Chapter 135 A single game settles the mind, a promise worth a thousand pieces of gold

The next day, Bai Shu thanked Qin Zheng for bringing her there, and went alone into the seemingly ordinary but heavily guarded courtyard house.

Under the grape trellis, an old man dressed in a white jacket and black trousers was leisurely fanning a pot of orchids with a large palm-leaf fan, humming off-key Peking Opera tunes.

He is Mr. Chen.

"You've arrived?" Old Chen didn't even lift his eyelids, fanning himself with his palm leaf fan at a leisurely pace.

"Elder Chen." Bai Shu bowed slightly, his voice calm.

Do you know how to play chess?

I know a little bit about it.

"Then play a game with this old man." Old Chen pointed to the stone table under the grape trellis.

On the stone table, a chessboard had already been set up, and the chess pieces were made of warm, smooth jade, gleaming softly in the dappled sunlight.

Bai Zhu didn't stand on ceremony and sat down opposite Elder Chen.

Old Chen, playing black, made the first move, placing the center point (Tengen).

Occupying the central palace at the start is domineering, direct, and full of probing.

Unmoved, Bai Shu picked up a white piece with her slender fingers and, without hesitation, placed it on the star position.

The chessboard fell silent instantly.

There was no verbal communication, only the crisp "tap, tap" sound of chess pieces falling onto the stone board.

Old Chen's playing style is bold and expansive, with each move carrying immense power and creating a sense of oppression, constantly encroaching on and squeezing the living space of the white pieces.

It was as if it were questioning: You little girl, just how much do you weigh, and how can you survive in my game?

Bai Zhu remained unmoved and responded calmly.

She avoids direct confrontation with Black, her playing style is sharp yet flawless.

If you advance an inch, I will move an inch; sometimes I move like a nimble snake wagging its tail, cleverly deflecting your attacks.

Sometimes it's like a poisonous needle piercing a vital point, planting a deadly piece in the most unexpected place.

Her fingertips tapped lightly on the edge of the chessboard unconsciously, making a rhythmic sound, her eyes focused.

An hour passed, and the game on the chessboard was now a close contest.

Old Chen's forehead was covered in sweat, and he stopped fanning himself with a palm leaf fan.

He stared at the chessboard for a long time, then suddenly laughed and threw the black piece back into the chess jar.

"I'm not playing anymore, I'm not playing anymore. You little girl, your playing style is too tricky. If we keep playing, you'll drain all my savings."

The game ended in a draw.

But Old Chen knew that he had already lost half the battle.

"Girl, come and have some tea." Old Chen stood up, walked to the small red clay stove next to him, picked up the purple clay teapot, and began to wash the cups and scald them.

His movements were skillful, clearly indicating he was an expert in this field.

Bai Zhu then stood up and stood quietly to the side.

A refreshing aroma of tea filled the air.

"That little girl from Tangdixuan with unparalleled culinary skills, is that you?" Old Chen pushed a cup of freshly brewed tea in front of Bai Shu.

Bai Zhu picked up her teacup but remained silent.

Old Chen's voice was calm, "That boy from the Lu family risked his life for you, and you're the wife who caused such a stir in the entire capital."

Bai Shu felt a chill run down his spine, but his face remained impassive.

"Now, he's transformed into a Mr. Bai, who wants to invest in Hong Kong Island and get involved in some high-tech business."

Old Chen finally raised his eyes, his cloudy eyes now sharp as an eagle's, as if he could see through people's hearts.

"Girl, you've got quite a few secrets hidden inside you."

This is the real test.

The chess game was just an appetizer; this cup of tea was the real trap.

Bai Zhu put down her teacup, the bottom of which collided with the stone table, making a soft sound.

She met Old Chen's gaze calmly, a faint smile playing on her lips.

"Old Chen has a keen eye."

She offered no explanation or rebuttal, but simply calmly admitted it.

"My identity is just for convenience, but my desire to contribute to this country is genuine."

She didn't say that she was Su Wantang, nor did she mention any twin sister.

