Chairman Ren

Biodata

Background / History

Chairman Ren becomes interested in Ye Fan after the X System demonstrates its potential. Upon receiving Code K's information from the 61 Program Website, he immediately orders Huawei to contact Ye Fan and seek an in-person discussion. 19 20

When the chairmen of the four major mobile-phone brands gather to discuss cooperation, Ren recognizes the scale of Ye Fan's achievement: Future Technology Crystal Company had been founded only days earlier, indicating that Ye Fan independently developed the X System. 25 26

Before the joint X System press conference, Ren urges the four companies to set aside past conflicts and prepare for retaliation from technology monopolies. 31 32

As Samsung and Sony's actions undermine the four companies' market position and supply chain, Ren orders their research departments to accelerate work on flash memory, screen, and camera technologies. He also asks what Future Technology Crystal Company has been developing. 39 40

During the ensuing crisis, board members propose abandoning the X System. Ren rejects the suggestion, insisting that technologies unavailable from others should be researched independently, even at a temporary loss. He then decides to seek Ye Fan's help despite concerns over Ye Fan's recent controversy. 47 48

Ren travels with the other chairmen to visit Ye Fan in hospital. He is stunned to learn that Future Technology Crystal Company had already completed breakthroughs in flash memory, under-screen camera, mobile camera, and magnetic energy battery technologies—areas Huawei's group had struggled to overcome despite years of investment. 47 48 49

Personality

Chairman Ren is resolute in the face of commercial and technological pressure. He views the X System as a symbol of domestic technological advancement and refuses to retreat merely because the four companies face supply-chain losses and falling stocks. 47 48

He is pragmatic as well as determined: although committed to independent research, he is willing to approach Ye Fan directly when Future Technology Crystal Company's capabilities may offer a solution. 19 47

Ren has a strong appreciation for technical talent. While waiting in Ye Fan's hospital room, he chooses not to interrupt Ye Fan's coding and admires the younger man's concentration and work ethic. 49 50

Relationships

• Ye Fan / Code K — Business partner and sought-after technology developer. Ren contacts him over the X System, later visits him in hospital to seek help amid the Four Major Mobile Phone Groups' crisis. 19 20 47
• Lei Xiaojun — Fellow chairman among the Four Major Mobile Phone Groups. They coordinate around the X System, cooperation with Future Technology Crystal Company, and the industry crisis. 25 32 39 48
• Qin Jiang — Ye Fan's CEO. Qin Jiang's delayed disclosure of Future Technology Crystal Company's completed technologies leaves Ren shocked and frustrated. 47 49
• Other mobile-phone chairmen — Allied competitors who join Ren in adopting the X System and confronting external technological pressure. 20 32 47

Story Role / Major Arcs

X System Cooperation

• Leads Huawei's effort to contact Ye Fan after learning that Code K created the X System. 19 20
• Joins the other major mobile-phone chairmen in cooperation with Future Technology Crystal Company. 25 26

Joint Press Conference and External Pressure

• Supports the Four Major Mobile Phone Groups' united adoption of the X System. 31 32
• Anticipates that the X System will provoke suppression from established technology monopolies. 31 32
• Responds to market decline and supply-chain restrictions by calling for faster independent research. 39 40

Supply-Chain Crisis

• Opposes removing the X System despite the companies' collapsing market share and stocks. 47 48
• Visits Ye Fan in hospital after deciding Future Technology Crystal Company may be able to resolve the crisis. 47 48
• Learns of Future Technology Crystal Company's completed component and battery breakthroughs, dramatically revising his understanding of Ye Fan's capabilities. 47 49

Notable Quotes

“If we can't buy it, can't we research it ourselves!” 47 48

“If others won't give us the technology, then we'll research it ourselves.” 47 48