372: Chapter 372 Starry Sky European Headquarters

June in Brussels is the most beautiful season of the year. This city, home to the European Union headquarters, has shed the cold and damp of spring, welcoming the bright sunlight of summer. Chestnut trees on both sides of the streets are in full bloom with white and pink flowers, and petals fall with the wind, paving the ground like floral carpets. In Place du Luxembourg, tourists sit at open-air cafe tables, enjoying the rare warmth. And in front of a modern building just five hundred meters away from the European Union headquarters, a ceremony that would change the landscape of Europe was quietly taking place.

The building had a full glass curtain wall that shimmered with a pale blue luster in the sunlight, resembling a giant crystal. In front of the building stood a brand-new flagpole, its silver shaft shining brilliantly in the sun. At the top of the flagpole, a deep blue flag was slowly rising—the logo of the Xingchen Group, a silver star with flowing lines underneath, symbolizing technology and speed.

Lin Wan stood on the steps in front of the building, with the golden plaque reading "Xingchen European Headquarters" behind her. She was wearing a white suit skirt today, her hair styled in an elegant bun, and a pair of simple pearl earrings adorning her ears. At twenty-eight years old, standing before more than three hundred reporters, she was as composed as a seasoned diplomat.

Reporters crowded the plaza in front of the building, cameras set up everywhere, and flashbulbs flickering incessantly. A reporter from a French television station was conducting a live broadcast, speaking rapidly: "Dear viewers, I am now in the center of Brussels. Just five hundred meters away from the European Union headquarters, Xingchen Technology is holding the inauguration ceremony for its European headquarters. This is the first time a Chinese technology enterprise has established a regional headquarters in the heart of the European Union..."

Jean-Pierre, a reporter for the German newspaper Le Monde, stood in the front row of the crowd, holding a notebook, his eyes fixed on Lin Wan. Beside him, Anna from the Financial Times leaned in and lowered her voice: "Five hundred meters, this is deliberate, right?"

Jean-Pierre's mouth curved slightly: "Deliberate? This is a declaration. To tell those bureaucrats in Brussels that Xingchen isn't here to hide, but to compete head-on."

Lin Wan began to speak, her voice carrying across the entire plaza through the microphone, clear and confident: "Today, Xingchen Technology officially establishes the 'Xingchen European Headquarters'."

The large screen behind her lit up, blue background with white text, a design identical to the one during the European Union's investigation of Xingchen three months ago, only the content had changed: Xingchen European Headquarters; 6G Communications: Coordinating the China-EU Joint 6G Laboratory, promoting next-generation communication technology standards; chip R&D: Supporting R&D centers in Dresden and Grenoble, deepening European semiconductor cooperation; Defense Cooperation: Connecting with European defense procurement, participating in European security technology projects; Energy Investment: Investing in European new energy projects, including photovoltaics, energy storage, and hydrogen energy.

Lin Wan paused, her gaze sweeping over the audience, and continued: "The Xingchen European Headquarters is not here to oppose anyone. It is here to serve Europe—to serve European industry, to serve European technology, and to serve the future of Europe."

In the audience, the reporter from the German newspaper Bild started clapping first, followed immediately by the reporter from the French newspaper Le Figaro, and then the reporters from Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands. Applause surged like a tide, echoing across the plaza.

A Belgian reporter raised a hand: "Ms. Lin, is it intentional that Xingchen has set up its headquarters five hundred meters away from the European Union headquarters?"

Lin Wan smiled, that smile composed and unhurried: "Brussels is the heart of Europe. If Xingchen wants to serve Europe, it must, of course, be close to the heart. That is all."

Another reporter asked: "Three months ago, the European Union investigated Xingchen, and now Xingchen is establishing its headquarters at the doorstep of the European Union. Is this a response?"

Lin Wan shook her head: "The investigation has concluded, and the conclusion was insufficient evidence. The relationship between Xingchen and the European Union has turned a new page. Today, we are writing that page."

Applause rang out again.

The ceremony ended, and reporters swarmed toward Lin Wan, firing questions like a barrage. Jean-Pierre did not push forward but stood where he was, watching the Xingchen flag fluttering in the wind. Anna walked up to him and followed his gaze.

"Jean, what are you looking at?"

Jean-Pierre pointed at the flag, then at the blue flag of the European Union headquarters in the distance: "Look, the Xingchen flag is two meters higher than the European Union's flagpole."

Anna looked closely and sure enough, it was true. She smiled: "Intentional?"

