The Arabian Nights

Lin Xuan produced a thick stack of documents.

Shedding his previous warmth, he spoke with a poker face. "This is a contract that everyone must sign. The key terms are simple: you are strictly forbidden from leaking any research results or progress. Furthermore, while you may withdraw from the project midway, doing so will require paying a hefty breach of contract fee, and you must still maintain absolute silence regarding the project."

"If you violate these terms, your future—not just in Xia, but globally—will be ruined. You should trust that the Sky Curtain Group and the Su Group possess the power to blacklist you completely."

Thud!

Lin Xuan slammed the thick stack of contracts onto the table.

The hearts of the members in the audience trembled.

Luo Yuan couldn't help but remark, "When Lin Xuan gets serious, he really looks the part. He's got a bit of an imperial vibe going on."

The sheer intensity with which he tossed those contracts had made Luo Yuan's own heart pound. He still hadn't quite recovered from it.

"It's normal," Wang Dahe nodded. "Don't let Xuan's usual gentle demeanor towards us brothers fool you. Don't forget, he's the boss of the Sky Curtain Group. How could he manage such a massive company without an imposing presence?"

"True enough," Luo Yuan nodded in agreement.

Without an imposing aura, he certainly couldn't command the respect of his subordinates.

On stage, Lin Xuan continued, "I will have a copy of this contract distributed to each of you. Read the contents carefully and think long and hard about whether you want to sign it."

"If you're having second thoughts and don't want to remain in this chip and lithography machine project, you still have a chance to leave. But once you sign, there is no turning back."

Lin Xuan sat down on the chair behind the podium, his posture relaxed.

"I'll sign!" a student from Shangqing University stood up. "I believe in fellow student Lin Xuan's ability. He can definitely lead us to success!"

"Right, I believe in him too."

"So do I!"

Other students chimed in, in unison.

If these Shangqing University students were willing to stay, it went without saying for the employees of the Su Group and Sky Curtain Group, who already regarded Lin Xuan as an idol.

Lin Xuan nodded and instructed two assisting teachers, "Please distribute these contracts to everyone."

"Alright, Student Lin."

The teachers handed out the contracts.

The staff members present for the chip research project signed their names without the slightest hesitation.

Seeing the signed contracts pile up, Lin Xuan's stern, icy expression softened.

He announced, "Regardless of whether this chip project succeeds or fails, those who perform exceptionally well will be given the opportunity to work at the Sky Curtain Group and the Su Group."

The Shangqing University students were stunned.

They hadn't expected such a perk!

If the seven students who left knew that they could land a job at the Sky Curtain Group or Su Group even if the research failed, they would probably be green with regret.

"This is great, this is really great."

The students were buzzing with excitement. "I have to perform my best. Getting into major companies like the Su Group and Sky Curtain Group was something I never dared to dream of before."

Although they were graduates from a prestigious institution like Shangqing University, that credential alone wasn't quite enough for the Sky Curtain Group and Su Group to take notice.

Those companies recruited students from top universities all over the world. Every recruit possessed immense capability. Unless one was exceptionally outstanding, it was impossible to join right after graduation; most roles required extensive experience.

With their current skills, they weren't quite qualified yet. They had never imagined they would have a chance to join these conglomerates fresh out of school.

Now, every student from Shangqing University was fired up.

Lin Xuan continued, "Now, I'm going to assign tasks. I will let everyone know what they are responsible for."

Quite a few people had left.

If he was short-handed in any area, he planned to transfer more personnel from the Sky Curtain Group and Su Group.

The seven students walked out of the classroom.

One of them felt his heart racing with unease. "Is it really right for us to leave like this? If they actually manage to develop the chip, won't we be missing out on something huge?"

If they succeeded, it would become a highlight on their resumes. No matter which company they applied to, they would be headhunted instantly.

"What are you thinking?" Fang Shuai sneered. "The state has sent people to research this for so long without success. Do you really think a few Shangqing University students and a few dozen guys in suits can pull it off? Is that a joke? Besides, Lin Xuan, the project lead, is just a computer science student."

If they could pull this off, he'd wash his hair while doing a handstand!

"This Lin Xuan really thinks he's omnipotent. Let me tell you, leaving now is absolutely the right choice. Instead of being trapped in a doomed project, we're better off doing our own thing. We should use this time to enter competitions or join research teams at established companies."

Those things would actually pad their resumes.

If they stayed on the chip project, what would they write after graduation? That they participated in a failed research attempt?

The student's anxiety eased slightly.

It made sense.

Lin Xuan's project was indeed impossible.

Leaving now was likely the smartest move.

"And having to sign that contract? If we had signed it, we wouldn't have been able to leave later. Just wait and see. Those who stayed will regret it," Fang Shuai scoffed.

Another student's stomach suddenly rumbled. He shook his head and said, "Forget it, let's go eat. Let that bunch waste their time on the chip project."

Fang Shuai didn't go to eat; instead, he headed to the library.

He planned to start his own research project and enter a national competition.

Chen Mo pretended to run into him by accident.

He looked puzzled. "Fang Shuai? What are you doing here? Didn't you join Lin Xuan's chip project? You should still be in the meeting right now. Why are you at the library?"

"Don't ask," Fang Shuai said, his face showing his impatience. "It was a waste of my time."

"What happened?" Chen Mo asked, looking curious.

"Chen Mo, it's a good thing you gave up the chance to join the research project yesterday." Fang Shuai believed Chen Mo was too skilled to have been rejected; he assumed Chen Mo had voluntarily withdrawn.

Furthermore, Chen Mo had implied yesterday that he had quit on his own.

Chen Mo must have sensed something was off and decided not to waste his time on Lin Xuan's project.