Two days later, the Founder's Edition S1 on the market became extremely difficult to acquire.
Currently, the pre-sale volume of Orange S1 has reached 1.72 million, but there are only 10,000 Founder's Edition units after all.
The most exaggerated thing is that some people are already seeking to buy the Founder's Edition S1 at double the price.
For the rich, price is never an issue; a symbol of status is what matters most.
The popularity of the Orange S1 was not unforeseen.
In this era, there was no Xiaomi, Huawei, VIVO, or OPPO; there was only Meizu M8, the generation's king phone iPhone 4 had not yet been released, Motorola and Nokia were in decline, leaving only HTC and Samsung.
Unboxing videos from professional review bloggers appeared on Renren.com and Weibo.
"Brothers, look at what this is? That's right, this is the legendary Orange Founder's Edition Super 1. Xiao Liang didn't manage to grab one at the time; I got this phone by paying triple the price, fresh and hot. Since I'm from Dongjiang, I dare say that I'm the first to get the Founder's Edition, barring any accidents."
In the video, the blogger Xiao Liang unpacked the tightly sealed express box.
"Wow, I've never seen a phone packaged like this before; it feels particularly grand and exquisite. Other manufacturers should really learn from this and see the attitude of Orange Phone."
Carefully cutting open the plastic seal with a utility knife and opening the packaging box, Xiao Liang said:
"There's not much to say about the standard earphones and charging head. Let's look at the actual device. Although I've seen many pictures online before, I have to say, none of them convey the shock of holding the real device in your hand. It's like a exquisite piece of craftsmanship.
You know, as a professional unboxing and testing blogger, I've done too many phones, but I dare say no other phone has this kind of texture and premium feel. How should I put it, in comparison, other phones have a strong plastic feel."
"Good is good, bad is bad; there's no intention of praising anyone or stepping on anyone here. You'll fall in love with the metal frame at first glance. The back of the phone is simple, without too much fuss. Now, let's power it on and take a look."
"Ho, this boot animation is nice. And the system is smoother than any phone I've used before. Most importantly, as CEO Chen said, the aesthetic of this UI is truly amazing. If I had to define it, the Orange S1 is like fine rice bran, while other phones are coarse grains."
"First, let's look at the camera's performance and take a selfie."
Xiao Liang first selected "Portrait," found the 'fresh and natural' style, and then took a picture of himself.
After seeing the photo effect, he nodded in satisfaction:
"This camera engine is really impressive; it's much better than what a real camera produces. I often make videos and stay up late, so my skin condition isn't actually great, but it's completely invisible in the photo. Now let's do some simple editing. There's a one-tap beauty feature here; let's tap it."
"Holy crap, this is me? What's the core of its algorithm? It feels like it instantly made me two or three levels more handsome, with bigger eyes, a more prominent nose bridge, and a slimmer face."
...
At the end of the video, Xiao Liang said:
"Alright, that's it for today's video. I believe after my tests, everyone knows what level of device the Orange S1 is, right? In one word: go for it without hesitation. I bet this is just CEO Chen's first time making a phone, wanting to give everyone a benefit, otherwise, you absolutely couldn't buy a phone like this at this price.
To be honest with you, I have a friend who works at Orange Phone, and in his words, they basically don't make any money."
Blogger Xiao Liang's video was uploaded for less than ten minutes before Renren.com and Weibo directly pushed it to their homepages, allowing anyone visiting these two websites to see it immediately.
Soon, the video went viral.
"Blogger, since your video is shot and tests are done, how about I buy it back at half price?"
"Well, buddy upstairs, your abacus beads are practically hitting my face."
"I'm 18 this year, 172cm tall, weigh 95 catties, and most importantly, 36D. I'm looking for a boyfriend willing to buy me an Orange S1."
"I originally wanted my Nokia to last a bit longer, but after seeing this video, I couldn't help but pre-order one too."
"You're wise, brother upstairs. If you don't switch to a smartphone, you might not even be able to use WeChat."
"This camera function is really awesome. Other domestic manufacturers should learn from it."
"Learn what? They only know how to assemble machines and cut leeks, completely unwilling to do R&D."
"Watching this makes me burn with desire. I still have half a month until I get the phone. I already prepared the phone case on Renren Mall yesterday."
"It's just a phone; as long as it works. — From ORANGE super 1 ultra."
"Why does it smell like a religious cult? Mindlessly fawning?"
"To be honest, these features are just fancy tricks. Samsung doesn't not do them; they disdain to do them. Good quality is the most crucial thing. I really doubt how good the quality of Orange's first phone is."
"Two dogs upstairs, verification complete."
...
Fang Yuting was slacking off at work, watching blogger Xiao Liang's review video, and after finishing it, she felt a bit crazy.
"Xinyue, I can't take it anymore. My mind is full of the Orange S1, especially that camera feature—I love it too much."
Zhang Xinyue was also quite interested in this phone and said with a smile,
"If you like it, just buy it. Why are you looking like this?"
Upon saying this, Fang Yuting deflated like a punctured ball, her entire face falling.
"If only it were that simple! I just changed my phone before the New Year. My dad definitely wouldn't agree if I changed it again now, and you know I'm a 'moonlight clan' member."
"Our company's salary isn't low, right? You just started and earn over five thousand a month. What do you spend it all on?"
Fang Yuting counted on her fingers:
"I didn't do much, really. After rent, cosmetics, transportation, clothes, and dinners, there's not much left. Last month I bought a bag."
Zhang Xinyue was speechless.
Just then, Hao Shaoping's voice came.
He walked over from the floor entrance, carrying a cardboard box in his hand, and approached Zhang Xinyue:
"Here, your package. I saw it downstairs just now and grabbed it for you."
