Tech Giants: Starting from Bankrupt Companies

50: Chapter 50: Spring Festival Overture, Lights of Every HomeThe shock and revelry brought by Spark Group’s unprecedented annual meeting were like brilliant fireworks that, after blooming exquisitely in the night sky, gradually blended into the daily lights of Shenzhen. Following this was the increasingly thick atmosphere of the New Year, something etched into the very bones of the Chinese people. The faint scent of gunpowder from firecrackers began to permeate the air, big red lanterns were hung on both sides of the streets, and festive New Year songs played on loop in the shopping malls.

On the first working day after the annual meeting, while all Spark employees were still immersed in the excitement and memories of the event, the internal system ”Spark Home” and the email inboxes of all staff simultaneously received a notification titled ”Notice Regarding the Group Assisting Employees with Returning Home for the Spring Festival.”

The content of the notice was concise and to the point, yet it was like a ray of warm winter sun shining into everyone’s hearts:

”Dear Spark colleagues: As the Spring Festival approaches, to thank everyone for your hard work over the past year and to help you smoothly return home to reunite with your families, the Group has decided—”

1. To purchase round-trip train tickets (High-speed/Bullet trains preferred) for all regular employees and one immediate relative. Please submit your itinerary information via the designated link.

2. For employees who choose other methods of transportation (such as planes or long-distance buses) or do not need tickets purchased, the Group will provide a transportation subsidy, to be issued directly with the January salary.

3. The Group has coordinated with the railway department to open a green channel for Spark employees to ensure everyone can successfully obtain their tickets.”

This notice was like a giant stone thrown into a calm lake, triggering a more lasting and profound sense of emotion within the company than even the grand prizes won at the annual meeting.

In the Technical Department’s chat group, the screen was instantly flooded with ”teary eyes” and ”thumbs up” emojis.

”My god! The company even bought our tickets for us?! And for family members too!”

”I was just worrying about how I’d manage to snag a ticket... now I’m completely at ease!”

”This isn’t just a benefit; it’s the feeling of ’home’! The company has cleared the final hurdle for us to go home!”

”No regrets joining Spark in this life! No matter who tries to poach me in the future, I’m not leaving!”

In the production line’s work group, an Old Master Craftsman whose hometown was in the distant Northwest sent a long message using a somewhat clumsy voice-to-text input: ”I’ve worked in factories for over a decade, and this is the first time I’ve encountered a company like this... President Su... President Su really has us in his heart!”

This warm current quickly swept through the entire Group. Colleagues from the Administrative Department reported that the system for submitting itinerary information had to queue at one point due to high traffic, but everyone had smiles and anticipation on their faces. This seemingly simple measure created an emotional bond that far exceeded any monetary reward. It sent a clear message: at Spark, you are not just an employee creating value, but a family member being carefully looked after.

In the top-floor office, Shen Nanpeng reported the budget and execution of this benefit to Su Chen. Standing by the window, Su Chen watched the employees in the park below walking with light steps and expectant smiles. He said to Lin Wan and Shen Nanpeng beside him, ”The end of technology is humanity. Cold code and machines are ultimately meant to make people’s lives better. We want every Spark person to know that the company is not just their battlefield for struggle, but also a warm reliance they can depend on. This money is well spent.”

As the Spring Festival drew closer, Su Chen’s usually somewhat cold and modern minimalist penthouse also began to radiate a different kind of vitality.

Su Chen’s parents finished their months-long world tour and returned to Shenzhen, travel-worn yet in high spirits. The long-absent sense of domestic life finally permeated the home once more. The nanny had arrived a few days early to perform a thorough cleaning, leaving everything bright and clean to await the owners’ return.

On the day his parents returned, Su Chen drove personally, taking Lin Wan along to pick them up from the airport.

At the arrival gate, Lin Wan wore a gentle cream-white sweater under a light coffee-colored coat. With light makeup, she looked both elegant and slightly unable to hide her nervousness. From time to time, she adjusted her scarf and whispered to Su Chen, ”Do you think Uncle and Auntie will find what I’m wearing too plain?”

Su Chen looked at her rare display of girlishness and found it exceptionally cute. He smiled and squeezed her hand. ”Don’t worry, they’ll like you no matter what you’re like.”

When Father Su and Mother Su pushed their luggage cart out, Su Chen waved. Mother Su immediately spotted the girl with the gentle temperament and graceful posture standing beside her son. A bright smile instantly bloomed on her face; she almost jogged over, bypassed her son entirely, and warmly took Lin Wan’s arm.

”Xiao Wan! Have you been waiting long? The plane was delayed for a bit.” Mother Su looked Lin Wan up and down, her eyes filled with undisguised affection. ”Oh my, you look even more spirited and beautiful than in the videos!”

The nervousness on Lin Wan’s face instantly turned into shyness and warmth. ”Auntie, Uncle, you’ve had a long and tiring journey.”

Father Su stood to the side watching the scene, a gratified and relaxed smile appearing on his dignified face. He nodded to Su Chen, everything understood without words. At this moment, Lin Wan’s status as ”Su Chen’s girlfriend” received its most natural and warm formal confirmation within the family.

