70: Chapter 70 Business Obstacles

Spark Alliance's machinery and raw material supply lines have now completely stabilized.

Chen Fan is now putting all his energy into the research and iteration of mass-producing thermal insulation tiles.

In the Fanxing Technology factory laboratory, the lights were shining brightly, and a row of thermal insulation tiles on the test bench gleamed with a cold light.

Just then, the phone suddenly vibrated.

The screen lit up; it was a call from Fu Dong.

"Engineer Fu."

"President Chen." Fu Dong's voice was a bit raspy. "I'll keep it brief. I've been transferred—to the Northwest base. The transfer order comes down the day after tomorrow, and I have to report for duty within a week."

"Why so sudden? For how long?" Chen Fan had a bad premonition in his heart.

"...At least half a year."

Half a year.

Chen Fan closed his eyes. The humming of the precision instruments in the lab sounded a bit irritating at this moment.

"Regarding the thermal insulation tiles, the institute will have someone else take over." Fu Dong spoke quickly. "It hasn't been decided who exactly, but you need to be prepared—the new person might make you redo the tests or endlessly ask for supplementary materials."

He paused, lowering his voice even further, almost squeezing the words through his teeth: "Keep a close eye on that Director Zhao, Zhao Qiming! He has always had a good relationship with the Long Group and is very close to them!"

"Understood. Thanks, Engineer Fu." Chen Fan opened his eyes, his mind in a complete mess.

Fu Dong gave a bitter laugh on the other end, his voice full of frustration. "I knew as soon as I saw your data that this thing would definitely succeed! If 'xuanyuan phase one' uses these tiles, the thermal insulation efficiency will directly multiply several times—it's a concept that could overturn and rewrite the entire industry standard!"

He took a breath, the helplessness in his tone almost overflowing. "But some people, they don't care about standards; it's all about profit!"

"The conditions in the Northwest aren't as good as in Shanghai. Take care of yourself, Engineer Fu." Chen Fan's tone carried a hint of reluctance. Fu Dong was one of the few honest people he had met within the system, dedicated entirely to scientific research without any hidden agendas.

"When you get back, I'll buy you a drink!"

"Alright, I'll remember that." Fu Dong's voice softened, carrying a sense of mutual appreciation. Although he hadn't known Chen Fan for long, their temperaments matched and their values aligned; it was like they were old friends from the start.

He knew how much effort Chen Fan had poured into the thermal insulation materials. He paused and added, "Don't get too worked up either. Some things can't be solved by brute force; you need to change your approach."

"I have a classmate who works on civilian aerospace materials. You can start from the civilian sector first to accumulate some experience and resources, taking it step by step. I'll send you his WeChat in a bit."

"Thanks. No words can express my gratitude." Chen Fan's tone was full of sincerity.

The call ended.

Chen Fan casually threw his phone onto the test bench. The dull thud was exceptionally piercing in the quiet laboratory.

He rushed to the window in a few steps, his hands propped against the cold glass. The chill seeped through his palms into his bones, but the fire in his chest burned even brighter.

Fu Dong had been transferred.

The transfer order came so quickly and urgently, with only a week to prepare.

Northwest base, a classified project—the reason was high-sounding and flawless.

But Chen Fan knew as clear as day that this was once again Long Zaitian's doing!

This move was ruthless enough!

"Fan Zi! I'm so pissed off."

Lin Hao burst in cursing, his face red with rage. "That Scar guy took the fall for everything! He said he just targeted our advanced machinery and wanted to hijack it for a profit, claiming it was purely his own doing! His twenty-odd underlings also all insisted they only know Scar and don't know anything about someone pulling the strings behind the scenes!"

Lin Hao grew angrier as he spoke, his chest heaving violently. "The lawyer said that since no substantial loss was caused, that bastard Scar won't even be sentenced to many years!"

Chen Fan had expected this outcome. Long Zaitian had immense influence, and the Long Group was deeply entrenched; how could they be toppled so easily?

These were the rules of reality—survival of the fittest, the exchange of power and money; some people really could cover the sky with one hand!

Thinking of this, the coldness in Chen Fan's eyes deepened, but the fire in his heart burned even more intensely.

He was determined to contend with these so-called elites!

He had the support of the Amplification system, heaven-defying technology, and the guts to risk it all!

With that thought, the slight despondency from before vanished instantly, replaced by a drive to burn everything down.

He would rely on his own abilities to tear those people's impregnable profit landscape into pieces!

Just then, there was a gentle knock on the laboratory door.

