Chapter 299 - 221: I Want Both Scientists and Stars

Chapter 299: Chapter 221: I Want Both Scientists and Stars

’The biggest fish has put his trust in me. I’ve already grasped the core of the matter.’

"Oh, Xiaosheng? Yes, he is indeed my star pupil. A very talented and upstanding young man. For a young person to have both the patience for scientific research and the foresight to prepare for business... I approve of that as well."

"His elder mentioned him to me once before. I don’t know the specifics, but if you want to invest, you must have your own way of judging character, so I won’t interfere."

"There is another matter I need to make clear to you."

Su Chaoyue said slowly, gathering his thoughts.

Lin Chu refilled his tea again. "Please, go on. It’s alright, there’s no rush. We can take our time."

"As for the title to that piece of land, I absolutely cannot accept it. The lab is a joint investment between the university and the Peng City Technology Support Fund. I’m merely the one steering the ship."

"From a professional standpoint, putting the land in my name would create ambiguity about its ownership. And personally, this old man will have to retire someday. Once I’m gone, many things could become complicated. Besides, my reputation is at stake here."

"You should reconsider who you’re investing in. If it’s an option, Xiaosheng is my star pupil. The land can be put in his name. He’s a student, so he isn’t tied up in all that. I don’t know what your business considerations are, but I can guarantee you this: for the next ten years, I’ll keep him in line."

Eh?

Lin Chu was stunned when he heard this.

’I never expected Su Chaoyue to be so considerate of my position.’

Classy.

The old man was incredibly classy.

What was this called?

Sincerity begets sincerity.

Genuine feelings for genuine feelings.

"Thank you. Let me toast you with this tea. That works, no problem at all."

Lin Chu lifted his teacup with both hands and cheerfully clinked it against his.

"Technically, there’s one more key component’s parameters that I need to refine. I also need to accumulate more field data. After that, it should be completely mature."

"I also have some ideas for the manufacturing process, but not for now. We can talk about it once the site is built."

"You don’t need to be in such a hurry with this matter. I’ve looked at the plans. That plot of land is large enough to build not only the lab, but also the production workshop for the core components."

"As for the university lab, I’ll stall a bit. There are a few unimportant technologies I can offload. Sell some junk to the vultures. That should be enough to satisfy the university and the city’s investment fund."

Lin Chu: ?

Holy shit!

This old man is a legend!

’His intelligence is truly top-tier.’

’A lot of what people call emotional intelligence is, to put it bluntly, just a matter of raw intelligence. As long as your brain has enough processing power, you can account for every angle.’

"You’re really providing a full-service package here, solving all the most difficult problems for me."

He knew for a fact that many people were eyeing the technology transfer.

On top of that, when it came to the lab’s ownership and the distribution of its research output, the university and the city would definitely have a say.

Following the normal process for commercializing academic research, he would have had to invest his own money and manage all the relationships himself.

But now, Su Chaoyue had taken care of it all.

Su Chaoyue laughed and waved his hand. "You’re a full-service provider yourself, getting the construction team ready for me. It’s just a matter of returning the favor."

"But don’t get too optimistic just yet. The city will definitely want to get involved in this project. I expect funds from the National Investment group to come in and take some shares."

"Peng City National Investment has a very reliable way of doing things. They only invest for equity; they don’t get involved in the actual operations. You can negotiate the share percentage with them when the time comes."

"Having National Investment involved has its advantages, too. It’s the city government’s purse, their own flesh and blood. A lot of procedures, administrative approvals, and safety inspections will become much easier."

Lin Chu nodded.

He was, of course, aware of all this.

"Actually, my professor talked about this in class this afternoon. It was in our first lesson on business warfare."

"I do know a little about it. Peng City National Investment really is a white knight."

"I completely agree with what you said. Having National Investment join in is a necessary, objective fact."

How much money this project could make was not Lin Chu’s primary concern.

What Lin Chu focused on was social status and position, as well as making more friends.

Giving up a portion of the shares was no big deal.

