Chapter 51 Extending an Olive Branch

The small teahouse was very quiet.

Chen Xueming finished his last word and drained his teacup in one gulp. The tea had already gone cold, but he was completely oblivious, staring at the tea leaves remaining at the bottom of the cup as if trying to find some answer within those curled leaves.

Lin Mo did not speak.

He watched the man opposite him quietly—his eyes, which had grown deep with memories; his fingers, trembling slightly as they gripped the teacup; and those few premature white hairs at his temples.

Thirty-five years old—the golden age for a scientific researcher.

Yet this man, after four years of hitting brick walls, had all his sharp edges worn away, leaving behind only a body full of thorns and a heart full of resentment.

Lin Mo suddenly remembered the night he first obtained the system. Back then, he also wondered: Why me? On what basis is it me? If it were someone else, would they have done better?

Later, Wang Zhenguo told him: Don't ask on what basis; ask what needs to be done.

Now, looking at Chen Xueming, a thought welled up in his heart: This person needs someone to tell him the same thing.

"Dr. Chen," Lin Mo spoke up.

Chen Xueming looked up, the lingering echoes of his memories still in his eyes.

Lin Mo looked into his eyes and said word for word:

"My team needs someone as meticulous as you."

Chen Xueming was stunned.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found himself unable to speak.

"I'm not trying to comfort you, nor am I pitying you." Lin Mo's tone was very calm, as calm as if he were stating a scientific fact. "The things you just mentioned—the results misappropriated at Stanford, the walls you hit after returning home, the repeated failed attempts—if it were anyone else, they might have given up long ago, might have learned to flatter long ago, might have become slick and worldly-wise long ago."

He paused.

"But you didn't. You're still that meticulous person. You'll still stand up at a review meeting to question the data. You'll still be indignant in the face of injustice. You're still—"

Lin Mo looked at him, the corners of his mouth turning up slightly.

"You still want to do something truly valuable."

Chen Xueming's Adam's apple bobbed violently.

"Teacher Lin..." His voice was a bit hoarse. "Don't you think there's something wrong with me? I mean, my temper, my personality, my way of speaking—don't you think I'm difficult to get along with?"

"Difficult to get along with?" Lin Mo laughed. "Did you think everyone in our team was easy to get along with?"

He gestured toward the window: "See that guy named Zhao? Former special forces. When he first arrived, he didn't like the look of anyone, thinking we researchers were all bookworms, constantly brooding over how to give us military training. And now? He's proactively learning electrochemistry."

Chen Xueming was dazed.

"Then there's Li Xiao." Lin Mo continued, "That girl looks lively and cheerful, right? When she first came, she couldn't even organize experimental data properly. Now, she writes web crawler programs better than professional programmers. Why did she progress so fast? Because she's meticulous. If a single piece of data doesn't match, she can stay up for three nights straight to track down the source."

He turned back to look at Chen Xueming.

"Zhang Zhe, a PhD in materials science, a recognized talent in the industry. When he came, someone advised me: this guy is too quiet, won't say three words a day, don't let him ruin the team atmosphere. I said, what's there to fear about being quiet? As long as he can work. And now? The separator modification he's responsible for is one of the core breakthroughs of our Lithium-Sulfur Battery project."

As Chen Xueming listened, a flicker of complex emotion crossed his eyes.

"Dr. Chen," Lin Mo looked at him seriously, "what I need is someone who can hold their own in the field of electrochemistry, not a yes-man who knows how to flatter. I need someone who will point out problems when they see them, not a conformist who only knows how to nod. I need someone meticulous—because only meticulous people can create things of true value."

Chen Xueming's eyes grew red again.

He lowered his head, staring at the tabletop, his shoulders trembling slightly.

Silence spread between the two. The teahouse was very quiet, with only the occasional sound of clattering dishes from the distant kitchen. Sunlight shone through the window, falling on the tabletop and on the pot of tea between them that had already gone cold.

After a long time, Chen Xueming finally looked up.

"Teacher Lin," his voice was so hoarse it was almost inaudible, "do you know how long I've been waiting for those words?"

Lin Mo didn't speak, just watched him quietly.

