Chapter 204: Press Conference

Chapter 204 Press Conference

At two in the afternoon, Shi Nianan, dressed in a light-colored casual shirt and carrying her laptop, walked into the conference room right on time.

Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating her young face, which wore a confident smile.

In just one month, she had devoured all the materials from the marketing department, including industry reports and market analysis data. With this drive, she successfully transformed into a professional marketer.

For the upcoming press conference next week, Shi Nianan had also spearheaded a unique promotional campaign.

She suggested the company hire a sports star as a spokesperson and had engineers design a stylish T-shirt printed with the company logo. During the press conference, the spokesperson would operate the Material Machine live to produce these T-shirts on the spot and give them to the attending guests.

This way, without much explanation, everyone would be able to see firsthand the features of the Material Machine while also effectively promoting the company’s brand—achieving two goals at once.

Naturally, this proposal received unanimous approval.

As soon as the material code for the T-shirts was designed, the project team printed hundreds of them in advance, choosing a combed cotton material that was both low-cost and comfortable.

Thus, this time, all project team members entered the conference room wearing T-shirts of the same style.

Seeing that everyone had arrived, Shi Nianan glanced at Chi Jing, who nodded slightly, and only then did she begin her speech.

"In three days, the press conference for our new project will be held. I'm sure we're all just as excited to see this day arrive."

"Because what we’re working on isn’t just an ordinary project—it’s a technology capable of changing the world. In this world of abundant resources, why do people still grind through boring work day after day?"

"Is it because they lack money? Of course, it’s not just that. It’s also because they don't have access to means of production. The Material Machine is the smallest unit of production. With it, people can produce the most valuable materials using the least amount of energy."

"I have here a report from a research firm. Over the past five years, with the rapid development of artificial intelligence, unemployment rates have continued to rise. Among those affected, the poverty rate for women far exceeds that of men. For them, even a clean sanitary pad is a luxury."

"But the Material Machine will change all of this. In the future, no one will be able to take away the wealth created by individuals. Everyone, whether rich or poor, will be able to enjoy the benefits brought by the Material Machine."

"So, this press conference will absolutely shake the world, and I firmly believe our company will become the greatest enterprise in the world!"

As she finished, thunderous applause filled the conference room, accompanied by joyful laughter.

Gu Lan stood up, her gaze toward Shi Nianan filled with open admiration.

She still remembered how Shi Nianan had persuaded her to join Tianqiong.

Shi Nianan was a true idealist, with the purest, most passionate vision, and she was willing to give her all to achieve it.

And none of this would have been possible without the support of one person.

Gu Lan shifted her gaze to Chi Jing, who was sitting slightly behind her, feeling something close to awe welling up in her heart.

It was Chi Jing who had guided them in the right direction!

On the other side, Jin Feifan felt the same way.

If she had initially joined for the money, she was now swept up in their genuine passion. For the first time in her long career, she felt a real purpose and excitement in her work.

After all, what could be more worth pursuing than changing the world?

At that moment, Chi Jing stood up and picked up where Shi Nianan left off, saying, "After the press conference, Tianqiong Company will initiate a new round of financing. The strike price for stock options will certainly increase. As core members of the project, you have first dibs on purchasing shares. Those interested can talk to me in advance."

Jin Feifan’s heart stirred—this was a rare opportunity to subscribe to the company’s original shares. Once Tianqiong Company went public, the stock options would make her set for life.

She had to seize this opportunity.

Chi Jing looked at the excited faces around her and smiled. "Let’s adjourn the meeting. Everyone, go back and prepare."

After all, the press conference was about to begin.

————

On the other side, the sports star Xu Xin, who had accepted the collaboration invitation, posted a promotional tweet on social media.

Netizens who clicked on it found they had never heard of the brand Tianqiong, and the Material Machine sounded even more fantastical.

"What is this thing? Can someone explain?"

"Looks like a scam. When did Xu Xin sink to endorsing some no-name company?"

"A fraud? If no one told me, I’d think I was living under a rock, completely out of touch with technological advancements."

Fortunately, fans and hired supporters quickly arrived, suppressing the skeptical voices.

"Support! Definitely buying!"

