The Bearded Man and the Bald Guy
That morning, Shen Qi put on the silver suit that a tailor from Wangfujing had custom-made for him, and tied a bright red tie at home.
Whenever Shen Qi represented the country in interactions with foreign dignitaries, he would wear a red tie, as red is the color of the national flag.
Seeing how handsome he looked in the mirror, Shen Qi was quite satisfied.
"Daddy is so handsome!" Nofi screamed, her eyes sparkling.
A man is at his prime at thirty. Before he turned thirty, Shen Qi was just a little handsome, but after thirty, he inexplicably became incredibly handsome.
As Ou Ye straightened the edges of Shen Qi's suit, gazing at her handsome husband, she suddenly felt a longing to fall in love again.
"Are we receiving the British delegation today?" Ou Ye asked.
Shen Qi nodded and said, "The British and Americans are actually difficult to deal with. They may be polite on the surface, but they have ulterior motives."
Ou Ye: "Which country's people are the easiest to deal with?"
"I think Eastern Europeans are quite simple and honest. Many Eastern European countries are not wealthy, but they produce geniuses in various fields. I have suggested to the higher-ups more than once that we could import more grain from Ukraine."
"The Ukraine wildcat is very famous."
"Hehe, yeah."
"Has Professor Shen been flirting with other women outside?"
No, absolutely not!
"Go on, it's time."
"Okay, I'm leaving."
Shen Qi left Academician Shen's villa in a special car arranged by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with his destination being the Yenching University's reception building, which was a 3-minute drive away.
A group of white people and a few people with darker skin gathered in front of the reception building; in short, they were all foreigners.
These foreigners are tall and have cold expressions, like emotionless killers.
They are the UK delegation's science and technology exchange team.
The British delegation visiting China this time is quite large, and they will conduct exchanges and cooperation with my country in the fields of trade, science and technology, education, and tourism.
The UK delegation's science and technology exchange team will visit several prestigious universities and high-tech companies in my country, with Yenching University as their first stop.
Shen Qi's car arrived at the reception building, and a middle-aged man who had been waiting for a long time quickly walked to the car and opened the back door for Shen Qi.
"Director Qu, I'm so sorry." Shen Qi waved from inside the car and then got out.
Director Qu of the Foreign Affairs Office grasped Shen Qi's hand and shook it vigorously. "Academician Shen, you've finally arrived! These British people have been asking me about you since yesterday. Look, that bearded man is the head of their science and technology exchange group, Charlie Randolph, an official."
"Understood." Shen Qi then followed Director Qu to the Englishman's side.
If it is purely an academic exchange between China and the UK, Shen Qi can host it himself, without the need for the Foreign Affairs Office to intervene.
Since the British side has sent government officials, we must also send corresponding personnel to accompany them.
Mr. Charlie Randolph, the leader of the British science and technology exchange group, sported a striking golden-brown beard reminiscent of South London: "Good morning, Professor Shen! I'm Charlie Randolph. I often see your name in the news, and it's a great honor to finally meet you in person today."
"Please." Shen Qi smiled and led the group of British people into the VIP conference room of the reception building.
After the British guests were seated, they got straight to the point. Randolph said, "We sincerely hope to conduct in-depth cooperation with Chinese research institutions and high-tech enterprises in the fields of mathematics, fundamental physics, materials, energy, medicine, chemical engineering, and environmental protection. We are very pleased and honored that the Chinese side recommended Professor Shen to discuss this with us."
Randolph repeatedly used the word "honor" in a short period of time, partly out of diplomatic courtesy, and partly because Shen Qi's influence in the international academic community is indeed significant.
"How about we discuss specific collaborative projects?" Shen Qi was a straightforward person. He personally received the British delegation because he felt that the British were quite capable in the scientific fields that Randolph had mentioned.
"Alright, now let's hear from Dr. Lowry." Randolph looked at a bald man beside him and said, "Dr. Lowry has an advanced laboratory; he's an expert in new energy, especially Solar Energy and batteries. Dr. Lowry, please come on."
Dr. Lowry stood up and exchanged glances with Shen Qi.
He's bald, and he's really strong? Shen Qi didn't know much about Dr. Lowry. There are so many experts in the world, and if you can't be one of the top experts in a certain field, then you're just a regional expert.
Dr. Lowry brought his own PowerPoint presentation, which he played on the big screen to demonstrate to Shen Qi.
Carl Laurie, who holds a PhD from Oxford University, is currently the head of the BNE research team, where he runs a top-tier laboratory for new energy research and development, funded by BNE.
BNE, or British New Energy Company, was originally a cutting-edge technology research and development division of British Petroleum, which later became independent to specialize in the research and application of new energy.
Shen Qi wasn't very familiar with Dr. Lowry, but he knew BNE fairly well.
The UK was the first European country to propose a "complete ban on the production and sale of gasoline-powered cars".
The British government sanctioned petrol and diesel cars for environmental reasons.
A complete ban on the production and sale of gasoline-powered cars does not mean that Britain no longer needs cars.
Therefore, new energy vehicles have a huge market in the UK. HEV and PHEV vehicles are transitional, and eventually the UK will fully realize pure electric vehicles, and even hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, Solar Energy vehicles or other forms of new energy vehicles.
BNE recognized the vast potential of new energy and seized the initiative.
It's worth mentioning that Shen Qi Research Center has a connection with BNE.
A few years ago, the National Key Laboratory of Condensed Matter Physics (FASTER Project Team) at Shen Qi Research Center made an invention: they developed a Graphene nanocomposite film, a novel Condensed Matter Physics material whose dielectric properties surpassed those of all known materials at the time.
Shen Qi has a clear vision for the FASTER Project Team: under the policy guidance of combining industry, academia, and research FASTER Project Team will focus on application development.
The FASTER Project Team has developed a series of scientific research results that are intended to be transformed into commercial products.
The development and sales of commercial products are primarily driven by enterprises.
A few years ago, the FASTER Project Team's patented invention, "A Novel Graphene Nanocomposite Film," was originally intended to be sold to domestic companies.
However, domestic companies are still in the early stages of developing commercial products in this area. In other words, even if the FASTER Project Team sells the patent development rights of "a new type of Graphene nanocomposite film" to domestic companies, domestic companies will not be able to achieve mass commercial production and sales in a short period of time.
After several twists and turns, the patent development rights for "a novel Graphene nanocomposite film" finally fell into the hands of BNE.
Shen Qi remembered very clearly that the patent development rights were sold to BNE for only two million Pound Sterling, a huge loss! A massive loss!
This time, things have taken an unexpected turn Dr. Lowry, and his BNE, with the support of the British government, have actually come knocking on our door.
BNE must have tasted success!
Shen Qi chuckled and said, "Dr. Lowry, please continue."