123: Why did you tell me?

During the days waiting for Qiu Lianhai's reply, Li Xiuwu and Liu Yifei visited many places in Xian. As both were celebrities, they were recognized by many people.

The ones reporting news about them were all small newspapers.

When this news reached the eastern cities, many newspapers chose to ignore the reports of Li Xiuwu traveling with Liu Yifei.

During their travels, the report Qiu Lianhai submitted quickly received a response.

Cooperation—they had to cooperate intensely.

Qiu Lianhai could hardly believe it. How was it that this cooperation even provided research funding? Had Xian Jiaotong University become so wealthy?

He immediately called his department to ask if there had been a mistake?

"Old Qiu, don't ask too many questions. It's rare for someone to be willing to invest in Lithography Machines. Just cooperate normally and don't scare them off. Call me if you run into any trouble."

Qiu Lianhai wasn't politically sensitive and didn't realize anything was amiss. Since his background check application had been answered, he assumed Li Xiuwu had already undergone a background check.

He thought about it; since Li Xiuwu was investing in chips and had even bought a chip production line, he must have already been vetted.

Since the higher-ups had given their approval, he had no further objections. He contacted Li Xiuwu to begin pushing the cooperation forward and established a reverse engineering project for Lithography Machines.

In the name of Panda Core, Li Xiuwu applied for a new office location in the High-Tech Development Zone. The application was approved quickly, and all procedures were completed rapidly.

"Professor Qiu, our cooperation is off to a smooth start. I'm sure our future research and development will also go very smoothly," Li Xiuwu said with a testing smile.

"Haha, yes, I also feel it's been too smooth, but that's a good thing." Qiu Lianhai nodded. Throughout the cooperation process, he felt everything was going exceptionally well.

For a collaboration of this level, there should have been many reviews, yet it felt as if there were no obstacles at all.

The new project team was placed under the corporate name of Panda Core, forming a separate Lithography Machine project group. Qiu Lianhai and his team joined Panda Core.

"Professor Qiu, this is my girlfriend, Liu Yifei," Li Xiuwu introduced her.

"She's truly beautiful," Qiu Lianhai remarked, looking her over and offering a compliment.

"Hello, Professor Qiu." Liu Yifei greeted him, her heart filled with a mix of shyness and sweetness at being introduced publicly like this by Li Xiuwu.

"A talented man and a beautiful woman—you're a perfect match."

Li Xiuwu met with the members of the project team and announced its official establishment.

"Professor Qiu, I'll leave this project team in your hands. The equipment I've prepared is still out at sea. Once it arrives, I'll definitely give you a surprise."

With the project team established and Professor Qiu and the others having joined, Li Xiuwu breathed a sigh of relief.

"Alright, I'll be waiting for your surprise," Qiu Lianhai said with a smile.

"Good things bring good spirits. I suddenly feel much better physically. Join me for a drink at noon."

He stretched a bit, feeling his aging body become much more comfortable.

"Sure, I'll have a drink with you at noon, Professor Qiu."

After the project team was set up, Qiu Lianhai led his team to begin setting up the new R&D lab.

"Leave a space here for the new equipment in the future." Li Xiuwu offered suggestions for the renovation. Qiu Lianhai frowned; this was supposed to be the most central area.

"Isn't the space left behind a bit too large?"

"It's to leave some redundant space to prepare for the future."

Qiu Lianhai nodded. Although it took up quite a bit of the core area, fortunately, the company premises were large enough.

For the main setup of the laboratory, Li Xiuwu didn't need to go around buying equipment this time; Qiu Lianhai brought over some equipment from the university.

"Old Qiu, I'm here to follow your lead this time." While Qiu Lianhai was still setting up the lab, an acquaintance arrived.

"Old Du, what are you doing here?" Qiu Lianhai looked at his old friend in surprise.

Du Tianhua was a professor at Huazhong University of Science and Technology, also engaged in Lithography Machine research.

"I'm not sure either. I just received a notice to come here and report to you." Du Tianhua was also full of confusion.

He had no objection to joining Qiu Lianhai's team; he just didn't understand why he had to join a private company.

"Old Qiu, tell me, do you guys have some secret plan?" Du Tianhua whispered to Qiu Lianhai.

"It's just a normal laboratory cooperation—reverse engineering and technology sharing." He mentioned the conditions Li Xiuwu had brought up.

"Not normal. It's very abnormal," Du Tianhua said, shaking his head after hearing this.

Over the next few days, several more experts in Lithography Machines arrived.

Even the politically insensitive Qiu Lianhai sensed something was up; this level of support was almost on par with Microelectronics... "Are we going back already?" Liu Yifei asked as she helped Li Xiuwu pack his clothes.

"What, haven't you had enough fun yet?"

"No." Liu Yifei stopped what she was doing and tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

"Your project team was just established, and you're already leaving it be. I just feel it's a bit too hasty."

Liu Yifei couldn't understand. Although she had never run a company, she knew that the startup phase was when things were most hectic.

This time, Li Xiuwu was setting up a Lithography Machine studio; how could he leave after just a few days?

"Someone will help me manage it. I just need to provide the equipment." Li Xiuwu leaned against the doorway, a smile on his face.

Li Xiuwu didn't explain in great detail. In fact, Liu Yifei wouldn't be able to understand it; no one could understand his approach.

Li Xiuwu pushed his suitcase downstairs. Long Xiangdong came to see them off, and surprisingly, Qiu Lianhai also showed up.

"Professor Qiu, why are you here too?" Li Xiuwu hurried over.

"You're technically my boss now. Isn't it only right for me to see my boss off?"

"Get in the car, get in. It's my first time having a boss; I'll take you to the airport." Qiu Lianhai pulled Li Xiuwu along.

Li Xiuwu seemed to realize something and turned to Liu Yifei. "Xixi, you go in the car behind us."

"Okay." Liu Yifei also saw that Qiu Lianhai had something to discuss with Li Xiuwu. Without any fuss, she walked straight to the car behind.

Once in the car, Qiu Lianhai asked impatiently, "Xiuwu, tell me, what's the secret behind this project of ours?"

"Secret?" Li Xiuwu looked at Qiu Lianhai.

"There isn't one. We're just having a normal cooperation."

"Impossible!" he said. "If it were a normal cooperation, how could so many people have been transferred here?"

Li Xiuwu's eyes flickered.

He hadn't even started poaching people yet, and they were already being sent to him voluntarily.

He looked into Qiu Lianhai's inquisitive eyes.

"I can get my hands on a piece of equipment, but it hasn't reached the shore yet."

"Equipment." Qiu Lianhai frowned.

"A Lithography Machine."

"An 8-inch one? That shouldn't be it. While rare domestically, we still have them," he speculated.

"A 12-inch dry lithography machine?" he asked, unable to believe it, his eyes fixed intently on Li Xiuwu.

"Immersion," Li Xiuwu corrected.

"A 12-inch Immersion Lithography Machine?" Qiu Lianhai exclaimed, his hands suddenly gripping Li Xiuwu's arm with great force.

He couldn't believe it. Immersion Lithography Machines were currently the most cutting-edge, and although they hadn't yet gained market recognition, their technical superiority was indisputable.

"Professor Qiu, the equipment hasn't reached the shore yet. This news cannot be leaked," Li Xiuwu reminded him.

"Oh, right, right, right." Snapped out of his daze by Li Xiuwu's reminder, he regained his senses.

He suddenly stared at Li Xiuwu, a look of agony on his face. "I won't be able to sleep now. Why did you tell me?"