123: Chapter 123 A Hundred Billion Order! Actually, They're Selling Discarded Garbage

The brightness of the spotlights was enough to burn right through one's retinas.

Inside the release hall at the Chenxing Technology headquarters, the sound of camera shutters was as dense as a rainstorm. Hundreds of the world's top media outlets had their long lenses and microphones locked firmly onto the signing table in the center of the stage.

The air was filled with the scent of burning money.

Jiang Chen sat on the left, still looking as lazy as if he hadn't woken up, spinning a fountain pen rapidly between his fingertips.

Sitting opposite him, the Eagle Sauce business representative, Mr. Anderson, was flushed with excitement, looking as if he had just been injected with a dose of adrenaline. He stared fixedly at the breathtaking number on the contract, his hand trembling so much he could barely hold his pen.

**[100,000,000,000 USD]**

One hundred billion US dollars.

This was not just a sum of money; it was the "ransom" that Eagle Sauce was paying to reclaim its technological hegemony, and it was also the ticket they believed would lead them back to their peak.

"Mr. Jiang."

Mr. Anderson took a deep breath, signed his name, and then stood up, his face wearing the reserved arrogance typical of a victor:

"Thank you for your... generosity."

"Facts have proven that in this world, there is no problem that cannot be solved by the US dollar. If there is, it's just that there aren't enough US dollars."

He extended his hand, a hint of imperceptible disdain hidden in his eyes:

"Technology has no borders, right?"

Jiang Chen also stood up.

He did not refute him, but instead grasped Mr. Anderson's hand with a smile. His expression was just like a black-hearted fruit farmer who had sold his rotten apples for an exorbitant price.

"Yes, yes, yes, you are absolutely right."

Jiang Chen shook the other man's hand vigorously, his tone so sincere it would make one want to cry:

"Mr. Anderson, you really are a good person."

"This money is truly a timely help for our Chenxing Technology. Don't worry, we will definitely follow up with after-sales service, guaranteed to satisfy you."

As their hands clasped together, the flashbulbs instantly froze the scene.

**《Century Reconciliation! Eagle Sauce Purchases Core Technology for Photonic Chip for 100 Billion USD!》**

**Chenxing Technology Compromises? Technological Hegemony Changes Hands?》**

These sensational headlines spread across the globe via the internet in just a few seconds.

The online world exploded instantly.

On domestic social media platforms, there was widespread lamentation; countless netizens who had always viewed Jiang Chen as their idol felt as if the sky had collapsed.

"Sold it? God Jiang actually sold the core technology?!"

"I can't accept this! This was our only chance to overtake on a curve! How could he sell it to Eagle Sauce just for money?"

"Even though one hundred billion is a lot, that's our national destiny! Has Jiang Chen gotten carried away? Is he blinded by money?"

"Don't bother defending him, upstairs. A capitalist is just a capitalist. Patriotism is all bullshit in the face of one hundred billion US dollars!"

Disappointment, anger, confusion—various negative emotions flooded Chenxing Technology's official social media account like a tsunami.

Meanwhile, on the foreign internet, it was a completely different scene.

Eagle Sauce netizens were celebrating as if it were a holiday; Twitter was full of mocking and celebratory memes.

"Hahaha! The Dragon Country people have finally knelt down!"

"I told you, there is nothing we can't buy! The Photonic Chip is ours!"

"Jiang Chen? He's just a greedy businessman. As long as you pay him enough, he'd even sell his soul!"

Watching the comments frantically scrolling on his phone screen, Supervisor Li Guoqiang, standing backstage, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and cautiously approached Jiang Chen, who had just stepped off the stage:

"Boss... the public opinion is getting a bit out of control."

"Everyone is calling you... well, a traitor."

"Should we have the PR department step in to control the comments?"

"Control what comments?"

Jiang Chen pulled a freshly printed transfer receipt from his pocket and flicked it, making a crisp "snap" sound.

He looked at the long string of zeros, a cold smile that only a hunter could understand flashing in his eyes:

"Let them curse."

"The more fiercely they curse, the more at ease Eagle Sauce will be, and that old man named Mr. Anderson will think he got an even bigger bargain."

Jiang Chen stuffed the receipt into Supervisor Li Guoqiang's hand and stretched:

"As for being a traitor?"

"Heh, selling a pile of industrial trash that is about to be obsolete for the price of gold, and by the way, using this money to upgrade our 'luan bird'..."

"This is what you call generating revenue for the country!"

"If you don't understand, don't worry about it. Go, bring me the hard drive containing the 'special edition' blueprints."

Supervisor Li Guoqiang froze for a moment, then suddenly realized, and trotted over happily while carrying a black metal briefcase.

Jiang Chen took the case and weighed it in his hand.

What was inside was the "electronic scam combo pack" that Academician Chen Shuyin had stayed up all night to prepare.

Things like logic dead loops, material traps, and quantum key locks were all in there. This wasn't technical data; it was clearly a time bomb wrapped in sugar-coating.

"Mr. Anderson."

Jiang Chen walked up to the old white man who was celebrating with champagne and solemnly handed him the case.

"This is what you wanted."

"All the blueprints, data, and manufacturing processes are in here."

Jiang Chen's eyes were filled with "reluctance," as if he were giving away his own son:

"Please be sure to keep it safe. This is the crystallization of human wisdom and the key to the future."

Mr. Anderson took the case, his hands trembling.

He hugged the case tightly to his chest as if he were holding his own father, afraid that Jiang Chen would change his mind.

"Don't worry! Mr. Jiang!"

Mr. Anderson was so excited he was incoherent, "We will definitely... definitely make good use of it! This is a victory for the free world!"

After saying that, he didn't even bother to attend the farewell banquet. Surrounded by a group of bodyguards, he clutched the case and rushed toward the airport as if running for his life.

Watching the backs of that group, who looked both disheveled and excited.

Jiang Chen stood where he was, the "reluctance" on his face instantly vanishing, replaced by a trace of extremely punchable mockery.

He waved his hand imperceptibly in the direction Mr. Anderson had left, as if seeing off a generous God of Wealth:

"Safe travels, Mr. Anderson."

"I hope when you go back and open the case..."

"Your blood pressure can hold up."

"After all, for after-sales service, I only handle repairs, not burials."

Jiang Chen turned around and snapped his fingers at Zhao Gang behind him:

"Old Zhao, get the car ready, we're going to the West Suburb Base."

"The money has arrived."

"The charging conduits for our 'Star Destroyer Cannon' can finally be replaced with pure gold ones!"