Huayu 2021: Isn’t he in the technology field?

Chapter 349 Bulgari Dinner: The Faded Glamour

Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows of Panhai Mansion, the shadows of sycamore leaves remain motionless in the midday sun, while the incessant chirping of cicadas is irritating.

After Jiang Qing saw Zhao Jinmai off, the large space suddenly became quiet, with her scent lingering and the well-worn script she had left on the sofa.

He bent down to pick up the script, his fingertips brushing over the delicate "Zhao Jinmai" signature on the cover. His gaze lingered on the empty living room for a moment before the melancholy in his eyes vanished.

The latest data test report from Xiaomi's assisted driving team arrived in my inbox late at night three days later.

The fluctuating parameter curves on the screen eventually converged into a satisfactory green marker, indicating that all redundancy and safety indicators exceeded expectations in the latest round of extreme scenario stress testing.

Jiang Qing leaned back in his chair in the study, rubbing his temples. The lights of Beijing outside the window were still as dazzling as a galaxy, but the figure that would quietly scroll through his phone next to him was gone.

With his mission accomplished, a mountain of tasks awaited him in Luyang.

The pace of life in Luyang is completely different from that in the capital.

Inside the headquarters building of Wuwen Technology, Jiang Qing's figure reappeared in various laboratories and conference rooms.

He discussed the details of model optimization with the engineers, immersing himself in the sea of ​​data.

Everyone is busy on their own path.

Days slipped by amidst code, meetings, and the smoky atmosphere of cafeteria meals, until an email from Zhu Long shattered this tranquility.

"Mr. Jiang, the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Summit is on the 22nd. It's a very high-level event. Williamson and several core researchers from DeepMind will be there, along with some truly cutting-edge researchers from China. It's a rare opportunity. Why don't you come and take a look?"

At the end of the email, Zhu Long also attached a long list of attendees and a preview of the topics.

Jiang Qing's gaze swept over several heavyweight names on the list, and his interest was ignited.

This level of intellectual exchange is exactly what he needs.

He replied to Zhu Long quickly.

"Received, Mr. Zhu. I will definitely be there."

On August 22, in Shanghai, at the Artificial Intelligence Summit.

The air conditioning in the huge conference center was blasting, creating a stark contrast with the scorching heat outside.

On stage, scholars and engineers from top institutions around the world took turns to present their cutting-edge breakthroughs and insights in the field of AI.

From optimizing energy consumption for large model training to the fusion of perception and control in embodied intelligence, and the exploration of novel neuromorphic computing chips.

In the audience, Jiang Qing sat in the front row, listening attentively, occasionally jotting down a few keywords or formulas on her tablet.

His expression was calm, only a sharp glint would flash in his eyes when he heard some particularly insightful viewpoints.

During the tea break, he became the center of a small storm.

Zhu Long led him through different small circles.

"Dr. Jiang! I've long admired your name!"

"Your idea of ​​combining edge computing with federated learning has been very inspiring to us!"

"Dr. Jiang, I met you at the Silicon Valley Artificial Intelligence Summit last time. Do you remember me?"

……

Greetings, technical discussions, and expressions of interest in cooperation came in a flood of various languages.

Jiang Qing responded appropriately, with a gentle smile and consistently sharp thinking.

He discussed the potential of novel optimization algorithms in the control of complex systems with Professor Williams, and had in-depth exchanges with Chinese researchers at DeepMind on the latest application bottlenecks of reinforcement learning in medical image diagnosis.

His insights were always to the point, and the questions he raised went straight to the heart of the matter, causing even these top scholars, who were used to seeing geniuses, to nod frequently and show amazement.

The summit lasted for three days.

After the closing ceremony, Zhu Long warmly put his arm around Jiang Qing's shoulder.

"President Jiang, don't be in such a hurry to leave! It's rare for us all to get together like this. How about we chat a bit more privately? Or maybe we can take a look around my Yitu's territory and see what we've been working on, and give him some feedback?"

Jiang Qing looked at the other founders or technical leaders around Zhu Long, who had also had in-depth exchanges with him at the summit and were quite capable. Their eyes also held a sincere invitation.

He was also very interested in this opportunity for freer and deeper communication away from the spotlight.

So, he readily agreed.

"Alright, then I'll take my leave of Mr. Zhu."

"That's right."

Zhu Long patted him on the shoulder with a smile.

The trip was extended by a few more days.

They were engrossed in Yitu Technology's bright and modern R&D center, arguing heatedly over the architecture diagrams on the whiteboard.

In a private restaurant with excellent privacy on the banks of the Huangpu River, over a bowl of rich and dark local Shanghainese cuisine, the conversation jumped from technical challenges to the industry ecosystem, and then to bold predictions about the future of AI over the next decade, with laughter filling the air.

Jiang Qing's occasional sharp and insightful opinions make him an indispensable figure in this small circle.

Time quietly slipped towards August 24th.

That morning, when Jiang Qing woke up in her hotel suite, she habitually picked up her phone to browse messages and found a bunch of pop-up ads. When she clicked on them, she saw that Weibo's trending topics were unusually lively.

