Chapter 452: Dinner Table

In the following month, the governments from all the continents sent representatives to the Eco Science City in secret to observe and purchase several weapons and technologies that Blacklight Biotechnology was advertising.

Consequently, every continent had developed a strong vigilance toward the various weapon technologies possessed by Blacklight Biotechnology.

Just the AI technology for the robots alone would place Blacklight Biotechnology at the forefront of the world. Perhaps there were indeed similarly intelligent super AIs in the military laboratories of each continent, but these were still in a state of continuous debugging and improvement.

It would still take more than ten years for them to reach the maturity of Blacklight Biotechnology’s robot AI, let alone that incredible individual air defense system.

In terms of drones, the “ion pulse vector propulsion unit” produced by Blacklight Biotechnology was a big hit. Representatives sent from various continents might not decide to buy the XTN series immediately, but they would buy the entire Mark drone series from Model 001 to Model 023.

This group of people only had in mind the “ion pulse vector propulsion unit” that was inside the drone. In the minds of all those who were discerning in terms of military affairs, they all had the same idea —

“If I replace the propellers of helicopters and submarines with this almost completely silent ion pulse device, wouldn’t it be invincible?”

As everyone had the idea of trying to crack the “ion pulse vector propulsion unit”, the Mark drone series received a large number of orders from all continents within a month. Among them, Northern America ordered 800 drone units for a total of 1.3 billion USD, Mainland China ordered 1,500 units for a total of 2 billion USD, and the North Sea Continent ordered 600 units for a total of 800 million USD.

In just a few purchase orders, this business that Chen Chen had just opened was raking in profits and the total amount of orders had exceeded 6 billion USD.

However, just as the continents were getting ready to purchase new system technologies such as “directional aiming”, “long-distance environmental sensing”, and “Coriolis effect simulation”, Zhou Yi, who was responsible for weapon sales, did not agree. Instead, he made a request.

“Everyone, although these technologies are extremely precious, what Blacklight Biotechnology wants isn’t money but long-term development.”

At this time, Zhou Yi, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, spoke to the high-ranking federal officials who filled the room. His manner was neither servile nor overbearing. “I believe you have heard, our Blacklight Biotechnology has sent delegations to various continents and regions to seek further cooperation, so the bill can be settled in another way.”

“Stop keeping us in suspense. If your Blacklight Biotechnology doesn’t want money, then what does it want?”

“You don’t want money? Are you going to give it out for free?”

“Just name a price. Maybe we can cooperate even more closely...”

There was a babble of shouts from the audience.

Zhou Yi smiled. “We at Blacklight Biotechnology are planning to establish branch offices in all continents to facilitate research and drug approval in the local areas. At the same time, we’ll also open sanatoriums with the features of Blacklight Biotechnology. So we don’t need this money. What we want is a favorable policy shift from your governments!”

Everyone’s expression changed immediately upon hearing this.

“I’d rather you ask us for money...”

Someone suddenly muttered. They planned to open sanatoriums all over the world? Everyone in the world knew that Blacklight Biotechnology’s sanatoriums had become money-making machines. This was an undisguised attempt to snag huge profits. Now, the local government even had to give them preference in terms of policies. What kind of greedy ambition was this?

Everyone was secretly shocked, but when they thought about it carefully, Blacklight Biotechnology’s business had always been limited to Africa and had never expanded beyond that. Nonetheless, even in such a continent that lacked so many resources, it had developed into a corporate empire.

If it was allowed to stretch out its tentacles and take root all over the world, what kind of colossal monster would it become?

It was likely that within a few years, Blacklight Biotechnology would become the world’s number one company.

Thinking of this, everyone did not want to agree to this immediately but only replied that they had to first report to their superiors.

Of course, Zhou Yi did not mind. He knew that this kind of thing could not be rushed. These were all tasks assigned to him by Qian Wenhuan and he heard that these were orders that had come from “that man” himself.

By now, Xia Yin, the CEO of Blacklight Biotechnology Headquarters, had led a public relations team of hundreds of people, boldly roaming the world in the search for business cooperation. If Zhou Yi could provide strong assistance in this matter, his future would naturally be bright, bursting with immense benefits.

After today’s activities were over, he and Qian Wenhuan sent the senior officials from various continents back to the hotel. Zhou Yi had bidden farewell and was about to return promptly to his residence and get a good night’s sleep when Qian Wenhuan stopped him.

