Rebirth of Hong Kong Island, leading the technology war

Chapter 578 Financial Elites Showing Off Their Connections? Sorry, I'm directly connected with ministries! Qualifications for the exchange meeting will be verified on-site!

Hu Jiangshan laughed: "Dr. Zhang, you're something else. So you used to have a girlfriend. I thought you were a crazy scientist who never cared about relationships. Looks like I underestimated you."

Zhang Rui was speechless for a moment before saying, "Boss, please don't make fun of me. Although I may be a bit dull, I am a normal person, not a robot."

"Okay, okay, how can I help you?"

Zhang Rui quickly waved his hand discreetly: "No need, no need, keeping a low profile is fine."

Hu Jiangshan glanced at the table next to him, where three people were sitting.

There were two women and one man. The two women looked quite young, around Zhang Rui's age, but it was unclear which one was Zhang Rui's girlfriend—no, ex-girlfriend.

As for the man, he was probably around thirty years old, dressed smartly in a suit and tie, looking every bit the elite.

The relationship between these three people seems a bit complicated, and Zhang Rui is right to keep a low profile.

However, Hu Jiangshan still found it quite interesting and asked in a low voice, "Who exactly is your ex-girlfriend? Did she see you?"

"I don't think I've seen her before. She's the one in the white dress."

Lu Yuan saw her; the girl in white had short hair, a pretty and delicate face, a good figure, and elegant manners.

Hu Jiangshan laughed and said, "Dr. Zhang, you have good taste, what's wrong with you? You're giving up such a good girlfriend? Are you crazy?"

Zhang Rui shook his head: "No, it's not that I don't want it."

"That means he doesn't want you anymore."

Hu Jiangshan's passion for gossip has already ignited rapidly.

Gossip is indeed a very interesting thing. The idea that only girls like to gossip is a stereotype. In fact, both men and women like it.

Zhang Rui said, "No, it's mainly because we were in a long-distance relationship and saw each other very little, so we gradually broke up."

"So you're saying it was an amicable breakup, and there were no emotional conflicts?"

Zhang Rui paused for a moment: "Then there really isn't."

"Then you still have hope, Dr. Zhang. You can try your best. Now that you've met her, isn't that an opportunity? Maybe this is a chance given to you by God."

As he spoke, Hu Jiangshan pointed to the sky, pretending to have suddenly realized something.

In fact, Hu Jiangshan's words were born from genuine feeling.

Having lived two lives, Hu Jiangshan has a wealth of experiences and has gained many new insights into life.

Hu Jiangshan didn't want Zhang Rui to regret it later; he believed that Zhang Rui should still work hard when the time was right.

Zhang Rui gave a wry smile: "Forget it, it's been so long, I don't want to think about it anymore. Let's just pretend we never ran into her today."

Hu Jiangshan stopped trying to persuade him. Since Zhang Rui didn't have that idea, there was no need for others to interfere and make things complicated.

Unfortunately, the girl in white actually saw Zhang Rui and looked surprised.

"...Zhang, is it Zhang Rui?"

Zhang Rui shuddered, then slowly raised his head, revealing an awkward smile: "Oh, Xiaolan, what a coincidence."

Hu Jiangshan rubbed his forehead. Zhang Rui, that guy, can't even lie properly. He's just too straightforward.

Not to mention Zhang Rui, Hu Jiangshan also looked quite embarrassed.

However, in a way, Zhang Rui is very similar to Hu Jiangshan in his previous life. They are both research fanatics who are single-minded in their work.

Once I'm immersed in work, there's almost no room for anything else in my mind; all I do is work overtime to complete the project and achieve the best results.

If I can't do it, I really can't sleep. It's like I'm going through mental torture, which is the cruelest form of torture.

Zhang Rui's ex-girlfriend's name is Xie Xiaolan.

He appears to be a highly educated intellectual, but since he and Zhang Rui are in a relationship, he is most likely a scientific researcher as well.

Xie Xiaolan was indeed very surprised to see Zhang Rui, and at the same time, she felt that Zhang Rui had probably seen her a long time ago, but for some reason, he had not recognized her.

Xie Xiaolan certainly knew Zhang Rui well and understood his personality.

"Zhang Rui, aren't you going to say hello when you see me?"

Zhang Rui quickly said, "No, I just thought you looked like me, but I wasn't sure, so I didn't dare to say hello."

"Okay, I know. So, are you alright now?"

"Alright, not bad."

Just then, the girl sitting next to Xie Xiaolan glanced at Zhang Rui a few times, smiled, and said, "Xiaolan, is this the ex-boyfriend you were talking about?"

"Yes, it's him."

Xie Xiaolan's friend is named Zhu Yingmeng.

