2: Chapter 2 An Unprecedented Identity

A Photolithography Machine!?

As those words left Lin Yuan's mouth, the calm, deep eyes of Long Zhenguo finally rippled with true emotion.

It was a complex light, a mix of shock, scrutiny, and a deep, underlying contemplation.

A Photolithography Machine.

This was not just a piece of equipment.

In this world, where the level of technology was only equivalent to the year 2010 of Lin Yuan's previous life, it was an invisible, poisoned blade hanging over the throat of Xia Country's technology.

It was the hand of death gripping the lifeblood of the entire semiconductor industry.

Even more, it was a barrier of despair weighing on the hearts of 1.4 billion citizens.

To overcome this barrier, countless top talents had poured their passion, and numerous research institutions had exhausted their efforts, investing resources that could only be described as astronomical.

And the result?

The most core and cutting-edge sectors were still being ruthlessly suppressed by the West.

That technological chasm was so wide it inspired hopelessness.

Yet, this young man before him had set his very first goal on this hard bone, one tough enough to break anyone's teeth.

"A Photolithography Machine..."

Long Zhenguo's fingers slowly rubbed the tabletop, making a dull, heavy sound.

He stared at Lin Yuan, his gaze becoming sharper than ever before.

"Comrade Lin Yuan, this step of yours..."

"...isn't it a bit too large?"

This was not simple doubt.

It was a cautious probe from a high-ranking official after weighing all the pros and cons.

After all, for the sake of prudence, he preferred to start with a relatively simple project that could yield quick results to verify the system's feasibility and accumulate experience.

Lin Yuan sat with his back perfectly straight, the expression on his face showing not a hint of wavering.

It had to be large!

If it weren't, how could it be worthy of the madness he, Lin Yuan, showed by directly turning himself and the system over to the state?

"Elder Long, if it were just a small matter of solving some trivial technical problems,"

"Then why would I risk being 'dissected' to sit before you?"

He spoke frankly, his tone revealing the sharp edge appropriate for a young man, along with a level of confidence rarely seen in others.

"Since I have chosen to entrust myself and the future to the country, then my blade must be pointed directly at the country's deepest pain, its most urgent need, and its greatest difficulty."

"And the 'Photolithography Machine' is something that carries enough weight and draws enough attention in the hearts of all Xia Country citizens!"

"With such high visibility, even if only one in ten thousand people is willing to believe in this miracle,"

"Given our massive population, the 'confidence level' it provides will be enough to crush any obscure technology."

Lin Yuan's analysis was clear and cold, every word carrying conviction.

He knew well that the core function of the system lay in the quantity and quality of the audience in this play, and a widely followed field could quickly gather the largest possible audience base.

Rather than developing silently in some neglected corner,

It was better to create a technological spectacle worthy of the history books right at the center of everyone's focus!

This was the most efficient path he could think of after careful consideration and study of the system's rules.

The tense lines on Long Zhenguo's face softened slightly after hearing this.

He looked at Lin Yuan, the scrutiny and contemplation in his eyes gradually turning into a hidden sense of admiration.

He even let out a meaningful chuckle.

"Good lad."

"It seems you've already planned everything out."

Seeing this, Lin Yuan understood that his most critical strategy had been tentatively accepted by the elder.

He followed up at the right moment, his tone carrying a touch of sincerity.

"Elder Long, there is still one practical issue at the moment."

"A Photolithography Machine is a collection of cutting-edge technologies, while my current status is just a student who hasn't even graduated."

"Even with the state backing me, if it were directly announced that I had conquered the Photolithography Machine, I'm afraid no one in the country would believe it."

This was the truth.

The strategy had to be big, but the steps still had to be taken one at a time.

"So my plan is to start with theoretical breakthroughs and then gradually move toward physical manufacturing."

"Step by step, using visible progress to eventually achieve a total technological leap."

He paused, his eyes burning like torches.

"During this time, every step will require continuous state endorsement and public opinion guidance to build me into an unprecedented 'scientific genius'."

"To make more people believe in me."

