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

Chen Pingfang's heart was still beating steadily, but he could feel his blood flowing faster because of the small USB drive.

He didn't immediately go and get the USB drive.

He tapped his fingertips lightly on the sofa armrest, then looked up and stared directly at Gu Weizhen.

How complete is the chain of evidence?

Gu Weizhen's face carried the confidence of a top scientist.

"Every data theft command has a corresponding execution log, timestamp, and return server IP address. I even kept archived emails from several core project teams within AetherX, which clearly discussed how to use backdoors to monitor data from specific targets. All the evidence forms a closed loop."

He paused for a moment, then added something even more weighty.

"Moreover, besides AetherX, there is another company that ultimately benefits from this data transmission. One-third of the encrypted data eventually flows to a server cluster of a company codenamed 'M'. I think Director Chen should be familiar with this name."

Chen Pingfang's pupils contracted slightly.

Company M.

It's the company behind the Zhang Jingru case.

It turns out that AetherX is not just a greedy tech giant, but also a key part of M Company's intelligence network.

Everything is connected.

No wonder they were willing to use the FBI's resources and spare no expense to bury Gu Weizhen, along with the secrets in his mind, in the United States.

Chen Ping finally reached out and took the black encrypted USB drive in his hand.

This is no longer a simple trade secret; it's something that can deliver a fatal blow to competitors and reshape the global semiconductor industry landscape.

He put the USB drive into his inner pocket and stood up.

"Dr. Gu, please get some rest. It's absolutely safe here. We can discuss everything else tomorrow."

Chen Ping didn't say anything more and turned to walk towards the door.

Some things need to be delivered immediately to someone of a higher rank than him.

Zheng Xian was waiting outside the door. When he saw Chen Ping come out, he immediately went to greet him.

"Director."

"Activate the highest level of security. From now on, this building must remain under our sight 24 hours a day. Any visitor, including myself, must undergo the strictest security checks upon entry."

"yes!"

Chen Ping strode towards the elevator, and just as the elevator doors were closing, he glanced back at the tightly closed door.

He knew that the man inside the door would usher in a new semiconductor era for Nanzhou and for this country.

At four in the morning, Nanzhou was still asleep.

Only a few streetlights cast a dim, yellowish light through the thin mist.

The atmosphere was tense beside a runway at South State International Airport.

Several black government vehicles were parked at the edge of the tarmac, their lights all off, blending into the night.

Chen Ping stood beside the lead car, saying nothing, only looking up at the dark night sky.

The cold wind blew the hem of his coat, making a rustling sound.

Behind him, Lin Yuanzhou rubbed his slightly cold hands, his breath quickly dissipating in the air. He appeared both excited and nervous, his gaze also fixed intently on the sky.

In the shadows further away, Qin Yu leaned against a car door, completely hidden in darkness, with only a tiny red flame flickering between his fingers.

On the distant horizon, a faint point of light appeared, then quickly grew larger.

It is CA942.

The roar of a huge engine grew louder as it approached, breaking the pre-dawn silence.

The aircraft landed smoothly on the runway and, guided by a ground control vehicle, taxied slowly to its designated parking position before finally coming to a stop.

There was no covered bridge, no welcoming crowd.

A mobile gangway vehicle pulled up alongside.

The cabin door opened, and a slightly tired-looking man in a black trench coat appeared at the door, carrying a simple briefcase.

He stood at the top of the gangway, looking down at the waiting figures below and the blurry outline of the city in the distance, and took a deep breath of the cold air of his homeland.

Gu Weizhen walked down the gangway step by step.

His steps were steady.

Chen Ping went to greet him.

The two met at the bottom of the gangway, their eyes meeting.

There was no unnecessary small talk.

Gu Weizhen extended his hand.

Chen Pingfang also reached out and gripped his hand tightly.

Welcome home.

"I'm back."

Lin Yuanzhou also walked up quickly, so excited that he was somewhat incoherent.

"Dr. Gu, I am Lin Yuanzhou, the technical lead for the Core Spark Project. I...I have read all your papers!"

Gu Weizhen smiled gently at him.

"Hello, Comrade Yuanzhou. From now on, we'll be walking this path together."

The group quickly boarded the vehicles, and the convoy drove away from the airport without stopping for a moment, merging into the still-sleeping streets of the city.

Inside the car, Chen Ping handed a warmed-up breakfast to Gu Weizhen.

"Let's eat something first, then we'll head straight to the experts' apartments."

Gu Weizhen accepted the breakfast but didn't eat it immediately. He opened his briefcase, took out the encrypted USB drive, and solemnly placed it on the seat in front of Chen Pingfang.

"Director Chen, this is the first gift I brought back." Gu Weizhen's voice was calm, yet it carried a powerful force. "It's for you, and also for the country."

Chen Ping looked at the USB drive, then looked up at Gu Weizhen.

He didn't ask anything, but solemnly put the USB drive away.

The convoy eventually stopped in front of a separate expert building within the Corefire Center campus.

The defenses here are very tight; Zheng Xian and his security personnel have already taken over the defense of the entire building.

The room is spacious and bright, and has all the necessities.

Zheng Xian and his men carefully inspected every corner of the room, and only after confirming that there were no eavesdropping or surveillance devices did they leave, leaving the room to them.

After settling in, Gu Weizhen took off his coat and walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window.

Outside the window, the construction site of the first phase of the Xinhuo project is brightly lit and tower cranes stand tall. Even in the early morning, it is still a scene of bustling construction.

"It feels so good to be back," Gu Weizhen murmured.

Chen Ping walked to his side and followed his gaze.

"This is our future battlefield."

Gu Weizhen withdrew his gaze and turned to look at Chen Pingfang. The fatigue from the journey was gone from his face, but his eyes had become very sharp.

"However, the real battle has only just begun."

His fingers traced lightly across the cold glass.

"Our first challenge is to establish our own EDA tool ecosystem, completely independent of the US technology system."

Chen Ping turned his gaze away from the brightly lit construction site outside the window, without responding to Gu Weizhen's words. He simply nodded solemnly, then turned and left the experts' apartment.

Some issues require a meeting to resolve. But before that, he must first reorganize his department.