132: Chapter 132 Unbelievable Wealth!

Lin Yuan was slightly taken aback, then quickly stepped forward to welcome them.

Behind Lin Jixian, a familiar figure appeared in the doorway.

A light gray jacket, an upright posture, and a steady gait.

Zhou Ping.

Following them were two or three unfamiliar faces Lin Yuan had never seen before; each carried a briefcase and wore a uniform dark-colored formal suit.

Lin Yuan swept a glance over this entourage, slightly surprised inwardly, but his face remained completely composed.

Usually, when Lin Jixian visited, he traveled light and never brought any accompanying staff.

This level of pomp today was quite rare.

He walked up to meet them and reached out to Lin Jixian first.

"Brother Lin, what wind blew you here today?"

Lin Jixian gripped his hand, shook it vigorously, and beamed.

"What wind? A tornado!"

"My little brother, you've caused such a huge stir this past month that the outside world is almost turning upside down. How could I sit still?"

Lin Yuan chuckled lightly, then turned to Zhou Ping and gave a slight nod.

"Hello, Director Zhou."

Zhou Ping reached out and gave Lin Yuan's shoulder a heavy pat, not holding back any strength.

"Don't be so formal, we're old acquaintances."

"You kid, you really give us old hearts an extreme test every few days."

Lin Yuan smiled, his gaze passing over the two men to land on the unfamiliar faces behind them.

There were three of them, all around forty years old, with decent features, each carrying a black briefcase and standing straight and respectful.

Lin Yuan withdrew his gaze and raised an eyebrow at Lin Jixian, his posture relaxed.

"Brother Lin, this is quite an entourage today."

"Did you bring guests?"

Lin Jixian chuckled, stepped aside, and gestured toward the three people behind him.

"Come, let me introduce you."

"These three are comrades from the Intellectual Property Department."

When he said this, he deliberately emphasized the words "Intellectual Property Department."

Lin Yuan paused for a beat.

Intellectual Property Department?

Lin Jixian clearly saw his confusion and didn't beat around the bush, simply spreading his hands.

"According to the higher-ups."

"Your series of core technologies, including the Photolithography Machine, Chip Architecture, Fifth-Generation Communication Technology, Brain-like Intelligence, Hidden Dragon Operating System..."

Lin Jixian counted on his fingers, and halfway through, he couldn't help but laugh.

"There are too many; I can't count them all on two hands."

"In short, the higher-ups have decided that the patent certificates for all these technologies will be registered under your personal name."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yuan was slightly stunned.

The atmosphere in the entire laboratory changed instantly.

The researchers who had been quietly observing from afar gasped in shock, their eyes nearly popping out of their sockets.

Patents given to an individual?

After all, these technologies were completed within the national system, utilizing national resources and deploying national strength.

By convention, patent ownership should belong to the research institution or the state.

To place these scientific patents, capable of monopolizing the globe for decades to come, entirely on an individual?

This could truly be considered an unprecedented level of treatment.

Lin Jixian clearly saw his surprise and waved his hand with a smile.

"What's this, Little Brother Lin? Are you having a moment of confusion?"

He patted Lin Yuan on the shoulder, his smile filled with genuine emotion and admiration.

"This series of core technologies, from the theoretical framework to the engineering path, was all developed by you alone."

"The higher-ups have said that the country will never mistreat any meritorious official!"

"The patent rights belong to you personally; this was decided by the higher-ups."

He paused and added another sentence.

"We've also communicated with the Xia Academy of Sciences, and Dean Chen not only had no objections but said it was only right and proper."

Beside them, Yang Lin crossed his arms and nodded heavily, his tone firm and decisive.

"It is deserved."

Lin Yu pushed up the black-rimmed glasses on the bridge of his nose and chimed in.

"Indeed, it should be."

Although the two only squeezed out a few words, the certainty in their tone could not be faked.

Those who could witness these technologies turn from blueprints into reality knew the weight of these things best, and knew best whose brain they came from.

