Chapter Twenty-Two: Gemstone

They had no choice; they were completely stunned. Although it still felt utterly absurd, there was no other evidence to refute Lin Yang’s claim. They were forced to believe it, and they had no option but to accept it.

The technology for a 0.1-nanometer lithography machine was something no nation on Earth currently possessed. Since Lin Yang claimed he had developed it after merely glancing at the manufacturing blueprints for a 3-nanometer lithography machine from the Kingdom of Windmills a few days prior, they had no choice but to accept that explanation. After all, if something didn't exist anywhere on the planet, where else could it have come from if not from his research?

It was an unsolvable mystery. Once they chose to accept this premise, another thought uncontrollably surged into the minds of Ye Guhong and the others. If Lin Yang had managed to develop a 0.1-nanometer lithography machine after just a few days of looking at 3-nanometer blueprints, what kind of terrifying capability was that? This level of scientific research talent exceeded their comprehension.

One had to realize that in those same few days, even someone like Zhao Zizhen, the head of the Great Academy of Sciences, had personally led the efforts and overseen the entire manufacturing process of the 3-nanometer machine, yet he had no clue how to advance to the next level. Yet, Lin Yang had not only improved the machine but had done so to such an exaggerated degree. This proved that Lin Yang possessed not just ability, but unparalleled genius.

Possessing such ability and talent made him a treasure—a treasure of scientific civilization, a treasure of Shangxia, a treasure of humanity.

Suddenly, hearing Lin Yang’s still somewhat youthful voice, Zhao Zizhen’s heart trembled. He asked in a quivering voice, "May I ask, how many years have you been involved in this field of research?" He wanted to test whether Lin Yang was truly a young man or an old expert in disguise.

"Not many years. I just graduated from high school, so I just happened to glance at the lithography machine blueprints a few days ago," Lin Yang replied casually. He didn't care whether Zhao Zizhen was testing him; thanks to the existence of the System, no matter how much they probed, they could never bypass it to discover his true identity.

However, his words instantly stunned Zhao Zizhen and the others who were monitoring the call. A recent high school graduate? He really was just a kid? A high school student had, in just a few days, used a set of blueprints to develop technology that was at least a century ahead of the rest of the world!

Zhao Zizhen and his colleagues suddenly felt as if the world had gone broken. Otherwise, how could such a crazy thing happen? Zhao Zizhen’s hand holding the phone began to shake, while Ye Guhong, Tang Wensheng, and the other officials at the Extraordinary Management Bureau looked at each other, completely speechless. Even though they were big shots who had seen it all, they were silent at that moment. It was all too surreal.

Soon, Ye Guhong was the first to regain his composure, his eyes filled with excitement. Although it sounded like a fantasy, he couldn't care about that now. He was desperate to know more about Lin Yang. He signaled for Zhao Zizhen to continue the questioning.

"Um, you said you just graduated from high school. If you are a graduate this year, the break hasn't been long. Why did you go abroad?" Zhao Zizhen forcibly suppressed his excitement and shock, trying to extract more useful information.

"Hehe, about that, you might not believe it, but I’m not very good at school. I couldn't get into a good university in the country, so I’m planning to study abroad. I’m just taking advantage of the holiday to go look at some schools..." Lin Yang said truthfully.

But to Zhao Zizhen, Ye Guhong, and the others, it sounded as if he were deliberately teasing them. What a joke! How could someone who could develop a 0.1-nanometer lithography machine in a few days be bad at school?

"Cough, you must be joking. Someone like you, how could you be bad at school?" Zhao Zizhen was at a loss for words.

"I’m not joking at all. I’m telling the truth. I’m really just out for an educational tour. Anyway, I’ve said enough. I need to hurry up and book a ticket to Little Sakura. Talk to you later." Lin Yang had no intention of continuing the conversation. Revealing too much at once wasn't ideal.

Hearing that Lin Yang was truly about to hang up, Zhao Zizhen panicked and spoke with extreme speed, "I can guarantee you that with the contributions you've made, you can choose any university in the country, or even our Great Academy of Sciences will offer you immediate, special admission. We hope you can return to the country as soon as possible, we—"

"Beep, beep..."

Before he could finish, Lin Yang hung up the phone. Zhao Zizhen gave a wry smile; he really was a young man, hanging up just like that. This impatient temperament couldn't be faked.

"Old Zhao, Old Zhao, open a video conference!" Ye Guhong’s voice came through the headset, and Zhao Zizhen instantly turned serious.

A few seconds later, the encrypted video conference began. Ye Guhong’s expression was extremely stern: "Everyone has heard the content of the call, so I won't repeat it. What I want to say now is that, no matter what, we must ensure his safety abroad! Furthermore, we must persuade him to return home for his studies the next time he calls! If such a monstrous talent goes to study abroad, it would be an absolute loss for the entire Shangxia!"

Ye Guhong’s tone was equally grave. Someone who could develop a 0.1-nanometer lithography machine in just a few days could no longer be called a genius; he was a rare hero! The moment he heard Lin Yang say he wanted to study abroad, Ye Guhong felt a dull ache in his chest. This was their Shangxia’s hero! How could he study abroad?

"Old Ye, we understand," Tang Wensheng and the others responded immediately.

"Sigh, could it be that the academic workload is just too heavy now? Even someone like him feels the pressure and wants to go abroad to study?" After settling the official business, Ye Guhong couldn't help but sigh.

Tang Wensheng and Han Zhaoyu exchanged a glance and said, "Old Ye, I think he must have his own hidden reasons for doing this."

Ye Guhong nodded slightly and looked at Zhao Zizhen through the video screen: "Old Zhao, what do you think? People like you who are brilliant at scientific research—would you really feel that much academic pressure?"

"This... I’m not sure about his situation, but there is one possibility: he might be extremely lopsided in his subjects. Perhaps his grades in the humanities aren't ideal, which led him to believe he couldn't get into a good university, prompting the idea of studying abroad," Zhao Zizhen mused.

"Lopsided?" Ye Guhong repeated. "That’s not impossible. Regardless, next time we must tell him that all universities in the country are open to him, and it doesn't matter if his subjects are lopsided."

"That’s for sure. Didn't you hear me trying to say that just now? It’s just that he was impatient and hung up. I don't know if he heard me," Zhao Zizhen pursed his lips.

Ye Guhong nodded, then suddenly thought of something and said with intense gravity, "Let’s set that aside for now. He mentioned he was going to Little Sakura. I don't believe that was a whim. Monitor the situation in Little Sakura closely over the next few days. If there’s any trouble, we must ensure he returns home safely!"

"Cough, um, Old Ye, if I may ask, we don't even know his identity yet—how are we supposed to ensure his safety?" Tang Wensheng asked, feeling a bit awkward.