140: Chapter 140 Zhao Yang: ? ? ? ? ?

Zhao Yang reclined the seat, raised the leg rest, and leaned back, squinting comfortably. "Let's optimize the seat one more time... When reclining, raise the thigh area a bit more, and the waist shouldn't be left hanging. Let's just make it an optional extra and design a specific seat for it. Call it the 'Zero Gravity Seat'."

"Got it!" Gao Qisheng nodded repeatedly. "Brother Yang, tell me! If Hongdou Auto isn't a car, then what is it? Stop teasing me, okay?"

Zhao Yang laughed heartily. "Our car is positioned as a high-tech big toy."

Gao Qisheng was stunned for a moment, then suddenly slapped the steering wheel. "I get it! The initial goal wasn't for people who just need a car for basic transport, but for those with money who want to try something new!"

"Exactly. Although it can be driven for basic needs, this price isn't actually budget-friendly. If we push the price too low, not only will we lose money, but the brand's prestige will be gone. We'll start by establishing ourselves firmly in the 200,000-yuan range. After that, whether we make more expensive or cheaper models, it will be a natural progression."

Gao Qisheng suddenly understood. "No wonder you wanted to push this SUV first and then the Microvan. You were afraid the Microvan would lock the brand into being just about cost-effectiveness."

Zhao Yang nodded. "The Microvan has a low price. Once it's on the market first, the Hongdou brand will easily be pigeonholed. The Microvan will be launched at least half a year after this car. At the same time, we'll launch a large SUV in the 400,000-yuan range—a larger version of this one with more features and comfort. The target will also be a big toy for the wealthy."

Gao Qisheng nodded repeatedly, his eyes full of anticipation.

This positioning completely avoided a head-on clash with major international brands. Perhaps in a year or two, people would suddenly realize that there were more and more Hongdou Autos on the road. They were more beautiful, more comfortable, and even more fuel-efficient. By that day, it would no longer be just a toy—it would be a monster devouring a huge slice of the automotive industry cake.

Gao Qisheng dropped Zhao Yang off at the entrance of a villa in a luxury residential area. This villa was purchased in Gao Qilan's name, but to put it bluntly, it was Zhao Yang's base in Jinghai. Once they arrived, Zhao Yang sent Gao Qisheng off to get back to work.

For the big boss himself to participate in the road testing of the engineering vehicle showed just how busy Hongdou Auto had become.

That evening, Zhao Yang held a gathering with his circle of friends in Jinghai. Gao Qisheng and his wife, the couple Huang Zhenhua and Chen Shuting, his old colleagues from the Criminal Police Team, and An Xin, who brought along Meng Yu after she made a special trip back, all attended. The theme, naturally, was to celebrate Zhao Yang's new appointment. Everyone present understood the weight of a twenty-six-year-old holding a substantive position at the Division Chief level—Zhao Yang was the benefactor they were lucky to have met in their lives.

Relying on his powerful Physical Body of 11, Zhao Yang drank everyone at the table under the table. He then helped the three non-drinkers send everyone home one by one before returning to rest.

Early the next morning, Zhao Yang went to pick up Gao Qilan personally. Qilan Investment had already grown into a shark in the financial world. Gao Qilan usually stayed in Hong Kong to oversee things, but this time she had specifically flown back for Zhao Yang.

The moment they met, one second she was a cold, glasses-wearing professional beauty, and the next she immediately turned into 'Brother Yang's Xiao Lan'.

Back at the villa, the two of them stayed intimate in bed until they finally headed out on the morning of the third day.

Gao Qilan was thoroughly nourished by the 'morning dew,' making her skin look even more delicate. As she ate breakfast, she looked at Zhao Yang with eyes like water. "Brother Yang, how can you be so handsome?"

Zhao Yang smiled. "You already know my 'lengths' and 'depths' quite well. Why are you still saying such superficial things?"

