Ian's Scheme

Ian waited for the reporters to digest the information.

At that moment, another reporter raised his hand. He was a middle-aged man, balding, wearing a rumpled suit, with an "Associated Press" badge hanging on his chest.

"I'm Tom White, Associated Press. You just mentioned cutting-edge technology far beyond humanity's current level."

"May I ask where this technology came from? Is it alien technology? If it is, does that mean more aliens are plotting against Earth? The Jupiter Family just disappeared. We don't want to be ruled by another group of aliens."

This reporter was not deliberately trying to cause trouble. He had truly asked the question everyone cared about.

The hall fell quiet. The question had struck a nerve in many people.

The Jupiter Family had ruled this Earth for decades, oppressing, enslaving, and killing. They had had enough of aliens, enough of being treated like ants.

And they had had enough of those lofty "gods."

"You've asked a good question."

Ian looked at the reporter and fell silent for a second. Then he smiled.

The smile was very faint, very light, but there was something indescribable in it—not mockery, not contempt, but a deeper, more certain confidence.

"However, very soon," Ian said softly, "you won't question that anymore."

He left them hanging. The reporters looked at one another.

Some frowned, some shook their heads, and some rapidly took notes on their tablets. The reporter named Tom White was clearly dissatisfied with the answer and pressed, "Why can't you answer now? Are you hiding something? Is that technology alien or not?"

This kind of aggressive pressure was what reporters were best at.

Ian looked at him without anger or impatience. His voice remained calm, as if he were explaining something very simple to a child who did not understand.

"I'm