"Four years." Chen Xueming said, "In these four years, I've heard countless words. Some said I didn't fit in, some said I was too meticulous, some said I didn't know how to conduct myself, some said I deserved to hit walls. No one has ever said to me—"

He took a deep breath, trying to steady his voice.

"No one has ever said to me: I need someone as meticulous as you."

Lin Mo looked at him, an indescribable feeling welling up in his heart.

This person wasn't a natural troublemaker. He was just too serious, too persistent, and wanted too much to do things well. In this world that values slickness and worldliness, someone like him was destined to hit walls—unless he met a group of people who were equally meticulous.

"Well, you've heard it now." Lin Mo said, "If you're willing, welcome to join us. Let's do something truly valuable together."

Chen Xueming was stunned.

He stared blankly at Lin Mo, as if he hadn't understood the meaning of the sentence.

"You... are you serious?" His voice was trembling slightly.

"Serious."

"I just questioned you at the review meeting yesterday—"

"So?"

"I made things awkward for you—"

"That's just what you think."

"I..." Chen Xueming didn't know what to say anymore, just staring blankly at Lin Mo, his eyes getting redder and redder.

Lin Mo looked at him and suddenly smiled.

"Dr. Chen, do you know what I appreciate most about you?"

Chen Xueming shook his head.

"When you questioned me, you used data, logic, and scientific methods. You didn't say I was faking it, you didn't say I was hyping it up, and you didn't use any of those messy reasons. You just said: I don't believe your data, let me test it myself."

Lin Mo picked up his teacup, found the tea cold, and set it down again.

"That's the scientific attitude I want. Not blind following, not superstition, but skepticism—and then using evidence to verify that skepticism."

He looked at Chen Xueming with a sincere gaze:

"This team currently has materials experts, a computer genius, a head of security, and national support. But we lack a true electrochemistry expert. We lack someone who can give professional advice on key issues like electrolyte formulas, lithium salt concentrations, and additive screening."

He paused.

"We lack someone as meticulous as you."

Chen Xueming's lips moved, but no sound came out.

He blinked hard, trying to hide the moisture in his eyes. But he failed.

"Teacher Lin," his voice was so hoarse it was almost broken, "I... I don't know what to say."

"Then don't say anything." Lin Mo stood up. "Come on, I'll take you to see the base."

Chen Xueming stood up blankly and followed Lin Mo outside.

When they reached the door, he suddenly stopped.

"Teacher Lin."

"Hmm?"

"Do you really... really want me?"

Lin Mo turned around and looked at him.

"Dr. Chen, let me ask you a question."

Chen Xueming nodded.

"If I told you our data could reach 1450 because we have a special system—would you believe it?"

Chen Xueming was stunned.

He looked into Lin Mo's eyes, trying to find any hint of a joke. But there was none. Lin Mo's expression was very serious, as serious as if they were discussing a scientific problem.

"I..." Chen Xueming opened his mouth, "I don't know."

"Why don't you know?"

"Because it's not scientific." Chen Xueming said honestly, "The theoretical limit of Lithium-Sulfur Batteries is right there. Unless there's a disruptive technological breakthrough, it's impossible to double it. If you have such technology, it should be a Nobel Prize-level achievement."

"And what if I say we indeed have such technology?"

Chen Xueming was silent for a few seconds, then said, "Then I would want to see it with my own eyes."

Lin Mo smiled.

"That's the answer I wanted."

He patted Chen Xueming on the shoulder.

"It's not that you don't believe; you just need evidence. That is the scientific attitude."

Chen Xueming was stunned for a few seconds, and then—he smiled.

This time, the smile contained relief, touched emotion, and a hint of anticipation that he hadn't even noticed himself.

"Teacher Lin, you..." He shook his head. "You really make one not know what to say."

"Then don't say anything." Lin Mo pushed open the door. "Let's go, let's see the base."

The two walked into the afternoon sunlight.

The street was very quiet, and the silhouette of the base in the distance was clearly visible under the sunlight. Chen Xueming followed Lin Mo forward, his steps much lighter than when he had arrived.

