Chapter 0318

The Lu family's financial strength was undoubtedly inferior to Samsung's—even if the three major families combined, their economic power still couldn't match Samsung's. However, the influence the Lu family wielded in China was precisely what Samsung desperately needed. For Samsung to enter the Chinese market, they would indeed need the nod from this very figure.

"Patriarch Lu, you flatter me. It should be me paying my respects to you..." Luo Yao gazed tenderly at Lin Ran. "Ah Ran, those old dogs are getting a bit noisy. Let's take our seats first."

The old dogs: "......"

Lin Ran: "Alright."

Once Lin Ran and Luo Yao left, the group exchanged sharp glances, though the tension dissipated almost instantly as they resumed their conversation.

Lu Youqi: "Patriarch Li, you seem quite close to Luo Yao."

Li Chifen: "I’d say you’re even closer—aren’t you two already collaborating on two projects? When will you consider working with my Li family?"

Lu Youqi chuckled. "Of course, of course. Speaking of cooperation, you and Old Wang here would be a better fit, given the overlap in your industries."

Wang Xiaolin didn’t take the bait from Lu Youqi’s double-edged remark.

"Hardly. I’m not aiming for much these days—just surviving and keeping tens of thousands of my employees from losing their jobs is enough. If Patriarch Li wants to collaborate, my Wanda Group would certainly welcome it."

Wang’s self-deprecation carried a note of resignation, but it was the truth—Wanda Group had indeed shrunk considerably.

Park Bo-gi, noticing the lively discussion, decided to join in.

"Gentlemen, once Samsung re-enters the Chinese market, your businesses will undoubtedly reach new heights."

The three patriarchs—Lu, Li, and Wang—gave Park Bo-gi a strange look, their eyes briefly flickering to his hands.

"That’s not necessarily guaranteed."

Other business elites in attendance longed to join their conversation. While they dominated their respective fields, they paled in comparison to the three major families, Samsung, and conglomerates like Luo Yao’s.

If you spoke to them, they might offer a polite but meaningless platitude in return.

If they were feeling less courteous, they wouldn’t even spare you a glance.

It was like returning to your hometown for the New Year.

Whether you could sit at the table, which table you were assigned to, who got to speak, and whether you could stand up and command silence—all of it was predetermined.

When you’re insignificant, your words carry no weight. When you’re influential, your words command respect.

As for Luo Yao’s side, no one dared approach her for small talk—she was the infamous "Tongue-Ripping Queen."

Amidst their hollow exchange of pleasantries, the day’s event finally began.

Thus, the preliminary bidding for the tech city project officially commenced.

Today’s gathering was only to announce the shortlisted candidates—no final decisions would be made yet.

Every company had already submitted their materials in advance, waiting for today’s results.

Some attended despite knowing they stood no chance, if only to network.

Soon, the event’s key figure made their entrance—a highly respected elder from the official sector. (As this is an urban fiction, all characters are purely fictional, with no real-world implications.)

This was a titan of the scientific community, one who had contributed immeasurably to China.

Her name was Chen Buhui—a name she had chosen for herself, symbolizing her unwavering dedication to China and science.

Her presence at this event was at the behest of the authorities; otherwise, at over eighty years old, she had no reason to trouble herself.

"Whoa, isn’t that Elder Chen?"

"Who’s Elder Chen?"

"You don’t know Elder Chen? What’s your purpose in China? Officer, I’d like to report a potential spy."

There were indeed officers present—quite a few, in fact—who promptly verified the man’s identity, only to find it was a misunderstanding.

Still, the man was publicly humiliated for his ignorance of Chen Buhui.

During the police check, Lin Ran noticed Li Chifen stiffen slightly.

Lin Ran smirked but said nothing.

He already knew Li Chifen was a traitor—in his past life, Li Chifen’s exposure had sent shockwaves across the nation.

This was the Li family, one of the three great clans of Shanghai!

"Seriously, bro, you’re actually Chinese? And you’ve never heard of Chen Buhui? She’s one of the top minds in China’s scientific community. Without exaggeration, it’s because of her that our technology caught up with the West in just a few decades. Many of the tech giants here owe their progress to her breakthroughs."

"Exactly. She and Su Jianguo are hailed as the 'Two Heroines of Our Era.'"

The man who’d been questioned flushed with embarrassment.

At this moment, Chen Buhui stepped onto the stage with slow but steady steps, choosing to remain standing.

"Greetings, everyone. Please, be seated."

No one in the hall sat—except for Luo Yao, who remained perfectly still.

As for Chen Buhui, Luo Yao could only scoff inwardly.

Chen Buhui, however, waved it off warmly. "There’s no need for formalities here, nor should you worry about media misinterpretations. Today’s meeting has no media presence."

With that, she took her seat first, giving others the courage to follow.

For some reason, Lin Ran felt Chen Buhui’s gaze lingering on him occasionally, as if she were particularly interested in him.

He shook his head at the thought.

"Hah. Who am I to deserve Elder Chen’s attention?"

His muttered words reached Luo Yao, who frowned in displeasure.

"Ah Ran is the most important person in this world. Chen Buhui might not be as flawless as you imagine—everyone has their shortcomings."

Lin Ran froze, then tightened his grip on Luo Yao’s hand.

Just then, Luo Yao wrinkled her nose. "Did you wash your hands?"

Lin Ran: "???"

Liu Meng considerately handed Luo Yao a wet wipe, which she used to meticulously clean Lin Ran’s palm.

"Those old dogs’ germs are all over you. I won’t let them taint my Ah Ran."

Li Chifen happened to be seated a few spots away from Luo Yao, and since she hadn’t bothered to lower her voice, his expression turned awkward.

Li Chifen: "So I’m the one with germs, and you’re not?"

Chen Buhui, now seated at the podium, retrieved a document.

"The reason we’ve gathered everyone today is to announce the shortlisted candidates for this bidding process in a fair and transparent manner."

"Your proposals have been reviewed by a panel of one hundred experts from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and regional institutes, all of whom have signed confidentiality agreements."

The large screen in the hall lit up, displaying all participating companies with zero votes.

"Now, we’ll proceed with an open vote to select the top three candidates, after which a final round of competition will determine the winner."

The faces of the hundred experts, each representing their respective teams, appeared on the screen.

"Absolute fairness doesn’t exist, but we can strive for relative fairness. Many of you recognize these experts—their teams’ reputations speak for themselves."

"The winning company will receive the full support of all expert teams in executing this project."