From Wage Slave to Tycoon

’Even though they promised not to interfere with the park’s operations, there’s no guarantee I won’t attract curious eyes as the number of research projects increases.’

Elder Xiao raised his right hand, held up two fingers, and said, "Two months. Two months at the most!"

’Two months isn’t that long. The other two projects should have taken shape by then,’ Su Chen thought. After a moment of consideration, he nodded in agreement.

Just then, Xiao Chen and Xiao Peng drove a tour cart into the research base’s main entrance, leading a convoy of three Toyota Coasters with flashing lights. A moment later, the vehicles pulled to a stop not far from Su Chen and the others.

There’s a saying: Don’t fear a Mercedes-Maybach, fear a Coaster with flashing lights.

Su Chen glanced over but couldn’t make anything out. The windows of the three Coasters were tinted with black reflective film, so they were completely dark from the outside. Nothing could be seen inside.

Aside from the flashing lights on the front, there was nothing else unusual about them.

The door of the first Coaster opened slowly, and five people disembarked. The man in the lead spotted Elder Xiao and walked over with a smile, while the other four remained standing in place.

Elder Xiao smiled as well upon seeing who it was.

"Old Jiang, what brings you here?" Elder Xiao returned the smile and stepped forward to greet him.

The man called Old Jiang was around the same age as Elder Xiao. He wore a dark suit jacket and carried a particularly powerful air about him.

"How could I not come in person for something this important? Besides, this falls right within my jurisdiction," Elder Jiang said with a laugh, shaking Elder Xiao’s hand.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Elder Jiang’s gaze shifted to Su Chen. He looked him up and down before nodding in satisfaction. "You must be the young Su Chen. That grandson of mine is always talking about you at home."

With that, Elder Jiang firmly grasped Su Chen’s hand, his expression full of emotion as he said, "Thank you so much for your contributions. You’ve advanced our country’s development by at least ten years!"

It was no wonder Elder Jiang was so emotional. The significance of controllable nuclear fusion was immense. Not only had Su Chen conducted his research at home instead of taking it abroad in secret, but upon succeeding, he had made no effort to hide it and even took the initiative to share the technology.

That act alone was worthy of the highest praise.

Never mind anything else; the technology for controllable nuclear fusion alone could have been sold to any world power for hundreds of billions of US Dollars, easy. Yet, Su Chen hadn’t made a single demand.

Of course, that was only because Su Chen hadn’t yet decided what he wanted to ask for.

"It is my duty," Su Chen replied, filled with pride.

Although Su Chen didn’t know this Elder Jiang very well, he could guess the man’s background from his conversation with Elder Xiao. And, according to the man himself, he often heard Su Chen’s name mentioned.

’After thinking it over, the only person I know in my circle with the surname Jiang is Jiangyang. This must be his grandfather.’

Hearing Elder Jiang’s praise, Su Chen felt a profound sense of honor, as if he himself had been elevated.

"Come on, Old Jiang. Let me show you something that will really blow you away!" Elder Xiao suddenly interjected.

Elder Jiang was here on official business, so naturally, that had to come first.

"Right, right. Business first. I’ve brought all my ’heavy hitters’ this time."

Elder Xiao knew exactly who Old Jiang meant by his "heavy hitters": the top nuclear engineering experts who worked selflessly and silently behind the scenes.

"The research institute isn’t over here. You go on ahead and get in the car. I need a word with young Su."

Elder Jiang paused, his gaze flickering between Su Chen and Elder Xiao. A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes, but he simply nodded, turned, and led the others into the car.

With only Su Chen, Xiao Chen, and Chen Fei remaining, Elder Xiao gave Su Chen a meaningful look and stepped to one side.

Su Chen paused for a second, then snapped out of it and walked over. "Elder Xiao, is there something you need?"

Elder Xiao didn’t answer right away. Instead, he stared at Su Chen with a complex expression, making Su Chen feel as if he were being seen right through.

He was, after all, a man long accustomed to a position of great power. His aura washed over Su Chen like a tidal wave. Despite how much Su Chen had changed, he gradually faltered under Elder Xiao’s intense gaze.

After a long moment, Elder Xiao finally spoke. "You need to lay low for a while, kid. Wait for this storm to blow over. Attracting too much attention won’t do you any good. I’ve already spoken to Professor Chen. As far as anyone is concerned, *he* is the creator of controllable nuclear fusion."

’Even though I discussed this with Professor Chen before and he agreed, you can’t underestimate the state’s resources. They could uncover the truth in minutes.’

But now that Elder Xiao had set the official narrative, Su Chen no longer had to worry.

Su Chen shrugged helplessly. "Actually, I was already planning on getting away for a bit. I can use this as an opportunity to do some traveling."

Elder Xiao nodded. "Mm, that could work. Just... it’s best if you don’t leave the country. If you absolutely have to, remember to call me first."

After discussing a few more details, Elder Xiao finally turned and walked toward the Coaster.

Su Chen watched as the three Coasters, led by Xiao Peng, drove off toward Professor Chen’s research institute, only then looking away.