"?"
Zhang Xinyue was stunned:
"Is there a mistake? I didn't buy anything."
Hao Shaoping winked at her:
"Then I don't know, but it has your name on it."
Understanding Hao Shaoping's hint, Zhang Xinyue somewhat confusedly took the cardboard box.
Fang Yuting also leaned in:
"What did you buy?"
"I don't know either?"
"How could you not know what you bought? Open it and see."
At Fang Yuting's urging, Zhang Xinyue opened the outer packaging, revealing the true contents of the cardboard box.
It was an Orange S1 phone.
"Wow, you kept that quiet, sister! You actually managed to get the Founder's Edition without a word?"
Fang Yuting's eyes widened, looking at Zhang Xinyue in surprise, then pointed at the phone, speaking incoherently:
"You... this."
Hao Shaoping didn't pay attention to the two of them and returned to his own office.
He had actually just come down from Chen Pingjiang's office.
Chen Pingjiang had called him up and given him a phone.
Could the shrewd Hao Shaoping not understand the meaning?
So he found an excuse and handed it to Zhang Xinyue.
Zhang Xinyue was a bit flustered, but quickly regained her composure.
Hao Shaoping's wink just now must have had a deep meaning.
A sudden sweetness filled her heart.
It must have been Chen Pingjiang who sent it to her; at least he had a conscience.
Many people in the office were drawn to them, eagerly urging Zhang Xinyue to unbox it.
"Quick, open it and take a look! What are you waiting for?"
"Xinyue, you're so lucky! I got my whole family to try and still couldn't get one."
"Xinyue, are you selling this phone? I can pay extra. I plan to use it as a proposal gift for my girlfriend."
"..."
Amidst all the urging, Zhang Xinyue opened the outer packaging, revealing the actual device.
"So beautiful, such high aesthetic appeal."
"Haha, if I had a phone like this, I'd definitely be making calls frantically on the subway, showing it off."
This phone was a gift from Chen Pingjiang, and Zhang Xinyue was very happy; it held extraordinary significance for her.
Only after her colleagues returned to their workstations did Zhang Xinyue send a message to Chen Pingjiang:
"Thank you."
Who knew that Fang Yuting, as if possessed, came over again:
"There were too many people just now, so I didn't expose you. Quickly tell me who gave you the phone? I don't believe you grabbed it yourself; you clearly didn't even know it contained a phone at first."
Zhang Xinyue looked at her helplessly, fearing Fang Yuting would continue gossiping, so she just nodded and smiled shyly:
"Mm, it was given by someone I like."
"Ah, why doesn't any man give me one? I declare that whoever gives me an Orange S1, I'll date him!"
Zhang Xinyue's words were overheard by Quan Mingkai, who happened to be passing by to pour water.
In that instant, Quan Mingkai felt a stab in his heart.
"Given by someone I like."
It hurt, it hurt so much.
So, Xinyue already has someone she likes, but it's not me.
But I like her so much, why doesn't she like me?
I've liked her for so long, ever since I joined the company...
But if they both liked each other, why haven't I heard about her being in a relationship?
And that so-called "person she likes" has never appeared, nor has Zhang Xinyue ever talked about him in public.
Is it just an "excuse"? Or is my goddess being kept?
No, no matter the outcome, I can't give up.
I don't care about her past, nor who she likes; I just want to be with her.
Chen Pingjiang, who was on the top floor, sneezed several times:
"Damn, who's talking about me?"
Before him lay a pile of Orange S1 phones, in various colors, all Founder's Editions.
They publicly stated there were only 10,000 Founder's Edition units, but in reality, there were more.
Chen Pingjiang equipped the executives of his various groups with a unit each, considering it a company perk.
After distributing a round, he planned to give away the remaining phones.
Empress Dowager Xu and the Grand Emperor would definitely get one each, Yan Yan's family three, and Ning Yongde and others from Caida four or five.
He Zhiyu, Liu Cheng, and others had asked several times, and this time he would bring them a few units.
Zhou Guanghan, Dai Sheng, and Zhao Shaoyang would each get one.
These three were now Chen Pingjiang's partners, and when the bar opened later, the Founder's Edition S1 could serve as a façade for them.
For the last few phones, he gave one to Zhang Xinyue and one to Cong Nini.
...
When Chen Pingjiang arrived at Cong Nini's residence that evening and took out the phone he was carrying, Cong Nini's eyes lit up, and she jumped onto Chen Pingjiang.
"Wuwuwu, Daddy, you're too good to me. Whatever position you want tonight, I'll satisfy you."
Then came a series of intense kisses.
Chen Pingjiang glared at her:
"Why do girls talk so ferociously?"
"I'm only like this with you; other stinky men won't experience it."
After saying that, she leaned close to Chen Pingjiang's ear and said in a seductive voice:
"I bought a few really nice outfits on Taobao; you'll definitely like them."
Before long, Chen Pingjiang knew what these "nice outfits" were.
A maid cosplay.
A sexy bunny outfit, with a fluffy pink tail attached to the back.
A gymnastics leotard.
A crotchless pair of pants.
She was simply too skilled...
With the music on, she began to dance in front of Chen Pingjiang.
Chen Pingjiang almost lost control then, swallowing hard.
Among the several women, Cong Nini was the most unconventional, the most special.
Their relationship truly felt somewhat like that of a server and a client.
Cong Nini always tried her utmost to win Chen Pingjiang's favor.
Before long, Chen Pingjiang lay on the soft large bed, and Cong Nini knelt, kissing Chen Pingjiang's skin inch by inch, until...
(End of chapter)