Chapter 221

Qin Feng's words, "Everyone be quiet," seemed to carry the power of a decree that instantly silenced the entire hall. In the remainder of the speech, no one dared to interrupt or question him; all were enveloped by an invisible aura, passively and utterly focused on listening.

After the speech ended, Qin Feng left the venue directly under the tight escort of Lei Dong and others, giving no opportunity to any media or those attempting to approach him. Behind him, a crowd of listeners with varied thoughts remained, lost in shock and contemplation.

However, just as Qin Feng's party passed through the private corridor, preparing to head to the VIP lounge, a slender figure suddenly emerged from behind a fire exit beside the corridor, attempting to break through the Security Personnel's blockade.

It was a boy who looked no older than fifteen or sixteen, wearing faded jeans and an oversized hoodie, his hair disheveled, his face etched with a mixture of urgency, stubbornness, and desperation.

"Mr. Qin! Wait! Mr. Qin!" the boy shouted, his voice still hoarse from puberty.

Lei Dong's gaze sharpened; two Security Personnel immediately stepped forward, effortlessly restraining the boy with professional, restrained movements—no harm done, but enough to prevent him from advancing a single step.

"Let me go! I need to see Mr. Qin! I have something important!" the boy struggled fiercely, his eyes locked on Qin Feng's retreating back.

Su Wenqian frowned and stepped forward, signaling the Security Personnel to hold back. She approached the boy, her tone calm but distant: "Young man, Mr. Qin's schedule is tight. He does not accept impromptu meetings. If you have a matter, submit an official application."

"Official channels won't work! They won't even respond to me!" the boy cried out, his gaze sweeping past Su Wenqian and once again fixing on the figure vanishing around the corridor's corner, "Mr. Qin! It's about the Star Ring! I know about the Star Ring!"

Qin Feng, who had just begun to step away, paused slightly.

The term "Star Ring" struck like a key code, triggering a nerve within him. Anyone who knew this term—and dared to shout it in such a setting—was no ordinary person.

He slowly turned around, his gaze falling on the boy for the first time. The boy's face was delicate, yet his eyes carried an enduring gloom and a resilience far beyond his years.

"You know about the Star Ring?" Qin Feng's voice rang out, flat and calm.

Seeing Qin Feng finally respond, the boy's eyes blazed with hope; he nodded vigorously: "I know! My mother… my mother has been researching it! She left behind a lot!"

"Who is your mother?" Qin Feng asked.

The boy took a deep breath, as if expending all his strength, and spoke slowly, syllable by syllable:

"Mu… Zhaoxue."

That name exploded like thunder within the corridor.

Su Wenqian and Lei Dong's expressions changed instantly! Mu Zhaoxue! This name was among the highest secrets within the New Era! She was one of the few top astrophysicists in Qin Feng's past-life memories who had recognized part of the truth behind the Star Ring disaster and attempted to issue warnings in its early stages—but according to official records, she had long since "died" in a laboratory accident. Could this boy truly be her son?!

Qin Feng's pupils contracted slightly, yet his expression remained unchanged; only his eyes grew deeper, like a still pool.

He waved his hand.

The Security Personnel restraining the boy immediately released him, though they remained alert, standing nearby.

The boy rubbed his sore arms, staring urgently at Qin Feng: "Mr. Qin, my mother didn't die in an accident! She was persecuted because she uncovered the secrets of the Star Ring! She left me an encrypted storage device with all her research notes and data! She said that if one day someone truly understood and could respond to the threat of the Star Ring, I should give it to them! I… I've been watching for a long time—only you, only the New Era, can do it!"

His words tumbled out in agitation, yet the core message was crystal clear.

Mu Zhaoxue had left behind research on the Star Ring! And she had foreseen the disaster, leaving guidance for her son's future!

Qin Feng looked at the boy's trembling body, tense and excited, and at those eyes—so like his mother's, filled with intelligence and stubbornness—and fell silent for a moment.

The corridor was unnervingly quiet, broken only by the boy's heavy breathing.

Finally, Qin Feng spoke, his tone unreadable: "What is your name?"

"Mu… Mu Bai," the boy replied.

Qin Feng nodded and instructed Su Wenqian: "Take him with you. Arrange a room with absolute security."

"Yes, sir," Su Wenqian immediately replied, her gaze toward Mu Bai now far more complex.

Upon hearing this, Mu Bai's face lit up with overwhelming relief and joy, his eyes nearly reddening; he nodded vigorously: "Thank you! Thank you, Mr. Qin!"

Qin Feng said nothing more, turning to continue walking forward.

Yet inside, his inner turmoil was far from calm.

Mu Zhaoxue… one of the regrets he had failed to prevent in his past life. If her research truly remained, as her son claimed, it could be the crucial missing piece in the New Era's response to the Star Ring crisis!

This boy, Mu Bai—his appearance was no accident.

This journey to Yao Du was proving far more valuable than he had anticipated.

Lilith's petty, underhanded schemes paled into insignificance beside the clues tied to the Star Ring and Mu Zhaoxue.

He needed to know immediately what Mu Bai held in his hands.