71: Chapter 71 A Request from the Chinese Academy of Sciences

Jiang Feng didn't even lift his eyelids, continuing to fold the table legs one by one and snapping them into their slots, producing a soft "click" sound.

This old fox really is a persistent ghost.

Last time it was those broken bamboo slips from the Northwest, and this time, what kind of hot potato is it?

However, looking at this Hongqi sedan and the entourage with a dedicated secretary, the appearance fee must be substantial.

Jiang Feng tucked the folding table under his arm, bent down to pick up the small stool, and wiped the dust off it with his sleeve.

He didn't glance at Qian Li, nor did he say a word.

The surrounding crowd hadn't completely dispersed yet, and many people were holding up their phones, snapping pictures of this black car that looked completely out of place.

Qian Li wasn't in a rush; he just stood there with a smile, waiting for Jiang Feng to finish.

Old Chen stood behind Jiang Feng, his body rigid.

Finally, Jiang Feng had packed up all his belongings.

Only then did he look up at Qian Li.

"My off-duty time has arrived."

The implication was: speak quickly if you have something to say, or get lost.

The smile on Qian Li's face didn't fade.

"Consultant Jiang is a straightforward person, so I won't beat around the bush."

He turned slightly, facing Jiang Feng, and made a gesture of invitation.

"Consultant Jiang, that move you pulled at the film set earlier truly opened my eyes."

Qian Li's compliments were watertight.

"Our Huake Institute is currently preparing a top-tier talent introduction program codenamed Pangu Project."

"Pangu?"

Jiang Feng grumbled inwardly, what a name; those who didn't know better might think they were going to create the world.

"Yes." Qian Li retracted his smile. "This project concerns the nation's layout in several cutting-edge fields for the next few decades; every link must be flawless."

He paused, adding a hint of helplessness to his tone.

"However, the applicants are a mixed bag; resumes can be faked, achievements can be exaggerated. The true potential of some people simply cannot be seen through just a few rounds of interviews and background checks."

"Therefore," Qian Li looked at Jiang Feng, "we would like to officially hire you as a special screening consultant for the Pangu Project."

Jiang Feng didn't react after hearing this.

He just nodded: "Sounds like a big project."

The secretary sent by the Location branch of the Huake Institute to assist Consultant Qian stood to the side, looking at this young man, muttering to himself.

Facing an official invitation from the Huake Institute, facing a national strategic project of the "Pangu Project" level, why didn't this person have any reaction of excitement or being flattered?

"Consultant Qian," Jiang Feng began, "you should be clear about my rules."

He held up three fingers and waved them in front of Qian Li.

"First, the cooperation location must be in Location. Making me go to your place for a nine-to-five job is impossible."

"Second, I will only help you screen three people at most, no exceptions."

"Third," Jiang Feng's tone was steady, "charged per head, clearly marked prices, with a deposit paid in advance."

"After all, things like leaking heavenly secrets are not child's play."

Old Chen stood nearby, and upon hearing these words from Jiang Feng, his back subconsciously straightened even more.

He looked at Jiang Feng's back, clenched his fists, and didn't make a sound.

In the entire world, his boss is probably the only one who can negotiate terms like this with a national-level project.

The smile on Qian Li's face faded slightly, turning into a sigh.

He knew it would be like this.

"No problem." Qian Li agreed readily. "We naturally respect Consultant Jiang's rules."

He emphasized: "But the talents being screened this time are extremely important to the nation; I implore Consultant Jiang to please take it seriously."

"Taking money to do the job is only natural."

Jiang Feng handed the small stool and folding table in his hands to Old Chen.

Qian Li gestured to the secretary behind him.

The secretary immediately took out a beautifully bound letter of appointment from a black briefcase and handed it over with both hands.

It had a red cover, with the golden national emblem and the large characters "Huake Institute" stamped on it.

Jiang Feng took it.

He didn't engage in polite pleasantries; he opened it directly and read it page by page.

Especially the parts regarding the consultant's rights, responsibilities, and compensation; he read every single word.

The secretary stood to the side, watching this scene, feeling even more amazed.

It was the first time he had seen someone negotiate a national-level project cooperation as straightforwardly as buying cabbage at a vegetable market.

A few minutes later, Jiang Feng finished reading.

He carefully closed the letter of appointment, didn't put it away, but handed it back to the secretary.

Qian Li was stunned for a moment.

"Consultant Jiang, this is...?"

"Consultant Qian," Jiang Feng began, "the document represents sincerity, and I appreciate the gesture."

He looked at Qian Li.

"But let's talk about something more practical."

"For example, the deposit."

The air was silent for half a second.

Qian Li finally nodded helplessly; he was completely convinced.

"Alright."

He turned to the secretary and said: "Xiao Wang, transfer a project startup fund to Consultant Jiang's account according to the highest specification of the project's special contribution allowance."

The secretary nodded, took out a special-looking encrypted mobile phone, and began operating it.

"How much is needed?" Qian Li asked.

Jiang Feng held out one palm.

"Five million."

The secretary's fingers stopped operating the phone.

He looked up at Qian Li.

Qian Li nodded at him.

"Transfer it."

In less than thirty seconds.

The phone in Jiang Feng's pocket emitted a soft "ding" sound.

He took out his phone and glanced at the arrival notification displayed on the screen.

The sense of aloofness on Jiang Feng's face dissipated.

He put away his phone, the corners of his mouth curling up.

He took the initiative to reach out his hand to Qian Li.

"Consultant Qian, happy cooperation."

Qian Li also reached out his hand and shook his.

"Happy cooperation."

The speed of Jiang Feng's attitude change left the secretary on the side not knowing what expression to make.

"Since it's an official cooperation," Jiang Feng's tone also changed, "I'm ready anytime on my end. When do we start?"

The moment he asked this.

In his mind, that familiar mechanical prompt sounded right on time.

"Ding! Detected that the host has triggered keywords: Cooperation / Talent / Screening."

"New task generating..."

Jiang Feng's mouth curled up.

Succeeded again.

This feeling of actively inducing the system to issue tasks is much more satisfying than simply doing tasks.

"New task released"

"Location: Huake Institute Location Branch - Meeting Room No. 3"

"Time: Daily 10:00-12:00"

"Method: Gazing at Qi and Observing Fortune"

"Field: Talent Screening"

"Target: Provide "potential assessment" for three candidates and successfully verify it."

Jiang Feng looked at the task panel appearing in his field of vision, in a good mood.

He released Qian Li's hand, turned around, and sat into the back seat of that black Hongqi sedan.

His movements were as natural as returning to his own home.

Qian Li watched this look of him not treating himself as an outsider, could only smile and shake his head, and also followed into the car.

The car door closed.

Jiang Feng rolled down the car window and waved at Old Chen who was still stunned on the spot.

"Let's go, Old Chen."

"Going to a national institution to interview others."