The night before the college entrance exam results were released, I redeemed my Peking University ad

Just as Ji Bai was testing the realism of his plastic wife, public opinion had spiraled out of control.

Originally, the countries were still putting on airs and using diplomatic language to subtly hint at things, thinking that China would at least give them face and let Ji Bai show up to quell public opinion.

Three whole days have passed, and apart from the official statement that "Ji Bai is in good condition and there are no plans to make a public announcement at the moment," the Chinese government has not released any further information.

Ji Bai vanished as if he had evaporated from the face of the earth; not even a glimpse of his back was ever seen again.

Now, the foreigners are really panicking.

The Pentagon's intelligence conference room held an all-night meeting, with Ji Bai's information repeatedly projected onto the wall.

The intelligence chief, his eyes gleaming with dark circles, slammed his fist on the table: "My God! Something's really wrong! Normal research and rest, and they're not even responding to diplomatic appeals? They must have been pulled into a top-secret military project!"

"That must be it!"

Defense departments across Europe are also collectively suffering from insomnia.

They know all too well China's ability to "concentrate resources to accomplish major tasks." One top scholar can be worth five divisions, so how could Ji Bai, who holds the key to room-temperature superconductivity, possibly be the best?

Its value is immeasurable!

Japan and South Korea are so nervous they can't sleep.

The lion that was sleeping next to me is not only about to wake up, but it seems to have evolved!

The public opinion was in complete uproar.

"Let Ji Bai show his face! Science knows no borders! His talent belongs to all humanity!"

"Room-temperature superconductivity is for powering power grids and curing diseases, not for creating weapons of mass destruction! China must stop suppressing its geniuses!"

"I am a physics professor at MIT, and I urge the international community to unite in pressure to protect Professor Ji Bai's academic freedom! He has the right to stand on a public platform and exchange ideas with scholars from all over the world!"

Various media outlets, scholars, and politicians took turns speaking out, each chanting slogans more righteous than the last; an outsider might have thought they were Ji Bai's closest relatives.

Even worse, some have even brought up conspiracy theories that Ji Bai is already dead!

"Perhaps Ji Bai is already dead!"

"That's right! Hijacking is so dangerous, how could he possibly be unharmed? I bet he was seriously injured and beyond saving!"

"China is covering up the truth! Once Ji Bai dies, the patents will become ownerless, and they can rightfully seize them all!"

"We strongly demand the release of Ji Bai's latest video footage! If he has truly passed away, his patented legacy should be shared by all of humanity, and absolutely not be appropriated by any single country!"

The loudest voices are from those capital conglomerates that make a living off patents.

Especially the Hausen family,

They were calculating their options carefully. If Ji Bai really disappeared, the ownership of the patents would be in disarray, and they would have plenty of ways to exploit loopholes and divide the spoils. It was better than having the patents held by China as they were now.

When these arguments reached China, netizens who were initially just making jokes and memes started to get restless.

"No... could something really have happened?"

"The hijacking was suspicious enough, but it's been over ten days and Ji Shen hasn't posted a single Weibo post. Could there really be some hidden story?"

"Please, officials, say something! Even just a photo would be helpful!"

"Ji Shen, please show your face! Even if you're really conducting secret research, a simple gesture to let us know you're safe would be helpful!"

"I'd give up ten years of my life... never mind, let's pray for Ji Bai's safety!"

The comments section, which started with laughter, gradually turned into a screen full of "please show up" and "report that you're safe." Even those who were previously making fun of the "super weapon" meme started taking it seriously.

As Li Mei scrolled through short videos, her heart pounded with each passing moment.

The conspiracy theories circulating on the screen, suggesting that Ji Bai may have died from serious injuries, sent chills down her spine.

She repeatedly recalled Ji Bai's appearance when he came to eat noodles that day. His complexion was normal, he was chatting and laughing freely, and he didn't seem to have any injuries at all.

But then I thought, what if he's just putting on a brave face? What if something else happens later?

Otherwise... why doesn't he reply to my WeChat messages?

As this thought popped into her head, a strange sense of happiness welled up inside her; it turned out he wasn't ignoring her on purpose.

While I was happy, I was also mostly worried.

After hesitating for a long time, Li Mei finally gritted her teeth and dialed Ji Bai's number.

The phone was answered after only two rings.

"Hey, phew... Old Boss."

The boy's voice came over, slightly panting and unsteady, but it was clearly Ji Bai's voice.

Li Mei's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, instantly settled back into her stomach. She opened her mouth to speak, but then heard another hurried sentence from the other end:

"Hiss... I'm busy right now, I'll call you back later."

With a click, the phone was hung up.

Li Mei, holding her phone, froze on the spot.

That's it... he's dead?

She had a bellyful of concern and questions, but she didn't utter a single word.

Could it be... that the boy is really angry with her?

Is he angry that she dismissed him with a meal of instant noodles last time?

wrong!

The guy on the phone was panting; he was probably really busy with something.

Then... wait until he's done with his work.

Give him one day, no, two days.

If this brat doesn't return her calls within two days, Li Mei swears she'll never speak to him again for the rest of her life!

……

Meanwhile, inside a luxury van traveling on a Beijing elevated highway.

Ye Lan leaned back in her chair, her fingertips tracing the news on her tablet, her brows slightly furrowed.

That little rascal... I hope nothing bad has happened to him.

The "housewarming" message I sent out a few days ago disappeared without a trace, not even a reply.

She was initially holding her breath, thinking that this guy was too arrogant.

But now, seeing all the rumors of "something going wrong" on the screen, that initial anger has long since dissipated, leaving only worry.

Ye Lan wanted to call Ji Bai directly, but her finger hovered over the dial button for a long time before she put it down.

Instead, he dialed another number.

"Hey, Lanlan."

"Um, Sister Chen, where is my mother?"

Ye Lan was somewhat surprised that her mother's secretary answered the phone.

"The boss is attending a high-level meeting where cell phones are not allowed."

"Why is it so strict?" Ye Lan asked, even more curious.

Even mothers aren't allowed to bring their cell phones?

"I can't go into details, but speaking of which, the boss is able to attend this meeting thanks to you."

"I?"

"Yes, if you hadn't reminded me last time, the State Administration of Science, Technology and Education wouldn't have transferred 50 million yuan in research funding to Ji Bai so quickly."

"This investment has now yielded a 5% patent share in room-temperature superconductivity. The boss might take another step forward this time."

"What?"

Ye Lan was stunned.

The 50 million that was casually mentioned back then has actually brought such a huge return?

Even someone of her mother's stature could advance further with this investment.

Good heavens!

"By the way, Lanlan, what's the matter that you called? I'll pass on your message after the boss's meeting."

"Ah... it's nothing."

Ye Lan snapped out of her reverie and asked casually, "I just saw a news report saying that Ji Bai seems to have gotten into trouble. Is that true?"

"Ji Bai got into trouble? I haven't heard anything about it."

Sister Chen lowered her voice a little: "Isn't he in seclusion at home doing research? I don't know the specifics, but it's at a very high level."

"By the way, don't tell anyone about this."

"Okay, thank you, Sister Chen."

After hanging up the phone, Ye Lan leaned back in her seat, a slight smile unconsciously creeping onto her lips.

So they were doing research.

No wonder he hasn't even had time to reply to messages.

"Hmph, kid, at least you have something important to do. This time, I'll... forgive you for not replying to my messages."

……

at the same time.

A high-level meeting is being held quietly in the Senate.