Chapter 193: I promised Ke Zhongyu

Shen Xun: "Thank you, Director Fu, for the advice."

Director Fu said gravely, "Shen Xun, this is your last chance. If you mess up again, I won't have the face to protect you."

"You signed a non‑compete back then; the tech industry evolves rapidly and changes constantly. Two years out of it, no matter how hard you try, you can't catch up."

That final remark almost cut off Shen Xun's way forward.

If anything else goes wrong, he'll either be exiled or dismissed.

Exile means no hope of promotion.

Dismissal brings the non‑compete hanging over his head like a sword: for two years he can't join a rival firm or start a competing company.

The company will compensate; you keep it confidential.

What's important isn't the compensation, but cutting off his future development path.

Other fields would be fine, but the tech sector has advanced rapidly in recent years; not to mention two years, even half a year brings earth‑shaking changes.

When he returns to this field, he'll be no different from a layperson.

Shen Xun's complexion grew even paler.

"Director Fu, I understand."

"As long as you understand." Director Fu stood up to leave, "I won't disturb your convalescence; you must take good care of your health, otherwise how will you have the energy to work later."

Shen Xun rose to see him off; Director Fu raised his hand to signal him to sit, then asked in one breath, "Why haven't I seen Qiao Chuan lately?"

Shen Xun: "I sent Qiao Chuan to handle some matters, also related to the cooperation with Si Nuo."

Director Fu gave a "Hmm" sound.

Fu Youlin said, "The porridge is already cooking; the nanny will deliver it later."

The father and son left.

After they walked away, Fu Youlin curiously asked, "Dad, didn't you say you'd keep a close eye on someone even to the very end? Why bring up the non‑compete now?"

"Isn't it still right under our noses?" Director Fu looked at his son, "It's not yet the day of utter desperation. If this time he still fails because of his wife and lover, we'll decide to transfer him out of A City, or make you his assistant."

Fu Youlin corrected, "Jiang Lai is no longer his wife."

Director Fu was speechless for a moment; he didn't recall anything else, but he remembered this matter.

"I heard your sister say you like Jiang Lai?"

"My sister says everything."

"Liking isn't shameful." A sharp glint flashed in Director Fu's eyes, "Just liking is useless; actually winning her is what matters."

He intends to have his son train first at Star Universe Technology, so that later inheriting the Fu Family will be convincing; if Jiang Lai becomes Youlin's wife, the Fu Family's path in the tech sector will be even broader.

……

Lan Chuang Research and Development Center, top‑floor conference room.

Xiao Qian collapsed exhausted on the table, glanced at Professor Cheng, then at senior sister Jiang Lai.

"Aren't we the client side? Isn't it said that working on the client side is easier than the vendor side?"

Professor Cheng said, "Not easy? You now have weekends off, a nine‑to‑six schedule, a two‑hour lunch break. During the self‑developed chip R&D period, not to mention weekends off, sometimes you're stuck on critical data, and pulling all‑nighters for testing is commonplace."

Xiao Qian nodded, "Indeed."

Jiang Lai poured a glass of water and placed it before her; Xiao Qian giggled, "Thank you, senior sister."

"You only need to handle the core technology part; architecture, IP, algorithms, simulation verification, and so on are our lifeblood."

Xiao Qian nodded, "I know, senior sister."

Jiang Lai said, "Leave the rest to me."

Xiao Qian nodded, "Thanks for your hard work, senior sister."

Jiang Lai shook her head, "It's fine; the main thing is I've handed full authority to you, though I'm still uneasy."

Xiao Qian: "..."

Professor Cheng laughed out loud, saying to Jiang Lai, "Have you thought through the university invitation? The title promotion is about to be decided."

Jiang Lai: "Besides, I want to focus on the Three-Region Project; I promised Ke Zhongyu."

Xiao Qian, keenly catching the name Ke Zhongyu, twitched her eyes, "Senior sister, you seem to have a good relationship with Director Ke."

Jiang Lai: "Partner."

Xiao Qian, skeptical, "Just a partner?"

Jiang Lai thought, "He's also a friend's older brother, so... a friend."

Xiao Qian nodded, smiling meaningfully.

Professor Cheng interjected at the right moment, "If you put all your focus on the Three-Region Project, does that mean you don't want to touch other projects?"

Jiang Lai, catching his meaning, asked, "What projects are there recently?"

Professor Cheng: "You still remember the guy Old Cui had you call Uncle Lu, right?"

Jiang Lai was startled.

Two days ago she was at Hexin Yiyuan and ran into Lu Hongyuan, and from Ke Zhongyu learned that Lu Hongyuan is preparing an AI real‑time neural function diagnostic device; to make that product, they first need a medical‑grade AI Crystal Core.

"What's the matter?" Jiang Lai, not bringing up the hospital incident.

Professor Cheng: "He knows you're busy and wants to invite you as a consultant; let me ask you."

Lu Hongyuan has a mentor‑student relationship with Jiang Lai; Jiang Lai didn't bluntly refuse, but said, "My focus must be on the Three-Region Project; I can't split my attention."

Professor Cheng nodded, "I'll tell him; you don't need to worry too much. I already told him you might be overwhelmed."

"Professor Cheng, have you had a meal with Uncle Lu lately?" Jiang Lai knew that the chance of syphilis transmitting via utensils was very low, because the spirochete is weak outside the body and doesn't survive well, but she was still somewhat concerned about Professor Cheng's health, so she asked that question.

Professor Cheng shook his head, "I'm also busy, haven't had much time."

Jiang Lai let out a small sigh of relief in her heart.

Professor Cheng: "He certainly isn't targeting only you; if you're unavailable, he'll have other candidates."

Jiang Lai suddenly thought of Lin Shutong.

Lin Shutong and Lu Hongyuan have a close relationship.

Dong—dong.

Someone knocked on the door outside the conference room.

Jiang Lai looked up, Ke Zhongyu pushed the door open, stepped inside, nodded toward Professor Cheng and Xiao Qian, then looked at Jiang Lai.

"I have something to discuss with you."

Jiang Lai placed the complete design documents before Professor Cheng, gave a brief explanation, then left.

"What is it?"

"The office said."

Between the building where Ke Zhongyu's office is located and the Research and Development Center building, there is a steel‑structured suspension bridge with a glass curtain wall, linking the twin towers.

Jiang Lai and Ke Zhongyu walked on the bridge as dusk approached; the Ke building was entirely transparent, silent, with layer upon layer of lights climbing straight up two hundred meters from the ground.

Looking out, the Ke building stood as a silent, towering commercial empire.

The man who controls this commercial empire was beside Jiang Lai, having just walked from the office to the Research and Development Center, and now walking back from the center with Jiang Lai to his own office.

The President's office door was open.

Jiang Lai's arrival made Secretary Cen, who was about to leave for the day, and Secretary Guan stop, and they immediately produced the gift that Assistant Zhou had brought back from abroad for her.

Secretary Guan said, "Zhou Zhou has returned and is waiting for you in President Ke's office."

Secretary Cen also said, "Zhong Lü has arrived as well."

Jiang Lai instantly understood that Ke Zhongyu had summoned her for something not work‑related, but personal.

She looked at Ke Zhongyu.

Ke Zhongyu said calmly, "Assistant Zhou obtained the real destination of the money Shen Xun gave to Lin Shutong; it wasn't all spent on research."