Chapter 12: Report's Echo and the Mosquito-Exterminator Hero's Dilemma

News from the Provincial Science Academy.

It came on an ordinary Tuesday afternoon.

At that moment, Feng Yan was facing the computer.

He was struggling to translate a notice about 'optimizing the financing environment for small and micro enterprises' into language people could understand.

The internal phone on the desk suddenly buzzed, startling him.

The caller ID showed it was the Section Chief Wang's office.

Feng Yan's heart jumped, and he immediately grabbed the receiver: 'Section Chief.'

On the other end, Section Chief Wang's voice carried a deliberately suppressed excitement, but his speech was much faster than usual:

"Little Feng! Come to my office right away! Director Chen at the Provincial Science Academy has given feedback!"

Feng Yan felt his heartbeat instantly catch up to a winding spring, like a drum beating 'dong dong dong'.

He took a deep breath and replied as steadily as he could, 'Okay, Section Chief, I'll be there right away.'

He hung up the phone and rushed out of the office with both hands and feet.

In the hallway, he forced himself to slow down and tidied his already neat shirt collar.

His mind wildly rehearsed: Was it criticism? Praise? Or… sent back for a rewrite?

He pushed open the door to Section Chief Wang's office and found the chief's face flushed.

The previous stern rigidity had vanished, replaced by a sense of proud excitement.

"Little Feng! Quick, have a seat!" Section Chief Wang rose unusually, personally pouring Feng Yan a cup of water (a treatment he hadn't received before).

"Great news! The office of Director Chen at the Provincial Science Academy just called!"

Feng Yan took the cup with both hands, his fingertips trembling with excitement: 'Section Chief, Director Chen… what did he say?'

"He attaches great importance! Director Chen personally read our report and gave it high praise!"

Section Chief Wang's voice boomed, as if he claimed half the credit.

"Director Chen said our report's content was detailed, the thinking clear, the prospect analysis spot-on, especially our grasp of technical bottlenecks and future needs, which was very precise!"

Upon hearing this, the big stone that had weighed on Feng Yan's mind for half a month fell with a 'clang'.

He almost couldn't help celebrating on the spot with a clenched fist.

He forced his expression to stay steady and said humbly:

"It's all thanks to your guidance, Section Chief, and Li Yang's solid technical skills."

"Oh, don't be modest!" Section Chief Wang waved his hand.

"Director Chen explicitly instructed that the 'Tie Lang Gong Fang' project be incorporated into the Provincial Science Academy's 'Frontier Technology Incubation and Key Tracking Project Library' for focused attention and cultivation!"

"Included in the project library! Focused tracking!"

These words seemed to glow with gold, striking Feng Yan and making him a bit dizzy.

This meant that Li Yang and his exoskeleton were no longer a makeshift endeavor.

But were now officially certified, a promising stock with 'compiled' status!

"Of course, Director Chen also raised some requirements," Section Chief Wang said, his tone turning more serious.

"He demands of us, especially you, Feng Yan."

"Continue to handle liaison and service well, closely monitor project progress, and promptly feedback difficulties."

"Later, the Provincial Science Academy will, based on project development, consider providing test sites and permits for specific equipment use."

"Even in some non-confidential general technical consultation, necessary support will be given!"

"Test sites! Equipment permits! Technical consultation!"

"Although no direct funding is given, these resources, for Li Yang,"

"are nothing short of a long-awaited rain after a drought!"

"This could be more practical than a direct grant!"

"After all, good steel should be used on the blade, and what Li Yang lacks most"

"is often these 'soft resources' that money can't easily buy."

"Great! Section Chief!" Feng Yan this time couldn't hold back.

His grin spread to his ears, 'I represent Li Yang in thanking Section Chief Wang for his strong support, and Director Chen and the Provincial Science Academy for their attention!'

"This is thanks to your own efforts!" Section Chief Wang nodded satisfiedly.

He then switched to a task-assignment tone:

"You must immediately tell this good news to Comrade Li Yang, so he can develop with peace of mind and go all out!"

"At the same time, you need to quickly produce a more specific"

"list of the concrete support needed for the next steps—the more detailed, the better!"

"We must implement Director Chen's instructions in practice!"

"Yes! Guarantee to complete the mission!" Feng Yan stood up, his voice booming.

Leaving the section chief's office, Feng Yan felt as if he were stepping on clouds, not floor tiles.

