Chapter 22: The First Pot of Gold

“This…” Li Qiang was somewhat at a loss for words, then his eyes lit up. “Damn, if celebrities deploy this security network around their residences and also install it in their cars, wouldn’t they be able to know if the paparazzi are tracking and watching them?”

“What do you think?” Du Qiu gave Li Qiang a disdainful look.

“Is it really that powerful?” Li Qiang, still skeptical, took another look at the perception component in his hands. He was curious about how so many features could be achieved on just one circuit board.

“Oh, is this actually an electromagnetic wave sensor?”

“Ah, this signal amplification circuit is impressive!”

“That’s brilliant, using a photosensitive device in this way!”

…

Now that he knew the function, Li Qiang took another look at the perception component in his hands, slowly making sense of the various components and the purpose of each circuit.

This security network definitely has great prospects in the security market; after all, we are living in an era of voyeurism.

There are various ingenious ways in which hidden cameras are disguised—some are camouflaged and hidden in door handles, lampshades, indoor plants, power sockets, screws, smoke detectors, and so on.

There are even online services specifically offering inspections for eavesdropping devices and hidden cameras, which shows the great demand for such services.

Li Qiang had not been short of clients with such needs recently. For example, the last one with Mr. Xu, who actually had such concerns—if the system prepared for him were replaced with the security network system, not only could it enhance his security, but it could also make an extra profit.

Especially since Mr. Xu was involved in the entertainment industry and knew many celebrities, those celebrities would probably love such a system, wouldn’t they?

“What are you thinking about?” Du Qiu, noticing that Li Qiang had become lost in thought while talking, couldn’t help but pat Li Qiang’s shoulder and ask.

“Xiao Qiu, can you let me manage the sales of this security network system?”

Du Qiu had cooperated with Li Qiang on similar projects before, but usually, it was Li Qiang who secured the job and then sought Du Qiu’s assistance.

“Oh, yeah, if you think you can sell it, go ahead and try.”

Li Qiang was not coy and said, “Okay, then let’s agree that the profits from selling this system will be split 40-60, I’ll take forty percent, you get sixty.”

“Brother Qiang, don’t be too optimistic. Once the system is sold, it’s very easy to be imitated, and we might not be able to sell many units. I’m happy to earn some pocket money, why bother with splitting profits?”

Li Qiang shook his head, “You don’t understand the market for this thing. Anyway, it’s settled. I definitely can’t take advantage of you, brother.”

Having known each other for many years, Du Qiu knew what kind of person Li Qiang was and did not object further.

“It’s past twelve o’clock, let’s go, we’ll go out to eat something.” Du Qiu invited.

Li Qiang, however, declined. “No need, I have to hurry and acquire some more components. Later, you help me quickly make a batch of components, so I can set up a demo for someone.”

Watching Li Qiang hurry off as if there was a mountain of gold waiting for him to dig, Du Qiu could only helplessly continue to make do with instant noodles.

After finishing the instant noodles, Du Qiu made the software interface of the security network even more foolproof.

After all, Li Qiang had mentioned selling it to others, so the appearance needed some consideration and had to be even more user-friendly. Who knows what kind of computer illiterates would be operating it?

“In a split second, a million possibilities…”

Du Qiu had just finished and was spreading A4 paper to continue sorting out the knowledge in his memory when his phone rang.

Seeing it was “Two Oriole Birds”, he answered the call with some surprise.

“Du Qiu, where are you?”

“At home.”

“Didn’t I tell you a few days ago about introducing you to a company that produces industrial automation equipment? My executive friend just urged me to ask you to go for an interview at his company soon.”

“Didn’t I say I wanted to rest for a while?”

“Oh come on, do you want to sit around until the savings are gone? A big Ph.D. unemployed at home, aren’t you embarrassed? Get ready, I’ll be at your building in ten minutes, and I’ll take you to the interview.”

“Uh, why are you making decisions for me again…” Du Qiu was somewhat speechless.

Zhang Mingliu was decisive and one of the deep reasons the two had had a falling out was because both of them had strong personalities, and Du Qiu was not someone who compromised easily.

“Du Qiu, it’s truly a rare opportunity, they really think highly of you. You’ve worked for less than a year, don’t always think of resting…”

As Zhang Mingliu’s relentless persuasion came through the phone, Du Qiu resignedly said, “Okay, okay, I’ll do you the courtesy to meet, but let me be clear, it’s not an interview…”

“All right, stop rambling, and remember to wear a suit!”

