97: 97. The first piece of the puzzle of Tingfeng Capital

At the same time, Lu Feng’s university military training began, which was an unbearable torment for students, especially in the hot weather of September.

Early in the morning, around six o'clock, the freshmen participating in military training reluctantly got out of bed at the sound of the bugle, put on their stuffy and uncomfortable camouflage uniforms, and yawned their way to the parade ground for assembly.

Each class had its designated spot, and under the arrangement of the counselor, they waited for the leaders to take the stage for the mobilization meeting.

After a lengthy speech from the leaders, each drill instructor led their class to begin training.

For Lu Feng, physical training no longer had any effect on him; even without military training, he never slacked off on his daily morning exercises.

So, during the hour of standing at attention, his mind was constantly pondering the various things he had seen in the dream space last night, organizing the information that could be used.

The scope of the dream space had actually expanded a lot; in addition to Jiangcheng University’s main campus, several surrounding schools had long been included.

Therefore, the information was incredibly complex; he saw academic plagiarism, emotional disputes, workplace infighting, and even the old professor who had just been laughing and watching the ceremony from the stands—who would have thought that fellow was secretly involved with several female students?

He shook his head slightly and said, “Even a university cannot avoid harboring filth.”

As for helping Xu Ting investigate Xu Hanlin’s matter, this was actually difficult to investigate. Lu Feng initially wanted to enter the dream of the Xu Family’s second uncle, Xu Jianfang, as he was the most suspicious, but since he had never invaded his dream, there were no anchor points. Even using the method of dream linkage was helpless, as there were no red dreams about him nearby.

So, Lu Feng could only put this matter aside for now and wait for the right time to act.

What was more urgent was to plan Tingfeng Capital’s next step. Tingfeng Capital had just been established yesterday; although there were not many people, they could start developing new projects.

The previous three billion could only be considered Lu Feng’s first stage of capital accumulation; such income was not reliable and was considered windfall.

Since he wanted to move up step by step, he must next build a stable and continuous cash flow and a fundamental base, so that the continuously generated profits each day would be like living water, able to resist risks and provide ammunition for larger future layouts.

Lu Feng had considered many projects, such as coffee and milk tea shops, esports halls, etc. Although they had high replicability, their scope was too small, and their expansion speed was slow, making them not his first choice.

If he was going to play, he would play big!

Lu Feng’s profound gaze looked eastward, and a barely noticeable arc formed at the corner of his mouth.

There, he had captured an excellent opportunity through his dreams, a project sufficient to make Tingfeng Capital rise to prominence with a single move!

...The hour of standing at attention finally ended, and the drill instructor immediately announced dismissal, with training to resume in the afternoon.

Everyone relaxed with a sigh of relief, slumping to the ground.

“So tired, so tired! How can military training be so exhausting?”

“Ah, my legs are shaking.”

“I’m dying from the sun, can I ask for leave? I don’t want to train anymore…”

The girls also looked distressed; at this moment, no one was in the mood to look at beauties or handsome men, all feeling sad about their upcoming fate.

Just as Lu Feng was about to leave, he suddenly heard someone call him. He turned around to see Lin Wanqiu walking up to him with a bottle of water, saying, “Junior Lu Feng, you must be tired, want some water?”

Lu Feng was slightly taken aback, then calmly accepted it: “Thank you, Senior Sister.”

Lin Wanqiu blinked her eyes and smiled, “You’re welcome. You all treated us to that meal last time, so it’s only right for me to bring you water. Want to go for lunch together?”

“Next time, perhaps. I still have some things to deal with back in the dorm,” Lu Feng politely declined.

“Alright, it’s a deal then,” Lin Wanqiu didn’t press further, smiling and waving goodbye.

Many people saw this scene, their gossip souls burning fiercely. They hadn't expected a senior sister to bring water to a freshman junior; what was this person’s background?

Lu Feng ignored the surrounding chatter and quickly walked back to his dorm.

Pushing open the door, a cool blast of air conditioning wafted over, refreshing him.

The doors to the three rooms inside were open. Zhang Wenfa and two senior students were intensely playing games, shouting, “Go, Senior, kill him!! Oh, Lao Lu! You’re back at just the right time! Get online quickly, we’re one short for a four-person squad! We’ll carry you!”

“Why didn’t you go to military training?” Lu Feng asked while changing his shoes.

