Building a Sci-Fi Empire: Starting with Cold Nuclear Fusion

Around noon.

Bright sunlight streamed in through the window, making the room warm and cozy.

Chen Yuan came out carrying hot dishes and said, "Professor Zhang, Teacher Tang, shall we have lunch?"

"Ouch!"

"I'll help."

Zhang Shulin and Tang Zhiping couldn't sit still any longer and got up to help.

People who didn't know better might think that the two of them couldn't bear to see Chen Yuan working alone, but that's not actually the case.

Zhang Shulin and Tang Zhiping were originally guests, so it was only natural for them to sit and wait to be served.

Indeed, the two of them rarely do housework at home. The reason they are now vying to do chores for Chen Yuan is entirely due to their inner "enthusiasm".

He was a true genius, and his achievements were astonishing.

How could Zhang Shulin and Tang Zhiping not give Chen Yuan absolute respect?

That's just how the world is.

If you're capable, even industry leaders will give you face.

The things Chen Yuan demonstrated were enough to prove that he was a person with extraordinary abilities.

Therefore, Zhang Shulin and Tang Zhiping did not wait to eat as they had at the beginning, but immediately got up to help.

Chen Yuan had been cooking in the kitchen, and the range hood was making a lot of noise, so he didn't hear anything outside. He was also unaware that Zhang Shulin and Tang Zhiping had been impressed by the second cochlear implant technology he had designed. So when he saw the two guests vying to do his work, he quickly refused, saying, "No, no, Professor Zhang, Professor Tang, you are both guests and elders. How can I let you do the work? Just sit and wait to eat."

Zhang Shulin ignored him completely. "Hey, we've been together for almost a week. It's not right for you to still treat me like a guest or an elder. We're friends. Isn't it only natural for friends to help each other out? Don't be so polite with me."

Tang Zhiping picked up the plate of food and walked out, saying, "That's right, why call me Teacher Tang? It's too formal. If you like, you can call me Old Tang, if you don't, you can call me Little Tang."

Chen Yuan: "..."

He's in his fifties, how could I possibly call him "Little Tang"?

Seeing that he couldn't persuade the two, Chen Yuan had no choice but to let them help him.

Before long, five or six cooked dishes and three or four stir-fried dishes were all served.

Chen Yuan took out the Ocean Blue liquor he bought at the supermarket that morning and poured a small cup for Zhang Shulin and Tang Zhiping.

After pouring the wine, he took the opportunity while sitting down to get his chopsticks to ask, "Professor Tang, could you please give me your feedback on the two cochlear implant designs I just presented?"

Upon hearing this, Tang Zhiping, who had just picked up his wine glass, said with a wry smile, "With your cochlear implant technology, how could I possibly be qualified to comment?"

Zhang Shulin chuckled and said, "That's right. The first cochlear implant technology is at least five years ahead of the current market. Old Tang's company hasn't even developed a cochlear implant with such advanced technology. And the second one... I really don't know how to describe how exquisite it is."

Tang Zhiping picked up the conversation, sighing, "Professor Zhang previously said that with my guidance in cochlear implant technology, you could save at least three years of wasted time. But after seeing the overall design of your two cochlear implants, I realize that I've actually saved thirty years of wasted time in cochlear implant technology!"

He was underestimating the time by saying thirty years, after all, Chen Yuan's second cochlear implant was a "science fiction" product.

Chen Yuan was surprised by their high praise and quickly waved his hand modestly, saying, "You flatter me, you flatter me, it's not that exaggerated."

"Is it really that exaggerated!" Tang Zhiping said with certainty, "The first cochlear implant technology was alright. You provided the design and concept, and with our company's technical capabilities, we should be able to manufacture a sample in a short time and then conduct a series of tests. As for your second cochlear implant... to be honest, if your design and structure are correct, we can also manufacture it by following the same pattern, but it will take a lot of time. And even if we manufacture it, there are many things that I don't understand yet, and it will take a lot of time to learn. So when I said earlier that you saved me thirty years of detours, it wasn't just a polite remark; I benefited immensely from it!"

Chen Yuan did not become complacent because of this.

His attention was no longer on being praised.

All he wants to know now is when the first cochlear implant will be made.

So Chen Yuan asked with concern, "Professor Tang, how long do you expect it to take for your company to produce finished products after these two cochlear implant technologies are handed over?"

Zhang Shulin looked to the side.

After a moment's thought, Tang Zhiping said, "It won't take long to make the first cochlear implant. I estimate it will only take one or two months. The problem is that after it's made, it will need to undergo human trials and other processes, which may take a lot of time. Even the preliminary trials may take at least a few months, and possibly even a few years. As for the second cochlear implant, to be honest, the core chip technology is really too advanced. I think it would be a great thing if we could produce a product and complete the preliminary trials within ten years."

Does it take that long?

Chen Yuan frowned.

He is certain that the cochlear implant he "upgraded" using quantum computing, if manufactured according to the procedure, will not have any negative effects and will meet the required standards.

It's useless to just know that you can do it yourself. According to relevant regulations, a series of experiments must be conducted before it can be approved for market release.

Chen Yuan wanted A Yu to enjoy the fruits of his labor as soon as possible, so he couldn't wait several years.

Just as he was pondering, Tang Zhiping asked expectantly, "Mr. Chen, may I make a request of you?"

Chen Yuan looked up and said, "Teacher Tang, please don't be so polite with me. Just call me Xiao Chen. Please feel free to ask me anything."

