They're already in university, and the primary school system is only just starting out?

Meeting President Peng's gaze, Chen Lin thanked him and said, "Your advice last time really gave me a lot of inspiration. I've thought about it seriously recently and I do plan to transfer to the mathematics department. I'm planning to start communicating with the school leaders next month."

"A wise decision." President Peng nodded approvingly. "However, this means you'll have a lot more free time next semester, right? After all, you won't have to spend extra time on your major courses anymore. Have you thought about how to use that time?"

Chen Lin honestly shook his head: "There are no specific plans yet."

"I do have an idea," Mr. Peng said, gently setting down his teacup, the clay cup making a soft clinking sound against the mahogany tea table. "You might want to consider it."

Chen Lin immediately sat up straight, adopting an attitude of listening attentively.

Mr. Peng looked at him with a meaningful smile on his lips and slowly said, "I will provide the funds to invest in you and establish a consulting company, where you will provide core technical consulting services."

"what?"

Chen Lin was stunned, his mind still a little blank.

He looked at Mr. Peng with some surprise and asked, "Set up a company? Mr. Peng, aren't I just doing consulting work right now? Why go through the trouble of setting up a separate company?"

Upon hearing this, General Manager Peng didn't answer but instead asked a question. He slowly picked up his teacup, took another sip, and then calmly said, "Let me ask you a question, Chen. Do you know how much money our engineering design institute can earn after completing a project design?"

Chen Lin shook his head.

"Take that large-scale cross-river pedestrian bridge project you consulted about the second time, for example." General Manager Peng held up his finger and gestured in the air. "Our design institute's final fee for that project was eight million. After deducting all the costs of manpower and equipment, the net profit was one million two hundred thousand."

"..."

Chen Lin's mind went blank, and he didn't hear a single word that followed.

One million two hundred thousand!

And what about me? After all that hard work, I only got five thousand yuan for the expedited consultation fee!

Five thousand against one million two hundred thousand!

One in two hundred and forty!

He used to think he was incredibly lucky to have met such a generous and easy-going client as Boss Peng, who always paid his consultation fees so readily and even offered expedited service.

Now it seems that I am the biggest victim of injustice!

What kind of sugar daddy is this? This is clearly a textbook example of a heartless boss who has ruthlessly exploited me for my surplus value!

Seeing the fascinating expression on Chen Lin's face, from shock to frustration to a bit of indignation, President Peng laughed heartily, as if he had expected it.

"I know what you're thinking," he waved his hand, his tone sincere. "Yes, our design institute really benefited greatly from the previous consultations. But that's precisely why I want to talk to you about this today."

Mr. Peng picked up the teapot again and refilled the empty teacups in front of Chen Lin and himself with tea. The rising steam carried the aroma of tea.

"Don't rush to feel wronged," General Manager Peng said, taking a sip of tea. "Think about it, in those previous projects, while our design institute earned the lion's share, we also bore most of the risks."

"You're still a college student, without any professional qualifications or licenses. What if—and I mean just what if—the final project plan has a problem with the algorithm you provided, causing an engineering accident? Who will bear the responsibility? Our design institute. We'll be the ones paying the compensation and having our licenses revoked. And you, legally, will bear almost no responsibility."

Hearing these words, Chen Lin's resentment finally dissipated considerably.

That's absolutely true. What Mr. Peng said is true; risk and reward are always directly proportional.

He thought for a moment and asked, "Even if I set up a consulting firm, I still wouldn't be able to independently take on project design proposals, would I?"

"Of course not." General Manager Peng nodded, confirming his statement. "You don't have the qualifications, so the business model will definitely have to cooperate with units like our design institute. However, there are other advantages to establishing a company."

Seeing Chen Lin's curious expression, General Manager Peng began to explain in detail.

"First, there's the distribution channel."

"What channels are you currently using to get work? Salted fish. To put it bluntly, it's no different from setting up a roadside stall; it's all based on luck. It's incredibly inefficient. But if you accept my investment and establish a company, I can use my connections to directly connect you with orders from various large domestic and international companies, helping you quickly expand your business."

"Secondly, and most importantly, is brand value."

"You're working alone now, and the highest consultation fee I've ever charged you was nearly two thousand per hour. It sounds like a lot, doesn't it?" General Manager Peng looked at Chen Lin and shook his head. "But in my opinion, with your abilities, that amount of money is far from enough."

"Why isn't that enough? Because you lack a brand and endorsement. But a company does. Operating under a company name provides a natural advantage and a sense of trust in business negotiations, contract signing, and pricing. Corporate operations help you build a professional and reliable image, making it easier to attract truly high-net-worth clients, such as large corporations, top research institutions, or star startups backed by venture capital."

"Only then can you afford higher consulting fees. Shift from charging by the hour to charging by project. A single project can cost hundreds of thousands, or even millions—that's the value you should be offering."

President Peng's words were like opening a door to a new world for Chen Lin, filling him with excitement.

But soon, he calmed down, and a crucial question came to mind.

"Mr. Peng," he asked, somewhat puzzled, "I don't quite understand why you're helping me like this. Shouldn't you be considering the design institute's interests more? If I set up my own company, the fees I charge for consulting with the design institute will definitely be much higher than they are now."

Upon hearing this, General Peng laughed heartily once again.

"To be honest with you," he said frankly, "I was actually sent by the group to this design institute for a temporary assignment to gain experience. My term will be over in about two or three months. Then, I'll be going to an investment company under the group. Although I'll still be under the same group, the performance of this design institute will have little to do with my future."

"On the contrary," President Peng looked intently at Chen Lin, his eyes revealing shrewdness, but his tone was very sincere, "I have great faith in your abilities and potential. If I can invest in you when you are just starting out and help you grow, the future returns will definitely give me more say in the investment company."

That's it!

Chen Lin suddenly understood, and the small question that had been lingering in his mind was instantly answered—why was the boss so rich, driving a luxury sports car, and having such a luxurious office, even though this design institute looked only of average size?

So, they don't actually make money from this design institute at all.