As they reached the base entrance, Zhao Gang was just coming out.

He saw Chen Xueming, froze for a moment, and then nodded to him. "You're here?"

Chen Xueming also nodded, appearing a bit stiff. "I'm here."

Zhao Gang looked at him and suddenly asked, "Do you smoke?"

Chen Xueming shook his head. "I don't."

"That's good then," Zhao Gang said. "I don't smoke either. Let's go, I'll take you to get your entry pass."

As he spoke, he turned and walked inside.

Chen Xueming stood frozen on the spot, watching his back.

Lin Mo smiled from the side and said, "What are you dazing for? Keep up."

Chen Xueming snapped out of it and quickly followed.

The moment he stepped through the base's main gate, he couldn't help but look back.

Behind him, the small town's streets lay there quietly, like a faded painting. He had stood there waiting for four years, hitting walls for four years, and doubting for four years—today, he had finally taken that step.

He turned back and looked ahead.

Lin Mo and Zhao Gang were walking in front, their shadows stretching long under the sunlight. In the distance were rows of grayish-white buildings, with researchers in white coats hurrying past; everything was operating in an orderly fashion.

He took a deep breath and followed.

By the time they finished processing the entry pass, it was nearly dark.

Zhao Gang took Chen Xueming on a tour of the base, introducing the distribution of various departments, before finally leading him to the dormitory building.

"You'll be staying here, Room 306 on the third floor." Zhao Gang handed him a key. "The room has been cleaned, and bedding and daily necessities are all provided. The cafeteria is behind the dormitory; they serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you need anything, find me anytime; I live on the second floor."

Chen Xueming took the key and nodded. "Thank you."

Zhao Gang looked at him and suddenly asked, "Have you really thought this through?"

Chen Xueming was taken aback. "What?"

"Joining us," Zhao Gang said. "This place looks ordinary, but the work we do is not. Once you're here, you have to give it your all."

Chen Xueming was silent for a few seconds, then said, "I'm not afraid of giving it my all."

Zhao Gang stared at him for a few seconds and nodded. "Fine. Then work hard."

He turned and left after speaking, leaving Chen Xueming standing alone beneath the dormitory.

Chen Xueming looked up at the ordinary six-story building before him. The window of Room 306 was open, lights were on inside, and he could vaguely see figures moving about.

He gripped the key in his hand and walked into the building.

Pushing open the door to 306, a gust of fresh air greeted him. The room wasn't large, about a dozen square meters, but it was kept very clean. There was a single bed, a desk, a wardrobe, and a window facing the interior of the base.

A folder lay on the desk, weighted down by a sticky note.

Chen Xueming walked over and picked up the note.

It was Li Xiao's handwriting:

"Welcome, Dr. Chen! This is our team's research data; please take a look first. Call me anytime if you need anything! — Li Xiao"

Looking at the note, a faint smile unconsciously appeared on the corner of Chen Xueming's mouth.

He opened the folder to find a thick stack of documents—more detailed than the one he'd seen this morning, covering every stage of the Lithium-Sulfur Battery project. Some parts were even annotated with different colored pens, with notes like "You can ask Teacher Zhang about this" or "Teacher Lin says this part needs an electrochemistry expert."

As he flipped through, his hand suddenly stopped.

The last page was a handwritten table:

Team Contact Information

Lin Mo: 138xxxxxxx

Zhao Gang: 139xxxxxxx

Li Xiao: 152xxxxxxx

Zhang Zhe: 156xxxxxxx

Below that was a line of small text:

"You can also call if you can't sleep at midnight; I often stay up late writing code — Li Xiao"

Chen Xueming stared at that small line of text, his eyes feeling warm again.

He took a deep breath, walked to the window, and pushed it open.

The night breeze carried the unique dry scent of the Gobi Desert. The lights of the distant base twinkled like pearls scattered in the darkness. Further away, the silhouette of the Kunlun Mountains loomed in the moonlight like a silent barrier.

Standing by the window and taking it all in, a long-lost emotion welled up in his heart.

He couldn't quite say what that emotion was called.

Perhaps it was anticipation, perhaps gratitude, or perhaps the steady sense of finally finding a place to belong.

