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Chapter 36 - Chapter 36: Rich Kids

Auston smiled noncommittally. He knew Jobs somewhat. Although they were not close friends, he had dealt with him many times. He was talkative, arrogant, wise, and cunning. His personality was obviously aggressive. It was said that he was very domineering in the company. His reputation was indeed not very good. Perhaps it would be more appropriate to describe him as terrible.

Andy saw his father's disapproval. Before he launched the iPhone, Steve Jobs had a very bad impression among the American public. He was very unpopular. But then, he changed the world, was deified after his death, and Apple fans around the world wept bitterly. Think about it, is there anyone in modern history whose influence can compare to his? You'd be surprised to find that there isn't one.

Some might say Michael Jackson doesn't count. Steve Jobs changed the world. Changing the world is a terrifying thing, like the light bulb, the television, and so on. We weren't there at the time, so we can't understand that kind of grandeur. But Steve Jobs, with the smartphone, allowed us to experience firsthand the thrill of world-changing change.

Steve Jobs is one of America's greatest innovative leaders, and his exceptional talent made him someone who could change the world. (US President Barack Obama)

Few people have had the same impact on the world as Steve Jobs, and that impact will be long-lasting. (Bill Gates)

He knows how to create amazingly great products. (Paul Allen)

Andy is not an Apple fan, and he doesn't have any special feelings about Steve Jobs. After all, in his previous life, all this was just a rich man in a distant country, although he also relied on a smartphone to make a living.

But things were different now. He had a vested interest in doubling his assets through Apple stock. So, in his eyes, Jobs was a great business leader. Andy held up a finger and said, "First, Apple's stock price has gone from less than a dollar to over $60 now, maintaining an overall upward trend. Second, and most importantly, Apple's current leader is Steve Jobs. He may have some character issues, but you can't deny he's a genius and a man who loves innovation. He's brought Apple far more than just a way out of its current financial difficulties. I believe he'll astound the world in the near future."

"Oh, you seem to admire him very much. I hope he won't let you down!" Auston sneered. He knew that Jobs was not a scientific researcher. It would be more appropriate to describe him as a businessman. However, he was indeed a successful businessman with ability and skill. At least he would not lead Apple into the abyss.

"No matter what, you still have to be careful." Li Wanqing said with some concern.

"Mom, don't worry, I will pay attention. I have a financial advisor watching over me, so nothing will happen." Andy comforted with a wry smile.

Li Wanqing suddenly clapped her hands, stood up hastily, and rushed into the kitchen. She brought out a plate of watermelon and handed a piece to Andy. "This is RB's famous black-skinned watermelon. Come and try it. It was given to your father by a client. He said he only sells 100 a year for over a hundred dollars. It has a unique sweetness and is delicious."

"Oh, the Japs really know how to do business." Andy had heard of this kind of black-skinned watermelon in his previous life. The Japs praised it as rare in the world. The most expensive one was auctioned for more than 6,000 US dollars. Although this watermelon was indeed delicious, the hostility towards the Japs that Andy had received from the education of the Chinese people was deeply rooted in his soul.

Auston frowned when he heard Andy's ridicule of the foot basin and said seriously, "Don't say such discriminatory words. It will be very troublesome if others hear it. After all, you are a public figure."

"Ha~~~ What's wrong with talking about the Japanese? My dad talks about them all the time. He even says they are the short Japanese. There are even worse things than that. So what?" Li Wanqing heard her son being scolded.

He immediately retorted coldly.

"I surrender. I can't argue with you. My son is a public figure. It's easy for him to be attacked because of these words. He must be careful." Austin smiled bitterly and raised his hands in surrender. He had no way to deal with his wife's nagging, but he still had to remind her.

"Hmph! My dear son, what your dad said makes sense. Just say it's okay at home and don't go out and talk nonsense." Li Wanqing took out a tissue and handed it to Andy. She felt very satisfied watching her son eat the watermelon in big mouthfuls.

After the maid cleaned up the garbage, Andy felt a little full and had eaten too much. He enjoyed Li Wanqing's care, so he accepted everything. The three of them watched TV and chatted in the living room, and Li Wanqing's happy laughter could be heard from time to time.

Lying in bed, Andy looked at his bedroom furnishings. The wall was covered with photos of him, his family, and his friends. He'd just glanced at them and even spotted some surprising group photos: photos with Ivanka Trump, the Hilton sisters, and even one with President Louisville. It all made him realize how sophisticated his previous life had been, even though the photos were all from years past.

