Chapter 712: Refusal to Meet! Dragon Core Trial Production Success! A Visitor!

Jiang Lu’s family lingered before the announcement board for a long time before finally accepting the fact that their daughter Tongtong had become a major figure in her own right.

By all rights, they should have been happy for Tongtong’s accomplishments, but at this moment, they couldn’t muster any joy at all.

The reason was simple.

If their daughter Tongtong had been an ordinary girl, they could at least have used money, resources—everything they could offer—to make up for lost time, to dote on her, to slowly warm her heart back toward them.

There would always be a way in—some kind of opening.

But the person they now had to face was an extraordinarily brilliant daughter, the founder of a business empire. What could they possibly offer to make amends?

Wealth? Power and influence?

Wealth wasn’t even worth mentioning—if her net worth truly exceeded tens of billions, she could probably buy the Lin Family several times over.

And influence? The Lin Family’s power had long since waned. Tongtong’s authority in Pearl City was likely far greater than theirs in the Imperial Capital.

As for using emotional bonds… that seemed more like a cruel joke.

After missing the most crucial two decades of her life, trying to win over such an independent and powerful person with that thin thread of blood relation felt more like an imposition.

In the end, they no longer qualified for any chance to make things right.

The more they thought about it, the more hopeless they felt—especially Jiang Lu.

Even Lin Dong didn’t know how to console his wife. He could only sigh in admiration, “This girl is no ordinary person!”

Deep down, he also felt some regret. When he’d first learned his wife had a daughter, he should have been more resolute, more decisive—he should have brought her straight to the Lin Family instead of backing down at the first sign of resistance.

None of the younger generation in the Lin Family amounted to much these days. If they had brought this stepdaughter home earlier, how brilliant the next generation of Lins would have been! With her résumé alone, even if they’d arranged for her to enter government service, her achievements would have been remarkable. The Lin Family might have truly risen again because of her.

But alas, a missed opportunity was a missed opportunity.

Lin Feng, having recovered from his initial shock, sized up the situation and said, “Dad, Aunt Jiang, I’m afraid this younger sister of ours won’t be easy to claim.”

Even as a young master from the Imperial Capital, he had to admit this younger sister was simply too exceptional.

So exceptional that few scions of great families in the Imperial Capital could compare.

But precisely because she was too exceptional, acknowledging their relationship would be even harder.

Jiang Lu gazed at her daughter’s photo, feeling utterly powerless.

Yes, her daughter now lacked nothing.

What could she, a mother who only now appeared, possibly bring to her daughter?

Joy? Her daughter probably didn’t need that at all.

But she still couldn’t bring herself to give up.

“Lin Dong, I still want to see Tongtong. Even if she wants nothing from me, even if she hates me, I have to tell her in person: Mom is back, Mom was wrong. Even if afterwards she tells me to disappear forever, I’ll accept it.”

Lin Dong sighed heavily. “Then let’s go see her. But Lulu, we must prepare for the worst.”

With this pessimistic mindset, they left Finance University and, following the address given by students, found the temporary headquarters of Wanlong Society Group—Shunchang Building.

“Shunchang…”

Lin Dong looked up at the glittering golden characters for “Shunchang,” then at the black-clad men coming and going through the main entrance, and couldn’t help muttering to himself.

“Shunchang—‘Those who follow me prosper.’ It seems my stepdaughter is not only a business prodigy but also has something dark in her bones… hmm, a very special kind of dominance.”

This only confirmed their suspicion—communicating with her would probably be as difficult as reaching the heavens.

Lin Feng also couldn’t help clicking his tongue. “Dad, Aunt Jiang, look at these names—Shunchang, and Wanlong Society. No wonder those students last night said Tongtong has immense influence. I’m actually starting to believe it. Our younger sister’s methods might be a bit… unorthodox.”

The name Wanlong Society already sounded very much like an underworld organization, and the words “Shunchang” displayed that dominance for all to see.

Jiang Lu was also extremely nervous. “Let’s go. We have to face this sooner or later.”

