40: Product launch event begins

After hanging up the phone, Qin Yang thought for a moment, then went out to call Wang Chao and headed to Wanda Plaza.

Qin Yang had never paid much attention to his appearance, but tomorrow's occasion was different. This was the first time he would attend such a grand meeting, and it would be inappropriate to dress so casually again.

At several designer stores in Wanda Plaza, Qin Yang bought a few suits and casual outfits before returning home.

The next morning, Zhao Zhi and Wang Liguo arrived at Qin Yang's place early, just as Qin Yang had instructed the night before.

The emergence of the super carburetor would be a major reform in energy application, and this matter would certainly push Qins Machinery Manufacturing Plant into the eye of the storm. Therefore, Qin Yang did not want to stand at the forefront. As the CEO of the Qin Group, Zhao Zhi was naturally the best candidate to bear the pressure. Most importantly, Zhao Zhi also had physical fitness ten times that of an ordinary person—well, he was harder to kill. If he didn't step up now, who would? There was also Wang Liguo; he was a mechanical engineer and might be needed on stage to give the introduction, so Qin Yang had him come over as well.

After Qin Yang woke up and had breakfast, he took Wang Chao and the other bodyguards, along with Zhao Zhi and Wang Liguo, to the site of the product launch.

As the group CEO, Zhao Zhi had already purchased a fleet of official vehicles for the group. The most valuable among them were three Lexus 570s, which Qin Yang had personally approved. As a man, no one would be uninterested in such a domineering SUV.

Today, for the sake of the company's image, all three 570s were driven out.

Thus, a motorcade led by two 570s, with the maybach securely in the center and another 570 bringing up the rear, drove out of the residential area where Qin Yang lived, drawing a crowd of onlookers.

At nine o'clock in the morning, Qin Yang arrived outside the venue on time.

Such an ostentatious motorcade naturally drew the gazes of the other guests, who speculated about who the newcomer was. However, when Qin Yang and the others stepped out of the cars, no one recognized them. This made everyone even more curious, and they began to inquire about the background of Qin Yang's group.

Qin Yang ignored all this and led his people to the VIP entrance area of the venue.

After showing the invitation, Qin Yang entered the venue with Zhao Zhi and Wang Liguo.

At the entrance of the VIP area, Qin Yang once again met Wang Jian's assistant, Bai Xue.

“Welcome, President Qin, President Zhao, and Engineer Wang. Please come in. President Wang has specially prepared seats for the three of you. Please follow me.” Seeing Qin Yang and the others, Bai Xue wore a professional smile and gestured for them to enter.

Qin Yang nodded and followed her to his seat before sitting down.

Wang Jian had made a huge production of this. Qin Yang observed the surroundings; reporters with press badges were constantly pouring into the venue, and many cameras had already been set up along the sidelines.

In the very center of the venue was an oversized LED display screen, with four sub-screens around it, plus other gadgets that Qin Yang didn't understand. This venue setup alone probably cost a fortune. Of course, it also showed how much importance Wang Jian attached to this product launch.

After a while, Bai Xue guided another group of people toward Qin Yang's direction.

Glancing past Bai Xue, Qin Yang found that he actually knew the leader of the group—it was none other than High Official Hu, whom he was well-acquainted with!

“Hmm? Qin Yang, you're here too.” High Official Hu also saw Qin Yang at this moment and said in surprise.

Qin Yang stood up, reached out his hand, and smiled. “I didn't expect President Wang would also invite High Official Hu.”

High Official Hu waved his hand and said, “Let's not be so formal. I was busy a while ago and didn't visit your place. I happen to have time these next two days. Tell Chef Song that it's the same old arrangement—I'll head over there tomorrow or the day after.”

Seeing High Official Hu being so informal with him, Qin Yang was naturally delighted and quickly replied, “No problem, I'll make sure Chef Song is informed.”

Then High Official Hu said to the people behind him, “You all take your seats. I've run into a junior here, and the two of us will sit together for a convenient chat.”

Hearing this, everyone took a deep look at Qin Yang, wanting to remember his appearance. They then quickly nodded and began to sit down. Wang Liguo stood up and gave his seat to High Official Hu, and Qin Yang sat down beside High Official Hu.

