I Get A Random New Occupation Every Week

Chapter 2104: The victor is crowned, the loser is forgotten
Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

“It really is them,” Lin Yi said quietly.

These two companies—one, a giant in photolithography machines that has dominated the market for years, naturally had a much larger market share than Longxin under normal circumstances.

And the other, TSMC, a giant in the chip industry, held a leading position in the global market.

So, in this matter, it was only natural that they held the upper hand.

It wasn’t surprising and wasn’t difficult to guess.

“Is the proposal finalized yet?”

“Almost. There’s a cocktail party tonight, and they might make a final decision on the matter.” Qi Xianzhao replied.

“A cocktail party?”

“It’s their routine. They settle things in a relaxed setting.”

“In other words, there’s still a chance things could change, right?”

“In theory, yes, but realistically, there’s no chance.” Qi Xianzhao said.

“Intel, ASML, TSMC, Samsung, Qualcomm, Micron, Texas Instruments—these world-class semiconductor giants have formed an alliance. Our influence is minimal, and changing this dynamic is nearly impossible.”

“Intel is involved too?”

Intel’s involvement surprised Lin Yi.

After all, he was Intel’s largest shareholder, so theoretically, they should have been on his side.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

“Intel’s role here is puzzling to me too,” Qi Xianzhao said.

“Their representative this time isn’t Alice, but someone named Powell, reportedly a senior vice president.”

“Have you tried reaching out to Alice privately?”

“I have, but I haven’t been able to get through. No contact at all.”

“It could mean something has happened.” Lin Yi said calmly.

Lin Yi was well aware of the situation with Intel.

They were the world’s largest CPU manufacturer, a critical piece of the global semiconductor landscape.

There was no way Meiguo would let such a company fall into foreign hands.

But how exactly they were handling this situation was still unclear.

What was certain, though, was that if they wanted to, taking Intel back wouldn’t be difficult.

But Lin Yi wouldn’t let this slide easily. Once he found the time, he’d have to find a way to talk to Alice.

“President Lin, we’re in a very dangerous period right now.” Qi Xianzhao said with deep concern.

“If the new architecture and protocols take effect, the impact on Lingyun Group will be unprecedented. Our industrial park in Dongsan County may even face a production halt. The consequences could trigger a butterfly effect, potentially affecting the entire semiconductor industry in Huaxia.”

“I understand.”

Lin Yi lowered his head slightly, his expression dark.

He had asked Qi Xianzhao to meet today to discuss company matters and catch up.

He hadn’t expected something like this to happen.

It appeared to be a business suppression, but in reality, it was a geopolitical battle.

And Lingyun Group was caught in the middle as cannon fodder.

Ring ring ring!

Just then, Lin Yi’s phone rang. It was a call from Shen Shuyi.

Lin Yi checked the time. It was past 6 p.m. in Lundun, which meant it was around 1 a.m. in Yanjing.

For Shen Shuyi to call at this hour, it had to be something important.

“Is it convenient to talk?”

Once the call connected, Shen Shuyi spoke.

“Yes, Aunt Shen, go ahead.”

“Have you met with Qi Xianzhao?”

“I have. We’re together right now.”

“He’s told you about the meeting, hasn’t he?”

“Aunt Shen, you know about it too?”

“I just heard,” Shen Shuyi said seriously.

“This situation is clearly targeting you, aiming to suppress Huaxia’s semiconductor industry. You must have figured that out by now.”

“I have. We’re just cannon fodder in the great power struggle.” Lin Yi said with a bitter smile. “It feels like I don’t even know how I’m being taken down.”

There was a long silence from Shen Shuyi on the other end of the line. “This must be hard for you.”

“It’s fine. I’m thick-skinned. I won’t let this bother me. Worst case, I go home to a wife and kids and a warm bed.”

“If you could truly think like that, I’d be happy for you. But you’re not that kind of person. Don’t give me that nonsense, not to me.”

Lin Yi touched his nose, feeling a bit outmatched by Shen Shuyi.

“But there’s something I’m curious about.” Lin Yi said.

“If this meeting succeeds, it’ll be a major reshuffle in the semiconductor industry. How is it there nothing leaked before this?”

Lin Yi paused, then continued.

“Also, rewriting the architecture and computational protocols will affect their own companies too. How did these international giants’ shareholders agree so unanimously to make such a decision?”

From the moment Qi Xianzhao mentioned this, Lin Yi had been puzzled.

Capitalists were always focused on profits. They only wanted to make as much money as possible and didn’t care about much else.

But rewriting the architecture and protocols would significantly impact their profits.

It would make sense if just one company agreed.

But now, all these world-class semiconductor companies had united, and something about that felt off.

“I haven’t figured that out either,” Shen Shuyi said.

“But my guess is that it’s a result of uneven development.”

“Uneven development?”

“The domestic internet and semiconductor industries have only been developing for less than 20 years. There are still many untapped blue oceans, so investors are chasing short-term gains.” Shen Shuyi explained.

“But Meiguo is different. Their high-tech and internet industries have been around for decades. The sectors that needed to develop have already done so. Making quick money through short-term investments is very difficult now. I suspect they’re using this industry overhaul to weed out irrelevant companies. This doesn’t just affect Lingyun Group, but the semiconductor industries of other countries as well. In doing so, they’ll become global leaders, establishing a monopoly on semiconductors.”

“That makes sense, but doing this touches on national interests. They’re playing a dangerous game that could backfire.”

“That’s why it’s just my speculation and not a certainty. How things develop and their true intentions will be revealed in time. I’m calling to make sure you understand the gravity of the situation.”

Shen Shuyi said seriously.

“Right now, Lingyun Group and the Western semiconductor giants are the first wave of forces sent out by two different camps. Both sides have their own missions. You’re each trying to break the other. The victor will be crowned, while the loser will be forgotten.”