He practically floated back to his workstation, immediately pulling out his phone to prepare to share the good news with Li Yang.

Just then, a notification for a TikTok live stream popped up at the top of his phone screen:

【The live stream of 'Mosquito-Exterminator Hero Chen Guang' that you follow has started!】

Feng Yan's finger paused instantly, and inexplicably he clicked into it.

The live broadcast picture was even more chaotic than before.

Chen Guang sat at his dormitory desk, brows furrowed, facing the camera, his expression somewhat dispirited.

"... There's nothing I can do; the dormitory auntie has issued an ultimatum."

Saying, "My equipment's power exceeds standards, the wiring is privately and haphazardly connected, posing serious safety hazards, and must be dismantled within a deadline."

He pushed his glasses up and sighed.

Moreover... because when the tests first started, I didn't control the power well, causing several trips.

It affected the neighboring dorm, and complaints were made to the counselor.

The barrage of comments was all sighs.

【Ah this... died before achieving success?】

【I understand the dorm supervisor, this thing looks a bit scary.】

【The big shot's research path is always full of obstacles (lighting a candle).】

【Can't we apply for a lab?】

【The school lab doesn't allow this kind of "non-mainstream" project, right?】

Chen Guang looked at the barrage of comments and shook his head helplessly.

"I've applied before, but it was rejected."

"They said the research direction... isn't mainstream enough, its practicality is questionable, and moreover the potential risks are hard to assess."

He picked up the laser emitter he had assembled himself, his eyes full of reluctance and gloom.

"Could it be... that the only option is to dismantle it? Or... change the thesis topic?"

Feng Yan looked at the face on the screen, filled with the words "Genius has nowhere to go."

Thinking back to the good news about the "key tracking project" in Section Chief Wang's office just now.

Suddenly, a strange sense of contrast arose in his heart... and a strong urge to poach talent.

Li Yang's side could be considered to have initially "made it ashore", although he only got an admission ticket, but his future is bright.

Meanwhile, here, another promising talent is being brutally beaten by reality, about to be buried.

Can this be tolerated?

Feng Yan's fingers flew across the comment area, typing; this time it was no longer a joke.

But rather, it carried sincerity and a hint of recruitment.

The blogger's technical skill is very strong; it's a shame to be limited by real-world conditions.

"Have you considered looking for off-campus collaboration platforms or incubators?"

"Perhaps there are places that can provide a more relaxed R&D environment and necessary support."

As soon as this comment was posted, it immediately caught Chen Guang's attention.

He saw the ID "Feng Yan".

He remembered that last time, it was this ID that raised a very insightful question.

He faced the camera, his tone a bit bewildered:

"Off-campus platforms? Incubators? We students usually don't have access to these, and we don't know which are reliable..."

Feng Yan knew the timing was about right.

If he continued to shout out online from afar, it would seem insincere.

He left the livestream room and directly opened the private chat with "Mosquito-exterminating Hero Chen Guang".

After choosing his words, he wrote:

"Hello, Chen Guang, I am Feng Yan, a staff member of the Yunchan City Industry Development Bureau (identity verifiable)."

"I have been following your laser mosquito-killing project and greatly admire your technical ability."

"Having learned of the difficulties you currently face, we believe your technology has unique value and potential and should not be buried."

"Our department is currently supporting and tracking some similar civilian cutting-edge technology innovation projects, and perhaps we can offer you some assistance or resource connection suggestions within our capacity."

"If you are interested in further communication, you can add my WeChat: FengYan_Work."

He left his work WeChat, which both indicated his official identity and increased credibility.

He also maintained an appropriate distance to avoid appearing too eager.

After sending the message, Feng Yan took a deep breath.

On one side was the joy of Li Yang's project getting on track; on the other was the anticipation of uncovering new talent.

This feeling... is really not bad.

He first sent Li Yang a message of good news:

"It's set! Lao Li! Provincial Science Academy key project pool! Subsequent resource support!"

"Details tonight at the warehouse meet-up for an in-depth chat! (Excited to the point of blurry. jpg)"

Then he picked up the notice titled 'Optimizing the Financing Environment for Small and Micro Enterprises'.

He felt the words on it were much more pleasing to the eye.

"Looks like," he thought happily, "my 'future national scientific research team' talent-scouting journey."

"We still need to speed up; our small team still needs to grow."