"Congrats, sweetie! Happy collaboration!"

"Looking forward to it! Supporting our darling’s new endorsement!"

They had no idea that Xu Xin, who had already received the Material Machine sent by Tianqiong Company, was staring at her screen, speechless with excitement.

You guys! It’s real!!! I’m about to kneel down ahhhhhhhhh!!!

At the same time, people in various industries such as materials, energy, and healthcare received invitations to Tianqiong Company’s press conference.

The invitation stated that attending guests would receive first shot at buying 1,000 Material Machines and a chance to collaborate technically.

Big shots in these industries took one look and had their assistants toss the invites straight in the trash.

"What kind of some nobody company's tech product launch is this? A complete waste of time."

Only Duan Yucai, the founder of the startup NovaTech, held onto that invitation like it was a life raft, and canceled a meeting with investors.

Her assistant, not getting it, anxiously tried to dissuade her. "President Duan, if we can’t land investors soon, Tianqiong Company won’t even have enough money to pay next month’s salaries!"

Duan Yucai paused, the light fading from her tired eyes.

She sighed softly. "As long as the cost issue with fuel cells remains unresolved, the product can’t be commercialized. No investor will fund a project that won't make money for the next decade."

Compared to traditional fossil fuels, fuel cells have significant advantages: they are safe, highly efficient, and produce zero pollution, making them perfect for use in automobiles, power generation, and other fields. The only problem is the high technological cost, which makes industrialization nearly impossible.

Especially in the civilian power sector, where consumers are highly sensitive to electricity prices, if costs can’t be reduced, fuel cells will never make it to market, let alone replace traditional fossil fuels.

Duan Yucai had invested too much effort into the fuel cell project. She wanted nothing more than to see it succeed, but reality was harsh.

Investors withdrew one after another, core team members left, and she was close to giving up.

But now, seeing Tianqiong Company’s material recombination technology was like rain after a long drought.

If she could secure a technical collaboration with Tianqiong Company, the high costs of fuel and materials could be completely resolved, making fuel cells dirt cheap!

But that was only if Tianqiong Company’s technology wasn't just smoke and mirrors.

Duan Yucai looked at her assistant, as if staking everything on this one chance. "Postpone the meeting with the investors. Tomorrow, I need to attend this press conference."

If she lost this bet, then she could only admit defeat.

————

And so, amid widespread industry skepticism towards the Material Machine, Tianqiong Company's press conference kicked off.

However, contrary to Shi Nianan's expectations of a grand occasion, the turnout on the day of the event was pretty low.

Hardly any of the industry professionals who had received invitations bothered to show up. Apart from Tianqiong's employees, the hall was mostly filled with fans of the sports star and a handful of reporters carrying cameras and microphones.

Seeing little need to cover the event, these reporters didn't even take their lens caps off.

"What's the point of reporting on this fluff piece? And dragging me out here in this heat."

"But it's clickbait! The Material Machine sounds so high-tech. We can just use a sensational headline to drive traffic."

"That's true. People online these days love debunking pseudo-science."

Duan Yucai, sitting in a corner seat, glanced at the scattered attendees and started having second thoughts.

If Tianqiong's technology was real, wouldn't it shake up the entire industry? Why was it so deserted then?

So, was it essentially just a fancy concept to lure investors?

Time was more precious than money, and she had no intention of wasting it on such a waste-of-time press conference. If she left now, she could still catch her meeting with the investors.

With that thought, Duan Yucai grabbed her briefcase and was about to stand up and leave when a tall person suddenly sat down in the seat next to hers, crossing long legs that were blocking the way.

"The press conference is about to start. Don't you want to stay and witness history?"

The voice was cool and assured, as if everything she said was absolute truth.

Duan Yucai looked up in surprise. The woman leaning back in the chair wore a light gray shirt with a pointed collar adorned with a small, shiny metal accent that caught the light.

She tilted her chin up slightly, revealing a sharp jawline. Her features were stern, her hair short and straight, with a long strand falling over her forehead, giving her a casually indifferent vibe.

"Who are you?"

The other woman smiled slightly and extended a hand. "I should introduce myself. I'm Zhou Fanyi, CEO of Sky Tech."

