I accidentally joined a group of charlatans, so I immediately called the police and handed it over t

Li Guobang practically rushed to the corner of the room.

He grabbed the red dedicated phone with no number keys.

This phone, without any complicated line switching, connects directly to the country's highest decision-making level.

Even breathing became a cautious affair.

He simultaneously transmitted the entire video recording of the experiment, along with Su Qingge's team's emergency report filled with phrases like "disruptive" and "civilizational leap," via an internal encrypted line.

With each jump of the data transmission progress bar, Li Guobang's heart pounded.

The call was connected.

Li Guobang took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the turbulent waves surging in his chest.

He reported the experimental results, as well as his final assessment of Chen Xi himself, in a concise yet extremely solemn tone.

"Reporting to the commander, the target, Chen Xi, has extremely high ideological awareness."

"He voluntarily handed over core secrets, had no personal ambitions, and was confirmed to be completely trustworthy through psychological profiling."

Li Guobang's voice trembled slightly, a physiological reaction to extreme excitement.

"Regarding the samples, the results have been confirmed using the Pangu Protocol."

"Its value is immeasurable, far exceeding all the technologies we have mastered in the past; this is a game-changing attack."

"I suggest that the highest level of protection plan be activated immediately."

"And the secrecy level of this event will be raised from Top Secret to an unprecedented, world-shaking level!"

After he finished speaking, the room fell into a deathly silence.

There was no immediate response on the other end of the phone.

A full three minutes of silence.

Those three minutes felt like an eternity to Chen Xi.

He could imagine the intense ideological storm that was currently brewing in that distant, heartland of the country.

This is no longer a simple technological discovery.

This is the key to a leap in civilization, and the stepping stone for the Chinese nation to return to the top of the world.

Every second of silence represents the frantic operation of countless state apparatuses, assessing the future trajectory of this planet.

at last.

Three minutes later, a dignified, steady voice, carrying an undeniable authority, came from the receiver.

"I agree with all of Comrade Li Guobang's suggestions."

"I order that all available resources be mobilized, at any cost, to ensure the project's success."

"There is no upper limit to the resources available, whether it's manpower, material resources, or financial resources."

The voice paused, revealing a resolute determination.

"The project code name will be Nantianmen (South Heaven Gate)."

Overnight, the situation changed drastically.

A top-secret project codenamed "South Heaven Gate" was approved by the highest level at a speed that surpassed all administrative procedures.

Its mobilization authority was directly set to the highest national level—Special Urgent Request.

This means that, for the sake of this plan, Li Guobang's power will be amplified to an unlimited extent.

He has the authority to mobilize all national resources, including the military, finance, scientific research, and intelligence, without going through any intermediaries, acting first and asking questions later.

Li Guobang slowly put down the phone, strode back to Chen Xi, straightened his back, and solemnly announced the official establishment of the "South Heaven Gate Project".

"Comrade Chen Xi, this decision has been made by the highest level."

"You are hereby appointed as the sole external liaison for the 'South Heaven Gate Project,' and also the highest-ranking person in charge of this project."

Li Guobang paused, then added.

"Although, considering the professional nature of the work, you do not currently have actual management authority."

"But you have the ultimate authority to make recommendations on the allocation of all resources within the plan."

"A single word from you can change the orbit of a satellite or turn an aircraft carrier around."

"Your safety will be directly managed by the Central Security Bureau, and you will enjoy head-of-state level security treatment. Your code name is Candle Dragon."

After saying that, he stepped aside.

With a low, hydraulic thud, another wall slid open.

What lay behind was no longer a cold laboratory, but a huge suite so luxurious that it made Chen Xi feel dizzy.

It was more spacious than any five-star hotel presidential suite he had ever seen.

A soft Persian rug and a custom-made Italian leather sofa.

The huge floor-to-ceiling windows are actually ultra-high-definition screens simulating real-life scenes, currently displaying the most beautiful night view of Yanjing.

