99: Chapter 99 A Blood Letter Across the Entire Internet

The storm on the internet came fast and went just as quickly.

Those public intellectuals and major influencers hadn't even managed to pin the labels of "arrogant and rude" or "damaging diplomatic relations" firmly onto Jiang Chen before they were swept away by the vast ocean of the people.

What "lacking the bigger picture"? What "petty"?

In the simple values of the common people, there was only one truth:

God Jiang saved our lives, so he is our benefactor. If our benefactor doesn't want to go because the road is too long, that's just being true to himself; if our benefactor doesn't want to go because the airfare is too expensive, that is...

That means we didn't do enough!

"Brothers! We cannot let God Jiang feel disheartened!"

"He single-handedly took down Eagle Sauce's virus and saved the country hundreds of billions in medical expenses, yet now he has to pay for his own plane ticket? Is this reasonable? It is not!"

"God Jiang isn't short on money, but he cares about the attitude! If the Nobel Committee won't reimburse him, we will!"

Thus, an unprecedented and uniquely styled "internet petition" began.

There were no protests, no verbal abuse.

Only screens full of transfer screenshots and comments that made people laugh and cry at the same time.

Weibo, Douyin, and even WeChat Moments were all flooded with the same topic:

**[ #Fifty cents per person, send God Jiang to Sweden to flex# ]**

"Brother Jiang! I'm a student at Tianhai University. I don't have much money, but this fifty yuan is my internet bill for the week. Take it to buy an in-flight meal! Don't go hungry!"

"I'm Little Liu from Customs, the one saved by the insecticide. I'm donating a month's salary! Brother, go! Go and make us proud! Let those foreign devils see just how handsome the person who saved their lives really is!"

"I stole two hundred yuan from my dad's secret stash! God Jiang, buy a first-class ticket! If it's not enough, I'll go steal more!"

"The filial son above me is hilarious... I'll chip in fifty cents! It's not much, but it's my heart! You must go! When have we, the people of the Dragon Kingdom, ever taken this kind of insult? Go get that trophy back and use it as an ashtray!"

Looking at the dense "petitions" on his phone screen and the countless red packet transfer notifications in his private messages.

Jiang Chen fell silent.

He slumped on the sofa, his hand, which had originally wanted to continue playing the game, couldn't bring itself to press the "Start" button.

"These idiots..."

He muttered, his voice a bit hoarse.

Who was he, Jiang Chen?

A super tycoon holding two hundred tons of gold, a tech overlord sitting on the Photonic Chip. Was he short on these fifty cents or a yuan?

He was just purely lazy, purely wanting to disgust those high-and-mighty Western judges.

But now, the matter had changed.

It was no longer just his own willfulness, but had turned into the expectation of hundreds of millions of people.

In those fifty-cent and one-yuan red packets, what was hidden wasn't just money; it was burning hearts, eyes longing to see their own hero stand at the pinnacle of the world and receive the adoration of the masses.

"Jiang Chen, look at this."

Academician Chen Shuyin walked over and handed her phone to Jiang Chen.

On the screen was a pinned official announcement with white text on a blue background.

Issuing agency: **[Dragon Kingdom Supreme Science and Technology Committee]**

The content was very simple, only one sentence, but every word carried immense weight:

"With approval from the higher-ups, the 'luan bird' shuttle (civilian livery version) is specially approved as the private aircraft for Mr. Jiang Chen's trip. Fuel costs, parking fees, and all related expenses will be fully covered by the state."

"Additionally: We wish Mr. Jiang Chen a safe journey and to promote the prestige of our nation."

There were no orders, no coercion.

Only the most hardcore support and the most silent tacit understanding.

The state's intention was clear:

If you want to play, we will play with you. If you think the road is too long, we will send you the fastest plane. If you think it costs too much, the state will reimburse you.

But this award, you must go and accept it.

Not for anything else, just to go to that so-called "center of Western civilization," and in front of the whole world, straighten the backs of our Dragon Kingdom people!

To tell those petty villains who are still engaging in blockades and sanctions—

The times have changed!

"Old Qin's move... is quite ruthless."

Jiang Chen looked at that announcement, the corners of his mouth curling into a helpless yet relieved smile.

This was putting him on the fire to roast.

