Rebirth: Starting from Lighting Up the Tech Tree

Chapter 121 Pressing the Attack

The contract for the fourth phase of the Sky Dome project was officially signed three days after the review meeting.

With the formalities completed, the 1.5 million yuan contract was stamped and finalized, to be paid in three installments, corresponding to three milestones. Zuo Cheng sent a scanned copy of the contract to Han Lu, who glanced at it and replied with a thumbs-up emoji.

that's it.

The feeling of accomplishing something big is sometimes as calm as turning a page in a book. The excitement stays in the process, and the result is just a simple landing.

The news spread faster than Zuo Cheng had anticipated.

Less than two days later, the *China Science and Technology Daily* published a report titled: "402 Technology: The Rise of a New Force in Edge AI, 1.5 Million Yuan Exclusive Contract for Tianqiong Phase IV Secured." The article devoted considerable space to describing the technological implications behind the 97.1% accuracy rate. While the reporter wasn't from a technical background, he found a compelling analogy: "It's like equipping each satellite with a small, independently thinking brain."

This analogy spread very quickly online.

Someone in the comments section said: I heard that Huaxin went to bid, but was completely defeated by a company that had only been established for a few years.

Some people say: 402 is real. Looking at his movements over the past two years, every step he has taken has been very stable.

Another comment that Han Lu screenshotted and shared in the internal group read: "There are only a handful of companies in China that can do satellite AI distributed collaboration. Now that 402 has a real-world case study, I expect a flood of projects will follow."

Chen Hao replied with "Well deserved," Fang Ze remained silent, and Shen Yiming added, "The accuracy rate is 97.1%, the data is accurate."

Zuo Cheng glanced at it, closed the application, and continued working on his tasks.

Zhou Bo from Ginkgo Capital called immediately.

"Mr. Zuo, congratulations." His tone was as gentle as ever, but the message behind his words was clear: "Once Sky Dome Phase IV is completed, the valuation will need to be renegotiated. Last time it was 10 billion, this time…" He paused, "Our initial internal estimate is 16 billion, but I think that figure is still conservative."

Zuo Cheng said, "I have a plan. We'll discuss it again in the second half of the year."

"Okay, I'll wait for your news." Zhou Bo didn't press further; this was his style in investing—he got the information first, then didn't pester him.

Less than ten minutes after I hung up the phone, Zhang Zhiyuan from Cambrian called back.

"Mr. Zuo, Cambricon can customize chips specifically for the Tianqiong Phase IV project," he said. "The MLU270 is the general-purpose version. If you have specific performance requirements, we can produce a customized version of the MLU270-T, optimized specifically for satellite edge computing scenarios."

This information is valuable. Custom-designed chips mean lower power consumption and a higher performance ceiling, and also mean a deeper integration between 402 and Cambricon.

"I'll have Fang Ze coordinate with your technical team to discuss the requirements," Zuo Cheng said.

"Okay, I'll contact you anytime." Zhang Zhiyuan replied readily.

That afternoon, Zuo Cheng received seven phone calls. Some were from old partners, some from new suppliers, some from headhunters who wanted to recommend senior AI talent, and some were even from a purchasing manager from a traditional satellite company who indirectly inquired whether 402 could provide them with customized solutions.

There's been some activity in the industry.

Around 4 PM, my phone screen lit up with a message from Yu Ying:

"I saw the news. Congratulations, Mr. Zuo! When are you going to treat me to dinner to celebrate?"

Zuo Cheng replied: "Same place tonight."

"Eight o'clock, don't be late."

He put his phone away, mentally reviewed his tasks, then stood up to find Han Lu and confirmed the key milestones for the upcoming contract execution. Han Lu was efficient; she explained everything clearly in three minutes, without any unnecessary words.

At 7:40 p.m., Zuo Cheng walked into the small restaurant that the two of them often went to. Yu Ying was already there, sitting in a seat near the back, with a cup of hot tea in front of her and scrolling through something on her phone. When she saw him come in, she closed her phone.

"On time," she said.

"Drive over quickly." Zuo Cheng sat down and glanced at the menu.

After ordering, Yu Ying asked, "How are you feeling today?"

"It's alright," Zuo Cheng said.

"Not bad?" She raised an eyebrow. "A 1.5 million contract, not bad?"

"There's still a lot to do," Zuo Cheng said. "We won the review, but the real battle is in the development phase. The timeline for Phase Four is very tight, and the acceptance criteria from Sky Dome are even stricter than for Phase Three."

Yu Ying glanced at him without saying anything, but there was something in her eyes.

"What's wrong?" Zuo Cheng asked.

"It's nothing," she said, "It just reminded me of something you said before when I saw you like this."

"What did you say?"

"You said your dream is to give China's stars their own brain." She turned her teacup around. "I was reading that report today, and the reporter used the metaphor of 'giving satellites a little brain,' and that reminded me of that."

Zuo Cheng did not speak immediately.

The streetlights outside the window illuminated Yu Ying's profile, her ponytail cascading over her shoulders. She stared intently at the water in her teacup, as if she were pondering a serious matter.

"The direction is right," he said, "but it's still early."

Yu Ying looked up at him.

"I know," she said, "but you're heading in that direction."

The food arrived, and the two began to eat. The conversation returned to everyday matters; Yu Ying mentioned that she had recently revised her thesis again, and Professor Li had offered several new suggestions. She expected to defend it next spring. Zuo Cheng listened, occasionally asking a question or two.

The lights were warm and yellow, and the restaurant was quiet and familiar with few people.

This meal was eaten very slowly.

Zuo Cheng knew Yu Ying was waiting for him to say something, but he didn't. She didn't press him for an answer either; she never did. This was her way of interacting with him: if she could say it, she would; if she couldn't, she wouldn't ask.

On the way back, the autumn night wind was a bit chilly, and Yu Ying shrank her neck. Zuo Cheng took off his coat and handed it to her.

She didn't refuse and put it on.

The two walked side by side for a while without speaking. The streetlights cast long shadows, one in front of the other, which eventually overlapped as they walked.

Zuo Cheng thought of the line of text on the system panel: Fifth Branch, Unmanned System, Blurred Outline.

The road ahead in terms of technology is still long.

The fourth phase of the Sky Dome was a milestone, but not the end. When he lost everything in his previous life, he knew that there was no end in this industry, only the next starting point.

"What are you thinking about?" Yu Ying asked.

"I'm thinking about the next step," Zuo Cheng said.

"Tell me about it?"

"I haven't thought it through yet," he said. "I'll talk about it when I do."

Yu Ying didn't press him further; she knew he meant it and wasn't just making excuses.

"Whatever you're thinking," she said, "you're on the right track."

Zuo Cheng glanced at her, then lowered his head and continued walking forward.

The night wind swept past the streetlights, and their shadows grew even longer.