Zhu Xiaomeng asked, "They seemed alright, so why didn't you two get together?"

Xie Xiaolan sighed: "This is very complicated, and it can't be explained in just a few words."

Actually, Xie Xiaolan had mentioned it to Zhu Yingmeng a little, but not in detail, and she was reluctant to bring it up.

"Okay, I got it. But I heard last time that your ex-boyfriend was in Hong Kong. Why did you come to Hangzhou? Did you not make it in Hong Kong?"

Xie Xiaolan glanced at Zhang Rui: "No, he, he's very capable."

"That's not necessarily true. These days, you can't get by on ability alone. Your ex-boyfriend doesn't seem to have very high emotional intelligence."

Hu Jiangshan and Zhang Rui could vaguely hear Xie Xiaolan and Zhu Yingmeng's conversation.

Zhang Rui remained silent, seemingly unconcerned about others' opinions.

At this moment, Zhu Yingmeng said, "Oh dear, it seems I was right. It's really hard to get by in Hong Kong. I heard they're quite xenophobic there. It's better to develop in the mainland, at least you won't encounter any strange things."

At this moment, Hu Jiangshan said, "Dr. Zhang is doing well and hasn't encountered any problems."

Zhu Yingmeng looked at Hu Jiangshan: "May I ask who you are?"

Hu Jiangshan said, "I am Dr. Zhang's colleague, and we came here on a business trip together."

At this moment, the man in the suit sitting opposite the two girls glanced at Hu Jiangshan a few times and showed a dismissive expression.

The man in the suit was named Zhao Jun, and his identity matched his well-dressed appearance.

Zhao Jun is indeed a social elite, and an elite in the financial world.

In this era, in every country, the financial sector is a very wealthy class.

Mid-level managers can earn annual salaries that can reach tens of millions of yuan, a level of income that exceeds the imagination of most people.

Zhu Yingmeng asked, "Dr. Zhang Rui, right? Could you please introduce your current work? Let us broaden our horizons and see what kind of achievements you have made in Hong Kong?"

Zhang Rui glanced at Hu Jiangshan, who nodded, indicating that Zhang Rui could reveal some information.

Zhang Rui replied, "My current workplace is a space launch site."

Xie Xiaolan, Zhu Yingmeng, and Zhao Jun were all stunned. The three looked at each other, speechless for a moment.

They clearly found Zhang Rui's answer unbelievable and hard to believe.

Zhu Yingmeng couldn't help but laugh: "A space launch site? Really? Is it that high-tech?"

Zhao Jun said, "That's strange. As far as I know, there shouldn't be a space launch site on Hong Kong Island. Are you mistaken? It's not within the Hong Kong Island area. It might be in the South China Sea Province."

Zhang Rui said calmly, "Then your information should be updated. Hong Kong Island certainly has a space launch center, which was just completed. Just a few days ago, a rocket was launched carrying a Middle Eastern satellite. If you don't believe me, you can check it online."

Zhu Yingmeng didn't hesitate either; she took out her phone, checked, and then looked surprised.

"Oh my, a few days ago a satellite from the Middle East was actually launched from Hong Kong Island. The space launch site is... on Teng Lung Island. I've never heard of that island. Is it within the Hong Kong Island area?"

Zhang Rui said, "Yes, it's an outlying island of Hong Kong Island."

Zhu Yingmeng said, "Even if there is indeed a space launch site on Hong Kong Island, can your major be related to aerospace?"

Zhu Yingmeng glanced at Xie Xiaolan as she finished speaking, but the latter shook her head, indicating that she didn't know either.

Xie Xiaolan is indeed a researcher, but like Zhang Rui, she works in the semiconductor industry and seems to have no connection with aerospace, at least not a direct one.

However, Xie Xiaolan knew that Zhang Rui was not the type to lie or exaggerate, so although she was confused, she did not doubt the truthfulness of Zhang Rui's words.

Zhu Yingmeng said in a low voice, "Xiaoban, do you think what he said is true? It sounds very far-fetched to me."

Xie Xiaolan replied, "He's not the kind of person who lies; it should be true."

Zhu Yingmeng clearly disagreed: "Xiaolan, don't you understand? People change. You haven't seen each other for so long. Maybe he's a completely different person now. He's a big liar now, lying is as easy for him as eating and drinking."

"That's unlikely. Our industry isn't entirely unrelated to aerospace. Maybe he really does work at a space launch site."

Zhu Yingmeng rolled her eyes and asked Zhang Rui, "Then tell me, what position do you hold at the space launch site? What are your job responsibilities?"

Xie Xiaolan tried to stop Zhu Yingmeng: "There's no need to let him say it."

"What's wrong with talking? It's fate that we've met, we should at least catch up on each other's lives, right?"