Zhang Shulin roughly guessed what Tang Zhiping was going to say. Since it wasn't appropriate for him to interrupt, he simply pretended to be very hungry and started eating.

Tang Zhiping said bluntly, "I dare not be greedy for the second cochlear implant technology. Could you sell your first cochlear implant technology to our company? If you really don't want to sell, we can cooperate."

After careful consideration, Chen Yuan replied earnestly, "My initial motivation for designing these two cochlear implant technologies was not to make money, but because I have a very important friend who is hearing impaired. I learned from her that many hearing impaired people not only have to endure the problem of hearing impairment, but even after having a cochlear implant, they still suffer the same looks and even discrimination because the external processor is visible to others. So from that time on, I had a thought deep in my heart: I hope that all hearing impaired people in the world can get rid of this discrimination."

Zhang Shulin listened with utmost respect.

Tang Zhiping had the same reaction.

Neither of them interrupted, knowing that Chen Yuan hadn't finished speaking.

Chen Yuan continued, "Precisely because my original intention was not to use it to make money, when you ask me if I am willing to sell the technology to your company, I can give a very clear answer: this technology will not be sold, but I can choose to cooperate, provided that your company can agree to one unreasonable request of mine."

Tang Zhiping asked, "What? Please speak."

Chen Yuan expressed his deepest thoughts: "I hope that after this cochlear implant is launched, your company will allocate 30% of the profits to help people with hearing impairments regain their hearing, including but not limited to cash donations, providing cochlear implants, and helping to pay for surgery and implantation costs."

"I can agree to all of these things on behalf of the company. You can rest assured about that. I have a lot of influence in the company, even more so than the boss."

Tang Zhiping first gave a positive answer, then looked intently at Chen Yuan and asked, "Before you make your final decision, I have to remind you of something. Leaving aside the second cochlear implant technology, just look at the first one. Once it enters the market, it will definitely make a fortune. The profits won't just be a few million or tens of millions a year, but hundreds of millions or even billions. According to the usual practice of patent licensing and sales revenue sharing, your cochlear implant can get more than 30% of the sales revenue—that's sales revenue sharing, not profit. Are you really going to give up earning hundreds of millions, or even billions, every year?"

The global cochlear implant market has reached sales of over 40 billion RMB.

Normally, it would be difficult for a company to dominate the entire market. However, if Chen Yuan's first cochlear implant were to be launched, its advanced technology would allow it to seize the global market and create an absolute technological barrier. It would be possible for the company to achieve sales of 10 billion or 20 billion yuan, and the gross profit margin of the cochlear implant could reach 63.7%.

Based on this analysis, if Chen Yuanruo agrees to a sales commission, wouldn't he be able to earn hundreds of millions, or even billions, of yuan every year?

Upon hearing this, Zhang Shulin couldn't help but stare directly into Chen Yuan's face.

A guaranteed income of several hundred million yuan a year, and sometimes even more than a billion yuan.

To be honest, most people really couldn't resist such a huge temptation.

Therefore, Zhang Shulin wanted to see what Chen Yuan would choose.

Chen Yuan replied almost without hesitation, "Yes, I know these two cochlear implant technologies can make a lot of money. I don't have much money myself right now. Logically speaking, by designing this cochlear implant, I've already benefited society, and it's only natural to receive some compensation. However, as I just said, my original intention in designing these two cochlear implants was not to make money. If I change my mind at the last minute, it would be polluting my character. I only believe in one thing when doing things, and that is to never forget my original intention!"

That's exactly what he thought; he didn't want to go against his original intention of developing a new type of cochlear implant.

In addition, Chen Yuan doesn't really care whether the cochlear implant can make him money.

I wonder how long it will take for this thing to go from research and development to patent application and then to mass production and sales.

With so much time, Chen Yuan would have made a fortune using the quantum spiritual realm long ago. Why would he need to care about these things?

Snap, snap snap.

Tang Zhiping and Zhang Shulin couldn't help but applaud.

At this moment, their respect for Chen Yuan had reached its peak.

If their enthusiasm before stemmed from Chen Yuan's abilities, their current respect is a heartfelt recognition of his character and integrity.

Is it not respectable that someone would give up a huge income of hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars every year in order to help many people with hearing impairments around the world regain their hearing and get rid of discrimination?

Chen Yuan quickly added, "I haven't finished stating my request yet."

Tang Zhiping and Zhang Shulin stopped clapping.

Old Tang said, "Is there anything else you require? Please tell me."

To show respect, he has started addressing Chen Yuan as "you" (formal), which shows how much he approves of him.

Chen Yuan said, "My other request is somewhat selfish. I hope that after your company acquires this technology, the best test subject would be my friend."

Tang Zhiping asked in surprise, "Experiments are risky. Aren't you afraid your friend might...?"

Chen Yuan stated firmly, "I have confidence in the products I design!"

Tang Zhiping stared into his eyes for a moment, then nodded slightly and said, "Okay, I understand. I'll contact the company now and have them come over to sign a contract with you. I'll also contact your friend and ask if she's willing to participate in the experiment."

Chen Yuan thought for a moment and said, "Have someone from the company come over first. As for asking my friend if she's willing to participate in the experiment, I'll talk to her about that. I'll meet with her tonight and give you her answer later."

Tang Zhiping responded, "Okay."

After finishing their business, Chen Yuan pointed to the dishes on the table and said, "Eat, eat, the food is getting cold."

As Chen Yuan spoke, he was secretly hoping that if he told A Yu the news tonight, she would be very happy.