Chapter 68: Unforeseen Crises

Director Wang inquired, "What's the situation? Since he's been scouted and interviewed, why hasn't such an outstanding student been recruited?"

Zhao Li had been brooding over this matter for months. He initially hesitated to bring it up, but Director Wang's question prompted him to express his grievances.

Especially when the admissions team teachers gathered, they all gave Chen Xiao high scores. However, when the scores reached the higher-ups, everyone downgraded his scores, assigning him lower points.

"Let it go, let it go!" Zhao Lixing sighed, "Let's try to communicate with Chen Xiao and persuade him to join us as a graduate student."

Director Wang, who was also relatively new in his position, grew irritated upon hearing this. "Aren't we sabotaging ourselves with this approach? I know about the CNC machine mainboard research! It turns out Chen Xiao was behind it!"

Unfortunately, there wasn't much they could do.

Shuimu University was feeling a sense of regret as well. They had wanted to recruit students for the CNC machine mainboard development, but the Li brothers, Li Kui and Li Gui, had made a mistake.

Both Shuimu University and Yanjing University were curious about where Chen Xiao had applied.

Soon, they received news from the Jiangyang Provincial Admissions Office: Jiangzhou University.

Upon hearing this news, Professor Yang, who had wanted Chen Xiao as his disciple, couldn't help but curse aloud in frustration, "I'm f***ing mad!"

Professor Yang had previously scolded the entire admissions team and, unsatisfied, had even requested to leave the academia and take a position in a private company. He simply couldn't tolerate the academic and admissions environment any longer.

On the contrary, Jiangzhou University was jubilant!

Champions were a breed apart. The admissions committee of Jiangzhou University convened to discuss Chen Xiao's application.

Principal Li Yan immediately declared, "Full scholarship! Free accommodation and a stipend. All majors are open for him. I've heard Chen Xiao holds a patent for an invention; such students need to be cultivated well!"

A faculty member suggested, "Principal Li, based on our school's regulations in previous years, we usually award a cash prize of 10,000 yuan to provincial champions!"

Li Yan agreed, "Let's follow that rule and issue the notice promptly!"

Li Yan also emphasized, "Our Jiangzhou University might not have the same prestige as the 211 and 985 universities in major cities, and we might not attract the best students. However, we have many down-to-earth students. I hope department heads will have meaningful interactions with teachers in the classroom, teach based on each student's aptitude, and treasure every talent."

Chen Xiao's popularity soared.

The following day, the majority of media outlets in Jiangyang Province covered Chen Xiao's story, elevating him to a local hero.

The media painted Chen Xiao in various shades: a son of humble origins, industrious and helpful, a budding inventor...

This gave the people of Jiangyang Province, particularly those in Jiangcheng City, plenty to discuss.

"This year's champion! And he holds a patent!"

"Turning down Yenching University and Shuimu University invitations; this student is destined for greatness."

"Honey, our child should attend Jiangcheng No. 1 Middle School for high school, and we must seek out Teacher Liao. I've heard he has several students with scores over 600%!"

"Darling, doesn't your brother work at the Education Bureau? Let's see if he can help us, and we'll get our child into Teacher Liao's class this year, maybe even sit in Chen Xiao's seat and be near the class genius."

[Influence +0.01]

[Influence +0.01]

[Influence +0.01]

[Influence +0.01]

Chen Xiao was in the limelight.

The media impact was genuinely remarkable!

Should he deliver another speech to the juniors and seniors, and harvest another wave of influence?

Chen Xiao mused.

The system continued to prompt a gradual increase in influence. Although it was only 0.01 points each time, even the smallest mosquito was still meat!

Over the first three days of extensive media coverage, Chen Xiao amassed a substantial 75 points of influence, adding to his fortune.

[Accumulated influence 288.]

Chen Qiang was elated. He kept a copy of Jiangzhou Daily, which featured Chen Xiao on the front page. Now, whenever he and Lin Hui walked around the neighborhood, people greeted them and offered their congratulations. Even passerby commented, "Congratulations on your son becoming the champion!"

Remarkably, Lin Hui's small food stall's business had also improved significantly due to Chen Xiao's achievement.

Many locals from the residential area frequented the stall, hoping to catch a bit of the scholar's luck.

Chen Xiao observed this scene, chuckling to himself.

However, his smile soon faded.

Beneath the article about Chen Xiao in Jiangzhou Daily, another piece of news caught his attention.

"Xiaguo VCD Faces Crisis as Low-Priced DVDs from Foreign Brands Overtake Market. Numerous Appliance Stores Offering Discounts on VCD Products... Delong's Slim and Lightweight VCD, which Gained Popularity Earlier in the Year, Now Languishing..."

"Sources suggest that Delong has incurred significant losses, owing more than 20 million yuan in credit loans to Jiangzhou Bank. The company's remaining debt exceeds 100 million yuan..."

"Li Moulong, Chairman and General Manager of Delong Company, has not been heard from in over two weeks. Wang Mou, the legal representative and general manager of Delong VCD, has been taken in for investigation... Currently, to safeguard the rights of workers in the electronics factory, the Jiangzhou government is leading efforts for Delong Electronics to file for bankruptcy and restructuring. As part of the process, Zhongjing Equipment will acquire the DVD production line and CNC machine motherboard production capacity..."

Chen Xiao's heart skipped a beat!

Over the past six months, he had been engrossed in the college entrance exams and the 11181 websitewww.mtlnovel.com, not paying much attention to the operations of Delong Electronics.

Their collaboration primarily pertained to technology, not business.

Furthermore, Chen Xiao was aware that the fake CNC machine motherboard dividends might diminish over the next couple of years due to the large-scale Chinese investments in factories by Germany and Toyo. General-purpose chip machine tools with better performance at lower prices were also gaining traction, so the profits would likely dwindle.

Thus, he hadn't been overly concerned.

However, he knew Delong was planning a significant investment in VCDs. Despite his advice, they had gone ahead. But he hadn't expected the company to collapse so suddenly.

Moreover, he had spoken to Wang Xiang just the day before yesterday. How could such a major crisis emerge out of nowhere?

Chen Xiao quickly turned to his father and asked, "Is something wrong with your company?"

Chen Qiang was baffled, replying, "No! I was just at work yesterday."

Chen Xiao hurriedly showed him the newspaper, and Chen Qiang, too, was taken aback, saying in surprise, "Impossible!"

After a moment of thought, Chen Qiang continued, "Come to think of it, I haven't seen President Li in a while."

Things were becoming clear.

Li Delong must have been aware of the impending company collapse but was unable to access the investments. In desperation, he likely stripped the company of its remaining assets and fled.

In this era, the wealthy had numerous options for escaping abroad.

Why weren't Chen Qiang and the other employees informed in advance?

Firstly, no one anticipated the abrupt downfall of Delong VCD. Secondly, if you were the owner, would you announce to the world, "Hey, my company's on the brink of collapse, I'm drowning in debt, and I'm about to flee!"

Certainly not!

Wait a minute!

A chilling thought crossed Chen Xiao's mind.