Chapter 1546: 1 nerve 2 head blockage

After Director Lin hung up the phone in a hurry, the harsh busy tone buzzed in Xiao Liming's ears.

He stood stiffly in the luxurious yet suddenly extremely empty office, holding his cell phone, cold sweat soaking the back of his expensive shirt.

The bustling scene of CBD outside the window now seemed shrouded in a layer of eerie ominousness.

The two of them have known each other for exactly ten years, from the time when the other was still working under his mentor to obtain a doctorate degree and had to rely on him to ghostwrite his thesis, to when Director Lin was promoted step by step and held real power, the two sides established a solid "cooperative" relationship.

During this period, they jointly carried out countless patent hunting operations, with targets ranging from grassroots small factories to industry giants. They had successful experiences as well as miserable failures, and even encountered fierce counterattacks from the other side.

But no matter what the situation, Xiao Liming had never seen Director Lin refuse so decisively.

After all, this kind of thing was legal and compliant until the last step, when Director Lin issued an opinion with legal effect.

After what seemed like a century, Xiao Liming put the phone back on the table tremblingly, his nostrils twitching slightly.

After the sudden fear, a strong sense of unwillingness and luck emerged again -

That’s a profit starting from eight figures, are you just going to give up like that?

He rushed to the computer and tapped the keyboard frantically, trying to dig out more information about "Hui Ju Technology".

However, the results were disappointing.

As a company that was established less than half a year ago, Hujiu Technology has very little public information, only a registered address, a legal person name, and a few vague descriptions about "research and development of precision instrument components."

It is not even as detailed as the briefing provided in the emails from overseas partners.

"Damn it!" Xiao Liming cursed and scratched his hair in annoyance.

The great temptation entangled his heart like a poisonous snake.

After a brief thought, he picked up the phone again, but this time he didn't make a call. Instead, he typed a text message:

"The private rooms and special services of Aman Summer Palace have been reserved. It would be a big loss if we cancel now. Let's just treat it as a reunion with old classmates instead of talking about business. Tomorrow night at 7 o'clock, please come and enjoy it."

When the message was sent, time seemed to stand still.

Xiao Liming paced anxiously in the office, his eyes fixed on the motionless screen of his mobile phone.

Half an hour later, just when he was about to give up, the phone screen finally lit up.

A concise reply popped up:

"Okay, just reminiscing about the past."

These four short words made Xiao Liming breathe a sigh of relief like a drowning man grasping at a straw.

At least there is still a chance for an interview.

……

The next evening, in the private room of Aman Resort & Spa named "Qingyi", the atmosphere was far less elegant than its name suggested.

The table was filled with exquisite dishes and the waiter was sent away early by Xiao Liming.

Once the door was closed, only he and Director Lin were left in the space.

Xiao Liming put on a smile, picked up his glass and was about to get to the point, but Director Lin raised his hand to stop him.

"Li Ming, I won't drink anymore." His face was more serious than ever before, and there was a hint of fatigue that was barely noticeable. "Today, we're just reminiscing about the past and chatting about the past."

The atmosphere suddenly became subtle because of this sentence.

"However, I have to remind you of something." Director Lin paused and glanced at Xiao Liming sharply: "Recently, the higher-ups are planning stricter intellectual property protection policies, especially for companies that truly have independent innovation capabilities... Consumer electronics and high-end equipment happen to be in the key areas."

He took a bite of food slowly and continued, "This is national policy and the general trend. We must follow the trend and never go against it and run into the gun."

The original intention of these words was to serve as a reminder, but when Xiao Liming heard them, they actually made his tense nerves relax a little.

"It turns out that Director Lin was so excited yesterday because he was worried about policy risks... This is understandable."

As he thought about this, he nodded quickly, pretending to be taught: "I understand, I understand! Brother, you are right! Our small company must follow this general trend."

That being said, he immediately changed the subject, with a tentative and cunning tone, "But, brother, you also know that the definition of independent innovation capability is not in the hands of the person who actually implements it... As long as it is done properly and the right measure is grasped, maybe... our cooperation opportunities in the future will be more standardized and safer?"

Director Lin took a sip of the teacup and looked at Xiao Liming with complicated eyes. He did not respond to his question about "cooperation opportunities" but just replied vaguely: "Let's take it one step at a time... In short, you must keep a low profile in the near future. Don't cause trouble during this extraordinary period."

Seeing that the other party's attitude seemed to have softened, Xiao Liming calmed down a little and finally couldn't help asking the question he had been holding back all night: "Brother, what is the background of that Huiju Technology? How could it allow you to..."

He didn't say anything else, but the meaning was self-evident.

Director Lin put down the teacup and sighed deeply, knowing that Xiao Liming would not give up after all.

