Chen Qi ultimately rejected Hong Fei's bold idea. Hong Fei didn't expect to succeed the first time he spoke; besides, Chen Qi clearly couldn't make the call on this matter. What Hong Fei needed was for him to perfectly convey today's conversation to his superiors. He didn't dare say they would consider it yet, but at least there would be an initial impression.
Undoubtedly, after two meetings—one outside and one inside—a preliminary friendly relationship had been established. In future dealings, they wouldn't necessarily need to meet in person. Afterward, Hong Fei left the country before his visa expired, staying overnight at Ivan's place before heading to New York the next day.
Ivan should have received the goods and seen that letter by now, but there was no activity in the mailbox, so Hong Fei could only wait passively. After taking a shower and lying in bed, Hong Fei called Frank. After the call connected, Frank said very coldly, "Speak." Hong Fei only gave a deep sigh. Frank: "Hanging up." "Wait! Why are you so impatient?" Frank snorted.
Hong Fei sighed and said, "Do you know how much money I made today?" "This is all you wanted to say?" "Twelve billion! Do you know how much money that is? I couldn't even imagine it." Frank was finally moved, his tone abruptly rising unconsciously: "What did you do now?" "I sold the reactor. That's not important; the key is it's so much money.
And that's not all—for the next ten years, I'll receive 2.5 billion every year. I really... sigh, I suddenly feel like my life has lost all motivation. I don't want to work hard anymore, and I don't need to. How about we break up our partnership?" The dial tone of a disconnected line sounded. Hong Fei watched his phone screen jump back to the main interface and couldn't help but laugh heartily.
The next day, Hong Fei took a flight to New York. Returning to the manor, he happened to find Big Head conducting interviews. Number Two: "Boss, the people inside are candidates for the Chief Financial Officer position. Mr. Samuel is interviewing them." Hong Fei didn't even look and asked directly, "Where's Ivan?"
"He just arrived yesterday and is currently in the Underground Room researching his own things. Also, he doesn't seem to like others getting close to his laboratory." "Hmm, don't disturb him, let him stay busy." Number Two: "Boss, Dr. Cho has been looking for you for the past few days." Could it be she needs money again? But I have plenty of money now!
Hong Fei felt his confidence swelling: "Got it, I'll go find her." Gonggong Laboratory was fully completed. Crossing the flat bridge over the lake, the snow-white building was surrounded by lush greenery; the scenery was exceptionally beautiful. There were many researchers walking up and down the building. These were all assistants recruited by Dr. Helen Cho herself, and Hong Fei did not interfere.
Dr. Helen Cho's office was on the third floor. After a knock, her soft voice came from inside: "Please come in." Hong Fei pushed the door open and entered, finding that Dr. Helen Cho was not alone in the spacious office. She was sitting in the reception area. On the long sofa beside her was a row of researchers in white coats—men and women, a complete collection of races and ages.
Seeing Hong Fei, Dr. Helen Cho's eyes lit up and she stood up immediately. Although the others hadn't met Hong Fei in person, they had seen his photos and knew he was the laboratory's major investor, so they all stood up as well. "Mr. Hong, let me introduce you, this is..." Dr. Helen Cho introduced the dozen or so people one by one.
Hong Fei met them with a smile, shaking hands and greeting each of them. A moment later, everyone took their seats. Dr. Helen Cho originally wanted to give up the main seat, but Hong Fei stopped her, turned to pull up a chair, and sat down beside her. This was nothing to Hong Fei; a seat was a seat, and there wasn't much difference between a sofa and a chair.
He also had no strong desire to show off or control things regarding the laboratory, so sitting anywhere was the same. However, in the eyes of others, it was easy to read something else into this. Dr. Helen Cho also felt it was inappropriate, but Hong Fei signaled her with an encouraging look not to say more. Turning back, Dr.
Helen Cho cleared her throat and said, "Gonggong Laboratory has just been established, and even this building only finished its renovation recently. You are all scientific elites from all over the World, and I am very glad you could accept the invitation to come to Gonggong Laboratory." Hong Fei followed up: "I am also honored." Dr.
Helen Cho: "The purpose of gathering everyone has just been made clear. The laboratory currently has only one goal, and that is the 'Regeneration Cradle' project. The theoretical research has been fully completed, and the framework based on fundamental science is sound. What we need to do is continuously experiment, discover problems, and solve them.
We already possess quite a bit of the relevant equipment, and we have solutions for most of the other equipment that hasn't been purchased yet or cannot be purchased, so..." As she continued speaking, Hong Fei's heart skipped a beat. Hong Fei knew they were still missing some equipment, but surely those words weren't meant for him to hear? He looked at Dr.
Helen Cho, only to see her turning her head to look at him with a beaming smile. After that, Hong Fei couldn't really understand much; those technical terms were truly obscure. "...In short, one person's strength is ultimately limited, but with your help, I believe the project can surely move forward rapidly until it reaches a successful conclusion." Everyone applauded, and Hong Fei clapped along.
With the official business concluded, Dr. Helen Cho added, "Has everyone's accommodation been settled?" Most of these people were middle-aged or elderly and came from all over the World, so they presumably brought their families along. The laboratory's auxiliary dormitory building wasn't large.
Although Hong Fei had tried his best to decorate every room like a luxury hotel, these high-level researchers probably wouldn't care for it, as they also needed to be with their families. Hong Fei thought there would be issues, but as it turned out, no one raised any demands in this regard; instead, they all said they had settled in. Dr.
Helen Cho seemed to have expected this and smiled, "That's good. It is indeed a bit of a distance from here to the city, so please be careful when commuting daily." With the laboratory built, another large gate had been opened in this area, allowing one to return to New York without passing through Hong Fei's large house and main gate.
This was a plan designed during the early stages of construction, and it also made Hong Fei's underground space more secure and private. Hearing this, Hong Fei's eyes flickered, and he immediately said with a smile, "Dr. Cho, I've considered the suggestion you mentioned to me before. The helicopter will arrive in a few days.
By then, the commute won't take long, saving everyone from driving up and down the mountain every day." It also saves the constant flow of cars, which might give people an opening. Dr. Helen Cho turned her head with a somewhat stunned expression, while Hong Fei kept nodding as if this were a real thing. "Then thank you so much!"
"Yes, I'm still not quite used to the road up the mountain; I often get dizzy." "Thank you, Dr. Cho. Thank you, Boss." The group thanked them one after another, and Dr. Helen Cho turned around and smiled very naturally. After a long while, having seen off these core members, she turned back and closed the door. Dr.
Helen Cho fixed Hong Fei with a stare sharp enough to cut glass, her eyes glittering like she'd just won the lottery. "What, you wanna thank me or something?" She casually tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear before adding with exaggerated grace, "Yes, thank you for your support."
Hong Fei waved her off with a smirk. "Save the formalities. Sure, I bankrolled the lab, but you're the brains behind this operation. Supporting you? That's just good business sense."
Helen Cho then gazed at Hong Fei with piercing eyes, which suddenly looked far less starry and much more calculating.