Or perhaps, it was just the simplest of thoughts:

He wanted to do something.

Something real.

With people of value.

Early the next morning, Chen Xueming woke up at six.

After washing up, he changed into his washed-out white shirt, tidied his hair in the mirror, took a deep breath, and pushed open the door.

It was exactly seven-thirty when he reached the laboratory door.

He thought he was the first to arrive.

But when he pushed the door open, he found Li Xiao already sitting at the computer.

"Morning, Dr. Chen!" Li Xiao looked up, her eyes bright. "Did you sleep well last night?"

Chen Xueming nodded. "Quite well."

He walked to his workstation and found an extra thermos on the desk. Under the cup was a sticky note:

"I cooked porridge this morning and brought a portion for you. — Li Xiao"

Chen Xueming was stunned.

He picked up the thermos and opened the lid. Inside was steaming millet porridge, still hot.

"You..." He turned to look at Li Xiao. "What time did you get up?"

Li Xiao smiled sheepishly. "I'm used to getting up early. I was making porridge anyway, so I just made an extra portion."

Chen Xueming held the thermos, not knowing what to say.

Just then, the door was pushed open again.

Zhang Zhe walked in, saw Chen Xueming, and nodded. "Morning."

Then he went to his workstation, pulled a folder from his bag, and handed it to Chen Xueming. "These are my research notes on Lithium-Sulfur Battery Electrolytes from before. They might be useful to you."

Chen Xueming took the folder, and when he opened it, he was stunned.

It was a thick stack of handwritten notes, densely packed with experimental data, formulas, and analyses of failure causes. Some parts were even marked with red pen: "This part is questionable, needs further verification."

"This... this is years of your hard work." Chen Xueming looked up. "Is it appropriate to give this to me?"

Zhang Zhe said indifferently, "It's just gathering dust with me. It's better if you can use it."

He finished speaking and lowered his head to get busy, as if he had just handed over an ordinary piece of paper.

Chen Xueming held the notes, his eyes feeling warm once again.

At that moment, the door was pushed open once more.

Lin Mo and Zhao Gang walked in together.

"Everyone's here?" Lin Mo glanced around and nodded. "Good, let's have a short meeting."

He walked to the whiteboard and picked up a marker.

"The next goal for the Lithium-Sulfur Battery project is cycle life." He wrote a few large words on the whiteboard. "Currently, our samples can achieve 800 cycles, but industrial demand is over 2,000. There's a huge gap; we need to tackle this."

He turned to Chen Xueming. "Dr. Chen, do you have any thoughts on this?"

Chen Xueming was startled—he hadn't expected to be called upon the moment he arrived.

But he quickly steadied himself, walked to the whiteboard, and picked up another marker.

"The issue of cycle life centers on the shuttle effect of polysulfides." He drew a simple diagram on the whiteboard. "During the charging and discharging of lithium-sulfur batteries, soluble polysulfides are produced. They pass through the separator to the negative electrode and react with lithium, causing loss of active material and corrosion of the negative electrode."

He became more immersed as he spoke, completely forgetting his nervousness.

"There are several directions for solving this: first, optimizing the Electrolyte to suppress the dissolution of polysulfides through additives; second, improving the separator to physically block polysulfide shuttling; and third, designing new cathode structures to trap the polysulfides."

He turned to look at Zhang Zhe. "The separator modification Teacher Zhang is working on is the second direction. My expertise is in Electrolytes, so I can take charge of the first direction."

He then looked at Li Xiao. "Teacher Li's web crawler program can be used to track the latest international research progress and help us screen for potential additives."

Finally, he looked at Lin Mo. "Teacher Lin, your system... I mean, your overall coordination ability can help us integrate these directions."

When he finished, he suddenly realized he had said too much.

"Did I... did I say too much?" He looked at Lin Mo with some unease.

Lin Mo smiled.

"No. You said it very well."

He stood up and patted Chen Xueming on the shoulder.

"Welcome to the team officially, Dr. Chen."

Chen Xueming froze for a second, then smiled.

This time, he finally believed—

He really had found a place that was willing to accept him.