Chapter 10 'Miracle' Laboratory

Academician Wang's voice echoed in the silent scrap yard, every word carrying an unquestionable weight.

"Comrade Lin Yuan, your discovery, as well as your own existence, holds immeasurable strategic significance for the nation. From now on, your safety will be the direct responsibility of the highest level of the state."

Listening to this, Lin Yuan's mind was still a bit dazed.

The highest level? What kind of concept was that?

He was just a junk collector who usually couldn't even see a neighborhood committee director, and now he was suddenly linked to the "highest level of the state"? This leap was simply too vast.

"I... what do I need to do?" Lin Yuan asked subconsciously.

"You don't need to do anything." Academician Wang shook his head, yet his tone was incredibly serious. "You only need to ensure your own safety and... continue what you were doing before."

"Continue... scavenging?" Lin Yuan asked tentatively.

"Exactly." Academician Wang's eyes sparkled with light. "Continue scavenging. Whatever you need, the state will provide. Whatever resources you require, we will satisfy you at any cost. Your task is to bring back more 'miracles' for us from that 'Cosmic Graveyard'."

He paused, looked at Lin Yuan, and said word by word, "Every time you scavenge, it could potentially push our country's technology forward by a hundred, or even a thousand years. You are the hope for the future of our civilization."

This was such a heavy mantle that Lin Yuan felt a bit breathless.

He just wanted to pay off his debts and live a good life; how did he suddenly end up carrying the hope of an entire civilization?

"But... I..."

"I know you have many concerns." Academician Wang seemed to see through his thoughts. "Regarding your family, your friends, your debts, and all your past social relations—we will handle everything for you. The state will give you a generous reward, ensuring that you and those you care about will never have to worry about food or clothing for the rest of your lives. This is what you deserve."

He pointed to the heavily guarded soldiers and the precision instruments surrounding them.

"But as you can see, the confidentiality level of this matter is the highest. From today onwards, you can no longer return to your past life. You will enter our field of vision and work for the state in an absolutely safe and confidential environment."

Lin Yuan fell silent.

He understood what Academician Wang meant.

His days of freedom were over.

From now on, he would likely live in a "cage" more luxurious than a five-star hotel but without a door. His every move would be under state surveillance.

This was the price he had to pay for handing over the secret.

He felt a bit down, but he didn't regret it.

By keeping that secret to himself, he would live in fear every day, not knowing when he might be killed by a "Void Devourer" or some other thing.

Now, if the sky fell, the state would hold it up. He only needed to focus on "scavenging," and others would solve the remaining troubles for him. Moreover, he would receive a large sum of money and completely escape his past predicament.

No matter how he calculated it, this deal wasn't a loss.

"I understand." Lin Yuan nodded, his expression calming down. "I am willing to cooperate with the state."

Seeing Lin Yuan come to terms so quickly, a flicker of an approving smile appeared on Academician Wang's face.

"Very good. You've made the right choice, Comrade Lin Yuan. History will remember your contribution."

Just then, at the entrance of the scrap yard, several black Hongqi sedans drove in silently.

The convoy came to a halt, the rear door of the middle car opened, and a dignified-looking man around sixty years old, wearing a Zhongshan suit, stepped out surrounded by several guards.

As soon as he stepped out, the atmosphere of the entire scene instantly grew several degrees more solemn.

Even Academician Wang, upon seeing this man, immediately reined in his excitement, stepped forward quickly, and greeted him respectfully, "Director Chen."

The man addressed as Director Chen nodded slightly. His gaze didn't linger on the equipment or the soldiers but went straight through the crowd and landed on Lin Yuan.

It was a scrutinizing, sharp gaze, as if it could see through a person's heart.

Lin Yuan felt his skin crawl under that gaze and unconsciously straightened his back.

Director Chen walked slowly toward Lin Yuan, and the guards behind him immediately cordoned off the surroundings.

"You are Lin Yuan?" Director Chen spoke. His voice wasn't loud, but it carried the authority of someone long accustomed to a high position.

"Yes, hello Chief." Lin Yuan answered nervously.

Director Chen's gaze lingered on him for a few seconds before he slowly spoke, "Academician Wang has already reported the situation to me. Your level of awareness is high; you didn't choose to keep this secret for yourself. This is a blessing for the country and the people."

His tone was very flat, making it impossible to tell if it was praise or something else.

"From now on, your file will be classified as a top national secret. All your external identity information will be cancelled, and you will have a new identity and a new life."

Director Chen's gaze turned toward the black metal plate that was now only the size of a washbasin.

"This thing, and everything you bring back in the future, will be taken over by a newly established special project team that reports directly to the highest level."

He turned back and looked at Lin Yuan again, his eyes becoming incredibly solemn.

"This project is codenamed—'scavenger'."

"And you, Comrade Lin Yuan, will be the sole core of this project."

Director Chen finished speaking and said no more, merely giving Lin Yuan a slight nod.

Then, he turned to the guards behind him and said, "Arrange for Comrade Lin Yuan to get in the car. Everything here will be taken over by the 'South Heaven Gate' project team for the highest level of blockade and cleanup."

"Yes!"

Two tall guards in black suits stepped forward and made a "please" gesture toward Lin Yuan.

"Comrade Lin Yuan, please come with us."

Lin Yuan looked back at the dilapidated yard where he had lived for several years, a place filled with scrap iron and sweat.

He knew that once he stepped into that car, his life would set sail on a completely new course toward an unknown future filled with both opportunities and crises.

He took a deep breath, took one last look at the black metal plate that had changed his destiny, and then, with a resolute step, walked toward the black Hongqi sedan.

The car door closed slowly behind him, isolating him from everything outside.

The convoy started silently, drove out of the scrap yard, merged into the city's traffic, and finally disappeared into the vast night.

In the scrap yard, Academician Wang watched the departing convoy and excitedly said to his assistant, "Quick! Move all our equipment here! I want to establish a permanent frontier laboratory here! Yes, call it the 'Miracle' Laboratory! The great journey of humanity's exploration of the universe will officially begin from this junk yard!"