"I almost forgot about our past deals before the chips got deployed," said Ling Qingyu.
"What deal?"
Ling Qingyu rolled her eyes at Gu Yi. She had no idea whether her mother-in-law was playing around or had truly forgotten their past conversations.
One of her first gifts to Gu Yi and Assistant Su was when she demonstrated her strength and potential for a discussion.
"Something about bulletproof clothing to take over the luxury market, Mother," Ling Qingyu hinted with a schadenfreude tone.
Gu Yi understood Ling Qingyu's implication and chuckled lightly. Since the two had warmed up to each other more than ever before, Ling Qingyu had begun calling her "Mother."
No matter how much she pretended to dislike it, Ling Qingyu remained unfazed. Over time, Gu Yi got used to the title.
Of course, this only happened when they were alone—it was their little secret. In front of others, Ling Qingyu was extremely respectful, contrasting with Gu Yi's initial worries. This was why she stopped minding the naming terms, as long as it didn't escalate into cookies and other nonsensical jokes.
"I remember the deal. I thought you said you weren't ready back then?" Gu Yi recalled.
"It was mass production holding me back. Now, it's fine as long as my target customers aren't the entire country. Only 20 percent of the population can afford my products."
"So, your technology is sufficient to meet this demand. You should realize that with your fashion sense and aesthetically pleasing products, the wealthy won't just buy one if they like it—they'll buy many."
Considering how the truly rich squandered money like trash—amounts that an average person would take a lifetime to earn just for a casual bet between friends—Gu Yi's words carried a warning.
After all, rather than letting money be wasted elsewhere inefficiently, Ling Qingyu's products created high value, especially for the upper class, who constantly feared for their lives.
"Mother, I understand your concerns. I wouldn't start if I wasn't sure," Ling Qingyu said. "Without 100% certainty, I would have merely launched a pilot project and expanded slowly. But I intend to take over the entire upper circle's market. Otherwise, competitors will try to copy my path."
"Don't worry, things like the chips will never happen again, I promise. You won't be disappointed. Have a little faith in me," Gu Yi assured her.
"I remember you saying the same thing," Ling Qingyu pointed out.
"Did I? How come my memory says otherwise?" Gu Yi stared into Ling Qingyu's eyes. She clearly remembered listing out the possible futures, which included dividing the cake. Discover stories with Freewebnovel
This little fox even wanted to take further advantage of her guilt. Gu Yi smiled more when Ling Qingyu coughed.
"Well, I might have mixed up the two," Ling Qingyu admitted, relieving her embarrassment.
"Don't blame me, Little Ling. I could have prevented your chips from being exploited, but the price wasn't worth it—not for you, nor for me. Endure a little longer, and in the next few years, we'll have the last laugh," Gu Yi comforted.
Ling Qingyu waved her hand lightly. "Although I'm acting disappointed, I'm not that down. I'm just angry at a few bastards who always try to pick the peach when it's ripe but didn't grow the tree themselves or take any responsibility.
"Besides, I already expected as much, which is why we've kept any news of further possible developments, like 3nm, under wraps. By the time Mother sits in the chair, good news will flow in, and everyone will unconsciously praise you for bringing luck to the nation."
"Unconsciously bringing luck?" Gu Yi repeated the words, sneering. How dare this girl subtly smear her as if she were merely decorative?
However, Ling Qingyu's words carried truth. In the name of the motherland's progress, why bother handing over merits that rightfully belonged to them just to catch up with other superpowers?
Even if opposing nations developed, they shouldn't progress as fast as theirs, based on intelligence reports. Of course, Gu Yi had already considered the possibility of enemies trying to deceive them.
Because Ling Qingyu had single-handedly produced an invention that propelled technological advancements to an unimaginable level, Gu Yi also had her doubts.
Regardless, with Ling Qingyu's mindset, progress wouldn't halt just because of fears of stolen merits.
Other nations were pressing forward, and so were Ling Qingyu and her group. The latter might have trouble facing off against state machinery, but her daughter-in-law had proven time and again that she could surpass the impossible.
