Chapter 253 - 2 Emails

Chapter 253 -191: 2 Emails

“Oh, I know her,” Chen Lin said with a nod. “She’s an international student from the USA I met at the mathematics conference. I think she’s a PhD student at MIT. What’s up?”

Sun Yu sent Chen Lin an image on WeChat—a screenshot of an email.

“She sent an email to our company. It says you had already left by the time the math conference ended, so she didn’t get a chance to ask for your contact information. So, she sent her WeChat QR code to our company’s email address, hoping to add you as a friend.”

Chen Lin paused for a moment, then leaned over to look at the screen.

The body of the email was concise and polite, and written in English:

[Hello, Chen Lin:

My name is Annie Brunt. We met briefly during the mathematics conference.

Unfortunately, you had already left by the time the conference concluded, so I didn’t get the chance to ask for your contact information.

If you don’t mind, would you be open to adding me on WeChat? I’d like to stay in touch, and I hope I might be able to consult with you on academic matters in the future, should the opportunity arise.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Annie Brunt]

A screenshot of a WeChat QR code was attached at the end of the email.

Chen Lin was a little surprised after reading the email.

‘I thought we were just strangers who happened to hit it off at the conference.’

‘I never expected her to go out of her way to find the company’s email just to add me on WeChat.’

But on second thought, he figured it was actually quite normal.

‘Annie is a PhD student at MIT, and I’m something of a “rising star” in the mathematics world now, after all.’

‘She probably just wants to stay in touch. Making another friend opens up another connection. That’s very common in academic circles.’

Besides, his impression of Annie was quite good.

‘Aside from being a little proud, she seemed cheerful, open, and very direct. She didn’t come across as someone with ulterior motives.’

With that thought, Chen Lin nodded.

“Alright, forward that WeChat QR code to me. I’ll add her.”

“Yes, President Chen.” Sun Yu got right on it, forwarding the QR code screenshot to Chen Lin through WeChat.

Chen Lin took out his phone, opened WeChat, tapped on the image from Sun Yu, and then long-pressed it to scan the QR code.

The screen changed to display a WeChat account profile.

The profile picture looked like it was taken at the beach. In the photo, Annie was wearing a white dress and smiling brilliantly, her long, golden hair fluttering gently in the sea breeze. She looked full of youthful energy.

The username was simply [Annie_Brunt].

Chen Lin tapped “Add to Contacts” and typed a short verification message:

[Hello, this is Chen Lin.]

Sent.

After taking care of that, Chen Lin looked up, about to tell Sun Yu he could get back to work.

However, Sun Yu remained standing in place, unmoving.

Chen Lin paused. “Is there something else?”

“Yes.” Sun Yu nodded, his expression turning hesitant. “President Chen, there’s actually one last thing.”

“Go on.” Chen Lin leaned back in his chair, gesturing for him to continue.

Sun Yu gathered his thoughts before speaking.

“It’s like this, President Chen. Our company’s inbox received a rather… unusual email.”

“The sender is a company called ‘Venus Consulting Company,’ and the name on it is Betty.”

As he spoke, Sun Yu pulled up a screenshot of another email for Chen Lin to see.

“This company claims they can refer business to us at Yanhai Company. I looked them up online. This ‘Venus Consulting Company’ is headquartered in the USA and provides business information brokerage services.”

Chen Lin’s brow furrowed slightly upon hearing this.

“Business information brokerage services?”

“That’s right.” Sun Yu nodded and explained, “Simply put, they’re the kind of company that plays matchmaker for businesses, providing networking connections.”

“For example, if Yanhai Company wanted to expand into overseas markets but lacked the right channels, we could hire a firm like this. They would help us connect with clients and take a commission in return.”

Chen Lin understood immediately.

‘So, they’re basically business brokers.’

Companies like that exist both at home and abroad; they’re nothing unusual.

‘However…’

A thought flickered in Chen Lin’s mind.

He suddenly recalled how much effort Academician Liang had put into his “Ten Thousand Talents Program” application.

Although Chen Lin wasn’t clear on the specific review criteria for “Outstanding Talent” within the “Ten Thousand Talents Program,” he knew one thing for sure: a national-level talent initiative like this had extremely strict background checks and vetting requirements regarding a candidate’s allegiances.

Especially with the currently escalating tensions between Huaxia and the USA, any contact with foreign entities could become a point of contention during the review process.

While Chen Lin had nothing to hide, it was better to avoid any potential complications at a time like this.

With this in mind, Chen Lin shook his head and said to Sun Yu,

“Just send a polite refusal for that kind of email.”

“Tell them our company has a full plate right now and doesn’t require support from external channels at the moment.”

Hearing this, Sun Yu immediately nodded. “Alright, President Chen. I understand.”

“Okay, you can go.” Chen Lin waved his hand dismissively.

Sun Yu acknowledged, returned to his workstation, and started typing.

Chen Lin watched him go, then lowered his head to stare at his computer screen again, his mind already mulling over his next steps.

‘Yanhai Company’s current expenses are actually very low.’

‘Office rent is five thousand a month, which is only sixty thousand for the whole year.’