Jean-Pierre shook his head: "I don't know. But even if it wasn't intentional, it looks like it was."

The two exchanged a glance and both laughed.

At two o'clock that same afternoon, at the European Union headquarters. In the press conference hall, the same room, the crystal chandelier was still brilliant, and the twelve European Union flags were still hanging on the wall. But the person on the podium had changed—the President of the European Commission, Ursula, stood on the stage. At sixty years old, her silver hair was combed meticulously, and her dark blue suit was pressed without a single wrinkle, but her expression was even worse than Vestager's three months ago.

The audience was packed with reporters, even more than at the Xingchen press conference in the morning. Camera red lights flickered, flashbulbs clicked, and the air was filled with an atmosphere of waiting to see a show.

Ursula cleared her throat, her voice somewhat dry: "The European Union expresses concern over Xingchen Technology establishing its European headquarters in Brussels. This move may involve interference with European sovereignty, and the European Union will closely monitor the situation."

As soon as she finished speaking, a British reporter raised a hand: "Madam President, the German Chancellor has just expressed support for the Xingchen European Headquarters. The French President has also publicly welcomed it. When you say 'interference with sovereignty,' whose sovereignty are you referring to?"

Ursula's mouth twitched slightly: "The European Commission represents the interests of all member states."

Another Italian reporter stood up: "Madam President, the GDP of the five countries—Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain—accounts for seventy percent of the European Union. They support Xingchen, and you oppose it. May I ask, who represents Europe?"

Ursula's expression became even worse, her fingers gripping the edge of the podium tightly: "The European Commission is an independent institution established in accordance with the 'Treaty,' representing the interests of the entire European Union, and is not influenced by individual member states."

A few low laughs came from the audience. A Spanish reporter pressed further: "Madam President, the business of the Xingchen European Headquarters includes 6G, chips, energy, and defense. These are all technologies and investments that Europe urgently needs. Do you think this is interference with sovereignty, or is it helping Europe?"

Ursula was silent for three seconds, then said: "The European Union welcomes foreign investment, but it must comply with the European Union's rules and values."

Another Dutch reporter raised a hand: "Madam President, the Xingchen European Headquarters has created three thousand jobs, two thousand of which are for local European talent. Does this align with the interests of Europe?"

Ursula did not answer, only saying: "Today's press conference is now concluded." Then she turned and walked quickly away from the podium, disappearing behind a side door.

Reporters discussed among themselves while packing up their equipment. Jean-Pierre and Anna walked out of the hall side by side, passed through the corridor, and arrived at the plaza outside the building. The afternoon sun was warm and glaring; the distant Xingchen European Headquarters building was clearly visible, and that deep blue flag was fluttering in the wind.

Anna took out her phone and pulled up the news: "The German Chancellor's office just issued a statement. Look—"

On the phone screen was the full text of the statement from German Chancellor Merkel: "The German Federal Government welcomes Xingchen Technology's establishment of its European headquarters in Brussels. This is an important milestone in deepening technological cooperation. Xingchen's chip factory and battery factory in Dresden have created a large number of jobs for Germany and enhanced the competitiveness of German industry. Germany will continue to support Xingchen's development in Europe."

Jean-Pierre smiled: "Germany has already stated its position. What about France?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Anna's phone vibrated again. She looked down, and her eyes lit up: "The Presidential Palace of France just issued a statement—Macron says: 'Xingchen Technology brings advanced technology and high-quality jobs to Europe. France fully supports the establishment of the Xingchen European Headquarters and welcomes Xingchen to deepen cooperation at its R&D center in Grenoble.'"

The two exchanged a glance, Jean-Pierre sighing with emotion: "Germany and France have both taken a side; the European Commission has become isolated."

Anna nodded and looked toward the distant Xingchen flag: "Not just Germany and France. Look—"

On the phone screen, the statement from the Italian Prime Minister's office had just been released: "Italy welcomes the Xingchen European Headquarters and looks forward to deepening cooperation in the fields of new energy and 6G."

The statement from the Spanish Prime Minister's office: "Spain fully supports the Xingchen European Headquarters and welcomes Xingchen to establish a Southern Europe office in Madrid."

The statement from the Dutch Prime Minister's office: "The Netherlands welcomes the Xingchen European Headquarters and looks forward to strengthening cooperation in the fields of chips and energy."

Jean-Pierre finished reading, was silent for a moment, and then said: "Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain—the GDP of these five countries accounts for seventy percent of the European Union. They support it, the European Union opposes it. Guess who will win?"