“How do you know Old Wang?” After sitting down, High Official Hu asked curiously.

“Are you referring to President Wang?”

“Yes, Wang Jian. The two of us used to be comrades-in-arms. This guy is in the automotive business, while you're in engineering and catering. Why are you here?”

“Ah, I didn't expect you and President Wang to have that kind of relationship. To be honest with you, today's product launch really does have something to do with me—and a very big connection at that,” Qin Yang replied with some surprise.

“Oh?” High Official Hu looked at Qin Yang curiously, waiting for the rest of the story.

Qin Yang didn't keep him in suspense and told him the truth about his cooperation with Wang Jian. After all, at High Official Hu's level, it was easy to find out whatever he wanted to know. If Qin Yang tried to hide it, he would instead offend him.

“Hmm? You mean you also opened a machinery manufacturing plant, and the master craftsman in the plant accidentally invented a super energy-saving carburetor? Old Wang's product launch is actually tailored specifically for your plant?” High Official Hu said in surprise again.

“Yes, that's it. So the few of us entered the venue as partners,” Qin Yang nodded in response.

This time, High Official Hu didn't say anything more. Instead, he took a serious look at Qin Yang, his eyes filled with wonder, as if he were getting to know Qin Yang all over again.

With High Official Hu's experience, how could he not be clear about the reason for Qin Yang's closeness? His friendly treatment of Qin Yang was, on the one hand, out of respect for Wei Liang, and on the other hand, purely because he was 'beholden to the one who feeds him'—who told him to be such a foodie? It just so happened that the chef at Qin Yang's restaurant made food that perfectly suited his taste, so his attitude toward Qin Yang had always been quite good.

As for Qin Yang's industries, in the eyes of an official of his level, they really didn't amount to much. But today, High Official Hu had to re-evaluate Qin Yang. Based on his understanding of his old comrade Wang Jian, if there wasn't a major technological breakthrough, Wang Jian would never put on such a large-scale event.

Just as High Official Hu wanted to ask about the specific details of the super carburetor Qin Yang provided, the product launch officially began. High Official Hu could only temporarily suppress his urge to ask, gave Qin Yang a look, and then looked toward the stage ahead.

Wang Jian was really going all out this time. After the Host gave a brief introduction, Wang Jian walked to the center of the stage with composed steps.

He first bowed slightly to the audience, then raised the microphone and said, “Good morning, everyone. Welcome to the event hosted by Great Wall Motors today. Thank you all.”

“I am Wang Jian. Most of the audience here should know me; after all, my appearance rate is quite frequent.”

“I invited everyone here today for two purposes. First, Great Wall Motors will announce an important decision in a moment. Second is our theme for today, the new product launch.”

“Now, in my capacity as the Chairman of Great Wall Motors, I announce that in the coming years, Great Wall Motors will no longer enter the field of new energy electric vehicles. Even the series of plans for hybrid power will be halted. In the future, we will continue to deeply cultivate the field of fuel-powered vehicles to give customers a better experience.”

“Whoosh!” As soon as Wang Jian's bombshell was dropped, the entire venue immediately went into an uproar. Even the major live-stream rooms exploded. One must know that the current major trend for car companies was the direction of new energy. Wang Jian's words were simply going against the grain, leading Great Wall Motors toward a dead end!

At the same time, the bosses of various car companies watching the Great Wall Motors launch via live stream frowned deeply, unable to figure out what trick Wang Jian was playing. Wang Jian had dominated the automotive industry for so many years; he was definitely not some senile old man. He must have some special purpose for saying these words!

Even Qin Yang was startled by Wang Jian. He hadn't expected Wang Jian to play it so big. One must know that in the direction of new energy vehicles, Great Wall Motors was still relatively leading in the country. Of course, the public's eyes were sharp. If the fuel consumption cost of fuel cars could really rival the wear-and-tear cost of electric cars, Qin Yang believed that ninety-nine percent of people would choose fuel cars. After all, the roar of an internal combustion engine is true romance!