Chapter 46 Speechless
At 4:20 PM, the atmosphere in the laboratory was as delicate as a taut string.
The number on the screen remained at 1450, that glaring white light flickering against the dark background.
The experts' applause had ceased, replaced by low murmurs and the rustling sound of flipping through materials.
Chen Xueming stood where he was, motionless.
His gaze was fixed on that number, his face devoid of any expression.
But Lin Mo noticed that his fingers, gripping the experimental logbook, had turned slightly white.
"Dr. Chen?" the gray-haired old expert beside him called out tentatively.
Chen Xueming did not respond.
"Dr. Chen?" the old expert called out again.
Chen Xueming finally snapped out of it.
He released the logbook in his hand, placed it gently on the table, then raised his head to look at Lin Mo.
The two of them stared at each other for a full five seconds.
Chen Xueming opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but nothing came out.
His Adam's apple bobbed, as if he were struggling to swallow something.
Then he turned around and walked toward the door.
"Dr. Chen?" Fang Lin called out to stop him, "The evaluation isn't over yet..."
Chen Xueming stopped, but did not turn back.
"I have nothing left to say." His voice was calm, but everyone could hear what lay beneath that calm—it was frustration, it was unwillingness, and it was the pain of a proud person forced to bow his head.
He paused, then added, "The data is real. The technology is real. I... have nothing to say."
After saying this, he pushed open the door and walked out.
Silence filled the conference room.
The gray-haired old expert looked at the door, then at Lin Mo, and gave a light cough, "Um... Dr. Lin, Dr. Chen, he..."
Lin Mo shook his head, indicating it was fine.
Fang Lin quickly adjusted her emotions and returned to the main seat, "Experts, let's continue. Does anyone have any more questions about the on-site verification just now?"
The experts exchanged glances and shook their heads one after another.
"We have all seen the data with our own eyes," the old expert said, speaking on behalf of everyone, "The process was transparent, the operation was standard, and the results are credible. I personally believe this technological breakthrough is true and reliable."
Other experts chimed in one after another.
"Agreed."
"No objections."
"It is indeed a major breakthrough."
Fang Lin nodded and looked at the recorder, "Then, please, experts, sign to confirm the evaluation opinion."
At 5:00 PM, the review meeting officially ended.
The experts left the conference room one by one. Some came to shake hands and congratulate Lin Mo, and others left their contact information, expressing hope for future cooperation. Lin Mo responded to each one with a humble, neither servile nor overbearing attitude.
But his gaze drifted toward the door from time to time.
Li Xiao saw what he was thinking and whispered, "Teacher Lin, do you want me to go look for Dr. Chen?"
Lin Mo thought for a moment and shook his head, "No need."
Li Xiao wanted to say something else, but was held back by Zhang Zhe. Zhang Zhe gave her a look, signaling her not to ask any more questions.
At 6:00 PM, in the cafeteria.
Li Xiao carried her tray and sat down opposite Lin Mo, her expression complex—both excited and confused.
"Teacher Lin," she whispered, "that Chen Xueming, is he..."
"Is he what?"
Li Xiao thought for a moment, weighing her words, "Is he feeling like he lost face?"
Lin Mo put down his chopsticks and looked at her.
"What do you think?"
Li Xiao blinked, "I think so. He's such a proud person, having to say 'I lost' in front of so many people, it must be hard."
Lin Mo nodded, "It's possible."
"Then..." Li Xiao hesitated, "Will he hold a grudge against us?"
Lin Mo smiled.
"He won't."
"How do you know?"
Lin Mo didn't answer directly, but instead asked her, "Do you think he learned anything today?"
Li Xiao was stunned for a moment, then nodded, "He definitely did. Our process, our ideas, our methods—he watched the whole thing."
Lin Mo asked again, "Then are the things he learned worth him putting aside that bit of face?"
Li Xiao thought for a moment and said slowly, "You mean... he didn't actually lose out?"
Lin Mo smiled and didn't say anything more.
At 7:00 PM, Lin Mo walked to the base entrance alone.
The evening mountain breeze was chilly, blowing the leaves by the roadside and making them rustle. The distant mountains gradually blurred in the twilight, leaving only undulating outlines.
He stood there, watching the road leading down the mountain.
A black SUV drove over from the distance and stopped in front of him.
The car window rolled down, revealing Chen Xueming's face.
He didn't get out of the car, just looked at Lin Mo with a complex gaze.
The two of them stared at each other through the car window for a few seconds.
Then Chen Xueming spoke.
"Dr. Lin," he said, "my leaving today is not an admission of defeat."
Lin Mo nodded, "I know."
Chen Xueming was stunned, "You know?"
Lin Mo looked at him and said calmly, "You are going back to digest what you learned today."
Chen Xueming stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly smiled.
It was a strange smile—there was surprise, relief, and something else that Lin Mo couldn't understand.
"Dr. Lin," he said, "you are smarter than I imagined."
He paused, then added, "I will come back."
The car window rolled up, and the black SUV slowly drove away, disappearing into the twilight.
Lin Mo stood where he was, watching the direction the car disappeared, not moving for a long time.
At 8:00 PM, Lin Mo returned to the laboratory.
Li Xiao was still busy at the computer. Seeing him come in, she looked up, "Teacher Lin, where did you go?"
Lin Mo walked to the window and looked at the night scene outside.
"To see someone off," he said.
Li Xiao was stunned, "See who off?"
Lin Mo didn't answer, just looked out the window.
The distant mountains were completely hidden in the night, with only the base's lights flickering like fireflies scattered across the mountains.
He remembered Chen Xueming's last words—"I will come back."
He knew that person wasn't just saying it.