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

The group from Institute 7** looked travel-worn and tired, but their spirits were high.

However, they were stopped as soon as they reached the gate of the courtyard.

Two young men in black security uniforms, with bulging waistbands, blocked the way from the left and right.

"Hello, please show your identification and state the purpose of your visit."

Director Lu was slightly taken aback, then took out a small red book from his pocket and handed it over.

"We are from the Seventh Institute. Young comrade, could you please inform them inside?"

The security guard took the ID, glanced at it, and then returned it.

"Sorry, we haven't received any clearance notice yet. Please wait a moment while I contact Director Li for you."

Lu Weiguo nodded without saying anything more.

But the people behind him were not calm.

Are you kidding me?

With that certificate, Lu Suo could walk around freely within the Second Ring Road of Beijing.

If the guards on Chang'an Avenue saw this book, they would all salute and let it pass.

When we got there, we couldn't even get through the main gate.

Chen Zhe muttered to himself, "This isn't a research institute; it's harder to get in than a certain university."

Liu Guodong shook his head with a wry smile: "It seems we underestimated the scale of this place."

About five minutes later, Secretary Li walked out quickly from inside.

Wearing a neat dark suit and a perfectly timed smile, he looked more energetic than anyone else present, even though he had also stayed up all night.

"Director Lu, comrades, I'm really sorry to have kept you waiting."

He first shook hands with Director Lu, then nodded to everyone, his attitude neither warm nor cold, and there was nothing wrong with it.

"Director Li, we arrived in Fucheng last night and rushed here at six o'clock this morning. Could you let us in first to meet with Ji Bai?"

Director Lu made a point of pronouncing "Director Li" very precisely.

A barely perceptible smile flashed in Secretary Li's eyes.

I won't mind if you call me Secretary Li in front of Ji Bai, but what do you call me outside?

Old Lu, he certainly knows how to handle people.

"Director Lu, it's not that I'm being inflexible, it's just that it's too early. It might not be appropriate to wake him up now."

Are you kidding me!

It's only six in the morning, so Secretary Li doesn't dare to wake Ji Bai.

Even if you work 8 a.m., you still won't get up at 6 a.m.!

Of course, Secretary Li is a very good speaker.

"Um... Ji Bai worked on his research very late last night and only just got some rest this morning. How about this, you all can rest in the reception room for a bit, and I'll let you know as soon as Ji Bai wakes up. What do you think?"

His words were perfectly watertight.

A way out has been offered, face has been given ample respect, and the reason given is perfectly plausible.

But some people just don't buy it.

"Oh, researching until late?"

A cool, clear voice rang out from behind the crowd.

Qin stepped forward, staring directly at Secretary Li, a cold smile playing on her lips: "What are you researching? You wouldn't be researching having children with women, would you?"

After he finished speaking, there was a moment of silence.

Then, everyone at the Seventh Institute laughed.

"Xiao Qin, mind the occasion!"

Director Lu reprimanded him with a stern face, but the corner of his mouth couldn't help but twitch.

That's just how it is.

Liu Guodong, the head of the second section, seized the opportunity to chime in with a sour tone: "We rushed around all night last night, only to find out he was discussing important life matters. We arrived at his door at six this morning and had to wait outside for him to get up."

"Honestly, I don't even get this kind of treatment when I go to meetings at ministries in Beijing."

"you do not say."

Everyone else joined in the complaining.

"We came here on a mission, not to ask for favors. But when we got to the door, we couldn't even get in. This Ji Bai is really putting on airs."

"It's not just not small, this level of protocol is even higher than when we meet with the commanders of the war zone."

"So arrogant at such a young age, what will she be like in the future?"

"Young people these days are nothing like we were back then!"

……

Secretary Li listened to these sarcastic remarks, but still maintained her unhurried smile.

He glanced around, his gaze lingering on Qin Ye's face for a second longer, before speaking slowly and deliberately:

"I understand how you all feel, but there are a few things I still want to say."

He paused, his smile unchanged, but his tone suddenly turned serious:

"First of all, no matter what Ji Bai is researching, even if he is really researching having children with women, it is all for the purpose of increasing our country's birth rate."

"What is the birth rate? It's a matter of national importance, it's about the future!"

"The country is currently strongly encouraging families to have two or three children. If Ji Bai really puts in the effort in this area, he's contributing to the nation's well-being, and that deserves recognition!"

"Do you really think having a baby is such a simple thing?"

These words completely stunned everyone.

No.

Why is this being blown out of proportion?

We were just making a sarcastic remark, and you immediately elevated it to the level of national strategy?

And increase the birth rate?

Should we also share the nation's burdens?

So, Ji Bai's date with a woman somehow turned into a discussion about national righteousness?

Are you trying to play the old-fashioned style of combat with me?

Qin opened his mouth, wanting to refute, but found that he couldn't find a place to start.

That's too high a hat to bear; it's impossible to accept it.

Liu Guodong and Zhou Yongqiang exchanged a glance, their faces darkening.

They realized that Secretary Li was a cunning old fox.

He speaks and acts with impeccable discretion.

You think he's protecting Ji Bai, but actually he's using the most beautiful words to block all your paths.

But people can make their arguments sound so righteous that you can't find any fault with them.

"Secondly, I don't know where you all learned about Ji Bai's whereabouts last night, but I want to remind you all of something—"

Secretary Li paused, his gaze slowly sweeping over everyone before finally settling on Qin Ye:

"Everything related to Ji Bai is a state secret. Moreover, it is a top-secret matter. His whereabouts, his research, and his private life are not to be inquired about or disseminated by anyone without authorization."

"If someone tries to obtain this information through special channels..."

As he spoke, Secretary Li smiled, a smile that sent a chill down the spines of everyone present:

"I will report it truthfully!"

Upon hearing this, the expressions of everyone at the Seventh Institute changed drastically.

If the previous sentence was flattery, then this sentence is a solid handle against him.

What kind of activity is it to investigate the whereabouts of a top-secret target?

Anyone who has worked in the military knows that this thing can be big or small.

If they really get serious, being transferred to another position would be the least of their worries.

Many people's eyes involuntarily drifted towards Qin Ye.

However, Qin Ye himself did not panic at all.

She met Secretary Li's gaze and even slightly raised her chin: "Stop trying to fool me with state secrets."

"We at the Seventh Research Institute have seen far more state secrets than you can imagine."

"Also, we were ordered to come here this morning. I'm telling you clearly now, we're here on a secret mission."

"Yet you are maliciously obstructing us!"

"If this delays our secret... cough cough, I can't tell you, and you have no right to know, but I'm telling you responsibly, if it causes any delay, you'll be fully responsible!"

"We will report this matter truthfully!"