Reborn in 2010, the AI ​​in my mind is too powerful.

The time difference between the western United States and China is relatively humane; during daylight saving time, 4 PM is exactly 9 AM in China. This time is perfect for video calls with people in China, but today isn't the weekend, and both my parents are at work and not online right now.

But Chen Yiran couldn't wait any longer. Anyway, his parents' jobs were quite relaxed now, so it seemed reasonable for them to go home at noon and video chat with their precious son.

Anyway, his mother worked in the labor union, so she was usually very free except during holidays. After his father became the director of the project coordination office, he also spent his days looking at bags and drinking tea.

Chen Yiran picked up his phone and called the two of them, asking them to come home for lunch and video chat, as he had something important to discuss.

Then we started teasing the dog. Pidan is obsessed with the ball-throwing game. Usually, we have to put the ball away, otherwise he will keep nagging and asking to play with the ball.

While playing with the dog and watching TV, my parents finally came online after dinner.

As soon as I logged on, my dad started complaining.

"What's wrong? Why did you have to call us back in the middle of the day? I usually play cards with them at noon. Now I'm back without even having lunch."

Chen's mother brought over two bowls of noodles with soybean paste, and continued to complain: "That's right, it's not as close to the workplace as it used to be. It's such a hassle to come back here. Your dad and I just took the afternoon off."

Dad took a bowl of noodles and first showed off to Chen Yiran: "Look, the little noodle shop near our house makes pretty good noodles. I even went out of my way to buy a pound of lamb offal from Hongji. You know, the food around Gongyuan is better than in Shijingshan, and there are more options. Your mom and I even went to eat pizza yesterday, it was expensive but pretty good."

"Alright, you guys eat. Just listen to me. I called you here to ask for your opinions. Some embassy staff contacted me today, it seems like they want to take me back to China."

Chen Yiran recounted her meeting with Dong Jianlong that afternoon, from academic sharing to industry collaboration, and from the Chinese American Association's inspection team to the Shougang Park.

After listening, Mr. Chen didn't speak immediately. He thought for a moment and then gave a conclusion.

"Let me state my conclusion first: ultimately, it's up to you to decide. We can't help you choose. We don't understand what you're doing now, and the money you're earning is beyond our wildest dreams. If you ask us how to make a good choice, we definitely can't tell you."

Chen's mother nodded in agreement. This was the norm in the family; Chen's father would always speak first, and then Chen's mother would add to the discussion.

"Okay, I'll definitely choose myself. I'll just ask for your general opinions."

"Okay, I'll tell you a few things, and you can think about them yourself after you listen. First, we don't really understand what you're doing in Silicon Valley right now. But your mom and I did some research, and after reading online for a long time, the general idea is that the software you're making can help people design chips, right?"

"That's about right. Of course, my future plans are definitely bigger, and I might move into manufacturing, but that's still a long way off right now."

"Okay, that's roughly the gist of it. I think you shouldn't come back yet. You can't just listen to the nice things, like the policies that Counselor Dong mentioned. They're definitely good, and he wouldn't lie to you. Having policies is better than having none. The support from both the central and local levels is definitely substantial. But there are some things he won't tell you."

"What is it?"

"Your dad has been in the system for almost thirty years, let me tell you some experience. Policies are policies, and implementation is implementation. No matter how good the talent policies are, how good the industrial park's rent-free period is, or how high the research funding subsidies are, these things are given by the central government or the city, but the actual implementation is done by the district, the management committee, and the park's investment promotion office."

"You're 18 now. You can call yourself a genius, but will people believe in your technical skills and your ability to run a business? At least in China, I think many people won't. This could very well lead to a situation where a bunch of companies are waiting for policy changes, even if they're not targeting you specifically, you'll still be ranked behind others."

Chen's mother added from the side, "Also, no matter how good the policies sound, in reality, it still depends on people to do the work. We've been searching through a lot of news lately. Putting aside everything else, there are quite a few people in the US who don't go to college and go straight to starting their own businesses. That's why we don't have any objections to whether you get a diploma or not. But it's different in China; there aren't many precedents of people dropping out of college to start businesses in the tech field."

No matter how good the policies sound, when you're recruiting, Peking University graduates will definitely prefer to work for companies founded by their seniors. If you're in China without university classmates or mentors, you're essentially relying on policy, which is very risky. Policies change; you can't depend entirely on them for your livelihood.

Chen Yiran didn't speak. His parents clearly didn't understand his current skills. He was definitely relying on his skills to make a living. But what they said made a lot of sense. If an eighteen-year-old like him went back and joined a big company or even an official research institute, he would probably be highly valued.

