Chapter 217: Vested Interests, the True Purpose of the Gathering

Chapter 217: Chapter 217: Vested Interests, the True Purpose of the Gathering

Just as Lin Feng saw Li Zhe fall into deep thought, he suddenly sensed that the mission was complete.

This time, the system surprisingly didn’t issue a reward directly.

Instead, it gave Lin Feng a choice:

[DING...]

[Congratulations, Host, for completing the "Impress Everyone" mission.]

[Distributing reward now.]

[Please choose between ’a Stock Market Trend Prediction Card (three days)’ and ’a small tip’.]

Lin Feng suddenly realized that after the system’s last upgrade,

the distribution of many rewards had become somewhat random.

Both the missions and rewards were more diverse.

And rewards with ambiguous meanings kept popping up.

Just like with the mission related to Su Ruoxi that he had completed before.

The reward given hadn’t been an ordinary one, but a new mission as a reward.

These unusual forms of rewards,

in a way, only served to pique Lin Feng’s curiosity even more.

However, Lin Feng knew very well that the more ambiguous a reward was, the better it often turned out to be compared to the obvious ones.

So, Lin Feng already knew what choice to make.

Although the Stock Market Trend Prediction Card was something Lin Feng desperately needed right now.

If he had this Stock Market Trend Prediction Card, Lin Feng would have much more capital on hand.

Then, funding for that land project in Bin City would definitely not be a problem.

However, Lin Feng thought it over. If he used this three-day Stock Market Trend Prediction Card well,

it wasn’t impossible to come up with the funds needed for the Bin City land project.

At most, finances would just be a little tight.

And compared to the Stock Market Trend Prediction Card,

Lin Feng was more interested in what this "small tip" reward from the system actually was.

He was also more curious about what this small tip would actually be about.

Besides, from the moment he entered this gathering, Lin Feng had clearly felt that there was something strange about it.

Even if these people had gathered because of their school connection, it was too abnormal for every single one of them to be so friendly.

’Only in the world of children do emotions play the primary role.’

’In the world of adults, the most important relationships are naturally based on self-interest.’

Not to mention, these people were all in vastly different industries.

Whether it was tech, medicine, or finance.

In a way, they were worlds apart from one another.

Yet this group of people gathered together, and their relationships seemed very harmonious.

Clearly, Lin Feng hadn’t yet figured out these people’s true intentions.

Therefore, Lin Feng chose the "small tip" reward without hesitation.

[DING...]

[Congratulations, Host, you have received one small tip.]

[The system will provide the Host with some helpful hints at a critical moment in the future.]

Just as Lin Feng was accepting the reward, Li Zhe gradually came back from his thoughts.

This time, the topic was prepared by Li Zhe.

Time didn’t permit Li Zhe to think too much.

So, Li Zhe secretly tucked those thoughts away.

He continued to follow the predetermined schedule.

"The views Lin Feng expressed were very novel. They even made me fall into deep thought."

Li Zhe praised Lin Feng with a smile.

Lin Feng, meanwhile, impassively observed the expressions of the others.

The others seemed to have a general idea of what was about to happen.

Li Zhe was seen pressing a black button on the adjacent wall.

Only then did Lin Feng see that one of the room’s walls was actually a smart screen.

Before it was turned on,

the screen was not apparent.

That wall looked just like a normal wall, even matching the surrounding pattern.

But as the switch was activated,

the pattern on the wall gradually faded, revealing the screen’s true appearance.

Li Zhe looked at the screen with an appreciative expression.

Turning around and seeing the interest in everyone’s eyes, he finally said, "The reason I chose the theme of smart technology today is precisely because our company has a related project."

"This screen was just extremely deceptive and well-camouflaged."

"If I hadn’t pressed the button, I’m afraid no one would have been able to tell which of these four walls was the real screen."

To reinforce the credibility of his words,

Li Zhe deliberately pressed the switch a few more times to demonstrate the screen’s camouflage.

Lin Feng’s gaze fell on the screen.

A vague idea formed in his mind.

’This gathering definitely can’t be just for simple networking.’

Lin Feng had believed from the very beginning that there had to be interests at stake in this gathering.

And now, seeing the pre-installed smart screen suddenly appear on the conference room wall,

Lin Feng vaguely understood.

’It seems this gathering is just as I guessed; there are definitely interests involved.’

’I just don’t know if it’s a simple project showcase...’

’...or if there are other objectives.’

In any case, Lin Feng knew he just had to keep watching to find out.