As long as the public face of the company was his.

Peng City National Investment was a two-trillion-yuan behemoth, with tentacles reaching into every corner of society—banking, insurance, subways, real estate, all aspects of daily life.

For them to invest in his project? That was called having a backer!

"Good, as long as you’re mentally prepared for it. Let’s leave it at that for today. I’m getting ready to head back."

Su Chaoyue smiled and stood up, preparing to leave.

"I’ll have the driver take you back. You can just keep the car. Didn’t you want to look at the engine? Go ahead, take it apart!"

Lin Chu said with a smile, rising to see him out.

Su Chaoyue laughed heartily and didn’t refuse.

...

At the door, Xin Fu was waiting outside, holding a file, clearly having something to report.

"President Xin, wait just a moment. I’ll see him off and be right back."

Xin Fu nodded with a smile.

Su Chaoyue said, "Don’t see me out, the car is just downstairs. Go on, get back to your work. You really are a hard worker, still at it this late. Alright, alright, I’m off."

He waved his hand and left quickly.

Lin Chu didn’t insist. He gave Xin Fu a look, and the two returned to the office together.

"What’s the situation?"

Lin Chu asked casually after they both sat down.

"President Lin, it’s like this. Here’s the list of confirmed guests for the opening ceremony. It’s mainly divided into two groups."

"One group is the legends of the golf world. We really couldn’t get Tiger, but we have received confirmed interest from a few others."

"The other group is celebrities from the entertainment industry. For this part, money is all it takes. I’ve marked down their appearance fees, so we can pick and choose."

Lin Chu took the list, glanced at it, and couldn’t help but smile.

’What’s that saying again?’

’That scientists don’t earn as much as entertainers.’

’That’s an objective fact, and a common situation.’

’But for me, scientists and entertainers... I’ll take both!’

"Alright, I’ll take a look and give you an answer by tomorrow evening. It’s getting late, you should head home. Get some rest. You seem to have lost weight from all the work lately."

"Here, this watch is for you."

Lin Chu casually opened a drawer in his desk, took out the Richard Mille, and tossed it to him.

Sudhana, the boy who gives away wealth.

Scatter wealth to gather people.

Of course, for him, it all came with a rebate.

This Richard Mille had a rather storied past, having passed through several hands. He’d originally gotten it to show up Hou Chengjin, but Hou Chengjin had returned it. Later, he had lent it to Wang Zhefei to show off, which had been very successful.

He didn’t usually like wearing watches, always feeling it was a bit uncomfortable—much like how he felt about wearing, you know, other things.

It was just sitting around anyway.

Completely useless to him.

And now, he no longer needed such external trinkets to boost his status.

Besides, Xin Fu had indeed been working hard lately. He deserved a reward!

"Whoa..."

"This watch is worth three years of my salary! HAHAHA, if President Li found out, he’d be kicking himself."

Xin Fu said, with a slight hint of insinuation.

Lin Chu glanced at him and also laughed heartily. "That’s not a watch, it’s an Imperial Sword that you happen to wear on your wrist. Go on, go on. As for President Li, I know what I’m doing."

Xin Fu must have known something about Li Ziming’s prior embezzlement.

But he had never said a word about it before, not even a single mention.

Now, feeling a strong sense of trust, he was saying this as a way of returning the favor—’Boss, you want to know some dirt on Li Ziming? I’ll tell you everything.’

However, Lin Chu didn’t take the bait. There was no need.

With two tournaments—one already started, one in preparation—the club was at its busiest. This was not the time to stir up trouble.

"Understood. I get it."

"Then I’ll be going. You should get some rest too, President Lin."

"I promise, I absolutely won’t betray your trust. No matter how generous those outside suppliers, PR firms, or brokers are, none of them can compare to my boss! Tossing out ten million like it’s nothing."

Xin Fu stood up and said with a laugh.

"Go on, go on. Stop with the flattery. I trust you."

Lin Chu waved his hand with a smile.

...

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