18: Shocking news

Zhang Kaiwen's office was already prepared.

The moment he sat down, he quickly got to work.

He leveraged a top-tier network of connections accumulated over many years in the international arena, with communication channels far exceeding the scope of ordinary business.

Lin Dong, being more familiar with the domestic landscape, quickly established a collaboration, one handling international matters and the other domestic.

Zhang Kaiwen spoke very quickly.

"I'll handle the international media resources."

"Old Lin, domestically, we must secure the front page or prime-time news slots of leading official media like Xinhua News Agency, People's Daily, CCTV News Channel, and Science and Technology Pioneer."

"With Academician Chen Guoyuan's golden reputation, it shouldn't be a big problem."

Lin Dong responded swiftly.

Zhang Kaiwen's gaze swept across the global time zone map.

The news editors of Nature and Science Frontiers.

The Asia-Pacific technology line editors for BBC, CNN, and The Wall Street Journal... a series of transatlantic calls were made within minutes, with almost no wasted words, going straight to the point of the discussion.

Encrypted emails were rapidly dispatched, precisely hinting that a bombshell from the Eastern tech world was about to explode.

Jiang Zhonghua and Lin Dong watched Zhang Kaiwen mobilize unfathomable media resources, securing top-tier channels with just a few sentences, and their confidence immediately soared.

Xinghai's first strategic plan was very clear: to leverage the immense shockwave generated by the news of Academician Chen Guoyuan joining, like a nuclear bomb, to rapidly build the framework of the two companies.

Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Zhou Tusen, with his hair streaked with white, was analyzing data when one of his star students rushed over.

"Teacher, quickly check the internal communication group."

The person took two breaths and continued, "News just came out, saying... saying that Academician Chen Guoyuan is going to be the Chief Scientist of a company called Xinghai Material Technology..."

Zhou Tusen's hand trembled violently, and he instinctively snatched his student's phone, a quick glance instantly changing his expression.

"Is this news accurate?"

Zhou Tusen's first reaction was that this was unreliable.

How could Chen Guoyuan go to an unheard-of private enterprise to be a Chief Scientist?

"Xinghai Material, is this a front for some national-level laboratory?"

"No, it's a purely private startup company, and its parent company is called Xinghai Biotechnology."

Zhou Tusen didn't react for a moment.

After a long pause, he grabbed the red internal dedicated phone on the desk and dialed a familiar number.

"Old Zhao, is the news about Old Chen circulating in the group true or not?"

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone.

"Old Zhou, this news is probably true."

Zhou Tusen quickly pressed for more information.

"How so?"

"This matter has caused a huge stir, both domestically and internationally, everyone is going crazy, and the higher-ups are currently trying to understand the specific situation."

... A confidential secretary hurried in, placing an urgent brief marked 'Top Secret' on the director's desk.

"Director, this is an urgent unofficial brief about Academician Chen Guoyuan."

The director picked up the brief, and just one look at the title made him uneasy.

"Academician Chen Guoyuan to Join Private Enterprise [Xinghai Material Technology] as Chief Scientist."

"Immediately invite Consultant Wang to my office."

"Use all compliant channels to verify immediately; I need a preliminary assessment within half an hour!"

Although Zhang Kaiwen's news had not yet been made public, within the highest echelons of the capital circle and industry giants, some vague yet shocking rumors had already begun to quietly circulate.

Ruixin High-End Entrepreneur Internal Forum.

An anonymous post was pinned to the top.

"Shocking Scoop! Academician Chen Guoyuan Allegedly Recruited by a Mysterious Startup Company."

The replies below the post were uniformly question marks.

A storm capable of alarming the entire world was rapidly brewing at the highest levels.

The name Xinghai, accompanied by the immensely significant identity of Academician Chen Guoyuan, triggered an unprecedented earthquake with an extremely abrupt and powerful stance.

Everyone was trying to figure out... who founded Xinghai?

What gave it the right?

Star Tower.

Downstairs, visitors who heard the news arrived in an endless stream, and luxury cars, rarely seen on weekdays, almost completely blocked the nearby streets.

