Chapter 194: Return
The others nodded in agreement.
The patent was the top priority!
Xie Changning had other things to attend to, so the others didn’t linger in her room, leaving her space to handle the patent matters.
When the patent lawyer arrived, Xie Changning was already downstairs waiting for him.
"Director Xie, take a look. This is the response they sent back."
The patent lawyer handed Xie Changning a reply written entirely in English for her to read.
Xie Changning took it, and a cold smile appeared on her face after she read it.
"It seems the higher-ups have gotten involved. Their current response is completely different from their previous one." Xie Changning placed the document on the table, her fingertips tapping its surface.
The patent lawyer nodded. "They’re laying out conditions, trying to get us to concede some profit."
Xie Changning lowered her gaze slightly, contemplating how to resolve the matter.
"Should we contact the leaders back home and ask for their opinion?"
"No need."
’There’s no way I’m giving up any profits. We developed this technology ourselves. These foreigners wanting to reap what they didn’t sow must be dreaming!’
Seeing Xie Changning’s firm stance, the patent lawyer began to analyze the patent situation with her. In the end, they decided to go to the relevant department in the United States together the next day.
If the other party truly intended to keep being shameless, Xie Changning would have no choice but to get her country’s official backing and resort to more extreme measures.
Having set a time, Xie Changning went back to rest.
The patent lawyer had also suggested tomorrow because Xie Changning wasn’t in the best condition. She needed rest, and patent matters couldn’t be rushed anyway.
They were just stuck on the final hurdle. As long as they could clear it, there would be no more problems.
Xie Changning knew this, so she obediently went upstairs to rest.
「The next day」
Xie Changning woke up bright and early and waited by the entrance for the patent lawyer to pick her up.
When the patent lawyer arrived, Xie Changning got into the car headed for the application department.
"Last night, the Director met with me and explained the country’s stance. It’s pretty much the same as yours: no concessions. He wants you to tell them directly that if they continue this, it will cause friction between our two countries."
The words sounded severe, but a simple patent for a communication device wasn’t enough to make the United States wary of China.
They wouldn’t take this matter seriously.
If China refused to yield and maintained a hardline stance, the other side wouldn’t necessarily distance themselves from China over it. Instead, they would likely put on a show and reprimand the relevant department.
Xie Changning nodded, indicating she understood.
However, once Xie Changning showed up in person, the other party didn’t delay the review any further. Instead, they informed her that the patent application had been approved.
’Since I’m already here...’ With that thought, Xie Changning also applied for the patent for the cellular phone.
The official: "..."
’I’ve seen people take advantage of a situation, but never quite like this.’
The higher-ups had already given the order. Continuing to drag things out with the people from China would not be beneficial for them. And so, the patent for the cellular phone was approved at a historically fast speed.
It was approved along with the patent for the pager.
With the documents successfully in hand, the smile on Xie Changning’s face widened. As she left with the patent lawyer, the official in charge of the review let out a heavy sigh.
"This woman is so difficult..."
’All we wanted was a little something, a few US Dollars would have been fine. But she just had to go and get her country’s backing. Really...’
That was what he was thinking at this moment, but no one knew what he had been thinking the day before.
If Xie Changning knew what he was grumbling about in his head right now, she would only scoff.
’So many people are involved in the review process. Am I supposed to give US Dollars to every single one of them?’
’My money is for buying useful products, not for bribing them!’
Leaving the building, Xie Changning took the patent lawyer back to the hotel. She planned to rest one more night in the United States and then set off for home the next day.
Back at the hotel, the technicians were already waiting downstairs, eager for news about the patent.
However, having spent this time with Xie Changning, they had come to understand her expressions and could guess the outcome just by looking at her face.
The moment they saw Xie Changning return, they knew the patent issue was resolved!
They had successfully secured the patent!
The team members were ecstatic and suggested they should celebrate.
"Alright," Xie Changning said. "Let’s cook some noodles tonight to celebrate."
No one had any objections.
Yes, when you’re abroad, even eating noodles is a cause for celebration...
The other food here really didn’t whet their appetites...
Even the Chinese food at this Chinese-owned hotel had a strange taste. After one bite, you wouldn’t want a second.
In the end, it was the two bundles of dried noodles Xie Changning had brought that saved everyone’s stomachs.
Everyone was moved beyond words as they ate the noodles Xie Changning cooked.
"I want to go home..."
"My Chinese stomach really can’t handle the food here..."
"Right now, I miss my mom more than anything!"
The team members had never felt so homesick before!
Xie Changning looked at her team with amusement and announced their plans to go home tomorrow. "We’ve finished preparing everything we needed to. Because some items can’t be taken on a plane, we’ll have to take a boat back."
"But the boat ride is very, very long, so we’ll have to split into two groups to go back."
Half the people will go back by plane.
The other half will go by boat.
Xie Changning divided them into two groups. She would lead the one going back by boat.
As for the others flying, the patent lawyer and the Director would lead them and fly directly back to China.
"Will that be alright?" The Director was concerned about Xie Changning. He felt it would be safer if everyone traveled together.
"The patent documents are more important. If there are really security issues with these other items, we can choose to leave them behind."
The Director nodded at Xie Changning’s words.
But the patent lawyer at her side reminded her, "Are there any special requirements for flying? We aren’t carrying weapons or anything. Why do we need to take a boat?"
His words made Xie Changning snap back to reality.
’In this era, there aren’t many restrictions on checked luggage. Planes mainly just regulate firearms and knives. My mindset... is still stuck in the future.’
Thinking about it, she rubbed her head.
"I misremembered..." she said dryly.
The others muffled their laughter. Once they confirmed they could take everything on the plane, there was no need to split up. Everyone went back to pack their things to be checked in together.
The more valuable items that could be brought on the plane would be carried on.
Everyone got a good night’s sleep, and the next morning, they set off for the airport.
Just before boarding the plane, Xie Changning heard someone call her name. She turned to see Jerry running toward them, luggage in hand. "Xie, wait for me! I’m going back with you!"
Xie Changning frowned and studied him for a long moment before speaking slowly.
"You’re...?"
"I want to go to China with you!"