Chapter 21: Where

Qin Feng, with the force of a thunderbolt, firmly grasped in his hands the three seeds representing the torch of future technology: Deep Blue Power, Dimension Tech, and Light-Year Materials. The news spread rapidly through elite investment circles and narrow scientific communities, triggering massive shockwaves.

Some marveled at his audacity and wealth; others questioned his reckless spending and ignorance of scientific principles—but most remained watchful, eager to see how large a wave this disruptive "Shenhou" could stir in the deep waters of hard technology.

Hongyuan Group, Wang Hongyuan's office.

Wang Hongyuan stared at the briefings compiled by his subordinates on Qin Feng's recent moves, his face dark as if dripping with water. He had hoped to crush Qin Feng by shorting Xingyao Department Store, but instead, Qin Feng responded with a five-hundred-million-yuan charitable donation, winning overwhelming public acclaim and turning Wang's maneuver into a joke. Now, Qin Feng had turned his guns squarely toward the hard technology sector—completely outside traditional commercial real estate and retail—and invested billions in long-term commitments at once!

This opponent, who played by no conventional rules and possessed wealth so staggering it induced despair, filled him with profound helplessness—and fear.

"Ocean energy, quantum communication, new photovoltaics… what exactly is he trying to do?" Wang Hongyuan loosened his tie in frustration. "Does his money fall from the sky? Doesn't he fear losing it all?"

The Secretary reported cautiously: "Boss, we tried contacting members of those invested teams to probe their opinions, but they were tight-lipped—and fiercely protective of Qin Feng… no, of Mr. Qin. Especially Li Mingbo—he practically treats Qin Feng as his patron."

"Patron?" Wang Hongyuan snorted coldly. "I call him a fool with too much money! Keep watching! I don't believe he can keep throwing cash around forever—there must be a flaw!"

Meanwhile, inside the several laboratories and companies funded by Qin Feng, the atmosphere stood in stark contrast to the external chaos.

The Deep Blue Power laboratory, now receiving unprecedented financial support, replaced outdated equipment and recruited several top young researchers in the field. Professor Li Mingbo seemed ten years younger, spending every day in the lab, leading his team to crack key technological bottlenecks. Experiments once unthinkable or forbidden could now be boldly attempted.

The young team at Dimension Tech no longer worried about server rents or expensive experimental materials—they could devote themselves entirely to validating seemingly outlandish quantum theories. Qin Feng's promise of "absolute autonomy" acted like an umbrella, allowing them to wander freely in the pure ocean of academic inquiry.

Light-Year Materials began large-scale expansion of its laboratories and pilot production lines, accelerating tests on the stability and conversion efficiency of new perovskite materials.

Everything was progressing positively. Yet, within these institutions, a strange topic gradually began to circulate.

Han Li, Chief Technology Officer and co-founder of Dimension Tech, couldn't help mentioning during a team dinner: "Guys, have you noticed? Since we signed the investment agreement, we've… never seen Mr. Qin in person?"

His words silenced the table for a moment—then everyone nodded in agreement.

"Exactly! The funding arrived fast, resources were coordinated smoothly, Assistant Su and Boss Sun worked flawlessly—but Mr. Qin hasn't set foot in our lab once!"

"Same with Light-Year Materials! Old Wang told me on the phone that since Qin Feng invested, he's vanished completely—never shown up once!"

After a project progress meeting, Professor Li Mingbo of Deep Blue Power privately remarked to his assistant: "Mr. Qin is the most… 'strange' investor I've ever met. He's given us immense support, yet never interferes—not even asking for updates. He only lets Assistant Su collect periodic briefings, never rushes us. This kind of trust and patience is truly rare."

The assistant agreed: "True. I heard Hongyuan Group tried poaching us earlier with tempting offers—but not a single person was tempted. Everyone feels secure following a boss like Mr. Qin, who actually gets things done."

Gradually, the phrase "Where's Mr. Qin?" became a lighthearted inside joke among employees of these funded institutions—filled with curiosity and admiration. They enjoyed unprecedented scientific freedom and abundant resources, and felt both curious and grateful toward their mysterious, generous boss.

They did not know that the "mysteriously vanished" Mr. Qin was currently facing a sweet dilemma.

Qin Feng sat in his study at Yunding Mansion, staring at the system interface displaying the unlock progress for Super Technology: 99%. His heart swelled with anticipation. Just one percent left! His strategy to invest in cutting-edge technology was clearly right.

But that final one percent seemed stuck behind an invisible barrier—unchanged for days. His funding continued, projects progressed smoothly, yet the unlock progress refused to budge.

"It seems mere financial investment and routine technical advancement aren't enough to fully open this door," Qin Feng mused. "Perhaps I need a more direct catalyst… like the first true 'outcome'? Or some intense external stimulus?"

He paused, then picked up the phone and dialed Su Wenqian.

"Sister Su, notify the core leadership teams of Deep Blue Power, Dimension Tech, and Light-Year Materials: in one week, I'm hosting a closed-door strategic symposium. Location: our newly acquired private island in the South Pacific."

Since progress was slow by conventional means, he would create an environment to force these brilliant minds to collide—perhaps sparking the final "final kick" he needed!

He also wanted to meet in person the technological pioneers who had been conquering new ground for him. After all, always being "a dragon's head appearing only occasionally" wasn't quite appropriate.

"Understood, Mr. Qin," Su Wenqian replied immediately, then added, "Also, Mr. Qin, Hongyuan Group still seems to be stirring up trouble—should we…?"

Qin Feng's lips curled with cold amusement. "A petty clown. Ignore them. Our battlefield is no longer in the red ocean of real estate and retail. By the time they realize it, they won't even see our shadows."

After hanging up, Qin Feng's gaze returned to the 99% progress bar on the system interface.

One step away. He was curious—what surprise would Super Technology bring when fully unlocked?

Meanwhile, the outside world—including Wang Hongyuan and many others—still obsessed over finding ways to defeat him in traditional business fields, unaware that Qin Feng's gaze had already turned toward the stars and oceans.