Fortunately, the technology itself was genuine.
Chen Fei had one of the CEOs he had invested in test the process, and the IC chips detached with the heat gun worked without any problems.
Slightly relieved, Chen Fei said,
"So it's real?"
"Yes, Chairman."
"But what happened? Why did Park Jong-bum disappear? The technology is real, so what's going on?"
His secretary thought for a moment.
"Maybe he planned to scam us from the beginning by selling us used machinery, knowing we would be afraid of retaliation if we discovered the simplicity of the restored IC chip technology. He probably gave us the real technology to appease you."
Chen Fei slammed his fist on the table.
"Appease me? How dare he! He thinks he can scam me and get away with it! Find that son of a bitch and kill him!"
The secretary bowed.
"Of course, Chairman."
Chen Fei took a deep breath and said,
"Well, now that we know how to restore IC chips, we need to make up for our losses."
The secretary nodded.
"Chunha Trading has been keeping it a secret, so we can do the same. We can recover our losses, so don't worry."
Chen Fei's eyes gleamed.
"You're right. It's not too late. We can earn back the money we lost. Find Park Jong-bum and kill him before he leaks the technology. We have to kill him."
He then sighed.
"This is the greatest humiliation of my life. To be scammed like this… Well, consider it a costly lesson. We'll make it back with restored IC chips."
Chen Fei tried to regain his composure, but the next day, he collapsed and was rushed to the hospital after hearing some news.
"We're giving away free CDs with a demonstration video of the IC chip restoration technology! Bring your restored IC chips to our store, and we'll buy them at the highest price!"
Several Chunha Trading employees were shouting in front of the secondhand electronic components store, holding CD cases.
"Learn this new technology and start your own business! Now is your chance!"
A customer, intrigued, approached them.
"So this CD shows how to produce the used IC chips you're selling here?"
The employee smiled.
"Of course. Would you like one?"
The customer hesitated and then asked,
"Is this real? Wouldn't releasing the technology like this hurt your business?"
The employee replied kindly,
"Chunha Trading strives to coexist and prosper with everyone. That's why we're distributing these promotional CDs."
The customer nodded.
"Can I have a few more? I want to share them with my friends."
"Of course."
I watched from the top floor of the store as customers took the CDs.
"Spread the word. The more suppliers there are, the better for us."
I said to Li Yang, who was standing next to me,
"Is the work manageable?"
Li Yang bowed his head.
"He says he's working hard."
"Good. Don't disappoint me and keep up the good work. And oh…"
I looked at him.
"If you know any other heihaizi who are diligent and trustworthy, bring them in. I want to give them an opportunity, like I did with you, Manager Li."
I had appointed Li Yang as the store manager.
He had exceeded my expectations, acting with charisma, even firing an employee who had discriminated against him for being a heihaizi. He was still lacking in some areas, but he compensated for it with hard work and dedication.
Li Yang, touched by my offer to give other heihaizi a chance, said,
"He says he has many trustworthy friends. They're all hardworking and dedicated, just like him, and would be grateful for an opportunity."
"Good."
I looked at the long line outside the store.
"Remember, not only the customers who buy our products, but also the suppliers who will be providing us with goods thanks to these CDs, are our customers. We need both."
Li Yang said cautiously,
"He thinks it's a waste to release the technology. Wouldn't we earn more if it spread slowly?"
I chuckled.
"It might be a loss in the short term, but it's the right move in the long run."
The restored IC chip technology was already spreading underground.
The rising price of IC boards in China was proof of that.
"Releasing the technology is a diversion tactic. It's to confuse the manufacturers and prevent other companies from becoming the main supplier. With hundreds of thousands of suppliers, they'll naturally come to us first, since we're the largest and have the most inventory."
I smiled.
"And even if the price of IC boards rises in China, it'll take time for that to affect the overseas market. We can make a lot of profit in the meantime. And…"
I smiled cruelly.
"We can get our revenge on Chen Fei."
The profit margin for restored IC chips would plummet once the technology was released.
Would Chen Fei, who had already lost 200 million yuan on used machinery, continue the low-margin restored IC chip business?
And then there was the 400 million yuan in principal and interest he had to pay every month. If I were him, I would be desperate.
"And the factory will become a burden."
The restored IC chip factory, which had cost him 200 million yuan to build, would also become a burden.
The actual land cost was only 10%, and the rest was for construction and facilities. Even if he tried to sell the factory, who would pay for the excessive facilities, comparable to a real semiconductor factory?
I chuckled.
"I'm a scary person. He shouldn't have messed with me."
Just then, four cars pulled up in front of the store, and several well-built men emerged.
And the last one to step out was Chen Fei, his head bandaged, his face contorted in rage.
I smirked.
"I was wondering when he would show up. Everyone, let's go greet our guest."
