**Chapter 0212: Where Does the Confidence Come From**
In the office of Xue Yaoguo, Li Fanyu and he sat opposite each other on the sofa. After some small talk, they both scrutinized each other.
After a while, Li Fanyu broke the silence and looked at the plaque behind Xue Yaoguo. "Do you like this gift?"
"I never accept flattery from others," Xue Yaoguo said, pointing to the plaque behind him. "Such things can easily make someone lose themselves and fall into a state of endless inflation. But I like this gift very much. I'm curious, how did you manage to produce such a high-precision and complex alloy part in just three days?"
Li Fanyu thought it was interesting.
Upon first meeting, he felt that Xue Yaoguo was a person who was almost pathologically strict with both himself and others. He had never encountered someone with such a personality before.
Shrugging, he replied honestly, "I didn’t take three days."
Xue Yaoguo sat up straight. "Oh? How long did it take then? One day?"
Li Fanyu spread his hands. "Just over half an hour."
"That’s impossible! What technology did you use?"
"A 3D metal printer."
Xue Yaoguo was stunned for a moment before bursting into laughter. "You must be joking."
Li Fanyu shook his head, knowing this couldn’t be easily explained.
Currently, 3D printing technology, an additive manufacturing method, had just started to become widespread worldwide. Metal printing technology was even rarer. Although it existed abroad, it was neither precise nor fast enough.
If the working state and processing method of that inconspicuous little gadget in Zhengxin’s X maintenance workshop were filmed and posted online, it would surely cause a worldwide sensation.
This kind of black technology was not something Li Fanyu intended to reveal now. As the old saying goes, "Keep a low profile to make a fortune."
So, since Xue Yaoguo didn’t believe him, he didn’t bother to explain further.
Xue Yaoguo assumed he was unwilling to disclose more and didn’t press the matter—understandably, any enterprise with such technology would keep it confidential.
After this brief interlude, Li Fanyu stated his purpose.
This was part of Lü Heming’s plan: to join forces with Guangqi to secure a slot in the Shengshi C-level project. In return, some production orders would be handed over to Guangqi.
As Li Fanyu had feared, Zhengxin’s background and strength alone were far from sufficient to gain the attention of the SASAC.
The highest-ranking government official he had met so far was Cheng Gang, who couldn’t even make a difference when they went to negotiate the engine cooperation with Hongqi.
It wasn’t that Cheng Gang didn’t try or lack capability; it was simply because he wasn’t high enough in rank.
When Lü Heming was the general manager at Hongqi, the mayor of a third-tier city like Tiancheng was hardly on his radar.
Without a strong and effective channel, government matters are hard to accomplish. In the face of power, money takes a backseat.
So, according to the plan, Zhengxin needed to fully utilize its cooperative relationship with Guangqi. This was the reason for Li Fanyu’s visit.
After hearing him out, Xue Yaoguo gave him a long look and said, "You have a big appetite. If you're thinking of speculating, I advise you to give up early. Although our two companies are in a partnership, it hasn’t deepened to the extent that I’d cover for you."
"Speculating?" Li Fanyu laughed. "Director Xue, I’ve prepared something. Can we take a step outside? I think once you see it, you'll understand whether I'm speculating or serious."
...
Ten minutes later, Xue Yaoguo sat in the back seat of a car, curiously asking, "Where are you taking me? And where’s this thing you mentioned?"
Li Fanyu turned the key to start the car, then, with one hand on the steering wheel, skillfully and gracefully pulled the car out of the parking space.
Upon hearing the question, he smiled mysteriously. "You're sitting on it."
Xue Yaoguo was taken aback and instinctively looked down. Only then did he realize he was sitting in a car with an exceptionally spacious rear seat.
"With this space, this wheelbase... this isn’t an A4!" He had specifically studied Zhengxin’s products and was familiar with the Audi A4.
Earlier, as his attention was on the "thing" Li Fanyu mentioned, he had assumed this was just an A4.
Reminded now, he suddenly realized the key issue.
This was Zhengxin’s new model! Though it looked similar to an A4 on the outside, it was a C-class, or executive class, car with a super long wheelbase!
Realizing this, Xue Yaoguo’s gaze sharpened as he scrutinized everything inside the car.
Starting with the rear, the space was immense!
He looked at the distance between himself and the front seat, stretched out his legs, and found there was plenty of room. At 1.83 meters tall, he could easily cross his legs, and even then, there was still space between his knees and the front seat. The seats were exquisite; whether it was the craftsmanship, materials, angle, or elasticity, everything felt just right.
Watching Xue Yaoguo act like a country bumpkin, Li Fanyu boasted, "There’s a boss key under your right hand. If you find the space insufficient, you can move the front passenger seat forward. The multimedia remote is in the armrest box. Feel free to play some music."
Xue Yaoguo ignored him, trying out the boss key and the armrest box before focusing on the front.
The entire interior featured a wrap-around design, with all the control panels slightly angled toward the driver. It had a full LCD instrument panel, a genuine leather four-spoke steering wheel, and a gearshift area brimming with functional yet uncluttered buttons. Coupled with wood accents, it perfectly merged solemnity and technology.
The most striking feature was the 6.5-inch LCD display. The screen had an exceptionally high resolution and was completely flat and button-free.
He tentatively asked, "Is the display a touchscreen?"
With one hand casually resting on the armrest, Li Fanyu lightly shook his head. "No, no. See the multimedia knob behind the gearstick? All multimedia functions can be operated from this area. It’s very convenient; you can manage it single-handedly without distraction while driving."
Watching Li Fanyu operate the multimedia functions on the screen effortlessly with one hand, Xue Yaoguo felt a twinge of discomfort.
While Guangqi was still contemplating how to make a decent car, Zhengxin had already developed a luxurious executive car.
The gap was too wide.
Unaware of Xue Yaoguo’s thoughts, Li Fanyu couldn’t resist showing off, "Actually, my favorite feature of this screen is this."
With that, he pulled over and turned off the car.
At the moment of shutting off, the 6.5-inch screen slowly folded and retracted into the center console.
"See, isn’t it high-tech?"
Xue Yaoguo didn’t respond. He now understood the confidence behind Li Fanyu’s visit—the guy had already produced a car meeting Shengshi’s C-level project requirements!
But wait... something seemed off.
Frowning, Xue Yaoguo pondered for a moment before asking, "Has this car passed the MIIT's review?"
Li Fanyu shrugged. "Nope."
"Then how did you drive it to Guangzhou?"
"Air transport."
"Then you’re test-driving an unlicensed car! This is illegal!"
Turning around with a cheerful smile, Li Fanyu said, "Exactly, so with the New Year approaching, Director Xue, you better make sure I don’t get caught by the traffic police. Otherwise, you'll have to deliver dumplings to my cell for New Year's."
"Oh, and not just illegal driving—technically, I’m also driving without a license. Haven’t passed the test yet."
NEXT