The following days were for Spring Festival preparations. The family went together to visit Shenzhen’s largest New Year’s market. The market was bustling with people, filled with red ’Fu’ characters, spring couplets, lanterns, and all sorts of dried fruits and snacks.

Mother Su picked things out with great interest in front, while Father Su was responsible for carrying bags and offering advice. Su Chen and Lin Wan followed behind hand-in-hand, like any ordinary couple in love.

”Mom, this ’Fu’ character is 3D and gold-stamped. Does it look good?” Lin Wan held up a ’Fu’ character to ask.

”It looks great! Let’s buy this one! It’ll be perfect for the foyer!” Mother Su agreed wholeheartedly.

Su Chen stopped in front of a stall selling traditional sugar paintings, watching the craftsman’s skill with interest. He even secretly bought a rabbit-shaped one and stuffed it into Lin Wan’s hand when no one was looking, causing her to suppress a light laugh. This kind of mundane happiness, full of the flavor of life, was exceptionally precious to Su Chen and Lin Wan, who were usually engaged in the battles of the business world.

New Year’s Eve finally arrived amidst a flurry of warm activity.

In the home’s dining room, the huge floor-to-ceiling windows looked out over the city’s brilliant night view, while inside was a warm reunion dinner. Mother Su cooked personally, making several signature dishes that Su Chen had loved since childhood. Lin Wan wore an apron and helped out on the side, peeling garlic and washing vegetables; though her movements were not practiced, she was extremely earnest. The dining table was spread with home-cooked dishes full of love—no exotic delicacies, yet more heart-warming than any Michelin feast.

The family sat around the television with the lively Spring Festival Gala playing in the background. Although the program might not have fully captured their attention, this sense of ritual was indispensable. Everyone chatted as they watched, with topics ranging from travel stories from all over to interesting anecdotes from the company, in a harmonious atmosphere.

During this time, Su Chen’s phone rang occasionally. He went to the study to take several important New Year’s greeting calls.

”President Ren, Happy New Year! I also wish all colleagues at Huawei a very happy Spring Festival. In the new year, let’s continue our deep cooperation!”

”Chairman Li, Happy New Year! Thank you for Geely’s support this year. I look forward to our ’Qingtian’ system showing its brilliance next year!”

”Mayor, I’m calling to wish you a Happy New Year! Thank you to the Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government for their care for Spark. We will certainly redouble our efforts to contribute to Shenzhen’s development!”

These brief calls, filled with holiday greetings and prospects for cooperation in the coming year, sketched out the vast and solid network of relationships behind Su Chen.

Approaching midnight, Su Chen took Lin Wan to the designated riverside area of the residential complex where fireworks could be set off. Many fireworks were already blooming in the night sky. Su Chen lit a large box of fireworks, the fuse sizzling.

”Bang—Pop!”

Brilliant bursts of colored light soared into the sky, exploding at their highest point and turning into a shower of falling stars that illuminated their faces in flickering light.

Lin Wan looked up, the brilliant light reflected in her eyes. Su Chen reached out and gently put his arm around her shoulder. Amidst the splendor filling the sky and the cheers of those around them, the two looked at each other and smiled. No words were spoken, yet it felt as if a thousand words had been exchanged. At this moment, there was no turbulence of the business world, only the tranquility and romance belonging to each other.

The remaining days of the Spring Festival holiday slowed down completely. The family went to see a lighthearted movie together, played chess, drank tea, and chatted at home, or simply enjoyed the warm southern winter sun on the balcony. Su Chen completely silenced his phone, temporarily putting aside all meetings and decisions, giving his time entirely to his family and Lin Wan.

On the evening of the last day of the holiday, Father Su and Su Chen were playing chess on the study’s balcony. Father Su placed a piece and looked at his son, his tone peaceful yet deep: ”Son, seeing you build the company so large and so well, becoming a pride of the nation, your mother and I are proud of you from the bottom of our hearts.”

He paused, his gaze drifting toward Lin Wan, who was arranging flowers with Mother Su in the living room, and his voice grew even softer: ”But seeing you and Xiao Wan getting along so well, seeing smiles on your faces and the warmth of a home, our hearts feel even more at ease and grounded. Money can never be finished being earned, and careers can never be finished being built. Having someone by your side who cares for you is better than anything else.”

Su Chen followed his father’s gaze and saw Lin Wan skillfully inserting a sprig of winter jasmine into a vase, earning praise from Mother Su. The softest part of his heart was touched. He nodded and said softly, ”Dad, I know. Don’t worry.”

The Spring Festival overture slowly played out amidst the myriad lights of homes and then gradually returned to peace. This precious holiday was like a warm harbor, allowing Su Chen and Lin Wan, who had experienced the stormy seas of business, to dock, rest, and recharge. The nourishment of family and the sweetness of love washed away their fatigue and injected them with new strength. When they set sail again, their hearts would be fuller and their steps more determined. Ahead lay the even more magnificent sea of stars belonging to the Spark empire.