829: Chapter 824 Failing to Recognize a Great Man

Liang Zexu casually tossed the documents back onto the desk with a crisp snap.

"Director Shen, if you're looking to collect antiques, turn left and head to the antique market."

"I work in cutting-edge materials R&D. Are you asking me to use this outdated process from seventy or eighty years ago to train my graduate students?"

Shen Yan did not get angry because of the other party's attitude; he leaned his body slightly forward.

"Director Liang, this formula contains a special rare-earth catalyst. I believe you can understand its value."

Liang Zexu scoffed, leaned back in his chair, and crossed his legs.

"Director Shen, forgive my bluntness, but you people who got your start in the internet industry always think that having money means you can dictate terms in the hard science and technology field."

"The so-called rare-earth formula might have been classified in that era, but in the face of modern molecular metallurgy technology, it's merely an introductory lesson."

He took a sip of coffee, his eyes filled with undisguised arrogance.

"I can take on this job, perhaps."

"The R&D fee is fifty million, payable in full upfront."

"Furthermore, all resulting technology patents belong to me personally. Rock Technology only retains usage rights."

"If you don't agree, then turn right and leave. I won't see you out."

Chen Guangke suddenly stood up, his chair scraping harshly against the floor.

"Fifty million? Why don't you just rob me? And the patents belong to you? What are you thinking?!"

Liang Zexu's face darkened, and he frowned with a look of disgust.

"Where did this barbarian come from? Security!"

Shen Yan slowly stood up, his movements as graceful as if he were adjusting his cuffs.

He looked at Liang Zexu as if watching a clown performing vigorously on stage.

"Fifty million is not an issue."

A flicker of greed crossed Liang Zexu's eyes. He thought: Sure enough, he’s just a nouveau riche with too much money and too little sense.

"However..."

Shen Yan’s tone shifted, his voice not loud, but carrying a chill.

"The patents belonging to you—that point I cannot accept."

Liang Zexu sneered and stood up, preparing to show him out.

"Then we have nothing more to discuss, Director Shen. My time is precious; it's not meant for educating outsiders like you."

Just then, Liang Zexu's female assistant suddenly turned pale and rushed to his ear, holding up her phone, which displayed a newly popped-up news headline.

"Director... look at this."

Liang Zexu glanced over impatiently.

"[Rock Technology announces full acquisition of Mining Area K-9 today, set to enter the intelligent manufacturing sector; initial round financing valuation has already exceeded ten billion...]"

Liang Zexu's pupils instantly contracted.

Mining Area K-9?

Was that the rumored mining area rich in special rare metals?

He abruptly looked up, re-examining the young man in front of him.

Rock Technology... Shen Yan...

Earlier, he had just dismissed him as a nouveau riche dabbling in the field with a little money, never connecting this name with the major tycoon who had been stirring up the capital market recently.

If he could secure the raw materials from K-9, coupled with Rock Technology's capital flow...

His fraudulent deficit wouldn't just be covered; he could even use this opportunity to make a huge profit.

The arrogance on Liang Zexu's face melted away like ice and snow in an instant, replaced by a nauseating eagerness.

He hurried around the desk and extended both hands, attempting to shake Shen Yan's hand.

"Oh my, Director Shen, I truly have eyes but failed to recognize the greatness of Mount Tai!"

"I was rash just now, I didn't examine it closely. Actually, this formula is very valuable for research, extremely valuable!"

"The patent rights are negotiable. We can share them, or even give them all to you. I’ll just consider it making a friend..."

The hands that had just held the coffee cup so loftily were now suspended in mid-air, unable to grasp Shen Yan's hand.

Shen Yan's hands were tucked into his pockets, showing no intention of taking them out.

He looked down at Liang Zexu from a superior position, as if looking at a pile of irredeemable trash.

"Director Liang, your time is very precious."

Shen Yan's voice was frighteningly calm, without any emotional fluctuation.

"Coincidentally, my money is also very precious."

"I don't like spending money on people who dare to quote a price before even understanding the blueprints."

Liang Zexu's smile froze on his face, and a fine layer of cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

"Director Shen, please let me explain. That was just industry practice, a negotiation tactic..."

Shen Yan turned and gave Chen Guangke a look.

Chen Guangke snatched up the documents from the table and glared fiercely at Liang Zexu, the sense of satisfaction almost making him laugh out loud.

"One more thing."

Shen Yan walked to the door, suddenly stopped, and turned his head slightly.

"You should re-verify your titanium alloy wear resistance data."

"Don't wait until you are sued for fraud by the investors before scrambling to cover your tracks."

This sentence struck Liang Zexu like a thunderbolt, hitting him right between the eyes.

He froze completely, his face instantly turning deathly pale. His lips trembled, and he couldn't utter a single word.

This was his biggest secret. How could Shen Yan know?

He watched Shen Yan's retreating back. At that moment, he felt he wasn't facing a man, but a god who saw through everything.

In the hallway, Chen Guangke rubbed his hands excitedly.

"Brother Yan, that was awesome! Did you see that bastard's face? Like he swallowed a fly!"

"But Brother Yan, since we rejected him, who will work on that formula?"

Shen Yan pressed the elevator button. The metallic reflection mirrored his sharp, angular face.

"Masters are among the common people."

"True masters are often found in those seemingly insignificant corners."

"Let's go. Let's head to the old district. I suddenly feel like having a drink."

The elevator doors slowly closed, isolating the research institute, full of hypocrisy and arrogance, in another world.

Outside, the rain was still falling.

But the rain seemed to have become a bit clearer.

The maybach finally stopped at the entrance of an alley in the old district called "Shizi Lane."

The road here was too narrow for the luxury car to enter.

Shen Yan pushed the door open and got out. His leather shoes stepped on the slightly loose bluestones, splashing up a few drops of muddy water.

The air was filled with the mixed smell of cheap cooking oil, coal smoke, and aged sewage.

This was a forgotten corner of Jinghai City, seemingly existing in a parallel dimension to the glamorous CBD.

Chen Guangke followed behind, his brow furrowed so tightly it could crush a fly, while still tightly guarding the black briefcase.

"Brother Yan, is that old fox Ning Ke messing with us? Can a top expert really be in this kind of dump?"

Shen Yan didn't reply, just signaled Chen Guangke to follow.

He didn't dislike this environment.

During the most difficult two years of starting his business, to save money, he had rented a room in an alley like this and eaten five-yuan bowls of plain noodles.

During that time, Liu Hui had never shown any disdain. In contrast, the relatives who were now fawning over him wouldn't even let him step inside their doors back then.

Thinking of this, Shen Yan's steps became steadier.

After walking about five hundred meters, a small shop with a dilapidated light box sign appeared ahead.