Embarking on the Journey Home

The two of them arrived at the cafeteria, grabbed some food, and found a table in the corner to eat and chat.

Taking a sip of black coffee, Lu Xuedong asked curiously, "Xiao Yuan, what do you plan to do?"

"What would you suggest?" Huang Xiuyuan asked back with a smile.

Lost in deep thought, Lu Xuedong's expression was slightly conflicted, but he eventually answered the question seriously: "I don't know, but I wouldn't suggest entering the semiconductor industry."

This statement caught him by surprise, as Lu Xuedong had always been obsessed with the development of China's semiconductor industry.

With a bitter look on his face, Lu Xuedong sighed softly: "I would love to trick you into investing in semiconductors, but unfortunately, this industry is destined to be a bottomless pit, and you have to be mentally prepared for ten years without profit and the possibility of bankruptcy at any time."

Once full of passion, Lu Xuedong had clearly realized the gap during his time at Harvard. If Huang Xiuyuan were a big shot in a state-owned enterprise, he would have definitely spun a flowery tale to lure him into this massive trap.

However, Huang Xiuyuan's meager capital wouldn't even be enough to fill the gaps between his teeth in the semiconductor industry, and he didn't want to sabotage his own brother.

"Semiconductors are indeed difficult to enter, but it's not impossible," Huang Xiuyuan said ambiguously.

Lu Xuedong gave a bitter laugh and quickly advised: "Don't be a newborn calf that isn't afraid of tigers; the semiconductor industry really isn't something a small player can afford to play with."

"I know, don't worry, I'm not stupid," Huang Xiuyuan actually already had a plan in mind.

"Then what do you plan to do?"

The question returned to the beginning.

"My father's old trade."

Lu Xuedong, who was chewing on a steak, almost choked. He quickly took a sip of coffee and asked in disbelief: "Recycling?"

"No need to be surprised, it's just collecting scrap, hahaha," Huang Xiuyuan laughed nonchalantly.

Lu Xuedong was silent for a moment, his expression turning somewhat grim: "But in that case... you don't need to hire me."

The calm Huang Xiuyuan asked back with a beaming smile: "Xuedong, do you think collecting scrap doesn't require technology? This is a profound field of study; if done well, it will be a massive cake."

Frowning, Lu Xuedong racked his brains for a moment, but still couldn't find any technology that could promote the major development of the recycling industry.

"I know you are very confused, but I have the confidence to do it well, and I need your help."

Completely bewildered, Lu Xuedong thought for a moment and asked: "Then what do you need me to do?"

"I need some new materials, so I want to set up a materials laboratory. Besides that, you can also participate in research and development using your computer programming skills," Huang Xiuyuan said eloquently.

In Huang Xiuyuan's view, Lu Xuedong was indeed a rare talent. In addition to his major in semiconductors and microelectronics, he was also proficient in materials science and computer software.

Even if Lu Xuedong didn't work in the semiconductor industry, he could still do materials research and software design.

Moreover, Huang Xiuyuan's ambition could never be limited to just collecting scrap. Entering the semiconductor industry in the future was an inevitable outcome; he was simply taking precautions now.

"No problem, I can handle both materials R&D and software design."

Huang Xiuyuan didn't want to discuss it in depth here, so he changed the subject: "By the way, Xuedong, when can you apply for graduation?"

"After handling this experiment, about a week! My credits and thesis are all done, I can graduate at any time."

Huang Xiuyuan made a prompt decision: "Then let's say February 10th! You handle things here as soon as possible, then return to the country, visit your mother, and we'll meet in Shanmei, Lingnan on the 15th."

"No problem."

After dinner, the two returned to their respective residences.

Back in his dorm, he checked his computer as if nothing were wrong, then compared the layout of the room, finding not a single change, which made him feel a bit more at ease.

In a foreign land, one could never be too careful; after all, the dirty deeds the Americans had committed were too numerous to record.

He continued his work of capturing botnets, and another long night slipped away in the cold wind.

Over the next five days, he cut through the Gordian knot of his affairs here, collected his graduation certificate, terminated his laboratory access, and destroyed the remaining brain inhibitors as well as all chemical reagents.

February 3rd.

He took his luggage and boarded the flight back to China.

At the Boston Logan International Airport, in front of the security checkpoint, he waved goodbye to Lu Xuedong, who had come to see him off, and passed through security calmly.

On the boarding bridge, he looked back silently at this land; perhaps he would never set foot here again for the rest of his life.

Since there were no direct flights from Boston to Shenzhen Bao'an Airport, he had to choose Shanghai Hongqiao Airport.

Before boarding, he injected a high-concentration brain inhibitor to ensure the stability of his hyperthymesia for the next 60 hours.

After sitting on the plane, he closed his eyes to rest, thinking about several matters in his mind.

19 hours later, a Boeing passenger jet glided steadily onto the runway at Hongqiao Airport.

Huang Xiuyuan took a deep breath as he stepped off the plane. Due to the time difference, the sky at Hongqiao Airport was in the early morning.

Checking the time, he didn't bother with jet lag. Dragging his suitcase, he looked at the domestic flight information in the terminal and found the time for his pre-booked flight.

After waiting for over an hour, Huang Xiuyuan boarded again, and the plane from Hongqiao Airport to Bao'an Airport took off slowly from the runway.

The flight took two and a half hours.

As soon as he arrived in Shenzhen, he used his domestic SIM card to make a call: "Uncle Xiao, Happy New Year."

"Xiao Yuan, you're back?" The voice on the other end of the phone carried a hint of surprise.

Huang Xiuyuan kept it brief: "I just arrived at Bao'an. How are the things I ordered a few days ago coming along?"

"Don't worry, everything has arrived, and I've even tidied up a room for you."

"Sorry for the trouble, I'll be home by this evening."

"Your dad went to Shu Province, so I have the keys. Remember to come and get them."

"Alright, we'll talk more when I get home."

"Be careful on the road."

He hung up the phone. With the New Year fast approaching, the only way to get back was by long-distance bus.

After several hours of bumping along the road, he finally arrived back in his hometown at nearly four o'clock in the afternoon.

The bus exited the Shenhai Expressway into the urban area of Shanmei, but his home wasn't in the city center; it was in Pubian Town on the outskirts. As soon as he stepped off the bus, he heard a familiar voice.

"Xiao Yuan!"

A middle-aged man walked toward him, calling out his name.

The man was wearing a loose, old denim jacket. His skin was tanned dark by the sun, and his dark red lips were chapped from the cold wind, though his eyes remained bright and spirited.

"Uncle Xiao, long time no see."

"Let's go, let's head home." Huang Sixiao patted him on the shoulder, took his suitcase, and dragged it toward a tricycle parked not far away.

Huang Xiuyuan nodded, and the uncle and nephew chatted and laughed all the way.

Huang Xiuyuan trusted this clansman deeply; at the very least, when he was at the lowest point in his life, this man had looked after him and kept the recycling plant running normally.

Unlike the other few employees who, the moment his father left, immediately poached several clients and seized the opportunity to set up their own businesses.

He climbed onto the scrap-collecting tricycle without a hint of disdain. The tricycle sputtered out thin black smoke as it headed toward the recycling plant.

His family's plant and living quarters were right beside the Haishan Highway, backed by Tongding Mountain. It was a fairly large recycling plant, covering an area of nearly twenty thousand square meters.