Rebirth: Controlled Nuclear Fusion

Part 132：Let Me Correct That

"I only need five days!"
Everyone stared at the young man before them, bewildered.
When Qiao Yifei recognized the visitor, she was suddenly overcome with an inexplicable surge of excitement, her eyes sparkling with a new light.
It was Jiang Fan!
For most people in the room, except for Qiao Yifei, this was their first time seeing him.
Upon hearing the young man's statement, the first thought that crossed their minds was:
"Could this person be a fool?"
Did he even know what they were discussing? And yet, he just barged in and claimed he could achieve it in five days!
Ding Haibo's gaze turned somewhat hostile as he addressed Jiang Fan.
"Who are you? Do you even know where you are?"
The others, seeing Jiang Fan dressed in the research institute's lab coat but looking very young, quickly deduced that he must be a new intern.
Seeing an intern so audaciously barging into their meeting, Gao Jiang spoke up without courtesy.
"This is an internal meeting. Please leave."
Qiao Lao, however, ignored Ding Haibo's remarks, instead focusing his attention on Jiang Fan, his eyes filled with excitement.
"Jiang Fan, are you really saying that you can achieve 99.50% purity in silicon wafers within five days?"
"Yes, Uncle Qiao!" Jiang Fan responded confidently.
Upon hearing Jiang Fan's firm reply, Qiao Lao stood frozen, dumbfounded.
Had Jiang Fan said this earlier, Qiao Lao might have considered whether he was joking. But now, it was different. Just this morning, Jiang Fan had successfully developed the 7nm lithography machine, completing the entire project in a mere 11 days.
Qiao Lao felt an almost blind admiration for Jiang Fan now.
If Jiang Fan said it could be done, Qiao Lao believed it without hesitation!
Meanwhile, the others in the room wore expressions of disbelief.
"This young man is so full of himself, claiming he can break through silicon wafer technology in five days. Who does he think he is? Einstein?"
"An intern with such courage—perhaps ignorance is bliss, the boldness of a newcomer who's unafraid of tigers."
"Does he even know what silicon wafers are?"
"..."
As the others whispered disparagingly, Qiao Yifei, sitting in the middle, gazed at Jiang Fan with stars in her eyes.
Jiang Fan stood tall on the stage, dressed in a white lab coat. His composed demeanor, contrasting with his youthful face, struck a chord deep within her heart, and before she realized it, her face flushed, warm with a subtle embarrassment.
When Qiao Yifei became aware of her own reaction, she quickly glanced around, relieved to find no one was paying attention to her. She exhaled, a bit uncertain—was something wrong with her?
She had been through over ten relationships, seen all kinds of men, yet facing Jiang Fan, who was four years younger, she found herself unnervingly flustered.
"Everyone, please quiet down!"
Qiao Lao's voice rang out, commanding attention.
"I'd like to introduce you all to Jiang Fan. He's the one who designed the lithography machine blueprints and led the team to successfully develop the 7nm lithography machine..."
The room fell silent in an instant, all eyes wide with shock.
What?
He designed the lithography machine blueprints?
But he looks no older than twenty—how is that even possible?
Wait!
Hold on, did Qiao Lao just say 7nm lithography machine?
What 7nm lithography machine?
Ding Haibo was the first to react, turning to Qiao Lao.
"Director Qiao, did you perhaps misspeak? The lithography team developed a 17nm machine, not 7nm."
Qiao Lao paused, realizing the misunderstanding, and chuckled.
"My apologies. I neglected to mention that the lithography team has developed the 7nm machine!"
No way!
A 7nm lithography machine?
The most advanced lithography machines on Blue Star are 7nm—this was almost impossible to accept.
After all, their research institute's lithography technology had only recently reached 21nm.
In just 11 days, they had directly leapfrogged to the world's most advanced 7nm technology!
And all of it was accomplished by this young man!
They couldn't believe it.
Qiao Lao continued, addressing the group.
"After discussing with Director Zhang, we've decided that Jiang Fan will temporarily take charge of the silicon wafer research."
Upon hearing this, the others were stunned.
Although Jiang Fan had developed the lithography machine, silicon wafer technology was an entirely different field.
Gao Jiang was the first to stand and speak out.
"Director Qiao, setting aside whether he knows anything about silicon wafers, we already have a mature plan in place, and with Director Ding leading us, I'm confident we can succeed!"
As Gao Jiang finished speaking, the others chimed in.
"That's right! Director Ding has spent seven years researching silicon wafer technology. He's the most experienced and capable researcher we have."
Ding Haibo, whose face had been somewhat gloomy, felt reassured at hearing the team's support.
At this moment, being replaced by Director Qiao felt like a personal dismissal of his efforts.
"Director Qiao, I know we haven't made major breakthroughs over the years, but we now have a solid plan. Give me a little more time, and I'm sure we'll produce results..."
"Director Ding, you've misunderstood. I've always appreciated your hard work, and everyone respects your expertise."
Qiao Lao smiled warmly.
"I'm not removing you from your position. Rather, I'm just asking Jiang Fan to temporarily lead the silicon wafer department."
Seeing the disbelief in the room, Qiao Lao didn't feel the need to elaborate further.
He knew that soon enough, they would understand and, like him, develop a deep admiration for Jiang Fan.
Some things could only be truly appreciated once experienced firsthand.
"Jiang Fan, why don't you say a few words?"
Jiang Fan nodded and turned to the researchers below.
"Given the urgency of the task at hand, I will be conducting a closed-door research process, just as the lithography team did..."
Before Jiang Fan could finish, Gao Jiang stood up again, speaking directly to him.
"Jiang Fan, I have a question to ask!"
"Go ahead," Jiang Fan replied.
"Since you say you can achieve 99.50% purity in silicon wafers in five days, you must have a technical plan."
"Of course!" Jiang Fan responded.
"Then could you explain it to us and show us if it's better than our plan?"
Jiang Fan thought for a moment before replying.
"Could I first hear your plan?"
Without hesitation, Gao Jiang began explaining.
"Our breakthrough this time focuses on the light reflection zone of the single crystal furnace..."
After Gao Jiang proudly finished, Jiang Fan coolly responded.
"Using the light reflection zone of the single crystal furnace as a breakthrough is an outdated technique. Moreover, there's a limit to this approach..."
"And I must correct you. My design aims to achieve a silicon wafer purity of 99.9999%!"