Ouyang old man expressed his high regard for Meng Hao and Huarong Industry.
This essentially meant.
Meng Hao had obtained a "golden medal of immunity from death."
As long as he didn't do anything that threatened the security of Great Xia.
Basically, no individual or group, domestically or internationally, could harm him.
As for whether Meng Hao intended to continue his "private enterprise" in a low-key manner or directly merge with the military and be supported by the state.
That was entirely Meng Hao's choice.
Like a sapling.
The state provided soil, fertilizer, sunshine, and rain.
Whether this sapling would grow into a towering tree or perish midway was entirely up to its own destiny!
However.
Given that Ouyang old man personally inquired about and cared for Meng Hao.
This vigorously growing sapling was destined to become the World Tree in the field of human technology!
And Ouyang old man's current actions.
Were like a diligent gardener holding a hunting rifle.
Anyone who dared to lay hands on this little sapling, Meng Hao—
Would be shot without mercy!
...
For several consecutive days.
Meng Hao accompanied Zhang Weimin on a tour and observation of Huarong Industry.
From the R&D laboratory to the assembly workshop.
Nothing was missed, all was laid bare.
Fortunately.
Although Zhang Weimin was an ace pilot, he had limited involvement in the R&D and manufacturing sector.
Meng Hao, presenting seventy percent of the truth and concealing thirty percent, explained the relevant situation of the entire mech R&D, manufacturing, and production line to a considerable extent.
As for any content related to system secrets and the desert base.
He either glossed over it or kept it entirely secret.
Regarding this.
Zhang Weimin didn't seem to mind much.
Not to mention that he didn't understand most of the core technology.
Even if he had understood, he didn't delve deeper when he realized Meng Hao was being secretive.
After all.
Core technology was a "commercial secret." It was understandable that someone who didn't want the military to join would have reservations and keep some things to himself.
Therefore.
Zhang Weimin didn't expose Meng Hao's hidden agenda.
...
JN City.
Chen Kun, who provided mech detail photos to Zhang Xijin, and Lin Hecheng, a sycophant who gifted a mech to the goddess Zhang Xijin, were being reprimanded.
These two close buddies had grown up together and were inseparable.
Their parents also had very close business ties.
This day.
It was another family gathering for the two families.
In addition to these two comical, inseparable brothers and their parents,
There were also several other families with close business ties and excellent relationships.
The men of these families naturally talked about business and life.
While their wives, these rich ladies, were engaged in various forms of comparison.
Comparing outfits, travel destinations, luxury goods... and then shifting to comparing their children!
"My child, frankly, isn't very promising. After studying English for a few days, he went to speak at the UNESCO Youth Federation... The topic seemed to be carbon neutrality, I didn't understand a word..."
"Oh dear, your child is very promising. Mine isn't doing as well. I just received acceptance letters from several Ivy League universities, and they even want him to work at the US National Research Institute after graduation..."
"Your children are amazing at studying. Alas, mine isn't. After graduating from undergrad, he absolutely refused to continue studying and insisted on dabbling in investments. He's reporting to Wall Street in a few days..."
"..."
Listening to the seemingly casual, self-deprecating remarks of these "good sisters"...
The mothers of Chen Kun and Lin Hecheng could only bury their heads in cooking!
They couldn't possibly join the conversation of the distinguished ladies at the dining table!
How could they chime in?
Their own two darlings.
One fiddled with all sorts of figurines every day?
The other was like a sycophant, clinging to a girl?
Damn it.
One was not serious about his career, the other was consumed by lust.
Compared to those who went to Ivy League, spoke at the UN, or started businesses on Wall Street.
They were utter trash.
The crucial point was.
These two seemed to have no shame at all, conversing as if no one else was there about mechs, figurines, power armor, and the like.
As a result.
Those noble ladies who had not intended to pay attention to the two mothers, unintentionally paused their conversation and cast their gazes over.
"Oh, aren't these the mothers of Chen Kun and Lin Hecheng?"
"I've heard since childhood that these two iron brothers were smart. What masterpieces have they created recently?"
Damn it.
It was like poking a sore spot.
The mothers of the two unfortunate brothers initially wanted to find an excuse to brush it off.
But these two were completely shameless, talking enthusiastically about their mechs.
"You guys don't know, I recently got a mech, it's amazing, it completely crushes top military robots globally, and the price is ridiculously low, only 1 million each..."
"Exactly, I bought one too, and I gave it to Colonel Zhang Weimin's daughter, Zhang Xijin..."
Huh?
What were these two talking about?
Mechs?
Large toys?
Crushing the world's top military robots?... This, is it profitable?
And, for just one million each, they could crush other countries' top equipment?
Have these two kids' brains gone mushy from playing with toys?
Also.
Pursuing Colonel Zhang Weimin's daughter, Zhang Xijin?!
Colonel Zhang Weimin, in terms of rank and status, was definitely higher than these merchant families.
And he was in the military, an ace pilot.
Even if they had interactions, they weren't in the same circle... or rather, they couldn't easily associate with him.
If Lin Hecheng could really pursue Zhang Weimin's daughter, it would bring honor to the Lin family.
But...
An immediate gift worth over a million!
And it was a mech, something girls generally weren't interested in?!
Was this really an attempt to pursue a girl?
It was completely a straight-guy sycophant giving a girl a weird gift that left her speechless!
Well.
It seemed.
These two families would have no successors for their businesses in the future!
"Your interests are indeed rather peculiar..."
"Spending a million on a pile of scrap metal... Although a million is not much for families like ours, you shouldn't squander money like this... Even giving a million-dollar gift to a girl is throwing it into the water!"
"Speaking of which, your family is truly wealthy!"
These rich ladies, who spoke indirectly and insulted others, finally found someone to highlight the excellence of their own children by putting them down.
Their words were filled with overt praise and covert mockery.
"That's not scrap."
"It's a marvel in human industrial history!"
"Exactly, and Zhang Xijin specifically told me personally that she liked it and thanked me!"
Ugh!
What on earth was this?
A marvel in industrial history?...
Personally told you... thank you?
A rich kid who played with scrap metal.
A straight-guy cancer sycophant stuck in unrequited love.
These two were truly kindred spirits, fools who smelled the same.
Chen Kun's mother was about to explode with anger.
Why did she give birth to such a foolish son?
Not only did he do stupid things.
But he also couldn't even tell when people were insulting him.
"Chen Kun, I'll give all your piles of metal junk to the scrap collectors later."
"And that so-called mech, is it worth a single cent? Sell it immediately, even if it's just as scrap iron!"
"Later, I'll send you two to the US. You're not allowed to graduate until you get a degree!"
Seeing Chen Kun's mother growling in anger.
A clear, cold voice suddenly sounded from behind.
"Madam,"
"Are you saying you want to sell your son's mech?"
"Would you be willing to sell it to us? We can negotiate the price!"