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

The lights in the municipal bureau building remained bright even late at night.

After Lin Feng and Zhao Weiguo completed a detailed yet efficient statement, they finally left the solemn place, watched by the duty officer.

A cool night breeze dispelled the lingering stuffiness in the recording room.

"Brother Zhao, thank you for your hard work today." Lin Feng stretched his slightly stiff shoulders and sincerely thanked Zhao Weiguo beside him.

"Mr. Lin, please don't say that!" Upon hearing this, Zhao Weiguo's face immediately showed shame and self-reproach.

"Today was my fault for being careless and not making thorough arrangements, which put you in a dangerous situation, and even... I had to intervene personally. This is my dereliction of duty!"

He still felt a lingering fear when he recalled the thrilling scene of Lin Feng fighting back against Captain Wang under the gun.

As a bodyguard, it was a great humiliation for him to have his protectee put in a situation where he had to risk his life.

"No one expected that the person in uniform would suddenly turn their gun on him." Lin Feng patted his shoulder, his tone calm and without any blame.

"You've done a great job. Anyone would find it difficult to handle that kind of unexpected situation perfectly right away."

"Besides, the result is that we are safe and sound, and the villains have been caught in one fell swoop, which is enough."

Looking into Lin Feng's calm and sincere eyes, Zhao Weiguo felt a surge of warmth in his heart and admired the young scientist's magnanimity and demeanor even more.

He took a deep breath and said solemnly, "Mr. Lin, please rest assured, a similar situation will never happen again!"

Lin Feng smiled, didn't continue the topic, and looked up at the sky.

"Alright, Brother Zhao, it's getting late. Let's find a place to rest first. We still need to go back to the Chinese Academy of Sciences tomorrow to say goodbye to Professor Li, and then return to Harbin Institute of Technology."

"Yes, Mr. Lin." Zhao Weiguo nodded, composed himself, and resumed his role as a capable bodyguard.

The two found a nearby hotel with a high level of security and a quiet environment to stay in.

After a quick wash, Lin Feng prepared to rest.

He didn't dwell too much on the events of the night.

Having experienced far more perilous situations in his previous life, this minor change was not enough to disturb his mind.

He needs to conserve his energy, because although the Torch Project has been successful, Longyuan and other ideas are still waiting for him to advance.

……

Under the same night sky, another invisible battle is raging fiercely on both ends of the telephone line.

Chen Jianguo had just returned to his office and hadn't even had a sip of water when the encrypted dedicated line rang urgently.

He raised an eyebrow when he saw the caller ID and answered the call.

"Good evening, Mr. Qin." Chen Jianguo spoke politely, but kept his distance.

"Jianguo, I'm sorry to bother you so late." On the other end of the phone, Old Qin's voice was devoid of emotion. "There's something I wanted to ask you. Is my good-for-nothing grandson, Guo Xu, with you?"

So that's what it was about.

Chen Jianguo understood, but his tone remained unchanged: "Yes, Mr. Qin. Guo Xu is suspected of organizing, planning, and carrying out multiple serious crimes, including kidnapping, intentional injury, endangering public safety, obstructing official duties, and using prohibited drugs. He has been criminally detained by our bureau in accordance with the law and is currently under investigation."

He stated the crime directly and without ambiguity.

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone, then Old Qin's voice deepened:

"Jianguo, I know that kid is unruly. But... he's still young, he might just be confused for a moment, misled by others. Do you think... we could reconsider the plot a little? Or, could I meet him?"

This is the beginning of testing the limits and seeking room for maneuver.

Chen Jianguo sneered inwardly.

"Mr. Qin, it's not that I'm disrespecting you." His voice became serious.

"But this case is extremely serious and egregious in nature. More importantly, it directly involves a... national treasure-level scientific research expert, and its impact is far-reaching."

"The higher authorities have given clear instructions that this matter must be thoroughly investigated, and those responsible must be severely punished according to the law, with absolutely no leniency!"

Chen Jianguo deliberately emphasized the words "national treasure-level scientific research expert".

The person on the other end of the phone visibly paused for a moment.

