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

Chapter 413 This road is blocked, as it should be.
Jiang Qing looked at Wang Churan sitting upright beside her. She noticed that Wang Churan had her hands neatly placed on her knees, her back was straight, and even the smile on her lips looked like a carefully practiced curve. Jiang Qing couldn't help but find it amusing.

Although the girl usually behaved very well in front of him, she was still somewhat playful and lively. But at this moment, she was genuinely nervous, and even her breathing seemed to be deliberately lightened.

He walked to the single sofa opposite his father and sat down, reaching out to fiddle with the mahogany tea tray on the coffee table.

The electric kettle emitted a slight hum, and the water boiled quickly.

Jiang Qing first rinsed the purple clay teapot, teacup, and tea bowl with hot water in one step, her movements unhurried. Then she took out a small tin of tea leaves, put them into the teapot with a tea spoon, poured in hot water, and after a moment, poured the first brew of tea onto the tea pet. Only then did she pour the second brew into the two tasting cups.

First, I picked up a cup and placed it in front of my father.

"Dad, have some tea."

Jiang Zhao hummed in agreement, picked up the teacup, smelled the aroma first, and then took a small sip.

Jiang Qing picked up another cup and handed it to Wang Churan, giving him a reassuring look and speaking in a gentle tone.

"Have some tea to warm up."

Wang Churan quickly took the small teacup with both hands. Her fingertips touched the warm cup and she received his reassuring gaze. The tension in her heart instantly eased.

She lowered her head and took a small sip. The tea was fragrant and refreshing, and the warmth slid down her throat, which did dispel some of the chill and took away some of her tension.

She secretly breathed a sigh of relief, feeling her hands and feet warm up a bit.

Jiang Zhao put down his teacup and lingered on his son's face for a moment.

Although he was very curious about the beautiful girl his son had suddenly brought home, his personality made him feel awkward and uncomfortable directly questioning her about her family background.

So he naturally steered the conversation toward areas he was more interested in.

"Is everything settled smoothly at the company now?"

Jiang Zhao pushed up his glasses, his tone filled with the concern of a father.

"I've been following the commotion that Vientiane has caused for several days straight through my phone's push notifications. Even the older teachers at our school who don't usually pay much attention to technology are talking about it."

Jiang Nan winked at her brother discreetly. She knew best that her father was actually very proud of her brother, but he just didn't like to show it.

Jiang Qing received her gaze, smiled knowingly, leaned back slightly, and relaxed her posture a bit.

He knew his father wasn't really trying to find out about his company; he was just worried about him.

"This is a good start. There's still a lot to do in terms of ecosystem development and technological iteration."

Wang Churan quietly pricked up his ears, put down his teacup, and looked at Jiang Qing's profile.

She had seen him shine brightly at press conferences and witnessed his everyday life in the kitchen, but she had never seen him talk about his career in front of his family, which she found very novel.

Jiang Qing hesitated for a moment, then explained to her father in more colloquial language.

"Dad, let me put it this way. The United States, and many Western countries, have long held the view that as long as they firmly control the most advanced hardware, such as high-performance chips, they can strangle the technological development of other countries and hold the steering wheel of global technological progress in their own hands."

His fingertips tapped habitually on the sofa armrest, making Wang Kerran glance at him several times.

“They believe that this is the only bright future, and that they have already left us far behind on this path thanks to their first-mover advantage and huge investments.”

Jiang Zhao listened attentively, nodding slightly to signal him to continue.

"But the appearance of all things is tantamount to telling them clearly that this road is blocked. Or, to put it another way, all roads lead to Rome."

Jiang Qing's tone was calm, yet it conveyed a strong sense of certainty and confidence.

“We used far less computing power than them to reach a level that surpasses theirs by at least three generations. This shows the world that there are other paths to fight against this kind of technological monopoly and hegemony, and that this path may be more efficient and more inclusive.”

He picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and continued his analysis in a clear and concise manner.

"Americans have always been accustomed to showcasing their technological prowess with astronomical investments, which is itself a kind of implication, or rather, a narrative. It's like telling the world that without their resources, you can forget about mastering cutting-edge technology. Through this method, they continuously solidify their position as a technological beacon and maintain their technological hegemony. But Wanxiang, with only five million dollars in training costs, surpassed what they couldn't achieve even with hundreds of millions of dollars in investment. It's like a needle gently pricking, bursting that seemingly unattainable myth bubble. This is a fundamental shake-up to their narrative."

Jiang Zhao seemed to be deep in thought, and tentatively asked.

"So, this isn't just a technical matter, but also... a matter of confidence and the right to speak?"

"Correct."

Jiang Qing smiled and nodded affirmatively.

