Reborn in 2012, building a new energy empire

On the afternoon of the first weekend of November, Nanjing already felt the chill of early winter.

In his dormitory, Jiang Haoran had just finished organizing the latest R&D progress report from Kirin Technology and was about to reply to Gu Qiushi's email when his phone vibrated.

The name "Lin Miaomiao" was displayed on the screen.

When the call connected, the voice on the other end carried a relieved lightness and an undisguised elation: "Haoran! You're amazing!"

Lin Miaomiao said excitedly, "That's exactly what you thought. We sent samples of the problematic batch of adhesive film and components for testing, and the report just came out today."

She paused, her tone brimming with barely suppressed pride: "It was just that the last batch of EVA film had a severely substandard degree of cross-linking, leading to accelerated early aging due to damp heat. It's all clearly stated in black and white in the third-party testing report."

"Once the data was presented, the supplier immediately fell silent." Lin Miaomiao's voice carried a hint of amusement, the relief that came after the problem was solved. "They accepted the loss and penalties, their attitude completely changed. General Manager Wang from the purchasing department slammed his fist on the table and said he wouldn't consider any of their products for the next three years."

Jiang Haoran could imagine that scene.

The photovoltaic industry has extremely stringent requirements for material reliability. Before modules leave the factory, they must undergo damp heat aging tests to simulate a 25-year usage environment.

If it is confirmed that the component failure was caused by a problem with the raw materials, the supplier will not only have to bear all the losses, but in this industry that values ​​reliability, their reputation will be basically ruined.

"As expected," Jiang Haoran said, leaning back in his chair.

"And that company you mentioned, 'Foster,'" Lin Miaomiao continued, her tone even more cheerful, "our technical department worked through the night to coordinate, and the sample testing is just finished... the results are surprisingly good!"

"Not only is the price 30% cheaper than imported materials, but several key indicators, especially anti-PID performance and volume resistivity, are also far superior to the imported materials we are currently using."

"The procurement team has already initiated an emergency review process," Lin Miaomiao's voice interrupted his thoughts. "We can start small-batch trials as early as next month. If the stability test passes, we can switch to mass production in the first quarter of next year—just in terms of material costs alone, we can save several million a year."

Jiang Haoran held his phone, a smile unconsciously curving his lips.

In its previous life, Foster was the leading domestic manufacturer of EVA film.

At that time, we were just an inconspicuous follower in the industry, struggling to expand our market. I never expected that my casual suggestion would actually lead to this collaboration.

"Good thing." Jiang Haoran said simply, but he knew what it meant. For a manufacturing company like Wanhe Solar Energy, a reduction of a few percentage points in costs could mean tens of millions in profit.

"The most interesting one is my dad." Lin Miaomiao's tone suddenly became subtle, with a hint of girlish slyness.

Jiang Haoran remained silent, waiting for her to continue.

"After reading my complete analysis report and solution plan, he assumed that I had consulted some industry expert at the university to do the analysis, and kept asking me which professor was giving me guidance."

She chuckled softly, the sound so clear through the receiver that you could almost see the corners of her mouth slightly upturned: "I... haven't dared to say anything yet. He was so earnest in praising this professor, saying he had 'unique insight and hit the nail on the head.'"

"I just went along with him and said that I had indeed found a 'big shot in the industry' to give me guidance and asked him to help me solve the problem."

She paused, her voice becoming slightly playful: "My dad specifically instructed me that he must find an opportunity to visit and thank such a highly accomplished person in person."

"I agreed verbally, but what I was thinking was: I wonder what his expression would be if he knew that this 'expert' was actually the same age as me."

Jiang Haoran could picture Lin Miaomiao raising her eyebrows slightly on the other end of the phone; her expression must have been quite amusing.

"You sure know how to keep people in suspense." He smiled, his tone indulgent.

"This isn't called keeping us in suspense, this is called..." Lin Miaomiao drawled, as if searching for the right word, "a strategic buffer."

"Besides, if I tell the truth now, my dad will definitely ask all sorts of questions... like how I know such an amazing classmate, what our relationship is like, and so on, which I don't know how to answer."

There was a hidden implication in those words that both of them understood.

Ever since their last trip to the amusement park, they've developed an unspoken understanding.

The feeling of her gripping his arm as the roller coaster plunged down, her slightly flushed cheeks under the streetlights when they parted, and his words, "Let's get together again next time."

These became secrets between the two of them, a relationship closer than that of ordinary classmates, yet one that had not yet been clearly defined.

"How's the relationship?" Jiang Haoran followed her words, his tone relaxed yet subtly inquiring, as if teasing her or confirming something. "Isn't it great? I heard your family's factory had some problems, so I stayed up all night to help you analyze them."

There was silence on the other end of the phone for several seconds.

Lin Miaomiao thought about Jiang Haoran staying up until dawn, going through the data reports, process records, and failure pictures she sent him many times, and consulting countless materials. Finally, she accurately found the overlooked key point.

"Thank you, Haoran." Lin Miaomiao's voice softened, losing its previous playfulness and becoming more serious.

That earnestness was mixed with gratitude, and perhaps some other, more tender emotions, "so I don't want them to 'care' about these things right now. Let's talk about it when the time is right."

The frankness of these words only made the atmosphere more subtle. It was as if they were admitting something, yet also as if they were carefully protecting something.

Protect this budding relationship that cannot withstand too much parental interference.

Jiang Haoran looked at the swaying shadows of the trees outside the window, a deeper smile playing on his lips. "Fine, whatever you say. But if your dad knew the truth, wouldn't he think I'd tricked this naive little fairy, and chase after me to beat me up?"

"He wouldn't dare." Lin Miaomiao's tone suddenly carried a hint of protectiveness, an unconscious intimacy. "This is a technical issue; the data speaks for itself. Besides..."

She paused, then her voice returned to a smile, a smile that held a tenderness only they could understand: "If you're really angry, I'll definitely speak up for you."

These words, though spoken naturally, carry more weight than any straightforward expression.

As Jiang Haoran listened, something stirred within him.

He recalled the complex interpersonal relationships of his past life, the filth of exchanging favors; in that world, sincerity was a luxury, and trust was fragile.

The girl on the other end of the phone was simple and pure in her defense, without any ulterior motives.

She wasn't even fully aware of what she was doing; she simply acted on instinct, choosing to side with him over her father.

This purity was especially precious to Jiang Haoran after his rebirth.

"Oh?" He deliberately dragged out the sound, his tone carrying a subtle, almost imperceptible meaning, as if testing or teasing, "Since you're so loyal, how are you going to repay me for this 'late-night support'?"