“CEO Qian?”

Zhou Yi looked at Qian Wenhuan rather anxiously, wondering if he did something wrong when he was giving explanations to the dignitaries of various continents during the day.

“Don’t be worried. Because of the orders worth hundreds of millions that were made these days, someone had invited us to dinner.”

Qian Wenhuan walked to his car and the sturdy secretary on the side immediately opened the door of the car. Still, he did not go in but beckoned to Zhou Yi. “Get in the car, let’s not keep others waiting for too long.”

“Huh, shouldn’t the celebration feast involve all our colleagues in the Publicity Department?”

Zhou Yi took off his glasses and wiped them on his sleeve, a little puzzled.

“This isn’t a celebration feast. It’s just a celebration for us in advance. The celebration feast can only be held when this group of people has left.”

Qian Wenhuan explained, then raised his eyebrows, “What are you still waiting for, why don’t you get in the car?”

“Oh, okay!”

Zhou Yi got into the car from the other side obediently and sat in the back row with Qian Wenhuan.

Then, there was an awkward silence.

Zhou Yi did not ask who had invited them to dinner. Asking less and doing more was the way to survive in the workplace. It was probably because Qian Wenhuan was looking for a subordinate to help stop his own drinking. Of course, Zhou Yi knew all about these matters spending so many years in the workplace.

Zhou Yi did not look up to this boss who was not much older than himself. This man had no education nor reputation, despite wishing to appear otherwise. Zhou Yi had heard people say that Qian Wenhuan was able to be in his current position only because he had followed that man early on.

In addition to his ability to flatter, this was why Qian Wenhuan had been acting as CEO of the African branch of Blacklight Biotechnology for many years.

Though this was said to be the African branch, everyone knew that the power of this branch’s CEO was much greater than that of the CEO in the headquarters. Even if on paper, Qian Wenhuan was required to be under the command of the general manager Xia Yin, he could disregard anyone except for that man.

These thoughts flashed through Zhou Yi’s mind, but of course, he would not express them. Instead, he acted even more respectfully now.

“Little Zhou, how old are you this year and have you settled down and gotten married?”

Suddenly, Qian Wenhuan broke the silence and looked at Zhou Yi amicably.

“I’m twenty-eight years old this year and I haven’t gotten married yet.”

Zhou Yi smiled shyly, shook his head, and replied, “I just broke up with my girlfriend before going abroad and I’ll think about getting married after a few more years of working.”

“Not settled down at twenty-eight? When I was your age, my daughter was three years old.”

Qian Wenhuan sighed. He could not help recalling the circumstances four years ago. What he did not say was that he met Chen Chen when he was twenty-eight and he had joined Blacklight Biotechnology at that time. Subsequently, his life trajectory was changed...

“CEO Qian, is your family here as well?”

Zhou Yi asked suddenly, “I heard that many people have moved their families here.”

“My wife and daughter are here, but my parents aren’t.”

Qian Wenhuan did not put on any airs and directly replied, “My parents don’t want to leave their hometowns and come abroad. I can’t force them, but it’s fine. Anyway, Blacklight Biotechnology has already planned to build sanatoriums all around the world. Soon enough, you’ll be able to get the same treatment at any sanatorium without having to travel abroad.

“If you want to bring your parents over, it’s still possible. In any case, you’ve been allocated a house in the community and you know how public security is like here. As long as you don’t leave the Eco Science City, public security is guaranteed and as an employee’s family members, your parents are also eligible for receiving recuperation on a preferential basis.”

Zhou Yi nodded in understanding.

After that, the two of them were silent all the way, until they came to the front of a five-star hotel in the center of the Eco Science City, where the vehicle stopped.

Almost all the people who could stay here were rich nobility from all over the world. Zhou Yi remained focused and obediently walked beside and slightly behind Qian Wenhuan, until Qian Wenhuan led him into a private room on the edge of the second floor.

The private room was not big as a whole, only about ten square meters in size. There was a round table in the center of the room, with an abundance of various dishes set out on the table.

This was not the important thing. The important thing was there was only one person in the private room.

This was a young man who was even younger than Zhou Yi himself. At first glance, he looked very ordinary, but if one looked closely, one would find that he had a pair of unique eyes.

It was a pair of jet-black eyes, which seemed to be piercing, infinite, and deep, like a bottomless abyss. It was as if a single glance from him would be enough to sink anyone.

This was a pair of eyes filled with mystical power...