"That way, my subsequent 'lies' will become easier and easier to turn into reality."

Long Zhenguo nodded gently upon hearing this.

Lin Yuan's strategy had a logical loop, sufficient ambition, and yet remained feasible.

First the conceptual, then the practical, and finally the transcendent.

In these three steps, each was an accumulation of lies and the building of his credibility; furthermore, through this step-by-step verification, it would allow the state to comfortably believe in the existence and function of the system. It was clearly something he had considered well in advance.

"I understand."

Finally, Long Zhenguo made the decision, his tone as steady as a mountain.

"Later, I will arrange for Little Lin to coordinate with you."

"He will be responsible for coordinating resources from all sides and fully cooperating with your actions."

Lin Yuan felt a sense of relief, knowing he had passed the most difficult hurdle.

He stood up straight and bowed in thanks.

"Thank you for your trust, Elder Long."

"I promise I will not let you or the country down."

Long Zhenguo waved his hand, signaling him not to stand on ceremony.

Then, he pressed a button on the side of the desk.

Before long, the conference room door opened silently, and a uniformed guard appeared at the doorway.

"Take Comrade Lin Yuan to the lounge to wait for a moment," Long Zhenguo ordered.

"Yes, sir."

The guard gave Long Zhenguo a standard military salute and then made a "please" gesture to Lin Yuan.

Lin Yuan nodded slightly to Long Zhenguo and then followed the guard out of the conference room.

As the heavy door slowly closed behind him, sealing everything off,

Lin Yuan knew that from this moment on, his life and the technological fate of this country would enter an entirely new course.

A grand lie capable of overturning the world had officially begun.

...

The reception lounge.

The room was not large and the decor was simple to the point of being plain, but every piece of furniture possessed an extraordinary quality.

Outside the window was a quiet courtyard, lush with greenery.

Lin Yuan sat on a single-seater sofa, appearing calm, but only he knew that his heart was still beating at an extremely high frequency.

His back had long been soaked with cold sweat.

However composed he had appeared while facing Elder Long earlier, his heart was now racing just as much.

That wasn't a performance; it was a gamble with everything on the line.

But fortunately, he had won.

He let out a long breath and began to rapidly calculate his subsequent plans.

Not long after, there was a soft knock on the door.

The door opened, and a middle-aged man in his forties walked in.

He was of average build, wearing a well-tailored dark suit, with a warm smile on his face.

"You must be Lin Yuan, right?"

He walked straight to Lin Yuan and extended his hand, his smile unchanging, though a flash of scrutiny passed through his eyes.

"Hello, I am Lin Jixian."

Lin Yuan stood up to shake his hand and said politely,

"Hello, Director Lin."

"Oh, no need for such formalities!"

Lin Jixian waved his hand with a smile, his familiarity making it seem as if the two had known each other for a long time.

"It just so happens we both have the surname Lin; we're from the same clan."

"If you don't mind me being a bit presumptuous, you can just call me Brother Lin."

With just a few words, the distance between them was instantly shortened.

Lin Yuan followed the lead without any awkwardness.

"Brother Lin."

"Haha, that's more like it."

Lin Jixian nodded with satisfaction and sat down opposite Lin Yuan, leaning forward slightly.

"Elder Long has given me the highest instructions."

"From now on, my staff and resources are all open to you, completely open, for unconditional cooperation."

He looked at Lin Yuan with a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

Even though he didn't know the specific details, having been by Elder Long's side for many years, he had never seen the Elder place such importance on a young man or grant such high authority.

"So, little brother,"

Lin Jixian's form of address became even more intimate.

"If there's anything you need me to do, just speak up—don't be a stranger!"

These words were both an inquiry and a statement of position.

Lin Yuan smiled upon hearing this and got straight to the point.

"Brother Lin, I actually do have the first thing I need your help with right now."

Lin Jixian perked up at this, leaning even further forward.

"Oh? Let's hear it."

Lin Yuan clearly stated his request.

"I hope to enter the Xia Academy of Sciences."

"As the youngest... Distinguished Young Researcher in history."