A bookshelf filled with various books. The bottom few shelves are all comics, basically American superhero comics, but the complete sets of "Dragon Ball" and "Saint Seiya" are also among them.

In a corner of the bedroom, the wall opposite the computer desk was blocked by two large display cabinets, densely packed with various figures and toys, with Transformers and superheroes being the most common. Andy was excited, as he was also fascinated by Transformers toys, but the high price of the G1 had prevented him from collecting. Now, there was no need to worry. A display cabinet of G1 Transformers, the center one sealed in a crystal case, thrilled Andy, almost to tears. It was the largest Transformer toy, a collectible 1986 Ford F-16. Its value was secondary, its status the main factor. Being an original and the largest size, 20 years ahead of the competition, were the main reasons for its popularity among enthusiasts.

(G1: Simply put, these are the Transformers that the post-80s generation could buy when they were young. Although they may not look very exquisite today, the reason for collecting them is the nostalgia. After all, those were the original products produced in that era.)

The outermost area of ​​the bedroom is filled with a circle of exquisite fabric sofas surrounding a TV cabinet. A 47-inch LCD TV is hung on the wall. LCD TVs of this period were extremely expensive, costing around 20,000 yuan in China in 2006. Game discs are neatly stacked on the TV cabinet, and a black PS2 stands upright on the side.

There was a rectangular display cabinet next to it. On the top layer was a signed baseball held up by an exquisite stand. The middle layer was a signed rugby ball. The bottom layer was filled with three wooden boxes covered with grids. Andy took a look at it curiously. The grids of the wooden boxes were filled with various star cards with card films. Although he didn't know what star cards were at all, judging from how much his predecessor cherished them, they should be worth a lot of money.

There is a door at the innermost part of the bedroom, which opens into a 30-square-meter dressing room. The closet is filled with all kinds of clothes. These were bought for him by Li Wanqing, and many of them have never been worn. Basketball shoes, sneakers, and leather shoes are neatly placed in the shoe cabinet, and a full-length dressing mirror is placed at the innermost part.

He is indeed a child from a rich family, which is really enviable.

Andy sighed softly. It was really different. When he was a kid in China, spending money on a hobby was a luxury. Then he saw other people playing with the whole set and enjoying the pleasure of collecting everything. So, people start from different starting points and their achievements are naturally different.

Knowledge can change your destiny, but that's just to comfort yourself! For most people, knowledge only changes their salary.

The world is cruel and realistic. Andy understood this early on, so he felt no guilt about plagiarizing or stealing ideas. Even if their work clashed, he didn't mind. It all came down to who had the timing advantage and who held the patent. He wouldn't skimp on legal fees. It was shameless, but it could make you rich. Consider the different fates of Nikola Tesla and Edison, and you'll make a choice. Winners win, losers lose. Edison lived a shamelessly extravagant life, while General Motors became the world's most famous company. What did Tesla have? Would he die alone and sadly in a shabby, dimly lit hotel for days before being discovered?

Tesla was a great inventor, the father of alternating current. He made his patents public, only to have his greatness deliberately concealed. Edison was despicable, stealing other people's patents and putting his own name on them. However, he is the greatest inventor, and his glorious deeds are widely sung and praised.

Heaven and hell, poverty and wealth are really not difficult to choose.

To be honest, Andy's plagiarism career is not in full swing yet. Novels are his top priority in the early stages, but the most valuable of them is "The Hunger Games" series, and perhaps also "The Walking Dead" series in his mind.

Andy knew that a famous novel, adapted into a worldwide television series, didn't exist in this parallel world. Even the author died in a car accident in the 1990s. (The author's time-space correction magic is the most powerful, isn't it? So embarrassing!)

Yes, it was the Game of Thrones series of novels. Sadly, Andy's memory bank didn't have downloadable versions of the novels or TV series. He could only review the plot in a sporadic manner, as his previous life's reading of the series was also sporadic. Honestly, it was all about watching the chaotic sex scenes. So, he was now faced with the task of writing a novel based on an outline and vague memories. This was difficult, as he couldn't guarantee that his writing could handle the grand scenes within. It took time and experience to accumulate. This was also the reason he didn't plagiarize George RR Martin even though he knew he had died long ago.

It's not that he doesn't want to, but he doesn't have the ability yet.

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