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Suning only stayed in his hometown in Fujian for a few days before returning to the United States. Now, Yongren Group is very busy every day.

In a conference room at the headquarters of the Yongren Group in Los Angeles, a video of a laboratory is being played on a projector.

In the video, a palm-sized silver battery remains stable under extreme temperature testing, with an energy density 30% higher than similar products on the market.

“Mr. Su, this is the third-generation lithium-ion battery that we developed in collaboration with Stanford Labs.” Jason Wu, the technical director, typed on the keyboard and brought up a set of data curves. “If mass production is successful, it can increase the range of electric vehicles by 40% and reduce costs by 25%.”

Suning stroked the stubble on his chin, his gaze sweeping over the executives in the conference room.

Mike Howard, who is in charge of international business, frowned, while Li Wentao, president of China, looked on with anticipation.

"Jason, what are the difficulties in mass production?" Suning tapped the table lightly with his pen.

“The main issue is the synthesis process of the cathode material, which requires an oxygen-free environment…” Jason suddenly paused, glanced at Howard, “Uh, the technical details may need to be kept secret.”

Howard immediately chimed in: "Soviet Union, this technology has potential applications in defense. If a factory were to be set up in China, it might trigger the ITAR regulations."

He deliberately used the abbreviation of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, and the atmosphere in the meeting room immediately froze.

Suning stopped twirling the pen.

In 1996, relations between the two countries were at a delicate stage, and any business decisions involving technology transfer could be politicized.

But then he recalled what he had seen when he returned to China last month…

Motorcycles in my hometown spew black smoke on steep mountain roads, while the blue sea and sky of Sandu Bay in Ningde are being polluted by small factories along the coast.

"Mr. Li," Su Ning suddenly switched to Chinese, "has the planning permit been issued for that piece of land in Ningde where we planned to build an electronics factory?"

Li Wentao understood immediately: "The land has been leveled, but the local government hopes we will invest more to build a supporting sewage treatment plant."

“Tell them we’ve changed our minds.” Su Ning closed the folder. “Yongren is going to build a new energy battery production base in Ningde, with an initial investment of 500 million RMB.”

McHoward, who was standing nearby, suddenly stood up: "Su! Are you crazy? This is tantamount to giving core technology to the Chinese!"

“Mike,” Suning said calmly, looking at his partner of eight years, “the technology patents are in Yongren’s hands, and the production base is 100% foreign-owned. Moreover…”

He gave a meaningful smile. "Three years ago, when you insisted on setting up a factory in Vietnam, I remember you talked about a 'global layout' back then."

"But……"

“Mike, we are all businessmen. Businessmen should prioritize profit and not impose too many trivial matters.”

"Fine! Well, you're the boss after all."

“Mike, please don’t say that. I’ve always considered you a friend.”

"..."

After the meeting, Suning stood alone in front of the floor-to-ceiling window.

The setting sun bathed Santa Monica Beach in gold, as surfers rose and fell on the waves.

He recalled the torrential rain on the day he left Ningde in 1987, and the smell of moldy bread in the hold of the cargo ship.

Now he stands in a suit and tie in one of Los Angeles’ most upscale office buildings, but deep down he is still that Fujian youth who wants to do something for his hometown.

The phone vibrated; it was a message from Li Wentao: "President Su, I just received a reply from Ningde. Deputy County Head Zhou, who is in charge of industry, is very 'interested' in the new energy project and invites you to return to China next week for a face-to-face discussion."

Suning knows that in China, "interest" often means more conditions.

However, I have mentally prepared myself for a major hemorrhage, since these are well-known rules.

However, I still felt somewhat unsatisfied; the villagers back home were far less honest and kind than I had imagined.

……

When Suning's plane landed at Fuzhou Changle Airport on his second trip back to China, it was pouring rain.

Through the rain curtain, Suning saw a large crowd of people waiting to pick up passengers at the exit. A dozen government officials were holding flowers, and a TV reporter had already set up his camera nearby.

He straightened his tie and suddenly noticed his father, Su Mingde, standing at the very back of the crowd, holding an old oil-paper umbrella.

"Dad! Why did you come here too?" Su Ning quickly walked through the official welcoming team.

Su Mingde tilted the umbrella toward his son: "The county says they're going to hold some kind of grand ceremony, but I'm afraid you won't like it."

The old man glanced at the officials following closely behind his son and lowered his voice, "A-Ning, be careful of Deputy County Chief Zhou this time you come back. His brother-in-law's plastic factory is located on your planned land."

It turned out to be the case.

