"Uncle Zhao!"

Ye Chen greeted cheerfully as soon as the call connected.

"Haha, Little Ye, do you know you've become my successor now!" Zhao Qian laughed heartily on the other end.

"Huh? What's going on?"

Becoming Zhao Qian's successor? What did that mean?

"Uncle Zhao, what are you saying?" Ye Chen asked, confused.

"It's all over the internet! Netizens are already seeing you as the second Zhao Qian, solidifying your reputation as a wealthy entrepreneur! The criticism that used to be directed at me has now shifted to you! Those online commentators who used to target me are now focusing on you, haha!" Zhao Qian chuckled.

"Really?" Ye Chen was taken aback. He'd briefly checked Weibo before bed the previous night and hadn't noticed anything unusual. Had he become a trending topic again as soon as he got off the plane?

"Of course! Didn't you acquire a semiconductor company? That's what's causing all the buzz online. People are asking how you decided to acquire a semiconductor company. While I'm not an expert, I've learned a bit about the industry over the years. I know these things are complex and require huge investments, not to mention the high risks. Even many domestic companies are struggling! Why did you venture into this field?" Zhao Qian continued. "Also, we still have a significant gap to close with the world's leading semiconductor technology. It'll probably take a decade or two, at least, to catch up!"

Hearing this, Ye Chen smiled. "Uncle Zhao, it's precisely because there's a gap that I want to contribute to narrowing it! Since you know about semiconductors, you must understand that this situation requires continuous effort. It needs not only national research and development but also investment from people like me!"

"Stop with the polite talk!" Zhao Qian said with a chuckle. "Tell me what you're really thinking!"

"Uncle Zhao, I haven't thought too deeply about it. Like I said, I believe the future belongs to high technology. If we don't prepare now, we'll be dependent on others. Although the semiconductor industry requires huge investment, I believe my company can handle it. So, I just want to see if we can invest our way to success," Ye Chen replied.

He respected Zhao Qian, but that didn't mean he would reveal all his plans.

"Alright, it seems it's hard to get the truth out of you," Zhao Qian said. "I'll be direct. I have significant capital available. I've been looking for promising investments in advanced technology, but many people just see me as an easy target. So, I'm asking, would you consider letting me invest in your semiconductor company?" Zhao Qian's tone became serious.

"Haha, Uncle Zhao, first, I must thank you for your trust and support. But this industry is very complex, and I'm still learning. If I let you invest now, it wouldn't be right. In my plans, the company will likely face years of substantial losses, and no one knows what will happen after that. I'm only taking this risk because I have a strong company to back me up. So, I can't involve you in this," Ye Chen politely declined.

However, Zhao Qian smiled wryly at Ye Chen's response. Having earned the title of "Coal King of Jinxi" and becoming the richest man in the province, Zhao Qian was not a simple man. He could tell that Ye Chen didn't want outside investment.

"Little Ye, since you've said so, I won't force it," Zhao Qian said. "But I sincerely want to cooperate with you!"

"Uncle Zhao, don't worry, there will be opportunities," Ye Chen replied.

"Alright, you're out right now, so I won't disturb you. I'll visit Jiangzhou one day, and we can chat. Your development speed is incredible! Just the acquisition cost you a huge sum, and it's in the capital-intensive semiconductor industry. When I was your age, I was still working in the coal mines!" Zhao Qian reminisced.

"Uncle Zhao, times have changed! Isn't Jiwei doing well now? I believe he'll make you proud," Ye Chen said.

"Yes, I have high hopes for him. I've never been overly proud of my own wealth. I just hope that little rascal Jiwei can make me proud of him. That's enough for me! But compared to you, he still has a long way to go! Haha, I'll let you go. I'll find you for tea in Jiangzhou someday!"

Zhao Qian ended the call with Ye Chen's cheerful reply.

As he put down his phone, there was a knock on his office door.

"Come in!"

A man in his thirties entered.

"Chairman Zhao, the six schools, three bridges, and seven paved roads in the Yungui mountains are almost complete. The local people and government want to name them after you. What do you think?" the man asked.

"Zhao Qian Elementary School? Zhao Qian Library? Zhao Qian Bridge? Zhao Qian Road? That's unnecessary! Name them as usual, no need to involve me! I'm not doing this for personal glory," Zhao Qian replied.

"Yes, I'll arrange it," the man responded.

"Also, don't publicize these things too much, to avoid accusations of grandstanding. I don't want to hear that. Additionally, show me the quality inspection reports for those projects. Ensure there are no problems with the quality. Not even a single one!" Zhao Qian said firmly.

"Understood!"