Chapter 115 – The Chairman’s Audience (Part Two)

My Rebirth Legend Without Ads

Just as Chu Qitong and I were led into the pavilion by Old Zhu, I saw several officials already seated there, waiting for our arrival. Although I didn’t know if previous winners of the computer competition had ever come to this pavilion, I was absolutely certain that none of them had ever been received by the chairman in such a manner.

“So, you are Xiao Qiang, the designer of the vector aviation engine? Indeed, a young high school student. Haha, I’m Hua Guocheng, the current Chairman of Huaxia. Greetings, my friend.” Before me stood Chairman Hua Guocheng, dressed in a deep blue Zhongshan suit—the same figure often seen on television. To my surprise, he introduced himself simply and smiled warmly, extending his hand. I hurriedly returned the gesture, deeply grateful. “Chairman Hua, I’m truly honored by your personal reception. I’m quite overwhelmed.”

“Oh? Overwhelmed? I’m not a bandit or a robber, nor a hooligan or a thug. Loosen up a bit, young man. You are a hero of our Huaxia nation! Don’t you all agree?” The chairman smiled at me, then turned to inquire of the officials beside him. They all nodded in agreement with broad smiles on their faces.

“Hehe, Chairman, you flatter me. I hardly deserve the title of hero. Oh, and this is contestant Chu Qitong, who placed third in the competition.” I deliberately shifted the topic, hoping to avoid discussing the engine directly. Since the chairman already knew about the vector aviation engine and was so eager to meet me, he must have taken a strong interest in me. In this case, I felt calm and composed; after all, I needed to strive for my greatest advantage. Playing hard to get would undoubtedly be the best tactic.

Chu Qitong, standing nearby, seemed not to expect to be introduced while the chairman and I were engrossed in conversation. She nearly gasped in surprise but quickly covered her mouth with her small hand, blushing deeply as she nodded toward Chairman Hua.

“Chu Qitong? Miss Chu? Oh, haha, so it’s you, young lady! I’ve seen you before. You’ve forgotten? Well, it’s understandable—you were just over a year old then. I remember when I was still the provincial governor, I visited your grandfather’s home and met you and your mother. Haha, I never thought I’d run into you again today. Excellent, truly a credit to the Chu family. How is your grandfather’s health?” The chairman’s eyes twinkled with a smile as he focused on her.

Upon hearing this, Chu Qitong excitedly nodded. “So Chairman knows my grandfather? He is in good health, thank you very much for your concern. Chairman Hua, may I take a photo with you later? My grandfather would be very happy to see it.”

“Haha, of course. I haven’t seen Old Master Chu in a long time. You can also bring him my regards.” The chairman smiled and then signaled to an aide beside him, “Xiao Wang, please escort Miss Chu downstairs to rest for a while, then bring her to the photography room for a picture with me.”

“Yes, Chairman.” The official named Xiao Wang respectfully nodded and accompanied Chu Qitong away. Watching her excited figure disappear, I silently thought, Hua Guocheng’s move was brilliant—not only did he manage to divert Chu Qitong, but he also created an opportunity for a private meeting with me.

“Xiao Qiang, come, sit down. Haha, don’t be polite. Consider this place your home. Let’s have a talk.” After Chu Qitong left, the chairman warmly pulled me onto the stone bench within the pavilion, his face beaming with such friendliness that I almost thought he was a family member.

“Xiao Qiang, I want to ask—how long have you been researching this vector aviation engine? How feasible is it? If we were to install it on our country’s fighter jets, do you think it’s possible?” As expected, the chairman was not merely being hospitable. Before I had even warmed my seat, he got straight to the point.

“Chairman, I have been researching this engine for about three years. As for feasibility, I dare not claim 100% success, but it’s definitely close to that. This engine was designed specifically with our country’s fighter jets in mind, so compatibility is not an issue. I am confident that with such an engine installed, our air force will undoubtedly become the world’s top ace!” Since the chairman was eager for an answer, I might as well give it to him. After all, the initiative was mine. If I didn’t offer him a taste of sweet fruit, how could I expect him to cooperate?

“Excellent! This is truly wonderful!” The chairman suddenly pounded the stone table, clearly excited, and smiled at me. “Would you be willing to transfer the engine technology to the Huaxia Academy of Sciences?”

“Well…” At this, I suddenly hesitated, my expression turning serious. “Why should the technology be given to the Academy of Sciences?”

“Hehe, I understand it’s your creation and that you must have put in great effort and painstaking work. But to truly promote this engine and bring it into formal production, that responsibility must fall to the Academy. If you can’t do it yourself, then let them handle it. However, I know this is unfair to you, so I can offer you 5% of the profits for every engine produced. What do you think? You also know that our national military budget is tight, so…” The chairman’s face showed genuine difficulty. To a passionate idealist, this would seem like a generous all-in offer. Unfortunately, I was no idealist nor a blind worshiper. Although I loved my country and my people, that did not mean I would bargain away my worth. The chairman’s offer simply wasn’t enticing enough.

“Chairman Hua, you misunderstand. I have never cared about that 5% profit. Honestly, I’m not wealthy, but I have enough fortune that money is merely external to me; it does not interest me. However, if you can agree to one thing, I will not only gift the full technology of the vector engine to the nation, but I’ll also provide additional high-tech innovations. How does that sound?”

“Oh? Tell me more.” My words immediately piqued the chairman’s interest. He nodded eagerly, “Whatever you want, just say it. As long as it’s within my power, I will certainly agree!”

“Good, since Chairman Hua speaks so straightforwardly, I will be direct,” I said, secretly amused. The chairman was already so excited he had lost his rationality and was oblivious to the trap I had set. But that was exactly the effect I wanted. “My condition is that I want to participate in national politics and hold a certain amount of power.”

“What? You want to be an official?” The chairman was stunned. How could he imagine that a mere seventeen-year-old high school student would ask to become an official? This was an unreasonable request. In Huaxia’s political arena, not only must one have education and experience, but age is also a significant factor. Even the lowest-ranking officials are typically no younger than twenty-eight. For a seventeen-year-old like me to want an official post was nothing short of fantastical.

“No, I don’t want to be an official. Chairman, you misunderstood. I only want to participate in politics and have some power—like gaining the support of one or two influential families. With your backing, my goal would be achieved.” I tapped the stone table calmly and smiled. “I have no interest in holding office. What I want is power—the power not to be bullied.”

“Not to be bullied? What do you mean by that?” The chairman seemed to calm down and began to understand my meaning. He furrowed his brow and said, “Xiao Qiang, from your tone, it sounds like you have enemies and have been bullied?”

I nodded, then shook my head and sighed softly. “As the saying goes, when under a roof, one must bow. Sometimes, offending officials in certain places is inevitable. It seems that among the nation’s Eight Great Families, any one of them is not to be trifled with, and it appears I have already crossed one of them.”

“Oh? You have dealings with one of the Eight Great Families? I think I understand why you asked for this now.” The chairman nodded slightly but soon showed a helpless expression. “Ah, Xiao Qiang, you are mistaken. If you’ve angered one of the Eight Great Families, having power won’t help you. Almost all power in this country lies in their hands.”

“What? No way!” I was stunned and quickly pressed, “How is that possible, Chairman? Are you saying even you cannot control them?”

Chairman Hua looked at me deeply, then turned his face toward the scenery outside the pavilion. After a long silence, he sighed softly and shook his head. “Yes. Even I cannot deal with the Eight Great Families…”