Lin Yuan did not deliberately decline.

The matter of patent ownership might look like just a piece of paper, but the implications behind it were extremely heavy.

"Then, I thank the higher-ups for their trust."

Lin Yuan put away his momentary contemplation and nodded at Lin Jixian with a smile.

This calm, unperturbed demeanor, in the eyes of Lin Jixian and Zhou Ping, made them nod repeatedly.

Facing wealth that could rival a nation without even blinking, Lin Yuan's perspective had already reached a realm unattainable by ordinary people!

Lin Jixian waved his hand and turned to beckon the three comrades from the Intellectual Property Department behind him.

"Come, come, let's hurry up and go through the necessary procedures."

The three quickly stepped forward, opened their briefcases, and took out stacks of pre-prepared documents and certificates.

On the table, patent certificates with gold-stamped covers were spread out one by one.

Lin Yuan swept a glance over the mountain-like pile of certificates and silently counted them in his heart.

Photolithography Machine series, Chip Architecture, the full set of underlying technologies for Fifth-generation Communication, the core of Brain-like Bionic Computing, the kernel of the Hidden Dragon Operating System, the Chinese programming language system...

If this were converted into market value, it would be worth an astronomical fortune.

The process went quickly; the three people from the Intellectual Property Department had clearly made full preparations beforehand. Every document had already been pre-reviewed, and Lin Yuan only needed to sign in the marked locations.

The moment the last certificate was closed, Lin Jixian let out a long sigh of relief from the side and clapped his hands.

"Alright, the patent matters are finished."

He looked around at the researchers watching in the laboratory and grinned.

"Next, I have another piece of great news to announce to everyone."

Everyone's attention was instantly piqued.

Lin Jixian cleared his throat and straightened his posture.

"The higher-ups have decided that the research personnel who participated in this Fifth-Generation Communication Technology and Brain-like Intelligence project will be awarded a Collective First-Class Merit."

"In addition, everyone will receive a special bonus of the highest level!"

As his voice fell.

The laboratory was silent for less than half a second.

Immediately after, an irrepressible burst of cheers erupted.

"First-Class Merit, it's actually a First-Class Merit!"

"And there's an extra special bonus too!"

"My god, working under Chief Engineer Lin, this treatment is just too insane!"

Cheers, applause, and whistles blended together.

Dozens of people were pushing and shoving each other, as excited as if it were the Lunar New Year.

Some were vigorously patting their colleagues on the back, some were jumping up and down on the spot, and a few older researchers had red-rimmed eyes as they rubbed their faces hard.

At this moment, Yang Lin suddenly slapped his thigh and turned to look at Lin Jixian.

"Wait a moment, Director Lin."

He held up two fingers, looking serious and expectant.

"Then for those of us who also participated in the Photolithography Machine project before, does that count as two First-Class Merits?"

"That's right."

Lin Jixian held up two fingers and pointed them firmly.

"Two."

"The merit from the previous Photolithography Machine project wasn't officially awarded because the subsequent projects were too tightly scheduled."

"The higher-ups' intention this time is to find a time in the next few days to award both First-Class Merits together!"

As these words fell, the laboratory became even more boisterous.

"Two First-Class Merits! Two Collective First-Class Merits in one quarter!"

"I've been doing research for thirty years and haven't even received one First-Class Merit in total, and now, following Chief Engineer Lin, I get two at once?!"

"Hahahaha! From now on, when I hang it right in the middle of the living room at home, let's see if my spouse dares to say I haven't achieved anything big in my life!"

Lin Yuan stood to the side, watching this group of people who had been working non-stop with him for several months, and the corners of his mouth curled up as well.

The results these people had risked their lives to achieve deserved this honor.

When the laughter and commotion gradually subsided, Zhou Ping finally moved.

"Chief Engineer Lin."

Zhou Ping spoke, his voice steady, going straight to the point.

"The patent matter has been settled."

"Now, regarding the subsequent matters, I have something I'd like to discuss with you."