The Mysterious Night of Beijing

The reception that evening was both lively and somewhat eerie. Almost all the delegations were discussing two things that had happened during the day: Chen Ziming's weapons theory and the rescue operation.

The nickname "Ghost Hand" spread throughout Geneva.

Chen Ziming himself wasn't interested in these kinds of reputations. He found a quiet corner, held a glass of juice, and was calculating how many points he had earned during the exhibition and how many he was still short of redeeming the universal toolbox.

"Consultant Chen, are you hiding here drinking alone?"

A voice sounded beside him.

It's Su Qing.

She changed into a black evening gown today, and her hair was styled up, making her look quite different from usual.

Chen Ziming glanced at her but didn't say anything.

"I apologize for what happened before."

Su Qing, holding a glass of red wine, said very seriously,

"It's my own fault for being narrow-minded and short-sighted."

Chen Ziming hummed in agreement, indicating that he had heard.

"I went back and studied your theory."

Su Qing looked at him,

"I discovered that if this lattice confinement effect is applied to the field of controlled nuclear fusion..."

"Perhaps this can solve the ignition problem that we've been unable to overcome."

The more excited she became, the more completely immersed she was in her own world of technology.

As Chen Ziming listened to her words, he was thinking about something else.

This woman is technically skilled and intelligent.

If we bring her into our Zero Point Lab and let her take charge of those complex theoretical deductions and experiments.

Wouldn't that free me from all these troubles and give me more time to sleep and earn points?

He thought it was a good idea.

"Would you be interested in coming to my lab?"

He spoke.

Su Qing was stunned.

She thought she had misheard. Just a few days ago, she had tried to recruit him, but he had rejected her with the absurd reason that changing the cafeteria was too much trouble. Now, he was actually inviting her instead?

"Your lab?"

She repeated it.

"Yes, Zero Point Labs."

Chen Ziming said,

"We need an associate director in charge of theoretical physics, with an annual salary of three million, and an independent team and project funding."

"in addition,"

He added,

"The cafeteria's menu can be adjusted weekly according to your preferences."

Su Qing: "..."

Looking at Chen Ziming's serious face, she suddenly wanted to laugh. Did this man think that her reason for rejecting him would also be the cafeteria?

However, Zero Point Lab~

The name bothered her a little.

Just then, someone interrupted them.

"Mr. Chen, I've long admired your name. May I speak with you in private?"

General MacArthur walked over with a wine glass in hand and a smile, followed by several high-ranking officials from the US military-industrial complex.

Chen Ziming frowned.

Trouble has struck again.

"General, what can I do for you?"

Chen Ziming's tone was very calm.

"I dare not presume to offer guidance."

MacArthur's attitude was very good.

"We have great admiration for your talent, Mr. Chen."

"On behalf of General Dynamics of the United States, we would like to formally extend an invitation to you."

He winked at his assistant behind him, who then handed him a document.

"Annual salary, fifty million US dollars."

MacArthur immediately quoted a price.

"Los Alamos National Laboratory, highest level of access. You have complete control over any expert and equipment within."

"In addition, we will also process full citizenship for you and your family in Country M, allowing you to enjoy the highest level of national welfare benefits."

He looked at Chen Ziming with a confident smile on his face.

Upon hearing this, everyone around fell silent, staring at Chen Ziming, waiting for his reply.

Chen Ziming glanced at the document, then at MacArthur. He quickly calculated in his mind: fifty million US dollars, a lot.

But if you can't redeem points, they're useless. Going to the US means adapting to a new environment, learning the language, and going through all sorts of procedures, which takes too much time and effort.

Conclusion: A junk investment with huge initial investment but zero core return.

"Not interested."

Chen Ziming's answer was simple and straightforward.

MacArthur's smile froze on his face.

"Mr. Chen, are you not satisfied with the terms? We can discuss it further."

He persisted,

"You should know that if you stay in the Dragon Kingdom, your talents will be buried."

Chen Ziming looked at him and felt that this was a once-and-for-all opportunity. He picked up a microphone from the table next to him, which was used by the host of the party.

He tested the sound.

Then, in front of everyone at the party, he said to MacArthur:

"General MacArthur, I, on my own behalf, formally decline your and General Dynamics' invitation."

"Furthermore, I would like to remind you that, according to international law, knowingly recruiting a country's core technical personnel through bribery constitutes espionage."

"I now strongly suspect that you and your team are engaged in illegal activities that endanger our national security."

He held up the microphone, and his voice resonated throughout the entire venue through the speakers.

"I suggest that the organizers and security departments should conduct isolation and screening of these individuals."

The entire party fell silent. Everyone was bewildered by his actions: publicly rejecting an exorbitant offer to poach him, and then accusing the other party of being a spy.

What kind of amazing move is this?

MacArthur's face flushed red instantly, then turned purplish-blue. He pointed at Chen Ziming, his lips trembling, unable to utter a single word.

After a brief moment of surprise, the security personnel at the venue reacted, and several heavily armed Swiss special police officers quickly approached and politely escorted MacArthur and his team out of the venue.

As they slunk away, the entire audience erupted in enthusiastic applause.

The Chinese delegation felt incredibly proud and relieved.

Minister Wang and Zhou Weiguo looked at the young man standing on the stage, holding a microphone, with a calm expression, and had only one thought in their minds: they had struck gold.

Su Qing looked at Chen Ziming with an extremely complicated expression. She realized that this man was not only a prodigy in terms of technique, but also a master at manipulating people's hearts and rules.

He always manages to solve all problems in the simplest, most direct, and most unexpected way.

……

Meanwhile, within the Dragon Kingdom.

The National Security Department has launched an operation. Based on the flawed blueprints provided by Chen Ziming, three suspected groups produced prototype guns with minor defects without their knowledge.

"Report! During the 300-meter ballistic test, the point of impact of the Group A prototype rifle shifted 0.3 millimeters to the left!"

"Report! The barrel temperature of the Group B prototype rifle abnormally increased by 5 degrees Celsius after firing 100 rounds continuously!"

"Report! The impact marks on the firing pin of the Group C prototype do not match the standard model!"

The three unusual reports submitted almost simultaneously gave Zhang Cheng and Li Jian a jolt of excitement; they knew the fish had taken the bait.

"Immediately conduct the highest level of background checks and surveillance on all members of these three groups!"

Li Jian gave the order.