"We have no inventory left after fulfilling all the orders we have on hand. There's even one order we can't deliver on, so we might have to default," said Che Zhihui helplessly.
"It's fine. Send out all the orders we can fulfill, and for those we can't, pay the penalty according to the contract. List out how much money we need, and get the funds from Lin Yourong," Xu Zhengyang said confidently as he strode forward.
The three people following behind him exchanged glances, each seeing a mix of helplessness and relief in the others' eyes.
What had been keeping them up at night, making them lose sleep and even rely on sleeping pills, was just a casual wave of the hand for Xu Zhengyang.
"So... what's our next step?" someone asked.
"Since they won't sell us engines, we'll just make our own. If we don't want to be controlled by others, we need to produce everything ourselves. Not just engines, but any part that could be monopolized," Xu Zhengyang said, stopping to look at them.
Che Zhihui blushed. He wanted to say something but hesitated.
Building an engine isn't something you can just do. The automotive industry is a key measure of a country's industrial prowess, and engine technology is one of the most closely guarded secrets.
Tang Ying spoke up to voice his concerns. "Master Xu, developing an engine on our own would take a long time. It's a long-term project…"
"Who said we have to develop it ourselves? The company we've been buying engines from already has the technology," Xu Zhengyang replied.
"But they might not sell it to us, especially since Huannan Company has a stake in them…" Che Zhihui said cautiously, trying to soften the blow.
"Sure, they have a stake, but they don't have controlling interest. They teamed up with Huannan to pressure us, so I'm willing to buy it. If they won't sell, well, they shouldn't be surprised when I stop playing nice," Xu Zhengyang said with a cold smile, full of confidence.
"We're facing more than just that issue, Master Xu. The media pressure is mounting too. Should we respond?" Chen Chusheng asked, understanding the entertainment angle if not the technical aspects.
But Xu Zhengyang shook his head. "No need. Let them say what they want. Once we've got our engine, I'll take care of it. For now, just focus on arranging a meeting with the head of the engine manufacturer. Also, make sure all the factory workers continue to get paid during their leave, keep morale up, and find the most trusted and skilled technicians. We don't need many, just a few good ones."
As he spoke, Xu Zhengyang was already opening his car door, with Che Zhihui and the others following closely behind.
Although Xu Zhengyang's tone was bold, they couldn't help but feel a sense of reliability, as if he had everything under control. They knew they didn't need to worry too much—just follow his lead.
Che Zhihui nodded in agreement as they watched Xu Zhengyang drive away.
The three of them stood in silence for a while before Che Zhihui muttered, "Should I transfer the company under Master Xu's name?"
Chen Chusheng rolled his eyes. "Do you think Master Xu cares about that?"
Tang Ying added, "Whether he cares or not is one thing, but showing your loyalty is another. You know what you need to do."
Che Zhihui nodded in understanding.
Xu Zhengyang returned to the Feiying Reconnaissance Team's base, where Lin Yourong was engrossed in some equipment, wearing a headset.
When she saw Xu Zhengyang, she quickly took off the headset and ran over. "Master Xu, look! They bought so many new gadgets!"
Indeed, the room was filled with all sorts of brand-new equipment, with boxes piled everywhere. There were even some old devices, mostly high-tech electronics and what looked like toys—remote-controlled cars, drones, and the like. Most of the equipment was unfamiliar to Xu Zhengyang.
Mu Sheng, blushing slightly, approached Xu Zhengyang with a sheepish smile. "Boss, we spent quite a bit, but we got what we need to start."
Xu Zhengyang was a bit speechless, pointing to some of the old equipment. "You're so worried about spending money that you bought second-hand stuff? I've already said we're not afraid of spending money. Why did you get used equipment?"
Xu Zhengyang realized he probably sounded like a nouveau riche, but there was no helping it—he was a nouveau riche. And the Feiying team was crucial to his plans, including investigating his mother's situation. There could be no half-measures.
And most importantly, every dollar they spent counted towards his system points, which wouldn't be skimmed. He was simply cashing in on their purchases.
"No, boss, you misunderstood. This thing here—it's the most expensive!" Mu Sheng said, carefully bringing over a strange-looking device to show Xu Zhengyang.
"This is a signal mapper. It can penetrate walls using signal waves and reconstruct the internal structure of nearby buildings within 40 seconds. You can't find this kind of equipment on the market; we paid a lot for it on the black market! There are probably no more than four of these in all of Santai City!"
"That impressive?" Xu Zhengyang was surprised. He hadn't even heard of such black tech before.
"It cost a full one and three!" Mu Sheng said through gritted teeth.
Xu Zhengyang's smile froze. He'd been excited for nothing—it only cost one yuan and three jiao. He had expected to spend ten or even eighty yuan!
"And this—this is the latest nano-technology fluid listener. It's colorless and invisible, can permeate fibers within seven minutes, and attaches to the skin. Ideally, it should be placed on the scalp or the soles of the feet for longer-lasting effects. One of these costs eight cents!"
Mu Sheng gritted his teeth as he spoke, clearly thinking these things were expensive.
Xu Zhengyang looked at the small, transparent soft sheet, puzzled. He really didn't understand this black tech. How does this thing even work for listening?
"Only eight cents? This looks like something you'd use often. Shouldn't you get a whole box of them?" Xu Zhengyang suggested, examining the soft sheet.
[Detected: Host attempting to maliciously guide and exploit points. Host, please mind your conduct…]
The system's warning echoed in Xu Zhengyang's mind, and he rolled his eyes. This kind of thing was indeed commonly used—what's wrong with that? I'm not trying to game the system!
"A… a whole box?" Mu Sheng stammered, feeling like his boss had a vendetta against money. Spending money seemed to make him uncomfortable. Mu Sheng had only bought six of them, worried about overspending, yet Xu Zhengyang was asking for a whole box.
Xu Zhengyang handed the small soft sheet back to Mu Sheng, saying, "You'll be using this soon. In the next few days, I'll need you to come with me to meet someone."