Gao Qilan was taken aback and gave him a light smack. "You're so bad! How do you have so much energy? I'm not spending the night alone with you next time."

"Huh?" Zhao Yang paused his chopsticks. "What did you say?"

Gao Qilan made a face. "You know exactly what I mean! Rose is a National Goddess now; you'd better stay alert."

Zhao Yang touched his face and smiled with quite a bit of confidence. "It's fine. Have faith in your Brother Yang's charm."

Gao Qilan took his hand, her tone becoming a bit more serious. "Brother Yang, I'm usually in Hong Kong and have to leave in a bit, so I don't have much time to spend with you. You won't blame me, will you?"

"I do. So I'll save it up and punish you next time."

"Huh? How are you going to punish me?"

"By punishing you vigorously and without stopping, of course."

"Brother Yang! You're so bad!"

After seeing off Gao Qilan, Zhao Yang left another batch of technical data for Gao Qisheng. These materials were for the independent R&D center of Hongdou Technology to digest and absorb. They were all the technologies that the Dragon Kingdom in another timeline would find most painful due to being 'strangled' in the future. Aside from those needed immediately, the ones not yet required would be kept under wraps for now, to be released at a more appropriate time in the future.

Afterward, Zhao Yang spent a day visiting the filming location of demi-gods and semi-devils. To his frustration, Huang Yimei's parents hadn't gone to help Huang Zhenhua with the kids; instead, they were following her film crew everywhere, leaving the two of them without a single moment alone.

Sitting on the flight to Shanghai, Zhao Yang was still maliciously speculating whether that fellow Huang Zhenhua was actually the biological son of the couple Huang Jianzhi and his wife.

On the last day of the holiday, Zhao Yang finally set foot in Shanghai.

Walking out of the airport terminal, he was stunned. "Director Gao, why did you come to pick me up personally? I don't deserve such treatment!"

Director Gao Wenbo smiled. "That's enough! Shanghai is my territory. How could I let you land all by yourself? Come on, let's go eat."

"Thank you, Director Gao. I'm truly moved to tears."

"Don't give me that. It's so fake!" Director Gao Wenbo waved his hand. "The institute will officially announce your appointment tomorrow. I need to brief you on a few things first."

"Wait... I mean, Director Gao, I just arrived, and it's already past five in the afternoon. You're having me start tomorrow? Isn't that a bit too rushed?"

Director Gao Wenbo lowered his voice. "Tomorrow afternoon, people from the Ministry leadership are coming for an inspection. The inspection includes things related to the Great Firewall, so you need to be the one to receive them. This was a last-minute notice; the other leaders in the institute aren't even aware, and Director Ma couldn't do anything about it either."

Zhao Yang touched his forehead. "Fine. Then let's not eat out. Let's head straight to the institute."

Director Gao Wenbo gave a peculiar smile. "Actually, when I said I'd treat you to dinner, I meant at the institute."

Zhao Yang was speechless and silently gave Director Gao Wenbo a thumbs-up—you really are a great leader.

When they arrived at the Third Institute, Zhao Yang couldn't help but exclaim.

Director Gao Wenbo said the official appointment would be announced tomorrow, so Zhao Yang thought he wouldn't be introduced to his colleagues until then. As it turned out, the institute was packed with people, all busy preparing for tomorrow's inspection.

Director Gao Wenbo gestured broadly. "Everyone, I have a few words. This is Comrade Zhao Yang, who will be taking office tomorrow as the new Chief of the Technology Department. He's sacrificed his rest time today to come and help. You can report to him now regarding the preparations for information security."

Zhao Yang's eyelid twitched.

Damn it, he had actually forgotten that saying—you'd sooner believe in ghosts than a leader's words.

He tugged at Director Gao Wenbo's sleeve and lowered his voice. "Director Gao, I didn't eat much at lunch. How about we eat first?"

Director Gao Wenbo gave a sheepish laugh. "Hold on, I'll order a Boxed lunch for you."

Zhao Yang: "?????"