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

Chen Pingfang's gaze lingered on the pure black card for a moment.

M.

He was very familiar with this stylized letter logo.

The logo that Gu Weizhen used when he left M~Tek was the same one.

The middle-aged man, who claimed to be involved in multinational investment, had a smile on his face, but it was a smile that made people feel very uncomfortable.

The smile carried a warning, or rather, a test.

To test Chen Pingfang's attitude and bottom line.

Chen Ping didn't take the card, he didn't even raise his hand.

He simply looked at the other person calmly, then turned around, opened the car door, and got in.

Throughout the entire process, Chen Ping didn't say a single word.

The car door closed, cutting off the man's scrutinizing gaze.

Zheng Xian saw this scene in the rearview mirror, started the car, and smoothly merged into the traffic in the night.

"Director, that person just now..."

"Ignore him." Chen Ping closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair. "Just a clown."

The fact that M~Tek's people came knocking so quickly shows that they've already sensed a threat. Gu Weizhen's return and the Corefire Project have made some people restless.

This is good.

This means he did the right thing.

~

The next day, at the Department of Industry and Information Technology, in the Director's office.

A preliminary report on the location of the EDA laboratory was placed on Chen Ping's desk.

"Director, according to Professor Gu's requirements, the laboratory needs absolute physical isolation, an independent power supply and network system, and there must be no strong electromagnetic interference sources nearby." Zheng Xian pointed to the map on the report. "All things considered, the most suitable place in the entire Nanzhou City is this research land reserved on the east side of the High-tech Zone."

Chen Ping tapped the area circled in red on the map with his fingertip.

This land is in a great location with convenient transportation, and it's on the edge of a signal-blocked area, making it ideal for top-tier research institutions.

"What did the High-tech Zone Management Committee say?" Chen Pingfang asked.

A hint of embarrassment appeared on Zheng Xian's face.

"Li Wei, the director of the High-tech Zone Management Committee, has been dodging the issue. I urged him three times, and each time he said that the process was still underway and that we should wait a little longer."

"Wait?" Chen Ping looked up. "EDA is the engine of the Core Spark Project. If we can't even build the engine, what are we waiting for? For the project to fail?"

He picked up the internal phone on the table and dialed directly to the High-tech Zone Management Committee.

"This is Chen Pingfang. Please have your Director Li Wei answer the phone."

There seemed to be some panic on the other end of the phone. After almost a minute, a fawning yet nervous voice finally came through.

"Director Chen! Hello! This is Li Wei from the High-tech Zone. Is there anything you need me to instruct you on?"

"Director Li, I'm fine with nothing." Chen Pingfang's tone was calm. "I just wanted to ask about the land for the EDA lab, the land that Professor Gu was supposed to use. Where is your process at? When will it be approved?"

Upon hearing this, Li Wei on the other end of the phone began to explain his difficulties.

"Oh dear, Director Chen, this is really difficult. Of course, we support the provincial projects, 100% support. But the problem lies with this piece of land. The situation here is a bit special; several units are eyeing it, so we have to consider it carefully and find a balance. We can't just make a decision haphazardly..."

"Alright, enough of this nonsense," Chen Ping interrupted him, saying, "Just tell me directly, who wants that land? What difficulties are you facing? Just tell me."

Li Wei fell silent on the other end of the phone, seemingly deep in thought, and his breathing changed.

Chen Ping didn't urge him, and just waited quietly.

After a full half minute, Li Wei finally spoke in an almost whispered voice.

"Director Chen, it's Chairman He of Jinzuo Real Estate... Chairman He has his eye on this land and plans to build the most high-end commercial complex in Nanzhou. He... he has a very good relationship with Old Zhou, who retired from the province. We really can't withstand the pressure."

Jinzuo Real Estate, He Qishan.

The name immediately popped into Chen Pingfang's mind.

A well-known local real estate developer in Nanzhou acquired many prime plots of land through special relationships with certain leaders in his early years, and his history of making his fortune is not clean.

"Old Zhou" refers to the former vice chairman of the provincial CPPCC. Although he has retired, his students and old friends are all over the province, and his influence remains.

It's that same old, complicated network of relationships again.

A strategic project concerning national industrial security was blocked by a real estate developer.

Chen Pingfang found it somewhat ridiculous.

"Li Wei, I'll ask you one more time, what is the planned use of this land?"

"It's...it's land for scientific research and education." Li Wei's voice was trembling.

"Since it's land designated for scientific research, why did He Qishan use it to build a commercial complex? Who changed the plan? Did the city approve it?" Chen Ping bombarded him with a series of questions.

"No...it hasn't been changed yet. Chairman He just...just has this intention."

"Okay, I understand."

Chen Ping hung up the phone immediately.

He stood up and paced around the office.

It's simply unrealistic to expect a cadre like Li Wei, who is always hesitant and indecisive, to confront He Qishan.

To resolve this issue, we need to contact He Qishan himself.

He picked up his coat from the back of the chair.

"Zheng Xian, prepare the car."

"Where are you going, Director?"

"Kinza Group Headquarters"

~

The headquarters building of Jinzuo Group is located in the bustling central business district of Nanzhou City. The entire building is very tall, with a golden glass curtain wall on the exterior, which is dazzling in the sunlight.

Chen Ping parked his car in front of the building. He looked up at the building, said nothing, and went straight inside.

In the spacious and bright lobby, the receptionist immediately stood up when she saw Chen Pingfang and Zheng Xian's attire and demeanor.

"Hello, do you have an appointment?"

"Chen Pingfang from the Department of Industry and Information Technology is looking for your Chairman He Qishan," Zheng Xian stepped forward and spoke in a deep voice.

When the receptionist heard "Ministry of Industry and Information Technology" and the chairman's name, her professional smile froze for a moment, but she quickly returned to normal.

"Please wait a moment, I need to consult with the chairman's secretary."

She picked up the phone, whispered a few words, then hung up and gave Chen Ping and the other person an apologetic smile.

"Excuse me, Director Chen, Chairman He is currently meeting with a very important guest and may not have time for the moment. Would you two please go to the VIP room to rest?"

Chen Ping didn't say anything, but sat down on the sofa in the lobby.

He wanted to see just how arrogant He Qishan really was.

This wait lasted for an hour.

During this time, Zheng Xian tried to urge Chen Ping to ask questions several times, but Chen Ping stopped him with a look each time.

He knew very well that this was a show of force from the other party.

An hour later, a woman dressed in an elegant suit, who looked to be around thirty years old, stepped out of the elevator in high heels.

She walked directly up to Chen Pingfang, a standard smile on her face, and gave a slight bow.

"Director Chen, I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting. I'm Chairman He's secretary, my surname is Liu."

Chen Ping stood up and looked at her.

"Has Chairman He finished his meeting?"

Secretary Liu's smile remained unchanged.

"The chairman has a multinational video conference this afternoon and really can't spare the time. He asked me to tell you that our Jinzuo Group is determined to acquire that piece of land in the High-tech Zone, and we have already made arrangements with all parties involved. If the Department of Industry and Information Technology is also interested, we can follow the normal bidding and auction procedures according to commercial rules."

She paused, then added in a businesslike tone.

"As for other matters, the chairman said he is very busy. He suggests that if you have any issues, you should make an appointment with our group's government relations department first, and they will be responsible for connecting you with them."

After saying that, she nodded politely to Chen Pingfang again, as if she had completed her task, and turned to leave.

That gesture clearly indicated that they were trying to shoo people away.