However, if he brings his company back to China to start a business, it's hard to say whether he will be taken seriously, and he might even be ridiculed by many people.

They might be immediately labeled as someone who only understands technology but neglects business management, and who got arrogant after receiving two hundred million US dollars.

Mr. Chen took a bite of garlic and said, "If you come back in your current state, you'll be that rich, genius teenager. So, I think if you're in the US and not facing any difficulties right now, don't come back yet."

Chen's mother made the decision: "Yes, that's exactly what we mean. And to be honest, we sent you abroad, and now, after only six months, you're rushing back. It feels like we went abroad for nothing. Don't feel guilty, especially if the embassy people make empty promises or try to persuade you to help the country develop. Just listen to them; they're just empty words."

Your dad and I have dedicated our lives to the country. From elementary school to vocational school, our education was entirely funded by the government. How could we not work hard? You're different; we supported you. You don't need to think so much. All we can say is that, all else being equal, choosing to return to China is the best option. You have to take care of yourself first.

"Yes, your mother is right. There's another issue. Your mother and I don't really know much about foreign countries, but we at least know about America, a major capitalist country, right? People there live in misery, exploited and oppressed by capitalists. Even if that's true, you have money now, you're a capitalist now."

Let's put aside class sentiments. What I mean is, as long as we can live well, that's all that matters. To put it bluntly, who would want to be a farmer if they could be a capitalist?

Chen Yiran felt his passion cool down. His father's words were so lacking in awareness that they caused the awareness he had just developed that afternoon to slowly disappear.

Mr. Chen brought up the issue of Shougang again. His current position gives him a good understanding of the transformation of the Shougang Park.

"Shougang Park, that's where I'm in charge now, and I'm telling you, it's not going smoothly. I know you want to help, but if you're asking for my opinion, I definitely want my son to have an easier time. You're not a Party member, so you're not even in a position to face the challenges head-on. Let me tell you, it's definitely not easy for that place to develop. Just take care of yourself. When you're truly capable, come back, and it'll be much easier then."

"Alright, actually, I've always been inclined to go back later if things get big. I didn't expect them to come looking for me so suddenly."

"It proves you're capable, which is a good thing. Don't directly refuse them later, okay? Just say you've only been here for six months, the company just started, and going back to China would be too much of a hassle. You also can't refuse them. A consular counselor isn't exactly a nobody, is he?"

Chen's parents then gave him a lot of polite words before he was able to get past the topic.

Then it was time to show off the house. Mr. and Mrs. Chen were very satisfied with their new house. The developer's very rigid decoration was already quite good in their eyes, especially the various appliances in the kitchen.

Chen's mother showed Chen Yiran a bunch of baking supplies she had bought, saying that she was going to start learning to make bread. She talked for half an hour before the two of them finally turned off the video call.

Chen Yiran thought for a moment, picked up her phone to call Dong Jianlong, but then hung up.

I feel like once the phone call is over, the diplomat's sharp words will shake my head back to reality.

I decided to send a text message, but then I got stuck again. My parents had given me a lot of instructions, but I didn't know how to send it or what the format should be. It wouldn't be appropriate to start by stating directly that I wasn't going back.

Moreover, replying after only a few hours seems a bit too casual. Chen Yiran finally put her phone on the table and decided to play dead for a few days before replying. Returning to China now is definitely not an option, but exchanges are acceptable. She can arrange to return to China for inspections together with the inspection team from the Chinese American Semiconductor Association.

Chen Yiran was planning to relax at home for a few days, but she didn't expect to be called in by the company the next day to discuss an important matter, which was a legal issue.

The next morning, Gao Dewei's phone call pulled Chen Yiran up from the sofa.

"Something happened. Cadence sent me a letter, which just arrived via FedEx. It reminded me of my confidentiality obligations, and the format was very formal. But it shouldn't be a big problem. I've heard of this kind of letter before; many of my colleagues have received it. But this is the first time I've received one. They didn't send one to me when I switched to teaching."

"What does the letter say? What are the specific accusations?"

"No, I wrote it in the end. This letter doesn't constitute any specific accusation; it's just a reminder. I think it's just a formality. Many people from Cadence have received similar letters before."

Chen Yiran lacked Gao Dewei's relaxed attitude. Legal matters always require extra attention. Whether it's a paper tiger or a real weapon, what they say doesn't count; it's the lawyers who decide.

"I'll call Ted and ask him to come to the company this afternoon. I'll go too, and the three of us can talk in person."

After hanging up with Gao Dewei, Chen Yiran dialed Ted's number directly. After listening to the call, Ted arranged to come to the company in the afternoon and specifically instructed that Chen Yiran should not reply with emails or any other means, but should wait until he arrived and read the email before making a decision.