Chai Yang walked to the window, pulled open the curtains, and saw dark clouds hanging over the city, with fallen leaves and rain threads floating in the wind.

Chai Yang gazed at the distant scenery until Jiang Yubai’s voice interrupted his thoughts: “This agreement…”

Chai Yang clasped his hands: “How would you like to revise it?”

Jiang Yubai flipped the agreement over and placed it face down on the table. He said, “According to your requirements, after your resignation, you still want to retain the company’s equity and remain a minor shareholder of Jiangke Software.”

Chai Yang sat down in his chair, looking up at him: “I am this company’s founder. My keeping shares would be good for the company’s reputation, don’t you think?”

Jiang Yubai smiled.

Chai Yang fell silent. He came from a technical background, and negotiation wasn’t his strong suit. Jiang Yubai refused to sign that agreement or even discuss its terms with him. To be honest, he couldn’t reach a consensus with Jiang Yubai.

Chai Yang stood up to leave: “Let’s talk another day.”

Jiang Yubai called after him: “You’re eager to resign for a new round of entrepreneurship. You have the ability, funding, and a mature team. You know foreign technology startup teams, and breaking through technical barriers is just a matter of time…”

Chai Yang turned to look at him.

But Jiang Yubai said, “Only by putting down your current burden can you fly further.”

Chai Yang suddenly asked him: “Why invest in that quantum technology company of yours? The quantum hype is all fake. No scientist in the world has experimental results proving that quantum computers are definitely stronger than traditional computers. There are plenty of people in Silicon Valley burning money following trends, and so far, no quantum company has a product that can be launched on the market at scale. If you want high profits and high returns, why not expand into gaming and live streaming businesses?”

Jiang Yubai didn’t refute him.

After all, Chai Yang didn’t know Lin Zhixia. He knew nothing about her.

What Jiang Yubai invested in wasn’t the concept of “quantum technology”—he invested in Lin Zhixia as a person. He firmly believed she could achieve success in the worldly sense, even though she didn’t care about material possessions or fame at all.

Chai Yang took a deep breath and exhaled: “Anyway, without your support back then, there wouldn’t be the me of today. To say something perhaps inappropriate, I’ve considered you a friend. You also need to put down your burden to fly further.”

With those words, Chai Yang left. He stayed at home for two days, feeling unprecedentedly relaxed. Early the next day, he formally submitted his resignation, departing the company with many team members and issuing a public resignation statement.

According to Chai Yang’s original plan, he wanted to describe his passive situation in the statement, but then he recalled what Jiang Yubai had said that day… and ultimately abandoned his initial intention.

Chai Yang was only twenty-seven this year.

He was very young.

One piece of advice from Jiang Yubai struck a chord with him—only by putting down his current burden could he fly further.

*

The news of “Chai Yang’s team collectively resigning” quickly occupied the front-page headlines in the technology sector.

Since “Jiangke Software” was an internet company born in Beijing and grew in the provincial capital, the provincial “Morning Daily” even created a special column, sorting through the development history of “Jiangke Software Company” for readers.

“Morning Daily” reporters also interviewed Chai Yang, detailing his mental journey.

To understand Chai Yang’s psychological state, Lin Zhixia bought a copy of “Morning Daily” at a newspaper stand outside the university. She brought the newspaper back to her office, reading it word by word, her expression gradually becoming solemn.

Chai Yang publicly declared in the newspaper that “quantum computing” was just a gimmick, and that practitioners in the internet industry must see the future direction clearly and not be misled by hyped-up concepts.

Chai Yang also said he would lead his team into the live streaming industry. He believed that in the coming years, live streaming would become an industry hotspot that couldn’t be ignored.

Lin Zhixia closed the newspaper, her hands pressing down on Chai Yang’s photo.

Chai Yang could resign if he wanted, but why did he have to disparage “quantum computing”?

Lin Zhixia’s quantum technology company had only been established recently—this company’s public name was “PTSIC Quantum Laboratory,” and because all the core team members had graduated from world-class universities and had access to basic technology platforms provided by top internet companies… “PTSIC Quantum Laboratory” had a decent reputation in the industry.

However, Chai Yang’s statement had put “PTSIC Quantum Laboratory” in the spotlight of controversy.

Lin Zhixia wasn’t angry.

She was just a bit confused.

Chai Yang didn’t understand this industry and hadn’t read Lin Zhixia’s papers, so how could he determine that “quantum computing” was a hyped-up fake concept?

Lin Zhixia calmly thought for a while.

Her students, however, immediately exploded with reactions.

In the “Quantum Frontiers Laboratory” in the same building, Xu Lingbo was running data while cursing: “This Chai Yang, I’m speechless. When I encounter something I don’t understand, I’d rather sew my mouth shut, but he goes and devalues our Professor Lin’s company to nothing in the ‘Morning Daily’.”

Fang Yiwen also let out a contemptuous “Huh.”

Zhan Rui chimed in: “Let’s not, not, not, not worry about him.”

In the entire laboratory, there were only three people: Fang Yiwen, Xu Lingbo, and Zhan Rui.

In front of his senior and junior fellow students, Xu Lingbo couldn’t help expressing his true feelings: “Chai Yang is only twenty-seven, just a few years older than me, and he can’t keep his mouth shut. He accepts an interview and criticizes someone’s quantum company as a gimmick… Damn, our school just signed a cooperation agreement with this quantum company. His casual remark just slapped our school in the face.”

Fang Yiwen said, “He’s very bold.”

Xu Lingbo scratched his hair, quite troubled as he vented: “Sigh, let’s not talk about Chai Yang for now. The undergrads are still causing trouble, many people are clamoring to drop Professor Lin’s course…”

At this point, Xu Lingbo suddenly stopped speaking.

Lin Zhixia had entered the laboratory.

“Good morning, everyone,” Lin Zhixia greeted them.

“Good morning, Professor Lin!” Xu Lingbo responded loudly.

Lin Zhixia found a file recording experimental data in the operations room—this was a summary of her two years of doctoral research. She carried the file, walked around the laboratory, inspecting each student’s work. Then, she said, “You must believe in your research direction. You’re all very smart and hardworking. The future belongs to each one of you.”

The students all nodded.

Lin Zhixia applauded them briefly.

Holding the files, she left the laboratory, hailed a taxi outside the school gate, and headed directly to the office building of “PTSIC Quantum Laboratory.” As the person in charge and senior advisor of this company, Lin Zhixia’s office was located on the top floor.

However, Lin Zhixia rarely made appearances.

The receptionist was delighted to see her: “Hello, please wait a moment. Would you like me to connect you to the internal phone line?”