Chapter 246: The Chairman's Incognito Visit

Private jets.
These aren't exactly commonplace in China.
To even think about taking one for a business trip, unless you're a powerful, all-powerful chairman of some giant corporation, it's basically just wishful thinking.
Generally speaking, getting a first-class ticket is enough to brag about on social media for half a year.
Su Hao's original plan was simply to book a first-class ticket to California, meet with that guy named Musk, and finalize the deal on his shares in Close AI.
How simple, efficient, and unpretentious!
But then, just before departure, Huang Fengwen called, his tone incredibly casual:
"The company's got a bit more cash on hand lately, so I bought you a Gulfstream. Use it for business trips from now on; it'll make you look good!" Su Hao was stunned.
Even more outrageous, he later realized that this brand-new, money-scented private jet was something none of the company's other executives were qualified to touch; even Huang Fengwen himself had never ridden in it.
This thing was actually Su Hao's personal vehicle.
"Wait, Brother Huang… isn't this a bit too extravagant? How much money must this thing cost?"
Su Hao held the phone, both amused and exasperated.
On the other end of the line came Huang Fengwen's signature hearty laughter, a series of "humphs and hahs."
"You don't know anything! You're the face of our company now, the pillar of strength!
Besides, weren't you going to meet that Musk guy?
We can't lose face for Fanghuan!
The chairman of Fanghuan Investment, taking a regular flight, is that appropriate?"
"…" Su Hao gave up trying to persuade him. He knew that once Huang Fengwen got carried away, not even ten oxen could pull him back.
"Hehe, compared to the money you bring back to the company, this plane is nothing!
It's not even a hair on a cow's head!
Go with peace of mind, have fun! Come back safely!
Oh, by the way, bring me back a gift, some imported liquor, it has to be the really expensive kind!"
"Hey, didn't you say imported liquor tastes like horse piss, and you couldn't get used to it?"
"Indeed! I can't stand the taste, but it looks classy!"
Su Hao instantly remembered that Huang Fengwen had indeed had such an ultimate romantic, bourgeois sentiment:
On a quiet night, alone in his large study, with only a floor lamp lit.
He'd toss a huge ice ball into a crystal glass with a "clang," then pour in a third of a glass of whiskey, swirling the glass melancholically while deeply contemplating life under the moon.
Of course, the ending to this romantic notion was a bit of a letdown.
It's said he tried it twice, but couldn't stand the taste. He ended up mixing it with almost half a bottle of cola before he could barely drink it, creating a rather awkward situation.
***
Inside the luxurious cabin, the plane smoothly soared above the clouds.
"Chairman Su," Liang Haiyuan, the accompanying department head, reported respectfully,
"We just received news that Netflix and AMC in California have both indicated they are ready to welcome your inspection."
"Huh? Inspection? When did I say I wanted to inspect?" Su Hao was taken aback.
“Yes, but they seem to think that your main purpose in coming to California this time, besides meeting Mr. Musk, is to incidentally check on the progress of various companies' projects.”
Su Hao shook his head with a smile upon hearing this. He didn't have that kind of free time.
In his eyes, California, besides its sunshine, beaches, and bikinis, was most famous for Silicon Valley, the hub of IT companies worldwide.
Musk probably invited him to meet there for convenience.
Who would have thought that once the news got out, it would take a completely different turn.
The two "own companies" based in California—Netflix and AMC—actually started to imagine a grand drama of a "chairman's incognito visit."
“However, Chairman Su, I think since they’re all so ‘enthusiastic,’ we might as well go and take a look.”
Liang Haiyuan suggested.
“It’s not that we want to give them a dressing down or put them on high alert, but we can’t let them think they’re too far removed from the central authority and become too complacent, right?
Besides, just hearing a report is a completely different experience from seeing it in person, don’t you agree?”
Su Hao considered it for a moment and agreed with Liang Haiyuan’s point.
He couldn’t just sit back and do nothing after investing his money in the company.
It was his duty to occasionally drop by and check on them, to see if they were truly working hard or just playing cards in the office.
“Alright, I’ll make the arrangements then.” Su Hao nodded. “This flight is long, you should go and rest for a while.”
“Hahaha, Chairman Su, you’re too kind!” Liang Haiyuan’s face crinkled with laughter.
“Being able to fly on such an expensive plane is the best rest I can get!
Thanks to you, I, Liang Haiyuan, have finally experienced the luxurious life of a top-tier tycoon!”
After a flight of over ten hours, the plane landed smoothly at the California airport.
After leaving the airport, Su Hao didn’t go straight to any company, but instead had his driver take him directly to the hotel.
Su Hao’s schedule wasn’t like that of a busy, domineering CEO; instead, it was as relaxed as that of a lazy bum on a company-funded vacation.
That’s right, that was his plan.
So, for the entire day after his arrival, he comfortably lounged in the ultra-luxurious presidential suite the company had booked for him, not stepping out of the room once.
What a joke!
This suite was huge enough to play football in, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking half the city skyline from the bed, and 24/7 Michelin-starred room service…
It would be a waste of all the dollars Brother Huang had spent if he didn't enjoy it!
He rolled around in the room, exploring the hundred functions of the smart toilet;
He ordered outrageously expensive, but mediocre, room service;
Then he pulled out his laptop and became engrossed in game after game.
He profoundly realized a life truth: lying around doing nothing in a five-star hotel could be this enjoyable.
The next day, a refreshed Su Hao met Liang Haiyuan at the restaurant.
“Chairman Su, you look like you’ve had a very good rest.” Liang Haiyuan noticed immediately.
“Is it that obvious?”
“Of course, you look radiant, like you’ve had a beauty filter on.”
Liang Haiyuan looked on with envy. "I can't do it. I'm getting old, my bones are brittle, and this damn jet lag just won't go away."
"Then why don't you rest a little longer?"
"No way! Assisting you is my primary responsibility!" Liang Haiyuan refused righteously.
Their first stop was AMC.
This was a piece of the most lucrative business empire that Su Hao had personally planned, a sharp knife he used to control the global semiconductor market!
"Welcome, Chairman Su!"
Wow! What a spectacle!
As soon as Su Hao got out of the car, he saw a huge crowd of people, from the CEO to all the senior executives, standing ramrod straight in two rows, welcoming him.
The scene was like welcoming a head of state, except for the red carpet and music.
"You're all too kind. There's no need for such a grand display," Su Hao said with a smile and a wave of his hand.
"Of course, of course! You're like a second parent to AMC, this courtesy is essential! Come, please come in!"
CEO Lisa Su, beaming, warmly welcomed him inside.
Inside the meeting room, Lisa Su and her executive team began passionately presenting AMC's current semiconductor strategy and production goals.
Su Hao listened to their PowerPoint presentation while simultaneously reviewing the report in his hands, silently memorizing all the data.
He had to admit, Liang Haiyuan was right; this trip was definitely the right one.
Reading those cold, impersonal reports from thousands of miles away was a completely different experience compared to being here in person, listening to them passionately explain their grand plans, and seeing the fire in their eyes.
Especially as he listened and looked at the dazzling array of project proposals, that familiar intuition began to pound wildly in his mind again.
"I understand everyone's plans," Su Hao said calmly after they finished speaking. His voice wasn't loud, but it instantly silenced the entire conference room.
"That's all very well said. However, as everyone knows, the current booming semiconductor market is largely driven by the Bitcoin bubble.
In other words, once the Bitcoin bubble bursts, semiconductor companies and graphics card manufacturers like us will inevitably be severely impacted."
These words immediately created a tense atmosphere in the conference room.