"Don’t just look at how Huaxuan is riding high right now. The project they were most proud of recently was tightening the alignment accuracy of one of ASML’s DUV generation machines."
"That was about pushing an already mature machine one step further in precision. Our needle is different."
"It’s a small, non-standard job, the kind that has never appeared on their entire production line. For them, a small, non-standard job is more trouble than a whole machine that costs a hundred million US Dollars."
"The machine platform would have to be specially modified, the fixtures remade, and the process would have to be calibrated from scratch. The final cost would run into the millions for a single needle, and even then, it might not meet our requirements."
"Kid, Huaxuan won’t take on a job like this."
Li Dong heard this and didn’t reply.
He knew Teacher Lu was right about everything, but he couldn’t suppress the urge in his heart. ’I should just go and ask.’
Lu Mingyuan looked at his face and sighed again.
He turned and pulled a manila envelope from a drawer, placing it on the desk.
"The process sheet."
"The line marked in red is the thickness tolerance for the coaxial outer gold film. It involves internal data, so you can’t show it to anyone. As for the rest, do as you see fit."
He looked up at Li Dong.
"You must guarantee on your academic reputation that it won’t be leaked."
Li Dong nodded solemnly.
"Teacher Lu, I guarantee on my academic reputation that I will absolutely not leak it."
In truth, Lu Mingyuan’s words were purely a formality. Based on how Li Dong had previously helped his own high school teacher, Old Yang, deal with that sham involving Jiang Yubai, he was one hundred and twenty percent confident in Li Dong’s character.
Li Dong put the process sheet into his bag, nodded at Lu Mingyuan, and turned to leave the lab.
「The next day, at Beijing High-speed Rail Station.」
After passing through security, Li Dong headed toward the platform with his backpack. The station was bustling with people rushing to catch their trains.
He took a few steps forward, and a wave of gazes suddenly followed him.
A few young women turned their bodies sideways to stare at him as they walked, and a woman holding a child even stopped in her tracks.
Li Dong was already used to these stares. ’After all, how many guys out there look like Daniel Wu?’ He continued walking, minding his own business.
Just as he was about to reach the ticket gate, he saw a familiar figure.
Li Dong’s steps faltered for a moment.
"Hm?"
Not far away, by a pillar, Wang Feng was pulling a silver-gray suitcase, his head lowered to look at his phone. He was wearing a brand-new suit jacket, and his hair was neatly styled.
He was like a completely different person from the exhausted, half-dead figure from the interview table a few days ago. He was full of vigor, carrying the arrogance of a "chosen one."
A sliver of doubt crept into Li Dong’s mind. ’He’s going to Shanghai, too? What a coincidence.’
But he quickly dismissed the thought. ’He’s a second-year grad student. What’s more normal than going to Shanghai to look for internships, attend interviews, or discuss collaborations?’
Wang Feng, of course, didn’t see Li Dong. He was busy bragging to his girlfriend, a smug look on his face he couldn’t hide.
Li Dong couldn’t be bothered to greet him. He bypassed the crowd and walked toward his train car.
「A little after twelve noon. Shanghai, outside the Huaxuan Technology building.」
Li Dong had just gotten out of a taxi when he saw Lin Wei standing at the entrance.
He still had that same decisive, no-nonsense air about him.
"Li Dong."
Li Dong walked over.
"President Lin, long time no see."
Lin Wei nodded.
"Let’s go. We’ll talk inside."
Li Dong was clearly used to his style and didn’t say anything, just followed him into the building.
Lin Wei didn’t take him to the normal client reception area. Instead, he swiped them through one internal security gate after another, finally arriving at a small, unmarked conference room on the top floor.
As soon as the door closed, Lin Wei got straight to the point.
"Li Dong, your algorithm... we’ve implemented it."
Hearing this, Li Dong subconsciously just said, "Oh."
"It’s good that it’s been implemented."
After saying that, he froze.
’Wait, implemented?’
Only then did Li Dong realize the weight behind those words.
"Implemented?"
Lin Wei smiled slightly.
"Mhm."
His reply was brief. He didn’t elaborate on "what specific stage it’s reached," "what things were done," or "which production line it’s on"...
He just said that one vague sentence, then looked at Li Dong.
Li Dong seemed to understand what he meant.
’The specifics... he can’t say.’
Li Dong swallowed. He’d had some expectations before, but they were a world apart from the feeling of actually hearing those words.
He had made his own estimates. If the 2.1 algorithm was running smoothly, the alignment accuracy for the immersion chamber alone could approach the level of ASML’s latest NXE series.
What did this mean?
It meant that Huaxia’s own immersion DUV, relying on a single algorithm, had forcefully pulled its lithography precision up to a level that originally belonged only to the EUV generation.
It meant that the Hua Wei mobile phones the outside world was watching were just the tip of the iceberg.
And beneath the surface, an entire, interconnected, and fully domestic industrial chain—from EDA to advanced packaging to third-generation semiconductors—had been completely revitalized.
Li Dong took a deep breath and then asked.
"President Lin."
"So... what about my money?"
Lin Wei: ...
He gave a helpless smile.
"Your money... you won’t be shorted a single cent."
"But, Li Dong," his tone immediately turned serious.
"We haven’t released any information about this to the public yet. You can’t talk about it either."
Li Dong didn’t speak, just nodded.
Lin Wei continued.

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