In order to prevent this daring junior from really stirring up a hornet's nest, he decided to reveal some "marginal" information to give him some warning.

"I don't have any connection with the industrial and commercial system, so I'm not sure." Director Lin said calmly, "But its registered address is inside the Precision Industrial Building. Do you know who owns that building?"

Xiao Liming shook his head.

"It is wholly owned by Torch Group!" Director Lin emphasized, "And the source of its core technology, the Torch Laboratory, is just across the street from the building... Huiju Technology has been established for less than two months, and it has come up with a package of core invention patents. It is likely that they are a cover for the Torch Laboratory, and it may have been established temporarily for some kind of cooperation."

Xiao Liming's heart sank suddenly. He immediately took out his cell phone and quickly searched for "Torch Laboratory".

When the laboratory homepage was loaded, a striking name and title immediately caught my eye.

Director: Chang Haonan

Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering...

He certainly had an impression of this name. It was a sensation in the news a few years ago. He was one of the youngest Fields Medal winners and a dual academician...

Director Lin looked at Xiao Liming's face which changed color instantly and knew that the deterrent effect had been achieved.

But he decided to add fuel to the fire: "This Academician Chang is not only the chief scientist of the Aviation Power Group, but also the chief consultant of the State Industry and Construction Commission. He holds the review authority for several major national science and technology special funds and industrial support funds..."

Although he had left the scientific research circle long ago, Xiao Liming was still aware of its importance.

Director Lin lowered his voice and said, "If you offend him, you will basically offend most of the academic community... How many lives do you think you have left?!"

Xiao Liming finally understood - this was not just hitting a wall, it was literally hitting a nuclear reactor!

He no longer had any appetite, so he quickly took two bites of the food and said to Director Lin with a forced smile, "Brother, I have something urgent to deal with at the company, so I have to go back first. Enjoy your meal, everything has been arranged."

After saying this, he almost fled away from Aman Resort and Spa.

……

After returning to the company, Xiao Liming immediately turned on his computer and replied to emails from overseas partners.

Of course, it is impossible for me to admit that I was a coward. I just said that our company has recently undertaken several major emergency projects, and our personnel and energy are already saturated. It is difficult to transfer manpower to carry out this task within the time limit you require.

After the email was sent, Xiao Liming slumped in his boss's chair and breathed a long sigh of relief, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders.

However, many times, it is easy to get on a pirate ship, but it is difficult to get off.

Before I could catch my breath, a new email notification popped up on the computer screen - from that overseas encrypted mailbox.

Xiao Liming's heart skipped a beat and he opened the email. The content was cold and tough:

"Mr. Xiao, we regret your company's 'resource saturation', but we are even more disappointed. Over the past five years, our 'cooperation' records in the Chinese market are complete and clear, including project goals, operating methods, capital flows and information about your key contacts..."

"..."

"If these materials accidentally appear in some place where they should not appear due to 'unfortunate' circumstances, I believe it will have an immeasurable impact on your company and Mr. Xiao personally..."

A naked threat!

Xiao Liming's sweat broke out again.

The other party has his life in his hands!

He had no doubt that the other party had the ability to expose all of his past shady deeds.

This business involves too many internal interests. If a large amount of sensitive information is leaked from him, even if he is not buried, it will be difficult for him to gain a foothold in the industry in the future.

How to do?

Refuse? The other party will destroy him immediately.

Accept? Director Lin’s warning is still fresh in my mind!

However, just when he was in a dilemma, a new email alert sounded.

"This action does not require any results. It only requires creating enough legal disputes and negative public opinion in the next two months to get them into trouble. If your company changes its mind, reply to confirm within 24 hours. The deposit (1/3 of the total amount) can be paid immediately and does not need to be refunded regardless of the result."

The Chinese people have always been a people who like to compromise...

In short, after the previous round of intimidation, the demands on the computer screen seemed reasonable.

Xiao Liming's heart became active again——

The other party only wants to cause trouble but not results. Does that mean that we can just do superficial work?

For example, find a few insignificant shell companies and symbolically file a few patent invalidation declarations?

As long as the core is not touched and key figures such as Director Lin are not involved, perhaps... the risk can be controlled?

After all, the deposit promised by the other party is "non-refundable regardless of the outcome"...

……

Under the double squeeze of the temptation of a huge deposit and the fatal threat, Xiao Liming's remaining reason and fear were overwhelmed.

With trembling fingers, he typed out the reply:

"After urgent internal coordination, some resources can be allocated to carry out the 'limited action' requested by your company. Please pay a deposit of 1/3 of the total amount to the old account as agreed. The action will be initiated immediately after receiving the payment."