Ch9: Haha! That’s it! My son is rich! Ji Yuan, keep your savings—I’ve got a new source of money now!

The negotiations had just ended.

Xi Xiao and the deputy director of the logistics equipment department seemed doubtful—things had gone too smoothly.

I understood why they felt that way. Negotiations like these usually involved countless back-and-forths, red tape, and endless revisions. But this time? The long draft they had spent ages discussing never even made it past the initial stage.

That was because I had no intention of going through the usual bureaucratic nightmare just to secure the drone production order from the military. Even if I pushed for it, I didn't have enough advantages besides my balance stabilizer. Rather than fighting an uphill battle, it was much easier to strike a mutually beneficial deal.

For me, selling the rights to use the stabilizer for 1,800 yuan per unit was more than enough. It ensured that the benefits balanced out, and I didn't have to waste time on unnecessary disputes.

Besides, trading with the military was far more reliable than dealing with private enterprises like DJI. Government funding cycles might be slow, but they always paid, and when they did, it was serious money.

Sure enough, when I proposed licensing the technology instead of selling the finished product, the deputy director agreed without hesitation. He immediately reported an order of 10,000 units.

He smiled and said, "The younger generation truly surpasses the old. You're already leading a company at your age—impressive. On behalf of the Southeast Theater, I thank you for your trust. Rest assured, we will never underreport the number of drones using your stabilizers."

I grinned, my single eye narrowing into a line, and shook his hand firmly. "You're too kind, Deputy Director. I already have my account number set up. Here's to more future cooperation."

After dinner with the military officials, I finally left.

I understood that 10,000 units was their bottom line. They wouldn't go any higher. That meant I had just made 18 million yuan.

So why not just sell the patent outright?

Simple—I wanted to keep it for myself.

Besides, if someone gave you a choice between a pennant and a bonus or 18 million yuan, which would you pick?

Even though I had expected some resistance, things had gone too smoothly. It almost felt surreal.

I didn't like to think too negatively, but the reality of the world was often darker than I wished to admit. A professor I knew from Sun Yat-sen University had encountered similar situations while studying abroad. Frustrated, he returned home and often warned younger students like me about these things.

But none of that mattered at this moment.

As soon as I stepped out into an empty corner, I couldn't hold it in anymore—I pumped my fist in the air.

"Hell yeah! 18 million! From a product I barely use myself!

And the best part? I had secured a direct connection with the military. That would open up even bigger opportunities in the future.

I gave myself a 99/100 for today's performance—not a perfect score, can't get too cocky.

By the time I got home, my grin hadn't faded in the slightest.

Then—

"Oh? What's this? Are you in love? You're smiling way too much."

"Shit!" I nearly jumped out of my skin. "Mom? Dad? Why are you guys home?! And why are you sitting here in the dark?!"

There they were, my parents, sitting on the sofa with their phones in hand, looking at me like I had just walked into a trap.

My dad, Ji Yuan, frowned. "More like, what the hell did you do to the house? If I hadn't come back today, the whole building might've burned down!"

I followed his gaze—he was looking at the air circuit breakers.

Crap.

I had replaced the standard breakers with high-power industrial ones to handle my equipment, just so the fuses wouldn't blow out every time I worked. Unfortunately, I hadn't thought about how obvious that would be to my dad.

He was furious. "Look, I don't care if you want to invent things, but can't you do it somewhere safe?! If there's a fire, you're not the only one affected—it's the entire building!"

Mom, Shen Xue, tried to calm him down. "Come on, don't go too hard on him."

But Dad was just getting started. "Don't go too hard? This kid refuses to work at the Hangzhou Yaoyao Machinery Factory even though I pulled strings to get him in as a reserve manager!

I let him have his freedom, but there's a limit! He can't just be selfish!"

I knew this was coming. I kept my head down like a scolded child, staying quiet while Dad vented.

The truth was, I had considered everything he was saying. After my laptop's power cord burned out that day, I had already planned on setting up a proper studio. And I never left my equipment running if I wasn't home.

But it wasn't like I could say that.

So I did what I always did when Dad went on a rant—shut up and waited it out.

After half an hour, he finally ran out of steam.

Then he narrowed his eyes at me. "By the way, what were you so excited about when you walked in? Did you get a girlfriend? If you need money, just tell me."

That was my cue. Dad was done being mad.

I immediately scooted closer, smiling like an idiot. "Dad, it's not about love. I had a business meeting today—guess who I negotiated with?"

Dad was still grumpy. "Sell fewer of your little gadgets. What, did a toy company finally buy them? Don't tell me it was Ganlong Toy Manufacturing."

I smirked. "Nope. The military. Southeast Theater Logistics Equipment Department."

"...What?"

Dad's hand froze, nearly dropping his teacup. "What the hell did you make?!"

I grinned. "A balance stabilizer for high-speed drones. Not quadcopters—fixed-wing drones."

Dad's eyes sharpened. "Where's the blueprint?"

I had no hesitation—I ran to my workroom, grabbed the printed drawings, and handed them over.

As a veteran mechanical engineer, Dad immediately understood the design. "So simple… You really did inherit my genes." He smirked, flipping through the pages. Then, just as he was about to hand the blueprints back to me, he stopped.

His expression darkened. "Wait a minute… This kind of precision is impossible without a five-axis linkage machining center. Either that, or an imported machine with its full functions intact. How the hell did you get this manufactured?"

Of course, I couldn't tell him about Xiaoji, my advanced AI-driven robot.

So I played it cool. "I rented one. Besides, I'm only licensing the technology, not selling finished products. No need to buy my own."

Dad squinted. "Renting? Do you even know how much that costs? Why didn't you ask me?! Hangzhou Yaoyao has one, but outside, you'd pay tens of thousands per job!"

Sensing another lecture incoming, I quickly cut him off. "Hey, Dad, aren't you gonna ask how much I made?"

This time, I didn't hold back.

I spread my fingers and said: "18 million."

Silence.

"18 million?! Son, you better not be lying."

Mom froze mid-step. "Wait, what?!"

I smirked. "Relax, Mom. Your son knows how to make money. Here—contract's right here. Had a great talk with the military today."

After double-checking the contract and calling to confirm, Mom suddenly burst out laughing.

"Haha! That's it! My son is rich! Ji Yuan, keep your savings—I've got a new source of money now!"

Dad paled. "W-wait, honey, I was saving up to buy you a bracelet, remember?"