Zhou Shiyi held the phone closer: “Yes. Met with several suppliers to discuss building a supercharging network that can recharge 600 km in 10 minutes.”
“That will need strong support from the power grid.”
“Yes.”
Zhong Yiwuxin knew a bit about this—achieving 10-minute 600 km charging is technically feasible but requires extremely high standards.
From batteries to chargers to the power grid, multiple parties must coordinate. No single side can do it alone.
Kuncheng Motors holds more mid-to-low-end market share than all other new energy brands combined.
The current fast-charging stations can’t meet customer demands, so building their own supercharging network is crucial.
In the future, competition between car companies is about ecosystem battles. Relying on a single advantage won’t get you far.
“What’s Ruichi’s fast charging network currently capable of in 10 minutes?”
Zhou Shiyi said: “Around 450 km.”
Shen Chi has been enhancing their dispatch system R&D lately, and so has Kuncheng.
It’s a race to see who breaks through the technical bottleneck first, which will save massive electricity costs and reduce supercharging network expenses.
Zhong Yiwuxin asked concernedly: “Taking over Kuncheng Motors these two months must be exhausting, right?”
“Not bad.”
Working overtime until midnight had become routine. The automotive sector was totally new to him, so he had to learn everything from scratch.
Zhong Yiwuxin: “Tell me if you’re too tired.”
Zhou Shiyi was startled at first but then smiled: “Okay.”
He glanced at his watch. “I’m heading in. I’ll pick you up tomorrow.”
Before hanging up, he asked: “Been on a business trip for two days, don’t miss me?”
Zhong Yiwuxin answered seriously: “I do.”
“Don’t worry about Yan Tinglin.”
“If Yan Tinglin didn’t stay, my ears can still get some peace.”
Zhou Shiyi returned to the private room, and the topic shifted from the supercharging network to why Yan Tinglin suddenly returned home.
“Is he back to develop? I heard he’s been living in Jinghe Park.”
“Probably not. Otherwise, Shen Chi wouldn’t be in such a good mood these days.”
Whoever wins this talent battle will hold a huge advantage in the price war narrative.
Public opinion affects stock prices and consumer choices.
Someone in the room had Yan Tinglin’s contact and said with puzzlement: “His recent behavior is hard to figure out. Suddenly returns to Beicheng, then suddenly cancels his WeChat pinned post.”
“Maybe he added the other party on WeChat.”
“Or maybe he has a new love.”
Joking aside, Zhou Shiyi took his seat.
They didn’t pry into Yan Tinglin’s private life too much. After the jokes, they resumed talking about the supercharging network.
The next morning, Zhou Shiyi didn’t go to the company but headed straight to the airport.
Du was waiting all over the office but couldn’t find the boss.
He had to call for instructions: “President Zhou, the Kun Series launch date needs to be set.”
***
It was already June 2nd; if they didn’t decide soon, promotional materials couldn’t proceed, and the venue couldn’t be booked.
Previously, President Zhou handled such matters entirely himself, rarely involving others. For some unknown reason, this time Zhou Shiyi was unusually attentive.
Zhou Shiyi: “You decide.”
Du: Completely unable to keep up with the boss’s pace.
“Then let’s set it for the 12th. Any earlier won’t give us enough preparation time.”
The time and venue were fixed together.
At the domestic arrivals hall, Zhou Shiyi ran into acquaintances.
Tang Nuoyun and her boyfriend were also there to pick someone up. The three nodded politely but didn’t linger.
Her mother had just landed, and Tang Nuoyun linked arms with her boyfriend as they headed inside.
Her mother had returned to China a couple of days ago, first visiting her grandparents back home before flying to Beicheng.
Yang Jiayuan hugged her daughter tightly.
“You’ve lost weight?”
“No, actually gained a pound.” Her boyfriend pushed the suitcase as she linked arms with her mother.
“Since moving to the Park to work, I jog every morning by the lake. My muscles are firmer—it’s not really weight loss.”
Yang Jiayuan was half convinced: “Don’t overthink it. How could mom not love you?”
Tang Nuoyun smiled: “Mom, I really don’t overthink. No time for that nonsense.”
Busy enough that she forgot to even drink water; no time to wallow in sorrow.