As expected, they were stopped by the receptionist on the first floor.

“Apologies, but without an appointment, we cannot let you through.”

“Then what do we need to do to see your boss?”

“To meet our Chairwoman, you must schedule an appointment in advance and receive approval from Special Assistant Su or one of the Chiefs: Yun, Ma, Yu, etc.”

“We… we’re not here for business negotiations.”

“I’m your chairwoman’s mother. We’ve come from the Imperial Capital. We just want to see her for a moment, exchange a few words.” Jiang Lu was practically pleading, her voice filled with supplication.

The receptionist’s expression instantly turned somewhat odd. The boss’s mother? Was this some kind of trick?

If she truly were the boss’s mother, would the boss refuse to see her?

She could only speculate, but professionalism compelled her to maintain a courteous facade. “Madam, please understand—many people try to see our chairwoman every day for various reasons. If you are truly her family, you may contact her directly or reach Special Assistant Su. Without an appointment, we must follow protocol.”

Lin Dong knew arguing with reception was pointless. He pulled out a business card and handed it over. “I’m Lin Dong from Lin Group in the Imperial Capital. This is my wife. We do have urgent personal matters. Could you please inform Assistant Su that we met with your chairwoman last night at Yuyuefang?”

The receptionist took the card, her expression turning slightly more serious at the sight of Lin Group, but she still shook her head. “Mr. Lin, my apologies. Without an appointment, I truly cannot inform anyone. This is the rule.”

She returned the card. “If you truly have urgent matters, you may try contacting Special Assistant Su’s public email or send an official letter through our business cooperation channels.”

Having hit a soft rebuff, the three could only retreat to the rest area outside the building.

“What do we do now?”

Lin Feng was getting agitated. “We can’t even get through the door. Our younger sister’s company rules are a bit too strict.”

Lin Dong understood perfectly why. “This was expected. If Tongtong doesn’t want to see us, her people will block us completely. She made her position clear last night.”

“Lulu, it seems Tongtong is more resolute than we imagined.”

Jiang Lu bit her lip, tears welling in her eyes. “I was the one who wronged her. She has every right to hate me. But don’t I even get a chance to explain? Even if she yells at me or hits me—why won’t she see me just once?”

“Auntie, don’t be like this. Let’s think of another way.”

After offering comfort, Lin Feng turned to his father. “Dad, do you have any friends in Pearl City? Could you ask someone to pass on a message?”

Lin Dong shook his head. “If not for your mother, I might never have even heard of Pearl City. But even if I did have connections, it would be useless—this is Tongtong’s territory.”

After learning his stepdaughter’s identity at the university, he had immediately contacted his assistant to investigate Wanlong Society Group—an organization he never thought he’d have any connection with.

Though time was short, the information his assistant uncovered had startled him.

Wanlong Society’s rise to power was anything but “clean,” revealing “dark” elements at every turn.

Rumor had it that when several major old-guard factions in Pearl City fell in recent years, Wanlong Society had been behind them all. And their methods for dealing with enemies were brutally harsh… In short, the waters ran deep, and so did their backing. In Pearl City, Wanlong Society Group’s word was practically law.

Under these circumstances, asking anyone for help would probably be futile.

After hearing these rumors, he even felt the urge to abandon the idea of acknowledging their relationship altogether.

The Lin Family was relatively clean, after all. If his stepdaughter was so “dark,” wouldn’t bringing such a daughter into the family drag the Lins down with her?

Of course, these were just rumors, impossible to verify, but still frightening enough.

“Then… do we just give up?” Jiang Lu’s heart sank.

Seeing his wife’s dejected state, Lin Dong couldn’t bear it and offered comfort: “No matter what, she’s still our daughter. We must face what needs to be faced. If she won’t see us now, we’ll keep coming back. Let her see our sincerity, and eventually she’ll meet with us.”

“Alright then.” Jiang Lu had no better ideas.

