From Wage Slave to Tycoon

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!

After three gentle knocks, he peeked his head into the room and called out, "Professor Wu~"

The words had barely left his mouth when two elderly men walked out of the room. Their hair was graying at the temples, but their spirits were as high as any young person’s.

When Professor Wu, who was walking in front, saw Su Chen’s youthful face, a flicker of doubt crossed his eyes.

He hadn’t expected the person from the Imperial Capital to be so young.

Professor Wu asked tentatively, "You’re Su Chen?"

"Hello, Professor Wu!" Su Chen stepped forward and shook the professor’s hand with both of his own.

Su Chen held a deep respect for pioneers like him, who had dedicated their entire lives to scientific research.

After letting go, he gestured to Chen Fei, who was standing behind him. Chen Fei then walked in, carrying several bags.

"Professor Wu, we were in a bit of a rush, so we just bought some fruit nearby. I hope you don’t mind." As he spoke, he had Chen Fei place the items on the coffee table.

Su Chen had put some thought into the gift. Anything too expensive would have seemed crass and opportunistic, but coming empty-handed would have been disrespectful. Fruit was a safe and simple choice.

Seeing this, Professor Wu felt it would be rude to refuse, so he welcomed Su Chen and his companion inside.

After the two were seated, Professor Wu whispered a few words to the other old man, a man named Chen. He finally sent him on his way after parting with a few ounces of his tea leaves.

Su Chen took the opportunity to glance around the apartment’s interior. The decor looked dated, with yellowed walls, and the floors were still the old-fashioned terrazzo kind. ’Someone of Professor Wu’s stature could have been living in a villa by now. It must be the traditional mindset of the older generation—they focus solely on their research and don’t care much for material comforts.’

Professor Wu steeped a new pot of tea. After pouring a cup for both Su Chen and Chen Fei, he finally asked, "So, what business brings a young man like yourself to see an old fellow like me?"

At these words, Su Chen’s expression grew serious, and he shot a look at Chen Fei.

Chen Fei immediately walked to the door and shut it. He then pulled a small black box from his pocket, flipped a switch, and once he confirmed it was running properly, he nodded at Su Chen.

Professor Wu watched this unfold, his heart tensing. A glance at his own phone on the desk confirmed his suspicion—the top-left corner read "No Signal." He knew then that this was no simple matter.

"My apologies, Professor Wu. Please excuse the theatrics. What we are about to discuss is highly confidential, so I hope you don’t mind the precautions."

Professor Wu simply waved his hand, unfazed. He’d seen far more dramatic situations in his life. The initial confusion had given way to pure curiosity.

’What could possibly have brought this young man all the way to Xi’an with such caution?’ For a moment, Professor Wu found himself wishing Su Chen would just get to the point.

As if sensing the professor’s impatience, Su Chen smiled and pulled a file from his briefcase. "Professor Wu, I know you’re an expert in the field of semiconductors and have led numerous national-level projects. The reason I’m here is to invite you to join my team."

Hearing the invitation, Professor Wu was about to refuse without a second thought. But just as the words reached his lips, his eyes fell on the file Su Chen was handing him...

The title on the first page leaped out at him: *10nm Chip Manufacturing Technology*. With trembling hands, he took the file.

After flipping through the file and seeing it contained outlines for not just 10nm but also 7nm chip and even photolithography machine manufacturing technologies, Professor Wu shot to his feet. "This is just a table of contents! Where’s the primary data?" he demanded.

His slightly trembling hands betrayed his profound excitement.

As an expert in the field, Professor Wu could tell at a glance that the document was authentic. He knew exactly what he was holding in his hands.

For a fleeting moment, he was tempted to call the relevant authorities and compel Su Chen to hand over the data. But the thought of Su Chen’s origins in the Imperial Capital, combined with the phone call he’d received earlier, made the impulse vanish as quickly as it had come.

Professor Wu’s reaction was entirely expected. Su Chen calmly gestured for the professor to calm down. "I’ve secured an industrial park from the higher-ups," he said, continuing his pitch. "A full ten square kilometers. I’m preparing to build the world’s most advanced research base there.

"I possess the complete manufacturing technology for 10nm chips. With your help, Professor, I’m confident we can achieve mass production in less than six months.

"As you know, TSMC, the current world leader in chip technology, has only managed to mass-produce chips at the 14nm level. If we can successfully develop 10nm chips, it will be a golden opportunity for our domestic electronics industry to leapfrog the competition."

Su Chen’s words landed like a series of bombshells, leaving Professor Wu momentarily stunned and unsure how to respond.

It would be a lie to say he wasn’t tempted. But he couldn’t just resign and leave. He had worked at the university his entire life; it was like a second home to him.

How could he abandon it all so easily? Besides, he still had several unfinished projects under his supervision.

An intense silence filled the room. Professor Wu drank cup after cup of the tea before him.

After finishing his fourth cup, Professor Wu finally set it down, his tightly furrowed brow beginning to smooth out.

"Young Su," he began, the address noticeably warmer. "I have a few questions. Where is this industrial... this research base located? And can the work begin immediately?"

Hearing the friendlier form of address, Su Chen felt a wave of relief. The questions that followed, however, left him momentarily speechless.