Rejecting Tsinghua and Peking Universities: I Will Lead Harbin Institute of Technology to World Lead

Academician Li personally greeted them at the airport. In the car, the elderly man reported to Lin Feng on the progress of the Nuwa project: "The core design is 70% complete, the winding process of the superconducting magnet has been mastered, and the production line for the first wall material will be operational by the end of this month. But…"

He paused for a moment: "The algorithm for the plasma control system has encountered a bottleneck. We conducted simulations according to your proposed solution, but at megawatt-level power, new variants of the turbulence mode have emerged, and the existing suppression algorithm is only half as effective as expected."

Lin Feng nodded: "This problem was expected. I came back this time to solve it."

The vehicle entered the National Energy Experimental Zone.

The changes here are equally dramatic. A massive factory covering 50,000 square meters has been built, serving as the assembly hall for the future Nuwa device. Next to it are a materials preparation center, a superconducting laboratory, a control center... the entire park resembles a small city.

Lin Feng did not rest and went straight into the temporary office in the control center.

Academician Li retrieved the problematic data. On the three-dimensional projection, the simulated plasma suddenly went out of control at a certain power threshold, and the magnetic confinement shattered like fragile glass.

"Look here." Lin Feng pointed to several abnormal peaks in the data stream. "This is not conventional turbulence; it's a new type of instability caused by the resonance of magnetic fields and plasma. It won't appear in small devices; it only shows up on a large scale."

He retrieved the solution derived from the system space: "The magnetic field configuration needs to be modified. Here, we need to add a set of active feedback coils to cancel the resonance effect in real time. The algorithm needs to be retrained, and this is a new dataset and training scheme."

Here is another complete solution.

Academician Li looked at the plasma simulation that had stabilized again on the projector and let out a long sigh of relief: "As expected, only you could solve this."

In the days that followed, Lin Feng shuttled between the various task forces of the Nuwa project like a firefighter.

Optimization of stress distribution in superconducting magnets, thermal fatigue testing of the first wall material, efficiency improvement of thermoelectric conversion systems, and multiple redundancy designs for safety protection... Under his guidance, every problem that was stuck found a breakthrough.

For three whole months, he practically lived in the control center of the Nuwa project. From solving the plasma resonance problem to the final verification of superconducting magnet stress optimization, and then to the first wall material passing the 100,000-hour thermal fatigue test—every key milestone was imbued with his and his team's tireless efforts.

"Chief Engineer Lin, the latest round of full-system simulation has passed."

Academician Li's voice came from behind. The old man's eyes were bloodshot, but his expression was excited: "After 100,000 hours of continuous operation, the net energy gain Q value remained stable at 18.9, with a maximum fluctuation of no more than 0.3. All safety system trigger tests were conducted, and all 127 preset fault scenarios were handled correctly."

Lin Feng nodded, his gaze remaining fixed on the projection.

He was looking at the last piece of data—the overall efficiency of the thermoelectric conversion system. The number on the screen finally settled at 47.8%.

This figure means that for every 100 units of heat energy generated by the Nuwa device, it can be converted into 47.8 units of electrical energy. This is two percentage points higher than the design target and twelve percentage points higher than the most advanced nuclear power plants currently in operation.

"The efficiency target has been met," Lin Feng said softly.

As soon as he finished speaking, a suppressed cheer erupted in the control center.

Thirty-seven core technical personnel, many with tears in their eyes. They knew all too well what this number meant—it wasn't just a simple percentage increase, but a crucial step for fusion energy to move from a "laboratory toy" to a "practical energy source."

Lin Feng turned around and looked at the faces of the people who had fought alongside him for three months or even longer.

"The first phase of theoretical verification and engineering pre-research has now come to an end." His voice was calm, yet clearly carried throughout the control center. "Next, we will move on to the equipment fabrication and on-site installation phase. Academician Li, you will be in charge."

Academician Li nodded solemnly: "Understood. You can go to the Northwest with peace of mind; leave things here to us."

Yes, the Northwest.

News has just come from the Heavenly Court Project: the quantum radar array has completed its first full-power test, with the detection range exceeding the design target by 15 percent; the laser interceptor has conducted its third live-fire interception test, successfully destroying three simulated hypersonic target missiles.

They need Lin Feng over there too.

This back-and-forth life has lasted for a whole year.

When Lin Feng walked out of the control center, the sky was already beginning to lighten.

On the way, he received an encrypted message from Mr. Chen:

[Lin Feng, the highest levels of government have received a summary report on the first phase of the Nuwa Project. They have given you and your team the highest praise. Also: The live-fire test video of the Heavenly Court Project has arrived in Beijing, stunning everyone present. Keep up the good work.]

He didn't reply; he simply put his phone back in his pocket.

Back in his dorm, after a quick wash, Lin Feng collapsed onto his bed. Exhaustion washed over him, but the progress charts for both systems remained clear in his mind:

The Nuwa Project is 100% theoretically complete and 47% engineeringly complete. It is expected to take another 18 months to conduct its first plasma discharge experiment.

The Heavenly Court project is 100% theoretically complete and 52% engineeringly complete. A full-system joint test is expected to be conducted in twelve months.

Both progress bars are steadily advancing.

His mission has gradually shifted from solving all problems to grasping key moments.

