Chapter 32 A New Beginning
Lin Mo stood in front of the laboratory window, looking at the distant mountains.
The autumn sunlight fell on the mountain ridges, dyeing the originally verdant trees in shades of gold.
The mountain breeze blew from the valley, carrying the fresh scent of vegetation, exactly the same as the day he first arrived at the base.
It had been three months.
He recalled the scene when he first walked into this base—the unfamiliar corridors, the tight security, and Fang Lin's words, "Safety first."
At that time, he didn't know if he could stay, didn't know if this project would succeed, and didn't even know if the choice he made was right.
Now, he knew.
Soft footsteps came from behind. Li Xiao walked over holding a cup of coffee and placed it beside him.
"Teacher Lin, what are you thinking about?"
Lin Mo picked up the coffee and took a sip: "Thinking about the events of these past three months."
Li Xiao stood still beside him, also looking at the mountains outside the window.
"Three months," she said, "feels like three years have passed."
Lin Mo smiled: "Yeah."
Inside the laboratory, the instruments were still humming. Zhang Zhe sat in front of the console, staring at the data curves on the screen.
Academician was organizing experimental records, and Su Qing was conducting the last batch of tests for the day. Everything was the same as usual.
But everything was also different.
The news of the successful sample test had spread throughout the base.
Last night, the cafeteria had added a meal for the first time in history, and Fang Lin personally came to toast everyone with a glass of wine—although it was juice.
Even that cold-faced King of Hell, Zhao Gang, was dragged by Li Xiao to drink several glasses, and in the end, a rare trace of a smile appeared on his face.
Lin Mo put down the coffee cup and walked to his desk.
On the table lay a document—tiangong project Phase I Summary Report》.
This was sent over by Fang Lin this morning, a thick stack, recording every key node over the past three months: system activation, Pilot-scale production success, sample escort, application testing...
He flipped to the last page and saw a line of handwritten text: "Comrade Lin Mo: This is just the beginning. Fang Lin."
He stared at that line, and a strange emotion welled up in his heart. It was relief, pressure, and also anticipation.
Then, that familiar voice rang in his mind.
"Host has completed the core tasks of the first phase, settling research points..."
Lin Mo's heartbeat accelerated slightly.
"Settlement complete: Discovery and verification of Room-Temperature Superconductivity material, rewarded 300 research points; Pilot-scale production process breakthrough, rewarded 200 research points; Sample application test success, rewarded 150 research points; Cumulative consumption of 70 research points (Pilot-scale production process analysis report 40 points, paper exchange zero consumption). Current research points balance: 580 points."
580 points.
Lin Mo took a deep breath.
"System notification: research points balance has reached the unlock threshold, new technology roadmap available for exchange. Recommended unlock: New Lithium-Sulfur Battery (requires 500 research points). View?"
New Lithium-Sulfur Battery.
Lin Mo's mind was racing. Lithium-Sulfur Battery was one of the main directions for next-generation battery technology, with an energy density over five times that of existing lithium batteries, but it had always been limited by cycle life and safety issues.
If he could use Room-Temperature Superconductivity materials to solve these problems...
"View details," he said in his mind.
The system interface unfolded in his mind.
【New Lithium-Sulfur Battery Technology Package】
Required research points: 500
Contents: Electrode material formula, electrolyte formula, preparation process, packaging technology, performance optimization scheme
Estimated breakthrough time: 3-6 months
Application prospects: Electric vehicle range increased to 3000 kilometers, grid-level energy storage cost reduced by 80%, portable device battery life increased by 5-10 times
Lin Mo looked at those numbers, his palms sweating slightly.
3000 kilometers of range. This meant driving from Beijing to Shanghai without needing to recharge halfway. It meant that electric vehicles truly replacing fuel-powered cars was no longer a dream.
But he didn't redeem it immediately.
He recalled what the system had said before—"research points can be used to redeem technical data, process details, and theoretical analysis." Lithium-Sulfur Battery was important, but there was still Controlled Nuclear Fusion, Carbon Nanotubes, space elevator...
The road was still long.
"Teacher Lin?"
Li Xiao's voice pulled him back to reality. He looked up and saw Li Xiao looking at him with a worried face.
"Are you okay? You were spacing out for a long time."
Lin Mo shook his head: "I'm fine. Just thinking about something."
