Chapter 70: Embracing Initiative

High school seniors were savoring their delightful summer break. Deng Chao, Jiang Wei, Zhang Yi, and others were either taking refuge from the summer heat by playing computer games at home or visiting internet cafes for the same purpose. Occasionally, they would meet up to indulge in activities like roller skating or playing billiards.

With their exam scores safely behind them, the three friends were basking in the joys of a carefree summer vacation.

Meanwhile, after Shen Wei had signed up, she had returned to her hometown with her mother to visit her grandmother. She only returned after receiving her admission letter. Throughout this period, she had spoken to Chen Xiao only once.

Chen Xiao had learned that Shen Wei had scored 635 points in the exam. Based on the admission trends of various colleges and universities in Jiangyang Province in recent years, she had a good chance of securing a spot at either Yanjing University or Shuimu University. However, getting into her preferred major was a source of suspense and mild anxiety.

"Xiaozi, let's go! We're heading to the internet cafe to play Legend," Jiang Wei called out. "I managed to use a cheat to boost my account to level 30, but my equipment is still pretty mediocre."

Chen Xiao responded, "You guys go ahead, I have some things to take care of in the coming days."

"You're already the top scorer. Just wait for your admission notice. What else could be keeping you busy?"

Chen Xiao explained, "I don't have enough money to cover my tuition fees, so I'm thinking about finding a summer job. Or perhaps ** could treat me to a meal and lend me 3,500 to play?"

"Cut the crap! I heard that Jiangzhou University is giving you a full scholarship. I'll send it over once the notice arrives," Jiang Wei playfully scolded. "Just get in touch with us when you're done; it's no fun with one less person around."

Jiangzhou was not far from Jiangcheng, and Jiangzhou University had already informed the Jiangcheng Education Department and Jiangcheng No. 1 Middle School about Chen Xiao's admission in advance. The news of his full scholarship had spread among the students of Jiangcheng No. 1 Middle School.

After hanging up the phone, Chen Xiao indeed had something to attend to.

He turned on his computer and launched CAD2000, the latest version of CAD, installed from a CD he had purchased from the computer market.

Chen Xiao planned to use CAD to design integrated circuit motherboards. While professional software like Protel99SE and Kicad were typically used for such tasks, Chen Xiao hadn't been able to find them despite searching the computer market extensively. Although CAD was less efficient than professional software, it was still more comfortable than freehand drawing.

What Chen Xiao aimed to design wasn't a VCD or DVD motherboard, but rather a product that would become incredibly profitable in the next few years: MP3 and MP4 players.

In 1998, the world's first MP3 player was developed successfully in South Korea. By 2000, Samsung, MSC, JNC, and Sony in South Korea had become giants in the MP3 market.

South Korea and Japan, with their advanced economies, societies, and technologies, saw the rapid adoption of MP3 players. Meanwhile, Apple's globally popular iPod wouldn't make its debut until the following year.

In 2000, Korean dramas like "Falling in Love with the Female Anchor" and "Blue Life and Death Love" began airing on local channels in first-tier cities of Xia, sparking envy. The Hallyu culture was associated with fashion and progressiveness, gaining traction in the Xia Kingdom.

In developed cities like Yanjing and Shanghai, MP3 brands from Samsung, Sony, MSC, and others were also available, albeit at higher prices. For instance, Samsung's yepp series sold for more than 2,000 yuan for a 64MB MP3 player—far more expensive than the one or two hundred yuan cassette Walkman or the four or five hundred yuan CD player.

With the rise of domestic brands like Patriot and Meizu, the price of Xia Guo's MP3 players would eventually drop to a few hundred yuan. The proliferation of imitation products in Huaqiangbei would drive the price down even further.

At this point, Nokia's music phones had begun to encroach on the MP3 player's territory.

Chen Xiao estimated that MP3 players had about three to four years left in their prime, while MP4 players had around five years.

Currently, his integrated circuit design proficiency was at level 5. He intended to seize this opportunity, ride the wave of dividends, and gain significant influence.

The design of an MP3 player's motherboard was actually quite straightforward, with the core component—decoding chips—similar to those used in VCDs.

The real challenge lay in creating a circuit diagram for the MP3 decoder chip.

Initially, Chinese companies imported decoding chips from Japan and South Korea. However, after manufacturing countless MP3 players, these companies gradually mastered the technology.

Over the course of three days, Chen Xiao painstakingly designed a detailed circuit diagram for the decoder chip. He aimed to make it as straightforward as possible, ensuring that Delong's equipment could handle production improvements.

On Wednesday, Zhou Linghua gave Chen Xiao a call.

He, accompanied by his secretary Wang Qin, arrived to pick up Chen Xiao. Their destination was a meeting with officials from various departments in Jiangzhou.

Wang Qin was dressed for the summer, wearing a skirt with a high slit and a loosely buttoned shirt. Her attire accentuated her allure in just the right way.

Chen Xiao couldn't help but steal another glance. Mr. Zhou was truly fortunate.

Wang Qin, sitting in the front passenger seat, also cast a glance at Chen Xiao through the rearview mirror. She had expected him to blush or feel embarrassed, but he met her gaze unflinchingly. This surprised Wang Qin slightly, causing her to quickly shift her attention.

The matter of Li Delong fleeing with the money was still under investigation. At present, Wang Xiang was in custody as a company's legal representative, making it impossible for Zhou Linghua to meet him.

However, Zhou Linghua's haste wasn't solely due to Wang Xiang's situation. The relevant departments in Jiangzhou were leading a move to transfer the CNC machine tool motherboard technology to Zhongjing.

Jiangzhou's state-owned assets were now in play.

Zhou Linghua had arranged to meet Tao Jiang, the person in charge of managing Jiangzhou's state-owned assets. Zhou Linghua handed over the necessary documents related to handling the aftermath of Delong Group's collapse. Once Tao Jiang signed them, the process would be set in motion.

"Leader Tao, I don't have any objections to who takes over the VCD and DVD production lines. However, the production technology and assembly line for CNC machine tool motherboards can only be transferred to me," Zhou Linghua explained.

Tao Jiang was puzzled, asking, "What do you mean?"

Zhou Linghua handed Tao Jiang a full set of copies of Chen Xiao's patent application documents. He clarified, "Delong's CNC machine tool motherboard production technology is based on Chen Xiao's patents. Chen Xiao and Delong had a cooperative relationship. If the production technology and assembly line are handed over to me, it could potentially involve patent infringement."

Tao Jiang glanced at Chen Xiao, who was seated beside Zhou Linghua, and exclaimed, "Are you Chen Xiao? The top scorer from Jiangyang Province this year? The high school student who applied for an invention patent?"

Originally, Tao Jiang thought that Zhou Linghua had brought his son along for the meeting, which perplexed him.

Chen Xiao scratched his head, not expecting that his status as the provincial top scorer would come in handy.

"Hello, Leader Tao!"

However, Tao Jiang continued, "Regardless of who invented the technology, we should consider the long-term interests. Zhongjing Company possesses the assembly lines and workers necessary for production. The mainboards can be manufactured promptly, benefiting our country's industrial development."

Just then, the office door creaked open, and Zhang Biao poked his head in. He whispered, "Boss Tao, are you available?"

The atmosphere grew tense in an instant.