Reborn in 2012, building a new energy empire

The warmth of their palms spread quickly, dispelling the chill of the night wind and warming their skin and heartbeats.

Lin Miaomiao finally turned her head slowly to look at him. The moonlight and the lights of the inn in the distance blended into a moist and bright halo in her eyes. There was surprise, there was shyness, but more than anything, there was an undisguised joy that had finally come to an end.

Jiang Haoran looked back at her, his gaze deep and gentle, a faint smile playing on his lips—a smile that was enough to brighten the entire night.

He didn't say anything, but tightened his grip on her hand, took her hand, and continued walking slowly along the lake.

Their steps were in sync, their shadows elongated in the moonlight, becoming one. Hands clasped together, warm and reassuring, as if it were meant to be.

Lugu Lake at night witnessed the clear realization of a certain hazy emotion, silent yet turbulent.

"Hmm," Jiang Haoran responded, noticing the change in her mood. "What's wrong?"

Lin Miaomiao stopped and gazed at the dark lake. Moonlight shone on her face, illuminating her slightly furrowed brows and revealing a hint of weariness and vulnerability that was not easily concealed.

"Before I came here, my dad had another argument with General Manager Li," she said softly, as if confiding in a lake, or as if she had finally found a listener she could completely trust. "After the anti-dumping and countervailing duties imposed by Europe and the United States, the company's shipments plummeted, and the situation is not optimistic. The company's financial statements for this quarter... are very bad."

"My dad got really angry during the meeting, saying that if things continued like this, the company would go bankrupt, let alone R&D investment."

She turned around and looked at Jiang Haoran, her eyes glistening with moisture in the moonlight: "Haoran, sometimes I'm really... scared."

"I was afraid my dad wouldn't be able to hold on, afraid the company would collapse. I came back to help him, but now I feel... so useless. Is there really no future in this industry?"

A night wind blew by, bringing a biting, damp chill. Jiang Haoran didn't immediately comfort her with empty words, but instead held her hand tightly and stood beside her, looking at the unfathomable lake.

"Miaomiao," he began, his voice calm and clear, "do you know the essence of the photovoltaic industry?"

Lin Miaomiao was stunned.

"It's energy," Jiang Haoran continued. "And the demand for energy is never satisfied. The anti-dumping and countervailing duties imposed by Europe and the United States close one door, but they also force the industry to open new windows and even break down new walls."

"The current industry crisis is actually forcing two things: either to transfer production capacity overseas to Southeast Asia, to places with lower costs and no trade barriers, but this is only a stopgap measure, and core technologies and supply chain advantages will gradually be lost; or to seek survival space internally and through technology, to drive costs down to a level that no one can compete with through extreme innovation, and to build technological barriers to a height that no one can cross."

Lin Miaomiao listened attentively, and Jiang Haoran's words slowly pulled her out of the quagmire of emotions.

"Wanhe Solar is an industry leader with technological accumulation and brand reputation. If it chooses the first path and builds a factory in Southeast Asia, it can avoid the 'anti-dumping and countervailing duties' in the short term, but in the long run, it is just transferring China's production capacity abroad, and ultimately it will be subject to others."

Jiang Haoran's tone carried a convincing and penetrating force, "But if we choose the second path, we can take this opportunity to resolutely overcome those bottlenecks imposed by foreign countries and drastically reduce costs."

"So once this reshuffling is over, Wanhe, which survives, will be stronger than before and will become the ones defining the new rules."

He paused, his gaze sharpening: "Take the silicon wafer manufacturing process, for example. If you could use domestically produced diamond wire that costs only half as much as imported wire but has comparable performance, how much could the cost per watt decrease from that alone?"

"If there is another breakthrough in wafer thinning, the amount of silicon material used will be reduced, and how much will the cost decrease? If these cost reductions are passed on to downstream industries, how will the market competitiveness change? This is not wishful thinking, Miaomiao, this is a technological path that is already underway."

Lin Miaomiao's eyes gradually brightened, not out of reluctance after being comforted, but out of exhilaration at seeing the light after being awakened.