Li Xiao blinked: "Thinking about what?"
Lin Mo smiled: "Thinking about what to do next."
Li Xiao's eyes lit up: "What to do next? Are we going to work on something new?"
Lin Mo looked at her face full of anticipation and suddenly remembered how she looked three months ago when she first arrived at the base—carrying that huge backpack, chattering away non-stop, finding everything fresh.
"Maybe," he said.
Li Xiao became excited: "What, what? Can you reveal a little?"
Lin Mo thought for a moment: "Lithium-Sulfur Battery."
Li Xiao was stunned for a moment, then her eyes widened: "Lithium-Sulfur Battery? That thing with an energy density five times that of a lithium battery?"
Lin Mo nodded.
"Oh my god!" Li Xiao covered her mouth, "That's the Holy Grail of the battery field! So many people are chasing it, and have never been able to get it! If we manage to develop it..."
She didn't continue, but the expression on her face said it all.
Lin Mo looked at her and suddenly asked: "Li Xiao, you've been at the base for three months, have you ever regretted it?"
Li Xiao was stunned: "Regret what?"
"Regretting coming here," Lin Mo said, "Working overtime every day, not being able to go out freely, and even having time limits on mobile phone usage."
Li Xiao was silent for a few seconds, then smiled.
"Teacher Lin," she said, "I don't regret it at all."
She looked at the mountains outside the window, with a seriousness in her eyes that Lin Mo had never seen before: "My parents are both workers, they've spent their whole lives in that small county town and haven't been anywhere. Their biggest wish is for me to succeed."
She turned her head and looked at Lin Mo: "Now, I'm here, doing something that can change the world. After my parents found out, they were so happy they cried all night. You tell me, what do I have to regret?"
Lin Mo looked at her, suddenly not knowing what to say.
But he knew that this chattering girl was much stronger than he had imagined.
At 7:00 PM, Lin Mo walked out of the laboratory.
The corridor was very quiet, with only the sound of his own footsteps. When passing the security control room, he saw Zhao Gang standing inside, facing the screen on the wall.
He stopped and knocked on the door.
Zhao Gang turned his head, saw him, and nodded.
Lin Mo walked in and stood beside him.
"How's your arm?" he asked.
Zhao Gang moved his left arm: "It's fine. I can take off the bandage in two days."
Lin Mo nodded, looking at the screen on the wall. These were the surveillance feeds from various floors, the cafeteria, corridors, elevator entrances, laboratory building entrance... Every corner was clearly visible.
"Captain Zhao," he suddenly asked, "What do you think we'll encounter next?"
Zhao Gang was silent for a few seconds, then said: "I don't know."
He looked at the screen, his voice low: "But no matter what we encounter, I will stand in front of you."
Lin Mo turned his head and looked at him.
Zhao Gang also looked at him.
The two looked at each other for a few seconds, then both smiled.
"Alright," Zhao Gang said, "Go back, we have to work tomorrow."
Lin Mo nodded and turned to walk out.
Walking to the door, he stopped, turned back, and said: "Captain Zhao, starting tomorrow, we're going to work on Lithium-Sulfur Battery."
Zhao Gang was stunned: "What is that?"
"A new type of battery," Lin Mo said, "The kind that can make electric vehicles run 3000 kilometers."
Zhao Gang looked at him, a complex look flashing in his eyes.
"You people," he said, "can't you ever take a break?"
Lin Mo smiled: "No."
He walked out of the control room and walked down the corridor back to the dormitory.
The night breeze blew in from outside the window, carrying the chill of autumn. He stopped and stood in front of the window, looking at the mountains outside.
The moonlight spilled onto the mountain ridges like a layer of silver frost.
In the distance, the lights of the base were like little stars, connecting into a single expanse.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
Three months ago, he was just an ordinary Ph.D. Student, staying up late in the laboratory doing experiments. Three months later, he was standing in a national-level secret base, holding technology that could change the world.
The road was still long.
Controlled Nuclear Fusion, Carbon Nanotubes, space elevator, Mars landing...
Each one was something humanity had dreamed of for decades.
But now, these dreams were slowly becoming reality.
He opened his eyes and looked at the night sky outside the window.
The stars were twinkling, and the Milky Way was brilliant.
Dad, I see it.
And, I will see even more.