Return to 88: Starting from Marrying My Sister-in-law

The sea breeze from Pengcheng Bay, carrying the moisture of early summer, flowed into the chairman's office on the top floor of the Century Group through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows.

Outside the window, the towering forest, a symbol of wealth and ambition, gleamed in the sunlight, while inside the office, Lu Yang's brows were furrowed, his gaze fixed on the document in his hands that seemed to weigh a ton.

The document's title is concise yet weighty: "A Comprehensive Plan Proposal for Talent Acquisition and Long-Term R&D Investment in the Group's Semiconductor Industry."

At the bottom of the cover is Lin Chunsheng's meticulous signature.

Lu Yang read through the book word by word, and the more he read, the more his heart sank.

He knew all too well that the semiconductor industry was a money-devouring behemoth, but when that cruelty was presented to him in precise figures, the impact was still far beyond his imagination.

“Astronomical figures…” he muttered to himself, his fingertips tracing key entries on the report.

Part 1: The Thirst for Talent is Clearly Priced.

The eight-inch wafer fab in Luzhou, which had just received an investment of 30 billion RMB and whose infrastructure was barely completed, was now like a huge empty shell, desperately craving blood: the blood of top semiconductor talent.

Lin Chunsheng has already selected candidates for key technical positions, most of whom are experienced Chinese technical experts from major North American companies.

But it is by no means easy to persuade these true gods.

The report clearly states that the initial budget for headhunting fees, as well as the initial signing bonus, settling-in allowance, and equity incentives for the technology team, is 5 million RMB.

This is just the beginning; it's about filling the gaps in the most critical positions.

We will need more engineers, R&D personnel, and skilled workers at all levels in the future. Given the already scarce semiconductor talent in the world at the end of the 90s, we will need to invest real money in each of them.

Part Two: The Self-Sustaining Plan – Sustainable Investment.

Lin Chunsheng clearly understands that the semiconductor industry cannot rely solely on "blood transfusions" but needs to "generate its own blood."

He proposed a plan to jointly build the "Century-HUST Semiconductor Chip Joint Laboratory" with Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Luzhou.

The plan is detailed and has ambitious goals: to cultivate undergraduate and master's students who meet the group's needs, to conduct preliminary research on cutting-edge chip processes, and to build a platform for industry-academia-research transformation.

However, the cost is equally staggering: an ongoing investment of no less than 2 million RMB per year!
Lin Chunsheng specifically highlighted in red on the report: This budget covers the basic costs of laboratory operation and targeted training projects, excluding any subsequent major equipment purchases or special research funding. Furthermore, this investment will be long-term, stable, and virtually endless, unless Century Group abandons its pursuit of technological leadership in the chip industry.

Lin Chunsheng even cited examples of international giants in his report: Intel, TSMC, and Samsung, all of which are deeply tied to top international universities, and their annual R&D investment is comparable to the military budget of small and medium-sized countries.

The price of maintaining technological barriers is endless "membership fees".

At the end of the report, Lin Chunsheng shifted his tone, revealing a clear-headedness bordering on desperation: "President Lu, if you are content with the current mature 8-inch process and maintaining basic contract manufacturing, this plan can be significantly reduced. However, if you aspire to catch up or even lead, this is the only way forward, and it cannot be delayed."

Part Three: Ambitious Expansion, Spreading the Spread Across Multiple Areas.

This is not finished.

Lin Chunsheng's ambitions did not stop in Luzhou.

He suggested that, in order to attract more global talent and get closer to different regional markets and technology ecosystems, the group should simultaneously establish cutting-edge chip design/R&D laboratories in three core East Asian Chinese cities: Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong, and establish cooperative relationships with top local universities (Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shenzhen University, University of Hong Kong, etc.) similar to those in Luzhou.

Although the start-up budget for each laboratory was not listed in detail, Lin Chunsheng conservatively estimated that the total cost, including site, equipment, core team introduction, and initial operating expenses, would require a one-time investment of no less than RMB 15 billion, as well as continuous R&D investment of no less than RMB 1 million per site per year (totaling approximately RMB 3-4 million per year).

Lu Yang's gaze finally settled on the shocking summary figures at the end of the report:
One-time investment (talent headhunting + construction of laboratories in four locations): approximately 5 million + 15 billion = 20 billion RMB.

Subsequent annual rigid R&D investment (Luzhou Laboratory + three other laboratories): ≥ 2 million + 3 million = 5 million RMB (with no upper limit).

This is just about talent and research and development!
This doesn't even include the huge costs associated with subsequent equipment upgrades, yield ramp-up, market expansion, and raw material fluctuations at the wafer fab...

"A 15 billion start-up, and at least 8 million to be burned every year thereafter... This guy really dares to dream..." Lu Yang put down the report, let out a long sigh, unconsciously pressed his temples with his fingers, and a tired and helpless bitter smile appeared on his face. "No wonder no one dares to privately play the semiconductor game. This isn't just a money-devouring beast, it's a black hole!"

Standing to the side, Lu Nini, dressed in a sharp business suit, carefully observed Lu Yang's expression.

This was the first time she had seen such a profound solemnity on her omnipotent brother's face.