"Alright, in the civilian market, you'll have no problems. The only real threat can come from the military or groups affiliated with top military officials."
"Exactly, Mom. What if they force me to sell my secrets in the name of serving the country? As a poor woman who depends on my secrets to make a living," Ling Qingyu pouted and exaggerated her expression. "I can't bear to imagine the losses if someone somehow managed to leak my contributions to the nation… straight to my competitors."
"Quit acting coquettishly. Oh gosh, let me rub my arms," Gu Yi hissed, curing her goosebumps. Whether she actually had them or not, only she knew. "If you're a poor woman, then I'm a dog, okay?"
"Alright, Mom. It's just a chat."
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"Little Yu, don't worry about the military. Proceed with confidence. Besides, remember General Tang, whom I asked you to cooperate with? She could play a vital role here in balancing any intruders," Gu Yi suggested. "I'll inform her about your moves and ask her to assist you when necessary. In the meantime, when I'm free, why don't you tag along with me for a chat with her?"
"Sure, Mom. It'll be my blessing," Ling Qingyu responded. She had almost forgotten about General Tang, one of Gu Yi's confidantes.
This was the advantage of having a friend in the military elite circle. Even if General Tang couldn't contribute much, her presence alone provided leverage and a stronger background for negotiations—better than being a fish on the chopping block.
"I'm not afraid of anything except foreign nations. Do you realize that once you possess such an artifact, your future will definitely be disturbed by spies?" Gu Yi warned, bringing Ling Qingyu to a standstill.
The latter deeply contemplated the stakes and recognized the dangers. The best-case scenario involved regularly dealing with infiltrations. The worst would be direct conflicts and restrictions on her freedom to move globally.
At the same time, however, Ling Qingyu's products could expand her network of wealthy capitalists, some of whom might have influence over world governments and even the United Nations leadership.
Weighing the benefits against the risks, Ling Qingyu chuckled and brightened her smile. Gu Yi was amazed, though she understood that Ling Qingyu was far from being just a simple businesswoman or political strategist.
Her courage was anything but mediocre. Gu Yi quickly grasped the source of her sudden confidence—opportunities and risks always coexisted.
Besides, the invention itself wasn't necessarily a major threat. Well, another scenario could unfold if Country C imposed export restrictions to prevent sensitive technology from leaking and threatening national security.
"Maybe your fashion armor business will do well here. As for overseas markets, I can't be sure—you might face some obstacles," Gu Yi snickered, as if secretly amused by the troubles she foresaw heading Ling Qingyu's way.
The latter paused, heaved a helpless sigh, then shrugged with nonchalance, unbothered. "Hopefully, things don't go down that path. Otherwise, my secrets might get leaked by hackers to the World Government and end up benefiting your enemies."
"You…" Gu Yi bit her lip, annoyed at Ling Qingyu's pragmatism. This girl had just blatantly threatened to sell state secrets to enemy nations.
Who would believe that other hackers could successfully infiltrate Ling Qingyu's data when Gu Yi had already witnessed what had happened in Country K and other nations?
Ling Qingyu laughed inwardly, knowing she had just scored a point. In reality, like it or not, leaks would happen eventually—regardless of how much effort was put into safeguarding secrets.
Perhaps the culprit wouldn't even be Ling Qingyu herself but her customers. There was no way to completely stop others from spying.
Protecting core secrets was the highest level of security one could achieve. Ling Qingyu wasn't naive enough to believe, as in the fictional stories she had read in her past life, that secrets would remain forever unknown to enemies.
Given thirty years, everything would be exposed and laid bare. Perhaps undressing the underwear of these secrets would take more effort and time.
So, unless the goal was to divide the cake fairly, the only viable restrictions would be hiding formulas and materials, as well as ensuring that key employees were exclusively Country C's citizens.
As she contemplated further, Ling Qingyu was horrified by the implications of her seemingly small moves, already capable of affecting tens of millions of lives and reshaping geopolitical landscapes.
What if she took an even bigger step? Won't the entire world tremble? Well, if Miss System insisted on shattering realm gifts, Ling Qingyu shouldn't be too surprise.
Would Miss System do it?