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

Chen Ping didn't linger in the meeting room for even a second longer.

The applause was still ringing out behind him when he had already walked through the side door into the service corridor.

The corridor was eerily quiet, as if separated from the bustling activity outside by two different worlds.

Zhang Chao quickly caught up and lowered his voice as he gave his report.

"Director, the provincial newspaper wants to do an exclusive interview, and a reporter from CCTV's science and education channel is here too. All three financial media outlets are blocking the door."

Chen Ping did not stop.

"Cancel them all."

Zhang Chao paused for a moment, swallowed his next words, and simply replied with an "okay".

Outside the convention center, the sun was blazing. The parking lot was packed with cars. Several people recognized him and called out "Director Chen" from afar. He didn't turn around and got straight into his car.

My phone has vibrated more than ten times.

Lin Xiangdong's name was displayed on the screen.

Chen Ping answered the call.

"Put it flat. The province has arranged a celebration banquet for you tonight in the VIP room. Several leaders will be there."

"Thank you, Director Lin, but I won't go."

There was a two-second pause on the other end of the phone.

"Hey kid, with something this big happening today, aren't you going to grab a bite to eat?"

"I eat boxed lunches." He said the three words very casually.

Lin Xiangdong laughed out loud, but there was something else in his laughter.

"Alright, then Governor Zhou and I will come and have dinner with you. You choose the place."

Chen Ping thought for a second.

"I've had someone book a small meeting room on B2 of the convention center."

After hanging up, he turned to Zhang Chao and said, "Prepare three boxed lunches," then turned his phone screen down, leaned back in his chair, and closed his eyes.

The applause outside was not his final destination.

That 10 billion is the most dangerous thing going forward.

---

In the small conference room on B2, there were three boxed lunches and two bottles of mineral water on the table.

Governor Zhou entered the room, glanced at the things on the table, said nothing, and pulled out a chair to sit down.

Lin Xiangdong took off his suit jacket and draped it over the back of the chair, then picked up his chopsticks.

"Put it flat, this meal is on you, I'll treat you next time."

Chen Ping pushed one copy to Governor Zhou and the other to Lin Xiangdong.

Governor Zhou didn't stand on ceremony; he opened his lunchbox, took a bite, and then spoke.

"The Discipline Inspection Commission will issue a statement regarding Zhao Xilai's case tonight; the press release is already being drafted."

Chen Ping nodded.

Lin Xiangdong picked up a piece of braised pork, chewed it, and put his chopsticks down.

"Lay it flat. What are your plans for that 10 billion?"

This problem was bound to come sooner or later.

"The funds are earmarked for specific purposes and will not be mixed into any other fund pool."

"Of course," Lin Xiangdong replied smoothly, then continued, "But the provincial finance department is already discussing the specifics of how to manage it. There's a plan to include this money in the provincial industrial support fund for unified allocation, with Xinhuo applying for disbursement as needed."

Chen Ping placed the chopsticks on the table.

"no."

Two words, without any embellishment.

Lin Xiangdong looked up, and Governor Zhou also stopped; both of them were looking at Chen Pingfang.

"Provincial-level overall planning seems standardized, but in reality, every step of the funding process adds another layer of approval and waste," Chen Ping said bluntly. "The R&D pace of Chipfire cannot wait for approvals. Once the technology window is missed, no amount of money can make up for it."

Lin Xiangdong didn't reply immediately, but picked up his water glass and slowly took a sip.

"So what's your proposal?"

"It's a three-party joint management system." Chen Ping held up three fingers. "The National Integrated Circuit Investment Fund is the investor, the provincial government is the joint regulator, and Chipfire is the independent auditor. All three parties have the right to sign off and the right to veto, but no single party can touch this money alone."

Governor Zhou put down his chopsticks and placed his hand on the edge of the table.

"Which independent auditor do you prefer?"

"Third-party accounting firms must be among the top five internationally, have independent legal person status in China, and not accept commissions from any provincial-level financial system."

Lin Xiangdong tapped his finger lightly on the table.

