261: Chapter 261 We would like to invite you to participate in a key national project!

It's truly wonderful—21 years old and a PhD graduate from Peking University. He has a future of infinite possibilities.

Li Yan looked at Zhao Yang's photo, her originally rational eyes gradually sinking into a state of confusion.

Where should she go from here... Should she continue to use reason to suppress this feeling and remain a silent observer? Or...

Just as Li Yan was lost in deep longing and internal conflict...

In the laboratory of the School of Life Sciences at Yanlin University on the other side...

Gu Qing, wearing a white lab coat and holding a petri dish, stood blankly in front of the incubator, also staring daze-like at that photo of Zhao Yang on her phone.

Her mind was not on the experiment at all.

She didn't even notice that her uncle, Professor Professor Gu Ming of the School of Life Sciences, had quietly come up behind her.

Professor Gu Ming glanced at the phone screen following Gu Qing's gaze and immediately understood what was going on.

"If you miss him, give him a call. Or simply go to Peking University to find him; I'll give you half a day off."

Professor Gu Ming spoke suddenly, smiling slightly and addressing Gu Qing in a gentle tone.

Professor Gu Ming undoubtedly admired—even felt awed by—the young man Zhao Yang. Based on the information he had and their few interactions, Zhao Yang was an extremely perfect candidate for a son-in-law, whether in terms of academic ability, mental maturity, or future potential.

Moreover, his niece was clearly very devoted to Zhao Yang.

He just didn't know what Zhao Yang's attitude toward Gu Qing really was... The minds of such geniuses were always hard to fathom.

Startled by her uncle's voice, Gu Qing's face instantly flushed, and she almost dropped the petri dish in her hand.

She stammered to cover it up, "Uncle... I... I haven't finished the bacterial culture for those Arabidopsis yet, and the data hasn't been recorded..."

"It's not like it's some urgent matter. I'll just have Li Xin and the others do it for you."

Professor Gu Ming waved his hand and said with a smile.

"I... I don't know if he's busy right now..." Gu Qing was still hesitant. Since her last confession had been met with a cold response, she hadn't dared to take the initiative to disturb Zhao Yang.

"He just finished his defense and took his graduation photos; he's definitely resting now. Do you not even have the courage to call and congratulate him? That's not like you."

Professor Gu Ming used a bit of reverse psychology.

"Alright..."

Gu Qing took a deep breath and finally gave in to the longing in her heart, agreeing.

She walked out to the corridor outside the lab, took out her phone, and dialed Zhao Yang's number.

The phone rang a few times before connecting.

Gu Qing first congratulated Zhao Yang on his PhD graduation, then plucked up her courage, hesitated for a moment, and asked Zhao Yang out for a meal over the weekend to celebrate.

"Sure."

Zhao Yang agreed straightforwardly from the other end of the line.

Gu Qing was delighted to hear Zhao Yang agree so readily.

"See you this weekend then."

"See you this weekend."

With that, the two of them hung up.

After hanging up with Gu Qing...

Zhao Yang sat in front of the computer, looking at the thesis materials on the screen, and hesitated slightly.

Gu Qing's call suddenly reminded him of Counselor Li Yan, whom he hadn't contacted in a long time.

What was she doing now?

Zhao Yang picked up his phone, found Li Yan's number, and dialed it directly.

Meanwhile...

Li Yan, who was staring blankly at Zhao Yang's photo in her apartment...

...was startled by the sudden ringing of her phone.

When she saw the familiar name on the caller ID, her heart skipped a beat.

She hesitated for a full ten seconds before taking a deep breath, answering the call, and forcing herself to sound calm: "Hello? Zhao Yang, congratulations on graduating with your PhD."

"What are you doing?" Zhao Yang didn't respond to the pleasantry and asked directly.

"I... I'm preparing lesson plan materials for next week..." Li Yan stammered, hesitantly making up an excuse.

On the other end of the line, Zhao Yang was silent for a moment.

With his superior intelligence, Zhao Yang instantly saw through Li Yan's clumsy lie. But he didn't call her out on it.

"The day after tomorrow is Saturday."

Zhao Yang spoke in a tone that allowed no refusal.

"I'm going to your house to eat the food you cook."

Hearing this, Li Yan's entire body suddenly stiffened.

Her mind went blank instantly, and she couldn't help but recall the scenes that had taken place in her apartment that night.

Li Yan held the phone, biting her lip hard, and remained silent for a good while.

Her reason was frantically warning her to refuse, but her emotions had completely leaned to the other side.

"Okay... I'll wait for you."

Li Yan finally agreed.

She knew very well in her heart that what had happened between them was like spilled water—it was impossible to act as if it had never occurred. This matter had to come to a conclusion eventually.

Blindly avoiding and deceiving oneself was of no use!

Hearing Li Yan agree, Zhao Yang let out a slight sigh and hung up the phone.

Dealing with emotions was far more complex than mathematical formulas.

Having composed himself, Zhao Yang was about to refocus his attention on the Physics thesis materials on his computer screen when...

...his phone rang again, extremely abruptly.

Zhao Yang frowned slightly and looked at the caller ID. It was a landline number from Yanjing with no contact name.

He answered the call.

"Hello, is this Comrade Zhao Yang? I am Secretary Liang from the Ministry of Science and Technology."

The voice on the other end was very polite.

"The top leader asked me to contact you. May I ask if you are available now? The leader would like to meet with you."

Zhao Yang was taken aback for a moment.

The top leader of the Ministry of Science and Technology had just picked him up at the airport the day before yesterday, and now he was suddenly calling to meet again...

It was likely something important!

Thinking this...

"I'm available. Where shall we meet?" Zhao Yang agreed immediately.

"The car has already arrived downstairs," Secretary Liang replied.

Zhao Yang hung up, put on his coat, and went downstairs out of his apartment.

Sure enough, a black Hongqi sedan with an extremely special license plate was parked quietly downstairs.

After Zhao Yang got in, the Hongqi drove smoothly and quickly out of the Peking University campus, passing through without hindrance and driving directly into the heavily guarded compound of the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Led by Secretary Liang, Zhao Yang walked into the office of the top leader of the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Inside the spacious office...

...besides the top leader of the Ministry of Science and Technology he had seen that morning, there was also a general in uniform sitting on the sofa, with two stars on his shoulders!

The atmosphere was extremely serious.

Seeing Zhao Yang enter, the top leader of the Ministry of Science and Technology immediately stood up and greeted him with a smile.

"Zhao Yang is here, come in and sit down."

The top leader pointed to the general on the sofa and hurriedly introduced him to Zhao Yang: "This is General Li from the General Armaments Department. He came specifically for you."

Zhao Yang nodded and sat on the single sofa next to them, his expression calm as he waited for what was next.

General Li looked at Zhao Yang with piercing eyes.

"Dr. Zhao is indeed a man of talent. The various achievements you've made in different fields truly make you a genius among geniuses. Your spark stimulant has played a crucial role in enhancing the combat effectiveness of our Special Forces."

"I'm glad it's useful to you."

Zhao Yang said modestly.

"It can be considered doing my part for the country! It's only right!"

"Dr. Zhao is truly noble!"

Saying this, General Li paused, his tone becoming very solemn.

"I won't beat around the bush. We invited you here today to represent the state and the military in asking you to participate in an important project!"