Ren recounted those pivotal years of struggle.
"Back then, we were united against a common enemy—especially the younger generation."
"Everyone said the same thing: We won't sell. We won't cave. Even if it means bankruptcy."
"Because as citizens of China, we should at least fight for our pride."
"No one expected it, but our business scale multiplied in just a few years. We drew our swords and prepared to meet the enemy at the summit."
Zhang Yu, sitting beside Haifeng, listened intently.
It was hard not to be moved.
He couldn't help but wonder—would their own company one day inspire stories like this?
Draw swords.
Even if those tech giants had been at the top for decades, even centuries...
China Star would blow the horn of charge; swords were drawn.
Haifeng didn't look particularly stirred.
He'd heard stories like this many times—in his previous life.
Now, with his mind already decades ahead, it was no longer moving.
It was simply authentic.
He was part of it now.
Ren smiled and leaned forward again.
"At first, I thought Huawei was a lone wolf—climbing silently, preparing to fight."
"But now I realize we've met an even younger, fiercer wolf."
"A wolf is terrifying. But a pack of wolves? That's even more dangerous."
"A lone wolf might fall to a hunter.
But a pack of wolves? Even a squad of hunters would retreat."
"What do you say, Little Lu?"
Ren's words weren't just metaphors; they positioned Huawei and China Star as equals.
One company, three decades of legacy.
The other is less than three years old.
But Ren saw the same strategic height in both.
Haifeng nodded solemnly.
"Much of China Star's internal structure—especially our lab system—was modeled after Huawei."
"That's why I'm ready to proceed with a comprehensive strategic cooperation."
Ren waved his hand with a chuckle.
"No need for flattery. We've both said our piece."
"The question is—how do we cooperate?"
Haifeng immediately understood the shift. The symbolic talk was over.
Now, it was time to talk about benefits.
Huawei had been through storms. China Star was rising rapidly.
Cooperation would be complex.
Especially because:
Both had dominant labs
Both were fiercely independent
Both had bottom lines that couldn't be crossed
Ren was the "wolf king" of his pack.
Haifeng, the younger alpha, had proven himself.
But two packs uniting? It couldn't be done blindly.
Haifeng thought for a moment, then spoke:
"Let's stick to our core strengths.
We cooperate in areas where our missions align."
"In backup and foundational tech, we share openly.
In competitive sectors, we push each other—but don't step on each other's throats."
Ren took a sip of tea and nodded thoughtfully.
"Tell me your strongest tech domain.
And tell me what you haven't solved yet."
Haifeng didn't hesitate.
"Lithography."
"To be transparent, China Star's No. 1 Lab has already achieved 14nm lithography, and we're actively breaking into 7nm."
The room fell dead silent.
"What?"
"What?"
Ren and Wenwei looked like they'd just been struck by lightning.
They both knew that 20nm was currently the best available in mainstream Chinese labs.
And across the ocean?
14nm had only just entered mass production
7nm was still in prototype and pre-commercial phases
And China was projected to hit 14nm only in five years
Wenwei stammered:
"That can't be right..."
Zhang Yu jumped in:
"It's true. Haifeng put this on No. 1 Lab's agenda last year.
He pulled over a dozen senior experts from Lab No. 1 and coordinated thousands from Lab No. 2."
"14nm became standard. And 7nm is next."
Wenwei looked like he was about to pass out.
He knew how much money, time, and failure were buried in real lithography breakthroughs.
What they'd just described wasn't a research achievement.
It was a miracle.