Bar Conflict

The Eagle Bar, located next to the Cavendish Laboratory, is the most famous pub at Cambridge University.

Many faculty and students, as well as people from outside the university, often come here to drink.

Decades later, Watson and Crick would announce here that they had discovered the double helix structure of DNA.

The rich cultural atmosphere adds a layer of mystery to the bar.

Around 7 p.m., Li Qiwei and Wilson arrived at the pub.

The antique decor made Li Qiwei feel as if he had stepped into a Huaxia tea room.

At this moment, the bar was dotted with small groups, already filled with many people.

Some were talking loudly, others sat with heads bowed in thought.

The soothing music, the dim yellow lighting, and the scent of alcohol in the air relaxed the tense nerves.

Li Qiwei casually observed the crowd and unexpectedly spotted Raymond in a corner not far away.

That guy was sitting with several other Noble Youths.

Judging by his position, he seemed more like a hanger-on.

Raymond also saw Li Qiwei, shuddered, and quickly lowered his head.

He remembered the fear of being dominated by Li San yesterday.

Now, whenever he saw Li Qiwei, it was like a mouse seeing a cat—his legs trembled.

The few Young Masters around Raymond noticed his strange behavior and turned their gazes toward Li Qiwei, showing unfriendly expressions.

After locking eyes with them for a few seconds, Li Qiwei found a seat and sat down, completely unconcerned.

He and Wilson each ordered their preferred drinks.

After a few sips, they began to chat freely.

Wilson sighed first:

"Bruce, you really surprised me."

"That problem I gave you—I never imagined you could solve it on the spot."

"And you're almost ready to publish a paper."

Li Qiwei spun a yarn, making it up as he went: "I've always had an interest in physics, so I enjoy studying it."

Then he changed the subject and asked:

"Dr. Wilson, what is your research topic?"

"In the lab later, I hope I can lend a small hand."

Wilson swallowed a mouthful of wine, his face glowing with pride as he said:

"You know, my advisor, Professor Thomson, is currently studying the internal structure of the atom."

"This is a very cutting-edge field."

"Although the professor has already proven the existence of the electron, we still lack an instrument that can record the trajectories of these microscopic particles."

"My goal is to design such an instrument—one that can observe how atoms and electrons move."

When talking about his own field, Wilson was extremely confident, speaking eloquently with the air of a master.

Li Qiwei knew that this instrument would later become the Cloud Chamber.

A device that produces gaseous clouds, allowing microscopic particles to leave trails as they pass through.

It was precisely for inventing the cloud chamber that Wilson would later win the Nobel Prize in Physics.

Li Qiwei complimented him:

"That's a great research topic. I believe the discoveries inside the atom will surely open up a new future for physics."

If the Theory of Relativity governed the macroscopic world, then Quantum Mechanics governed the microscopic world.

And the atom, with its complex internal structure, was the core of the microscopic world, influencing a century of physics research to come.

Wilson was delighted by Li Qiwei's praise, took another big gulp of wine, and teased:

"You always have such a big mouth, talking about changing the future at every turn. It's good to be young—thinking you're above everything."

Li Qiwei smiled faintly, took a small sip of his wine, and offered no explanation.

Wilson continued:

"To be honest, Bruce, you're the smartest Qing Dynasty person I've ever met."

"Completely unlike what the government propaganda says." Wilson was a light drinker and had no filter in his speech.

Li Qiwei didn't mind his rudeness, but replied with a smile:

"That's nothing. Our Huaxia has a huge population; there are many people smarter than me."

"I just have a particular passion for physics."

Wilson was about to sigh when suddenly a jarring voice rang out, echoing throughout the bar.

"Oh? If your Qing Dynasty is so full of talent, how did you end up losing to our British Empire, ceding territory, paying reparations, and even having your emperor flee?"

"Hahaha!"

Such mocking words drew laughter from everyone around.

Decades ago, the Anglo-French forces had breached the Qing Dynasty's capital and destroyed the Old Summer Palace.

That event had torn away the veil of the Eastern giant's supposed strength.

From then on, Westerners began throwing their weight around in Huaxia.

This humiliating chapter of history now became ammunition for the enemy's scorn.

Li Qiwei frowned and followed the voice. The speaker was at Raymond's table.

A well-dressed Young Master, legs crossed, savoring red wine, looked at Li Qiwei and his companion with contempt.

Wilson also turned to the speaker, his face tightening as the alcohol wore off.

He whispered to Li Qiwei, "He's the grandson of Britain's current Prime Minister, William Cecil."

"He's an undergraduate at Cambridge University now, majoring in international politics."

So, the grandson of a chancellor—no wonder he was so arrogant.

Though anger stirred in Li Qiwei's heart, he didn't want to stir up trouble, so he kept drinking, ignoring Cecil's taunts.

But this super-privileged scion wouldn't let it go.

Cecil slowly stood up. At about five-foot-seven, he swaggered over to Li Qiwei.

Raymond, though conflicted, hurried over with the others.

Cecil looked Li Qiwei up and down like appraising an object, then sneered:

"Looks pretty ordinary to me, yet you dare to spout nonsense about science."

"Don't think solving a few tricky problems makes you so high and mighty that you forget your place."

With that, he shot a glance at Wilson, clearly dismissing him.

Wilson didn't respond. He was just an ordinary university lecturer, with little influence, and for a student like Cecil, he could only keep his distance.

If his mentor, Professor Thomson, or Professor Planck were here, they wouldn't have to show any deference.

This made Wilson clench his fists inwardly, vowing to rise above his station.

Li Qiwei, however, had no such restraint. He shot to his feet, looking down at Cecil.

"What, you got a problem?"

"Trash like you can only hide under your ancestors' protection to scrape by with a degree."

From the remnants of the original owner's memory, Li Qiwei knew that Cecil was just here to gild his resume.

As a descendant of Britain's top political family, he didn't need to study hard. The school would let him graduate, even as an outstanding alumnus.

After all, what seemed sacred to ordinary people was just a commodity to the upper class.

That's why Cecil was notoriously arrogant on campus—bullying others, acting like he owned the place, known to everyone.

Someone like Raymond was only fit to be his lackey.

Thus, this arrogant man had always been above it all, hearing only flattery, never suffering a slight.

Sure enough, Cecil's face turned ashen at Li Qiwei's insults.

No one had ever dared speak to him like that, especially not a Qing subject.

"Shut up! You damned yellow monkey, your country deserves to be wiped out."

"A lowlife from a backward region, spouting nothing but filthy words."

Cecil roared, furious at the sight of Li Qiwei.

He had once gone to the Qing Dynasty with his father. The people there were numb, like walking corpses.

They had no grasp of basic common sense, let alone lofty subjects like physics.

That fit his image of Qing people perfectly.

But Li Qiwei's appearance shattered that perception.

Not only could he solve difficult physics problems, but he also dared to bet with Lord Kelvin, claiming he would shape the future of physics.

What audacity.

If it were a Briton, it might be tolerable, but Li Qiwei was from the Qing Dynasty.

That Cecil could never accept.

In his mind, Westerners were the superior race, destined to rule the world.

The lowly Easterners were only fit to be slaves.

Li Qiwei was like a thorn, stabbing deep into his heart.

Faced with Cecil's raging outburst, Li Qiwei remained calm, about to retort with more sarcasm.

Suddenly, Cecil seemed to think of something amusing and started laughing to himself.

Li Qiwei, baffled, stared at Cecil like he was an idiot.

Wondering what was going on in that guy's head.

Thanks to all readers for your recommendation votes—I've noted them down. Hope everyone keeps reading, thank you~