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

"What are you saying? Oh my God." Enlip was incredulous.

"Could you have developed your own missiles without our help?"

"We can." Professor Qian nodded slightly, his tone firm and serious.

Enlip fell silent, looking at Professor Qian in quiet contemplation, as if assessing the veracity of his statement.

Although he knew that Professor Qian was a meticulous man who never said anything pretentious or empty.

"We can do it ourselves." Professor Qian seemed to understand his doubts and repeated, "We don't need any foreign technical data or expert assistance. We can build Great Xia's own missiles on our own."

The air seemed to freeze. As Anlip stared into Professor Qian's deep eyes, he felt for the first time that he might have raised a madman.

In such a backward, impoverished country, lacking food and clothing, how could they possibly create the world's most advanced weapons on their own?

"Money, sometimes, dignity really can't solve practical problems," Anlip murmured. "I know you Chinese always like to emphasize those intangible things—face, ideals..."

"No, Professor, I don't care about those things. Science doesn't tolerate fraud either." Professor Qian smiled. "We simply believe in an old saying: it's better to rely on yourself than on others."

As he uttered those words in English, his thoughts drifted to the vast desert thousands of miles away.

On that vast Gobi Desert, a newly built missile base stands proudly, like a fledgling eagle poised to take flight.

Professor, foreigners will never understand the spirit and integrity of the Chinese people, nor will they understand the miracles that the power of faith can create.

He kept those words to himself and never uttered them.

Professor Enlip paused for a moment, then sighed softly.

"Alright, I can agree with your idea and believe that you can build the missile on your own. But I must remind you that the current international situation is very delicate. If it takes you eight or ten years to build the missile, it may be too late."

"No, it won't take that long," Professor Qian smiled calmly.

"Oh God, this isn't something you can do by yourself. You know, building a missile requires 4,500 parts just for the engine. Do you think you can design it all by yourself? You're going to work yourself to death!"

"We have a team," Professor Qian said calmly. "Just like you mentored me back then, we also have a very excellent team that is fully capable of handling this task."

"Impossible!" Enlip retorted excitedly, looking into Professor Qian's determined eyes, and forcing himself to calm down.

"Okay, even though some scientists have returned to China in recent years, I still maintain that this is something that cannot be accomplished by just a few people."

"Professor, have you heard a story?"

Professor Qian suddenly changed the subject, catching Anlip off guard. "What story?"

"In our Great Xia, there is an ancient and well-known story." Professor Qian picked up the teapot on the table and slowly poured a cup of tea for Anlip.

"Long ago, the people of Daxia believed that there was a palace in the moon, and in the palace lived a beautiful goddess named Chang'e. Every fifteenth day of the lunar month, Chang'e would appear in the center of the moon, holding a cute rabbit in her arms."

Professor Enlip was somewhat puzzled. He didn't understand why an unrealistic myth had suddenly been inserted into such a serious discussion.

"Money, what do you want to tell me?"

"We, the people of Great Xia, have dreamed of soaring through the sky and stepping onto the moon since ancient times. But to reach the moon, missiles alone are not enough. We will also build intercontinental missiles, carrier rockets, and manned rockets, until we build another celestial palace in the universe."

"So Professor, you were right when you said that a few people can't build a missile. This has never been just my dream, but the shared dream of our entire Great Xia nation for thousands of years. In this matter, we have the largest team in the world—every Great Xia citizen who cherishes their country is a member of this team."

Enlip was stunned.

When others develop missiles, it's a government-funded project with military funding and laboratory research. But for Great Xia, developing missiles is a nation fulfilling a wish it made to the moon thousands of years ago.

Looking at Professor Qian's relaxed expression, carefree smile, and confident demeanor, Anlip sighed with a touch of emotion.

"Qian, I think you're much happier in Great Xia than you were in England."

This is not mere politeness; it is genuine insight. At this moment, Professor Qian is no longer just a "world-leading scientist"; he has become the writer of a nation's dream.

"Yes, Professor," Professor Qian said with a look of satisfaction in his eyes, "This is my motherland. I have said before that I would gladly accept the task of growing apples here."

"So, all my previous suggestions were rejected by you?"

Enlip said with some regret.

"You can treat it as a pleasant trip, and if time permits, you can also explore the capital city. Trust me, it's a great city with thousands of years of history and culture, and you won't be disappointed."

"However, I still want to meet with your senior management and convey the purpose of my visit to them."

Anlip was still somewhat unwilling to give up. Such a huge order had been rejected by Professor Qian, and he didn't know how to explain it when he returned to China.

"There's no need for that, Professor." Professor Qian clasped his hands together, his smile resolute. "My answer to you is our final decision."

"Money, do you have that much power in your country?" Enlip was slightly surprised. A scientist could actually approve cooperation negotiations between two countries?

"Yes," Professor Qian nodded with a smile, "This is the right they have given me, and more importantly, it is a sign of their trust in me."

He didn't say much. In matters of scientific research and national defense, even the highest-ranking leader would respect and listen to his opinions—this trust is his greatest source of confidence.

"Then can you tell me, at the latest, when will you develop a missile?"

Enlip still couldn't fully trust it. He raised this question both to get a clear commitment and to leave himself an out.

If the deadline is exceeded, he will have a reason to negotiate again later.

Professor Qian understood his intention, of course. He pondered for a moment and then extended his thumb and little finger.

That was a unique way of expressing numbers used by the people of Great Xia, and Anlip, who had studied with him in the United States for many years, certainly understood it.

"Six years?" That's a very conservative number, quite standard. In fact, if you start from scratch, six years is already a very short time.

"No," Professor Qian shook his head and slowly uttered four words, "Yes, six months."