Chen Fan looked up, quickly suppressing the hostility in his eyes.

At the door, Su Qingyue stood gracefully, carrying an insulated container. Her cream-colored knitted cardigan made her skin look dazzlingly white. Her long hair was loosely tied up, revealing her slender neck. With a smile on her face, she was like a beam of warm light, instantly softening the cold atmosphere of the lab.

Lin Hao was sharp-eyed. Seeing this, he immediately prepared to slip away. "Cough, sister-in-law is here! I just remembered there's something in the workshop. I'll be going now!"

Chen Fan raised his leg as if to kick him and scolded with a smile, "Why are you running, kid!"

Lin Hao didn't look back and vanished in a flash, thoughtfully closing the door behind him.

"Still busy?" Su Qingyue walked in with the insulated container, her steps light for fear of disturbing him.

"How did you get in?" Chen Fan was a bit surprised. The lab wasn't easy to find, and this was Su Qingyue's first time at the factory.

"I just reached the entrance and was about to call you when I was led here by a robot named Xiao Zhi." Su Qingyue's eyes curved into crescents. "I chatted with it all the way; it was quite fun."

"Oh, Xiao Zhi. It's an intelligent entity I enhanced using the system Amplification." Chen Fan looked at her, the corners of his mouth curling up unconsciously.

Su Qingyue placed the insulated container on a nearby empty table and unscrewed the lid.

Steaming heat mixed with fragrance surged out instantly, overbearingly masking the metallic and chemical smells in the lab.

Chen Fan looked at her. The light fell on her profile, making even the fine hairs clearly visible. She was incredibly gentle.

Su Qingyue turned to meet his gaze, smiled shyly, and ladled out a bowl of soup, handing it over. "Drink it while it's hot. I've been simmering it for a long time."

A few goji berries and chopped green onions floated on the milky white soup, looking mouth-watering.

Chen Fan took the bowl, the scalding temperature transferring through the porcelain to his palm.

He blew on it and took a sip. The warm soup slid down his throat, warming him all the way to his stomach.

"It's delicious," he praised sincerely.

Su Qingyue smiled even more sweetly, pulled over a chair, and sat down, resting her chin in her hands, quietly watching him drink the soup.

"By the way, I went to see Grandpa Qin yesterday, and he asked how the order with Engineer Fu was progressing."

Chen Fan's movements paused. He briefly recounted Fu Dong being transferred, the order being in limbo, and the Long Corporation pulling strings behind the scenes.

Su Qingyue pursed her lips, a look of worry appearing on her face. She didn't understand those messy business gambits, but she could read the emotions in Chen Fan's eyes—calm on the surface, but with anger hidden within.

"Then... what should we do now?" she asked softly and cautiously. "Should we... ask Grandpa Qin for help?"

"Grandpa Qin has already helped enough." Chen Fan shook his head. "He acted as a bridge for us to get in touch with 'xuanyuan phase one,' which is already a huge favor. Engineer Fu's transfer is a normal personnel arrangement; even if Grandpa Qin wanted to help, he has no reason to intervene. As for the order—ultimately, there will always be other ways."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the thermal insulation tiles on the test bench, lost in thought.

"Long Zaitian wants to use these dirty tricks to stall us and force us to give up." His voice sounded calm, yet every word carried strength.

"I have never been one to play some bullshit power game within rules set by others."

"I'm going to use my own way—"

He spoke one word at a time, his tone filled with momentum.

"To. Rewrite. The. Rules."

Looking at the light in his eyes, Su Qingyue's bit of worry vanished instantly.

She just inexplicably believed that Chen Fan would definitely overcome these difficulties.

"By the way, there's one more thing." Chen Fan suddenly remembered something, and his tone softened. "The medical device project we talked about last time should be put on the agenda. I'll look for a place in the city to rent an office. You should make a list of the devices that are currently being bottlenecked but are in high demand."

His original intention for starting this machinery company wasn't just to make money, but to actually do something meaningful—to allow those who can't afford medical treatment to use affordable and effective equipment, so they suffer less.

"Okay! Leave it to me; I'll organize it as soon as I get back!" Su Qingyue nodded vigorously.

While they were talking, the laboratory door was slammed open again. Lin Hao rushed in panicking, his face full of worry, gasping for breath:

"Fan Zi! It's... it's bad! I just received a bunch of calls—Tax Bureau, Environmental Protection Bureau, Fire Department... they all said they're coming for surprise inspections in the next couple of days!"