“I have a report from the hospital, saying I can’t do strenuous exercise,” Zhang Wenfa chuckled, “Want one? I know someone who can help you get one. Don’t go out in the sun; it’s much more enjoyable to play games here with the air conditioning on!”

Lu Feng smiled and said, “Sure.”

“That’s the spirit! Then hurry up, come join the fight after you shower!” Zhang Wenfa said excitedly.

“You guys play first, I need to make a call,” Lu Feng said, then walked straight to the balcony, took out his phone, and dialed Yu Tianxiong’s number... At the same time, in the Tingfeng Capital conference room.

On the second day of the company’s opening, Yu Tianxiong convened a meeting with all management and project core members.

Most of those seated in the conference room were elites he had headhunted with high salaries from various major financial institutions and investment banks, each with an impressive resume, their eyes filled with confidence and a touch of arrogance.

Each person held project proposals they considered to be highly promising, eager to stand out before this new, well-funded employer.

“President Yu, several projects I’ve screened have very promising prospects, and the valuation models have already been established…”

“President Yu, I believe there are several sectors in the current secondary market with structural opportunities. Here is the analysis report…”

“President Yu, regarding the emerging consumer brand track, I believe…”

Everyone spoke eagerly, and the conference room became a bit noisy.

Lin Shaohui, sitting in the corner, seemed a bit constrained. His role was more as Yu Tianxiong’s executor, and he was quite unfamiliar with such scenes, so he could only watch silently.

Yu Tianxiong listened calmly, his fingers gently tapping the table.

Although Mr. had not yet given clear instructions on the next direction, he felt that the company could not just wait; it had to take the initiative. They could first screen out quality projects for Mr. to decide upon.

Just as he was about to speak, to ask everyone to submit detailed proposals for further evaluation, his private phone vibrated.

Seeing the number displayed on the screen, Yu Tianxiong’s expression became serious. He immediately stood up and raised his hand to stop everyone from speaking.

The conference room instantly fell silent. All the elites looked at Yu Tianxiong in surprise. How could this seasoned company boss show such a respectful expression?

Who was on the other end of the phone?

Yu Tianxiong’s voice was low but exceptionally clear: “Mr., your orders.”

From the other end of the phone, Lu Feng’s voice came: “Old Yu, Tingfeng Capital needs to take its first step. I have already selected the target.”

“Please instruct,” Yu Tianxiong said, leaning forward slightly.

“You personally come to University City, to the warehouse at Tianjie No. 32. Find a man named Qin Tian. He is a former associate professor at Jiangcheng University of Technology, specializing in electrochemistry research. He has what I want, which is our first crucial puzzle piece,” Lu Feng instructed concisely.

“Understood!!” Yu Tianxiong had no questions and decisively agreed.

Hanging up the phone, Yu Tianxiong took a deep breath, his eyes becoming sharp and full of power.

Mr. has finally made his move!

Yu Tianxiong’s heart surged. He had a premonition that Tingfeng Capital’s first project would be extraordinary, and that person named Qin Tian, along with what he possessed, would likely be very important!

He re-entered the conference room, no longer looking at the project proposals that the elites at the table cherished as treasures. Instead, he scanned the room and said in a deep voice, “Today’s project discussion is temporarily adjourned.”

The people below were stunned, looking at each other, not understanding what had happened.

Yu Tianxiong continued, “Everyone, use your means to help me investigate Qin Tian, a former associate professor at Jiangcheng University of Technology. If you have any news, call me immediately.”

Before anyone could react, he walked out of the conference room decisively, leaving behind a room full of bewildered elites looking at each other.

“This… Who exactly is Qin Tian, to make President Yu attach such importance to him, even suspending all ongoing projects?”

“You ask me, how would I know?”

“Wait, I think I’ve heard that name somewhere. I’ll go ask my former colleague!”

...At this moment, in the warehouse at Tianjie No. 32 in University City.

This place, just a street away from the bustling commercial district, felt like a forgotten corner. The warehouse gate was rusty, and weeds grew profusely around it.

The originally empty warehouse had been set up as a laboratory area, with various crude, even homemade, experimental equipment piled together, wires tangled chaotically, and a faint smell of chemical reagents lingering in the air.

Inside, a man stood before a workbench laden with battery samples and testing instruments. His hair was disheveled, he wore thick glasses, a faded old shirt, and ill-fitting trousers, his bloodshot eyes staring intently at the battery experiment before him.

