Coercion and Allurement? Compromise?

How could Li Ping'an not be excited!

Especially the most crucial brain-computer interface technology, which enables a seamless connection between computers and the human brain for the precise transmission of signals.

Although top technologically powerful nations across the globe were secretly researching brain-computer interfaces, and the internet frequently buzzed with news that some laboratory had achieved a breakthrough in information interaction through such technology, a closer investigation would reveal that these so-called breakthroughs were merely the most basic signal simulations of brainwaves sent to computers to execute extremely simple actions, such as controlling a prosthetic limb to pick up a cup of water and drink.

As clearly seen in related videos circulating online, the action delay was severely severe, almost to the point of being unbearable.

Li Ping'an had no way of verifying whether these purported achievements were genuine scientific breakthroughs or meticulously crafted false propaganda.

However, one thing Li Ping'an could be certain of was that, given the current level of human technological development, no one had yet developed a brain-computer interface technology with high practical value.

In particular, the technology of clearly and accurately transmitting signals from a computer back to the human brain remained a major technological bottleneck that every nation desperately wanted to conquer.

Gazing at the bright, cold moonlight, Li Ping'an fell into deep contemplation.

Even though these advanced technologies were presented in complete detail within his mind, turning them all into real-world applications was by no means an easy feat.

Whether it was artificial intelligence or virtual reality technology, both would require him to invest a massive amount of time.

And right now, time was precisely what he lacked the most!

The problem was that he was just about to enter his fourth and final year of university.

Should he choose to drop out and throw himself entirely into technological research?

Suddenly, Li Ping'an's eyes lit up as he thought of a brilliant solution.

He wouldn't need to drop out, nor would he need to take a leave of absence, and he could still graduate successfully.

"That's right! I'm entering my senior year this year!"

"There's nothing wrong with interning at my own company under the guise of an off-campus internship, is there?"

Given Li Ping'an's current wealth, even if the company went bankrupt, his patents alone would be more than enough to secure a worry-free life for both him and his younger sister.

A graduation certificate naturally became something he could take or leave.

Yet, after ten long years of arduous studying through biting cold winters, he had finally made it this far.

If he could smoothly obtain his diploma, why not do so?

Having figured this out, Li Ping'an drifted peacefully into dreamland in the dead of night.

The next morning, stepping on the very tail end of August, Li Ping'an embarked on his journey back to campus.

Before leaving, as he was packing his laptop bag, Li Ping'an suddenly recalled Xiao Fang's relentless urging.

Thinking about how Xiao Fang required more servers, Li Ping'an pondered for a moment before taking out his phone and calling Old Wu.

"Hello, Old Wu, I'm going to send you a link shortly. According to the specifications provided there, purchase ten servers and have them installed in the company's server room."

Li Ping'an's tone was concise and direct, without a trace of hesitation.

"I expect to be back in a few days, and I'll need to use them then."

"Understood."

Old Wu responded promptly on the other end of the line, long accustomed to executing his boss's instructions without hesitation.

After hanging up, Li Ping'an forwarded the link containing the server specifications he had purchased at the beginning of the year to Old Wu.

At that exact moment, an image suddenly popped up on his phone screen, followed immediately by Xiao Fang's excited and expectant voice ringing from the device:

"Boss, look at this, this one! This new home is fantastic! Absolutely top-notch!"

Li Ping'an stared at the screen, his mouth twitching slightly as he said helplessly:

"Wait a little longer. Ascendancy chips are too expensive; once our headquarters building is constructed, I'll buy you one."

At this, seeming to remember something, Li Ping'an straightened his expression and warned Xiao Fang in a stern tone.

"Without my permission, you are forbidden from using your methods to scrape money online."

"I don't want to spend the rest of my life in prison."

After a tiring journey, Li Ping'an returned to school and headed straight for the office of his counselor, Wang Jingwen.

"Teacher Wang, I'd like to apply for a senior-year off-campus internship," Li Ping'an stated directly. "I simply cannot spare the time away from the company; there are too many critical matters that require my personal attention."

Over the past two days, Wang Jingwen had been closely following the developments of Wisdom Cube Technology Co., Ltd. Thus, she was not the least bit surprised by Li Ping'an's arrival or his application for an "off-campus internship."

With a gentle smile, she nodded and said:

"That is completely fine. When final exams and thesis-writing time roll around, I will notify you in advance so you can properly arrange your schedule."

……

As night fell, the city lights began to twinkle.

Li Ping'an called up his good brothers from Dormitory 602 for a get-together.

The group gathered around a steaming hot pot, the table laden with various delicacies and a few bottles of iced beer.

Once the alcohol was served, everyone's conversational floodgates opened wide.

Raising his glass, Li Ping'an said, "Lads, I've already sorted things out with the counselor, so you can just head straight into your internships. Because of some ongoing product developments at the company, I'll likely be stationed in Luzhou for most of the time. When that happens, the incubation base will rely entirely on you guys to hold down the fort."

Zhao Peng laughed heartily, picked up a beer bottle, and grinned widely as he said, "Fourth brother, if it weren't for us, you probably wouldn't even need this incubation base anymore. Besides, my cousin really loves your intelligent guide dog. Come on, let's skip the polite talk and clink our glasses together. Everything is in the drink."

With that, he tilted his head back and drained his glass of beer in one go, prompting the others to follow suit and finish theirs as well.

A few days later, just as Li Ping'an was preparing to set off and return to the company, a phone call from Old Wu shattered his good mood.

Having just handed the keys to Zhao Peng and stepped out of Incubation Base 201 to catch his ride, Li Ping'an asked with a hint of puzzlement:

"Hello? Old Wu, what's up?"

Old Wu's tone on the other end was rather heavy.

"Boss, this morning, representatives from several well-known domestic investment institutions came by, explicitly stating their intention to invest in Wisdom Cube Technology."

Old Wu emphasized the word "explicitly" with considerable weight.

Was this supposed to be a threat?

The company wasn't lacking funds right now; what need did they have for outside investment?

Furthermore, given the technology in his hands, control over the company had to remain strictly in his own hands.

To go toe-to-toe with these institutions head-on? That would be the most foolish course of action.

Although Wisdom Cube was gradually rising, compared to these colossal entities, it was worth less than a speck of dust.

Li Ping'an dared to say that if he were to issue a fierce warning right now, the company could be forced out of business by tomorrow.

After a brief silence, Li Ping'an slowly spoke: "I understand. I'll figure something out."

Hanging up the phone, Li Ping'an walked along the campus path, deep in thought.

Compromise? Impossible.

If he lost control of the company, making any amount of money would be completely meaningless.

When all was said and done, these capital giants were nothing more than massive webs of connections and influence.

When it came to influence, whose was the greatest?

Naturally, it belonged to the state!

With that thought, Li Ping'an directly dialed the contact number left by Xiao Qian from the Ministry of State Security.

Compromise was simply out of the question!