"Thank you."
Chen Yi thanked him politely, looking utterly composed.
As though this were not a five-hundred-million-yuan order, but fifty yuan on a Thursday.
Yifei, with its mastery of core technology, had no shortage of orders.
If they opened preorders for the 28,999-yuan engine alone, selling over a billion yuan's worth would be effortless.
"No need to thank me. Yifei earned this with its technology."
The director smiled. "Besides the reward, I have another request on this visit."
"What request?" Chen Yi was genuinely curious this time.
"In the future, when Yifei test-flies drones, in addition to the usual test-flight filing procedures, it would be best to proactively report to local air traffic control and accept their dispatch arrangements.
"All model aircraft and related components sold that can break the sound barrier or reach Civil Aviation altitudes must be fitted with restriction programs, prohibiting them from entering no-fly zones or Civil Aviation altitude zones."
After speaking, the director looked at Chen Yi with a serious expression. "I believe Mr. Chen understands.
"If a professional drone like Yifei's reaches Civil Aviation altitude and overlaps with a passenger aircraft's flight path, what sort of consequences could result?
"Whether it's you—
"Or the Civil Aviation passenger jet—
"If either side makes one careless mistake, it will become a disaster that shocks the world.
"This request is also meant to ensure Yifei's safety and secure its future."
"This..."
Chen Yi's expression shifted.
As someone who had been in the industry for years, he had always been conscientious during test flights.
Every time, he avoided Civil Aviation routes, steered clear of restricted photography areas, and never stayed too long within Civil Aviation flight altitude zones.
Even when he had been going wild these past few days, he had mostly gone wild over the sea or toward space, doing his best not to affect anyone else.
But among the model aircraft and drone enthusiasts, there were plenty of newcomers who pursued thrills.
And they did not pursue thrills in the ordinary sense.
They were possessed by Ellie, embracing the absolute principle of: since you're chasing thrills, chase them to the very end. They especially loved flying into restricted areas and the like.
Chen Yi had always hated these thrill-seekers, because they wanted to smash his rice bowl.
Now Yifei had launched a model aircraft engine that was absurdly powerful, cheap, capable of attempting a dash into space, and too fast for ordinary fighter jets to catch.
It was hard to imagine—
What kind of model aircraft drones those Ellie-possessed thrill-seekers would assemble if they got their hands on these engines, or what incidents—even disasters—they might cause.
One careless mistake, and both he and Yifei would be dragged into it.
At that thought, Chen Yi made up his mind. "Director, Yifei can accept air traffic control dispatch and set an example for the healthy development of the industry.
"From now on, I will report every test flight to air traffic control.
"Also, the engines Yifei is currently producing will undergo a technical upgrade.
"We will add route-location chips and install control programs.
"When an engine enters a no-fly zone or the area surrounding an airport, or remains too long within Civil Aviation flight altitudes, it will automatically cut off its fuel and lose power."
There had always been relevant regulations regarding the review and dispatch of model aircraft drones. Otherwise, there would not have been a requirement to file reports before test flights.
Chen Yi understood this perfectly well.
Though the director called it a request, it was actually a well-intentioned reminder.
It was better to proactively rectify things than wait for the relevant departments to come knocking and demand changes later.
"Good!"
Seeing that Chen Yi understood what he meant, the director offered his assurance as well. "Once Yifei completes the rectification, notify me. I'll have the relevant departments come inspect it and ensure there will be no difficulties afterward."
"One last matter."
The director took an envelope from his pocket and solemnly handed it to Chen Yi with both hands. "This is a usage-rights fee for Yifei from another department.
"As for which department exactly, it would not be convenient for me to say.
"However, they asked me to pass along a message: the nation believes in every citizen who retains passion for their country. They welcome Yifei's continued efforts to move forward, grow bigger and stronger, and create new brilliance!"
"This..."
Chen Yi took the envelope, momentarily unable to process it.
He did not even dare think too deeply about what department could invoke the nation's name and say such things, lest he get 404'd by accident.
"Official duties keep us busy, so we'll be leaving now. When I'm on leave and have time, I'll come by for tea with Mr. Chen."
The director was not surprised by Chen Yi's reaction. After saying goodbye, he led several officers out of Yifei.
"Boss, what department is that? Why are they so mysterious?"
After the director left, Xia Keke leaned over and stared curiously at the envelope in Chen Yi's hand.
"I don't know either."
Chen Yi opened the envelope and pulled out what was inside.
A fifty-million-yuan check.
There was nothing else.
"Xiaoyu."
As if recalling something, Chen Yi turned to Qin Xiaoyu. "Did any officials come inspect the factory in the last couple of days?"
"Officials came yesterday to inspect it. They asked about some matters and took away some factory documents and production samples.
"But Brother Yi, you told me before not to disturb you, so I didn't mention it at the time."
Qin Xiaoyu nodded. "Brother Yi, is there a problem?"
"No problem. It's nothing."
Chen Yi waved his hand, signaling Qin Xiaoyu not to worry.
At that moment, he understood completely.
Why the director had not called him President Chen just now, but had kept calling him Mr. Chen.
He also understood why Yifei had obtained the police order and preferential policies so easily.
So he had unknowingly passed a political review.
Yifei's technological issues, Yifei's—and especially his, the boss's—political inclinations, even what color underwear he liked to wear on ordinary days, including the eighteen centimeters inside that underwear, had all been investigated thoroughly.
With the political review passed and these departments backing him—
A few hundred million yuan in orders and preferential policies were trivial matters.
Looks like all those books, documents, and science magazines I bought years ago to act cool and build an image really were useful. They came in handy today.
Chen Yi understood that the visible inspections had already arrived.
Behind the scenes, his purchase records from recent years, records of bypassing internet restrictions, and all kinds of posts and comments on online platforms had probably also been examined thoroughly.
His records of purchasing large quantities of books, documents, and cutting-edge science magazines years ago had become evidence that he was a technological genius.
After several years of self-study, he had ultimately developed such a powerful engine while facing the crisis of his shop going bankrupt.
That investigation result was also why the director had consistently addressed him respectfully as Mr. Chen instead of President Chen.
Still, what Chen Yi felt fortunate about was—
He had never had the habit of browsing educational websites, and his study materials had all been freeloaded offline from Flower Arm Zhang and the others' hard-earned private collections.
Otherwise, to prove his innocence in this world, he might have had to become the murderer himself.
"Hang up the banner somewhere conspicuous, and deposit the checks.
"Notify Manager He and have her prepare the materials for Yifei's application for the three-exemptions, five-halves policy incentives.
"Also, prepare the bidding documents for the police order. The moment the police issue a tender, apply to bid immediately."
Chen Yi took out the two checks from earlier—one for five hundred thousand yuan and the other for fifty million yuan—and handed them to Qin Xiaoyu for deposit.
"Yes, I'll arrange it today."
Qin Xiaoyu accepted the checks and noted down Chen Yi's instructions.
After assigning Qin Xiaoyu her tasks, Chen Yi turned his gaze toward Xia Keke beside him.
"Keke, Xiaoyu is busy today, so help me order a batch of AR equipment, along with a batch of top-grade processor chips, motherboards, and graphics cards. Have them delivered to my office on the second floor."
He had still had many ideas to test early that morning when Penghai Police had arrived at his door.
Now that everything had been settled, it was time for him to continue his work.
Before you continue