The top trending topics were almost entirely dominated by related terms from the same brand.

Yang Yang's Bulgari suit look is a hit!
"Wu Lei, Zhao Ruth, and Bulgari appear together" goes viral
"Wu Lu can escape to meet at the summit" (a popular phrase)
Bulgari Wonderland Eden Hot
Bulgari Shanghai Gala Red Carpet Hot
"Shuqi Bulgari Emerald" New
Clicking on the entry instantly reveals a flood of high-definition, professionally edited photos of celebrities and behind-the-scenes videos.

Italian luxury jewelry house BVLGARI is hosting its unprecedented "Eden The Garden of Wonders" high jewelry and watch collection gala dinner tonight at the Shanghai Exhibition Center.

More than 400 dazzling new high jewelry pieces will be showcased for the first time, attracting the attention of almost half of the entertainment industry.

Brand ambassadors and friends of the brand all made appearances, including Shu Qi, Yang Yang, Tong Liya, Wu Lei, international film star Zhang Ziyi, popular actresses Zhao Lusi and Wang Likun, and veteran actor Chen Kun... The list is dazzlingly long.

Fans were already buzzing on various social media platforms, comparing their idols' looks, appearances, and the extravagance of their jewelry. In particular, the "Wu Lu Ke Tao" CP fans, who became popular because of "Starry Night", were even more excited about Wu Lei and Zhao Lusi appearing together again at a top brand event. Various sweet mashup videos spread like wildfire on Douyin.

Jiang Qing has never been particularly interested in such glamorous and fame-driven events. She only glanced at it casually before closing Weibo.

Today, at Zhu Long's invitation, he and two other colleagues with whom he had a pleasant conversation at the summit visited a startup in Shanghai that focuses on robot perception systems.

After quickly finishing packing, Jiang Qing went out to the agreed location to meet Zhu Long and the others.

Time flew by as we discussed the technology.

At four o'clock, Jiang Qing and Zhu Long parted ways and returned to the hotel.

As dusk settles in Shanghai, the city lights begin to twinkle and traffic flows like a river.

He stood in front of the suite's huge floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at the dazzling, sleepless city below. His phone screen lit up with several messages from Chen Duo, reminding him of some documents that needed to be processed.

After dealing with the emails, he changed into comfortable casual clothes and planned to go downstairs to meet up with Zhu Long and the other two, who had arranged to have dinner together.

As the elevator descended and the doors opened, an even louder, more chaotic sound than usual rushed into the lobby.

Men and women dressed smartly and with exquisite makeup came and went in an endless stream, the air was filled with the scent of high-end perfumes, and there was also an invisible sense of excitement.

Many people held invitations bearing the Bulgari serpentine logo and chatted quietly about the grand dinner.

Jiang Qing then realized that the hotel he was staying at was the same hotel where many guests attending the Bulgari dinner were staying.

The banquet was held at the Shanghai Exhibition Center, which is not far from here.

No wonder it's so lively.

He frowned, turned, and walked towards the relatively secluded side entrance of the hotel. The banquet venue at the Shanghai Exhibition Center was now a true "Garden of Eden."

Beneath the enormous dome, crystal chandeliers refracted countless dazzling beams of light, illuminating the entire space as if it were daytime.

Exquisite floral arrangements cascaded from the ceiling, their rich fragrance mingling with the subtle aroma of champagne bubbles.

The well-trained waiters, dressed in uniform, moved like elves through the jungle, their trays filled with caviar, truffles, and rare seafood flowing silently through them.

Elegantly dressed guests, holding wine glasses, chatted and laughed in hushed tones. The air was filled with the fragrance of their clothes and the clinking of glasses, creating a vibrant scene reminiscent of a floating world.

Having walked the red carpet and been bathed in the flashing lights of the media, the celebrities have now shed the flamboyance or elegance they deliberately presented to the cameras on the red carpet and immersed themselves in the main battlefield of the banquet—sales.

They were scattered around round tables covered with snow-white tablecloths and decorated with exquisite tableware and flowers.

Each table is a miniature arena of fame and fortune.

Here, the star's aura is subtly diminished.

They remain the visual focus, but their roles have shifted to become Bulgari's top sales consultants.

The task is clear: demonstrate, explain, and facilitate a transaction.

The dazzling jewelry they wore and the expensive watches on their wrists were the products they needed to sell tonight.

The more you sell, the higher your commission. More importantly, it directly relates to the brand's future favor and even higher-level endorsement contracts.

The spotlight no longer follows them; instead, they are scrutinized and evaluated by wealthy businessmen, socialites, and tai-tai, as well as by internet celebrities trying to get photos with them on their phones.

A smile must be maintained at all times, and one's demeanor must be elegant and appropriate. For every potential buyer who approaches and inquires about jewelry, one must patiently and meticulously explain the design concept, craftsmanship value, and gemstone quality... regardless of whether the other party is genuinely interested in purchasing or simply wants to take the opportunity to get closer to the celebrity.