Unable to resist, she whispered a suggestion: "Brother... how about we return this report? Let President Lin... reconsider and submit a more... more practical plan?"

Lu Yang remained silent for a moment.

Outside the window, on the sea surface of Pengcheng Bay, a massive ship carrying tens of thousands of tons is sounding its horn and setting sail towards the vast ocean.

The roar seemed to pierce through the glass and strike his heart.

He recalled the frustrations of his past life, the pain of being "strangled," and the cost of the arduous national effort to catch up.

If you don't do it, I don't do it, and nobody does it, and everyone is content with their own small plot of land, content with buying and assembling, what will the result be?

History has already provided the answer.

Time is the most ruthless enemy.

The 5-inch and even more advanced technologies held by international giants are like the Sword of Damocles hanging over their heads.

What is considered "advanced" today will soon become obsolete.

Standing still is the biggest failure; waiting until you've learned your lesson and started to catch up? The price you'd pay then would probably be a hundred or a thousand times greater than it is now!
A sense of mission welled up within me.

"No need." Lu Yang's voice wasn't loud, but it was unusually firm.

He picked up the heavy report and handed it to Lu Nini. "Nini, organize this document, mark it as 'highest priority,' and send it to the president's office immediately. Give it to your sister Wei Shu."

"Let our female CEO review it carefully and assess the group's cash flow and financing capabilities."

He paused, then spoke with a resolute determination, "If... if the group's cash flow can withstand the swallowing of this 'black hole' in the next few years..."

Lu Yang's gaze sharpened like a knife, as if piercing through the current predicament and glimpsing a more distant future:

"Therefore, in the next few years, Century Group's core strategic focus will be on this: to build our semiconductor chip industry chain at all costs!"

"Yes!" Lu Nini's heart skipped a beat. She solemnly accepted the document with both hands, feeling the immense weight in Lu Yang's words. She dared not say another word and quickly turned and left the office.

The door closed gently, leaving only Lu Yang in the large office.

He slowly got up and walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window.

Outside the window, the prosperity and vitality of Shenzhen rushed towards him, but his heart was like a stormy ocean, turbulent and surging.

The skyscraper built at great expense, which controls a vast business empire with assets approaching 10 billion, appears so small and fragile in the face of the behemoth of the semiconductor industry.

The rigid investment of at least 8 million yuan every year weighed heavily on his heart like an invisible mountain.

Implementing this plan means that many of the group's other highly promising and potentially lucrative projects will be forced to slow down, scale back, or even be completely shelved due to the massive drain on funds. The enormous opportunity cost is an unbearable burden.

"Is it worth it?" a voice questioned in my heart.

“Worth it!” another, more powerful voice immediately responded.

That is an echo from the future, a yearning for the backbone of national industry, and an inescapable responsibility and unwillingness to give up as those who have been reborn.

Just as he was feeling excited, there was a knock on the office door.

"Enter."

Wei Shu pushed open the door and entered, his expression more serious than usual.

In her hand was the report that Lu Nini had just delivered, still warm from the printer. Without any formalities, she walked straight to a spot a short distance behind Lu Yang, waved the document in her hand, and got straight to the point:
“Boss, I’ve finished reading this plan.” Her voice was cold and rational. “I disagree. At least, I disagree with launching it now, on such a massive scale, at such an aggressive pace.”

Lu Yang didn't turn around, still gazing at the seamless blend of sea and sky outside the window, his tone calm: "Oh? Even Sister Wei Shu, you're here to advise me?"

Wei Shu stepped forward and stood beside Lu Yang by the window, their gazes also fixed on the distance. However, her focus was clearly on the storm of numbers on the group's financial statements: "I understand your feelings, I understand your emphasis on this industry, and even... a sense of mission. But we must face reality."

Her voice carried the calm analytical quality characteristic of a professional manager:

"Century Group is, in essence, a private enterprise. We are not the embodiment of the national will, nor do we have such a deep foundation or continuous financial support. The semiconductor industry chain is too vast, from materials, equipment, and design to manufacturing and packaging and testing, all interconnected, and each link requires astronomical investment and long-term technological accumulation. This is not something that a single company, even at our current size, can handle alone!"

She turned around, her gaze fixed intently on Lu Yang's profile, her tone earnest:

"Boss, listen to my advice. This plan is too aggressive. It will drag the group into an endless cash-burning race, and the enormous cash flow pressure will instantly drain our lifeblood, causing many promising projects in incubation to fail due to broken funding chains, resulting in incalculable losses! It may even shake the foundation of the group! We can completely postpone this plan, wait a year or two, wait until the group's other business segments have stronger cash-generating capabilities, our cash flow is more abundant, or... wait until the national support policies are clearer, and then gradually move forward!"

Lu Yang finally turned his head slowly and looked at Wei Shu.

Her eyes held worry, confusion, and above all, absolute loyalty to the group's interests.

He understood her concerns, and every word he spoke was invaluable advice.

But his vision had long surpassed purely commercial calculations.

