Li Chengzhi was genuinely surprised when he received a call from Chen Mo.
Chen Mo almost never reached out to him first. The last time he did was about the seismograph—an invention that stunned the entire scientific community. So when Chen Mo made contact again, Li Chengzhi instantly knew it wasn't trivial.
Yet recently, everything at Marching Ant Company seemed quiet. No controversies, no technological waves. That made this call even stranger.
Still, when Chen Mo reached out, he didn't hesitate. Marching Ant was no ordinary company, and Chen Mo himself was already marked as a person of national importance. Unlike typical entrepreneurs, Chen Mo was a true scientific mind. If he ever agreed to work in a state-led research institute, he'd be considered a national treasure.
China had been placing more and more importance on talent. In fact, they'd already extended invitations to Chen Mo twice. He'd finally agreed—though only to let his name be listed in the National Academy of Engineering.
Today, Li Chengzhi was dressed casually, blending in with the crowd as he entered the Marching Ant campus. Every time he came, he wore different attire to avoid attention. Outsiders would assume he was just another business representative.
"Hello, Mr. Li Chengzhi. Mr. Chen is expecting you. Please follow me."
A smart robot met him at the gate and led him toward the elevator. The front desk staff didn't even look up. For robots to take the initiative in greeting and escorting someone—that kind of protocol was only used for top-tier visitors who had confirmed appointments.
"Sir, Mr. Li Chengzhi has arrived," the robot announced as it stepped into Chen Mo's office.
"Brother Li, have a seat," Chen Mo greeted him warmly.
Chen Mo had thought long and hard about this meeting.
As the company continued to grow, it would inevitably brush against state-level interests—especially when dealing with cutting-edge technologies from the Science and Technology Library. If he were to continue using advanced systems, military-related tech was unavoidable.
It was better to initiate contact now—to set the tone for future cooperation—than to delay and complicate things later.
The state was actively encouraging civilian participation in military development. Military-civil fusion was still in its early stages, but private companies had natural advantages—flexibility, efficiency, and low overhead. This would become a major trend.
Chen Mo never saw himself as a hero, but if he could contribute within his capacity, he was willing.
"Rare for you to reach out first," Li Chengzhi joked as he accepted a cup of tea from the service robot. "Honestly, if you hadn't called, I was planning to look for you anyway."
"Oh?" Chen Mo raised an eyebrow. "Why's that?"
"Remember when we talked about you joining the Academy? I came here to deliver the notice personally. You've officially been accepted into the Academy of Engineering as a civilian academician."
He handed over the formal notice and a red-covered certificate.
"You're now the youngest academician in national history… though some people are already calling you the 'wild academician.'"
"Wild academician?" Chen Mo chuckled, shaking his head as he accepted the certificate.
Unlike the blue cover used by the Academy of Sciences, the Academy of Engineering used red—a symbol of the highest academic honor in the field of engineering science and technology. It was a lifetime achievement.
Even though he was joining as a non-institutional member, it was still a huge privilege. As a Chinese national, there was no reason to reject this honor.
In China, exceptions were often made for extraordinary talent. Chen Mo wasn't the first, and he certainly wouldn't be the last.
"Starting today, you'll receive a national allowance," Li Chengzhi continued, "and you've been allocated a house. It's in Binhai—very secure. The allowance probably doesn't mean much to you, but the house could be useful for your family."
"Thanks," Chen Mo replied without hesitation, accepting the house key.
"You can also apply for research funding. Once it's approved, your projects will be tied to the academy, and if you're short on manpower, you can request support. Of course, anything unrelated to the approved project still stays under your control."
Chen Mo nodded. "Got it."
Li Chengzhi set his teacup down. "Now that I've done my bit, it's your turn. You said you had something important?"
Chen Mo didn't beat around the bush. "I want to collaborate—with the military."
"Oh?" Li Chengzhi's expression immediately sharpened, sitting up straighter. "We've been hoping for this."
They had always wanted deeper cooperation with Chen Mo but never dared to push. If he rejected the idea outright, it would be awkward for both sides. But now, with Chen Mo taking the initiative—it was an incredible opportunity.
"I've been spending too much time in the lab lately," Chen Mo said casually. "It's getting a little boring. Thought I'd work on something with you guys."
Boring?
Li Chengzhi almost choked on his tea. He wanted to strangle this guy. You're bored, so you decide to collaborate with the military? If overworked researchers heard that line, they'd probably die of rage.
"I'll be right back."
Chen Mo stood up, carrying the certificate and documents to his biotech lab. A few minutes later, he returned carrying a small safe.
"This is what I wanted to give you."
He opened the safe and turned it toward Li Chengzhi.
"Inside is research data for a project I'd like to collaborate on. Take it back and have your team review it."
"What kind of data?" Li Chengzhi asked, staring at the secure case.
"Life sciences. Biomedical research," Chen Mo replied calmly. "Specifically, human potential development."
Li Chengzhi froze.
Human potential development?
He stared at Chen Mo like he'd just seen a ghost. As a soldier, he'd seen more classified tech than most. But this? This was the kind of thing that was top-tier national secret level.
"You're serious?" he asked suspiciously.
"I don't joke about science," Chen Mo said, meeting his gaze. "Besides, science isn't always about slow decades-long progress. Sometimes all it takes is one insight—a little luck. Civilization has existed for thousands of years, but modern science has only been around for a hundred or so."
Li Chengzhi couldn't argue with that.
"The USB inside contains partial experimental data. I still hold the core tech. Have your team verify it, and then we can talk about next steps. There are also two samples of the drug in there. Do not lose them—they're irreplaceable."
Chen Mo pointed to two small vials nestled inside the foam casing.
Li Chengzhi picked up the safe with both hands, cradling it like a priceless treasure.
When he was on the battlefield, he'd never been this nervous. But this—if it was all real—the value was unimaginable.
"I'll take it back immediately," he said, already halfway to the door. "We'll verify it and get back to you."
He was too anxious to even sit back down and chat.
Leaving the building in haste, he didn't stop until he returned to the base. There, he boarded a military plane and flew straight to the capital.
He had to get that data into the right hands—immediately.