The fake heiress loves to act? The max-level boss isn't interested in playing along.

It's so cold that people don't want to stretch their hands out.

The investment in the experiment can't be delayed any longer.

I left Li Yan's place.

In the afternoon, Fu Hua prepared to make a third visit to a factory.

Xie declined and drove her there.

Outside the medical device factory, the signboard remains the same as always.

White background with red lettering, the paint is peeling off.

The old man in the gatehouse, wrapped in a military overcoat and holding an enamel mug, was nodding off.

Fu Hua stood at the door, breathed out a puff of air, and the white mist dissipated.

This is her third time here.

The first two times, the security guard announced I could go in, and after waiting for ages, someone came out.

They said the director wasn't here and I should come back another time.

The next time I came, I was invited into the office, left to stand there for a long time, and then they said the director was unavailable.

In the end, there wasn't even a single explanation.

At that time, state-owned enterprises were all incredibly powerful.

They view individual business owners like city dwellers view street vendors.

It carries a deep-seated contempt, arrogance, and condescension.

In their eyes: You are people without a work unit, without a formal position, and without a secure job.

They believe that only those who are desperate and have nowhere else to turn, and cannot find a proper job, will become self-employed.

Speculation and profiteering, neglecting one's proper business, being inferior to others, and being unworthy of respect.

Fu Hua, a young woman, did not have a work unit affiliation.

In their view, conducting research and negotiating collaborations are things they do themselves.

That's utterly unorthodox and overestimating their abilities.

It's not as good as being a self-employed individual.

However, she wanted to see how many more times they could push it off today.

Even if it's a refusal, I want to hear them say it themselves.

Xie Ci parked his car on the side of the road, walked over, and stood next to her.

"How about I come in with you?"

Fu Hua shook her head.

"No need. Just wait in your car, the heater is on."

Xie Ci looked at her but didn't move.

"Tell me more about the project. How's it going?"

Fu Hua stared at the tightly closed iron gate.

"Aside from the special funds, there have been no other investments."

The team formation is all set by Li Yan, but we don't have anyone yet for processing and clinical aspects.

She already has a candidate in mind for the clinical setting, but she hasn't figured out how to persuade them yet.

No rush, take it one step at a time.

She knew absolutely no one in the field of sample making.

I have no clue what to do.

Fu Hua's gaze drifted as she looked around the room: "The lab can make samples, but not in batches; we still need a factory to cooperate."

Xie Ci nodded, remained silent for a few seconds, and then suddenly spoke.

"Regarding the money, just tell me how much you need. I can invest, or I can help you contact the relevant authorities."

Fu Hua turned to look at him.

Xie Ci stood there, wearing a military overcoat over his military uniform.

Her face was a little red from the cold wind, but her eyes were very serious.

"I know you want to handle it yourself."

He took her hand and gently stroked it, "But I just wanted to help you, I couldn't bear to see you running around in this cold weather."

Fu Hua's lips curved into a smile.

"No rush."

She said, "I'll look for my workplace first. If I really can't find it, then I'll contact you."

There are precedents for military investment as well.

We can talk about it later.

Xie Ci didn't say anything more, he just nodded.

The two stood there for a while, still not recognizing each other, their feet almost numb from the cold.

Xie Ci suddenly remembered: "Oh right, the grandson of Grandpa's comrade-in-arms."

I remember he's the factory director. He visited Grandpa in the hospital a few days ago. Should I go in and talk to him for you?

Fu Hua shook her head.

"Need not."

Xie Ci looked at her.

"Really not going to?"

Fu Hua withdrew her gaze and looked at the door.

"I can do it myself."

Her eyes sparkled. "This project is mine, and I want to make it happen in my own way."

Most importantly, if the other party really has such poor judgment,

She didn't want to cooperate with them either.

Xie Ci looked at her for a few seconds and smiled.

"Okay, I'll wait for you in the car. Once you're done, we'll go get hot pot."

Fu Hua nodded and walked towards the gatehouse.

This time, the waiting time after being notified was longer than the previous two times.

Fu Hua stood at the door of the guardhouse, looking at her watch.

Twenty minutes passed, and no one came out.

She walked back to the window of the gatehouse.

"Master, could you please ask again for me?"

The old man raised his eyelids, glanced at her, slowly picked up the phone, and dialed a few numbers.

"Hey, Section Chief Wang, it's that girl from before...yes, she's still waiting...okay."

He put down the phone and said to Fu Hua, "Section Chief Wang said he's busy and will ask you to come another day."

Fu Hua didn't move.

"Master," she said, "please pass on another message for me."

The old man looked at her.

"Just say that the people from the Peking University 863 project have come to discuss cooperation. If your factory doesn't want to take on this project, I'll leave immediately and never come back."

But if they refuse even to meet, it might have a bad influence if word gets out.

Who would dare to come to discuss cooperation in the future, only to be turned away?

The old man paused for a moment, then picked up the phone again.

This time the wait was shorter.

Ten minutes later, a middle-aged man wearing a blue work uniform...

He walked out of the office building, a hint of impatience on his face.

"Who is it? Who wants to see Section Chief Wang?"

Fu Hua took a step forward.

"I."

The man looked her up and down, then paused for a moment.

"You're that... female student from Kyoto University?"

Fu Hua nodded.

A hint of surprise flashed across the man's face, but he quickly resumed his businesslike expression.

"Come with me."

The office is small, with a desk, a few chairs, several certificates of merit and a banner hanging on the wall.

Section Chief Wang sat behind his desk. He was in his forties, slightly overweight, and his hair was slicked back and polished.

He was holding a document in his hand, without even looking up.

"Please sit down."

Fu Hua sat down in the chair.

After a long while, Section Chief Wang finally put down the document and looked up.

Upon seeing Fu Hua, he paused for a moment, surprised that she was so young and beautiful, and then smiled.

"You're that student from Kyoto University?"

Fu Hua nodded.

"Hello, Section Chief Wang."

Section Chief Wang leaned back in his chair and crossed his legs.

"The 863 Program, you didn't mention it before."

Fu Hua produced proof: "Yes, I applied for funding before, but it hasn't arrived yet, so I didn't mention it."

"So that means it's in place now?"

Section Chief Wang casually flipped through the documents, frowning: "I heard you're doing this research independently, right? No affiliated institution, and you're working on bioprosthetic valves for children?"

"right."

Fu Hua nodded.

Section Chief Wang smiled, but there was an indescribable meaning in his smile.

"Young lady, do you know what our factory does?"

Without waiting for Fu Hua's reply, Section Chief Wang continued, "Medical devices, heart valves, we've made valves for adults, for children..."

He shook his head. "I've never done it. And I wouldn't dare."

He paused, his tone becoming more relaxed.

"We support you college students in doing scientific research and writing papers, but when it comes to actually making something, mass-producing it, and putting it on the market, especially when it involves human lives, that's a different matter."

He looked at Fu Hua as if she were an ignorant child.

Do you know how many processes a valve goes through from blueprint to finished product?

Materials, processing, testing, sterilization, packaging, approval...

If anything goes wrong, it could mean loss of life. Our factory can't afford to play along with you.

After listening, Fu Hua nodded.

"I know all that Section Chief Wang said."

Section Chief Wang was taken aback for a moment.

Fu Hua continued, "That's why I came to your factory."

I've done some research; your factory is one of the earliest manufacturers of heart valves in North China.

We have twenty years of processing experience. We've performed thousands of adult mechanical valve procedures, with a 98% success rate.

Section Chief Wang's expression, from his posture to his eyes, was utterly lazy and listless.

His condescending arrogance meant that not a single word Fu Hua uttered caught his eye.