Her mother’s past with Jiang Jingyuan didn’t concern her much. She didn’t want to waste time and energy on it.
But these past few days, she hadn’t slept well because she’d heard Yan Tinglin had come to Jinghe Park.
The prospect of a big shot joining Jinghe excited not just her but her whole team.
Coincidentally, on the day Yan Tinglin landed in Beicheng, his long-pinned WeChat post was suddenly unpinned.
Passing by where they had just been, Zhou Shiyi was still there. It seemed the person he was supposed to meet hadn’t arrived.
As they were about to brush past each other, the other party unintentionally looked up.
Tang Nuoyun greeted: “President Zhou.”
Zhou Shiyi nodded but didn’t linger, turning his gaze forward again.
He had seen old photos of his father-in-law and his first love when they were young. The man Tang Nuoyun had linked arms with still bore a five or six parts resemblance to his younger self.
His phone vibrated—a message from Zhong Yiwuxin: [Just landed. Been waiting long?]
Zhou Shiyi: [No rush.]
The only people who could get him to arrive at the airport so early were Zhong Yiwuxin and Yan Tinglin.
Because every time Yan Tinglin asked him to pick him up, he deliberately gave an earlier landing time.
Soon, the three pushed their luggage out.
Zhong Yiwuxin walked ahead, noticeably quickening her pace when she saw him.
Zhou Shiyi stepped forward, wondering how to comfort her.
Almost at her side, Zhong Yiwuxin took a few quick steps and threw herself into his arms.
Zhou Shiyi held her tightly and kissed the top of her head: “It’s okay. I’ll figure it out.”
He had never asked Yan Tinglin directly; once Kuncheng Semiconductor’s advanced process yield stabilized, he would bring the results and personally meet Yan Tinglin to negotiate, confident he had a chance.
Holding his waist, Zhong Yiwuxin suddenly looked up, unable to hold back a smile.
Zhou Shiyi noticed the change. Back then, she would never have hugged him like this in public.
Her smile blossomed: “Yan Tinglin joined Jinghe.”
After speaking, she buried her face in his chest again.
This joy could only be fully released in his arms.
Zhou Shiyi stroked her hair: “You weren’t this happy when we reunited.”
Yan Tinglin approached from behind and chimed in: “See? Men have to work harder. Otherwise, all they do is complain.”
Ning Que smiled wryly and threw an arm over his shoulder: “Let’s go. Watch out for Zhou Shiyi kicking you.”
Yan Tinglin grabbed Zhong Yiwuxin’s suitcase and said, letting the young couple have their moment: “I have moonlight with me, so what’s there to fear?”
Ning Que: “Forget your moonlight. First, think about how Shen Chi will kill you after hearing this. You even tricked him into picking you several fish.”
“Ha! Don’t be a jinx!”
The news of Yan Tinglin joining Jinghe wasn’t made public until June 10th.
Two days before, Jinghe Group had suddenly announced that Chairman Jia would no longer be responsible for the chip business.
As the industry buzzed with speculation about who would lead Jinghe’s chip division, Yan Tinglin posted a status on his WeChat.
He chose to announce his joining himself to give Zhong Yiwuxin the credit she deserved. He knew the immense pressure she and Zhou Shiyi bore on the Kuncheng project.
The SUV in the post was his wedding gift to Zhou Shiyi. This post was a gift to Zhong Yiwuxin.
[Honored to join Jinghe Group and become colleagues with someone I have long admired and wished to collaborate with. Looking forward to happy cooperation and learning from you, @Zhong Yiwuxin]
Minutes later, Jinghe officially announced Yan Tinglin’s entry.
The news exploded like a bomb in the semiconductor industry.
No one dared believe he would return.
Not only did he return, but he also tagged Zhong Yiwuxin, signaling their cooperation on the Kuncheng Motors project.
Jinghe’s and Kuncheng’s stocks surged to the daily limit.
Jiang Jingyuan heard from his in-laws that his daughter had taken Yan Tinglin to the semiconductor exhibition days ago, but it had no outcome.
Worried about her mood, he and his wife ended their vacation early and rushed back to Beicheng.
Their plane had just landed when they saw Jinghe’s explosive good news.