"This shattered their myth of solely relying on investment and hardware, shaking the market's and their own internal confidence in that established path. You should have seen the news: after the announcement, Nvidia's stock price fell by nearly 17% in one day, and related companies like TSMC and AMD also followed suit. This shows that the capital market is starting to vote with its feet, beginning to doubt whether the United States can maintain its absolute leading position in the field of AI, and whether the previous frenzy of investing in American AI concepts will cool down. This risk aversion is itself a shock to the American technology and finance chain."

He picked up his teacup again, took a sip, and then summarized.

"Their vision of dominating the world with AI and making supernormal profits has been shattered. Investors will think, 'I've invested so much money in you, how long will it take to break even? Can you compete with low-cost, high-efficiency rivals like Wanxiang? Or, even if the investment doesn't decrease, can you catch up with Wanxiang's level?' Once their confidence wavers, subsequent investment and development pace will inevitably be affected. Moreover, this isn't just something outsiders see; they themselves will also have doubts. Is our path of desperately piling on hardware and computing power the only one? Is it the best? This kind of self-doubt is sometimes more terrifying than external competition."

Jiang Qing smiled at the end, her tone becoming more objective.

"Of course, in the long run, the demand for high-end chips will definitely continue to grow, and computing power will always be an important foundation. It's just that the emergence of Wanxiang is like a stone thrown into a lake, causing the market to lose its direction in the short term, which is why the reaction is so violent. It can be considered a normal market fluctuation caused by technological breakthroughs."

As Jiang Zhao listened to his son's clear and insightful analysis, he nodded repeatedly, a look of satisfaction on his face.

He then asked several questions about the potential challenges to the future development of technological security, which Jiang Qing patiently answered one by one, providing simple and easy-to-understand explanations.

The conversation between the father and son, seemingly serious and earnest, revealed a subtle warmth.

Jiang Zhao was concerned, but he never interfered.

Jiang Qing respects and is happy to share.

Jiang Nan, who was standing to the side, was already used to this. He peeled oranges by himself, occasionally making a joke, "Brother, you're starting class again," and then warmly greeted Wang Cheran.

"Sister Churan, eat this tangerine, it's so sweet! Don't just listen to them talking about those hard things, or you'll fall asleep."

Wang thanked him quickly, took the orange, broke off a segment and put it in his mouth, the sweet taste melting in his mouth.

But she was more drawn to the atmosphere between Jiang Qing and Jiang Zhao.

This scene, where the father and son not only shared warmth and affection but also engaged in such a high level of respectful communication, struck her as both novel and enviable.

She took advantage of the brief moment to quietly glance around the living room.

The decor wasn't luxurious, but it was clean and cozy. Several paintings and calligraphy hung on the walls, the bookshelves were filled with all kinds of books, and fruit platters and snacks were placed on the coffee table. Everywhere there was an intellectual elegance, yet it was also full of life.

This profound sense of family warmth, which she had never truly experienced before, enveloped her like a warm current, making her feel a strong longing in addition to envy.

She wanted to integrate into this place, to become a part of it, to become... Jiang Qing's family!

Just as Wang was immersed in his daydreams, Zhang Yi, wearing an apron, poked her head out of the kitchen and shouted loudly.

"Nannan, stop eating and come serve the dishes! We're about to eat!"

Wang Cherish practically jumped up from the sofa immediately, responding in a clear, crisp voice.

"Auntie, I'll help too!"

He then strode quickly toward the kitchen, his movements incredibly swift.

Jiang Nan followed with a grin.

"Come on, let me show off my serving skills!"

"What's the use of just being able to serve dishes? Your brother isn't even as good at cooking as you are."

Zhang Yi chuckled and scolded, eliciting a playful complaint from Jiang Nan. Jiang Qing and Jiang Zhao exchanged a smile and both shook their heads.

Soon, the large round table in the living and dining room was filled with a sumptuous New Year's Eve dinner.

Braised carp symbolizes abundance year after year, stewed pork hock is glistening with oil, four-happiness meatballs are round and plump, dog meat hot pot is bubbling and steaming, and there are also various stir-fried seasonal vegetables, as well as a platter of preserved meats... The aroma is irresistible and makes one's mouth water.

Several people took their seats.

Jiang Qing opened a bottle of baijiu and poured a full glass for both her father and herself.

Zhang Yi then took out a bottle of red wine and smiled as she waved it at Wang Cheran.

"How about we have some red wine with your aunt?"

Wang Churan nodded quickly.

"Okay, Auntie, I'm not a big drinker, but I can handle a little bit."

Zhang Yi raised her glass first, and Jiang Zhao followed suit.

