Chapter 129 Lin Mo's Reflections

On the night he saw off Academician Zhou, Lin Mo did not return to the dormitory.

He sat alone in a corner of the First Wall laboratory, leaning against the cold instrument cabinet, clutching that notebook with worn-out edges in his hand. Outside the window, the wind howled, swirling fine sand that tapped against the glass with a dense rustling sound.

The laboratory was very quiet, with only the low hum of the servers running, like the heartbeat of some giant creature.

Lin Mo stared at the ceiling, Academician Zhou's words replaying repeatedly in his mind:

"You did the right thing; I said as much in front of everyone. But have you ever wondered why Director Zhang filed a complaint against you?"

"If you could use a way he understands to let him comprehend why you need to wait and why you need to verify, he might not have been so anxious."

"No matter how smart one person's brain is, it can't compare to the wisdom of a team."

He closed his eyes and let out a long breath.

Yeah, why?

Why was it that even though he was clearly right, he made everyone so exhausted? Why was it that while he was clearly doing great things for the country, he had to spend so much energy dealing with this nonsense?

Was it because Director Zhang was stupid? Was it because the administrative system was bureaucratic?

Or was it because—he himself had problems too?

Lin Mo opened his eyes, flipped through the notebook, and found a page from three months ago.

It was the record from when Director Zhang first came to the base. At that time, he had brought a large stack of documents, enthusiastically looking for Lin Mo to "coordinate work." Lin Mo was staring at the simulation data for the First Wall and didn't even look up, only saying "Wait a moment." Director Zhang stood by and waited for twenty minutes before finally leaving dejectedly.

And later? Every time Director Zhang came after that, Lin Mo had the same attitude. It wasn't intentional; he truly couldn't spare the attention. But Director Zhang didn't know that; he only knew that this young person in charge was indifferent to him and didn't take him seriously.

Lin Mo flipped to another page.

That was when Chen Xueming had just arrived. He had brought his own Tritium Extraction plan to discuss with Lin Mo. Lin Mo took one glance and said directly, "This approach won't work, redo it." Chen Xueming's face turned pale at the time, and he turned and left. If Wang Zhenguo hadn't mediated later, this "competitor" might not have stayed at all.

Lin Mo's finger lingered on that page for a long time.

He remembered the words Chen Xueming had said to him later: "Lin Zong, do you know? At that time, I really wanted to throw in the towel and leave. I was looked down upon abroad, and I was still looked down upon after returning home. So what did I come back for?"

At that time, Lin Mo just smiled and said, "Isn't everything fine now?"

But thinking about it now, what if Chen Xueming had really left back then? Who would have achieved the 99.3% Tritium Extraction? Who would lead the research on the Tritium Cycle? Would those times spent arguing in the laboratory late at night, and the joy of overcoming difficulties together, still exist?

Lin Mo continued to flip through.

Li Xiao's growth record—from initially running errands to independently developing the Digital Twin System; Zhao Gang's transformation—from prejudice against researchers to saying "you are the country's treasures"; and every instance of Fang Lin's crucial help—mediating conflicts, reporting intelligence, and securing resources.

And there was Wang Zhenguo, the mentor who had entrusted his lifelong dream to him.

Which one of these people hadn't stepped up when he needed them most? But what had he ever done for them?

Lin Mo closed the notebook and buried his head in his knees.

The humming of the laboratory became exceptionally clear, like countless voices echoing in his ears:

"Lin Zong, do you think this plan will work?"

"Lin Mo, can you run that data one more time?"

"Xiao Lin, you've been wronged, but in some matters, you have to be mindful of your methods."

"Xiao Linzi, no matter how smart one person's brain is, it can't compare to the wisdom of a team."

He looked up and gazed at the night outside the window.

The night sky over the Gobi Desert was exceptionally clear, with the stars scattered like diamonds on black velvet. The lights of the distant base twinkled; under every lamp, someone was staying up late to tackle problems, working hard for that common dream.

Lin Mo suddenly asked himself a question:

Without these people, could he have made it to this day relying solely on himself and the system?

The answer was obvious—no.

The engineering of Room-Temperature Superconductivity was the result of Wang Zhenguo coordinating resources; the breakthrough of the Lithium-Sulfur Battery was a challenge the team tackled together; the verification of Lithium Extraction from Seawater was done by Chen Xueming leading his people; the optimization of Tritium Extraction was data run through the Digital Twin System by Li Xiao; even those thrilling escorts, captures, and counter-espionage operations were fought through by Zhao Gang and his men.