In front, there was the "blood petition" of hundreds of millions of netizens; behind, there was the state's "special aircraft" waiting on him. If he didn't go now, he would really be ungrateful.

"Fine."

Jiang Chen tossed his phone onto the sofa, stood up abruptly, and stretched his body, his joints popping with a crisp "crackle."

"Since everyone is giving me so much face, if I keep acting coy, I'll look too womanly."

He walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the prosperous lights outside, his eyes gradually becoming sharp.

That arrogance belonging to the "Father of the Wasteland" returned to him once again.

"Isn't it just going to accept an award?"

"I'll go!"

"Not only will I go, but I'll go in style, and I'll go in a way that shakes the world!"

"Don't they want to see me make a fool of myself? Don't they think I'm arrogant?"

Jiang Chen sneered, turned around, and looked at Academician Chen Shuyin standing behind him:

"Then I'll show them what true—arrogance—is!"

Academician Chen Shuyin looked at the man in front of her.

A second ago, he was acting like an immature child, throwing a tantrum over airfare; the next second, the aura radiating from him made even her, an academician, feel a palpitation.

That was confidence.

It was the fearlessness of having mastered absolute truth.

"Decided?"

Academician Chen Shuyin pushed up her glasses, a hint of a smile hidden at the corners of her mouth, "Then I will go reply to the committee, and incidentally, I'll have Zhao Gang prepare the security work."

"Wait."

Jiang Chen called out to her.

He looked Academician Chen Shuyin up and down.

This female academician was still wearing a crisp professional outfit today; although she had taken off her lab coat, she was still wearing that meticulous shirt and suit pants underneath, looking... too serious.

How would that do?

Since they were going to flex, the spectacle had to be sufficient.

Just having bodyguards wasn't enough; he also needed a "secretary."

And it had to be the kind of top-tier secretary who looked cultured, had great temperament, and could hold her own in any situation.

"Old Chen."

Jiang Chen rubbed his chin, a hint of mischief flashing in his eyes.

"What?" Academician Chen Shuyin felt a bit uneasy under his gaze and subconsciously covered her neckline, "What do you want now? I warn you, we haven't settled the account from last time yet!"

"Don't be nervous, this time it's serious business."

Jiang Chen walked over, patted her shoulder, his face full of earnestness:

"This trip to Sweden is a long one, and I'm someone who can't take care of his own daily life... cough, a busy person."

"I need someone by my side to carry bags and serve tea, right?"

"Carry bags?"

Academician Chen Shuyin widened her eyes, pointing at her own nose, her voice raising an octave, "You want me? A dignified first-class researcher of the Dragon Kingdom! A state-level special expert! To carry your bags?!"

"Do you have an opinion?"

Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow, righteous and bold, "Don't you want to study the logical core of that AI maid? Don't you want to know the next-generation architecture of the Photonic Chip?"

"On this journey, since we'll be idle anyway, I can give you some lectures."

"But..."

He spread his hands, looking like "I'm also in a difficult position":

"I get thirsty easily when I lecture, and I get tired easily. If there's no one to serve me, my brain won't turn, and if it doesn't turn, I won't be able to recall those key data points..."

"You—!"

Academician Chen Shuyin was choked with anger.

This was naked blackmail! It was technical extortion!

But...

Dammit, the temptation was too great!

The next-generation architecture of the Photonic Chip? That was the key to making Dragon Kingdom's technology leap forward again! For this, let alone carrying bags, even if it were...

"Fine! I'll endure it!"

Academician Chen Shuyin took a deep breath and agreed through gritted teeth, her expression like that of an envoy who had just signed a humiliating treaty:

"I'll go! I'll go carry your bags! I'll serve you tea! Are you happy now?!"

"That's more like it."

Jiang Chen nodded with satisfaction, smiling like an old fox.

"Oh right, remember to change your clothes."

He pointed at Academician Chen Shuyin's dull suit:

"We are going to accept an award, not attending a memorial service. Dress a bit prettier, a bit more fashionably."

"After all..."

Jiang Chen walked to the mirror, tidied up his hairstyle, his eyes revealing a kind of cynical dominance:

"You are the woman standing by my side."

"In this world, apart from me, no one can outshine you."

"Even that so-called Princess of Sweden, no."