The little star from the Gobi Desert, handed over to the state, is hailed as a national treasure.

Professor Enlip received the highest authorization and immediately rushed to Great Xia. To his surprise, he was able to meet his former student and partner so quickly, and the offer he made was quite generous.

He believed that with money's fervor for science and pursuit of self-worth, it would be difficult to resist such temptation. Once the British government acknowledged that its previous approach to money was flawed, he would have no reason to refuse.

He believed that no scientist in the world would have any reason to refuse.

However, after Professor Anlip had been talking for a long time, Professor Qian, who was sitting opposite him, listened quietly as before, without any change in expression on his face. He was neither excited nor unhappy.

"Money..." Professor Enlip finished speaking the last word, looking at Professor Qian's calm expression, his heart began to sink little by little.

Just as Professor Qian understood himself, Professor Enlip could sometimes read Professor Qian's inner thoughts from his expressions; he himself had not convinced him.

At least for now, it seems that Professor Qian does not agree with the conditions he offered.

"You have other ideas, don't you?" Professor Enlip rubbed his hands together, a little helpless. Qian had always been his best student, no, even in terms of professional ability, he had long surpassed him.

"If you have any other requests, you can make them without any hesitation."

"Professor Enlip." Professor Qian finally spoke, his voice calm, with a faint smile on his lips.

"I'm glad you remember what I said back then." He looked into Enlip's eyes and said calmly, "Yes, I have always believed that science has no borders."

"But I never said," he changed the subject, "that scientists have no borders."

"You..." Enlip was speechless. He hadn't expected that Professor Qian's first sentence would overturn all his previous assumptions.

"We can share our scientific exploration and research, but from a standpoint of principle, scientists have a homeland."

"Yes, money, I understand your position." Enlip smiled wryly. "People can't choose where they are born, but they can choose a place that is more suitable for their development and where they can maximize their value."

"To realize one's value in a place where human rights are arbitrarily deprived and legal provisions are changed at will?" Professor Qian asked rhetorically, his tone calm but with a hint of sharpness.

"Oh God, believe me, they've realized their irrationality and mistakes." Enlip was glad Professor Qian had finally brought up the issue. He had always felt that the reason Qian wouldn't return to the UK with him was because he harbored resentment towards what the UK had done.

Now that he's willing to talk about this topic, does it signal a "break in the ice"?

He took a piece of paper out of his briefcase. "Take a look at this. It's a presidential decree personally signed by the President of the United States before I came here. As long as you go back, he can continue to authorize you with the highest military authority, allowing you to conduct cutting-edge scientific research."

Professor Qian did not reach out to take it; instead, he leaned back on the sofa and adjusted himself to a more comfortable position.

"Mr. Enlip, I don't think I need this right now."

"Then what do you need?" Enlip asked.

"More than the various privileges your country promises, I hope that it can treat other countries with honesty and integrity, follow international principles, and stop resorting to nuclear blackmail."

"..." Enlip fell silent.

Professor Qian's words were like a sharp sword, slicing through the hypocritical mask of the British government without hesitation.

"Of course, if your country insists on placing itself above other countries, at least my motherland will not back down or be afraid."

"Money," Enlip swallowed hard, "Do you really intend to research nuclear weapons and missiles under the current conditions?"

"Professor, I think you understand that no country can tolerate being threatened by others every day. Only when we have a sword in our hands can we resist the aggression of other countries."

"But you've fought several wars and won them all, haven't you? Why do you still need to develop nuclear weapons?"

"We can win because justice will inevitably prevail over evil, and we develop nuclear weapons because we are unwilling to be coerced by others. Professor, these two are not contradictory."

"Okay," Enlip shrugged, "I admit that your country's choice is strategically correct, and it aligns with your long-held principle of independence and autonomy, but money..."

Enlip still found it unbelievable. "You couldn't have done this on your own. You need friends, you need help."

"Friends?" A smile appeared on Professor Qian's lips. "Professor, are you referring to the United States?"

"Of course, regardless of any misunderstandings that may have occurred before, the international situation is ever-changing." Anlip sat up straight and said seriously, "The Soviet Union has withdrawn all its experts and technology. If you want to carry out these things under the current conditions, you will definitely need support and assistance."

"We possess the world's most advanced theories and technologies, which we can share with you if you wish. Of course, much of this includes the research you conducted for the United States."

"Resource sharing?" Professor Qian asked with a smile. "Is it free and uncompensated?"

Professor Enlip fell silent, as if he had choked on his words.

He suddenly realized that even after so many years, Qian was still the same as before—sharp, calm, and incisive in his analysis of all issues, without any hesitation.

After arriving, Mingming randomly asked several high-ranking officials of Daxia, and they all said that Qian was gentle and approachable, without any airs.

Did I ask the wrong person, or did the other person have the wrong target?

Seeing that Anlip couldn't answer, Professor Qian's eyes flashed with a knowing smile. "You see, this isn't how you really make friends. It's more like holding up a product, trying to sell it to us for a good price."

"Don't make our friendship sound so cheap."

Anlip defended himself.

"Yes, Professor, I have always respected you." Professor Qian changed his posture, smiling as he looked at him. "I am always grateful for your careful guidance back then."

"But today, from the perspective of the nation, I regret to inform you that I cannot accept the conditions you have proposed."

"Money! You haven't heard the price yet! This is our most authoritative and valuable information to date! And if you're willing, we can also provide raw materials and model samples."

Enlip got excited. "Believe me, no one will dare to cheat you on this. They've brought out the best."

"I'm sorry, we don't need it."

"Wh-what?" Enlip's eyes widened, thinking he had misheard.

"Did you think we would try to fob you off with outdated samples like we did in the Soviet Union? No, I guarantee with my reputation that we will fulfill the contract and will never cheat you."

"Professor, you've misunderstood," Professor Qian calmly interrupted him. "What I mean is, no matter what kind of technology or models you sell to us, we don't need them, and there's no need for us to buy them."