Haifeng returned to his primary focus after handing off the China Star Venture Capital operation to a headhunting firm.
📍 Audi Factory – Transmission Workshop
Inside the newly opened transmission production line, he was profoundly discussing with Xu Zhilin, Tang San, and several engineers.
They were reviewing torque conversion mechanisms and precision machining specs.
Although Haifeng had access to system-level blueprints and cutting-edge designs, when it came to in-depth mechanical knowledge—especially about transmissions—he was no match for veterans like Xu and Tang.
But that was fine.
"I don't need to be a top engineer," Haifeng thought.
"I just need to build the strongest team of experts in the country."
📩 Just then, Xiao Ai entered the workshop.
"President Lu, Manager Chen from legal just returned—with a few unexpected guests."
Haifeng raised an eyebrow.
Guests?
He left the workshop and spotted Chen Changchun looking exhausted—as did the legal and tech staff with him.
They'd just returned from the patent office in Yanjing.
"Old Chen," Haifeng joked, "what happened? Get chased back by someone's daughter's family?"
The legal team burst out laughing. Even Chen—half-dead from lack of sleep—cracked a smile.
Haifeng's eyes drifted to the unfamiliar men standing beside him.
"Who are they?" he asked casually.
Chen introduced them:
"This is Director Wang Cheng from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology
and Leader Chang Yaohui from the Piao City Municipal Government."
Haifeng's expression turned serious in an instant.
"Director Wang. Leader Chang. Welcome to China Star Auto."
"It's an honor to have you both here to inspect our work."
He remained calm, polite, and professional—not groveling, not flippant.
His tone was measured. After all, his current status allowed him to speak as a peer.
"Still, why are people from the MIIT and city government visiting… a private auto factory?"
The thought lingered in Haifeng's mind. But he didn't show it.
📍 Inside the Office
Xiao Ai brought tea. The admin staff stepped out, leaving only Haifeng, Xu Zhilin, the visitors, and Chen.
Haifeng opened with practiced ease:
"Forgive the humble setup—please excuse our hospitality."
Director Wang smiled.
"President Lu, no need for formality.
I'm here strictly on orders from higher up. I wouldn't be bothering you otherwise."
That got Haifeng's attention.
He nodded slightly.
"So it is about the patent applications…"
Director Wang explained:
"The country has been watching your recent engine and transmission developments closely.
The patent filings in Yanjing sent shockwaves through our department."
"These weren't your typical high-precision replicas.
These were ground-up designs—entirely new, wholly domestic intellectual property."
"We've never seen this type of turbocharged engine.
No foreign company has even proposed this configuration, let alone built it."
"And yet—you did it. Not as a joint venture. Not licensed.
Just pure domestic engineering."
"Simply put, you've achieved something the world hasn't.
You're 10, maybe 20 years ahead of the global curve."
Haifeng kept his expression neutral. But inside?
So they finally noticed.
Wang continued:
"This represents a breakthrough—not just for your company, but for the entire country's auto industry."
"Currently, Daxia leads in many sectors: high-speed rail, infrastructure, and aerospace.
But we're still blocked in electronics, semiconductors, and core auto tech."
"Your turbocharged engine could become the country's first step in breaking that blockade."
Then came the real reason for the visit.
"Higher-ups have instructed us to offer full support.
If China Star Auto needs anything—land, funding, policy, infrastructure—say the word.
We're here to help you scale."
That moment solidified it.
China Star was no longer just a promising private company.
It was now a strategic national asset.