“Sister Wei Shu, you’re absolutely right.” Lu Yang’s voice was deep and clear, carrying a weight that seemed to transcend time. “From a purely business perspective, this is undoubtedly insane. But…”

He looked again at the rolling clouds outside the window, as if gazing at the surging technological waves of the future:

"Time waits for no one. Don't be fooled by the fact that our current eight-inch wafer fab is barely keeping up with international standards. But Sister Wei Shu, do you know what? Those real international giants hold even more advanced processes and core technologies that are beyond our imagination. What they are showing us now is just the tip of the iceberg!"

Lu Yang's fists clenched involuntarily:

"If we are content with the status quo, satisfied with simply introducing, digesting, and absorbing this 'temporarily advanced' technology, and remain stagnant, then we will soon find that the gap has widened again! The pace of technological iteration is too fast! By then, when we finally realize this and want to catch up, it will be too late! We will find that the barriers in front of us are higher, the price we need to pay is greater, and the resources we need to invest will be ten or a hundred times greater than now! And even then, we may not be able to catch up! Even the entire nation's resources may not guarantee success, let alone a single company like ours. Now, while the gap is not yet so large that it leads to despair, while we still have a slight advantage, let's grit our teeth and push forward. Perhaps... there is still a glimmer of hope!"

His words were filled with anxiety about the future and a sense of urgency that opportunities were fleeting.

Wei Shu gazed at Lu Yang's tall figure, which seemed to bear the weight of a mountain, and fell silent.

The only sounds in the office were the faint pulse of the city outside the window and the heavy breathing of the two people.

For a long, long time.

Finally, Wei Shu took a deep breath, closed the folder in her hand, and let out a soft sigh.

The professional calmness on her face softened, replaced by a complex emotion that mixed helplessness, understanding, and even a hint of admiration.

“Alright,” her voice carried a hint of compromise, yet remained remarkably clear, “You’re the boss. You’re the helmsman of this ship, Century. You’ve decided the direction, and I… as your steward, can only do my best to carry it out, to manage your finances well, and to make it weather the storm a little longer.”

She turned around, ready to leave.

"Wait a minute," Lu Yang called out to her.

Wei Shu stopped and turned to look at Lu Yang.

Lu Yang turned around, his gaze sincere and firm as he looked into her tired yet still bright eyes: "Regarding the money... you don't need to worry too much. I know that the group's cash reserves are indeed insufficient to support such a massive project being rolled out simultaneously. But..."

His tone was resolute, filled with unwavering determination: "I will find a way! I will mobilize all available resources from elsewhere to raise enough funds! I will not allow the group's core business to be dragged down by semiconductors! I guarantee it!"

Wei Shu stared into Lu Yang's eyes.

In the eyes of this young boss, she saw the familiar flame that had created countless miracles and an almost obsessive confidence.

Despite her reason telling her that this was fraught with difficulties, deep down she still chose to believe in him.

“…Yes.” Wei Shu nodded heavily, without saying anything more, only uttering a weighty sentence, “I believe in you.”

After saying that, she turned around and left the office with firm steps.

The door closed again.

When Lu Yang was the only one left in the office, the mask of determination and confidence on his face instantly crumbled.

He suddenly raised his hand and pressed his knuckles hard against his throbbing temples, his face showing an even deeper weariness and anxiety than before.

"Where is the solution...?" he murmured, as if asking himself, or perhaps questioning his fate.

He strode to the huge desk, slumped into the large leather chair, and sank deep into it.

He closed his eyes, his brows furrowed, as if trying to squeeze out sparks of inspiration from his head.

Fragments of memories from past lives surged and collided in my mind like a tidal wave:
Is this the last frenzy before the dot-com bubble bursts? Sohu, NetEase, and Sina, three major Chinese portal websites, are about to go public, and Mu Qizhong has already been buying up shares on the secondary market... But will this solve the immediate crisis?

The burgeoning real estate market in Shenzhen and even across the country? Century Group has stockpiled a large number of prime land parcels... but selling them off now to cash out would be tantamount to killing the goose that lays the golden eggs, jeopardizing the foundation for the future.

Leverage in the financial market? The risk is too high; if it gets out of control, everything will be lost.

Overseas capital? Introducing venture capital? That would dilute control and more likely bring in short-sighted stakeholders whose interests conflict with the semiconductor strategy…

“The 30 billion yuan investment in building the factory is just the ticket, and the 8 million yuan annual fee is the entry fee... There are also equipment upgrades, yield improvement, market expansion... It’s a bottomless pit, a bottomless pit…” Lu Yang’s fingers dug deep into his hair, vigorously rubbing his scalp, as if he wanted to crush those suffocating pressures and numbers.

"What should I do? Is there any other way to make money without working that I haven't thought of? Think...think quickly!" He urged himself in a low voice, his voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible anxiety.

"It shouldn't be... there must be more! Some forgotten gold mines... some untapped blue oceans..."

He abruptly opened his eyes, his bloodshot eyes fixed on the ornate chandelier on the ceiling. His brain raced at an unprecedented speed, attempting to dredge up the "deep-sea pearl" from the vast, misty torrent of information from his past life—a pearl that could solve his immediate crisis. (End of Chapter)