Over the next two days, they came to Shunchang Building morning, noon, and night, only to be rejected each time—for “no appointment” or “appointment not approved.”

They couldn’t even get through the front door, let alone see anyone.

What they didn’t know was that Liu Yutong wasn’t even in Pearl City—she had gone to the provincial capital.

Perhaps it was a case of “out of sight, out of mind,” or perhaps it was the good news from Chief Qiu at Dragon Core that the production line was ready and chip trial production was beginning. Whatever the reason, Liu Yutong had simply gone to the Dragon Core factory to oversee things personally.

On the afternoon of the third day, after being politely escorted out again, Lin Dong looked at his haggard wife Jiang Lu and sighed deeply.

“Lulu, we must return to the Imperial Capital tomorrow.”

“Why? Give me a few more days, and I’m sure I can see my daughter.” Jiang Lu grew anxious.

Lin Dong explained: “It’s not that we can’t afford to wait, but the matriarch of the Jiang Family is turning eighty, and the invitation arrived long ago. Though the Lin Family is no longer what it once was, we must attend such occasions. It’s not just about propriety—it concerns the future of our younger generation like Lin Feng. The Jiang Family has deep roots and far-reaching influence. Even maintaining the slightest connection with them benefits the Lins greatly. And I hear many important figures will be at this birthday banquet. It’s an opportunity.”

“Most crucially, my sister-in-law and my niece are returning to the Lin Family. You know what that means, don’t you?”

Lin Feng’s eyes widened. “Dad, my cousin is…”

Lin Dong said meaningfully, “It’s enough that you understand.”

His sister-in-law and niece hadn’t set foot in the Lin Family home since his older brother’s death. This sudden desire to “visit” the Lin Family probably wasn’t so simple.

Lin Feng nodded, then looked at his stepmother. “Aunt Jiang, let’s put the matter of acknowledging our sister on hold for now. Let’s return to the Imperial Capital and handle the social obligations we must attend to. Perhaps things will take a turn for the better next time we come.”

Jiang Lu fell silent.

She knew her husband was right. She couldn’t just act on her emotions when it concerned the family and her son’s future.

But the thought of leaving again, perhaps never to see her daughter again, felt like her heart was being torn apart.

“I… I understand.”

“Tomorrow I’ll try one last time. If Tongtong still refuses to see me, then we’ll head back first.”

Lin Dong: “Alright. Tomorrow I’ll go with you. If we still can’t see her… Lulu, we must prepare ourselves mentally. Perhaps she simply needs more time to accept your presence in her world. Taking a step back might be good for everyone.”

However unwilling, Jiang Lu could only nod. “Mm.”

………

Provincial capital, Lucheng.

Dragon Core Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

In the brand-new cleanroom, engineers in white dust-proof coveralls were frantically conducting final equipment calibrations.

Massive lithography machines, etching equipment, ion implanters… these precision instruments, costing hundreds of millions of US dollars, now stood quietly in the temperature and humidity-controlled environment, awaiting the command for their first trial production run.

Liu Yutong gazed quietly through the observation window at the scene inside.

“Chairwoman, all equipment self-checks are complete, parameters calibrated. We can proceed with the first test run.” Chief Qiu’s voice came through the intercom, brimming with barely contained excitement.

This 90-nanometer process production line, though two to three generations behind international mainstream technology, represented Dragon Core’s first truly independent and controllable chip manufacturing line.

Its significance far exceeded its commercial value. As long as the trial production succeeded, Dragon Core would have taken a solid first step.

Qiu Ciyun, the renowned factory-building expert, had truly lived up to his prestigious reputation.

“Begin.”

“Understood! Activating Lithography Machine One, loading test pattern!”

At the command, indicator lights flared to life throughout the cleanroom, and the equipment hummed to life with a low rumble.

Through the monitoring screens, they could see tiny circuit patterns beginning to form on the silicon wafers—the fundamental building blocks of chips.

Time ticked by, second by second.

All the engineers held their breath, eyes fixed on the monitoring data before them.

