Director Liu Goes on the Offensive (Bonus Chapter for Alliance Leader You Meng Zhi Yu 2)

"I just spoke with A-Meng and I know that you're a bit short on funds, Mr. Xiang. But that's alright. I'm willing to invest in your project. Although I'm not exactly wealthy, I know quite a few outstanding entrepreneurs from Copperstone, and I have some connections in Jianzhou City. I'm confident I can attract some people to invest together. I can't say much, but..."

Upon hearing Liu Caifu's words on the phone, Xiang Kun quickly stopped him, pouring cold water on his enthusiasm. "Director Liu, what I said yesterday was mostly just a plan. You have to understand, I'm currently working alone, and those things can't be done by one person alone!"

"No, I certainly wouldn't believe it if it were anyone else, but Mr. Xiang can definitely do it. I believe that when Mr. Xiang starts doing this, it will naturally attract more insightful and talented people to join. Just like me and A-Meng, after hearing Mr. Xiang's idea, we were willing to contribute to it. Of course, I'm not saying that A-Meng and I are insightful people... I just hope that this project can stay in Copperstone, stay in our Chongyun Village."

Judging from Liu Caifu's tone, he still firmly believes in Xiang Kun's wild speculation from yesterday.

Xiang Kun was somewhat at a loss. Although Liu Caifu seemed willing to contribute money and effort, he really didn't dare to agree casually.

If a large sum of money is involved, even if Liu Caifu himself is still influenced by "Emotional Assimilation" and is willing, his family and those around him will definitely find it strange and have doubts. When they investigate, they will definitely think that Xiang Kun is a swindler, and there will be a lot of trouble.

If Xiang Kun really had a project that could make money, then agreeing wouldn't be a problem. The problem is, he doesn't have one right now!

For now, he just wants to find a secluded place to study and train his abilities undisturbed, and to prepare for his potentially much larger "appetite" in the future.

So he could only continue to pour cold water on Director Liu's plans, "I'm really not ready yet. Even if it's about attracting investment, you need a business plan, or at least a PowerPoint presentation. I don't have anything right now!"

"Mr. Xiang, if you don't want to accept our investment but can't come up with a lot of money to invest right now, I actually have another idea. The Ministry of Science and Technology recently issued a notice on the 'Guiding Opinions on Promoting the Development of New R&D Institutions,' encouraging the establishment of new science and technology-related private non-enterprise R&D institutions. You could first register a technology company, preferably in Jianzhou City. Then you could use this company to fund an application to the Ministry of Civil Affairs to establish a research institute combining internet, AI, and automated aquaculture. I've already looked into the approval process..."

"The minimum investment is only 50,000 yuan. I will find someone to donate and sponsor the subsequent funds. Of course, the prerequisite is that the research results are obtained in our Chongyun Village."

"Mr. Xiang. Xiang, don't worry. The Internet and AI are all hot topics, and automated farming is also in line with our local conditions. The leaders in the town and even the city will definitely support it!"

"If Mr. Xiang's company or others want to use the relevant results in the future, they can transfer or license them. Although Mr. Xiang this method, he will receive more help and advance the research faster. I know that with Mr. Xiang's magnanimity, he certainly won't mind!"

Xiang Kun's head was spinning. All I wanted to do was find a remote, godforsaken place in the mountains to raise a few hundred rabbits and be self-sufficient!

And a non-corporate research and development institution focused on science and technology? It's obvious that the more official favors they receive, the more oversight they'll face—this is nowhere near the "research institution" he's looking for!

"Lao Liu, this matter needs careful consideration. I'll think it over and then tell you. That's all for now, I have something to do. We'll talk later, bye..."

After finishing his sentence, Xiang Kun quickly hung up the phone and headed home with the groceries.

I really need to control my emotions better in the future. If I feel like I'm about to let loose, I should pinch my thigh to stop myself. The boasting I do while in a state of "Emotional Assimilation" is terrifying; it's practically brainwashing and hypnosis!

However, Xiang Kun speculated that Liu Caifu's fanatical state was largely related to the fact that he had been thinking about it all night!

This guy couldn't judge Xiang Kun's words in his memory as nonsense or boasting. On the contrary, because of his constant thinking, he actually came up with a preliminary implementation plan and filled in the gaps in Xiang Kun's words in his mind.

Otherwise, why did You Meng, who was also affected by Xiang Kun's "Emotional Assimilation," show no unusual behavior last night and this morning, and not mention that matter again?

When Xiang Kun got home, his parents weren't back yet, so he quickly started washing rice, cooking, and preparing ingredients.

Back in the original city, the dishes he fed Tang Baona and Yang Zhen'er were mainly rabbit meat because there was rabbit meat to process every week. But now that they were at home, he decided to start with more traditional home-style dishes.

There were four dishes and one soup in total: braised pork, beef soup, eggplant with minced meat, stir-fried bean sprouts, and braised crucian carp. Except for the braised crucian carp, which was prepared specifically for my mother, the flavors of the other dishes were adjusted for both of us, because our tastes are very similar.

Aside from the beef soup, he hadn't actually made the other dishes before; they were recipes he found online and then slightly adjusted to suit his parents' tastes.

After all, these dishes weren't complicated, and he was no longer a novice who had never cooked before.

When Mom and Dad came home, the rice was just cooked, and Xiang Kun's dishes were almost done too, so it was time to eat.

If the dinner he hastily prepared when he got home the night before last surprised Mom Xiang 'Dad Xiang that their son could cook, and even cooked quite well, then today's lunch was a pleasant surprise for them.

While eating the eggplant with minced meat that Xiang Kun had made, Dad Xiang said to his wife, "I've told you before, eggplant is supposed to be cooked like this, it has to taste like this! It's exactly how it should be! You always said it couldn't be done, but now your son has made it! Xiang Kun, you should tell your mother exactly how you made this eggplant..."

"Just eat your food properly. Don't talk so loudly while you're eating, or you'll spit it out and make it impossible for others to eat," Mom Xiang scolded irritably. Then she turned to Xiang Kun and said gently, "Kun, your cooking skills are really good, especially this braised fish. It tastes so good; you've inherited my talent. Remember to tell girls about your cooking skills when you're chatting with them in the future, and discuss how to cook with them. Girls will really like that."

Xiang Kun originally thought his father would prefer the braised pork, but he didn't expect his father to be so fond of the minced pork and eggplant dish. He rarely saw his father speak so loudly and lose his composure at the dinner table, which showed that he was really satisfied with the taste.

While gathering feedback from his parents, Xiang Kun was already planning what to make for dinner. He was confident he could improve his cooking skills further and better cater to his parents' tastes, but he was also a little worried that his rapid "improvement" might scare them.

Just as Xiang Kun was thinking about what to make for dinner, his mother suddenly asked, "Are you busy this afternoon?"

"No, what's wrong?"

However, Xiang Kun regretted his words as soon as they left his mouth, because he immediately judged from the information he had obtained earlier and predicted the purpose of his mother's question.

Hamburger knows that the current irregular and random update schedule is not conducive to everyone's reading and following the book. I also want to fix the update schedule, but right now I really don't have a single word saved up, so fixing the schedule once or twice is meaningless, because it is possible that I still haven't finished writing by the next update time... Once Hamburger finishes making up for the few extra chapters I owe, and can save up two or three chapters, I believe I can start fixing the schedule... (TT)... Thanks to the master "Do Not Ask About Past Sorrows", and thanks to readers Huang Qian, Muzi Little Bean, Justice Is With Me the rewards.