Legend of the Cyber Heroes-Chapter 81 - 1 Conscription

March 22, 2028, Tsinghua University, Beiping, Basic Industrial Training Center.

The young graduate student, Xiang Shan, felt he was in the midst of a crisis.

He was in the rest area next to the laboratory, savoring a lemon tea brewed from a budget brand teabag, all while laughing merrily at a physical book.

Then, he saw the department leadership push the door open and enter.

This was indeed a huge crisis. Although Xiang Shan’s boss was usually lenient and didn’t mind what students did in their free time in the rest area—Xiang Shan had an older senior brother who was even more outrageous, having openly played palm games there.

But all this was based on the premise that "the boss did not object." Whether this would be acceptable in front of more senior leadership was another matter.

Xiang Shan instinctively covered the book with his hands on the small coffee table, but he couldn’t hide it. Moreover, the book’s cover was garishly colorful, hardly looking like an academic monograph.

At that moment, Mr. Shan deeply resented those publishers for designing such a tacky cover for a science fiction novel.

However, the associate dean appeared not as stern as usual but instead had a smile as he said to the person behind him, "This is our school’s Comrade Xiang. Just like in the reports, young and strong, truly a talent!"

The man behind the dean had bronze skin and piercing eyes. He wore a crisp military uniform and a wide-brimmed hat, with civilian epaulets, and his rank was not discernible. Behind him followed a dark-skinned young warrior holding a somewhat retro black leather briefcase.

"Xiang, this comrade is from the military," the associate dean gestured at the military officer, "He has something to discuss with you. Let’s talk in the small meeting room next door. Just answer whatever the gentleman asks, don’t feel pressured."

Xiang Shan was stunned then.

The associate dean led them into a small meeting room. The silent warrior immediately took action, closing the windows, drawing the curtains, turning on the lights, and handing the briefcase to the officer with piercing brows, then he and the associate dean exited, closing the door behind them.

Only then did Xiang Shan come to his senses.

The officer with piercing brows took off his hat, placing it beside him, first took out a palm-sized device from the bag, switched it on, placed it on the table, and then smilingly said, "Hello, Dr. Xiang, my name is Lei. Just call me Officer Lei."

Xiang Shan nodded, still guessing if the surname "Lei" was real or not, and said, "Hello, Officer Lei. I’m hardly a ’Doctor’; I haven’t even received my degree yet."

Comrade Lei with the piercing brows laughed, "I heard that’s a sure thing for you."

Xiang Shan became even more reserved, "Officer Lei, let’s get straight to the point. As you can see, I am completely out of my depth here."

"A smart person like you can be out of your depth?" Lei had glanced at his profile. "During my school days, I always admired children who could skip grades; I thought brains like yours were truly exceptional." Comrade Lei seemed to be trying to put Xiang Shan at ease with his affable demeanor, but it didn’t seem to help. The military man had to clear his throat and said, "Comrade Xiang Shan, the nation has a project that needs you. I am here to inquire about your willingness."

Xiang Shan waited for more details, but Officer Lei, contrary to his initially talkative and outgoing persona, had nothing more to say.

Xiang Shan asked perplexedly, "And then?"

"That’s all for now." Comrade Lei repeated, "The nation has a project, and it needs your participation. Are you willing?"

Xiang Shan was somewhat at a loss, "But shouldn’t I at least know what this project is about?"

Comrade Lei showed his eight teeth in a very polite smile, "Sorry, we also have rules of confidentiality."

"Duration?"

"I can only say, I honestly don’t know," Officer Lei shook his head, "I’ve told you everything that I can. You just need to answer, ’willing’ or ’unwilling’."

Xiang Shan took a deep breath. He knew he was in deep trouble.

There were often such rumors among the people, about a scientist being approached by the military one day, and then vanishing the next day. It would be decades before such individuals reappeared in the public eye. Sometimes, even after their death, the outside world would only come to know what they had been involved in.

Ah, of course, most... it should be said, except for those very rare exceptions, most research projects were not so stringent. Not to mention, scholars needed to communicate for progress. Even those involved in confidential projects needed to recharge intellectually.

Besides, scholars were also made of flesh and blood, and they had human hearts.

Professors involved with military projects were at most considered to be on "long-term business trips."

However, Xiang Shan was facing a project where "even in a sealed room, all that could be disclosed was that such a project existed."

Comrade Lei just sat there, watching Xiang Shan repeatedly exhale and inhale, exhale and inhale.

Finally, Xiang Shan slapped his hands on the table and said, "If the nation needs me, of course, I am duty-bound to help. But there is something I must make clear to the organization."

Comrade Lei nodded, "You may state any requirements you have."

This wasn’t his first time handling such a scenario, and he knew that some unspoken rules existed. Making demands, whether reasonable or not, was not considered excessive when contributing to the nation. It was an old tradition of the Republic.

Xiang Shan spoke seriously, "I need to make it clear beforehand that my research focus is on civil basic industry. There’s little barrier to switching it to military use. I cannot squander the nation’s funds."