“Puncture tests, high-temperature furnace tests, overcharge and over-discharge tests—the batteries are all intact. This is something no commercial battery can currently achieve. It’s great, but… why are they all unwilling to invest in me?! Why?” he muttered to himself.

Qin Tian hurried to an old computer, his hands trembling slightly with excitement, and painstakingly typed on the keyboard, entering the last batch of experimental data into the preliminary technical verification report he had revised countless times. Then, he picked up his old phone with a cracked screen and quickly made a call.

His voice involuntarily rose, and he spoke very quickly: “Hello, Director Zhao, this is Qin Tian. I just sent you a technical report. The experiments show that this battery absolutely has the potential to revolutionize the industry. You…”

Before he could finish, he was coldly interrupted by the other party: “Professor Qin.”

The other party deliberately emphasized the word “Professor,” with a hint of sarcasm. “My technical team has already reviewed your report, and frankly, I find it absurd even without the team’s input. A 300% increase in energy density? Absolutely safe? Do you know what that means? It means either the data is fabricated, or you’re insane.”

“I didn’t fabricate anything! The data is all real! You can send someone to the site to observe the experiments! Anytime!” Qin Tian argued anxiously.

“No need.”

Director Zhao’s voice was cold and resolute, “Even if your data is real, how much money would it take for commercialization? How long? How great are the risks? What we want is quick returns, a story that can be listed for cash, not something like yours. So please, don’t call me again in the future, and don’t waste our investment managers’ time anymore.”

“But… Director Zhao! Just give me one more chance! Just one…” Qin Tian screamed into the phone, but only the cold dial tone answered him.

“Beep, beep, beep…”

Qin Tian stood still, as if all his strength had been drained, holding the phone in his hand for a long time, tears unconsciously sliding down his cheeks.

Why?

Why does no one believe?

Is being a step ahead truly a sin?

He slowly turned around, surveying the warehouse laboratory he had rented with the money from selling his last possessions.

Dilapidated, crude, lonely… just like his life.

When… did it all start to change?

...After Lu Feng hung up the phone, urged by Zhang Wenfa and his senior students, he went to take a shower.

The cool water washed away the heat, also slightly soothing his rapidly working brain.

He was not worried about Yu Tianxiong’s execution; Old Yu would naturally handle the tasks he assigned appropriately.

Recalling Professor Qin Tian’s past in his dream last night, Lu Feng also admired him from the bottom of his heart.

In his youth, Qin Tian was a recognized genius, studying abroad at prestigious universities with excellent grades. After graduation, he was recruited back to China as a talent, becoming an associate professor and doctoral supervisor at a young age.

In the first few years, he published several high-level papers and was a key cultivation target for the college.

About two years ago, he accidentally came across the concept of solid-state batteries and firmly believed it was the ultimate energy solution. From then on, he devoted all his energy to it, rejecting all projects that could bring short-term profits and reducing his paper publications.

As a result, he completely failed the college’s KPI assessment.

Even though the leaders talked to him many times, hoping he would get back on track, he turned a deaf ear.

“…Colleagues thought he was obsessive, leaders thought he was unreasonable. He was eventually dismissed due to continuous years of failing performance reviews.”

Listening to his subordinate’s report on the phone, Yu Tianxiong’s expression in the Maybach remained calm: “Continue.”

“He’s considered a figure in our circle. For his ideals, he didn’t even care about losing his job. He originally had a wife and a child of a few years old, but because Qin Tian frantically sold their house and car to sustain his research, his disappointed wife eventually left with their daughter.”

“Now he’s practically abandoned by everyone, and people in the industry see him as a negative example and a joke. After achieving his research results, he sought out almost all well-known investment institutions, but not a single one was willing to invest, all believing his project was either a scam or too far off in the future…”

The subordinate’s implication was clear: this was not a good project.

Yu Tianxiong listened quietly, his expression showing no fluctuations, only a faint response: “Understood.”

He hung up the phone, his gaze through the car window fixed on the dilapidated warehouse door not far away.

Abandoned by everyone? A negative example? A joke?

The corner of Yu Tianxiong’s mouth, however, curved slightly upwards.

How could the person and technology Mr. valued be ordinary?

Those so-called elite investment institutions only saw risks and short-term returns, but they would never understand that what truly overturns the world is often these madmen and delusions scorned by everyone.

And what Tingfeng Capital had to do was to make a heavy bet when everyone else was pessimistic.

It seemed Mr. had once again seen something others could not.