Anna smiled: "Does that even need guessing?"

At dusk, in a small alley in Brussels, there was a cafe called "Europa." This cafe had been open for thirty years and was a place frequently visited by European Union officials and reporters. Red brick walls, dark green awnings, wooden tables and chairs, and old photos of various European Union member states hung on the walls. It was now after-work hours, and the cafe was full of people—there were European Union officials, reporters from various countries, and a few lobbyists whispering in a corner.

Jean-Pierre and Anna found a seat by the window and ordered two Belgian beers. Outside the window, the afterglow of the setting sun spilled onto the ancient cobblestone road, stretching the shadows of pedestrians long.

Jean-Pierre picked up his glass and took a sip: "What do you think Vestager is doing now?"

Anna was stunned for a moment, then realized: "Who?"

Jean-Pierre smiled: "Margrethe Vestager, that antitrust commissioner who investigated Xingchen three months ago."

Anna thought for a moment: "I heard she was transferred to manage consumer policy, her office moved to the third floor, and the area shrank by two-thirds. Today's matter has nothing to do with her."

Jean-Pierre shook his head: "Three months ago, she stood on that podium and announced the investigation into Xingchen. Three months later, Xingchen set up its headquarters right under her nose, and Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain all collectively took a side. If she sees today's news, I wonder what her mood will be."

Anna took a sip of beer and looked out the window. In the distance, the lights of the Xingchen European Headquarters building had already turned on, and that deep blue flag was vaguely visible in the twilight.

"Jean, why do you think Xingchen chose to be in Brussels? Dresden, Paris, Milan—wouldn't any of those work?"

Jean-Pierre thought for a moment: "Because Brussels is the heart of the European Union. If you set up your headquarters next to the heart, it means you acknowledge the European Union's rules and are willing to play within the European Union's system. But it also means—you are right under their noses, so if they want to pull any more little tricks, they have to think twice."

Anna was thoughtful: "So this isn't a provocation, it's…"

"It's a declaration." Jean-Pierre continued, "A declaration that Xingchen is not an opponent of Europe, but a partner of Europe. A declaration that the new center of Europe is no longer the bureaucrats in Brussels, but countries like Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain, who are actually getting things done. A declaration of a new era—in this era, whoever can create value has the right to speak."

Anna was silent for a moment, then raised her glass: "To the new era."

Jean-Pierre also raised his glass: "To the new era."

The two glasses clinked together gently, making a crisp sound.

Night fell, and the lights of Brussels gradually lit up. The lights of the Xingchen European Headquarters building were exceptionally bright, and that deep blue flag was flapping loudly in the night wind. Five hundred meters away, the buildings of the European Union headquarters were brightly lit, but behind those windows, how many people would be able to sleep soundly tonight?

On the same day, Shenzhen. Su Chen sat in his office, watching the news coming from Europe. In the video sent by Lin Wan, the Xingchen flag was fluttering under the Brussels sky, and more than three hundred reporters applauded like a tide. The statements from Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain followed one after another, and the protest from the European Commission was pale and powerless.

He picked up his teacup, took a light sip, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

His phone vibrated; it was a message from Lin Wan: "Mr. Su, everything is going smoothly here in Europe. Merkel and Macron have both stated their positions, and Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands have followed suit. Over at the European Union, Ursula protested a few times, but no one paid attention to her."

Su Chen replied: "Good work. Next, focus on 6G and chips. The Europeans want technology, and we want the market. Each takes what they need."

Lin Wan replied: "Understood."

Su Chen put down his phone, stood up, and walked to the window. The surface of Shenzhen Bay was sparkling, and the skyline of Hong Kong in the distance was brightly lit. A cargo ship slowly sailed by, with the "Xingchen Technology" logo printed on the containers, that silver star shining brightly in the night.

He suddenly remembered four years ago, when Xingchen Technology was first established, it was unknown. At that time, no one believed a Chinese company could challenge Western giants in fields like chips, batteries, and 6G. Now, the Xingchen flag was rising in Brussels, just five hundred meters away from the European Union headquarters.

His phone vibrated again, this time a text message from an unknown number: "Mr. Su, congratulations on the establishment of the Xingchen European Headquarters. This is Tim Cook. You agreed to cooperate during our last call; can we talk now?"

Su Chen looked at this text message, was silent for a moment, and then pressed the delete key.

It was not yet time.

Outside the window, the night was deep, and the sea breeze blew gently. In the distance, the whistle of a cargo ship sounded long and drawn out, as if accompanying this new era.