What had he done?

Exchanged blueprints, assigned tasks, and solved key technical problems.

But without the team's execution, all of that would just be talk on paper.

Lin Mo stood up and walked to the window.

The glass reflected his face—thirty years old, young, high-spirited, yet also carrying a deep exhaustion. Looking at that face, he suddenly felt it was very unfamiliar.

When did he start becoming so forceful? When did he start feeling that his decisions were the most correct and that he could ignore everyone else's opinions?

Was it because of the system? Because the system gave him technology that transcended the era, so he felt no one else understood as well as he did?

Or was it because success after success had made him arrogant, making him feel that as long as he stuck to his judgment, he would surely win?

Outside, a meteor streaked across the night sky, vanishing in an instant.

Lin Mo suddenly remembered the lesson of the "eastern star" that Academician Zhou had mentioned. That old gentleman was also high-spirited back then, also put technology first, and also felt that no one else understood. The result? The project failed, the team disbanded, and over a decade of painstaking effort went down the drain.

He didn't lose on technology. He lost because no one was willing to help him.

Lin Mo shuddered.

If he continued like this, would he also end up on that path? Would there be a day when he needed help the most, but found himself completely alone?

No, it wouldn't happen. Li Xiao, Chen Xueming, Zhao Gang, Fang Lin, Wang Zhenguo—they wouldn't abandon him.

But why should he expect them to keep being tolerant? Why should he let them bear his forcefulness and stubbornness? Why should he make them endure his attitude after they had given so much?

Lin Mo turned around and looked at the empty laboratory.

Those instruments, those servers, those tables piled high with data—behind every single item stood a person. A living, breathing person with their own thoughts, their own dignity, and their own dreams.

They weren't appendages to the system, nor were they his tools. They were partners, comrades-in-arms, and a part of this dream.

What right did he have to treat them as machines for executing orders?

Lin Mo walked back to his seat, reopened the notebook, and wrote on the newest page:

"A few things to change after Chapter 129":

Set aside at least half a day each week to chat individually with each core member, listening to their thoughts—not just about work, but also about life, confusion, and dreams.

When encountering disagreements, first ask "What do you think?" instead of directly saying "This won't work." Even if the suggestion isn't adopted in the end, explain why clearly.

Learn to communicate in a way others understand. For administrative leaders like Director Zhang, give them a heads-up in advance so they know the progress and difficulties, rather than waiting for a conflict to explode.

Praise more, criticize less. Let Li Xiao's growth, Chen Xueming's contributions, and Zhao Gang's efforts be known to them; show that he has noticed and is truly grateful.

Remember: One person walks fast, but a group walks far.

After writing the last line, Lin Mo closed the notebook and let out a long breath.

The sky outside began to pale; a new day was about to begin.

He stood up, stretched his stiff shoulders, and walked out of the laboratory.

In the early morning Gobi Desert, the wind had stopped, the dust had settled, and a hush fell over the world. On the distant construction site, the silhouettes of tower cranes gradually became clear, and early-rising workers had already begun their busy day.

Lin Mo took a deep breath of the crisp air and walked toward the dormitory.

Halfway there, he ran into Zhao Gang, who was out for an early morning run.

"Oh, Lin Zong, so early?" Zhao Gang slowed his pace and sized him up, "Pulled another all-nighter?"

Lin Mo nodded, then suddenly remembered something: "Brother Zhao, are you free at noon? I'll treat you to a meal."

Zhao Gang was stunned: "A meal? Is something up?"

"Nothing, just wanted to chat." Lin Mo smiled, "I've been at the base for so long, and I haven't had a proper chat with you yet."

Zhao Gang was even more stunned. He looked at him for several seconds before grinning: "Sure, I'll find you at noon."

Lin Mo waved his hand and continued walking forward.

From behind came Zhao Gang's mutter: "Is the sun rising from the west? Lin Zong is treating me to a meal?"

Lin Mo heard it, paused his steps for a moment, then smiled and kept walking.

Yeah, the sun was rising from the west.

But the sun does indeed rise as usual every day.

At nine o'clock in the morning, Lin Mo appeared in the First Wall laboratory on time.

