President Dong Wang of the Academy of Sciences naturally took the seat beside Lin Yi. While they waited for the meeting to begin, he quietly filled him in:
"Principal Lin, just relax. This is a small meeting among senior officials, so there's no need to be so formal. It's nothing like those big conferences on TV, with strict speaking orders."
He reminded him, "If you have something to say, just signal and speak up. Chief Li is chairing the meeting himself. Look, here he comes."
As they spoke, Chief Li Zhenguo entered the conference room and took the seat at the head of the table.
His gaze swept across the room, pausing briefly in Lin Yi's direction as he gave him a slight nod.
Lin Yi nodded back.
Li Zhenguo dispensed with any further formalities and announced, "Comrades, the meeting is now in session. Today's agenda is extremely important and concerns the future global order. For that reason, I've specifically invited Comrade Lin Yi to attend."
He looked toward Lin Yi and said with a smile, "I hope that having one of our younger generation here will bring us old-timers some fresh perspectives and insights."
With that, Li Zhenguo led the applause, and the others in attendance joined in.
Lin Yi rose and saluted the room, his movements calm and composed.
When the applause died down, Li Zhenguo got straight to the point. "First, I'd like Comrade Zhou Donglai from the General Staff to brief us on the overall situation in the recent Abyss Tide battle, both domestically and internationally."
Zhou Donglai stood and walked to the control console. He pressed a button, bringing up a clear map of the domestic situation on the main screen.
"First, the situation at home." His voice was spirited. "Thanks to the joint efforts