Su Ning squinted, recalling the PVC pipe factory mentioned in Li Wentao's investigation report, a factory that was heavily polluting yet repeatedly banned but still managed to operate.

The rain stopped when the convoy entered Ningde city.

Banners reading "Warmly welcome Yongren Group to invest in our hometown" were hung on both sides of the street, but Suning noticed several new demolition slogans on the walls.

As we passed the old bus station, a group of workers were dismantling a billboard advertising "Building a New Energy Demonstration City." The huge photo of Deputy County Head Zhou stood out starkly against the setting sun.

The welcome banquet that evening was held at the best hotel in Ningde, but it was much more low-key than the previous banquet held in the county.

Deputy County Head Zhou, in his early forties, had his hair neatly combed back, and the Patek Philippe on his wrist glittered under the lights as he offered toasts.

"General Manager Su is young and promising!" Deputy County Head Zhou said, raising his Moutai glass. "However, isn't the concept of new energy a bit too advanced? Our current advantageous industries in Ningde are aquatic product processing and building materials."

The director of the investment promotion bureau quickly added, "Yes! The Taiwanese cement plant we introduced last year generated 50 million in tax revenue that year alone!"

Suning swirled his wine glass, remaining impassive: "Zhou County, global oil prices have risen for three consecutive years, and Germany passed the Renewable Energy Act last year. Ningde has a deep-water port and advantages in mountain and sea resources, making it the perfect time to develop new energy sources."

"That's theoretically true," Deputy County Head Zhou said, picking up a piece of grouper. "But battery production involves heavy metals, and environmental approval might be..."

He deliberately dragged out his words, his gaze sweeping over Suning's entourage, "Unless Yongren is willing to form a joint venture with a local company, such as Sandu'ao Industrial Group, which is very experienced in handling government relations."

Under the table, Li Wentao quietly kicked Suning's leather shoe...

Sandu'ao Industrial is the company of Zhou's brother-in-law, the deputy county magistrate.

It's understandable to rush to eat, but such impatience and a voracious appetite are just a bit hard to accept.

“A joint venture is something we can consider,” Su Ning suddenly changed the subject. “However, the technology we’re introducing this time is American military-grade, which requires special approval from the Ministry of Commerce. If there’s any… resistance from the local authorities, we’ll probably have to go to the Suzhou Industrial Park instead.”

Deputy County Head Zhou's chopsticks stopped in mid-air.

He hadn't expected this seemingly gentle and refined overseas Chinese businessman to be so tough.

After the banquet, Li Wentao couldn't help but ask in the elevator, "President Su, are we really going to give up on Ningde?"

"We'll do our best! Ningde is the first option, but definitely not the only one." Su Ning pressed the button for the top floor.

"understood."

"Go see Deputy Director Wang of the Environmental Protection Bureau tomorrow. First, do your best to follow the rules, and then arrange an exclusive interview with a reporter from the provincial newspaper. The headline should be 'American Chinese businessman brings cutting-edge technology back to his hometown but is met with a cold reception.'"

"Yes, Mr. Su."

In truth, Su Ning already had a bad feeling; she really hadn't expected something so simple to be so complicated. Of course, having experienced countless worlds, Su Yan didn't take it to heart, and choosing other major cities was actually something Su Ning considered.

……

The project briefing three days later was packed to capacity.

To Suning's surprise, a dozen or so elderly people with white hair were sitting in the front row. They were all experts in the battery industry from domestic research institutes and universities.

During the technical briefing, Jason Wu explained the battery principles in broken Chinese. When the slides switched to comparative data with Tesla, gasps of amazement rippled through the audience.

Suddenly, a young man wearing glasses stood up from the back row.

"Mr. Su, I'm a reporter from the Mindong Daily. May I ask if the production process of this type of battery will generate hexavalent chromium pollution? As far as I know, several cases of lead poisoning were reported in Suyang Village, near the planned land area, last year..."

The venue suddenly became noisy.

Su Ning noticed a slight smile flash across Deputy County Chief Zhou's lips.

“Good question.” Suning gestured for Jason to bring up a new slide. “Our solid electrolyte technology is completely free of heavy metals such as chromium and lead. In fact…” He clicked on the remote control, and the screen switched to a secretly filmed video of the sewage outlet of Sandu'ao Industrial, “This is the real source of pollution.”

There was an uproar at the scene.

Deputy County Head Zhou stood up and left his seat with a livid face, and several reporters immediately chased after him.

After the briefing, Suning was surrounded by a group of villagers at the hotel entrance.

Leading the group was his cousin Su Lie, whom he hadn't seen for many years; Su Lie is now the deputy director of the village committee of Suyang Village.

