Chapter 21: Could he truly be a genius?

Zhao Zizhen felt incredibly uncomfortable. He felt deeply guilty.

Just a moment ago, he had assumed that Lin Yang’s words were merely an excuse to avoid repaying the money. But once he confirmed that the 0.1-nanometer lithography machine blueprints sent to his email were genuine, he realized he had been judging a noble man by his own petty standards.

This realization left Zhao Zizhen feeling miserable. Here was a man, far across the ocean, dedicated to his country and providing them with a 0.1-nanometer lithography machine, while he had harbored such vile, dark suspicions. He felt truly wretched.

"..."

Lin Yang, on the other hand, was bewildered. Completely stunned. Hearing Zhao Zizhen suddenly burst into loud sobs on the other end of the line caught him entirely off guard. What was going on? How did the conversation turn into this so suddenly?

However, listening to Zhao Zizhen’s apologies, he began to grasp why the man had lost control of his emotions. With a wry smile, he offered some comfort:

"Dean Zhao, there is no need for this. I haven't taken it to heart. You must prioritize building this 0.1-nanometer lithography machine as soon as possible. Its process is far superior to the three-nanometer one, and I will have to rely on you and the other academicians."

He didn't just offer empty comfort; he shifted the topic to redirect Zhao Zizhen’s focus. As expected, upon hearing this, Zhao Zizhen quickly regained his composure and said excitedly, "Rest assured, we will definitely build this lithography machine as quickly as possible and will not let you down!"

Zhao Zizhen stared at the exquisite 0.1-nanometer lithography machine blueprints, his body tingling with excitement.

At the Bureau of Extraordinary Management, Ye Guhong and the others were also startled by Zhao Zizhen’s sudden outburst, though they understood the reason behind it. On one hand, it was the guilt he felt toward Lin Yang; on the other, as someone who had dedicated his entire life to research, seeing a treasure like a 0.1-nanometer lithography machine evoked a profound emotional response—the kind that makes one feel that if they heard the truth in the morning, they could die content in the evening.

The combination of the two caused his emotional collapse. They, too, were equally shocked once Zhao Zizhen confirmed the files were indeed for a 0.1-nanometer machine. Even the three-nanometer lithography machine had shown them the immense benefits of breaking through technological blockades over the past few days. Ye Guhong and the others could hardly imagine what the scene would be like if they actually produced a 0.1-nanometer machine.

However, unlike Zhao Zizhen, they managed to exercise some restraint, as there was a more pressing matter at hand. Compared to the lithography machine, they were even more desperate to know how Lin Yang had obtained these blueprints. This was technology that shouldn't exist anywhere on Earth! While they had witnessed Lin Yang's formidable ability to acquire items, he still needed a source to steal from.

This device was absolutely impossible for any current nation to manufacture, yet he had produced it! This forced Ye Guhong and his team to ponder deeply. Consequently, Ye Guhong instructed Zhao Zizhen to calm down and ask Lin Yang where he had managed to get the 0.1-nanometer blueprints. This was of critical importance.

Zhao Zizhen recognized the gravity of the situation. After hearing Lin Yang accept his apology, he took a few deep breaths, forced himself to calm down, and, as requested by Ye Guhong, cautiously posed the question to Lin Yang. The opportunity to speak with him was precious; he could not afford to waste it.

"As for that... if I said I researched it myself, would you believe me?"

On the other end of the line, faced with this question, Lin Yang replied with a light chuckle.

"Ah? Re-researched? You researched it yourself?" Zhao Zizhen was stunned.

Ye Guhong and the others, who were monitoring the call, fell into instant silence. Researched it himself? Was he joking?

"Yes. After looking at the three-nanometer lithography blueprints from the Netherlands, I gained some insight, so I delved into it a bit further. I didn't expect to actually be able to develop it," Lin Yang said casually.

"Ah?"

The silence among Zhao Zizhen and his team deepened. Just by glancing at the Dutch blueprints, he had developed a 0.1-nanometer version? How much time had even passed? It had only been a few days! To jump from three nanometers to 0.1 nanometers in just days? What kind of scientific genius was this?

They were baffled! Zhao Zizhen and his colleagues were completely stunned. They had spent these past few days pooling the entire strength of the Academy of Sciences just to barely replicate the three-nanometer machine. Lin Yang, meanwhile, had already developed a 0.1-nanometer machine in the same amount of time! Was he even human?

Although such a thought was highly impolite, at this very moment, both Zhao Zizhen and Ye Guhong couldn't help but entertain it. Was this really something a human could accomplish? To create a 0.1-nanometer machine after just one look at the three-nanometer blueprints? Was he truly such a genius?

Silence.

Silence was the moonlight of the night. On the other end, Lin Yang felt Zhao Zizhen’s renewed silence. He didn't say much more; they needed time to process it. Long before making the call, he had prepared his narrative. The existence of the 0.1-nanometer lithography machine far exceeded the technological limits of the planet. If he suddenly presented it, the Academy would inevitably ask about its origin.

He could have chosen not to answer, and the Academy certainly wouldn't have pressed him, but that would have seemed too cold. So, he had decided on this explanation. He would claim that he developed it based on existing technology. After all, he would continue to introduce more advanced technologies in the future, and he needed a relatively reasonable excuse.

Though this excuse sounded incredible and far-fetched—and a normal person wouldn't believe it—it was at least plausible. After all, there are always one or two geniuses in the world whose abilities transcend common understanding. Even if the reason sounded absurd, everyone has to start somewhere.

As for using the System’s technology to crown himself with the title of genius, Lin Yang felt no shame. The System was his, and the System’s inventions were naturally his as well. Was there any flaw in that logic? None at all.

"If there’s nothing else, I’m hanging up now," Lin Yang asked politely, preparing to end the call.

"Wait! Please wait!" Hearing that he was about to hang up, Zhao Zizhen was forced to wake up from his stupor. He hurriedly asked, "Um, if I may be so bold, were you serious just now? You developed this yourself after looking at the Dutch three-nanometer lithography blueprints?"

"Yes!" Lin Yang gave a firm, affirmative reply.

"This, this..."

Zhao Zizhen’s scalp tingled, as if an electric current were coursing through his entire body. Ye Guhong and the others were the same. Once they received Lin Yang’s serious and definitive answer, they were completely, utterly floored.