After seeing the surprise in everyone’s eyes,

Li Zhe clicked a control pen in his hand.

A virtual model suddenly appeared on the screen.

The model was rather strange.

It looked more like a Rubik’s Cube.

It was boxy, with different squares on its surface.

"The reason this screen has such strong camouflage isn’t that we simply set it to display the wall’s pattern and color."

"With most screens, the material itself is a dead giveaway, even if you set them to the same color and pattern."

At this point, Li Zhe clicked the control pen in his hand.

The Rubik’s Cube-like model on the screen began to move.

The small square tiles on its body were suddenly dismantled.

And then laid flat.

Forming an extremely narrow rectangular module.

"The core reason this screen can achieve such perfect camouflage is this smart chip."

"This is the project our company has invested the most in, and it has huge potential for future development."

At this point, Li Zhe paused.

"This model animation I’m showing you is actually a demonstration of the final product."

"And right now, although this project has huge investment and good development prospects..."

"...the undertaking is much larger than we imagined, so I’m hoping to get more funding injected into this project."

Hearing this, Lin Feng had an epiphany.

This was just as Lin Feng had guessed.

This wasn’t simply an opportunity to satisfy social needs.

At this gathering, making friends was just the most superficial layer.

Everyone’s real purpose was perhaps to bring out projects like Li Zhe did.

To attract funding from others.

Or, to be more direct, to attract the attention of major investment firms like Fang Yurou’s.

Even if they ultimately didn’t receive an injection of funds,

Lin Feng believed that news of these projects would still spread through the networks of the people present,

thereby achieving the goal of attracting other funds.

Seeing it this way, Lin Feng suddenly understood why everyone at the gathering was so friendly.

Because even without direct investment,

this gathering could still achieve the purpose of publicity.

Lin Feng saw that after the project’s concept was disclosed,

Fang Yurou, as expected, fell into deep thought.

She was probably contemplating whether this smart chip project was worth investing in.

Wang Zongjie was sitting next to Lin Feng and Su Ruoxi.

Li Zhe was still continuing his introduction, covering some specific future concepts for the smart chip,

as well as some data and research reports that could be made public.

At this moment, Wang Zongjie leaned toward Lin Feng and said with a smile, "I’m afraid you’ve discovered it too, Junior Brother. This gathering is more of an investment meeting."

"The first time I attended, I was also clueless, until they brought out a theme just like now."

Wang Zongjie rubbed his nose.

’Back then, I wasn’t nearly as calm as Lin Feng.’

’I remember my answers to the questions were very conventional.’

’Not like Lin Feng, who became the focus right away.’

’The new generation really does surpass the old.’

’This new wave is truly impressive.’

Lin Feng smiled and turned to ask Wang Zongjie, "Since this is a project exchange, I was wondering if Senior Brother Wang has a project?"

Wang Zongjie smiled serenely. "My project, naturally, is the semiconductor project you’re already involved in."

"To be honest, the two of us can’t possibly handle this project alone. The amount of capital involved is enormous."

"And if it’s just the two of us on this project, the risk we’d have to bear would be too great. Bringing more people in is also about spreading that risk."

Lin Feng nodded in understanding.

After all, in an industry like technology,

the initial R&D investment is practically a gamble.

If the R&D is successful, then all the initial investment is worthwhile.

But if the R&D fails or the cycle is too long,

the project is pretty much abandoned.

Once a project is abandoned or fails, it means all the initial investment of capital and manpower has gone to waste.

That’s precisely where the risk comes from.

Wang Zongjie looked at Lin Feng with a smile and offered a tip, "Actually, I think at the next gathering, if you have a project that needs funding or connections, you can bring it here too."

"At a gathering like this, as long as your project has some substance, the funding part is easy to talk about."

Lin Feng smiled and nodded. "If I have one, I’ll bring it next time."

Li Zhe briefly introduced his project.

But the reaction from the audience wasn’t nearly as surprised as when they first saw the screen.

Lin Feng also knew the reason why.

It was because Li Zhe’s project only had preliminary results so far.

And subsequent results would still require a massive capital investment.

Definitely not just a few hundred million.

The risk associated with such a large injection of capital was too great.

It would probably require further detailed evaluation before anyone would make a move.

After Li Zhe sat down, Wang Zongjie stood up with a smile.

"Since Senior Li is done, I’ll borrow his screen to talk about my project."

Wang Zongjie smiled and displayed the project materials for the semiconductor project.