6: Chapter 6 is both an opportunity and a test.

The next morning.

Before the mist had dispersed, a black Hongqi sedan with special license plates drove steadily on the road leading to the Xia Academy of Sciences.

Inside the car, Lin Yuan watched the street scenery receding rapidly outside the window and smiled as he spoke to break the silence.

"Brother Lin, it's just a check-in today. I really feel bad that a busy man like you had to make a special trip to drop me off."

Lin Jixian, who was sitting beside him, waved his hand upon hearing this, a warm smile on his face.

"Brother, you're being too formal."

"There's no reason to do things halfway; one must see things through from beginning to end."

"Besides, there's quite a stir outside right now. If I didn't personally bring you here and see you settled, I wouldn't be able to give an account to Old Long later."

Lin Yuan smiled and didn't offer any more polite platitudes.

He knew clearly that Lin Jixian's personal trip today was definitely not as simple as "seeing things through."

He was an extension of Old Long's will, a living command flag.

His presence here was a silent declaration, intended to suppress any potential criticism or waves that might arise.

The sedan didn't stop at the Xia Academy of Sciences' famous main gate; instead, it passed through several internal checkpoints and drove straight into the core area.

The plane trees on both sides of the road blotted out the sky, and occasionally, researchers in a hurry could be seen.

Dressed in white lab coats with ID badges hanging from their chests, everyone walked without stopping, their faces carrying a focus that suggested they were immersed in their own worlds.

Finally, the car came to a steady stop in front of a solemn main building covered in ivy.

A dedicated parking space had already been vacated there.

As soon as the car stopped, a refined-looking middle-aged man wearing gold-rimmed glasses hurried forward to meet them.

He first opened the car door and bowed slightly to Lin Jixian inside.

"Director Lin, you've arrived."

Only then did his gaze turn toward Lin Yuan in the back seat.

Though it was just a brief glance, it was enough for him to perform a quick and precise assessment.

"This must be Researcher Lin Yuan, I presume?"

"Yes!"

Lin Jixian acknowledged, then got out of the car and familiarly patted the middle-aged man on the shoulder.

"Brother, let me introduce you."

"This is Luo Yang, Dean Chen's right-hand man."

Lin Yuan also got out of the car and extended his hand to Luo Yang.

"Hello, Director Luo."

Luo Yang gave his hand a light squeeze with just the right amount of pressure, a proper smile appearing on his face.

"Researcher Lin is young and promising. Welcome to the Xia Academy of Sciences family."

Lin Jixian didn't engage in much small talk and cut straight to the point.

"Is Dean Chen available now?"

"He is, of course."

Luo Yang smiled and stepped aside, making a gesturing "after you."

"Upon learning that you were coming, Director Lin, the Dean canceled all his morning appointments and has been waiting in his office."

Hearing this, Lin Jixian also smiled.

"Then we shouldn't keep Dean Chen waiting."

As he spoke, he turned and signaled for Lin Yuan to follow.

Led by Luo Yang, the three of them soon entered the main office building.

The corridor was so quiet that they could hear their own footsteps, and the walls on both sides were hung with black-and-white or color photographs.

Every face in the photos had once left a significant mark on Xia's scientific and technological history.

The air was filled with a unique scent, a mixture of books and instruments.

This was the highest temple of the Xia scientific community; every person who walked out of here was capable of supporting a nation's technological backbone.

Luo Yang stopped in front of a heavy wooden door and reached out to knock lightly three times—two heavy and one light—with a distinct rhythm.

"Dean, Director Lin and the others have arrived."

The heavy wooden door blocked most of the sound, but a gentle and steady voice still came from inside.

"Please come in."

Luo Yang pressed down on the metal door handle.

He pushed the door open, stepped aside to clear the way, and nodded to Lin Jixian and Lin Yuan.

Lin Jixian stepped inside, with Lin Yuan following closely behind.

Luo Yang didn't follow them in; he simply closed the door gently after they entered, shutting out all noise.

The office was large but simply furnished.

One wall was a ceiling-high bookshelf packed with various heavy books and materials.

On the other wall hung only a single piece of calligraphy, with four large characters written in a flamboyant style—

Strengthen the Nation through Science and Technology!

Behind a wide desk, an elegant elderly man with graying hair and reading glasses stood up.

He was the helmsman of the Xia Academy of Sciences, Chen Jingshan, Dean Chen.

Chen Jingshan walked out from behind the wide desk with a gentle smile on his face, first extending his hand toward Lin Jixian.

"Director Lin, I didn't expect you to make the trip yourself. Thank you for your hard work."

His manner was very down-to-earth, without any airs, but in every movement, there was a weight that had settled over the years.

Lin Jixian shook his hand and responded with a smile:

"Dean Chen, it was Old Long's wish that I see him settled in properly. I wouldn't dare be negligent."

Hearing this, Chen Jingshan's smile deepened slightly.

He let go of the hand and finally turned his gaze completely toward Lin Yuan, who had been standing quietly.

It was a scrutinizing, sharp gaze, filled with a strong sense of inquiry.

"You must be Comrade Lin Yuan?"

"Old Long spoke very highly of you on the phone."

He looked Lin Yuan up and down and nodded.

"A true hero emerges from the youth indeed."

"Dean Chen, you flatter me."

Lin Yuan responded calmly, his posture composed.

He knew that every word of praise from the other party was a soft knife and also a test.

He didn't need to be overly humble, as that would seem like a lack of confidence.

Nor did he need to be overly flamboyant, as that would seem shallow.

He only needed to play the part of a "genius"—calm and confident—and that would be enough.

After some simple pleasantries, Chen Jingshan made a gesturing "after you," indicating for the two to sit on the sofa in the reception area.

He himself returned to his desk, sat down again, and folded his hands on the table.

The office fell silent for a moment.

Lin Jixian sat steadily, picking up his teacup and taking small sips, maintaining the posture of "I'm just an escort."

He knew that the stage now belonged to Lin Yuan.

Finally, Chen Jingshan broke the silence. He looked at Lin Yuan and got straight to the point.

"Comrade Lin Yuan, since you're here, let's talk about practical matters."

"You've likely seen the public opinion outside."

"The pressure must be quite high, isn't it?"

Lin Yuan met his gaze calmly and replied:

"It's alright."

"Mhm."

Chen Jingshan was noncommittal about the answer and continued:

"The Xia Academy of Sciences is a place for scholarship; in the end, results speak for themselves."

"Since Old Long has placed you in my hands, I will naturally provide you with the best platform."

He leaned forward slightly, interlacing his fingers.

"Tell me your thoughts."

"Is there anywhere you want to go? Or is there a specific project you're interested in?"

As soon as this question was asked, the air in the office became several degrees heavier.

Lin Jixian's movement of sipping tea also paused imperceptibly.

This was both an opportunity and a test.

Lin Yuan's choice would directly determine his starting point at the Xia Academy of Sciences and would also reveal his true ambitions.

Would he choose a stable research institute where results were easy to produce to establish himself first?

Or...

Lin Yuan did not hesitate in the slightest.

Meeting the gaze of this titan of the Xia scientific community, a confident smile appeared on his face.

"Dean Chen, I actually do have a project I'm interested in."

"Oh?"

The look of inquiry in Chen Jingshan's eyes grew stronger.

Lin Jixian also looked up at Lin Yuan.

Meeting both their gazes, Lin Yuan's voice was clear, resonating throughout the quiet office.

"I hope to participate in..."

His voice paused, and then every word was spoken with powerful conviction.

"...Xia's Photolithography Machine project!"