Maximize Interest, My Money Grows Infinitely

Xiao Meier felt Chen Cheng's embrace, "Yes, I believe you."

"Alright, go back to sleep then." Chen Cheng picked up Xiao Meier, "If you're still worried, I'll give you some insurance."

"Insurance? What insurance?"

Chen Cheng smiled lightly, "Move up the plan to have a baby, we'll do some overtime."

"It's so late, don't be silly." Xiao Meier replied with a smile.

"Hey, since we're both awake, it's a rare opportunity."

Chen Cheng grinned mischievously, Xiao Meier's cheeks flushed as she gently hit Chen Cheng's chest, "You, always so impertinent."

"You... be gentle..."

Xiao Meier murmured softly, her eyes full of shyness and playful annoyance.

Chen Cheng looked at her and planted a kiss among her hair, "Why do you smell so good?"

"I...where..."

Under Chen Cheng's tender advances, Xiao Meier's hands unconsciously wrapped around his neck, "Xiao Cheng..."

...

...

The next day, after last night's little crisis, Chen Cheng had to meet someone before signing in the afternoon.

The emotional issues were never a problem for him, just like money.

Facing Zhang Qiming, an academic type, he wanted to get some guidance from Zhang Jingsong before the official meeting.

He knocked on Zhang Jingsong's office door.

"Come in."

Chen Cheng walked in, "Uncle Zhang, are you busy?"

Zhang Jingsong looked up, "Why does Mr. Chen have time to come by today?"

"Hey, Uncle Zhang, you calling me that feels too formal." Chen Cheng said with a smile, "Some sea cucumbers arrived at the store, and I brought some for you."

Saying that, he placed the bag in its usual spot.

Zhang Jingsong pushed his glasses, "Encountered another issue?"

"Nothing really." Chen Cheng replied leisurely, "I just heard from Li Dinger that you've been busy, so I came to check in."

Zhang Jingsong poured a cup of tea for Chen Cheng, sitting next to him, "Don't give me that, I can see you're troubled from your face."

Chen Cheng lifted his tea cup, chuckling, "Uncle Zhang really knows me. I do have something I want to learn from you."

"Tell me, what's going on?"

"I'm about to meet a professor, heard he's quite a stubborn academic type. I'm worried there might be communication barriers, so I wanted to learn how to deal with these kinds of people."

Zhang Jingsong asked, "Who? Someone from our school?"

"No, from Harbin Institute of Technology, named Zhang Qiming."

"I don't know him, but dealing with a person like that..."

Zhang Jingsong thought for a moment, "First of all, you need to understand his research field, show your sincerity and respect. Don't just talk nonsense, making him think you're unprofessional and wasting his time."

Chen Cheng nodded attentively, "No problem there, I've done my homework and I'm familiar with Professor Zhang's research directions and achievements."

Zhang Jingsong continued, "Secondly, you should clearly state your cooperation objectives, along with the resources and support you can provide. These old professors value the transformation and application of research outcomes the most. You need to let him see that your project has prospects, and can offer substantial research funding and platforms."

"Yes, those aren't a problem," Chen Cheng paused, "Uncle Zhang, for someone at your level, what's the usual amount of research funding?"

"I study law, the professor you'll meet must be an engineering type, right?"

Zhang Jingsong continued, "For engineering projects, the usual start-up capital ranges from a few million to tens of millions, depending on the project's size and difficulty. Of course, this is just the starting capital, further investments may be required as the project progresses."

Chen Cheng had a general budget in mind, "A few million to tens of millions, it's within my capacity."

Zhang Jingsong sipped his tea, "However, funding is just one aspect. More importantly, you need to make the other party see your sincerity and determination. These old professors have spent their lives devoted to academic research, and what they hope for most is seeing their research achievements applied and benefitting society. So, you must convince him that you're not just out for money, but to drive technological progress and realize social value."

"What about the platform? Should I build him a laboratory?" Chen Cheng said in detail, "He's doing research on new energy, batteries."