Looking at the appearance of this young man, Zhou Yi only felt that the other party seemed familiar. He subconsciously searched his memory, but then he suddenly jumped in shock!

This young man was actually that legend?

“You’re Mr., Mr. Chen!”

Zhou Yi blurted out instinctively.

“That’s me.”

The young man raised his head in surprise, took a look at Zhou Yi, then nodded and replied with a smile, “My looks are rather ordinary. Those who aren’t my acquaintances can seldom recognize me at a glance.”

“You really are Mr. Chen?”

Zhou Yi took a deep breath and felt a tremor throughout his body. He thought it would only be other high-level leaders of Blacklight Biotechnology who were having drinks with Qian Wenhuan, but he never expected that the other party turned out to be Chen Chen, the founder of Blacklight Biotechnology!

Upon hearing Zhou Yi’s babble, Chen Chen suddenly laughed. He pointed to the opposite seats and said to the two of them, “What are you doing standing around? Have a seat.”

“Alright.”

Qian Wenhuan did not stand on ceremony and he dragged Zhou Yi to the seats.

At this point, Zhou Yi realized that his second question made him sound like a total noob and he was irritated with himself. He did not expect that the first time he saw the founder of Blacklight Biotechnology, he would make such a mistake.

Zhou Yi wished there was some hole he could crawl into.

“This is Mr. Zhou Yi, right? He’s a great talent and he looks much better than you, Old Qian.”

Nonetheless, Chen Chen did not seem to mind. After the two of them sat down, he suddenly made a teasing comment.

“That’s for sure.”

Hearing Chen Chen’s remark, Qian Wenhuan did not get angry. Instead, he smiled drily. “When I was at Preston Biotech, I was good at negotiation and sales. It’s just thanks to this face of mine that my performance was greatly diminished. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be just a mere sales manager.”

“Mr. Chen, you’re being too kind.”

Zhou Yi also said quickly and at the same time, he raised his arm subconsciously. He was about to find a wine bottle and a wine glass to punish himself with three cups of wine[1].

However, he was quickly dumbfounded because besides the dishes, there were only three bottles of Sprite on the dinner table and nothing else.

“Hahahaha!”

Seeing Zhou Yi’s actions, Qian Wenhuan suddenly laughed. “Little Zhou, are you looking for a wine glass? There’s no need for that. Boss himself doesn’t drink and we’re outside China, so there’s no such drinking culture. Just relax and eat. ”

“So that’s it...”

Zhou Yi only took a scoop from a dish to hide his embarrassment.

“In the past half a month, you guys have done a great job.”

Chen Chen paid no mind to all this and just said casually, “I’ve asked for you today, Old Qian, just to learn about how things have been. And also to meet this high-achiever sent by headquarters. That’s all. Still, the purchase orders worth six billion might seem like a lot to us, but it’s only a drop in the bucket for the continents.”

Then, Chen Chen thought for a while. “I believe this is just the starter for now and the real lion’s share will come in the next three months.”

“Indeed.”

Qian Wenhuan also looked thoughtful. “Now all the continents have ordered the Mark drone series. After they’ve ascertained the superior performance of our XTN robot series, orders will spring up like mushrooms after a rain. Then it’ll be our harvest time.”

“I don’t value that very much. What I value is the policies that we can achieve after opening branches in various continents.”

Chen Chen nodded. “So, I hope you’ll work harder on the various weapons and technologies, and strive to obtain local policies which are more favorable for us. In that case, we can give up some of the profits.”

“Understood.”

“Understood!”

Qian Wenhuan and Zhou Yi quickly promised.

“Besides, there’s one more thing I need you to do.”

At this moment, Chen Chen suddenly turned serious. He lowered his voice and said, “I’m going to use Namibia as a test platform to implement XTN robots instead of police for law enforcement so that XTN robots will enter civilian use in advance. Old Qian, get ready.”

“So soon?”

Qian Wenhuan was surprised. “Is it too early? Would the people accept it?”

“Thus, I need you to conduct a survey.”

Chen Chen replied, “As for the results of the survey, it can also be manipulated by propaganda and public opinion, and if necessary, we can also use certain means to achieve the implementation.”

“For instance...”

Chen Chen thought for a while and suddenly wrote something on the table —

“Robocop”.

[1] A custom in Chinese drinking culture, where someone who made a faux pas must receive “punishment” by drinking three cups of wine.