At a round table relatively close to the side, Wang Churan sat upright with a formulaic, polite smile on her face.

Today she wore an extremely elegant updo, with a few carefully highlighted strands of hair falling down her neck, making her swan-like neck appear even longer.

Her makeup was impeccable, highlighting her bright, sparkling eyes and full, red lips.

What's most captivating is her magnificent gold strapless gown.

The gown features an extremely complex pleating technique, with varying shades of gold tulle twisting and overlapping to create a flowing retro-modern feel, refracting a mesmerizing luster under the lights.

A belt adorned with gold French embroidery cinched her slender waist, its delicate leaf patterns seemingly entwined around her, echoing the Bulgari Serpenti collection serpent-themed jewelry she wore.

The layers of soft tulle skirt spread out, cascading down to her feet like flowing gold.

This outfit perfectly accentuated her tall and graceful figure, making her resemble a meticulously crafted, radiant golden goddess statue, exuding a noble and elegant aura.

However, her dazzling beauty also brought her trouble.

A young man sitting diagonally opposite her had his eyes almost glued to her.

He wore a well-tailored, expensive suit, a Patek Philippe Nautilus watch, and his hair was meticulously styled with hair gel.

This man, who seemed eager for others to know how rich he was, was named Sun Peng, the only son of the owner of a local industrial group in Shanghai.

From the moment he sat down, Sun Peng's gaze never left Wang Churan, and his words were full of obsequiousness, carrying a sense of certainty.

“Miss Wang, this necklace really suits you. The Bulgari serpent design on your neck looks like it has come to life.”

Sun Peng held up his wine glass, leaned forward slightly, trying to close the distance, his eyes filled with undisguised possessiveness.

“I think this necklace has a very unique design, and only someone with Ms. Wang’s temperament can pull it off.”

Wang Churan maintained an impeccable, dignified smile and nodded slightly.

"Mr. Sun, you flatter me. This is Bulgari's high jewelry collection for this season. The serpent motif is the essence of the brand, and the design is indeed very unique."

Her voice was gentle and pleasant, but the sense of detachment in her tone was clearly discernible.

As she spoke, she subtly shifted her body to the side, avoiding his close breath.

Sun Peng clearly did not receive, or rather did not care about, this signal of rejection.

He went a step further, speaking in a condescending tone.

"Miss Wang likes it? How about this, consider it a small gift for our first meeting. I'll buy it for you. If it can make Miss Wang smile, then this money is well spent!"

Several of his friends next to him also made ambiguous teasing noises.

A cold glint flashed in Wang Churan's eyes, and he felt utterly disgusted.

She'd seen too many of these self-important rich kids who always thought money could buy everything, including her favor.

The company hopes she can perform well tonight and win favor with the brand, but definitely not in this way.

"Mr. Sun, you're too kind."

She picked up the almost untouched champagne glass in front of her, her fingertips lightly tracing the cool crystal rim. Her smile remained perfect, but her voice was softer.

"This piece is a non-sale item for the brand's display, and I appreciate Mr. Sun's kindness, as I cannot accept such a gift without having done so much for it."

The refusal was direct yet dignified.

Sun Peng's smile froze for a moment, then widened to an even wider arc, carrying a hint of relentless roguishness.

"Oh, Miss Wang, you're being too polite. Not for sale? That's just a matter of the brand saying so! I'm very familiar with their Greater China director! As for the gift, what's wrong with a small gift between friends? Miss Wang, you don't look down on me, do you?"

His last sentence carried a threatening tone, and he leaned forward again, almost touching Wang Cheran's arm resting on the edge of the table.

Wang Cherish frowned almost imperceptibly, leaned back in his chair, and created some distance between himself and the chair.

People at the surrounding tables seemed to have noticed the commotion, casting curious or amused glances at them.

She felt a surge of annoyance and was pondering how to get rid of this clingy person completely, or simply get up and leave.

Just then, a male voice with a slightly nonchalant laugh clearly pierced through the background soft music.

"Excuse me, sir, I need to chat with Churan for a bit."

This sound...

Wang Churan's heart felt as if it had been suddenly clenched and then released by an invisible hand.

Her hand holding the glass trembled slightly, causing tiny ripples to spread across the golden liquid inside.

In the instant she came to her senses, she immediately looked up and followed the sound.

Sun Peng was also taken aback by this sudden intervention. He subconsciously frowned and turned his head to see who was so blind.

Wang Churan's gaze passed over Sun Peng's shoulder and settled on the figure that had made the sound.

The dazzling light from the crystal chandelier fell upon him, outlining his tall and slender profile.

He seemed to have just come in from outside, with a slight sheen of sweat on his forehead.

He was dressed in a light gray shirt, white shorts, and white sneakers that were completely out of place at the banquet. His casual attire was particularly eye-catching in this setting, but he seemed completely unaware of it, appearing calm and composed.

"Hey buddy, who are you? What are you pretending to be, acting all high and mighty?"

Before Wang could even speak, Sun Peng shouted out first, looking displeased.

Who is this pretty boy?

Pretending in front of him?
What's going on?

(End of this chapter)