"A national treasure-level expert?" For the first time, a clear sense of shock and unease appeared in Old Qin's voice.

"Yes," Chen Jianguo affirmed. "Therefore, I can only act in accordance with the law, and I hope you understand. The relevant situation will also be reported to higher authorities in accordance with regulations."

This statement is both a statement of fact and a tactful warning.

Tell Mr. Qin that the level of this matter has exceeded his influence and may even have a repercussions on him.

A long silence.

Chen Jianguo could imagine how ugly the old man, who had once held a high position of power, must look on the other end of the phone.

Finally, Old Qin's voice rang out again, completely devoid of its previous probing tone, leaving only dryness and a hint of barely perceptible fatigue:

"I...I understand. Thank you for telling me all this, Jianguo. It's only right to act according to the law."

"Sorry to bother you."

The call ended, and a busy signal rang.

Chen Jianguo put down the microphone and shook his head.

Old Qin is a smart man; he knows when to advance and when to retreat.

When he heard the words "national treasure-level expert," he should have realized that his grandson had really messed up this time, with the very thing he was facing!

……

The Qin family study.

Old Qin slowly put down the red secure phone in his hand, his face so gloomy it could drip water.

He leaned back in the large armchair, his eyes closed, his chest rising and falling slightly.

After a long while, he suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze devoid of any pity for his deceased daughter and grandson, replaced only by a cold resolve and a lingering fear.

He picked up the phone again and dialed Guo Baokun's number.

The call was answered after only one ring.

"Dad! How is it? What did Chen Jianguo say? Xiao Xu, he..." Guo Baokun's anxious voice came through.

"Guo Baokun!" Old Master Qin interrupted him directly, his voice icy and chilling, using his full name and surname, showing no trace of father-in-law and son-in-law affection.

"Do you even know how horrible the mess your precious son has made this time?!"

Guo Baokun trembled at the tone, forcing a smile as he said, "Dad, it's just... a conflict with a young man over a female celebrity, right? Could that young man be...?"

"Young man?!" Old Master Qin laughed angrily, his voice suddenly rising.

"Chen Jianguo told me personally that your son offended a national hero! A scientist of national treasure rank! Someone who directly alarmed the highest levels of government!"

"You're telling me that's just a 'young man'?!"

Boom!

Like a bolt from the blue, it exploded in Guo Baokun's mind!

"A...a national hero?!" His voice trembled, and he could barely hold the phone.

As a businessman, he understood all too well what those two words meant in China!

That is the true backbone of the nation, the giant panda, which is under the highest level of protection!

Let alone a businessman like him, even in his prime, no one would dare to provoke Old Master Qin!

Offending this kind of person is not just a matter of breaking the law, but could potentially escalate to the point of endangering the safety of important national talents!

That is an abyss of no return!

"Now you understand?" Old Master Qin's voice was like an ice pick, each word striking Guo Baokun's heart.

"This matter is beyond the control of the Qin family, and we will absolutely not interfere! Not only will we not interfere, but we will also immediately sever all ties with them!"

"Guo Baokun, I'm warning you! Mind your own business and your company! This matter ends here! If you dare to involve my Qin family in even the slightest bit of your son's mess..."

Old Qin's voice suddenly turned extremely cold.

"Don't blame me for disregarding any remaining sentimentality and personally cleaning up the house!"

"Beep beep beep..."

The phone was abruptly hung up.

Guo Baokun stood frozen in place, holding his phone, his arm trembling slightly.

The cold words "national hero" and "clean house" echoed in my ears.

The antique grandfather clock in the study ticked away, its sound particularly clear in the deathly silence, as if counting down for his son, or for the fate of his Guo family.

Guo Baokun slowly slid down to sit on the cold floor, leaning against the expensive mahogany desk.

His face drained of color, and all that remained in his eyes was boundless fear and despair.

It’s over.

This time, it's really over.

Offending a national hero has alarmed the highest levels of government...

Let alone getting his son out, whether he himself, or even the entire Guo Group, can survive this storm is now unknown.