Chapter 271 The Demolition Dilemma
Su Yuanshan had confirmed long ago that the first-generation Pentium's design flaws still existed, and historically, the issue would be exposed next month. Now, he actually hoped that the butterfly effect he had set in motion would widen the timeline, so the Pentium's division bug would come to light later — ideally after Cyrix's new CPU was ready to launch.
While chatting casually with Pony, Su Yuanshan stayed for lunch at the office, sharing a work meal. In the afternoon, after discussing email systems with Zhang Xiaolong and exchanging ideas with a few team leaders, he returned straight to the hotel.
After all, Ding Lei wasn't around, and Su Yuanshan didn't have many familiar faces here — Ding Lei was still abroad, negotiating business deals in the Lighthouse Country, and was set to return next week alongside Xinghai's team for the Second International Computer Software Expo.
That night, Su Yuanshan booked a flight to the capital.
He still needed to go and take a look.
Leaving the Capital International Airport, he immediately spotted Chen Jing, An Siying, Zhu Yuanxin, and others chatting outside the terminal. To his surprise, Pan Xiaojun — whom he hadn't seen in a long time — was also there.
"Jing Jie, Old Zhu, Old Pan... what's with the full house?" Su Yuanshan called out while dragging his suitcase behind him. Since they were all familiar faces, he didn't bother with formalities, joking directly with Pan Xiaojun, "You studied integrated circuits and didn't study under my dad? What were you thinking?"
Over the years, Pan Xiaojun had first worked with Yuanxin and later moved over to Zhiyuan, consistently overseeing all EDA sales. This had significantly matured his demeanor.
When Pan first joined Yuanxin, Su Yuanshan had suggested he finish his undergraduate degree and then aim for a graduate program to boost his credentials. Pan had taken that advice, completing his night university studies before successfully gaining admission to Tsinghua University's graduate program in electronic engineering — a feat proving he had real talent.
Of course, some believed it was easier to get into top universities for graduate school than undergraduate. But they often forgot Pan Xiaojun had started from a technical school diploma and still clawed his way up purely on merit.
"It was mainly work considerations," Pan Xiaojun explained with a smile as he opened the car door. "Since the EDA sales department is based here in the capital, we're gradually building a new development center around it."
"You and Chen can ride with me," he added.
"Sure, whatever's convenient," Su Yuanshan said, handing his suitcase to Pan and glancing at Chen Jing and Zhu Yuanxin with a soft sigh. "Thanks for all the hard work."
"All talk, no action," Chen Jing replied with a small smile. "By the way, why are you here?"
"I'm here to bring you back," Su Yuanshan joked.
...
Of course, Su Yuanshan wasn't really here just to pick up Chen Jing.
Since they had decided to elevate the specifications of the design department, Yuanxin's new R&D center in the capital was primarily intended to serve the design division — which explained why design director Zhu Yuanxin was also stationed here.
Zhu Yuanxin, a graduate of the Central Academy of Fine Arts with experience at a national design institute, had been sent ahead with a team to supervise the construction of the new building while also recruiting talent from top local universities.
To avoid future factionalism, Su Yuanshan had decided to keep a close watch from the start.
"Honestly, the government here isn't nearly as cooperative as elsewhere," Chen Jing said while sitting beside Su Yuanshan in the backseat. She tucked her hair behind her ear, frowning slightly as she looked out the window. After hesitating for a moment, she added, "Maybe we should pull some strings?"
Su Yuanshan turned to her, surprised.
Yuanxin had always emphasized advancing through technological strength. In the era of full-blown reforms and openness, this approach had proven remarkably effective. Top to bottom, no level of government had ever refused to cooperate with Yuanxin.
Moreover, Su Yuanshan personally disliked getting too cozy with government officials, preferring to keep Yuanxin apolitical — and avoiding under-the-table dealings even more.
Chen Jing usually felt the same way.
Yet now she was suggesting they grease some palms...
Su Yuanshan frowned deeply, then quickly shook his head firmly. "Absolutely not. We're a powerhouse company. If we start acting like those bosses who live off permissions and connections, what's the point of everyone working so hard? It's all so we can stand tall and proud."
From the front seats, Zhu Yuanxin and Pan Xiaojun turned around simultaneously.
"Well said!" they chorused.
Chen Jing blinked at him for a few seconds, then broke into a smile. "I was just testing you — look at you, launching into a whole lecture."
"Uh... I mean it. This isn't something we compromise on," Su Yuanshan said seriously. Thinking about next year's big events in the capital, he sighed inwardly. "We got the land, right? Where's the bottleneck now?"
"The problem is demolition and resettlement," Chen Jing said. "The government's dragging its feet, so demolition is stuck."
She paused before adding, "Honestly, those courtyard houses in that alley are pretty well preserved."
Su Yuanshan closed his eyes, picturing it.
In the future, courtyard houses would be astronomical in value and hold significant historical importance.
Now, being the one to tear them down himself felt... a little wrong.
"Let's go have a look first," he said.
Driving into the alley, Su Yuanshan noticed that many of the courtyard gates had eviction notices posted, yet residents still wandered in and out as usual — old men carrying birdcages and thermos flasks, strolling and playing chess.
"Half the residents have already moved," Chen Jing said as she guided Su Yuanshan into one courtyard. "But the families near the street entrance refuse to go. They say their properties are street-facing and suitable for business, so they demand compensation for commercial storefronts. Just acquiring the land and handling the demolition has already cost us tens of millions... but we're not a real estate developer; we can't just eat that cost."
Because the street-facing families refused to leave, excavators couldn't move in, and the inner areas remained untouched.
The designers had temporarily set up offices in the vacated homes.
Chen Jing had even converted one of the nicer courtyards into a temporary office.
As Su Yuanshan entered, he took in the scene: the central courtyard alone spanned two or three hundred square meters.
The surrounding wings had been emptied but were still well preserved externally.
Chen Jing pushed open the door to one of the rooms, revealing a makeshift office — just a few folding tables and a row of plastic chairs.
"Look here," Chen Jing said, spreading out a map on the table and pointing with a pencil. "The street entrance is where the R&D center's main building will go. We're here right now."
Su Yuanshan studied the map carefully.
Since they only acquired about one hundred acres, the first building's floor-area ratio would have to be very high, and they would still need enough space for living areas. Every inch of land had to be meticulously planned and utilized.
This place was already on the verge of becoming insanely valuable.
"What if we kept some of the courtyards inside the park?" Su Yuanshan suggested, glancing around. "We could renovate them for offices, reception areas... it would be a shame to tear everything down."
Zhu Yuanxin's eyes lit up immediately. "Our architecture professors always said courtyard houses should be preserved — they have immense architectural and aesthetic value."
"I think it would be a shame to tear them all down too," Chen Jing said, biting her lip thoughtfully. "But the ones near the street entrance are a lost cause. The government thinks those shabby little courtyards are an eyesore. They want to build a wall to hide them."
"Fine, then. Let's redesign it," Su Yuanshan said, circling part of the map with a pencil. "Preserve some of the inner courtyards. They can serve as temporary offices, dormitories — oh, and make sure to keep one as a guesthouse. I'm tired of staying in hotels."
He set the pencil down and exhaled deeply, smiling brightly. "Are there any empty rooms left? I'm staying here tonight."
An Siying, standing nearby, said, "President Shan, there are plenty of rooms — but no beds."
Su Yuanshan checked his watch and grinned. "Let's go. We'll buy beds now."
Chen Jing chuckled softly. "Weren't we supposed to be solving the relocation problem? Now you're moving in?"
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