Hu Jiangshan said with a smile, "Dr. Zhang is now a senior leader at the space launch site."

"Huh? What? The big boss? You must be kidding me!"

Zhu Yingmeng believes that Hu Jiangshan is trying to glorify Zhang Rui, since the two are colleagues.

Hu Jiangshan said with a smile, "It's true, believe it or not."

Zhang Rui had no intention of arguing about these things either. It was a fact that he was a high-ranking leader, and whether others believed it or not was none of his business.

Xie Xiaolan's attention turned to Zhang Rui again.

It's clear from her eyes that Xie Xiaolan still has some feelings for Zhang Rui.

Hu Jiangshan said to Zhang Rui in a low voice, "Dr. Zhang, we've already talked this far, aren't you going to make a move on your ex-girlfriend?"

"Huh? How do you mean that?"

Hu Jiangshan looked at him with a disappointed expression: "Dr. Zhang, you really are an idiot. You could invite her to visit the launch site."

Zhang Rui's eyes widened: "Visit the launch site? Is that possible? You can actually do that?"

"Of course it can be done! Why can't it be done? The launch site is a public facility. As long as it meets the regulations, what's wrong with visiting it? Is she suspected of being a spy?"

"That's not true."

Zhang Rui's eyes lit up, clearly indicating that he had the same idea.

Zhang Rui quickly said to Xie Xiaolan, "Um... Xiaolan, if you have time, you can come to Hong Kong Island, and I'll take you to see my workplace."

Xie Xiaolan's beautiful eyes widened: "Huh? Go, go to your workplace?"

"Yes, that's right. Our space launch site is on an outlying island of Hong Kong Island. The scenery there is very beautiful, absolutely comparable to the Maldives. Hong Kong Island is close by, so it's very convenient to get there. It shouldn't interfere with your work here."

Xie Xiaolan smiled and said, "Okay, sure, I'll go if I have time."

Hu Jiangshan quickly gave Zhang Rui a wink, and this time Zhang Rui reacted much faster, immediately exchanging contact information with Xie Xiaolan.

Since their breakup two years ago, Xie Xiaolan had long since changed her contact information, and Zhang Rui was quite excited to have re-established contact with her.

Zhu Yingmeng said in a low voice, "That Tenglong Island is more beautiful than the Maldives? You actually believe that?"

Xie Xiaolan smiled without saying a word.

Zhu Yingmeng could only say, "I know, you didn't go there to see the scenery at all."

Xie Xiaolan raised an eyebrow: "What could he possibly do there? Don't talk nonsense!"

"Hehe, it's okay. Anyway, you have to take me with you when the time comes. I want to see if that island is really beautiful!"

"Alright, you'll definitely get your turn!"

At this moment, Zhao Jun frowned, clearly displeased.

As for why he was unhappy, only he himself probably knows.

Either Zhao Jun has feelings for Xie Xiaolan, or he just can't stand seeing others doing well.

Zhao Jun said casually, "Speaking of aerospace-related projects, I have recently come into contact with some."

Zhu Yingmeng was taken aback: "Huh? You've gotten involved in aerospace-related projects? How is that possible? It has absolutely nothing to do with you."

"Of course we can. Recently, Huajin has invested in several companies, all of which are related to the aerospace industry chain. I heard that an aerospace technology exchange conference will be held in Hangzhou soon, and it's a high-level event. That's why I'm here on business to meet with some of the leaders and discuss cooperation."

"I see. You guys really have a wide range of businesses."

Zhu Yingmeng turned to look at Zhang Rui and said, "You guys didn't come here to attend some kind of aerospace technology exchange meeting, did you?"

Before Zhang Rui could answer, Zhao Jun curled his lip and said, "They can't possibly do it. This technical exchange meeting has invited big names; they're not qualified."

Zhang Rui said calmly, "Then you're really wrong. We're here to attend this technical exchange meeting."

Zhang Rui probably wouldn't bother with other matters, but since this is about work, he becomes a completely different person and will definitely argue to the bitter end.

Zhao Jun was stunned.

Xie Xiaolan and Zhu Yingmeng exchanged bewildered glances, genuinely surprised that Zhang Rui's launch site was so formidable.

Zhao Jun was still skeptical: "Are you kidding me? You're just a local launch site, how could you have the data to participate in an exchange meeting of this caliber? This doesn't comply with regulations."

Zhang Rui said, "We were invited to participate by the Ministry of Science and Technology."

Zhao Jun said "Oh" and then said, "Really? Believe me or not, I can verify whether it's true or not right now."

Hu Jiangshan said, "Go ahead and investigate."

Zhao Jun looked suspicious and took out his phone, it seemed he really was going to call and verify.

(End of this chapter)