“Got it, I’ll meet you downstairs.”

Du Qiu hang up the phone, tidied himself up a bit, changed into a suit, and went downstairs.

He was someone who was preparing to start his own business and be his own boss; he certainly wouldn’t be attending any interviews.

However, Zhang Mingliu had shown such determination, and he could not blatantly reject her face, besides, he also wanted to see this company that manufactured automation equipment.

Thinking about it, producing automation equipment — it might just become a client for his control software.

Meeting a client, it’s still better to dress formally.

Standing beside his parking space downstairs, he didn’t have to wait long before he saw Zhang Mingliu hurrying over energetically.

“Du Qiu, don’t just stand there, drive your car out. I made an appointment with someone for three thirty. With the traffic, I don’t know if we’ll be delayed…”

Zhang Mingliu was shouting from a distance.

Du Qiu saw her walking fast in high heels and couldn’t help but feel moved.

He turned, started the car, and drove out to meet Zhang Mingliu, stopping and waiting for her to get in. Then he said, “Why are you running in high heels? Couldn’t you have just waited at the main gate?”

“You told me to meet downstairs, didn’t you?”

++++++++

“Dr. Du, that’s all about our Tianqi Company. Is there anything else you need to know?”

In the office of the general manager of Tianqi Company, Du Qiu met the executive that Zhang Mingliu had mentioned, Wei Jianshe, the general manager of Tianqi Company.

He was a middle-aged man in his forties, medium build, with a scholarly appearance, and spoke in a rather unhurried manner.

However, Du Qiu felt that Wei Jianshe was particularly enthusiastic about him, as the whole conversation did not feel like an interview.

Even Zhang Mingliu was sitting aside, as if it were a chat between friends.

“General Wei, I truly apologize, maybe Mingliu didn’t fully understand my intentions. I’m planning to…”

Just as Du Qiu was about to clarify his lack of intent to take up a job, Wei Jianshe interrupted him, saying, “Dr. Du, no need to give a quick reply, please take your time to consider. Also, to help you understand more about our company, let me give you a tour.”

Du Qiu was somewhat stunned. It seemed that General Wei had sensed his intention to decline the offer, yet he still remained so enthusiastic.

Nevertheless, visiting Tianqi Company was not a bad idea, as it would be good to understand the customer’s needs.

Wei Jianshe personally took Du Qiu and Zhang Mingliu on a tour of the company, especially their unmanned factory production line.

“This is the production line that Reporter Zhang visited for an interview last time. It had just begun operation, and now it has been running without faults for over a hundred days.”

Zhang Mingliu got to know Wei Jianshe because of that interview.

If at first Du Qiu felt that Wei Jianshe’s extra enthusiasm was unexpected, now throughout the visit, Wei Jianshe behaved even more extravagantly, almost as if Du Qiu was his superior.

Even Zhang Mingliu, who was at his side, found it somewhat odd.

As they examined the entire unmanned production line with at least a hundred mid-to-high-end CNC machining centers, Du Qiu couldn’t help but ask, “General Wei, are these machining centers using domestic systems or imported ones?”

Wei Jianshe smiled, “As I mentioned before, our Tianqi products all use domestic systems. Of course, if customers have specific demands, we would handle it flexibly. This production line’s equipment all comes from our parent company, and the machining centers also use the software system developed by the parent company.”

Du Qiu stopped in front of one of the machining centers to observe and couldn’t help but smile internally.

There were still many domestic manufacturing enterprises that couldn’t shake off the habit of calling a localized imported system their own developed domestic system.

Probably they had paid a hefty amount to keep foreigners quiet; it was puzzling why they couldn’t be honest about it.

Du Qiu thought for a moment — since Tianqi Company emphasized their use of domestic systems, why not promote his own control system? If they were not interested, no loss.

“General Wei, I’ve personally developed a control system that can improve the overall performance of machining centers. Would your company be interested in purchasing it?

“Certainly, the price would definitely be cheaper than your ‘self-developed’ system.”

Du Qiu deliberately emphasized the word “self” in his question.

Suddenly, a sweet voice rose up from behind the group.

“Dr. Du, you certainly haven’t disappointed me. You actually made that software! Then I definitely want to buy it!”