Chapter 37: Reliving Youth’s Tech Nostalgia

First floor of the Computer City, at the Nokia counter.

Xu Chen strolled up and, without a glance, said to the clerk:

“N70.”

The Nokia N70 was once hailed as the “King of Symbian Phones.”

At launch, its official price neared ¥5,000 and even spiked to six or seven thousand.

In his last life, Xu Chen’s father, Xu Zhiquan, had promised to buy him one after he got into college.

But before Xu Chen even took the entrance exam, Xu Zhiquan’s business hit a major crisis. Debts piled up, factories closed, and houses sold off.

The shiny new phone Xu Chen dreamed of naturally slipped away.

His father headed south to work off debts, and Xu Chen worked part time through university. Those four years were lean—no way to afford a new phone.

After graduation, Xu Chen saved some money, but by then the N70 was already obsolete.

Buying one then would have been pointless…

Now, back with a fresh start and ¥150,000 in pocket, it was time to claim his N70.

It felt like settling an old score with his youth.

The clerk lifted a brand-new N70 from the glass case and handed it over.

Xu Chen didn’t inspect it closely.

“How much now?”

“We’ve got a promotion—¥4,680 after discount.”

“Plus,” the clerk added, “we’re throwing in a spare battery and a universal charger.”

Still expensive—this was 2006, after all.

¥4,000 in 2006 had serious purchasing power.

Xu Chen didn’t hesitate. He whipped out his bank card and waved grandly:

“Charge it.”

The clerk beamed and produced the card reader.

“Enter your PIN, sir.”

“Keep the receipt—it’s needed for warranty or repairs.”

“Here are your freebies: the spare battery and charger.”

Xu Chen picked up the charger and examined it.

The “Flying Squirrel” brand oozed vintage charm.

Many born after ’95 or ’00 have never seen these gadgets—back then everyone had one.

He popped open the box on the spot and swapped his old SIM card into the new N70.

Long-press to power up, enjoying the classic handshake animation…

Playing with the N70, Xu Chen couldn’t help admiring its industrial design.

Its solid build and retro-mechanical look felt exquisitely refined.

Nothing like the cookie-cutter big-screen smartphones of later eras.

Yet that tiny screen showed pixelated mosaics and a primitive UI. He felt its age.

No wonder Symbian died out and Nokia fell.

The two-megapixel camera churned out grainy snapshots—nothing like the hundred-megapixel marvels of the future.

Still, Xu Chen loved it.

Partly for nostalgia, mostly for the memories it represented.

Revisiting and resolving every regret from his past after rebirth felt wonderful.

…

After leaving the Nokia counter, Xu Chen browsed the rest of Computer City.

He held his old Bodar phone, debating whether to give it to Xie Bingran.

He’d confirmed she didn’t have a phone.

To reach her, he otherwise had to wait at the cafeteria or catch her in class—no direct way to call.

After thinking it over, he went to the Bodar counter and bought a brand-new model identical to his old one.

His old phone still held messages he couldn’t easily copy out, so he couldn’t hand it over directly.

Telling Xie Bingran he’d bought her a phone might stress her out.

Better to say he’d upgraded and was passing his old device on—it’d feel more natural.

Though she now had the tough nickname “Bing Ge,” to Xu Chen she was still the shy, small, insecure deskmate she used to be.

He tore open the box and tossed it aside—he’d just hand her the phone and charger tomorrow.

Next, he hit the Mobile Operator agency and got a fresh SIM card to give her.

In 2006 there was no enforced real-name requirement, so anonymity was fine.

…

…

When he got back to school, the first evening study session had just begun.

With mock exams Thursday, the room crackled with tension.

Xu Chen opened his math workbook and got to work.

He’d drilled math problems all week, especially sequences. He tackled every one he found.

After all, he knew sequence questions would form the last big problem on the college entrance exam.

Suddenly, Chen Dahai patted Xu Chen’s shoulder and held out his hand.

“What’s up?”

“New phone! Let me see!”

Xu Chen sighed, pulled the N70 from his pocket, and handed it over.

Chen Dahai took it, buried his head under the desk, and examined it closely.

Soft murmurs of admiration and envy escaped him.

Other boys clustered around, eager to take turns.

By the time the phone circled back to Xu Chen, the first study session was almost over.

He took it back, feeling bemused.

This phone really went around the whole class?

If it made one more lap, it’d be polished shiny.

Chen Dahai looked up and glanced around before whispering:

“Weird—why didn’t that bald guy come to supervise tonight?”

“Bald guy” was their nickname for homeroom teacher Zhang Liqun.

Another boy chuckled low:

“Better he didn’t—gives us a little freedom.”

Xu Chen froze, recalling Zhang Liqun asking him for that forum submission earlier.

Could the bald homeroom teacher be off at home working on his Shenbao submission?

…

Lights out in the classroom at ten.

Xu Chen and Chen Dahai, weary, left the room.

The night air was cool as they joked on their way to the dorm.

Passing the girls’ dorm entrance, Xu Chen looked up.

He wanted to give Xie Bingran the phone but still had no way to contact her.

He’d just wait until tomorrow.

At lunchtime “Bing Ge” was usually in the cafeteria.

With city games trials Wednesday, he wondered if she’d be training on her own.

…

After a quick wash, Xu Chen climbed into bed.

Some studious roommates still pored over books by their lights.

Chen Dahai on the lower bunk was already snoring.

Xu Chen pulled out his new phone and opened QQ.

It might be an old Symbian relic, but at least it could go online.

He logged in, and a message from NetAffairsLikeSmoke popped up.

【Mr. Xu, the company’s finance has transferred the funds this afternoon. Please check.】

Xu Chen replied:

【Funds received! Thanks, General Manager Guo!】

Just as he was about to power down, an email alert appeared.

He opened it and nearly laughed out loud.

Homeroom teacher Zhang Liqun really did submit to Shenbao…

and cc’d the submission to Xu Chen’s inbox.

Xu Chen grinned wickedly and opened the email.