From Wage Slave to Tycoon

If he had called it a ’private chef’ position, Professor Wu would have likely refused without a second thought.

But those words stunned Professor Chen, who was standing nearby. Since Professor Wu hadn’t refuted Su Chen, it meant he was really going to change jobs.

He opened his mouth to ask what was going on, but the words wouldn’t come out. He figured he would have to wait and ask about it in private later.

After dropping Professor Wu and Professor Chen off at their dormitory building, Su Chen exchanged a few pleasantries with them. Before leaving, he handed a note to Professor Chen, telling him very seriously to only open it after he got home.

Only after getting Professor Chen’s promise did Su Chen turn and leave with Chen Fei.

Watching Su Chen’s departing figure, a complex look flashed across Professor Wu’s eyes. He had a vague feeling that the note in Professor Chen’s pocket was no simple matter, but it wasn’t his place to ask.

When Su Chen had given it to him, he had repeatedly stressed that it must only be read alone, at home.

Professor Chen, for his part, didn’t ask about Professor Wu’s situation. He just said a quick goodbye and hurried toward his own apartment.

Professor Wu watched the old man scurry off and shook his head helplessly before walking slowly into the stairwell. Now he had to seriously consider how to tell the university that he was going to work at another research institute.

Truthfully, professors of their caliber had a great deal of freedom. They could decide for themselves which projects they wanted to join. But Professor Wu knew that once he left for this, there was no coming back...

Furthermore, he had several unfinished projects on his hands, all of which were key priorities for the university. If he didn’t handle this properly, it could have significant repercussions for him as well.

Professor Wu had just sat down in his study and brewed a pot of tea, planning to relax a bit and let his food digest.

He hadn’t been sitting for two minutes, and the freshly brewed tea was still untouched, when a frantic pounding came from the door, accompanied by Professor Chen’s excited shouts.

"Old Man Wu, hurry and open the door!"

"Old Man Wu, open up! I have something important to talk to you about!"

Professor Chen had long been known for his "booming voice." He sounded like a loudspeaker, and you could hear him from a hundred meters away.

"Old Man Chen, can you knock a little lighter? Don’t you know this door is over ten years old!" Professor Wu said irritably as he opened it.

But to his surprise, the moment the door opened, Professor Chen shot inside. He grabbed Professor Wu’s arm excitedly and said, "Old Man Wu, what’s the deal with that Su Chen? What’s his phone number?"

Looking at his old friend’s bloodshot eyes and thrilled expression, Professor Wu recalled experiencing the same thing himself. It was over a decade ago, when a critical, national-level research project he was leading finally succeeded after more than a year of hard work. The look of elation on his face back then was identical to Professor Chen’s right now.

He thought of the note Su Chen had given him. The answer was likely on that piece of paper.

"Old Man Chen, calm down first," Professor Wu said, trying to get his agitated friend to settle down.

"How can I be calm? Do you know what he gave me? It’s about nuclear fus—"

Hearing this, Professor Wu was greatly alarmed. He quickly clamped a hand over the other man’s mouth and said in a harsh tone, "Do you have any idea what you’re saying?"

The words were like a bucket of cold water, and the previously excited Professor Chen instantly quieted down. He realized he had gotten a bit carried away.

Professor Chen patted the hand covering his mouth, signaling that he couldn’t breathe.

In his agitation, Professor Wu had covered both his nose and mouth, and clamped down tight.

Realizing his mistake, Professor Wu noticed Professor Chen’s face turning red and quickly pulled his hand back. He feigned nonchalance and said, "Come inside first, then we’ll talk!"

After Professor Chen was inside, he closed the door and, for good measure, double-locked it.

The two sat at the tea table in the study, each lost in thought as they drank their tea.

After a long while, Professor Chen finally put down his cup, ready to continue their previous topic. But just as he was about to speak, he saw Professor Wu fiddling with a black device.

"Su Chen brought this when he came earlier. He forgot it when he left... or maybe he left it for me on purpose."

After flipping a switch, he looked at Professor Chen and said, "You can continue with what you were saying now."

Professor Chen glanced at the black device on the table, then at Professor Wu. He understood what this meant and asked tentatively, "Is that Su Chen one of the higher-ups?"

Professor Wu thought for a moment, then nodded, and then shook his head.

This left Professor Chen completely confused. "Old Man Wu, can you stop being so mysterious? Just tell me... Fine!"

"Would you believe me if I told you I’m not very clear on it either?"

And he wasn’t entirely wrong. Although Su Chen had backing from the relevant government departments, Professor Wu could tell from their conversation that Su Chen’s research base belonged to him and him alone.

Professor Chen knew his old friend’s character; he would have told him if he knew. But as soon as he thought of the paper in his pocket, his heart began to burn with excitement.

As one of the few top nuclear engineering experts in the country, he could tell at a glance that what Su Chen had given him was a small part of a preliminary formula for controlled nuclear fusion technology. This fragment alone was light-years ahead of the country’s current research progress in the field.

How could Professor Chen not be excited? This was crucial data related to controlled nuclear fusion.

"I believe you!" After saying that, Professor Chen recalled their conversation after dinner and quickly asked, "You two were talking about a research institute earlier. Did that Su Chen also make you an offer you couldn’t refuse?"

Professor Wu was silent for a moment before nodding slightly. "That’s right."

He said no more, well aware of what should and should not be said.

Seeing this, Professor Chen knew he wouldn’t get anything more out of his old friend. He simply asked for Su Chen’s phone number and, after repeated admonitions from Professor Wu, took his leave.

Meanwhile, Su Chen and Chen Fei were sitting leisurely on the bleachers by the athletic field, chatting as they watched the pretty, young female students occasionally walk by.

"Ah Fei, I’m planning to open a security company, and I want you to run it," Su Chen said, his gaze distant.

Chen Fei immediately shot to his feet, saying anxiously, "Me? Run it? Sir, you should find someone else. I’m not cut out to be a leader at all."

"I just want to stay by your side as your full-time driver and bodyguard."

Su Chen glanced at him and said irritably, "Is that all the ambition you have? Do you really plan to be a driver and bodyguard for the rest of your life? Besides, the security company will be staffed with veterans from the military, so managing them will be a breeze. I’ll even get you an assistant."

"Sir, I..." Chen Fei wanted to refuse again, but seeing Su Chen’s slightly furrowed brow, he swallowed his words.

"Alright, stop with the long face. Once the security company is on the right track, if you still don’t want to do it, I’ll arrange for someone else."

Su Chen didn’t make it an absolute command. After all, having someone by his side did make things much more convenient.

"Thank you, Sir," Chen Fei said, absolutely delighted.

Su Chen just shook his head helplessly at the sight and muttered to himself, ’Sigh, I still have too few talented people around me. And I also need to find someone to take charge of the industrial park and get the framework set up.’

The completed industrial park would involve numerous secrets, so he couldn’t just let Xiao Chen’s people handle it. He had to find someone trustworthy to be in charge, but looking at the people around him, he couldn’t think of anyone suitable for the position.

"Let’s go, back to the hotel," Su Chen said, standing up and patting the dust off his pants.

His main objective for the day was complete, and he’d also cast out a tempting piece of bait. He just wondered if the "big fish" would be moved by it.

’I imagine... he’ll be tempted.’

The two had just gotten back to the hotel when Su Chen’s phone rang.

Seeing the local number displayed on the screen, the corners of Su Chen’s mouth tilted up slightly.

"Looks like the fish took the bait."