There were even various living and entertainment facilities that Chen Xi couldn't name, facilities he had only seen in science fiction movies.

"This will be your future office, and also your home."

Li Guobang pointed to the room and said.

On a huge mahogany desk, a thick, pure black confidentiality agreement was already laid out.

Next to it was an almost blank document with only one line of small print: "Personal and Project Requirements List".

That blank list is like a blank check that can be overdrawn indefinitely.

As long as Chen Xi dares to fill it out, the state will dare to grant it.

Chen Xi looked at the list, her throat feeling dry.

Just a few hours ago, he was agonizing over a few yuan in food delivery fees and revising a PowerPoint presentation for that idiot Wang Jianguo.

Now, the entire nation's resources are laid out before him, ready for him to take as he pleases.

He knew from the moment he signed his name.

Chen Xi, the corporate slave who squeezed onto the subway every day, got scolded by his boss, and worried about his mortgage, is completely dead.

Instead, the "Candle Dragon" was chosen, bearing the fate of the nation.

He did not hesitate at all.

He picked up a pen and signed his name on the confidentiality agreement.

The pen tip glides across the paper, making a soft, scratching sound.

The handwriting is steady and powerful, penetrating the paper without the slightest tremor.

After signing, Chen Xi put down his pen and subconsciously touched the worn edge of his shirt cuff.

That was his last memory of poverty.

"About your family..."

Li Guobang looked at him, his tone much gentler, like a kind elder.

"You don't need to worry."

"Just now, a special task force composed of national security, finance, and medical experts has set off."

"Your parents will be notified within an hour."

"A lottery ticket they bought three years ago has been confirmed to have won an 80 million yuan jackpot thanks to the recovery of system data."

Chen Xi was stunned for a moment, then gave a wry smile.

Only the government could come up with such a convincing excuse, and even get all the relevant departments to cooperate in the performance.

Li Guobang continued.

"They will be advised to move to a specially reserved villa area in Yanjing, which has the highest security level, for recuperation."

"It's nominally a VIP prize-winning service provided by the lottery center."

"There are the best doctors and nurses in the country there, on call 24 hours a day, and not even a mosquito can fly in."

"All your immediate and extended family members will be included in a top-level covert protection network without their knowledge."

"They will receive the best, intangible arrangement."

"All of this will be explained to outsiders as either 'a generous gift from a distant relative who has become successful' or 'inexplicable good luck'."

Li Guobang patted Chen Xi on the shoulder, his palm warm and firm.

"The country has already taken care of all your worries."

"All you need to do is focus on that chat group."

"On behalf of China, I beg the gods and Buddhas in the heavens for a chance."

Chen Xi's eyes felt a little hot.

This is the power of a nation.

It is both thunderous and gentle, yet nourishing and subtle.

All his worries, all his vulnerabilities that could be exploited by the enemy.

Within just one hour, the entire issue was resolved by the state in the most secure and comprehensive manner.

It was even a hundred times more thoughtful than he had imagined.

He no longer had any worries and could go all out.

"Thank you, thank you, country."

Chen Xi's voice was choked with emotion; it was heartfelt gratitude.

Li Guobang smiled and handed him a folder.

"You're welcome, you deserve it."

"What you have given up is not just a golden elixir, but the future of the nation."

"Now, let me introduce you to your team."

"A team comprised of the nation's, and even the world's, top physicists, biologists, sociologists, historians, psychologists..."

"A team of experts, including several reclusive metaphysical consultants, has been assembled and is ready to go."

Li Guobang pointed to the photos flashing across the screen.

They are all leading figures who frequently appear in textbooks or on the news.

"They will be at your service 24 hours a day."

"We analyze every group message for you, interpret the personality of every expert, and provide you with all the knowledge and solutions you need."

"Even if you want to know what the Jade Emperor eats for breakfast, we will find a way to analyze it for you."

"Now, all you need to do is get familiar with your new home."

"Then get ready to meet your chief scientist."