Zhang Yi looked at Wang Churan with a warm smile on her face.

"Come on in, Churan, welcome to my home for the New Year! Please make yourself at home!"

Jiang Zhao also spoke up gently in agreement.

"Yes, welcome, Churan. Eat more and don't be shy."

Wang was flattered and surprised, so he picked up his wine glass and bowed slightly.

"Thank you, Uncle! Thank you, Auntie! You've really bothered me."

She downed the small amount of red wine in her glass in one gulp, and a faint blush immediately rose to her cheeks.

Seeing how honest she was, Zhang Yi and the other man exchanged a smile and finished their drinks.

After taking a few bites of food, Zhang Yi casually asked about Wang Churan's situation.

"Calm down, what kind of work do you do now?"

Wang Churan's heart skipped a beat, and her grip on the chopsticks tightened slightly.

Her worst fears have come true.

"Auntie, I... am an actress."

She took a deep breath and tried to make her voice sound calm and natural, but the subtle tension was still hard to completely hide.

After she finished speaking, she subconsciously looked up at Zhang Yi, then quickly glanced at Jiang Zhao, her heart pounding in her throat, afraid of seeing a trace of disdain or disapproval on their faces.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Zhao simply nodded knowingly, his expression unchanged, and picked up a piece of green vegetable with his chopsticks.

Zhang Yi's smile remained unchanged, but instead carried a hint of appreciation.

"Oh, an actor! No wonder he's so good-looking and has such a great presence. It's a great profession; it's not easy to bring different characters to life."

Her tone was natural, without any of the negative emotions she had anticipated.

Wang's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, instantly settled down, a warm current surged through her heart, and her nose even felt a little sore.

She quickly lowered her head, using the act of picking up food to hide her excitement.

"Thank you, aunt..."

Zhang Yi's open-mindedness and understanding completely soothed and calmed her anxiety.

Jiang Qing glanced at Wang Cherish but didn't say anything more.

The atmosphere at the dinner table became increasingly harmonious.

Zhang Yi frequently served food to Wang Cheran, asking if she was having a hard time filming.

Jiang Zhao would occasionally ask Jiang Qing a question or two about the company's operations, and then gently remind Wang Churan not to be reserved.

Jiang Nan then lively recounted amusing anecdotes from school, making everyone burst into laughter.

Wang Churan gradually relaxed and was able to naturally join the conversation, always with a sweet smile on her face.

After dinner, everyone moved to the living room, where the coffee table was once again filled with fruits and snacks.

On TV, the Spring Festival Gala has already started, with lively singing and dancing, and funny skits.

Although the show is criticized every year, it is indispensable as the background music on New Year's Eve, creating an atmosphere of reunion.

After watching the gala for a while, Zhang Yi suddenly got up and went into the bedroom. A moment later, she came out with two thick red envelopes.

She smiled and handed one to Wang Cherish first.

"Hey, come on, take this, it's a New Year's red envelope for good luck!"

Wang was stunned for a moment when he saw the red envelope in front of him, then quickly waved his hand.

"Auntie, this... I can't accept this! I'm an adult now, and I've already bothered you so much today..."

Without a word, Zhang Yi shoved the red envelope into her hand, her tone brooking no refusal.

"Don't talk nonsense. In Auntie's eyes, you're all children. Receiving red envelopes during the New Year is a matter of course, so take them!"

Then she handed another red envelope to Jiang Nan.

"Nannan, this is for you."

Jiang Nan accepted it with a cheerful smile, her voice clear and crisp.

"Thank you, Mom! Happy New Year to Mom and Dad! Wishing you good health and all the best!"

Wang looked at the heavy red envelope in his hand, then at Zhang Yi's gentle smile, and then at Jiang Zhao, who was also smiling beside him, his eyes slightly reddening.

She pursed her lips tightly to keep the tears from falling.

"Thank you, Uncle. Thank you, Auntie. Happy New Year."

She subconsciously looked up and gazed at Jiang Qing, who was standing by the window making a phone call.

Just then, Jiang Qing turned to look at her, met her slightly reddened eyes, seemed to understand what had happened, and smiled gently at her.

Just then, a huge firework exploded in the dark night sky outside the window, its brilliant light shining through the glass and instantly illuminating the living room, as well as Wang Cheran's beautiful face.

She clutched the red envelope tightly in her hand, then looked around at her warm and lively home, and at everyone around her who had shown her kindness...

All of this was so beautiful, it was like a dream she didn't want to wake up from.

She suddenly felt that she should be a part of this family.

As for Ono, Mengmeng, or anyone else, they should only exist outside this family.

That's right...that's it!
(End of this chapter)