"Sodium ions?" Qin Chuan asked doubtfully. "Right now, all the capital is chasing lithium mines. Isn't sodium ion technology considered immature?"

"That's why that Cambridge lab was neglected by investors," Han Feng said, pulling out a patent document. "But they've already broken through the energy density bottleneck; they just lack the funds for industrialization. $200 million could buy out the global patents."

A sharp glint flashed in Han Feng's eyes: "Within 18 months, when lithium prices rise to a point where no automaker can afford it, our sodium-ion technology will become the only option. At that point, it won't be a matter of a market capitalization of hundreds of billions, but rather who will set the industry standards."

On the other end of the phone, Qin Chuan's breathing became noticeably rapid. He could sense that Han Feng was describing not just a financial operation, but a strategic plan for technological dominance.

"President Han, these plans... are too ambitious," Qin Chuan said with awe, "but the risks are equally enormous. If any link in the chain goes wrong..."

"There won't be any mistakes," Han Feng said decisively. "You just need to follow my instructions. The rest is up to you."

Qin Chuan remained silent for a long time before finally making up his mind: "I understand. I'll begin planning my short-selling operation against the Federal Reserve first thing tomorrow morning."

Han Feng continued, "Qin Chuan, after you've done all this, you need to help me recruit more people. Our next step is to expand into overseas markets."

Qin Chuan was a little surprised, but still trusted Han Feng: "Okay, Mr. Han, I'll go prepare right away."

After hanging up the phone, Han Feng lay on his bed. "System," he murmured to himself, "confirm the key financial market events for the next three days."

Zero's chibi-style figure reappeared, and he said:

"Forecast of the Federal Reserve's interest rate meeting outcome: 92.8% probability of maintaining interest rates unchanged, releasing a dovish signal."

German Silicon Motion Technology's technical assessment: The 5nm process is independently controllable, with a yield rate of 89%, which is superior to TSMC's same-generation process.

Laboratory data verification for sodium-ion batteries shows that their energy density has reached 210 Wh/kg, approaching the level of lithium iron phosphate batteries.

Han Feng's lips curled into a slight smile. With the system's capabilities, these operations, which seemed extremely risky to others, were simply a matter of following instructions to him.

More importantly, if these three projects succeed, they will not only bring huge wealth, but also facilitate entry into overseas markets.

The gene-modifying agents from country M are a huge problem; we must speed up the process.

Upon waking up in the morning, Han Feng took out a new type of communicator, which Lin Zhengguo had personally given him. It was intended for one-way communication between the two of them and was encrypted with a level of security sufficient to resist any eavesdropping or hacker attacks.

Han Feng picked up the communicator, held his thumb over the fingerprint sensor for two seconds, and the screen lit up with a soft blue light. He dialed the only number stored in his phone.

"Beep—" The phone was answered after only one ring.

"Xiao Han?" Lin Zhengguo's voice came through the communicator, so clear it seemed to be right next to my ear. "How are things going?"

Han Feng walked to the window: "The arrangements have been made. Qin Chuan is currently managing his short position in the Federal Reserve, and the first phase of funding accumulation is expected to be completed within three days."

"Good, very good." Lin Zhengguo's tone was noticeably more relaxed. "Are the overseas accounts and offshore company structures secure?"

"Absolutely safe." Han Feng's lips curled into a slight smile. "Qin Chuan is a professional."

A soft chuckle came from the other end of the phone: "I love your confidence. But..." His voice suddenly turned serious, "How's your injury? You just got back from the Northern Border and immediately threw yourself into such intense work. You need to take good care of yourself. Although your medical skills are superb, you can't keep working like this while fatigued."

Han Feng subconsciously touched his ribs: "It's just a minor injury, nothing serious."

"Don't give me that crap." Lin Zhengguo interrupted him. "If that bullet had been two centimeters off target, you'd be in the ICU right now. The gene therapy is important, but your life is more important."

Han Feng remained silent for a moment, a warm feeling welling up in his heart. In this treacherous world, Lin Zhengguo was one of the few people who genuinely cared about his safety.

"Uncle Lin, I'm fine." His voice softened. "The wound has almost healed. Besides, have you forgotten that I'm a master of traditional Chinese medicine?"

"That's to be expected." Lin Zhengguo snorted. "Anyway, just make sure things in the overseas market proceed as planned. You should rest well these next few days. Let me know immediately if anything happens, understand?"

"Understood." Han Feng nodded, even though the other person couldn't see him. "By the way, regarding the acquisition of Silicon Crystal Technology, it might require some political...facilitation from your side."

"Don't worry about that," Lin Zhengguo readily agreed. "The German Minister of Economic Affairs will be visiting China next month; I'll make the arrangements. But Han Feng..." His tone suddenly became meaningful, "Are you sure this trip is purely for the gene-based drug investigation? Of course, if you want to get something else out of it, I have no objection; after all, you're doing this for China!"

"I understand. It's just normal business tactics. We can't let them discover anything amiss."

Lin Zhengguo laughed loudly: "Good lad! Remember, contact me anytime if you need anything."

Hanging up the phone, Han Feng let out a long sigh of relief; the pain in his ribs seemed to have intensified. He went into the bathroom, took off his pajamas, and saw his muscular body clearly defined in the mirror, but covered with various scars—the abrasions from the Northern Border mission were the most recent, already scabbed over with a layer of dark red scabs.

Twenty minutes later, Han Feng changed into a simple white shirt and dark jeans, and locked the Longyuan communicator in the bedroom safe. Standing in front of the full-length mirror in the dressing room, he adjusted his expression, concealing the sharp edge in his eyes, until the person in the mirror looked completely like an ordinary college student.

In front of the Kyoto University School of Economics and Management building, Han Feng parked his car. It had only been a little over a week since he left the campus, but it felt like a lifetime had passed. From the gunfire in the north to the undercurrents in the financial market, and back to the tranquility of the ivory tower, this change of identity sometimes made him feel slightly dizzy.

When Han Feng pushed open the back door of the classroom, the Principles of Economics class had already started for ten minutes. He slipped in with practiced ease, his eyes scanning the lecture hall before quickly locking onto that familiar spot—the third-to-last row by the window, and the slender figure standing next to him with a straight back.

Liu Mengran.

She was wearing a light blue knitted sweater today, her long, black hair tied in a simple ponytail, revealing the back of her fair neck. When Han Feng sat down next to her, she didn't even turn her head, only subtly shifting towards the window.

"Long time no see," Han Feng said in a low voice, taking his notebook out of his bag.

Liu Mengran kept her eyes fixed on the podium, but her pen paused for a second: "One week and three days."

Han Feng raised an eyebrow: "You're counting?"

"Just stating the facts." Her voice was as cold as her appearance. "Missing class for such a long time without a valid reason will affect your grades."