Chen Xueming was already there, staring at the data on the screen. Seeing Lin Mo come in, he said without looking up, "Lin Zong, I ran a set of preliminary data for the cross-validation you mentioned yesterday. It's quite interesting; there's a 0.7% difference from our algorithm."

Lin Mo walked over and stood behind him, looking at the screen: "Where is the difference?"

"The high-temperature segment. Our algorithm's fatigue decay is slightly slower than his above 1800 degrees." Chen Xueming pointed to the curve on the screen, "The gap isn't large, but by conservative estimates, his data should be used."

Lin Mo was silent for a few seconds, then said, "Then use his. Safety first."

Chen Xueming turned his head, a hint of surprise in his eyes: "You're not insisting on using ours?"

"You raised a differing opinion specifically for me to listen to." Lin Mo patted his shoulder, "You're in charge of this; use whichever one you think is more reliable. I trust you."

Chen Xueming froze there, not speaking for a long while.

Lin Mo had already walked to Li Xiao's workstation: "Xiao Xiao, how is the adjustment of that interface going?"

Li Xiao looked up: "Almost done. We can run the first round of joint verification this afternoon."

"Good work." Lin Mo nodded, "Let me know when it's done; I want to take a look too."

Li Xiao blinked, as if wanting to say something, but finally just gave an "mm."

Lin Mo turned to leave, then stopped and looked back at the two of them:

"By the way, are you free tonight? Let's call Brother Zhao and have dinner together. We've been at the base so long and haven't had a proper get-together yet."

Chen Xueming and Li Xiao exchanged a glance, both somewhat bewildered.

Lin Mo smiled, didn't explain, and walked out of the laboratory.

Behind him, Chen Xueming asked Li Xiao in a low voice, "What's wrong with him?"

Li Xiao shook her head, but the corners of her mouth slowly curled up: "I don't know, but I think... it's pretty good."

At noon, Zhao Gang arrived at the Canteen as agreed.

Lin Mo had already gotten the food and was waiting for him in a corner. The two chatted while eating, from security to family, from the Gobi weather to their respective experiences. Zhao Gang talked about his days in the military, about the brothers he had faced life and death with, and about the reluctance he felt when he was discharged. Lin Mo listened quietly, asking a few questions from time to time.

After finishing the meal, Zhao Gang remarked with feeling, "Lin Zong, you're a bit different today."

Lin Mo put down his chopsticks: "In what way?"

"Before, you only had data in your eyes. Now..." Zhao Gang thought for a moment, "Now there are people in your eyes."

Lin Mo was stunned for a moment, then laughed: "Brother Zhao, I have to write that down."

Zhao Gang laughed too: "Write it then. I'm telling the truth anyway."

In the afternoon, Lin Mo went to the Tritium Cycle laboratory. Chen Xueming was leading a few people in debugging new equipment, sweating profusely. Lin Mo didn't disturb them; he just watched from the side, occasionally handing over a tool or asking about the progress.

In the evening, he went to Li Xiao's server room. The Digital Twin System was running the first round of joint verification. Data scrolled across the screen, and Li Xiao stared intently, muttering to herself. Lin Mo poured her a glass of water, placed it nearby, and then quietly withdrew.

At night, the four of them sat in a corner of the Canteen around a few tables pushed together, eating a simple meal and drinking Zhao Gang's prized "good wine"—which was actually just a bottle of local white liquor costing thirty yuan.

After having some wine, Chen Xueming became more talkative, speaking about the difficulties he faced abroad, the hesitation he felt about returning to China, and the fulfillment of being in the lab every day now. Li Xiao listened intently, chiming in occasionally. Zhao Gang slapped the table and said, "If anyone bullies you in the future, just tell me."

Lin Mo sat by their side, watching them, and suddenly felt a place in his heart soften.

He raised his glass: "Come, a toast to everyone."

The three of them raised their glasses and looked at him.

Lin Mo paused, then said, "In the past, there were things I didn't do well enough. Thank you for always being so tolerant. From now on, let's work hard together."

Chen Xueming was stunned for a moment, then downed his drink in one go.

Li Xiao's eyes reddened slightly, and she also downed hers.

Zhao Gang laughed heartily: "Now that's more like it!"

The glasses clinked together with a crisp sound.

Outside, the Gobi night was deep, and the stars filled the sky.