"The provincial finance department may not accept this condition."

"I know," Chen Pingfang said calmly. "That's why it requires the approval of two leaders, rather than letting the finance department set the rules."

The meeting room was quiet for a moment.

Governor Zhou picked up his chopsticks again, took two bites, and then spoke.

"Lay it flat. Who are you trying to protect against by proposing this plan?"

Chen Ping didn't beat around the bush.

"To protect myself from everyone."

After saying this, Governor Zhou paused for a second and let out a short laugh.

Lin Xiangdong also smiled, but the smile quickly faded.

"You little brat, you still talk so rudely."

"But it's the right thing to do." Governor Zhou picked up where Lin Xiangdong left off, placed his chopsticks on the lunchbox lid, looked up at Chen Pingfang, and said, "I've approved the tripartite management. I'll handle the provincial finance department's opinion."

Lin Xiangdong didn't say anything, picked up his lunchbox and took a bite, which was taken as tacit agreement.

Chen Ping put the most important piece on the ground first, then picked up his chopsticks again.

But Lin Xiangdong pressed on with his next sentence, casually, yet very firmly.

"However, before laying it flat, there's one thing you need to understand."

Chen Ping didn't look up, but his chopsticks paused for a moment.

"Some people in the province believe that once this money is deposited into the accounts, it belongs to the provincial strategic assets and should not be locked up by a single project," Lin Xiangdong said calmly. "This voice is not from one person, but from several departments at the same time."

Chen Ping put down his chopsticks.

The simultaneous statements from several departments were not unintentional.

Someone had already gotten their hands on it before the expo ended.

"What do they want?" Chen Pingfang asked directly.

"Overall coordination authority," Lin Xiangdong said, offering no further explanation.

To put it bluntly, provincial-level coordination means taking away the power to allocate this money from the core entity and incorporating it into a larger system, where other departments decide how and where to use it.

At that point, how much of the core firepower will be distributed will no longer be determined by technology, but by personal connections and relationships.

Governor Zhou stood up and put on his coat.

"This matter will be raised at the Standing Committee meeting on Monday." He spoke very briefly. "I will bring up your proposal at the meeting, and whether we can get it or not, we'll see then."

Chen Ping stood up and shook hands.

Lin Xiangdong walked to the door and glanced back at him.

"Ping Fang, you did a good job today. But the next hurdle is much harder than Zhao Xilai's."

The door closed.

Chen Pingfang was the only one left in the meeting room, along with three half-empty lunch boxes.

He didn't leave immediately. He sat in the chair for a few minutes, going over Lin Xiangdong's last words over and over again.

Zhao Xilai is an external enemy; he can be seen, attacked, and we have leverage over him.

The fact that several provincial departments are vying for overall planning authority is an internal undercurrent.

They don't need foreign funds, they don't need Yu Kai, they don't need Zhao Bo. All they need to do is hold a meeting, propose a plan, and go through a set of procedures to turn 10 billion into a pot of favors.

Chen Ping stood up, folded the lunch boxes neatly, and pushed them to the corner of the table.

The battle is over for today.

Tomorrow's battle will begin with the Standing Committee meeting on Monday.

---

Back at my place, the hallway was dark.

He stopped at the door.

There was an insulated box next to the threshold, with a folded note next to it.

He squatted down and unfolded the note.

The handwriting was Su Qingwan's; it was delicate yet slightly hurried, clearly written while standing.

"You ate a boxed lunch today, I bet you didn't eat well. Here's some chicken soup, freshly made, drink it while it's hot."

There are only three words below, no signature.

Don't try to hold on.

Chen Ping turned the note back, picked up the insulated box, and stood up straight.

The box was still warm; you could feel the heat even through the metal sheet, which traveled up your hand.

He didn't open the door and go in immediately. He just stood in the corridor, staring down at the insulated box for a long time.

At the end of the corridor, a breeze slipped in through a crack in the window, causing the corridor light to sway slightly.

He finally raised his hand and inserted the key into the lock.