Chapter Forty-Five

Investment firms typically conduct due diligence on target companies before investing. So, as soon as they left the financial building, Zuo Xutong told Peng Kun, "When we get back, I'll draft a technology transfer agreement."

Despite being mentally prepared, Peng Kun's face still turned pale instantly upon hearing this. He stopped in his tracks and said in a low voice, "You know the company's current financial situation. I don't have the money to pay you the technology transfer fee."

Zuo Xutong opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say. Suddenly, she remembered the IOU she had written to him before, and quickly said, "Use the plate I broke as collateral."

Peng Kun seemed to have heard a huge joke and raised his voice, "Patents for patents? What a joke! How much are plates worth?"

“Don’t even mention one plate, one house isn’t enough.” His voice was a little agitated, but he quickly calmed down and lowered his head in frustration: “I can’t conjure up another house to sell… no, I need two.”

“I am willing to transfer this technology to the company free of charge,” she said casually, as if it were not the result of her six years of hard work, but something that could be easily made.

Peng Kun did not respond, but just looked at her quietly. After a long time, he shook his head weakly.

“Then I’ll contribute my technology as equity!” Zuo Xutong looked him straight in the eye, her attitude resolute. She understood perfectly well what contributing her technology as equity to a company on the verge of bankruptcy meant; if anything went wrong during this financing round, she could lose everything. Moreover, President Li’s investment was only a verbal promise; they hadn’t even signed a letter of intent.

But she had no choice; she couldn't just stand by and watch the elderly people in the nursing home starve to death.

Peng Kun eventually compromised and agreed to let her contribute her technology as equity.

Following due diligence, Tianjie Capital's funds arrived quickly, half a month ahead of schedule. Moreover, Tianjie provided more than just financial support; it also offered industry connections and various follow-up resources. Over the years, many companies invested in by Tianjie have experienced rapid growth and have benefited greatly from this investment, making Tianjie's investment decisions a bellwether for the industry.

With the support of Tianjie Capital's prestigious reputation, Huacheng Technology secured a cooperation order from a well-known hydrogen energy vehicle company in the province, even without having battery samples.

The company has officially launched the research and development of the HFC-300 model hydrogen fuel cell stack, benchmarking the leading power density level of hydrogen-powered heavy truck applications in China, and introducing Zuo Xutong's ultra-low platinum film electrode (MEA) technology. While ensuring performance and durability meet the standards, the company has significantly reduced costs and enhanced the market competitiveness of its products.

With her solid skills, Zuo Xutong successfully removed the word "agent" from her title and officially became the company's R&D director.

On Saturday, Zuo Xutong spent the entire day reading in her old office on the third floor of the nursing home. In the evening, after having dinner downstairs, she returned to her office. Just as the clock struck eight, a wave of drowsiness washed over her. She intended to rest her head on her desk for a while, but unexpectedly, she fell asleep.

Footsteps echoed down the corridor, growing louder as they approached. Soon, the door opened. Peng Kun paused briefly, hesitated for a moment, then walked straight in.

He stood before his desk, gazing at her sleeping profile. Soft light bathed her face, making her even more captivating. He stared intently at her, his brown eyes like tranquil pools, their calm surface concealing an irrepressible longing. She was like a ray of light, illuminating his life and rekindling a long-dormant stirring within him.

Just then, Zuo Xutong slowly opened her eyes. The moment she woke up, a blurry, tall figure jumped into her vision, almost scaring her so much that her heart stopped.

"What are you doing here?" She sat up straight, and the moment she met his gaze, she froze. There seemed to be a strange emotion in his eyes, which terrified her. She was afraid of developing a new relationship, and even more afraid of being hurt again.

"I just got back and saw the lights were on, so I came over to check," he said.

She avoided his burning gaze, hurriedly picked up her book and stood up, stammering, "Uh... it's getting late, I... I have to go back to my room."

Peng Kun nodded and sincerely said to her, "Thank you."

Zuo Xutong stood frozen in place for a long while before softly explaining, "No need to thank me, I just didn't want to see the elderly displaced."

She deliberately emphasized that she wasn't doing this for him, but he didn't react at all. She could feel his gaze still fixed on her face, never leaving it. Her cheeks burned under his stare, and her heart pounded wildly.

She didn't dare to look up, only saying, "I'm leaving now," before hurriedly walking towards the door.

"Wait a minute," he called out to her.

She stopped, but didn't have the courage to turn around.

Are you free tomorrow?

She was about to find a reason to refuse when he immediately said, "I want you to accompany me to interview a few caregivers. Director Feng has something to do at home tomorrow."

Upon hearing the words "caregiver," she completely lost any excuse to refuse.

"Okay." After saying that, she hurriedly left the office.

Back in her room, Zuo Xutong's heart was still pounding. She remembered that night in the snow when he took her hand. She had assumed he was simply worried she would fall. She was always slow to realize the implications of her feelings, and now she deeply regretted not pulling her hand away. Had she tacitly approved of his actions, and he misunderstood something? But then she thought back to how he had repeatedly urged her to leave the company and find another job. At this moment, she was completely lost.

She plans to move out of the nursing home and rent a place near her company to reduce the chances of having one-on-one contact with him and make commuting easier.

The next day, Zuo Xutong and Peng Kun interviewed several people in their office on the third floor. One of the applicants, Liu Xia, left a deep impression on them.

She was only 38 years old, but looked much older than her actual age, and was accompanied by seven-year-old twins. Before the interview, she let the children play in the yard, but they unexpectedly barged into the interview room. After kicking them out, her expression became anxious and uneasy, as if she was afraid of losing this opportunity.

What's even more surprising is that she's actually an undergraduate student.

"You majored in landscape architecture, why did you want to do this?" Peng Kun asked.

“I was really desperate,” Liu Xia said, tears streaming down her face. “After my child was born, I didn’t work for six years. Later, I found out my ex-husband was cheating on me, so I chose to divorce him. He bought the house before we got married, and the property certificate is in his father’s name. My family wasn’t well-off, so after the divorce, I could only rent a place to live with my child. I thought I could raise my child through my own efforts, but after a year of looking for a job, I spent all my savings, and no one was willing to hire me.”

"Do you want to bring your child to work?" Peng Kun asked.

“Yes, the children are too young, and there’s no one to look after them if we leave them at home,” Liu Xia said, wiping away her tears. “Besides, they’ll be starting elementary school next year.”

Liu Xia's experience made Zuo Xutong feel a renewed aversion and fear towards love and marriage, but it also strengthened her resolve. She constantly reminded herself not to get involved in any emotional entanglements.

Although Liu Xia had no nursing experience, she did not expect a high salary. Zuo Xutong persuaded Peng Kun to keep her, at least giving her a few days of probation.

Peng Kun agreed. After the interview, he wanted to have lunch with her, but she said "See you tomorrow" and left quickly without looking back.