61: Chapter 61: A 17.8PB Data Graveyard? A Quantum Computer Built Hands-on!

The gaze of Su Che was fixed unblinkingly on the screen of the military supercomputer terminal.

The deep blue stream of data washed over his retinas like an endless waterfall.

An hour had passed.

The progress bar had barely moved.

17.8 PB.

Relying on this supercomputer to dig a path to truth from this "graveyard"... he would be calculating until the day the Dragon Kingdom achieved interstellar migration!

Su Che scratched his hair in frustration.

He finally understood that the generation of his grandfather faced not only technological barriers but also the shackles of tools.

It was like being given a treasure map but only a small plastic shovel.

How was he supposed to dig with this damn thing?

[Ding! Host facing a major scientific research bottleneck, main quest triggered!]

[Quest Name: Computing Power is Truth, Violently Breaking Through Natural Obstacles!]

[Quest Content: The regrets of predecessors are your motivation to move forward! Please develop a truly usable Quantum Computer, use absolute computing power advantage to crush those fifteen years of despair, and install the strongest brain for the "Nantianmen Project"!]

[Quest Reward: 1500 skill points, unlock primary exchange authority for room-temperature topological qubit technology, requires 800 exchange points.]

[Current accumulated skill points for host: 950 points, do you wish to exchange?]

Su Che perked up.

It was here!

This was the true turning point!

"Exchange!"

[Ding! Consumed 800 skill points, primary exchange authority for room-temperature topological qubit technology has been unlocked.]

[Current accumulated skill points for host: 150 points.]

[System Prompt: Can directly exchange for the assembly blueprints of the entire Quantum Computer and the list of required materials and equipment, exchange requires 100 skill points.]

"Exchange!"

Looking at the extremely complex yet incredibly clear assembly blueprints in his mind, and that endless list of materials, Su Che did not hesitate at all.

He picked up the internal encrypted phone on the table and dialed Lieutenant General Peng directly.

"Lieutenant General Peng, I need help."

Lieutenant General Peng on the other end of the line seemed to be in a meeting; the background noise was a bit chaotic, but his voice immediately became focused.

"Speak!"

"I need a top-tier laboratory of 'Pangu Quantum Computer' level, with the highest authority."

"No problem."

"Also, I need some materials and equipment. I will send the list to your encrypted email immediately. No matter what method is used, I must see the items within twenty-four hours."

Su Che finished in one breath.

"Good!" Lieutenant General Peng agreed decisively.

After hanging up, Su Che immediately dialed the number of President Liu Qianghua and repeated the same request.

On the other end, after hearing Su Che's request, Dean Liu asked in a voice suppressing wild joy.

"Engineer Su, you... are you trying to..."

"Dean Liu, I am going to hand-craft a Quantum Computer right under your noses."

...

The mobilization of materials and equipment takes time.

Even with the power of the nation, those sky-high, strictly controlled cutting-edge equipment on the list could not be gathered in a short time.

Su Che checked the time.

Two o'clock in the afternoon.

The private plane Lin Waner was on should be arriving in the capital soon.

He changed into casual clothes, greeted Wang Hai, the secretary to Lieutenant General Peng, borrowed an inconspicuous military-plated off-road vehicle, and headed straight for the special channel at the Capital International Airport.

VIP channel exit.

Lin Waner was standing in the crowd, a bit uneasy, carrying that pink smart anti-theft backpack.

She was wearing a down jacket that had washed out to a pale color and a pair of ordinary snow boots, looking completely out of place among the brightly dressed, rushing urbanites around her.

High-rises, traffic flow, and that indescribable scent in the air unique to big cities.

All of this made her feel an inexplicable sense of insignificance and inferiority.

Until she saw the figure walking towards her.

Su Che still had that casual look, but standing beside him, Lin Waner felt the clamor of the whole world go quiet.

"Why are you standing there like a fool?"

Su Che walked over, took the backpack from her hand naturally, and with his other hand, directly held her cold little hand.

"Let's go, I'll take you around our capital."

Lin Waner's face turned red in an instant; her small hand subconsciously wanted to break free, but he gripped it tighter.

"There... there are so many people..."

"What are you afraid of?" Su Che grinned. "From now on, this will be our home."

He took her to Wangfujing, ate roast duck and candied haws.

Seeing the girl go from her initial restraint to the unprecedented, brilliant smile blooming on her face later, Su Che's heart softened.

In the evening, the two returned to the Expert Apartment.

Lin Waner looked at the furnishings in the apartment, which were comparable to a five-star hotel, and was shocked once again.

"Su Che, we... we are living here?"

"That's right."

Su Che took out the silver-white metal cylinder he had just hand-crafted that morning, which looked like a thermos cup, from his backpack.

"Walked all day, thirsty?"

He placed the metal cylinder on the table, and under Lin Waner's curious gaze, took out his phone, pointed it at the cylinder, and said in an extremely gentle tone.

"Waner Waner, one milk tea, please."

Lin Waner: "..."

She looked at Su Che, a bit dazed.

What trick was this guy pulling now?

The indicator light on the top of the metal cylinder flashed once, emitting a very slight hum.

In less than a minute, a rich, silky, and sweet-scented milk tea aroma wafted from the cup's opening.

"Try it." Su Che handed the cup to her.

Lin Waner took it skeptically and took a small sip.

It was warm, sweet but not greasy, and the tea and milk aromas blended perfectly.

It was her favorite: 30% sugar, no ice.

"This... this is..."

Lin Waner looked at the "thermos" in her hand, then looked at the smug-looking Su Che, and her eyes instantly misted over.

"Do you like it?"

"Mm!" The girl nodded heavily, but tears couldn't help but fall.

She wasn't crying for a cup of milk tea.

It was because this man had turned a casual remark she made into reality in a way she couldn't have imagined.

This kind of "steel straight man" romance was truly, deeply intoxicating!

Su Che looked at her tear-streaked, pretty face, his heart stirred.

He reached out and pulled her into his arms.

Just as he wanted to do something improper, "Ring ring—" the encrypted phone on the table rang inopportunely.

Su Che answered the phone with an unhappy look.

It was President Liu Qianghua.

"Engineer Su! Good news!"

Dean Liu's voice was as excited as if he had won 500 million.

"The things you wanted have all arrived! Not a single one missing! They will be delivered to the laboratory overnight tonight!"

"There is one more thing!" Dean Liu paused, his tone becoming solemn.

"Tomorrow morning at nine o'clock, the awards ceremony for the Highest Science and Technology Award will be held at the Central Great Hall."

"Number One will personally present the award to you."

"You... you better be prepared."

Dean Liu seemed to think of something and added.

"Oh, right, Teacher Lin can also attend as a family member."