When Haifeng told Uncle Zhao they'd be shutting down all external orders, Zhao Jianhua was stunned.
"Why?" he asked instinctively.
"Xiaofeng, I know you're doing well now—but this is a multi-million yuan order. Do you realize that this one deal is worth as much as the entire factory's profits from the past few years?"
"If we let it go, what happens to the workers next year?
What will we even be doing if we don't accept orders?"
He continued, confused and concerned.
"Your dad told me you want to start building cars, but that's years down the line.
You can't just stop everything now."
"This deal could expand our factory's reputation and open new doors."
Haifeng raised a hand.
"Uncle Zhao, I understand where you're coming from.
But this decision wasn't made on a whim."
"You've heard from my dad—this isn't just an idea.
China Star Auto Parts will officially transition into a full vehicle manufacturing plant."
"From today forward, we'll stop taking outside orders.
All production lines and staff will be focused solely on our own car parts."
Zhao looked stunned.
He'd known about the car-building plan in theory—but hearing it in action, right now, shocked him.
Start producing parts? Now?
Isn't building a car incredibly complex?
We don't even have full control over any advanced tech… and you're just jumping in?
You think you're going to take on the global auto industry with a small domestic plant?
"Xiaofeng, I've known you since you were a kid," Zhao said after a long pause.
"I watched you grow up. You're talented, no doubt—but this? It's reckless."
"The car industry is brutal.
Even national-backed companies can't break through the foreign tech blockade."
"You want to build a car?
What do you have—besides a few million in parts profit each year?"
"Even if you poured in everything from your tech company, you still couldn't match one R&D cycle."
"This dream? It'll eat you alive."
Haifeng listened, then smiled faintly.
He expected resistance.
Zhao wasn't wrong. If this were any other situation, it would be reckless.
But Haifeng had the tech, the team, and more cash than anyone imagined.
"Uncle Zhao," he said softly.
"You've known me my whole life.
Have I ever been the type to say something I couldn't follow through on?"
"If I didn't have the strength, I'd never take this risk."
"I've got over tens of billions in cash right now.
Cleared it out just this week."
Zhao's jaw dropped. "Wait, what? Where did you get that kind of money?"
"Bitcoin," Haifeng said with a grin.
"I bought in months ago. Sold everything a few days ago.
You can check the charts if you don't believe me."
"And yes—the production lines are already ordered.
They'll arrive soon."
"My dad already handed me full authority.
From now on, I make the calls here."
"I need you with me on this, Uncle Zhao.
We've got a mountain to climb—but we'll climb it together."
Zhao stared at him for a long moment.
Then, finally, sighed.
"If you've already bought the production line, what can I say?"
"I just hope you've thought it through."
"Since it's done, I'll support it."
"But if you fail—don't say I didn't warn you."
Zhao wasn't against Haifeng. He just wanted to protect him. To shield him from the harsh reality of car R&D: high cost, long cycles, massive risk.
Even if it failed, he'd still help clean up the mess—just like family.
"So what's the first step?" Zhao asked.
Just then, a new voice chimed in from the door.
"Who's talking about building a car?"
They turned to see Xu Zhilin.
An old-school engineer, formerly of BAIC, now a quiet researcher tucked away in the company lab. Known for his rigor, experience, and deep technical knowledge.
"Uncle Xu!" Haifeng said.
"You're just the person I needed."
Xu stepped in, frowning.
"Didn't Zhang say your phone business was thriving?
Why the sudden interest in cars?"
"Because phones are too easy," Haifeng said with a laugh.
"I need a real challenge."
"So… are you in?"
Xu raised an eyebrow, smirking.
"What part of the car do you want to start with?"