4: Chapter 4 A colossal lie!

Lin Jixian's face, which always wore a standard smile, couldn't help but show astonishment.

"Publicize it?"

He first subconsciously repeated it, his fingers tapping the armrest of the chair twice without realizing it.

"Brother, are you sure?"

Was this request difficult from an execution standpoint?

No, it wasn't difficult at all.

With the resources he could mobilize, making national propaganda channels build hype for someone was just a matter of a single word.

He had even prepared himself just now.

For example, Lin Yuan might request an astronomical amount of research funding.

Or he might ask for an independent laboratory with world-class equipment.

After all, Lin Yuan's first request was so earth-shattering that no matter how outrageous the second was, Lin Jixian felt it would be reasonable given how much Elder Long valued him.

But he never expected that what Lin Yuan wanted was actually just "publicity."

Something that, in his view, was the simplest, and also the most... fatal.

Having been immersed in the system for many years, Lin Jixian knew better than anyone the principle that "the tree that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind."

A Distinguished Researcher of the Xia Academy of Sciences.

The prestige of this status was high enough to make countless people's eyes turn red with envy.

According to Lin Jixian's thinking, since Lin Yuan was taking a special approval path, the safest approach was to stay low-key, and then even more low-key.

Enter the village quietly; don't fire any shots.

Wait for three to five years, produce world-shaking results, and then naturally step onto the stage to receive the cheers of the masses.

That was the right way!

As for whether Lin Yuan could achieve those results...

He didn't doubt it.

After all, given how much Elder Long valued Lin Yuan, it would be strange if Lin Yuan didn't have the ability.

But now, Lin Yuan hadn't achieved a single thing yet, and he hadn't even received his graduation certificate.

At this point in time, he wanted to announce it to the world with great fanfare?

This wasn't called publicizing.

This was clearly putting himself on the hot seat!

"Brother, the matter of publicity isn't hard to handle."

Lin Jixian withdrew his smile, leaned forward slightly, and lowered his voice significantly, speaking with heart-to-heart sincerity.

"But there are some things I need to be honest with you about."

"Your position as a Distinguished Researcher of the Xia Academy of Sciences is impeccable in terms of procedure, but at its root, it's an exception, a special case."

He extended a finger and tapped the smooth tabletop, making a dull sound.

"Some things don't weigh even four ounces if they aren't put on the scale."

"But once they are on the scale, they become a boulder weighing over a thousand pounds that's impossible to stop; it'll be hard to take it off then."

He paused, pointed at the ceiling, and said meaningfully:

"You young people know better than I do what the current environment of online public opinion is like."

"As soon as the publicity draft is released, countless eyes will immediately strip you bare from top to bottom, from the inside out."

"When that time comes, your education, your experiences, and even how many little red flowers you got in kindergarten will be dug up until there's nothing left."

Lin Jixian stared intently into Lin Yuan's eyes, trying to see even a hint of panic or hesitation.

"Are you really prepared?"

This wasn't making things difficult; it was genuine protection.

After all, in his view, given Lin Yuan's resume, being valued by Elder Long meant he must have extraordinary qualities and would surely grow into a towering tree in the future.

But no matter how much of a genius he was, he was still just a youth for now, a growing seedling.

If he were broken by the storm of public opinion during his growth phase, Lin Jixian would be to blame.

However, Lin Yuan's reaction completely exceeded his expectations.

After hearing his words, not only was there no panic on Lin Yuan's face, but his smile grew even brighter.

"Brother Lin, thank you for the reminder."

Lin Yuan waved his hand and said in a relaxed posture.

"I understand your concerns; you're just afraid that my foundation isn't stable and will be shattered by a wave of public opinion."

"But since I dare to do this, I naturally have my own confidence."

Lin Yuan met Lin Jixian's gaze, calm and composed.

"If I can't even withstand this little bit of wind and waves, then how could I be worthy of Elder Long's high regard?"

He tossed the question back lightly.

Lin Jixian looked at Lin Yuan, momentarily unsure of how to respond.

Elder Long's high regard.

These few words carried more weight than any other statement.

If he continued to persuade him, wouldn't he be questioning Elder Long's judgment?

Seeing his silence, Lin Yuan continued to speak. This time, his voice held a righteous power that was enough to convince anyone.

"Brother Lin, the reason I'm doing this isn't just for myself."

"Xia Country's technology has been blockaded for too many years, and the people have been holding back a grudge. Our researchers also need a shot in the arm."

"We need an outlet, a banner, an idol!"

His voice wasn't loud, but it was powerful.

"What I want to do is become that banner!"

"I want everyone to see that Xia Country has geniuses, and geniuses capable of rewriting the rules!"

"This is the situation Elder Long truly hopes to see."

With these words, he perfectly packaged his personal ambition into the nation's grand narrative.

After hearing this, Lin Jixian was completely speechless.

What else could he say?

He could only chuckle bitterly in his heart; this kid was not only incredibly bold but also had a silver tongue that could turn black into white.

"Alright, I understand."

Lin Jixian sat up straight again, the solemnity on his face replacing his previous worry.

"Since your mind is made up, then I'll go crazy with you!"

"I'll personally handle the publicity to ensure your name is pushed in front of everyone with the highest specifications and the fastest speed."

"Then thank you, Brother Lin."

Lin Yuan nodded with a smile; his goal was achieved.

"Why are you being so polite with me!"

Lin Jixian waved his hand grandly. "In the future, just ask if you need anything like this. You'll be responsible for charging ahead, and I'll be there to cheer you on and protect you!"

Lin Yuan smiled, as if mentioning it casually.

"Then in the future, I might really need to trouble Brother Lin to help cheer me on."

Lin Jixian laughed loudly, taking it as a joke.

"It's a small matter! It's just reports and publicity; how much trouble could it be!"

He patted Lin Yuan's shoulder and didn't stay any longer, turning and walking away with long strides.

Watching Lin Jixian's retreating back, the smile on Lin Yuan's face slowly faded.

Today was only the beginning.

How could a monstrous lie that would sweep the globe be enough with just one round of publicity?

...

Lin Jixian's efficiency—or rather, the efficiency of the state machinery—far exceeded imagination.

Just three hours later.

Xia Country's most authoritative and widely covered official media platform, known as the "mouthpiece of the nation"—

The Xia Country Daily.

Its official website and app pushed a front-page headline at the same time that was enough to set the entire internet ablaze.

[Breaking Convention, Selecting Talents Without Restriction! Jiuzhou University Undergraduate Lin Yuan Specially Appointed as the Youngest Distinguished Young Researcher in the History of the Xia Academy of Sciences!]