This Was a Real Angel Round

Inside the chairman's office at Skyvault Technology.

Ren Jian sat across from Lin Xu, holding the NDA and patent licensing letter of intent that Lin Xu had brought back, already signed by Xu Jin. There was no surprise on his face.

In fact, after speaking with Chu Xu, he had no doubts whatsoever about whether this could work.

Come on. If they had come looking for you, they must have laid the groundwork long ago.

Since they had already laid the groundwork, how could they possibly get stuck on a step like this?

Asperger's, autism, "a friend"—they were all excuses to cut off any direct connection.

For all he knew, the documents had been complete and ready all along. They simply had not been shown because Skyvault Technology had not yet earned the right to see them.

And now, Lin Xu had brought back the letter of intent so quickly, proving both his and Chu Xu's suspicions.

—What kind of sane person signed a letter of intent right off the bat??

If the technology was incomplete, they should have signed a joint development agreement instead, shouldn't they?

Bringing back a letter of intent proved only one thing:

The results already existed. A small fry like Skyvault Technology was not needed for the R&D.

All they had to do was serve as good white gloves for the big shots behind the scenes, handle whatever those big shots needed done, and preserve the country's dignity!

In that instant, countless thrilling espionage stories flashed through Ren Jian's mind.

He had spent many years fighting his way through the business world and had seen his share of major occasions.

Especially after entering the civilian rocket manufacturing industry, he had come into contact with many events that had once been no more than "secret legends," even to capital tycoons.

But even so, he had never been as excited as he was now.

He could practically imagine how patriotic scholars active in certain overseas institutions had endured humiliation while using "outsiders'" resources to organize research, how they had thrillingly passed their results to workers on the hidden front, and how the hidden front had selected an agent within the country before finally delivering this letter of intent into his hands.

It was only a thin sheet of paper.

But behind it lay the efforts of countless people.

With that thought, he sincerely said to Lin Xu before him, "You've worked hard."

Lin Xu froze for a moment.

Worked hard?

It doesn't seem like I did much, though?

Still, he really had worked hard.

"Ahem... the process did have a few twists and turns."

Lin Xu said, "But fortunately, the outcome was good."

"My communication with Xu Jin went fairly smoothly. Once he completes the research into the material process, he'll apply for patents and grant us a special license to use them."

"But in exchange for obtaining priority usage rights, we'll need to pay him consideration in advance."

"The exact amount is still under discussion—you've seen it too. We've only just reached a preliminary agreement, and many details still need to be discussed further."

"At the same time, they've also raised needs for equipment and funding."

"Perhaps we'll need to establish a subsidiary specifically to support the follow-up research and development."

"That's also something you'll need to consider."

"Understood, understood."

Ren Jian's attitude toward Lin Xu was nothing like that of a superior toward a subordinate. Calling it deferential would be an exaggeration, but they were at least on equal footing.

"The specific business details certainly can't be settled that quickly. We can take our time negotiating; there's no problem with that."

"As for the subsidiary... I don't think we should waste any time."

"If it needs to be registered, register it. If something needs to be purchased, purchase it."

"As long as we determine the equity allocation, we can complete the company registration within two or three days."

"As for subsequent equipment and raw material procurement, as well as recruitment, how about you take direct responsibility?"

"Huh?"

Lin Xu was dumbfounded.

"Me?"

"Is that inappropriate?"

Ren Jian's heart skipped a beat.

He was terrified that his proposal might not fit Lin Xu's plans, offending the people behind him and causing him to lose this enormous opportunity.

"...It's not impossible."

Lin Xu answered.

Ren Jian let out a long breath and continued.

"You're already considered one of our company's key people. I think your position at Skyvault Technology should remain unchanged for now."

"At the new company, you can contribute technology in your personal capacity."

"As for the equity allocation among you, Xu Jin, and the company..."

Ren Jian paused.

"By industry convention, the company, as the party providing all the funding, needs to hold at least 33% of the shares."

"But considering that the technology has nothing to do with the company, we can take another step back and give up 1%."

"In other words, the company will hold only 32%."

"Do you think that works?"

It worked far too well.

Lin Xu did not even know why Ren Jian was offering him such generous terms.

Originally, he had expected to set up this so-called "company" himself, have Skyvault Technology provide most of the investment, then agree on the allocation of patent shares and exclude Skyvault Technology from the patent rights.

But now that Ren Jian had voluntarily lowered the company's stake to 32%, it meant the company had lost its one-third veto threshold, and the company would be completely under his control.

This was a real angel round!

This was a real angel!

Lin Xu went over the entire arrangement from beginning to end and could not find any trap in it.

What was going on? Had capitalists suddenly grown a conscience too?

In that case... I won't stand on ceremony.

Lin Xu decisively nodded and replied, "This arrangement is reasonable. I don't think they'll refuse."

"Then we can get the preparations underway as soon as possible."

Hearing Lin Xu's words, Ren Jian could not help but laugh.

"They won't refuse"?

Come on. Whether they refused or not was entirely up to him, wasn't it?

That was some masterful hedging...

But it did not matter. As long as they achieved their goal, it was enough.

Ren Jian had never expected to obtain the patent rights for those two materials. That was still far beyond his reach.

But even a special license for priority use would be a tremendous gain for Skyvault Technology.

Those were industrial manufacturing processes for two top-tier materials!

Once they could be produced, using them internally went without saying. If they were sold directly on the market, they would clearly be a devastating blow to the current high-strength carbon fiber market.

By then, Skyvault Technology would no longer be limited to the civilian aerospace sector. It might even leap into becoming a supplier of high-end materials.

Making money was inevitable, and with this priority right and a stable cash flow, investment would inevitably come pouring in.

In a virtuous cycle, its core civilian aerospace business would develop even faster.

What was that called?

A self-sustaining cycle!

Ren Jian's heart pounded wildly.

He realized that this might very well be the greatest opportunity he would encounter in his entire life.

And that opportunity had come from the young man before him.

I have to treat him well!

With that thought, he hurriedly rose to his feet and extended his hand to Lin Xu.

"Then we've basically reached an agreement. A little later, I'll have my secretary prepare a to-do list and map out the milestones for you to review."

"I'll immediately begin preparing the company. The contract issues can be handed over to our legal and business colleagues."

"No problem."

Lin Xu nodded quickly.

Good lord, the chairman was making him a to-do list and setting milestones for him.

What kind of upside-down world was this?

Before he could exchange any pleasantries, Ren Jian continued, "Also, you've rendered the company a tremendous service this time."

"We'll start the process for the bonus first. Once the material prototype is ready, around the end of May, it can be paid out together with the year-end bonus."

"Your salary can be adjusted upward as well—this will take effect next month."

"Thank you, boss."

Lin Xu was neither servile nor overbearing.

I earned it!

The two exchanged smiles. After a few simple courtesies, Lin Xu took his leave.

He returned to his workstation in the farthest corner, where Jiang Xingye eagerly came over to ask about the progress.

For a moment, Lin Xu did not know how to explain it to her, so he could only say vaguely, "It seems like I'm going to become a boss too..."