Steal the enemy's base at the start and build a technological empire.

Chapter 43 Establishing a Research and Development Laboratory

Lingyun and An Shiyu walked side by side on their way back to "Starry Sky Internet Cafe". The evening breeze carried a hint of coolness, dispelling the heat and stirring up some indescribable, quietly changing emotions.

The familiar, streamlined, illuminated sign of the internet cafe stood out against the night. Pushing open the heavy glass door, the expected cacophony of voices and the sound of keyboards clattering filled the air, but at the same time, an aroma unlike any I had ever experienced before, a blend of rich coffee bean fragrance and subtle tea scent, quietly wafted into my nostrils.

Ling Yun paused slightly, his sharp gaze sweeping towards one side of the hall.

In what had previously been a somewhat empty corner, a small yet exquisite bar had appeared. The bar, also in a modern style with white fireproof panels and a metal frame, blended seamlessly with the overall internet cafe atmosphere. On the bar stood a semi-automatic coffee machine with flashing indicator lights, a shelf displaying various tea canisters, and a transparent refrigerated display case filled with a dazzling array of bottled soft drinks and juices.

Zhao Weiguo was busily but enthusiastically working behind the bar. Sometimes he clumsily pressed coffee powder, sometimes he handed a customer an iced cola, fine beads of sweat glistening on his forehead, but his face was filled with the excitement of creating value.

"Hey student, your Biluochun tea is hot, be careful!"

"Your coffee will be ready soon, just a moment!"

"A Coke costs three yuan, I'll take five yuan from you, and give you two yuan back!"

In front of many students browsing the internet, besides their computers, there's also a steaming hot drink or a bottle of iced beverage. This small tea area has become a new, vibrant, and social focal point in the internet cafe.

"This is...?" An Shiyu also noticed the change, her beautiful eyes revealing surprise and appreciation.

Ling Yun's lips curled up slightly; he already understood. He walked to the bar.

"Brother Yun! You're back!" Zhao Weiguo grinned as soon as he saw them, pushing two freshly brewed cups of fragrant instant coffee in front of them. "Want a taste? I made it! It's really popular now!"

"You're quick on the uptake, kid." Ling Yun took the coffee, his tone approving. He had indeed mentioned considering adding light catering services to increase the average order value and user experience, but he hadn't expected Zhao Weiguo to be so efficient, getting things started so quietly.

"Hehe," Zhao Weiguo scratched his head, "I noticed everyone gets thirsty after surfing the internet for a long time, and it's inconvenient to keep going out to buy water. So I thought I'd make some simple drinks. The coffee powder, tea, and these sodas all come from the wholesale market, so the cost is low, and they sell really well! The turnover is almost equivalent to that of a dozen computers!"

His tone was full of pride. This ability to identify, solve, and generate benefits in real-world situations is exactly what Lingyun hopes they can develop.

"Great!" Ling Yun patted him on the shoulder. "That's the right idea, let's do it! Pay attention to cost control and hygiene, and we can gradually add more product categories later."

"Understood!" Zhao Weiguo replied with great enthusiasm.

Ling Yun took a sip of coffee. Although it was a cheap instant product, in the internet cafe filled with the smell of electronic devices, the warm, mellow aroma brought a wonderful sense of comfort and modernity. He noticed that An Shiyu was also sipping her coffee, her gaze gently observing this busy yet vibrant corner.

This small innovation has made the internet cafe more functional and also reflects its popularity and Zhao Weiguo's growth.

However, Lingyun's thoughts didn't linger on this for long. The internet cafe's operation was on track and capable of self-optimization, allowing him to focus more on the next strategic high point.

He turned his gaze to the other side, where Li Mo was squatting in front of an open computer case, intently changing the mouse—it was one of the prototype ball mouse that Xinghuo Electronics Factory was preparing to put into production.

Ling Yun walked over and waited for Li Mo to finish his work before he, along with Li Mo and An Shiyu, went to the quiet office.

Closing the door shuts out the noise from outside.

"Weiguo and Sun Peng are already managing to keep things afloat at the internet cafe," Ling Yun said to Li Mo bluntly. "Your role shouldn't be limited to maintaining just a few dozen computers."

Li Mo pushed up his glasses, his gaze focused, waiting for the next part to follow.

"At Xinghuo Electronics Factory, the membrane keyboard production line will be set up soon, and the scroll ball mouse will follow. But these are low-end products; they can only solve the problem of survival, not allow us to occupy the technological high ground." Ling Yun's tone became serious and visionary. "We must possess our own core technologies, the next generation of products!"

He looked at Li Mo with intense eyes: "I plan to establish a 'Spark-Shandong University Joint Laboratory' at Spark Electronics Factory. You will take the lead and be responsible for coordinating with professors from the Computer Science, Physics, and Materials Science departments of Shandong University."

"The first phase of the lab has two core tasks," Ling Yun said, holding up two fingers. "First, to develop a prototype of the next generation of optical mice. We must get rid of the shortcomings of ball mice—low precision and easy dirt accumulation—as soon as possible; this is an inevitable trend in the development of mouse technology."

"Second," his tone became even more serious, "we must concentrate our efforts on developing our own mechanical keyboard switches! The goal is to circumvent or create our own patents, breaking Cherry's monopoly. This is the cornerstone of the hardware ecosystem, and we must overcome it no matter how difficult it is!"

Li Mo's breathing became noticeably heavier, and his eyes behind his glasses gleamed with extreme excitement. Participating in keyboard design was one thing, but independently leading a laboratory and tackling cutting-edge technology was an irresistible temptation for a technical genius like him!

"Brother Yun! I..." Li Mo was so excited he was speechless for a moment, nodding vigorously, "I will definitely do my best!"

"Don't rush, there's more." Ling Yun revealed an even more significant plan: "Within the laboratory framework, I need you to set up a team to begin preliminary research on our own computer motherboards."

"Motherboard?" Li Mo gasped. This was far more complex than a mouse and keyboard, involving circuit design, wiring, BIOS, compatibility... it was the true heart of the computer.

"That's right, motherboards," Ling Yun said firmly. "Let's start with relatively simple industrial control boards, or entry-level motherboards compatible with a mature architecture. We don't aim for instant success, but we need to start accumulating technology and figuring out the ins and outs. In the future, what we want to build is a hardware empire with independent core technologies!"

A grand blueprint unfolded before Li Mo's eyes, and he felt a dizzying excitement. From repairing computers to designing peripherals, and then to developing core motherboards, the leap was enormous, but it completely ignited the deep-seated desire for technology within him.

"I understand! Technological accumulation is key! I will come up with a laboratory construction plan and technology roadmap as soon as possible!" Li Mo's voice was a little hoarse with excitement, but it was full of unprecedented fighting spirit.

"Okay!" Ling Yun nodded in satisfaction. "Gradually hand over the work at the internet cafe to Wei Guo. Focus your energy on the lab as soon as possible. I'll handle the funding, resources, and coordination with the university."

He turned his head and found An Shiyu quietly watching him, her eyes clear, with a hint of inquiry and a touch of appreciation. She hadn't interrupted at all, simply listening attentively to how Ling Yun strategized and led a technical genius to a wider battlefield.

"What's wrong?" Ling Yun asked.

"It's nothing," An Shiyu smiled gently, her smile particularly captivating under the soft office lighting. "It's just that the future you've planned sounds so distant, yet it also seems... so close."

Ling Yun smiled but didn't answer. He picked up the slightly cooled cup of coffee on the table and drank it all in one gulp.

It tastes somewhat bitter, but it's refreshing and invigorating.