After breaking up with my boyfriend, I made a fortune and rose rapidly in my career.

Governor Zhou Jiang did not stop at the entrance of the park; the motorcade drove directly into the Xinhuo Industrial Park.

It was quiet outside the car window; there were no welcoming banners, no officials in formation, no flowers, and no red carpet.

The only things visible were the main cable being slowly hoisted by a crane and a group of technicians in Huaxin International work clothes arguing over the blueprints. In the distance, several bulldozers were operating, making a roaring sound.

The entire park is like a newly started construction site; it's a bit messy, but very vibrant.

The municipal party secretary and mayor sat in the accompanying car, their backs soaked with sweat. This was the first time they had experienced such a raw, unfiltered inspection, and they had absolutely no idea what the provincial governor was thinking.

The convoy stopped at the entrance of Factory Building No. 3.

Chen Pingfang was already waiting here, with only Li Wenbo from Huaxin International standing beside him.

Zhou Jiang got out of the car, his sharp eyes sweeping over the newly repaired cable well at the factory entrance, then looking up at the huge building, before finally fixing his gaze on Chen Pingfang.

"You're Chen Pingfang?" Zhou Jiang's voice was deep and emotionless.

"Governor Zhou, I am Chen Pingfang." Chen Pingfang remained calm as he met Zhou Jiang's gaze.

"Was that scene at the door just now arranged by you?" Zhou Jiang asked directly.

The municipal party secretary was on tenterhooks.

"Reporting to the Governor, they are shareholders." Chen Pingfang's reply was also very direct. "They want to start their own business and make use of their own money. Of course, they won't allow someone to sabotage their business."

Zhou Jiang gave Chen Pingfang a deep look, then turned and walked into the factory without continuing the topic.

The water in the factory has been pumped out, but there's still a damp, rusty smell in the air. Several high-powered temporary lights illuminate the huge space, where Huaxin International's technical team is inspecting the basic equipment.

There is no meeting room or PowerPoint presentation prepared here.

Zhou Jiang stopped in the middle of the factory, turned around, and asked directly:

"How do you plan to repay a debt of 12 billion?"

There was no prior context for this question.

The city leaders following behind all subconsciously held their breath.

Chen Ping remained expressionless, as if he had already prepared his answer. He didn't look at any documents or drafts; his voice echoed clearly throughout the factory.

"Governor, this debt is not yet settled, and I have no intention of settling it the old way."

His first words startled everyone.

"Oh?" Zhou Jiang raised an eyebrow slightly, seemingly intrigued. "Go on."

"The debt is 12 billion yuan, including 4.7 billion yuan in bank loans, 3.6 billion yuan in project payments to construction companies, 2.1 billion yuan in debts to material suppliers, and 1.6 billion yuan in other types of debts. There are a total of 173 creditor entities."

Chen Ping rattled off a series of precise numbers in one breath, without pausing at all, as if they were etched into his mind.

"The High-tech Zone's current budget has less than 300 million yuan available each year. Even if they didn't spend a single penny, it would take 40 years to pay off the debt. Selling land wouldn't fill the hole either. So, relying on repayment is not a viable option."

Chen Ping paused, met Zhou Jiang's gaze, and spoke with a firm tone.

"My solution is to generate revenue, which simply means trading space for time and technology for market share."

"The space I'm referring to is this abandoned industrial park and factory buildings right here. Time is giving all creditors and the high-tech zone a chance to breathe and develop. Technology relies on leading companies like Huaxin International. And the market is the domestic and even global demand for high-end chip materials."

"I converted 12 billion in debt into 12 billion in original shares of the new company. In this way, the bank's bad debts became equity investments, and the construction team's bad debts became future dividends and project orders. They were no longer creditors, but partners who would grow the pie with us."

"A scheme to get something for nothing?" Zhou Jiang's eyes sharpened. "You think you can wipe out 12 billion in debt with just an empty shell company and empty promises? What makes you think the banks will believe you? What makes those contractors waiting for the money to pay their workers believe you?"

These words put pressure on everyone present.

That's the fundamental question: on what basis?

Chen Pingfang did not answer immediately, but turned to the side and gestured to Li Wenbo beside him to invite him.

Li Wenbo stepped forward, adjusted his glasses, and nodded slightly to Zhou Jiang.

"Governor Zhou, I'll answer that question. It's all thanks to our Huaxin International and our Stardust Project, which we're preparing to put into production here."

Li Wenbo took a document out of his briefcase and handed it over.

"This is our technical team's assessment report on Factory Building No. 3. The report states that the construction standards of this factory building far exceed the original design drawings. Its foundation settlement standards, cleanroom frame structure, and internal pipeline reserved specifications all meet the standards of top international chip laboratories."

Li Wenbo's tone carried a hint of excitement.

"Back then, Hu Jinshan and his team spent a fortune in unseen areas to obtain multiple project payments. Although their original intention was to falsify documents, they inadvertently left us with a huge gift. If we were to build this level of infrastructure ourselves, it would take at least three years and an investment of two billion yuan."

"Our Stardust Project at Huaxin International is a research and development project on core materials for third-generation semiconductors, and we urgently need a ready-made high-standard experimental base. The Chipfire Industrial Park is the only place in China that meets the requirements."

"Therefore," Li Wenbo concluded, "our Huaxin International needs to become a shareholder of this new company. We will contribute our entire technology and some core equipment, holding a 30% stake. We believe that in less than five years, the market value of this new company will far exceed 12 billion."

The entire factory was silent.

Everyone was shocked by this inside story.

It turns out that this huge mess is actually quite valuable!

Zhou Jiang held the evaluation report, reading it page by page very carefully. His finger lightly touched the words "ASML Compatibility Interface Reserved".

After a long while, Zhou Jiang finally raised his head and looked at Chen Pingfang again.

"With such a large project and such a wide-ranging scope, aren't you afraid that someone might sabotage it and ruin it?"

Chen Pingfang knew that this was a crucial issue.

He took a step forward, his voice not loud, but his tone very firm.

"Reporting to the Governor, the core of the reform of the Chipfire Industrial Park is to ensure that our core technological assets are safely and completely in our own hands. In this process, if anyone tries to damage or embezzle these state-owned assets, no matter who it is, we will investigate thoroughly and never tolerate it."

Chen Ping didn't say it explicitly, but everyone present understood the meaning behind his words.

After listening, Zhou Jiang neither asked any further questions nor expressed any opinion.

He remained silent for a long time, his deep gaze lingering on Chen Pingfang's young face for half a minute.

The others present didn't dare to utter a sound.

Finally, Zhou Jiang turned around and, as he walked out of the factory, casually said something to the municipal party secretary behind him.

"This Chen Pingfang is a capable person."