harleyscars Chapter 4: Western Regions
Chapter 4: Western Regions
After resolving the infighting in the dormitory, Nie Xiguang once again declined Sheng Yuan's invitation. At the same time, she began to focus on other companies.
Shuangyuan, located in Wuxi, not far from Shanghai, is her next target.
After the campus recruitment presentation by Remote Group ended, the crowd in the auditorium receded like a tide, leaving behind a mess of brochures and a lingering sense of excitement.
Nie Xiguang didn't rush to leave.
She remained seated, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the gold-plated lettering of "Yuancheng Group - Shuangyuan Photovoltaic".
After talking with her mother, she learned that Shuangyuan owned 50% of her family's shares.
There, no one knew her, yet she could still help out at home.
This is exactly what she expected.
Just as she was packing her things and getting ready to get up, someone sat down in the empty seat next to her.
The person who arrived moved very quietly, carrying a hint of the sunshine from outside.
"Is your senior also interested in photovoltaics?"
Nie Xiguang turned his head and met Yu Chen's clear and calm gaze.
He was still wearing a simple cotton T-shirt and holding a thick kraft paper folder, looking nothing like a student who had simply come to listen to a lecture.
"Yu Chen?" She was somewhat surprised. "You're here too..."
"Let's do a small survey." Yu Chen waved the folder in his hand and got straight to the point. "This time, the remote recruitment drive is quite large, but the key points of the presentations are a bit vague. I've compiled some information that might be more substantial than what's shown in the PPT."
He opened the folder, pulled out an A4 sheet of paper and handed it over. On it were hand-drawn simple charts and densely packed but clearly organized notes.
Nie Xiguang took it and quickly scanned it.
Instead of vague slogans, the above is a list of points:
1. Remote Wuxi base P-type PERC capacity planning (specific to megawatts and expected commissioning quarter);
2. Key equipment suppliers and the "N-type compatible upgrade options" attached to the contract (some equipment models are even listed);
3. Theoretical cost range for PERC modules calculated based on current polysilicon prices and non-silicon costs;
4. Brief comparison: Current laboratory efficiency, mass production bottlenecks, and estimated cost reduction curves of N-type TOPCon/HJT.
What attracted her attention even more was the last part:
5. Market Focus Analysis: Remote's recent winning bids and key deployment areas are prominently concentrated in large-scale ground power stations in the Northwest, rather than distributed power stations in the East.
The advantages of electricity pricing policies, solar resources, and land costs in the western region are highlighted in smaller print.
"They are not betting on permanent technological superiority, but on seizing the order window for the western 'large base' project in the next two or three years with the most mature PERC technology and the lowest cost."
Yu Chen's voice rang out calmly, his finger pointing to the Northwest region. "They are extremely price-sensitive there, but have a relatively high tolerance for absolute technological superiority. First, they rely on scale and cost to capture the market and generate cash flow. At the same time, they use equipment upgrade options to leave a backdoor for future technology switching. This is a more pragmatic, even more astute, survival and development strategy."
He paused, then looked at Nie Xiguang: "So, if you're considering remote work, you might not be thinking about whether the technology will become obsolete soon, but rather whether you're willing to delve into a rapidly expanding manufacturing base to understand cost control, large-scale production management, and business models for a specific market (the West)."
"This is a high-intensity, high-quality class for anyone who wants to understand the core logic of physical manufacturing."
His words took a sharp turn, shifting the focus from debating the merits of different technologies to market choices, cost strategies, and practical value.
Nie Xiguang's doubts were cut open by a sharp knife, revealing the more essential core of the choice: Do you want to go to a laboratory that showcases cutting-edge technology, or to the front line of industry where you are really fighting for market share?
This perspective is so unique and sharp that it far exceeds the cognitive scope of ordinary students.
"Where did you get this information from?" Nie Xiguang couldn't hide his surprise.
Some information, such as details of equipment contracts and the bidding situation in the western region, cannot be easily obtained through public announcements or ordinary online searches.
"Running errands involves dealing with all sorts of people. Some information I came across while collecting data for senior students working on projects in the School of Economics and Management; some I pieced together from conversations with industry professionals on relevant forums; and some," he pointed to the cost calculation section, "was estimated by working backward from publicly available financial reports and industry reports. It may not be entirely accurate, but the general logic should be correct."
He spoke casually, but Nie Xiguang understood that this required extremely strong information gathering, screening, and integration capabilities, as well as an intuition about the logic of industry operations.
"This analysis has been a great help to me." Nie Xiguang carefully chose his words, his gaze fixed on the detailed notes. "It showed me another layer of things. How... should I thank you? Or, how much should I pay for the consultation?"
She asked, half-jokingly and half-seriously, but her eyes were sincere.
She didn't want to take this precious help for granted as a favor.
Yu Chen seemed to be stunned for a moment, then the corners of his mouth lifted slightly, revealing a somewhat surprised smile.
He thought for a moment, and instead of hypocritically declining the "small favor," he frankly said:
"If that's the case... this preliminary analysis for remote work and the briefing focusing on the western market can be considered a one-off information integration product. I usually charge fifty for similar specialized information compilations."
