If Being Handsome Was a Crime, I'd Have Long Since Been Guilty Beyond Redemption
With some distance still to go before reaching their destination, Shen Qi browsed overseas websites in the car.
The international community is paying close attention to China's "Project Starlight," with some in favor and others against it.
The opposition is divided into two main groups.
One group is the environmentalists, who believe that although the "Project Starlight" generates green and environmentally friendly energy, the project itself has a negative impact on the environment.
Secondly, there are the anti-war faction, who believe that "Project Starlight" is a double-edged sword, usable for civilian purposes in peacetime and for military purposes in wartime. They argue that if China were to actively operate a Satellite Cluster to focus high-intensity sunlight onto a region outside of China, it could inflict an irresistible space attack on that area. This would give China a permanent right to strike first, which worries the anti-war faction.
The anti-war faction also believes that there is only one way to prevent China from using space-based strikes: to destroy China's satellite Satellite Cluster using anti-satellite missiles.
Only three countries possess mature anti-satellite missile technology: China, the United States, and Russia. India is reportedly also conducting anti-satellite missile tests, but internationally it is widely believed that India's technology lags far behind that of China, the United States, and Russia, and it does not yet possess practical combat capabilities.
Therefore, currently only two countries can prevent China from launching a space-based reflective Satellite Cluster attack: the United States and Russia.
The Russian government has not commented on Project Starlight, while the US government has strongly questioned the Project Starlight's security and China's true intentions in building it.
American news observers stated that Shen Qi, Fields Medal and Nobel Prize in Physics, was the core figure in the "Project Starlight." Shen Qi temporarily replaced Academician Han Xiaode in the "Project Starlight," and he quickly resolved all the project's technical problems, making China the first country to possess a large-scale, technologically mature Satellite Cluster.
Shen Qi chuckled and said, "Your objections are useless; our Satellite Cluster is already in orbit."
Have the US and Russia lost all their courage? Would they dare use anti-satellite missiles to destroy our "Ziwei" satellite?
Of course, the defense mechanism against "anti-satellite missiles" must be perfect; one can never be too careful. Shen Qi was not in charge of this project, but he knew that other Chinese scientists were working on it.
Ultimately, high-tech warfare today boils down to the ability to strike first and the ability to counterattack.
The side that strikes first has the initiative, but if the enemy makes the first move, the defending side must also have the military and technological capabilities to counterattack in order to avoid being wiped out, or even to achieve a counter-kill or counter-wipe.
Shen Qi did not want to see war break out. He said on the Xinwen Lianbo that "Project Starlight" was purely for civilian use and could not be used in any field other than civilian use.
Shen Qi's car arrived at a resort in Miyun, where he attended the Chinese Chemists' Annual Meeting and had a pleasant exchange with his colleagues in the field of chemistry.
After returning to the Shen Qi Research Center at Yenching University, Shen Qi shifted his focus to the field of chemistry.
The central Chemistry Room is working intensively on a chemical drug project codenamed LPJK1. Shen Qi attaches great importance to this project, and he recruited a group of chemistry PhDs more than a year ago to specifically study LPJK1.
The naming of a drug follows certain rules. Before it becomes a drug, it is a compound under investigation, and various research and experimental work are carried out in the form of a project.
Every research project has a project code, which is determined by the project leader based on the characteristics of the project and the academic problem it aims to solve.
LPJK1 is an abbreviation for "Wife Health 1". The research project for this chemical drug has been submitted to the national government for approval. Its purpose is to develop a target inhibitor for anemia.
Shen Qi's purpose in undertaking this project was very clear: he hoped his wife would be healthy.
Today, as soon as Shen Qi arrived at the center, a PhD in medicinal chemistry approached him with a coffee cup. "Director Shen, I'd like to perform platelet activation."
Shen Qi gave a soft "Oh," casually placed his briefcase on the desk, took the coffee the young man offered, smelled it, took a sip, and said, "Xiao Ming, platelet activation is a very routine and basic project. Although it's important, it's only a supporting project for the entire LPJK1. In the final evaluation of contribution, it will be somewhat disadvantageous. I remember Old Tang assigned you the task of conducting receptor blocker experiments, right?"
The large LPJK1 project was broken down into several smaller projects, with each research group conducting different experiments. These projects were eventually combined to yield the research results of LPJK1 and develop an effective new drug. If all goes well...
Xiao Ming nodded and said, "Yes, Professor Tang initially asked me to do the research and analysis of receptor blockers, but my expertise is more suited to platelet activation, so I would appreciate it if Director Shen would approve my request."
Shen Qi smiled, staring at Xiao Ming's handsome face, and kept smiling.
Xiao Ming asked tremblingly, "Director Shen... what are you laughing at? Was my research request too outrageous? Surely not..."
"Xiao Ming, what's your zodiac sign?" Shen Qi suddenly asked.
Xiao Ming felt a little confused, but he still answered, "Taurus."
Shen Qi then asked, "Do you know why I chose you from hundreds of resumes?"
"Because..." Xiao Ming was getting more and more confused; he didn't know how to answer.
Shen Qi said in a serious tone, "Because you're handsome."
Xiao Ming was a little embarrassed. "Hehe... thank you."
"You want to leave the highly important receptor blocker research group? I guess you're unwilling to be someone else's assistant. For the platelet activation experiment, just find an experienced researcher to lead one or two doctoral students. Xiao Ming, you graduated from UC Berkeley with your doctorate; you have no problem being the leader of the platelet activation research group. Perhaps it's because you're too handsome that you don't want to be an assistant to someone less handsome than you," Shen Qi stated his opinion.
Xiao Ming waved his hands repeatedly. "No way!"
Shen Qi countered, "No?"
Xiao Ming said loudly, "Working in Shen Qi Research Center lab, do I really need to rely on my looks? In my mind, Shen Qi Research Center is China's most advanced research mecca, where strength determines everything! This is also the most important reason why I returned to China to join Director Shen. Okay, I admit I have a decent-looking appearance, but that's not my fault, it's a gift from my parents! If they refuse to let me be the leader of the platelet activation research group because of my appearance, I think I will find it very hard to accept."
Shen Qi poked Xiao Ming in the chest. "Dr. Xiao, you've finally spoken your mind. Your determination to become the leader of the platelet activation research group stems from your deep-seated arrogance. In our center, you respect no one but yourself."
"This..." Xiao Ming was stunned; Shen Qi's words struck him to the core.
Many elite PhDs who have returned from overseas are somewhat arrogant. Xiao Ming lowered his head and murmured, "You can't say that. The person I admire most is Director Shen, and I will resolutely obey Director Shen's leadership."