From Wage Slave to Tycoon

Northwestern Polytechnical University, in a faculty dormitory building!

Wu Kaifeng was sitting leisurely in a recliner in his study, a report on the latest semiconductor research in hand, engrossed in reading. Suddenly, the phone on his desk began to vibrate, pulling his thoughts back from the report.

He glanced at it casually and saw that it was his private phone ringing. He quickly put down the report and picked up the phone.

Wu Kaifeng had two phones. One was for his daily work, used by colleagues and family. The other was a private phone issued to him for confidentiality, as he was involved in certain national-level research projects.

Most people didn’t know the number of this phone.

When he saw the unfamiliar number on the screen, he hesitated for a moment before answering the call.

"Hello, this is Wu Kaifeng."

"Hello, Professor Wu. This is Su Chen. I’m calling from the Imperial Capital. I believe someone should have notified you of my visit."

Wu Kaifeng paused, taken aback for a second. A few days ago, a relevant department from the Imperial Capital had indeed called him, but the details were vague. He only knew that someone named Su Chen would be looking for him.

As for the specific reason, he was completely in the dark.

Snapping back to his senses, Wu Kaifeng quickly said, "Someone did call me a few days ago. May I ask what this is about?"

"I was wondering if you’re available tomorrow, Professor Wu. Some things can’t be explained in just a few words over the phone, but I guarantee you won’t be disappointed."

Su Chen’s words were full of confidence, and for good reason—he held the world’s most advanced chip technology in his hands.

After all, the domestic chip industry was in a dismal state. Even the two famous state-run chip research institutes were still struggling with 14nm-level chip research.

Wu Kaifeng fell silent for a moment. Though his mind was filled with doubt, the fact that a department from the Imperial Capital was vouching for this made him feel a sliver of anticipation for what Su Chen had to say.

"Alright. Come find me at the university tomorrow." Wu Kaifeng then told Su Chen where he would be.

After arranging the time, they didn’t chat any further. After all, they were still strangers and didn’t know what to talk about. Once the business was settled, they hung up.

Wu Kaifeng stared at the phone in his hand and remained silent for a long time before muttering to himself, "I hope there’s a real surprise in store for me tomorrow."

Meanwhile, Su Chen was ecstatic after getting the confirmation. He took out the briefcase he had brought from the Imperial Capital. Inside were documents related to 10nm and 7nm chips, along with their corresponding lithography machines, etching machines, and other equipment—of course, it was only a catalog of brief introductions.

As the old saying goes, words are no proof. Su Chen didn’t want to hide anything; he planned to be completely open with Wu Kaifeng. He was confident that this tip of the iceberg would definitely pique his interest.

After organizing the documents, Su Chen finally lay down on his bed. He tossed and turned for a long time before drifting off to sleep.

...

The appointment with Professor Wu was for 10:30 in the morning, but Su Chen and his companion arrived at the university a little after nine, so they decided to stroll around the campus.

"University life is the best. Look at them, so carefree and full of youthful energy." Su Chen watched the university students gathered in small groups and voiced his genuine envy.

Su Chen stroked his chin as a thought flashed through his mind.

’Maybe I should find a chance to enroll in a university and further my education. It would enrich my knowledge. After all, having only a high school diploma is a bit... embarrassing.’

’If I become famous one day and get on some list, and my introduction says "Su Chen, high school education"... wouldn’t that be a worldwide embarrassment?’

The idea of furthering his education grew wildly in Su Chen’s mind, and he quickly made a decision. Once he was done with his current business, he would go back to the Imperial Capital and have Xiao Chen arrange for him to study at a top university.

After wandering around for about half an hour and taking in the scenery of the NPU campus, Su Chen saw that it was getting close to the time and led Chen Fei toward their meeting place.

The meeting place wasn’t an office in one of the university’s schools, nor was it a laboratory, but Professor Wu’s home.

"Sir, the Professor Wu we’re looking for lives in a place like this?" Chen Fei muttered in disbelief, looking at the five-story building before them.

It had taken Su Chen and his companion a while to find Professor Wu’s residence, asking quite a few people along the way, but the place was not what they had imagined.

The five-story building was faced with small white tiles, and its style looked at least a decade old.

However, the small garden in front of the building was quite well-arranged, adding a touch of tranquility to the building.

Professor Wu lived on the west side of the third floor. As they came up, they saw the door was wide open, and they could faintly hear voices from inside.

"Old Wu, what’s the special occasion? You even brought out your treasured Jin Jun Mei tea? Usually, it’s next to impossible to get a sip from you. Why so generous today?" a deep, strong voice called out from the room.

"Old Man Chen, my guest will be here any minute. You should head back for now. I’ll find you later!" Professor Wu said with a hint of helplessness.

He didn’t know what was up with Old Man Chen today. He had shown up early in the morning to freeload, and now the shameless man was refusing to leave.

"Heh heh... I just want to see what kind of guest has you making such a big fuss. I’ll leave as soon as they arrive."

Since he’d put it that way, Professor Wu felt too embarrassed to kick him out.

Seeing the situation, Su Chen gestured to Chen Fei with a nod and then walked toward Professor Wu’s apartment.