"I'll give you a discount, thirty yuan. If you need more in-depth industry follow-up or similar analysis of other companies, we can discuss it on a per-session or per-session basis."
He quoted a specific, reasonable, and even slightly low price, speaking as casually as if he were quoting the price of a plate of fried rice.
This open and transparent approach to pricing and trading intellectual property once again surprised Nie Xiguang, followed by a deeper appreciation.
He doesn't sell favors or blur boundaries; instead, he clearly defines value and exchanges it openly.
"That's fair." Nie Xiguang immediately took out thirty yuan in cash from his wallet and handed it to Yu Chen. "This is what you deserve."
Yu Chen took it, carefully put it away, and then pulled out a slightly more formal printed document from the folder, handing it to her: "This is the receipt, and also the proof for subsequent updates. It has my contact information and a simple feedback section on it."
"If you find any significant discrepancies in the key information in my analysis within one month, you can contact me for a refund or correction."
Nie Xiguang took the simple yet meticulous "receipt," which even had a handwritten analysis summary and date on it.
She couldn't help but laugh, and the last bit of subtle feeling she had about paying vanished, replaced by a sense of ease and respect built on clear rules.
"Thank you, Yu Chen." She put away the receipt and analysis notes. "Your perspective is truly...valuable."
"If I can help my senior figure out her choices, then this money is well worth it." Yu Chen stood up, packed up his folder, and said, "I'll be going now; I have an errand to run."
"Wait a minute," Nie Xiguang called out to him, hesitated for a moment, and then asked, "You just mentioned the western market... You seem to have your own views on photovoltaics, and even on the overall layout of the physical manufacturing industry?"
Yu Chen stopped and turned to look at her.
The setting sun slanted in through the high windows of the lecture hall, gilding his silhouette with a layer of gold.
He was silent for a few seconds, as if weighing something, before speaking, his voice lower than before:
"I believe that the real opportunities in the next ten years will not only lie in the high-rise buildings in the east, but also in the wind farms in the west, the photovoltaic panels in the Gobi Desert, and the ultra-high voltage power grids and intelligent operation and management systems that connect them."
"What's needed there is not just capital, but people who can take root there, understand local resources and constraints, and truly push technology and cost to their limits."
He paused for a moment, then said, "I'm still figuring it out, but the direction is roughly in this direction."
These words touched upon his personal core more deeply than his previous industry analyses.
Nie Xiguang sensed a certain, almost ambitious certainty hidden beneath his calm tone.
He wasn't just talking offhand; he was observing, thinking, and quietly planning.
"It sounds like you're not content with just being an information carrier or analyst," Nie Xiguang said softly.
"Running errands is a way to understand the world, not the destination." Yu Chen smiled, his smile revealing a calmness beyond his years.
"Just like you, senior, when choosing where to go, you shouldn't just accept a 'real arrangement,' but find a 'position' where you can shine."
"Whether it's the west or Wuxi, the key is whether it's a battlefield where you can put your skills to use."
After he finished speaking, he nodded, turned around, and left the lecture hall nimbly.
Nie Xiguang sat alone in the gradually emptying hall, holding the analysis notes worth thirty yuan but feeling as heavy as a thousand pounds in his hand, and the simple receipt.
The turmoil in her heart finally subsided.
The mother's invitation transformed from a vague "arrangement" into an "option" with clearly assessable pros and cons.
More importantly, through this transaction, she glimpsed how a person can pave their own path using a professional perspective, clear rules, and insights into future trends.
With thirty yuan and a few words, Yu Chen set a new standard for her.
It's about values, about choices, about how a person can move towards their future with dignity and vision.
She carefully put the notes and receipts into her bag, stood up, and walked out with firm steps.
She knew what she would face if she went back, and she also knew how she would respond to her mother's "real choice".
At that moment, as Yu Chen rode his bicycle, a calm system notification sounded in his mind:
"Key intervention completed."
"Method: Delivery of specialized information products and exchange of value."
"Result: Establish a strong perception of us as a 'professional, trustworthy, and visionary service provider'."
"Paying for services reinforces shared values and places relationships on a clear and sustainable track for business interaction."
"Additional achievement: Successfully conveyed and initially shaped my personal strategic image of 'focusing on the real economy in the west and taking a long-term view,' creating a deep potential connection with my target future career field."
"Rewards Settlement: Based on 'High-Quality Value Output' and 'Establishment of Healthy Business Boundaries', 380 Achievement Points are awarded."
"Unlocked special intelligence item: [List of Key Photovoltaic Power Station Projects in Northwest China in 2012 (Pre-load Summary)]. System prompt: This intelligence can serve as a potential entry point for future cooperation."
The evening breeze rustled his clothes.
Yu Chen's gaze swept across the city's dazzling lights, as if it could travel thousands of miles to see the vast, arid, yet infinitely warm and radiant western Gobi Desert.
Zhuang Xu may be calculating the precise blueprint for the urban middle-class lifestyle that a bank offer can bring.
Yu Chen, through a paid consultation, not only resolved Nie Xiguang's current dilemma but also planted a seed in her heart about the western region, the real economy, and the future industrial landscape.
At the same time, he also redeemed a "map fragment" for his system, which pointed to a wider world.