"You want to build him a lab?" Zhang Jingsong was quite surprised, "Do you know how much a lab costs?"

"How much?"

Zhang Jingsong put down his teacup, "For you to be this attentive, the other party must have quite a background, right?"

Chen Cheng quickly took out his phone, found information about Zhang Qiming online, and handed it to Zhang Jingsong.

After reading it, Zhang Jingsong seriously explained to Chen Cheng, "Judging by his reputation, it must be at least a state-level laboratory to invite him."

"State-level?"

Zhang Jingsong nodded, "Building a state-level laboratory is not as simple as you might think. It requires strong financial support, advanced equipment, a high-quality research team, and a comprehensive management system. It's not something you can accomplish with just a few million."

He paused and continued, "First of all, the construction of the site is a huge expense. The site selection for a state-level laboratory is very demanding; it requires sufficient space, stable geological conditions, and a good surrounding environment. The construction cost is at least tens of millions, if not hundreds of millions, not including the cost of land acquisition."

Chen Cheng raised his eyebrows slightly.

"Secondly, equipment purchase is also a huge investment. A state-level laboratory needs to be equipped with world-class research equipment, like high-precision microscopes, spectrometers, mass spectrometers, etc. These pieces of equipment each cost millions or even tens of millions, and a laboratory certainly needs more than one of each, so the total cost is imaginable."

Chen Cheng couldn't help but ask, "Then... Uncle Zhang, how much roughly?"

Zhang Jingsong pondered for a moment, "The construction cost of a national key laboratory is usually between several hundred million to over a billion.

Post-construction annual operating and maintenance costs, including equipment updates, personnel salaries, research consumables, etc., also add up to tens of millions, even over a hundred million. This does not include special funding for some large-scale research projects."

Upon hearing this number, Chen Cheng fell into silence.

He had thought that bringing Zhang Qiming over would solve the problem, but now it seems that things are quite complicated.

Seeing Chen Cheng's silent demeanor, Zhang Jingsong said, "Of course, there's no need to be scared by that number. Building a national-level laboratory is a long-term process and can be carried out in stages.

Moreover, you can seek support from the government and universities, and strive for some preferential policies and funding."

He paused and added, "Actually, for you, the best choice is not to build a laboratory yourself, but to cooperate with universities or research institutions, using their existing laboratories and research teams for development.

This can save a lot of money and time, and also leverage their research strength to improve research efficiency."

He tapped on the table, "Equipment is important, but the people inside are even more important."

Chen Cheng quickly thought, "Then Uncle Zhang, your school..."

"Our school doesn't have that specialty, but the one next door does," Zhang Jingsong answered, thinking for a moment, "However, Xiao Chen, weren't they doing well over there in Harbin? Can you make him come over?"

"That's true." Chen Cheng nodded, "It seems I'll have to think of a way."

Zhang Jingsong chuckled, "This isn't like doing business, professors all have their plans."

After hearing, Chen Cheng thought for a moment and muttered, "So how did Xin Neng persuade him back then?"

"What?"

Knock, knock, knock.

While the two were talking, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in," Zhang Jingsong said.

As the door opened, a voice floated in.

"Brother Cheng!"

"Brother Cheng?~"

Chen Cheng looked up, and it turned out the Liu sisters had arrived.

Liu Zhiya was pushing Liu Zhiying, and both of their faces were filled with smiles.

"Xiao Liu, how's it going? Is your leg feeling better?" Zhang Jingsong asked.

"Much better," Liu Zhiying, sitting in a wheelchair with several thick files on her lap, said, "Professor Zhang, I've gone through these case files, but there are a few points I'm still a bit unclear on."

"Okay, which points? Let me see?"

Liu Zhiying found herself not moving, looked back, and saw Liu Zhiya's eyes were all on Chen Cheng, "Xiao Ya... Xiao Ya?"

"Huh? Oh!" Liu Zhiya snapped out of it and finally pushed Liu Zhiying over.