Chapter 154: Chapter 154: Wherever I Die, So Be It
Zhou Huaijin instinctively denied it. "Of course not. I was just... just..."
’It’s just that when you find yourself in a situation where you’re completely powerless, it’s hard not to feel a little lost—if I’d chosen a different path back then, would I still be stuck here, just watching helplessly as everything unfolds, unable to do a thing?’
Chi Wan seemed to understand the source of Zhou Huaijin’s inner conflict. She said softly, "Huaijin, I know that’s not what you really think. You just wish you could do more, do better."
"But Huaijin, why are you being so hard on yourself over a field that isn’t your specialty? In your own field, you’re absolutely brilliant."
She looked directly into Zhou Huaijin’s eyes, her gaze clear and sincere. "What Professor Zhang is doing is even greater than you can imagine. And you will inherit his mantle, just as he inherited the unfinished work of the generation before him."
"And in our country, it’s because of so many people like you that ordinary people like us can live in peace and security, generation after generation, building a better world around us. Isn’t that right?"
"Huaijin, I know you’ve only gotten stuck like this because you’re worried about me. Just think back to how you felt when you chose this path without hesitation, and the joy you felt when Professor Zhang’s project yielded results. You won’t feel so lost anymore."
Seeing Zhou Huaijin’s visibly moved expression, Chi Wan said no more.
Han Ming, who had been keeping a close eye on Chi Wan, had exceptionally sharp hearing. As he listened to her words, a new layer of meaning entered his gaze as he looked at her.
After a long moment, Zhou Huaijin let out a soft breath, a chagrined look on his face. "You’re younger than me, Wanwan, yet I need you to remind me of all this. I’m really... It’s like I’m regressing the older I get."
’Chi Wan was right. Back when he had other options, he was the one who chose this path without a second thought. He was the one who hoped his own small contribution could help more people stop worrying about their livelihoods, about where their next meal would come from.’
’And back then, he didn’t even know Chi Wan.’
’How could he now, just because of his romantic frustrations, doubt the future he had once chosen with such conviction?’
The conflict and confusion in Zhou Huaijin’s mind began to fade, and as he looked at Chi Wan, his gaze gradually softened, returning to its former warmth.
’Perhaps his life had been too smooth-sailing until now. It was inevitable that minor setbacks would appear at certain junctures to serve as a wake-up call.’
Still, Zhou Huaijin was grateful to fate for allowing him to meet Chi Wan.
’Even if there was no place for him in the future she envisioned.’
’But at the very least, he could now clearly see the future he wanted for himself.’
*
After Professor Zhang finished speaking with the three academicians, the group left the laboratory to sort out Chi Wan’s living arrangements.
Although they wouldn’t reveal Chi Wan’s existence for the time being, the moment Hua Country’s technology made a breakthrough, the eyes of the entire world would be on them.
Even though Chi Wan likely had the means to protect herself, they still needed to demonstrate their sincerity—at the very least, they couldn’t let her feel that her decision hadn’t been worthwhile.
The Chinese Academy of Sciences already had personnel from State Security assisting them, and the efficiency of their fast-track process was astonishing.
From the initial proposal for Chi Wan to be based there to the completion of all the necessary paperwork, it took barely half a day.
A dedicated team was even sent to her old apartment to pack up her things, and all of her belongings were brought over, completely untouched.
Every detail demonstrated the high value the authorities placed on Chi Wan.
And this was all while trying to remain as low-key as possible, to prevent anyone watching from connecting the dots and exposing Chi Wan’s existence prematurely.
Even Chi Wan’s parents, who were still traveling abroad, were urgently recalled. Safety was the top priority in all matters.
Chi Yuanshan and Song Yinghe, who were having the time of their lives on their trip, never expected that by simply going on vacation, their daughter would land them in a situation of this magnitude.
A dedicated security detail was even assigned to them to ensure their safe return to the country.
Once the dust settled, Chi Wan sat in the apartment assigned to her in the residential complex, idly chatting with Li Xingye.
As for the academicians, they were all busy establishing new research projects to meticulously study the energy sources and technologies Chi Wan had brought from the apocalypse.
Having completed their task, Professor Zhang and Zhou Huaijin prepared to return to the university. Of course, before leaving, they both had to sign non-disclosure agreements, and they even found themselves assigned a two-person security detail.
Zhou Huaijin, however, was fully prepared for this. His purpose was now clearer than ever, and when he said goodbye to Chi Wan, he had regained his usual composure.
But within that composure, there was now a new, steely resolve.
*
Chi Wan’s departure from the university did cause a bit of a stir, though it was mainly confined to her classmates.
But public attention is always easily diverted by the next big story.
Just like the He Family scandal, which was a huge sensation for a week before gradually fading from the headlines.
Chi Wan’s departure didn’t make many waves. Only her roommates and Qin Shi kept trying to contact her, worried that she had been affected by the He Family’s downfall.
Chi Wan reassured each of them. While she couldn’t tell them what she was doing, she still had the freedom to stay in touch with her friends.
Once they were sure Chi Wan wasn’t in any danger, the girls breathed a collective sigh of relief. This was especially true for Qin Shi, who could finally start her new life.
Of course, Chi Wan’s "sponsorship" of Qi Youyou didn’t end with the He Family’s fall. In fact, Qi Youyou sent Chi Wan a formal loan agreement, saying she was afraid Chi Wan would "run off."
Chi Wan was exasperated but knew this was the only way to put Qi Youyou at ease. She amended the agreement, striking out the interest Qi Youyou had added, and signed it.
As for Song Baihan, having finally achieved his great revenge, he tried to find Chi Wan to express his gratitude, but by then, she had already been placed under protection.
Although he didn’t know the details of her situation, he drew up a will, leaving all of his assets unrelated to the He Family to Chi Wan. Then, no longer bothering with medical treatment, he simply set off to travel the world.
In his own words, he’d just die wherever he ended up.
Chi Wan didn’t comment on Song Baihan’s decision to give up. She respected his choice.
However, she did tell him that if he ever wanted to come home at the end, she would help him.
So, from time to time, Song Baihan would send Chi Wan photos of landscapes or food, proving he was still tenaciously alive in some corner of the world.
Perhaps because he had no descendants of his own, he saw Chi Wan as a member of the younger generation in whom he could place his hopes and affections.
Chi Wan didn’t have any particularly strong feelings for Song Baihan; after all, they barely knew each other. But she didn’t mind if an old man nearing the end of his life found a little warmth in their connection.
As time went on, the two would chat and even bicker playfully now and then.
「Three months passed.」
Hua Country’s energy upgrade proceeded quietly, but it also began to attract the covert attention of many foreign powers.
Inevitably, Chi Wan’s existence was slowly starting to come to light.