I led dozens of men, including the thugs and the bodyguards Chairman Zhao Yang had provided, outside the store. It was already chaos.
Chen Fei was shouting with a red face, and his men were smashing the CD displays with wooden planks.
"That's enough."
Chen Fei's men flinched and stepped back, seeing me and my entourage.
They were outnumbered, and dozens of bodyguards had emerged from the store.
But Chen Fei, blinded by rage, charged towards me, as if he was about to punch me.
I just stood there, smirking.
My bodyguards stopped him, and he shouted,
"He says you'll regret this if you don't stop right now."
"Why should I? We can release the technology if we want to. It's none of your business."
Chen Fei pointed at me and shouted,
"He says you put Park Jong-bum up to this. He's asking where you hid him."
I feigned ignorance, knowing Park Jong-bum was already back in Korea.
"Park Jong-bum? Tricks? I don't know what you're talking about. I don't know why you're causing a scene at my store, but I'll let it slide if you leave now."
Chen Fei glared at me and said,
"He says to stop distributing the CDs and retrieve the ones you've already given out."
I shrugged.
"Hundreds of CDs are already out there. How can I retrieve them all?"
It was understandable that he was furious. He had spent a fortune to acquire the technology, and now it was being distributed for free.
He lunged at me again, but his men restrained him.
His secretary whispered something to him, and he suppressed his anger and said,
"He apologizes for the damage and asks you to stop distributing the CDs and talk to him."
I stroked my chin.
"Talk? What is there to talk about between us?"
"He says it would be better to cooperate instead of cutting each other's throats."
If it weren't for my bodyguards, he would have probably attacked me. But he needed to stop the spread of the technology to minimize his losses, so he desperately tried to persuade me.
Seeing him struggle filled me with a sense of triumph.
"You should have said that before you started smashing things. Now you want to talk?"
I smiled, picked up a CD from the display, and shouted,
"Everyone! Do you know how much profit you can make from restored IC chips?"
Passersby and customers, not just our group and Chen Fei's, turned their attention to us at the interpreter's words.
"Based on the current market price in China, the cost of IC boards is 250 yuan per kg! If you learn this technology from this CD, restore the chips, and bring them to us, we'll pay you at least 750 yuan!"
The mention of a threefold profit margin made their eyes sparkle, and Chen Fei's face turned pale.
I waved the CD and shouted,
"Getting rich isn't difficult! This is your chance to make money while the competition is still low! Join the restored IC chip business!"
From employees sent by their bosses to curious onlookers, they were all potential customers.
"I hope you seize this opportunity!"
People rushed towards us to get the CDs, and although Chen Fei tried to stop them with his men, they were outnumbered.
I laughed heartily, watching the chaos, and my eyes met with Chen Fei's glare.
I winked at him and said,
"Jiayou! (Good luck!)"
I intentionally spread the word, and the restored IC chip boom swept across the country.
New restorers, who had made a profit by selling to us, started driving up the price of IC boards in China. The price, which had been around 250 yuan per kg, rose to 85% of our purchase price in just two weeks.
Although our profit margin decreased to 15%, new businesses kept emerging, as it was easy money. Some even started looking for overseas suppliers.
Chen Fei was struggling in the now-competitive restored IC chip market.
He had no connections in the junkyard or electronic scrap industry, so it was almost impossible for him to acquire enough IC boards to keep his hundreds of employees working.
And I was preparing the final blow.
"He's asking if you can really pay that much."
"Of course. Chen Fei's downfall is inevitable. Do you think he can maintain his position and power in this situation?"
Chen Fei's secretary was sitting in front of me, his legs trembling, his eyes filled with anxiety.
"His power comes from his money. How much do you think he can recover from the 400 million yuan he invested in the factory? I guarantee he won't get a single penny back. He's about to lose all the money he invested in Renyi Investment. And with the interest payments, it's only a matter of time before he's ousted from his position. What will happen to you then? You deserve to be compensated for your loyalty."
I said to the secretary, who was looking down, nervously swallowing,
"It's simple. Chen Fei is struggling to find IC boards, so just tell him you found an overseas supplier. I'll give you 1 million yuan as soon as the deal is done."
After a long hesitation, Chen Fei's secretary closed his eyes and said,
"I'll do it."
I smiled as I sent him away.
"Chen Fei, you're truly a generous man."
I was planning to sell him the leftover boards from our overseas branches, the ones we had punched the IC chips out of.
"This is the end."
I imagined Chen Fei receiving the boards, which could only be used for gold extraction, and said,
"It's been a long battle."
Chen Fei had been the toughest obstacle I had faced in my business ventures.
And with this, he would lose everything and be buried in debt.
I cracked my neck and said,
"Now that the obstacle is gone, let's move forward. The world is vast, and there are many opportunities to make money."
I smiled.
"It's a new beginning."