
The engineers are working diligently on the final functional verification.
"Laser head reading VCD disc is normal!"
"Reading DVD disc, normal!"
"VCD disc error correction capability test passed!"
"Smooth, lag-free playback of high-bitrate DVD videos!"
The head of the laboratory, a middle-aged technical expert wearing thick glasses, reported excitedly to Lu Nini, the assistant to the chairman of the group headquarters, who had come to inspect the facility: "Assistant Lu, the prototype of the VCD/DVD fully compatible player has achieved all preset functions! The stability test has also met the expected standards, and it can enter the small-batch trial production stage at any time!"
Lu Nini picked up a demo unit beside her, weighed it in her hand, and felt the weight of its more complex internal structure than a pure DVD player. Her eyes gleamed with shrewdness: "Good! Very good! Have you calculated the cost yet?"
"It's out." The technical expert handed over a document. "Because it integrates a dual laser head system and two sets of decoding circuits, the cost is about 35% higher than a pure DVD player, but it is much cheaper than buying a VCD player and a DVD player separately, and it saves space."
Manager Wang quickly glanced at the numbers and nodded: "A 35% premium is within an acceptable range. Our target users are families who still have a large number of VCDs at home and want to upgrade to enjoy DVD picture quality! This is a huge existing market! Immediately prepare the product finalization report and marketing plan. I need to report to Chairman Lu as soon as possible! We must make this 'two-in-one' weapon another scythe for harvesting the market!"
Her words were filled with confidence and ambition regarding the market prospects.
This compatible machine will be a powerful tool for Century Group to consolidate its dominant position in the audio-visual market and further squeeze the living space of its competitors.
Thinking of this, she immediately prepared to return to Pengcheng to report to Lu Yang.
Meanwhile, in Shenzhen, on the other side of the group, Century Langke, shouldering the mission of exploring new blue ocean markets, is experiencing an atmosphere that is a mixture of tension for project completion and joy for product launch.
Deng Guoshun and Cheng Xiaohua personally escorted a small, simple-looking metal box with smooth lines to Lu Yang's office.
Inside the box lay the prototype of Century Langke's first-generation MP3 player, which had undergone countless tests, modifications, and optimizations before finally receiving Lu Yang's approval.
It is small, thinner than a pack of cigarettes, and its silver-gray metal casing exudes a cold, industrial beauty.
The front features a monochrome LCD screen, with a few simple buttons below.
"Chairman, this is the final prototype."
Deng Guoshun's tone was filled with relief and pride, "Based on our 64MB flash memory chips, equipped with optimized control chips and read/write algorithms, the actual continuous playback time exceeds 10 hours, the USB 1.1 interface has stable transmission speed, and the sound quality has been fine-tuned multiple times, making it absolutely top-notch among similar products. Its shock resistance and stability have passed extreme tests."
Lu Yang picked up the small player; it felt slightly heavy and had a premium feel.
He skillfully plugged in his headphones and pressed play.
A clear, flowing piano melody instantly filled his ears, rich in detail and with a clean background. He listened with his eyes closed for a few seconds, then nodded.
Sound quality is the soul of a music player, and in this respect, Netac has not disappointed.
"Very good." Lu Yang put down the player and headphones, his gaze sweeping over Deng Guoshun and Cheng Xiaohua. "Thank you for your hard work. How are the preparations for mass production going?"
"The supply chain is fully operational, the production line has been debugged, and mass production can start at any time!" Cheng Xiaohua replied immediately, his voice firm and powerful.
The entire Langke team has spent countless sleepless nights working towards this moment.
Lu Yang pondered for a moment, his fingers tapping lightly on the smooth tabletop.
With the product about to be launched, a question that had been lingering in his mind resurfaced—the brand.
"Engineer Deng, Engineer Cheng," Lu Yang said, looking at the two veteran engineers. "The product is about to hit the market. What do you think of the name 'Century Langke' as a product brand that directly targets consumers?" Deng Guoshun and Cheng Xiaohua exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of hesitation in each other's eyes.
Deng Guoshun carefully considered his words before speaking: "Chairman, we are very confident in our technology. However, regarding the brand name... 'Century Langke' is suitable as a company name and a technology brand, but as a consumer electronics product... it might be a bit too formal and rugged, not... well, not friendly or memorable enough?"
Cheng Xiaohua added, "Yes, boss. Referring to successful international cases, such as Apple's iPod and Sony's Walkman, they all have their own exclusive product series names, which are catchy, easy to spread, and can give the products a unique personality."
Lu Yang nodded slightly; he shared the same sentiment.
A catchy product name is the first step to winning over consumers.
"What suggestions do you have?" Lu Yang asked, his eyes filled with encouragement.
Deng Guoshun thought for a moment and tentatively said, "Overseas, it's popular to use fruits, animals, or words with symbolic meanings. For example, apples, blackberries... Should we consider a similar direction? For example... 'blueberries'? Or 'hummingbirds'? They symbolize lightness and speed."
Cheng Xiaohua also suggested several names: "'Sound Movement'? 'Pleasant Sound'? Or the more technologically advanced 'Aurora'?"
Lu Yang listened quietly, his fingers unconsciously stroking the cool MP3 prototype casing.
His gaze fell on the prototype's rounded corners and smooth, mirror-like surface, and the clear, transparent sound of music playing in his mind came to mind. An image naturally emerged.
"No need." Lu Yang's voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable sense of certainty, interrupting the two engineers' suggestion.
Deng Guoshun and Cheng Xiaohua both looked at him at the same time.
Lu Yang picked up the small silver player, held it in his palm, and held it up to the light streaming in from the window.
