Reborn in 2012, building a new energy empire

When the news reached the school, it caused a shockwave like a depth charge dropped into a calm lake.

At Monday's teaching seminar, after the dean routinely summarized several tasks, he changed the subject and said, "In addition, I heard about something that I'd like to share with everyone; it's good news."

He paused briefly, his gaze sweeping over the professors present: "Our college has an undergraduate student, Jiang Haoran, supervised by Professor Wu Weizhen, who participated in the high-level 'Yangtze River Delta' Industrial Investment Summit. His performance was outstanding, earning high praise from the participating entrepreneurs, especially industry leaders."

He leaned forward slightly: "Although this is an isolated case, it is of extraordinary significance. It fully demonstrates that our college is on the right track and has achieved solid results in cultivating interdisciplinary and innovative talents."

"This shows that our students can not only excel academically, but also get to the forefront of industry practice... In my opinion, this reflects the depth and breadth of our talent cultivation more than publishing a few papers or winning a few competition awards."

……

After the meeting, the news spread rapidly among the professors, like water dripping into hot oil, quickly exploding, spreading, and distorting.

Professor Zhang, specializing in financial engineering, sighed in his office, "Jiang Haoran... it's him again. I'd only heard that he'd achieved considerable success in futures investment and was a promising talent. I never imagined he had such a deep understanding of the industry; he's a true multi-talented individual."

Besides surprise, there was also a hint of regret in his tone for not discovering this gem sooner.

Meanwhile, in the laboratory of the School of Mechanical Engineering, which was filled with photovoltaic samples and testing equipment, the atmosphere was even more lively.

A young associate professor specializing in photovoltaic materials research exclaimed with delight, "For an industry giant like Wang Zhenguo to treat a university student with such special regard at this crucial juncture of photovoltaic technology iteration... this sends a very strong signal!"

"Either this kid has something truly effective that addresses the industry's pain points; or Mr. Wang believes that this young man possesses disruptive energy that can help Keelung break through in this round of industrial upgrading!"

"Whichever one it is, they are all geniuses! This is like a dragon entering the water; it's about to stir up a storm!"

Meanwhile, fragmented information brought back by students attending the conference fermented and evolved into more impactful versions among undergraduate and graduate students. In the cafeteria, in the hallways, and in online groups, rumors continued to escalate:

"I heard that Wang Zhenguo took a liking to Jiang Haoran on the spot and groomed him to be a core member of the management team after graduation!"

"Have you heard of the 'Wallbreaker' program, which focuses on gifted young people? Jiang Haoran has already received a job offer with an annual salary of one million!"

"My senior colleague works at a securities firm, and she said it's all over the alumni group. This junior's offer is even more impressive than those who struggled for years to get an MD offer from CICC!"

Photovoltaics? Manufacturing? These terms might not be at the top of the professional dictionary of the "golden boys" of finance academies who used to focus on Wall Street investment banks, Lujiazui securities firms, and Shenzhen private equity firms. They are often associated with "hard work", "cyclical fluctuations", and "not glamorous enough".

However, the olive branch personally extended by the head of the listed company Keelung Corporation is no longer just a basic task, but a rare path that is clearly visible and directly leads to the core of industrial decision-making and wealth distribution.

The roommates who used to be indifferent to Jiang Haoran's changes and even occasionally teased him have now undergone a subtle but complete change in attitude.

These days, they're always arm in arm, half-jokingly and half-seriously calling him "Brother Hao" or "General Manager Jiang," asking him to take them under his wing and give them pointers.

Even Zhou Mingyu called to tease him, "Brother Jiang, I originally thought you were a trading genius, but now it seems you're also an industry prodigy. I'm impressed! I'm impressed!"

Some seminars on cutting-edge industry and capital have seen an unexpected surge in auditing students. Within the tranquil ivory tower, an undercurrent is quietly stirring because of one student's name.

Jiang Haoran was not unaware of the sudden turmoil, the pursuing gazes, the complex discussions, and even the inevitable sour doubts in some corners both on and off campus, but he simply accepted them calmly and then laughed them off.

Praise won't make him dizzy, and criticism won't shake him.

Having lived a second life, he was all too aware of the vanity of fame and the cruelty of reality.

The current popularity stems from his exposure to the glittering symbols of "Keelung" and "Wang Zhenguo," rather than from a genuine and lasting recognition of Jiang Haoran's personal value.

He still maintains an almost strict routine: attending classes on time and spending a lot of time in the library or a quiet corner of the classroom.

Wang Zhenguo carefully kept his simple business card.

It's not just a way to connect; it's a weighty symbol, a clear anchor.

It symbolizes that its chosen path of deeply integrating with industry and creating value through insight has gained initial recognition from one of the most courageous and pragmatic figures of our time.

This recognition carries more weight than any academic award or exam score.

It also anchors a crucial strategic fulcrum on his vast future chessboard.

Keelung, this company, this team, and the photovoltaic new energy sector it belongs to will stage an epic rise in the next ten years, eventually growing into an absolute industry leader with a market value of hundreds of billions.

Now, it may be at an unprecedented strategic juncture, facing a life-or-death gamble on its technological path, a thirst for funds to expand its production capacity, a low valuation in the secondary market, and enormous pressure from both inside and outside the company.

An irrepressible and extremely ambitious thought grew clearer and more intense in Jiang Haoran's mind: What if... what if he could accumulate enough capital strength at a faster pace?

Is it possible to become an important companion, supporter, or even a partner who shares the deepest interests with this future king in the early stages of his ascent, before he has fully revealed his talents or is even struggling to climb the hill?

The thought made his heart race slightly, a familiar surge of excitement coursing through his veins. It wasn't vanity, but the thrill a chess player feels when they see an excellent placement.

He knew it would be difficult, practically wishful thinking. It would require the right timing and location, unimaginable opportunities, and, most importantly, an incredible speed at which he himself would become strong and influential enough.

This is not a "financial investment" that can be achieved simply by throwing money at it, but a "strategic cooperation" that requires a deep understanding of the industry, a high degree of strategic synergy, and the ability to provide decisive assistance at critical moments.

But at least, he succeeded in making Wang Zhenguo remember the name "Jiang Haoran" and planting a seed in the other's heart.

This is an incredibly precious beginning, one that countless people yearn for. It's like a beam of light, illuminating the previously blurred path ahead.

A grand game of chess, intertwined with industry and capital, has already begun, and he, this reborn chess player, has already attracted the attention of one of the most crucial giants on the chessboard with a precise and forward-thinking "novice move".

He needs to take each step from now on more solidly and forcefully.

Empty fame is like fleeting clouds, vanishing in an instant; only the capital power firmly held in hand and the precise grasp of industry cycles can truly earn him the right to sit side by side with future giants.