Duan Yucai's eyes widened in shock.

At exactly ten o'clock, Shi Nianan, the host of the press conference, took the stage and began introducing the company and its product.

The audience looked bored; some were replying to messages on their phones, others were trying to hide yawns.

"...And now, let's welcome our brand ambassador, Ms. Xu Xin, to personally demonstrate the operation of the Material Machine."

The audience suddenly perked up. Fans raised their phones, cheering enthusiastically and taking photos.

Xu Xin, already familiar with the Material Machine from prior preparation, stepped onto the stage, trying to contain her excitement. After greeting the audience, she walked over to the silver-white machine and skillfully started up the device.

A staffer brought over a sample of plastic waste. Xu Xin took it and personally placed it into the machine.

She then closed the hatch, operated the touchscreen, selected the material code for a T-shirt, and pressed the start button.

Shi Nianan explained from the side. "The harmless disposal of plastic waste has always been a challenge for the scientific community. But with the Material Machine, this problem is solved instantly. Under the influence of the machine's resonance field, the particle structure of the plastic is rearranged precisely and transformed into a new material."

As she finished speaking, a *ding* sound signaled the completion of the transformation.

Xu Xin opened the hatch and pulled out a soft, brand-new white T-shirt.

The room fell into dead silence. Everyone's eyes widened in disbelief.

Wait, did that just happen?

————

Just as Tianqiong's press conference was beginning, Qiao Yanzhi had just concluded a heated energy meeting, where he successfully persuaded the board to accept his new pricing plan.

According to the plan, Huangtian Technology would take the lead in forming strategic partnerships within the energy industry, pumping hundreds of billions into the oil market. This move would not only continuously drive up energy prices but also drive up stock prices of related energy companies.

Once hot money flowed in, the people behind this could cash in big.

The thought brought a smug smile to Qiao Yanzhi's lips.

Returning to his office, he loosened his tie with one hand and instructed his assistant with the other to pull up the livestream of Sky Technology's press conference.

Although he had no interest in the supposed technology the company was unveiling, that didn't stop him from appreciating Shi Nianan's beauty.

Back at a seminar, the first time Qiao Yanzhi saw Shi Nianan's face—that reminded him so much of his "white moonlight"—he had vowed to have her.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Daliu had failed; not only did he fail to pressure Shi Nianan, but he also exposed his true colors.

But that was fine. It made the challenge more exciting, didn't it?

Zhang Siwen never imagined his boss would be so fixated on that woman.

But he didn't dare question it. He promptly pulled up the livestream of the press conference, placed the tablet in front of his boss, and then discreetly stepped back.

Qiao Yanzhi looked at the screen and immediately spotted Shi Nianan.

At that moment, there were only about a hundred viewers in the livestream, with occasional skeptical comments floating by.

Then, when Xu Xin took the stage, hundreds of fans suddenly flooded the stream. Shortly after, she operated the Material Machine, transforming plastic into a finished T-shirt.

When she signed the T-shirt and showed it to the camera, the chat went wild.

"This is actually real!!!"

"This machine is like Doraemon's four-dimensional pocket!"

"No way! This is insane! Whoever invented this is a genius!"

"With this machine, can't you have anything you want?"

Shi Nianan came forward and smiled. "All audience members here today will receive a T-shirt produced by the Material Machine and signed by Xu Xin."

The camera panned across the audience. The reporters who had been half-asleep moments earlier were now crowding the stage, vying to ask Shi Nianan questions.

The viewer count shot up instantly.

"So jealous! Wish I was there!"

"I don't want a T-shirt; I want the Material Machine! How do I buy it? Why isn't there a purchase link? Ughhhh!"

"3, 2, 1—drop the link already!"

Qiao Yanzhi was completely stunned, his face a mask of disbelief.

Who could explain how Shi Nianan, a materials science major, had led the development of a Material Machine in just three months—a machine capable of disrupting the entire scientific community?

It was simply unbelievable!

He shot to his feet and glared at his waiting assistant, then snapped, "Zhang Siwen, immediately notify the three major social media platforms and tech media outlets to suppress all coverage of Tianqiong Company's Material Machine!"