The security guards were overwhelmed and didn't know what was happening, only barely managing to maintain order, blocking all un-prearranged visits and most media requests downstairs.

The Shanghai Municipal Government reacted extremely quickly, and only under the joint control of multiple departments was it barely able to suppress the surge of people wanting to rush into Star Tower to find out the truth.

The real climax was currently unfolding within the seven consecutive floors leased by Xinghai Technology.

Especially the outer corridor leading to the CEO's office and interview rooms, which was already impassable.

On weekdays, this corridor was spacious and bright, with employees occasionally rushing by with documents.

But now, it had become an elite exhibition hall.

Along both sides of the corridor, people were standing against the wall, quietly pacing, or sitting on temporarily added simple chairs, all impeccably dressed and exuding an outstanding demeanor.

Although there were many people, it wasn't chaotic, with only occasional low murmurs of conversation.

The air was filled with a mixed scent of ambition and opportunity.

Ordinary employees within the company, whether going to the pantry or delivering documents, would hold their breath and lighten their steps when passing through this corridor, their eyes filled with awe.

"Wow... I've seen that person on the cover of Global Science; he's a big shot in the field of nanomaterials!"

"Look over there at the person in the dark blue suit; he seems to be the MD of World Capital Asia Pacific. How could such a big shot come to our small company to queue for an interview?"

The newly hired administrative assistant felt her worldview was strongly impacted.

"This scene is more terrifying than a national civil service exam interview. Did the boss strike gold?"

Inside the office, Jiang Zhonghua and Lin Dong had been interviewing for three consecutive hours, not even having time to drink water.

During an interview break, Lin Dong leaned into Jiang Zhonghua's ear and whispered.

"President Jiang, that last one seemed to be the former team leader of the Chinese Academy of Sciences' youth team. He holds three core patents, and if given the platform and resources, he could definitely stand on his own."

"I suggest we sign him immediately; the position of Director of Technology R&D is perfect for him."

A sharp glint flashed in Jiang Zhonghua's eyes, without the slightest hesitation.

"This person must be signed, at the highest salary standard."

Lin Dong rubbed his temples, a tired face wearing an incongruous excited smile.

"Academician Chen Guoyuan's reputation is too powerful; this isn't a stepping stone, it's clearly a city-smashing hammer..."

As soon as he finished speaking, the next interviewee was invited in. The person was wearing a female business suit, looked to be around forty, and had a capable and steady demeanor.

"Hello, President Jiang, President Lin."

"My name is Su Jin, and I previously served as the VP of R&D for Greater China at Norui Bio, overseeing the entire process from laboratory to commercialization for three projects with market values exceeding one billion US dollars."

Su Jin handed over her resume and performance proofs, which were as thick as a physical book.

Jiang Zhonghua and Lin Dong quickly scanned Su Jin's resume, becoming more and more astonished as they read.

This was simply a great treasure that fell from the sky.

She not only possessed a top-tier scientific research background but also had extremely valuable experience in transforming cutting-edge technology into successful commercial products, which was exactly the top-tier interdisciplinary talent Xinghai most urgently needed.

Jiang Zhonghua suppressed his inner excitement and went straight to the point.

"If we invite you to be the Chief Operating Officer of Xinghai Biology, fully responsible for the R&D advancement and future industrial layout of longevity water and related projects, are you interested?"

Su Jin smiled slightly.

"Of course, I hope to have a pleasant cooperation with everyone in the future."

Jiang Zhonghua stood up from his seat and shook hands with Su Jin.

"President Lin, please take Ms. Su to the private room to discuss the contract details first."

"Understood, President Jiang."

After seeing Su Jin off, a sharp glint flashed in Jiang Zhonghua's eyes.

In just half a day, Xinghai had already signed several top industry experts who would normally be impossible to invite.

The company's core framework was becoming incredibly luxurious at a visible speed.

In the corridor, the waiting line was still long, and every figure represented a tempting talent and resource.

Jiang Zhonghua took a deep breath, thinking to himself.

"Even if I don't sleep today, I must screen out the very best of the top talents."