In front of someone like Mr. Chen, any explanation seems pale; the only way is to be honest about one's purpose.

Old Chen gave her a deep look, his sharp gaze gradually softening.

He didn't ask any further questions, but simply nodded, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.

"Tell me, what are your plans for that... Haitang Technology?"

The topic was thus casually shifted away.

Bai Shu knew that he had made the right bet.

She composed herself and organized her thoughts.

"Mr. Chen, I want to establish a company called 'Haitang Technology' and fully invest in it to support one person and one project."

"who?"

"Zhou Jimin, Beijing No. 17 Research Institute".

Old Chen paused slightly in his teacup, raising an eyebrow: "That stubborn mule?"

"He is a national hero." Bai Shu used only three words to evaluate him.

"Oh? Tell me, how did he become a national hero?" Old Chen became interested.

Bai Shu took a deep breath. "Old Chen, do you know anything about semiconductors?"

Old Chen thought for a moment: "I've heard of it, isn't it just that little part in a radio?"

“Yes, and not entirely.” Bai Shu’s voice calmed down, carrying a foresight and solemnity beyond her years.

"It is a small part now, but in twenty or thirty years, it will become the cornerstone of all high-tech. From the telephones we use to the satellites and missiles of a country, they all cannot do without it."

"Without it, we would be choked, only able to breathe if they wanted us to. If they didn't want us to breathe, we would suffocate to death!"

The relaxed expression on Old Chen's face completely disappeared, replaced by a long-lost solemnity.

"Zhou Jimin is the person in our country who has the best chance of catching up with, or even overtaking, others in this field. His 'Dawn' project is our own beacon of hope."

"But now, this light is about to be extinguished."

Bai Shu briefly recounted the suppression Zhou Jimin suffered at the research institute, the suspension of his projects, and the misappropriation of his funds.

“I founded ‘Haitang Technology’ for no other reason than to seek no short-term returns. I want to give him money, the best people, the most advanced equipment, and an environment where no one can interfere. All I want is for him to focus on his research.”

"I want to use money to build a future for our country that won't be held hostage by others!"

Her voice wasn't loud, but every word was firm and resounding.

The entire courtyard was silent, save for the rustling of the wind through the grapevines.

The expression on Old Chen's face changed from initial scrutiny to surprise, and finally to shock and emotion.

His hand, holding the teacup, remained suspended in mid-air, motionless for a long time.

Looking at the young woman before him, he seemed to see the true hope for the future of China.

"Good...well said!"

Old Chen slapped his thigh suddenly, his eyes flashing with a sharp light!

"Damn it, 'choking'! That's a great word!"

He drank the tea in his cup in one gulp and slammed the cup down heavily on the stone table.

"Based on what you just said, I'll take care of this!"

He made the final decision, his tone carrying an undeniable air of authority.

"Go ahead and do it! You handle the money, I'll handle the people! The sky over Beijing won't fall down! A few fools might try to trip you up, but my old bones can still move!"

This promise is worth more than a thousand pieces of gold.

At this moment, Bai Zhu's tense heart finally relaxed completely.

She stood up and bowed deeply to Old Chen.

"Thank you, Mr. Chen."

"No need to thank me, I'm thanking you for the country!" Old Chen waved his hand, gesturing for her to sit down.

He immediately turned around and said to the guard who was standing not far away, "Go and get me a call from the Ministry of Electronics Industry, the superior unit of the 17th Institute!"

The guard immediately straightened his back: "Yes, sir!"

The call was quickly connected, and the guard respectfully handed over the receiver.

Old Chen took the phone, skipping even introducing himself, and spoke into the receiver in an unquestionable tone.

"Have that Wang Jianguo from your institute bring Zhou Jimin to me right now."

His tone was calm, yet it contained immense power.

On the other end of the phone, there was a stunned silence, as if the order had struck them hard.

Without waiting for a reply, Mr. Chen hung up the phone immediately after finishing his sentence.

He looked at Bai Shu and revealed a fox-like smile.

"Girl, I've called the people for you, and the stage is all set up for you."

"Now, it's up to you how you perform this act."