Under his clear and calm analysis, those heavy anxieties seemed to have found a way out.

"But," she said, her voice low, still clinging to a last vestige of practical concern, "technological breakthroughs require time and massive financial investment. The company's current situation is dire; cash flow is extremely tight, and my father..."

"So it takes determination and courage." Jiang Haoran interrupted her, his voice carrying a deep power she had never heard before. "Miaomiao, there are some things I wanted to tell you at a more suitable time."

He took a deep breath, his silhouette appearing exceptionally clear and resolute in the moonlight. "My confidence in this industry isn't solely based on research and judgment."

"Over the past period of time, I have accumulated some capital in the futures market. It's not just small-scale trading; it's enough to support me in putting some of my ideas into practice."

"My dream has never been to be a mere capitalist. 'Saving the country through industry' sounds old-fashioned, but that's the path I want to take."

"The new energy industry, especially photovoltaics, is one of the very few industries in China that truly has the opportunity to lead the world. I have seen its pain, but I also see its inevitable rebirth. So, I came back, from finance to industry, from an observer to a participant."

He stepped forward, so close that she could feel the enthusiasm in his words. "I invested 100 million yuan, starting with the research and development of diamond wire for slicing, to enter the photovoltaic manufacturing industry."

"It's not just a product; it's a crucial link in breaking foreign monopolies and achieving self-sufficiency in the industrial chain. It's the entry point I chose and the weapon I'm using to realize my dream. What I'm betting isn't just money, but my entire belief and future. I believe it can succeed, and I must make it succeed."

His words, like solid foundation stones, firmly solidified the wavering trust in her heart. All his seemingly forward-thinking predictions and accurate suggestions now had profound meaning. He was not just a talker; he was an insightful observer and, more importantly, a hands-on practitioner.

The immense shock, the sudden enlightenment, and the indescribable sense of security instantly shattered Lin Miaomiao's last defenses. Her eyes welled up with tears again, but this time it wasn't from confusion or fear.

"Haoran..." she murmured, her voice choked with sobs and trembling with relief.

Jiang Haoran didn't say anything more, but simply opened his arms and gently, yet very securely, embraced her.

This embrace was different from the fleeting, impulsive one by the lake; it was expansive, warm, and full of protection and commitment.

His chin gently rested on the top of her head, his voice low and clear in her ear: "So, Miaomiao, don't be afraid. You've never been alone in facing these things. Your father's company, your dreams, everything you're worried about... I'll help you. Not as a friend, but as... someone I want to be your strongest support."

He gently released her, cupped her face in his hands, and softly wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes with his thumbs. His gaze, as warm as moonlight, enveloped her, unwavering, deep, and solemn: "I want to walk this most difficult path with you, and see the day when China's photovoltaic industry truly reaches the pinnacle of the world. Are you willing?"

Lin Miaomiao looked at him, tears finally falling, but a bright and reassuring smile bloomed on her lips.

She nodded vigorously, all her unease dispelled by his words and the strength of his embrace. "Yes! I do."

She took the initiative to wrap her arms around his waist, buried her face in his chest, and listened to his steady and powerful heartbeat, as if she had found a harbor she had been wandering in for a long time.

"Remember," Jiang Haoran kissed her hair, making a vow, "no matter what lies ahead, whether it be storms or hidden reefs, I will always be your last resort and your strongest support."

That night, the starry sky over Lugu Lake was exceptionally bright. They returned to the guesthouse hand in hand, like a couple who had long since reached a perfect understanding.

The natural progression of emotions made everything seem both spontaneous and inevitable. In the room facing the lake, moonlight streamed in, witnessing a deeper intimacy and commitment.

There were no many words, only warm skin touching, gentle breaths mingling, and the tranquility and fulfillment of two souls completely merging after breaking through all barriers.

She fell into a deep sleep in his arms, the worries of the past few days finally dissipating from her brow, leaving only a tranquil sense of complete trust.

Looking at her peaceful sleeping face, Jiang Haoran felt an unprecedented sense of fulfillment and determination. They would walk this path side by side.