Half an hour later…

“Pattern transfer complete, precision within specifications!”

“Etching process complete. Some line width errors present, but within acceptable ranges!”

“Ion implantation complete…”

“…”

A stream of reports came through the intercom, each one making Liu Yutong’s heart beat faster.

She was no longer the complete novice she had once been about chip manufacturing. She could more or less understand what they were saying.

When the green light for the final process illuminated, the entire control room erupted in cheers.

“Success! First trial production successful!”

“Preliminary yield estimates exceed seventy percent! Above expectations!”

“We did it! We really did it!”

Chief Qiu removed his dust cap, his eyes already red-rimmed.

This veteran who had spent decades in the semiconductor industry had anticipated this first step for Dragon Core more than anyone.

Into the intercom, he said to Liu Yutong, “Chairwoman, our own chip production line has successfully completed trial production.”

Though the yield was somewhat low and the process node still lagged behind, they had taken that first step smoothly and surely.

Qiu Ciyun, the renowned expert at building factories, had truly lived up to his prestigious reputation.

“Excellent work, everyone! Though I’m a layperson and don’t fully understand the technical details, I must still congratulate you all!”

“The cafeteria has prepared a celebration banquet. Everyone must eat and drink their fill!”

“Thank you, Chairwoman!”

Cheers burst through the intercom, the atmosphere electric with excitement.

The trial production had succeeded, and evening was approaching. This historic first step was truly worth celebrating.

Engineers and factory staff began leaving their posts to change in the locker rooms, preparing to head to the cafeteria for the banquet.

Liu Yutong had just changed and was leaving the locker room when her phone vibrated.

It was Ma Da calling.

“Young Mistress, that family of three from the Imperial Capital came again today. They waited at the Shunchang Building reception all morning, still wanting to see you. As you instructed, the reception turned them away for lack of an appointment.”

“They haven’t left yet?”

“No. I hear that Madame Jiang comes nearly every day. Today is the third day.”

“Young Mistress, shall I arrange for someone to escort them out of Pearl City?”

“No need. If they’re willing to wait, let them wait. When they lose patience, they’ll naturally leave.”

“Understood!”

After hanging up, Liu Yutong gazed at the flags fluttering outside the Dragon Core factory campus, her expression complicated.

Her refusal to meet wasn’t because of hatred.

It was because she didn’t know how to face them.

That “older sister” who had felt so familiar on the plane, that gentle and sophisticated woman with whom she’d had such a pleasant conversation—was actually her biological mother.

Fate truly had a strange sense of humor sometimes.

“Boss!”

Su Mansu’s voice interrupted her thoughts as she reported on the situation outside the factory: “Many reporters have arrived, along with some local officials. They say they want to interview and inspect the Dragon Core trial production. Will you see them personally?”

Liu Yutong frowned at the news, a flicker of impatience crossing her eyes.

The Dragon Core factory was in a critical phase. The engineers were wholly focused on production preparation. These sudden visits from reporters and officials would be no help at all—just a waste of time.

Besides, she had made it clear long ago that she didn’t want anyone disrupting Chief Qiu and his team’s work rhythm. They needed to concentrate.

“Send them all away!”

“But…”

“No buts. I already spoke with Uncle Li. All unnecessary inspection procedures are to be declined.”

“Yes!”

Su Mansu was about to turn when she received another message. She reported again: “Boss, Chief Zeng has also arrived. He’s right outside the factory gate, stopped by security. He says he’s brought a guest.”

Liu Yutong was about to say to send him away too, but she stopped before the words left her mouth.

“You mean Zeng Jin? He’s come to the mainland?”

Su Mansu nodded. “It’s him!”

“Quick, let’s go!”

Without another word, Liu Yutong turned and strode quickly toward the gate.

Watching Liu Yutong hurry off like this, Su Mansu was suddenly reminded of a figure from the Three Kingdoms period.

Truly, bosses who genuinely wanted to accomplish great things were all this eager to seek out talented people!