26: The campus belle handed me a love letter, but all I want to do is conduct scientific research!

"I will do my best."

There were no grand pronouncements, no passionate speeches.

Only three simple, unadorned words, yet they carried more weight than any promise.

He nodded, feeling gratified.

He knew that, starting today, the future of Xia Country would become... infinitely bright, thanks to the young man before him... The establishment of the pangu team was like a super war machine that had just been given the start command!

The most elite resources and talents across the entire Xia Country began to converge frantically toward the Kunlun Mountain Underground Base with near-insane efficiency!

And yet, Lu Chen, the absolute core of this "war machine," once again played the role of the hands-off manager.

He spent three days dissecting all the foundational theories and manufacturing processes of "Neural Interfacing Virtual Reality Technology" into tens of thousands of different modules.

Then, like the most demanding foreman, he distributed these modules to the group of excited, national-treasure-level Academicians below him.

"Old Zhang, you will lead the team on the preliminary model for 'Neuronal Signal Encoding.' I want to see results within one week."

"Old Li, the industrial design blueprints for the 'Neural Interfacing Headset' are entrusted to you. There is only one requirement: while ensuring performance, the simpler and more aesthetically pleasing it is, the better."

"Academician Zhao Min, you are needed to build the underlying architecture of the 'Virtual World.' Remember, I don't want a game; I want a real world with infinite possibilities!"

...After all the assignments were made, and all the Academicians threw themselves into this unprecedented scientific and technological campaign.

Lu Chen, however, once again requested leave from Long Weiguo.

The reason was still very simple.

"I need to go back to school for my final exams."

When Long Weiguo heard this reason, the expression on his naturally imposing face was absolutely priceless.

He simply couldn't imagine it.

The Chief Director of a super project involving hundreds of billions in investment, one that could influence the fate of the entire nation!

A "God of Technology" who could make the most brilliant minds in Xia Country go wild with a snap of his fingers!

Actually having to rush back to take those darned high school final exams?!

If this got out... who the hell would believe it?!

But in the end, he still approved this absurd, almost laughable... leave of absence.

Because he knew.

The identity of a "high school student" served as a kind of... protective coloring for the current Lu Chen.

It was also the last thread of "ordinary" connection he maintained with this world... So, after disappearing for nearly two months.

The figure who had already become a "legend" reappeared on the campus of Jinghai City Seventeenth Middle School.

This time, the sensation he caused was even greater than the last!

Nearly all the students had heard about Lu Chen's "miracles" through various channels.

Although most of those rumors were preceded by phrases like "it is said" or "I heard."

That didn't stop their gazes toward Lu Chen from becoming filled with awe and... adoration!

Especially in Senior Three (1) Class.

When Lu Chen walked into the classroom with his backpack, acting as if nothing had happened.

The entire class fell silent.

Everyone's eyes instantly focused on him!

"Holy shit! Chen Zi! You actually came back for the exam?!"

Wang Peng was the first to leap up from his seat, his face plastered with disbelief!

"What else?" Lu Chen shrugged and skillfully walked back to his seat, which was covered in a thin layer of dust.

He put down his backpack with smooth, flowing movements.

It was as if the thrilling experiences of the past two months were merely a fleeting dream.

But some things, after all, had changed.

For example... "Lu... Lu Chen, classmate."

A sweet voice, carrying a hint of nervousness and shyness, as pleasant as an oriole leaving a valley, sounded beside him.

Lu Chen looked up.

He saw a stunningly beautiful face, enough to make any male hormone surge.

Lin Feifei.

The universally recognized School Beauty of Seventeenth Middle School.

And his cheap front desk neighbor.

At this moment, the School Beauty, who usually carried herself with the pride of a white swan, was looking down, her hands tightly clutching the corner of her clothes.

Two streaks of intoxicating blush colored her delicate, flawless face.

Under the complex gazes of her classmates, filled with "gossip" and "jealousy."

She mustered the courage of a lifetime.

And gently placed a light-scented, pink envelope on Lu Chen's desk.

"This... is for you!"

After speaking, she ran back to her seat like a startled little rabbit without looking back, burying her flushed face deep into her books.

The entire classroom instantly erupted!

"Holy crap! What did I just see?! Lin Feifei gave Lu Chen a love letter?!"

"Heavens! Earth! My goddess was actually taken by a pig!"

"A pig? You call a god-like figure, one personally named by a big shot from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, a pig?!"

"It's over, it's over, my youth is finished..."

Listening to the continuous wails and discussions around him.

Wang Peng fiercely poked the still-dazed Lu Chen with his elbow.

"Chen Zi! Awesome!"

He winked and gave a lewd smile that all men understood.

"You even managed to conquer Lin Feifei, that flower of the high mountains!"

"Hurry! Open it and see! What did she write?!"

However, Lu Chen acted as if he hadn't heard him at all.

He simply stared quietly at the pink envelope on the desk, which held all of a young girl's feelings.

He remained silent for a long time.

Then, he performed an action that made every boy in the class want to drag him out and beat him to death on the spot.

He reached out his hand.

Taking the "love letter," which was enough to drive countless people crazy.

Along with a few scraps of waste paper on the desk.

He crumpled them all together.

And accurately tossed them into the trash can in the corner.

The entire world fell silent.

WangPeng's lewd smile froze on his face.

He looked at Lu Chen, his mouth open wide enough to fit a lightbulb.

"Che... Chen Zi... you..."

"What are you doing?!"

"That was Lin Feifei's love letter!"

Lu Chen acted as if he had done something trivial.

He pulled out a copy of "Advanced Quantum Field Theory," a book thicker than a brick, from his backpack.

Then, he opened it and began reading with relish.

Without turning his head, he spoke plainly, uttering a sentence that simultaneously struck Wang Peng and the beautiful, slightly trembling figure nearby like a bolt of lightning.

"Not interested."

"Women only slow down my draw speed."

"Right now..."

"I only want to focus on scientific research."