Stronger Than Mengchuan

Shanghai City, atop the Pearl of Huaxia Tower.

"We meet again, Mengchuan," Xu Shuwei and Toni appeared at the cafe.

Chen Mengchuan smiled and said, "I'm very happy to see you both again."

"So, let's get straight to the point. Your plan and vision, since you already have a complete proposal, it seems like it won't make much difference whether we're involved or not, right?" Xu Shuwei said seriously, while Toni remained silent beside him.

Chen Mengchuan nodded and then shook his head, "Brother Xu, I won't hide it from you. I can indeed complete these plans by myself, but! As myself alone, it would take me at least 3 months to complete Chisako. However, if your teams join, I believe this time can be shortened by more than half."

"Her name is Chisako?" Toni asked.

Toni's question made Chen Mengchuan pause slightly, and many memories from his dreams surfaced in his mind...

Finally, Chen Mengchuan shook his head, "Her name is Achen, meaning the stars and the sea."

"Achen's intelligence will no longer be simulated artificial intelligence, but true autonomous thinking and exploration. All questions posed to her will no longer be pre-set phrases or combinations of words. She will possess a part of real emotions, just like humans."

Chen Mengchuan's words plunged both of them into thought.

After a long while, Toni extended his hand to Chen Mengchuan, "Pleasure working with you."

Chen Mengchuan was a little surprised by his directness, but quickly extended his hand as well, and they shook hands, "Pleasure working with you, Toni."

Xu Shuwei on the side rolled his eyes and, with a hint of helplessness, also extended his hand.

A weight lifted from Chen Mengchuan's heart. He smiled and clasped Xu Shuwei's hand, "Brother Xu, pleasure working with you."

With the understanding reached, the three chatted much more relaxed, talking until evening atop the Pearl of Huaxia Tower before bidding each other farewell.

He then spent another night at Zhao Wanyu's Riverside Garden. In a great mood, Chen Mengchuan played a few rounds of PUBG with her.

That night, after she fell asleep, Zhao Wanyu snuggled into Chen Mengchuan's bed.

The next day, after saying goodbye to Zhao Wanyu, he finally returned to Su City.

He took a taxi to the Su City Industrial Park and found the factory building rented by Sun Zhongyong. On the top floor at the front were two large blue characters: "Tianzhi".

The factory's perimeter wall had already been erected. After Chen Mengchuan got out of the taxi, the security guard at the entrance stopped him. He needed to make an appointment in advance, register with his original ID, and have someone come to identify him before he could enter. Although the entire building was still under renovation, the rules were quite strict.

He pulled out his phone and called Sun Zhongyong, saying a bit awkwardly, "Brother Sun, I'm at the company entrance and the security guard won't let me in."

Sun Zhongyong laughed heartily on the phone, hung up, and quickly appeared at the security booth.

"Xiao Luo, this is our company's CEO Chen. Recognize him," Sun Zhongyong instructed the security guard with a smile.

"Sorry, CEO Chen, I don't recognize you," the young security guard said with a smile, a little shy.

Chen Mengchuan waved at him, "Your security measures are quite thorough."

Sun Zhongyong chuckled and handed Chen Mengchuan a hard hat, saying, "I'm just imitating what I've seen. I've collaborated with many large companies, and they all do this. I think it's quite safe, so I learned from them."

"Brother Sun, you've thought more thoroughly than I have," Chen Mengchuan shook his head, feeling fortunate to have met Sun Zhongyong. There were still so many things he didn't understand compared to Sun Zhongyong, and having him there made him feel very at ease.

"The front half of the first floor is the security check and monitoring room, and the back half is the supercomputing room. It's currently under renovation. Although the renovation only started 4 days ago, the progress is very fast, and the first phase will be completed tomorrow. The second and third floors are office areas and the cafeteria. Renovation started the day you left, and it's been 8 days now, with a small part already usable. The top floor also has an outdoor green space," Sun Zhongyong led Chen Mengchuan from the first floor to the top floor.

On the top floor, looking at a large expanse of lush green low-lying grass and shrubs, it was a feast for the eyes. Chen Mengchuan was truly impressed by Sun Zhongyong's efficiency.

Seeing his expression, Sun Zhongyong laughed heartily, "I can't take credit for this greenery. It's a gesture from Wei Jie's parents. Zhong Shi heard about the company and originally wanted to send some potted plants. When he saw the top floor, he arranged for this. Wei Jie's mother has a landscaping company and manages a forest area on Lingyan Mountain. The cost here is mainly for transportation."

Chen Mengchuan smiled and nodded, "We still need to thank them. When the company is renovated, we'll invite them to the opening."

"Haha, you can talk to him about that yourself."

After touring the top floor area with Sun Zhongyong, Chen Mengchuan looked at the over 2,000 square meters of greenery, which also included a large octagonal water circulation system. Although no fish had been added yet, it was clear that once fish were introduced, this area would be like a small outdoor park.

"I just saw people working on the second floor?" Chen Mengchuan asked. Although he had glanced around briefly earlier, it had left an impression.

Sun Zhongyong nodded, "We've hired people for finance, accounting, cashier, administration, and reception. We also hired 4 security guards for the guardhouse downstairs, with two on duty at a time."

As they were chatting, Sun Zhongyong's phone rang. He answered it and heard it was Gu Xiaoxiao, so he asked her to come up.

After they met, Gu Xiaoxiao directly reported on the progress of the supercomputer, "The first batch of supercomputer components will clear customs the day after tomorrow. If all goes smoothly, they will arrive in Su City in 4 days."

"So fast?" Chen Mengchuan was surprised. Was overseas bulk procurement this fast now?

Gu Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes, "Not fast at all. The order was placed the day before this building started renovation. It's been 9 days today, CEO Chen~"

Chen Mengchuan chuckled awkwardly, "It's already been 9 days? Cough, cough, Xiaoxiao, you should still call me Mengchuan."

"Once all the components arrive, it will take at least another 10 days. However, the first batch arriving in 4 days can be used for initial inspection and testing. The supercomputing room's progress is indeed fast, truly professional. In America, this kind of room would take 2 months to build," Gu Xiaoxiao marveled at the construction efficiency of the Chinese people.

"Brother Sun, I've poached two big names from Ke University in Shanghai. I'm not sure yet how large their teams will be, but to be safe, we need to prepare a batch of computers and hardware equipment. I'll have to trouble you with this," Chen Mengchuan said to Sun Zhongyong.

Sun Zhongyong nodded and asked, "What are the configuration requirements?"

"Top-of-the-line, as good as possible. Also, their housing issues. It's best if they can live nearby, as most of them are quite introverted."

"Who are the two big names you poached from Ke University? They're that impressive?" Gu Xiaoxiao asked curiously.

"One is Xu Shuwei, and the other is Chen Miantang. Do you know them?" Chen Mengchuan smiled.

Gu Xiaoxiao's mouth dropped open when she heard the names, and she said in disbelief, "Xu Shuwei, the number one person in Artificial Intelligence at Qinghua? Oracle's Toni Chen? My god, are you trying to completely alienate Ke University?"

"If offending them is the consequence, then so be it. There isn't much time," Chen Mengchuan smiled.

Sun Zhongyong looked confused and asked, "Xiaoxiao, are these two people very powerful?"

Gu Xiaoxiao shook her head, finding it hard to process the astonishing news. After a while, she replied, "Globally, they are top-tier. Do you think they're powerful?"

"More powerful than Mengchuan?"

"Obviously!" Gu Xiaoxiao stated with certainty.

Chen Mengchuan awkwardly rubbed his nose, feeling like the conversation had hit a dead end.