The metal casing reflects a soft halo, and the compact body seems to contain endless possibilities.
“Let’s call it ‘Water Drop’,” Lu Yang said clearly and forcefully.
"Water Drop?" Deng Guoshun and Cheng Xiaohua repeated softly at the same time, feeling a little surprised by the name, yet seemingly capturing a certain artistic conception.
“Yes, a water droplet.” Lu Yang’s gaze was deep, as if he could see through the object in front of him and see something deeper. “The most important thing about an MP3 player is its sound. I hope its sound can be like the first water droplet that gathers on a lotus leaf in the morning, pure, clear, and untouched by dust, falling into the lake of the heart and creating the most genuine ripples.”
He paused, his fingertips gently tracing the smooth surface of the player: "'Water droplet,' simple, clean, evocative, and also symbolizing cohesion and purity. It doesn't need to imitate anyone; it is itself—the first clear echo that Century Langke presents to the world."
“‘Water Drop’…” Deng Guoshun murmured, savoring the name. The doubt in his eyes gradually gave way to a clear-eyed appreciation. “Pure and clear, gathering power… Good! This name is good! It has the qualities of sound, as well as a unique artistic conception and vitality!”
Cheng Xiaohua nodded vigorously: "Constant dripping wears away a stone! It also symbolizes our perseverance in overcoming technical challenges and our determination to penetrate the market in the future! Chairman, this name is brilliant!"
Lu Yang smiled slightly and gently placed the prototype back on the table, making a soft "tap" sound, as if a drop of water had finally found its home.
“Then it’s settled.” Lu Yang made the final decision. “The first generation of Century Langke MP3 player will be officially named—'Waterdrop'.”
"Yes, Chairman!" Deng Guoshun and Cheng Xiaohua responded in unison, their voices filled with anticipation for the product's imminent launch and their approval of the name.
The office fell silent for a moment, with only the faint hustle and bustle of the city outside the window.
Lu Yang's gaze fell once again on the small "water drop" prototype. It lay there quietly, its silver light restrained, yet it seemed to foreshadow the waves that would soon be stirred up in the digital music market.
Deng Guoshun and Cheng Xiaohua were still immersed in the imagery of the name "Water Drop" and the excitement of its imminent mass production, and for a moment they forgot to say goodbye.
Until Lu Yang's slightly puzzled voice rang out: "Aren't you leaving yet?"
"Huh?" The two seemed to wake up from a dream, and Deng Guoshun quickly replied, "Let's go, let's go now."
He tugged at Cheng Xiaohua's sleeve, and the two turned to leave.
However, after taking just one step, Cheng Xiaohua hesitated and stopped, a hint of unease on her face as she turned to look at Lu Yang: "Chairman..."
Lu Yang was picking up the silver-gray "water droplet" prototype on the table, his fingertips tracing the cool metal casing. He looked up at the question and asked, "Is there anything else?"
"It's like this." Cheng Xiaohua rubbed his hands together, his tone asking for instructions, "When would you... decide on the most appropriate time to hold the official launch event for the 'Waterdrop' MP3? So we can make preparations in advance."
Upon hearing this, Lu Yang didn't even raise an eyebrow, as if he were discussing something extremely trivial.
He weighed the "water droplet" in his palm, feeling its weighty, high-tech feel, and said in a calm but undeniably authoritative tone, "Do you even need to ask me?"
He glanced at the two engineers and said, “You decide for yourselves. When the production line is running smoothly, the inventory is sufficient, and the promotional materials are in place, then find a suitable time to gather the reporters and make the announcement.”
He paused, then added, "As for the speaker at the press conference, ask Ms. Wei if she's interested in going on stage. If she's not interested, you two can discuss it and decide who's up to. You're its 'parents,' you know it best, so it's most appropriate for you to introduce it to the world."
This practically means entrusting them with the entire "birth ceremony" of the product.
Deng Guoshun and Cheng Xiaohua exchanged a glance, both seeing the excitement and sense of responsibility in each other's eyes.
"Yes, Chairman! We understand!" the two replied in unison, their voices loud and clear, filled with the enthusiasm of being trusted and the anticipation of making great strides.
The long-standing issues of naming and publishing rights were resolved in just a few words by Lu Yang, and the direction became crystal clear.
"Go on, hurry up." Lu Yang waved his hand.
"Yes!" the two responded again, their excitement barely contained, and they left the chairman's office with light steps, the door closing gently behind them.
The office fell silent instantly, with only the faint sound of traffic from Shenzhen outside the window.
Lu Yang's gaze returned to the small and exquisite "water droplet" in his palm.
Suddenly I remembered that today is February 14th.
……
An idea popped into my head naturally.
Lu Yang smiled gently, a smile that was different from his decisiveness when facing his subordinates. This smile was warm and carried a private joy.
Without hesitation, he gripped the unique engineering prototype tightly, feeling the cool touch of the metal casing.
"Leaving get off work early," he muttered to himself, as if giving himself a reasonable excuse.
He stood up and deftly placed the "water droplet" into the inside pocket of his suit jacket, close to his heart.
Then he picked up his coat from the back of the chair and draped it over his arm.
At this moment, all he wanted was to take this "first clear echo," which embodies cutting-edge technology and painstaking effort and represents the future, back to his warm home and deliver it ahead of time as a unique Western Valentine's Day gift to the most important woman in his life.
Outside the window, the afterglow of the setting sun gilded the towering buildings of the city.
Lu Yang walked calmly out of the office, his figure blending into the light and shadow of the corridor. The small "water droplet" in his pocket seemed to carry a touch of warmth, as if he were coming home. (End of Chapter)