Officer Lei was also encountering this type of candid person for the first time, his lips twitched in an almost laugh. Fortunately, having interacted with scholars from various academies several times, he understood that such straightforward scholars indeed existed, but just shook his head, "Dr. Xiang, you need not bear such a heavy psychological burden. Initially, we only invited your mentor, Professor Liu. Professor Liu suggested that he might need an assistant. Among the names we provided, he recommended you."

This information had initially been within the "disclosable" range. It’s just that Comrade Lei hadn’t really conveyed all he could from the very beginning.

Xiang Shan’s face turned a bit red. He knew he had made a fool of himself.

—True, if I were in charge of the project, the information provided to me wouldn’t have been just this much.

Xiang Shan’s mentor, Liu Zhenghui, was nearing fifty. This age was considered a scholar’s prime. Liu had grown alongside the first generation of the Republic’s electronic technology industry and was a renowned scholar in the hardware field domestically, known for his open-minded thoughts and good relationships with students.

Liu would never harm me—With this thought, Xiang Shan nodded, "I am willing to join the project."

"Excellent." Officer Lei nodded, "From now until tomorrow morning, you don’t need to continue working here, and you can take care of any personal affairs. Oh, also..." Comrade Lei opened his briefcase, took out a piece of paper, "This is Professor Liu’s directive. He wants you to hand over your current projects to other students according to this arrangement. Please memorize this note, and then return it to me after you’ve read it."

Xiang Shan asked, "So, can I take a photo...uh, it seems that’s not allowed."

Comrade Lei smiled, "With your sharp memory, it shouldn’t be difficult to memorize. Plus, tomorrow morning at eight, a car will pick you up at your doorstep. You can prepare some personal items to take with you, but please do not bring any other electronic devices, and no need to bring your cellphone card, handle that properly."

Xiang Shan nodded, "Comrade Lei, can I now know more about the content? At least, I should tell my family how long I’ll be gone?"

Comrade Lei shook his head, "I can only tell you that I truly do not know. By the way, you haven’t fallen in love yet, have you?"

Xiang Shan glanced at the laboratory and shook his head. Having skipped many levels, he was surrounded by older peers earlier and lacked interest. Recently, though he finally entered an environment with peers of his age, he had been busy.

Despite Xiang Shan being considered "vigorously energetic" and "young and promising," and belonging to a squad of exceptional talent, in scientific research, how high does one’s gift have to be?

"Then you probably don’t need to worry too much. Just tell your parents that you’re involved in a confidential project for the nation," Comrade Lei chuckled.

It wasn’t long before Comrade Lei left.

Yet, Xiang Shan sat for a long time in the small conference room.

Afterward, he took out his phone, intending to send a message to his senior brothers and sisters. But he immediately put away the phone again.

After all, he was now a person of the state, and he was conscious of that responsibility.

Xiang Shan then visited his senior brothers and sisters in person. Fortunately, by that time, the rest time had passed, and the lab mates gradually returned.

When they heard Xiang Shan was handing over his tasks according to Liu’s instructions, everyone was quite surprised.

A senior brother said with regret, "Tsk, Xiang, that’s really a shame... This project could have led to patents, and although not saying you’d become rich, you could have achieved financial freedom ahead of time."

"Exactly," a senior sister nodded, "This is a bit... once you complete this, you’d almost have the capital to embark on your projects, right?"

"Go on, would Teacher Liu do that?" "Big Senior Brother" shook his head. He wasn’t truly Liu’s first disciple, but among the students currently in the lab, he was the oldest and most experienced. He looked at Xiang Shan, his tone mixed with envy and jealousy, "This must be a great opportunity. Teacher Liu has probably gotten hold of some big secret project outside." fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

Xiang Shan hastily signaled everyone to be quiet. "Big Senior Brother" expressed an "I told you so" look, and the others also smirked with profound amusement.

Knowing this, the other senior brothers and sisters didn’t make it too hard for Xiang Shan and completed what needed to be done in the quickest manner possible.

That evening, after returning home, Xiang Shan shared the news with his parents. His father, an old Beiping resident, felt immensely honored that his son could engage in a secret project, almost wishing to drink an extra three drops of alcohol. His mother, on the other hand, wore a worried expression, complaining about why Xiang Shan hadn’t found a girlfriend earlier; participating in such a project, who knew if he’d have the chance to settle down later.

Xiang Shan responded with several noncommittal "Mm-hmms," and went back to his room after dinner. He turned off his phone, then removed the SIM card and tossed it with the gaming cartridges.

Xiang Shan planned to leave the fairly new phone to his parents. Then, after some thought, he asked his parents to give the half-year dusty Ren Clan gaming console to his younger cousin—since he probably wouldn’t have the chance to play it anymore, it was better given away than spoiling it.

After packing some clothes, Xiang Shan lay down on his bed.

"From tomorrow on, I will be a person of great use to society," he told himself in the dark.