From Wage Slave to Tycoon

’On second thought, I’d better not.’ Su Chen just couldn’t bring himself to say something so embarrassing.

’But... I still have to say the right things.’ The platitudes had to be spoken.

"Elder Xiao, you can rest assured. My principles are unshakable!" Su Chen said with a serious expression.

Elder Xiao nodded in satisfaction. In truth, there was a reason he had summoned Su Chen this time: to probe his thoughts and see where he truly stood. If Su Chen had any deviant ideas, they could still remedy the situation in time.

After this round of probing, Elder Xiao was very pleased with Su Chen’s reaction. However, a flicker of worry also crossed his eyes, wondering what kind of impact a platform like Douyin might have.

After all, a power as great as the Soviet Union had collapsed due to public opinion.

Elder Xiao changed the subject. Looking at Su Chen beside him, he asked, "By the way, Xiaochen, how are things progressing with the chips? Have you managed to produce any yet?"

"An experimental prototype of the 10nm chip was produced a while ago. We’re currently researching how to achieve mass production. I imagine it should be soon," Su Chen didn’t hide anything, directly telling him what he knew.

"You really managed to produce one?"

"How did you manufacture the chip without a lithography machine? Don’t tell me you have some other method?" Elder Xiao looked at Su Chen with a hint of anticipation.

A lithography machine is essential for manufacturing chips, but domestic lithography technology was still in its infancy, leagues behind foreign technology.

Every year, the country imports a large number of lithography machines from ASML in the Netherlands to manufacture chips. The cost for these machines alone is several billion euros.

That’s right... several billion euros. And that was just the purchase price. Whenever a problem occurred that they couldn’t fix themselves, they had no choice but to call in people from ASML. A single repair cost millions, at a minimum.

The most infuriating part was that you never knew if a malfunction was caused by overuse or by something ASML did remotely through a backdoor.

This was the consequence of being technologically constrained. There was nothing to be done but to swallow your pride and accept it. Who could they blame but themselves for not having the technology?

Su Chen’s eyes shifted slightly. He naturally understood the importance of lithography machines. But if he revealed that he possessed the technology for them, it would just lead to another pile of headaches. So, he decided to just play dumb.

"Elder Xiao, you know me. I’m a completely hands-off boss. I don’t pay much attention to the park."

"I just got a call from the park a while ago saying the chip production was successful. As for the specific details, I’m a layman, so I’m not really clear on them."

"How about I make a call and ask?"

Unexpectedly... Elder Xiao saw right through Su Chen’s little scheme. However, the old man had no intention of exposing him. He knew that if the 10nm chips were truly mass-produced successfully, Su Chen would call him or Xiao Chen immediately.

’Besides, after this whole Douyin affair, that kid Su Chen is probably starting to hide his true capabilities. If he really has something like lithography machine technology, he’ll likely wait until it can be mass-produced before revealing it openly.’

After a moment of contemplation, Elder Xiao waved his hand. "Forget it, no need to call. We can talk about it after it’s been mass-produced."

Hearing this, Su Chen breathed a long sigh of relief. He had been afraid Elder Xiao would actually make him call. If someone on the other end had a loose tongue and revealed some secrets, he wouldn’t know how to explain himself.

Unfortunately... plans can never keep up with reality.

𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

His phone suddenly rang in his pocket. When Su Chen took it out and saw the caller ID, his eyes widened instantly.

’When I left Zheng Island, I specifically told him over and over not to contact anyone in the outside world unless the project succeeded. But now the call is coming in... That must mean there’s been a massive breakthrough, or maybe... it’s a success?’

At this thought, Su Chen grew a little nervous and swallowed hard.

This scene happened to be witnessed by Elder Xiao.

"Xiaochen, what’s wrong? Is there a problem with the call?"

Elder Xiao’s words snapped Su Chen back to his senses. He took two deep breaths before pressing the answer button.

The moment he answered, Old Man Chen’s excited voice came from the other end.

"Mr. Su... Mr. Su! We... we... we succeeded! The research... it’s a success!"

He was so excited he was stuttering, and Su Chen could also hear a hint of tears in Old Man Chen’s voice.

"It’s a success? It’s really a success?!" Su Chen asked loudly, completely forgetting that Elder Xiao was still sitting right next to him.

You couldn’t blame Su Chen for being so excited; the news was just too shocking. How much time had passed? And Old Man Chen had actually succeeded with his research.

"Yes, it’s a success! We’ve built a 1:100 scale super-miniature reactor! It’s currently running normally, and we’ve finished collecting all the relevant data!" Old Man Chen’s voice was filled with pride.

"You built a super-miniature reactor at the research base?" Su Chen was dumbfounded. ’That’s a nuclear reactor! Even if it’s for controlled fusion, if that thing explodes, the entire park would be wiped off the map!’

"Don’t worry, Sir. This super-miniature reactor is extremely stable. We’ve already tested it!"

Hearing this, Su Chen felt resigned. ’They’ve already tested it, what else can I say?’ He just hadn’t expected Old Man Chen to be so bold as to dare test it at the research base.