Wandering in the vast darkness

035 The Capital of Conditioned Reflexes

Old Yao looked at Yu Wenhao, his gaze somewhat lost, and said:

"But I just didn't know what to do. I've been working since I graduated from school, and I'm over forty now. When I was working, someone would set out what I had to do every day. I just had to find a way to complete the tasks according to the set goals."

"I've never started a business before. When I actually had to start one, I realized that I knew absolutely nothing. I didn't even know how to get a business license. Before, I had people under me who I could tell to do things, but now I have to do everything myself, and I feel completely lost."

"It's not that scary," Yu Wenhao said. "You have a brain, so you learn everything quickly. Even an elementary school graduate can do something like getting a license. You're a PhD, so it's impossible that you don't know how. There are many things that seem scary when you think about them, but when you actually do them, you realize that they're not that difficult."

Yu Wenhao took a sip of water and continued:

"Old Yao, your ability is undeniable. What you need to do now is find out where the starting line is. Once you find it, stand on the line and start running. You will definitely run faster than others. Running fast is the true measure of ability."

Old Yao nodded, patted Yu Wenhao's hand, and said to him:

"You're right, thank you, Xiaoyu. I didn't expect that you, who are a few years younger than me, would understand some things better than I do."

Yu Wen chuckled and said, "I was forced into this too. By the way, I'm actually just like you. I came here right after graduating from university and have been working here ever since. I'm completely clueless about many things in society. When I decided to become a ride-hailing driver that year, I was also completely blind to the situation. I felt like I didn't know anything. I had to get this license and that certificate, and just thinking about it gave me a headache."

"But what if you actually do it? It's not that difficult. If you don't understand, just go to the vehicle management office a few more times, and you'll understand everything. If submitting the documents once isn't enough, submit them a few more times, and you'll eventually succeed."

"If I really want to say thank you, I should thank myself for the past few years of working part-time as a driver. A car is a small world, a microcosm of society. The people who ride in it are all kinds of people. The more I interact with them, the more I feel that I am not isolated from this society at all."

Old Yao said, "You're right, Xiao Yu. I've analyzed it myself too. Compared to others, I at least have some savings now, so starting a small project shouldn't be a problem. The real problem is not having any money, not even being able to set up a barbecue stall, right?"

Yu Wenhao nodded and said, "Money is the biggest headache for entrepreneurs. At least in this respect, you have a higher starting point than others. As for experience, based on my experience driving for ride-hailing services, let me tell you, the experience you have accumulated is your conditioned reflex capital. When you really need it, you will naturally use it and immediately show that you are different from others."

"What do you mean by conditioned reflex capital?" Old Yao asked.

Yu Wenhao said, "For example, if you learn to swim or ride a bicycle, you can't tell just by looking at it. It seems like you're no different from others. Nobody knows you can swim or ride a bicycle."

"But if you really fall into the water with a lot of people, like when a boat capsizes and non-swimmers are choking on water and calling for help, even if you can't swim, you'll naturally start paddling and swimming towards the shore. It's the same with riding a bicycle; when you're in a hurry, you can grab a bike and pedal hard, and you'll definitely be faster than others."

"This is the foundation of conditioned reflexes. If you don't have this ability, you can't reflex even if you want to. You can only do it if you have it."

"Interesting, interesting, Xiao Yu, what you're saying is interesting, but it makes a lot of sense." Old Yao laughed.

Yu Wenhao smiled and said, "Experience is the same. Once you have it, it's yours to keep. When you were a salesperson, if you were number one in sales, what did that mean? It meant you were number one in your interpersonal skills. When you actually start your own business, that ability will naturally come out. No matter what business you do next, I think it will all involve dealing with people, right?"

Old Yao laughed and said, "That's right, Xiao Yu, now that you say that, I feel like everything has suddenly become clear."

"That's how it is."

Yu Wenhao said, "Your studies weren't for nothing, and your experience at the big company won't be a blank either. You'll use it someday. I'm not bragging, Lao Yao, I'm a director here during the day and a ride-hailing driver at night. Even just that, I think I'm better than many ride-hailing drivers. What makes me better? If I encounter an emergency or a strange passenger, I can definitely keep them calm."

"Okay, Xiaoyu, I've decided!"

Old Yao slapped his thigh and said to Yu Wenhao:

"I'm not going to overthink it anymore. It's settled then. I'll start my own business. I'll borrow this space of yours for a few days to think it over. I'd like to see what projects are within my capabilities. You can give me your advice, since you said you have more social experience than I do."

Yu Wenhao nodded and said, "I wouldn't call it a reference, but I'll play the villain."

"Villain, what do you mean?" Old Yao asked.

Yu Wen chuckled and said, "In military exercises, there are Red Army and Blue Army. I'll be the Blue Army, and you'll be the Red Army. Whatever project you want to do, I'll find all sorts of reasons to oppose it, and you'll find all sorts of data or arguments to refute me. If your Red Army ultimately defeats my Blue Army, then it means your project has a very high feasibility."

"This is good, this is good." Old Yao kept nodding.

Yu Wenhao genuinely wanted to be the villain and the blue team. He knew that Lao Yao's decision to start a business was hard-won; he was truly gambling with his entire life savings. If the business failed, his house, wife, and son, and their standard of living, would be lost. If he could help, he would do everything in his power to do so.

It's said that bystanders see things more clearly. Old Yao didn't have any business partners. When people decide to do something, the worst thing is to have too high expectations and think of it as too wonderful and simple. At least I can offer some advice and remind him to calm down.

At noon, Lao Yao had lunch at Yu Wenhao's place. After finishing and returning to his office, Lao Yao pointed to the single sofa on the side and said to Yu Wenhao:

"Xiaoyu, why don't you take a nap on this long sofa? You have to drive tonight, so you're bound to be sleep-deprived. I can just sit on this small sofa and take a nap. I can't take over someone else's spot, okay?"

Yu Wenhao quickly said, "No need, no need, Lao Yao, you can sleep as much as you want. I can just lie on my desk and take a nap. I'm a better sleeper than you; I can even fall asleep standing up."

Old Yao greeted Yu with a thumbs-up and said, "Shall I go to sleep now?"

"Go to sleep, go to sleep," Yu Wenhao said to Lao Yao.

Old Yao loosened his tie, unbuttoned his shirt, pulled his trench coat over his shoulders, and collapsed. As he collapsed, he let out a heavy sigh. Yu Wen looked at him, wondering what he was sighing about; perhaps he felt things were different now.

You'll get used to it eventually, Yu Wen thought. Once you get used to it, you can enter the entrepreneurial track and truly say goodbye to your past.

Yu Wenhao was slumped over his desk, just about to fall asleep, when Old Yao suddenly sat up and called out:

"Xiaoyu, I have an idea."

Yu looked up and asked, "What are your thoughts?"