I have mixed feelings.
Maybe you are right, we shouldn't be discussing this.
On the other hand, it would be interesting to know if she was telling the truth or not, about selling the compilers in China.
Maybe it would be but you will never know because there are no sources of information besides her ![Smiley :)](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/xsmiley.gif.pagespeed.ic.R8GFI-pF6f.png)
Unless you are willing to go to China to knock on each university's door and ask if anyone remembers her ![Tongue :P](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/xtongue.gif.pagespeed.ic.J5mTe0A2NA.png)
That is a very good point!
But I still think it can be analysed/verified, to some extent.
If it had been via the UK, there are internet records, where you can look up (limited, i.e. all except extremely small ones) companies, history, including who the directors were and annual financial accounts.
I am at least a little bit suspicious of her 'story' about selling the compilers. But as you are effectively saying, there is too little information, especially from other sources/people. For us to reliably reach accurate/verified conclusions.
tl;dr
It MIGHT be true, but does sound like it may not really be true.
On the other hand, there could be other parties, with real information. Which could end up being put into this thread.
For quite a long time, there have been and are a number of free compilers and some compilers used for microcontrollers, supplied by the manufacturers, are also free. So, a University, anywhere in the world. Shouldn't have any major difficulties getting at least some compilers, even if they had no money/budget.
Not trying to be rude about China or political, here. But some internet people, commenting about this issue, seem to be saying that in China, they might use pirated versions of the software (e.g. windows), anyway. Making her story, even more dubious.
EDIT: As regards free compilers, there are probably hundreds, if not a thousand or more, free ones available.
I have NOT mentioned C++ specifically, because some sources say it was a C compiler.