Over the next few months, Lin Feng's life settled into a certain regular rhythm.

The first week of each month takes place in the northwestern Gobi Desert. The team checks the detection accuracy of the quantum radar, optimizes the aiming algorithm of the laser interceptor, and debugs the decision-making system in the underground command center. The military experts of the Heavenly Court project have fully mastered the system's principles and can solve most routine problems independently.

In the second week of each month, he flies back to Beijing to review the fabrication drawings for the Nuwa device, confirm the winding quality of the superconducting coils, and guide the mass production of the first wall material. Academician Li's team is now able to independently handle 80% of the technical problems.

In the third week of each month, I return to the Northwest again. Then in the fourth week, I fly back to the capital.

This cycle repeats itself, like a pendulum swinging back and forth between two projects that determine the fate of the nation.

The time on the private jet became a rare moment of rest for him. Sometimes he would close his eyes to relax, his consciousness sinking into the system space to conduct final simulations and verifications of the two projects.

A year passed in the blink of an eye amidst such intense travel.

It was late autumn again, and Lin Feng flew back to Beijing from the Northwest.

This time, he didn't go directly to the experimental area, but went to Old Chen's office first.

When Lin Feng opened the door, Old Chen was reading a thick report. Seeing Lin Feng enter, the old man took off his reading glasses and smiled, "Perfect timing, come and take a look at this."

The report is a summary of the latest progress of the Heavenly Court project.

[Quantum Radar Array: All twelve radar stations have been completed and network testing is finished, achieving a detection range of 3,500 kilometers against stealth targets.]

[Laser Interception System: Thirty-six launch units have been deployed, the energy reserve for a single interception has reached the design requirements, and the interval between consecutive launches has been shortened to twelve seconds.]

[Decision and Command Center: Through seven rounds of red-blue force-on-force exercises, the system's interception success rate under multi-target saturation attacks has remained stable at over 99.3%.]

[System-wide integration testing: Completed three times, all indicators met. It is recommended to conduct the first real-world test within six months.]

The report concludes with an aerial photograph of the Gobi Desert. The once barren land now boasts modern radar towers, laser arrays, and command centers, resembling a scene from a science fiction movie.

"The Heavenly Court is almost complete," Old Chen remarked with emotion.

Lin Feng nodded and handed over another report—a six-month summary of the Nuwa project.

"Both projects are on track." Old Chen closed the report, looked at Lin Feng, and said, "You've worked hard these past three years."

Three years.

This word made Lin Feng pause slightly.

He didn't go home for three years.

The last time I saw my parents and senior was three years ago. The last time I spoke to Shen Moran… was it a month ago? Or two months ago?

"Mr. Chen, I'd like to ask for leave," Lin Feng suddenly said.

Old Chen was taken aback: "Are you asking for leave?"

"Yeah." Lin Feng nodded. "Going home to visit. I... haven't been home for three years."

The office quieted down.

Old Chen looked at the young man before him—no, he was no longer young. Lin Feng should be thirty years old this year. Three years of high-intensity work had left faint traces on his face: fine lines at the corners of his eyes, a slightly thinner face, only his eyes remained clear and firm.

But what Mr. Chen saw even more was the contribution Lin Feng made to the country over those three years.

Each one is worthy of being recorded in history.

The person who created all of this now needs to ask for leave even to go home.

Old Chen felt a lump in his throat.

"Lin Feng." The old man stood up, walked to the window, and turned his back to him. "You know what? Sometimes when I look at you, I think of those predecessors from the early days of the People's Republic of China. They were like that too, hiding their identities, thousands of miles away from home, and working for decades."

He turned around, a complex light flashing in his eyes: "But you are different from them. What you've done spans too wide. From military industry to agriculture, from medicine to energy, from artificial intelligence to defense systems... In these three years, it's as if you've accomplished breakthroughs that would take others several lifetimes to achieve."

Lin Feng remained silent.

"Your leave is approved." Old Chen walked back to his desk, picked up a pen, and said, "Not only approved, but I'm also giving you the longest leave I've ever had—three months. During these three months, you don't need to worry about Nuwa, the Heavenly Court, or any projects."

He signed his name on the leave application and stamped it with the company seal.

"Go back and get some rest, spend time with your parents, and see the people you want to see." Old Chen handed the leave slip to Lin Feng. "You've worked so hard for so many years, it's time for you to enjoy your own life."

Lin Feng took the leave slip and looked at the words "three months' leave granted" on it, not knowing what to say for a moment.

"But," Old Chen suddenly smiled, "you have to come back in three months. Because Nuwa's first electric discharge experiment and the Heavenly Court's practical test both require your presence. That's a historic moment, and you can't be absent."

"I understand." Lin Feng carefully put away the leave slip. "Thank you, Mr. Chen."

"We're the ones who should be thanking you." Old Chen patted him on the shoulder. "Go ahead. A private jet is ready for you; fly directly to Shancheng. Zhao Weiguo will accompany you the whole way—don't refuse, it's the rule."

When Lin Feng came out of Old Chen's office, he felt his steps were a little light.

It wasn't fatigue, but a long-lost sense of relaxation.

Three years.

He could finally put down those heavy responsibilities concerning the fate of the nation for the time being, return to the city where he was born and raised, return to his parents' side, return to... Shen Moran's side.