97: Chapter 97 Can this even be called a cafeteria?

Bai Jingqing didn't say much more.

He simply nodded with great decisiveness and composure. "Yes,

we have photolithography machines within Huayao,

right inside here."

As he spoke, he pointed toward the enclosed factory buildings to show them.

There were indeed some devices inside

referred to as 'photolithography machines,'

though in reality, they were equipment for producing powdered milk.

Since they couldn't go inside anyway,

Bai Jingqing insisted they were there,

and there was nothing they could do about it.

Xue Haixin was like a wolf catching the scent of blood,

immediately following up with: "How many units?"

Bai Jingqing shook his head. "That is a trade secret;

I have no comment."

Xue Haixin didn't get the answer he wanted,

so he shifted his angle of attack,

saying, "Then there's another question

that I think everyone is very concerned about.

I'd like to ask,

what is the chip yield rate at Huayao?"

After asking,

Xue Haixin looked at Bai Jingqing with a playful expression on his face.

This question would indeed be difficult for a layman to answer;

there were traps whether the number was too high or too low.

After a moment of contemplation, Bai Jingqing

gave his answer: "Our average yield rate can reach 80%,

and even 90% at peak times.

Of course, this also depends on the quality of the wafers,

but it's roughly that figure."

In reality, products from the system were bound to have a 100% yield rate,

one could even say a 100% premium quality rate.

After answering the question,

Bai Jingqing secretly broke into a cold sweat.

Fortunately, he had done some research beforehand.

If this number were too high, it would be simply impossible;

after all, even the world's top photolithography machine companies only have yield rates in the 80s or 90s.

If he reported something like 95%, which might be considered an average yield rate in other industries,

firstly, people certainly wouldn't believe him,

and secondly, they would suspect he was lying.

But if he reported it too low,

it would be easy for Xue Haixin to find fault.

A yield rate that's too low means wasting too many resources during production,

which the three leaders certainly wouldn't want to see.

Bai Jingqing's answer was close to reality,

and it clearly satisfied everyone present.

One of the old professors nodded and said, "The top international semiconductor manufacturers have yield rates at about that level.

From this perspective, Huayao's semiconductor production capability is quite extraordinary;

it seems it has already reached a world-leading level."

Hearing this from a major figure in the industry,

the three ministers immediately became even more interested.

"Hearing you say that,

I want to go in and take a look even more.

However, since young Little Bai has concerns about leaking trade secrets,

we'll avoid any appearance of impropriety

and won't go in."

Bai Jingqing took the cue: "Thank you all for your understanding.

Let's head to the next area."

Using this as a pretext,

he gave Xue Haixin no chance for another counterattack

and directly led the conversation to the next area,

guiding everyone away.

He really couldn't let them in!

After all, the inside was full of milk production equipment!

Never mind going inside;

even just lingering at the door for a while longer

made Bai Jingqing worry that the secret would be out.

A single photolithography machine costs tens or hundreds of millions.

If they kept dwelling on this topic,

what if they asked where the money came from?

Where were the devices bought?

He couldn't exactly say the devices were handmade from scratch, could he?

If they asked so many detailed questions,

he would truly find it hard to cope.

With everyone walking away,

Xue Haixin couldn't keep badgering Bai Jingqing

and could only follow the crowd forward.

But in his heart, he remained indignant.

After making a rough circuit of the entire park,

it was time for lunch.

Bai Jingqing said, "If the ministers

and seniors don't mind,

please have a meal in our factory's cafeteria!

Ministers, I've had a meal in your cafeteria before,

and your place is indeed fantastic.

Not only are the dishes made by the chefs top-tier,

but the nutritional balance is also very well-proportioned.

I imagine there must be nutritionists helping with the planning.

Although our Huayao cafeteria can't reach that level yet,

I believe that is a direction Huayao will strive toward in the future.

One can only work hard when full,

and only then can one do the job better.

So, the construction of the cafeteria will be a top priority for Huayao in the future.

Ministers, why don't you give it a try

and, while you're at it, offer some suggestions and advice

for our cafeteria's future planning?"

The three ministers had no reason to refuse.

They weren't that picky,

nor did they put on airs.

It wasn't as if they would only eat at grand restaurants,

so they agreed immediately.

The rest of the group dared not put on airs either

and could only obediently follow Bai Jingqing into the Huayao factory cafeteria.

However, once they entered, every one of them was dumbfounded.

"This... you call this a damn cafeteria?"

Xue Haixin couldn't even help but blurting out a curse.

As it turned out, this so-called cafeteria

was just an empty building shell.

Inside, there were platforms about waist-high made of concrete,

with some street-stall-style chairs placed next to them.

Although they were arranged very neatly,

no amount of neatness could salvage that sense of crudeness.

The concrete platforms were already covered with food,

clearly prepared specifically for today.

Bai Jingqing pretended not to see the shocked expressions on their faces

and continued to usher them to sit.

"Sit, sit, everyone find a suitable spot and sit down.

We're about to eat!

It's almost afternoon now,

and I haven't even let you have lunch yet.

I truly feel guilty!"

At this point, even the three least picky ministers couldn't help but gulp,

doubting whether one could even eat in such a place.

If no one had said otherwise,

they might have thought this was a pigsty.

Finally, after an exchange of looks,

the three ministers overcame their internal repulsion.

Deciding not to let Bai Jingqing lose face,

they all took their seats.

The others could only follow suit, finding spots to sit,

and began to serve themselves rice and dishes to eat.

Of course, they only ate a little out of politeness;

no one had much of an appetite.

To be honest, the food didn't taste bad,

but it wasn't particularly good either—

just the level of an ordinary construction site meal.

But the environment was simply too terrible.

When had the people here today ever eaten in such an environment?

So they were in no mood to eat at all;

at this moment, they were even thinking about finishing the investigation quickly.

They just wanted to leave this place as soon as possible.

Zhan Ruijie, the Minister of Commerce, said at this time, "Little Bai,

before, I only heard you talk about how miserable you were

and how short of money Huayao was.

I even thought you were quite a cunning fellow,

always trying to squeeze national subsidies out of us.

But seeing it today, I realize

that what you said wasn't fake at all!

Your lives here are truly bitter!"