"Ah Ning!" Su Qiang's tanned face was full of anger. "Once your factory is built, our oyster farming area will be gone!"

Suning was stunned.

He remembered that his cousin did indeed have an oyster farm, but was there really no need to get so worked up?

The pollution from San Du Ao Industrial's sewage discharge was the source of pollution for their farm, yet they never expressed any aversion to it.

At this moment, Suning couldn't help but feel disheartened. He had already prepared himself for "suffering a loss to be a blessing," but now he had no choice but to start considering continuing.

"Brother Lie, the factory area on the planning map is at least two kilometers away from the breeding farm..."

"That's the straight-line distance!" Su Lie stubbornly pulled out a crumpled map. "The sewage pipes will run under our mudflats, and the construction will destroy the entire local ecosystem!"

That evening, Suning drove alone to Suyang Village.

On the mudflats where the tide has receded, villagers are harvesting oysters by moonlight.

The roar of a diesel generator drifted in the sea breeze; it was the temporary processing plant built by Deputy County Head Zhou's brother-in-law...

It is located right next to the planned site of the Yongren Battery Factory.

“Ah Ning, do you know how many families can be supported by one acre of oysters?” Su Lie squatted on the reef, pointing to the fish rafts dotted with lights in the distance. “Over there is Uncle A Tu’s family, his daughter’s university education depends entirely on this; further on is Sister A Xiang, her husband is paralyzed in bed due to a work injury…”

The sea breeze ruffled Suning's suit.

He suddenly realized that his carefully designed business plan might be seen as a disaster that would cost his livelihood by his fellow villagers.

"Brother Lie, the sewage discharge from Sandu'ao Industry is the real problem with your farm. Why don't you go and stop it?"

"Hmph! Everyone knows the powerful backers behind Sandu'ao Industrial. Do you think we ordinary villagers can argue with them?"

"..."

"Ah Ning, you were doing just fine in America, why did you come back? Is it really just to show off?"

"Brother Lie, we grew up together since we were little. Do you think I'm that kind of person?"

"Hmph! Who knows! People change anyway." Su Lie said dismissively, then got up and walked away.

"..." Su Ning looked at her cousin's departing figure with a complex mix of emotions.

Back at the hotel, Suning dialed the Los Angeles number: "Mike, I need you to contact the MIT Marine Environment Lab... yes, the team that does mangrove restoration."

Three days later, the front page of the Mindong Daily published two news items: Yongren Group announced the suspension of the construction of the battery plant and the additional funding to build a closed-loop water system to ensure zero pollution before the battery plant was put into operation; at the same time, it signed a cooperation agreement with Suyang Village for the deep processing of oysters, with Yongren responsible for international market channels.

The smaller print mentions that Sandu'ao Industrial was ordered to suspend production for rectification due to illegal sewage discharge.

At the project launch ceremony, Deputy County Head Zhou forced a smile as he cut the ribbon.

Su Ning stood between her father and cousin Su Lie, with the brand-new "Yongren-Ningde Oyster Farming Center" sign behind her.

A sea breeze swept through the venue, carrying the fresh scent of mangrove seedlings from the distant mudflats.

"Ah Ning, thank you." Su Lie quietly slipped him a plastic bag containing freshly shucked oyster meat. "It still tastes just like it did when I was a kid."

Suning took a bite; it was salty and savory with a hint of sweetness.

This feeling was more reassuring to him than any business contract.

He knew that the real challenge had just begun...

Technology import, talent training, and market development—each stage is fraught with unknown risks, much like the illegal immigration of yesteryear.

But this time, he was not a lone fugitive, but a guide leading his hometown forward.

After seeing off the noisy neighbors and relatives, Su Ning suddenly looked at her parents and asked, "Dad, Mom, shall I take you to settle down in Shanghai?"

"What? Going to Shanghai?"

"Yes! What has happened recently has been too disheartening for me. I am not going to continue investing in my hometown."

"But...isn't everything fine now?"

"Dad, some things are complicated and can't be explained in just a few words."

"This……"

"Returning home in glory is like wearing fine clothes at night! But when you come back, things are no longer the same."

"Ah Ning, why don't you let us stay?"

“Dad, Mom, Shanghai’s household registration management isn’t that strict right now. For Su Wen and Su Hao’s future prospects, settling down in Shanghai is the most suitable option.”

"I thought you were going to let us go to America."

"Impossible! The United States may seem prosperous, but it is actually dangerous everywhere. If possible, I would rather not go to the United States."

"Alright! You see further and know more than us, so we'll listen to you."

"Okay, that's good! Since you and my mom agree, I'll have someone arrange it."

...(End of chapter)