Senator Li's suspicions

A faint smile appeared on Lü Yongchang's face at Senator Li's praise.

Seeing Lü Yongchang's rather composed expression, Senator Li looked a little surprised.

In his experience, almost no one could remain so calm after receiving his praise.

Senator Li pondered for a moment, then said slowly, "Yongchang, what do you think about the future direction of Xia Country's technological development?"

Before his words had even faded, excitement appeared in Hong Qiming's eyes.

Here it comes!

Judging from Senator Li's earlier attitude, he was certain that as long as Lü Yongchang gave a conventional answer, the responsibility of leading the next generation would fall to him!

Lü Yongchang's gaze shifted slightly.

Like Hong Qiming, he had also sensed the meaning behind Senator Li's question.

The instructions Hong Qiming had given him before they entered the office flashed through his mind.

Although he understood what Hong Qiming had been implying, he could not give a conventional answer to this question.

The sight of the sun undergoing a helium flash kept flashing through his mind. How could he dare slow down?

Lü Yongchang took a deep breath and said slowly, "Senator Li, I believe Xia Country should set its sights on the universe!"

Hong Qiming froze for a moment, then a trace of anxiety flashed through his eyes.

This brat!

I specifically told him not to say anything out of line!

Lü Yongchang continued undeterred, "We have already successfully ignited the spark of nuclear fusion."

"You could say Xia Country is now only half a step away from fully mastering controlled nuclear fusion."

"Senator Li, as a researcher and a scholar, I have a duty to remind you that controlled nuclear fusion technology is vitally important. Our nation's future depends on it!

"Xia Country now stands at a turning point in history. The door to a new world is right before us. Whether we push it open or step back depends entirely on what we do next."

Senator Li frowned slightly, watching Lü Yongchang speak with confidence.

"Yongchang! You..."

Hong Qiming could no longer keep his composure. He called to Lü Yongchang in a low voice, trying to interrupt him.

Senator Li abruptly raised his left hand, gesturing for Hong Qiming to stop.

He gave Hong Qiming a meaningful look and said slowly, "Let him finish!"

Then Senator Li turned back to Lü Yongchang and asked pointedly, "You mean Xia Country needs to develop controlled nuclear fusion as quickly as possible?"

Lü Yongchang nodded lightly. "Not only that. Xia Country needs to look beyond Earth."

"Beyond Earth?"

"That's right." Lü Yongchang's gaze was unwavering. Ignoring the confusion in Senator Li's and Hong Qiming's eyes, he continued, "The moon, Mars, or even... beyond the Solar System."

"Ahem! Yongchang!" Hong Qiming coughed forcefully and warned him, "You're getting a little ahead of yourself!"

Senator Li slowly shook his head, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "It's fine."

"He's young. Having a few dreams is a good thing."

Hearing Senator Li's assessment, Hong Qiming relaxed a little.

He surreptitiously shot Lü Yongchang a glare.

This little brat!

He really dares to say anything in front of Senator Li!

Once we get back, I'll have to give him a proper talking-to!

Lü Yongchang, meanwhile, showed a trace of regret in his eyes.

As expected, it's still too early to bring this up.

Only a year later, when signs of the sun's aging began to emerge, would he be able to formally put his plan on the table.

For now, he needed to build up all the technologies necessary for the Stars and Seas Plan a year down the line.

After a moment of silence, Senator Li spoke again. "Yongchang, rest assured. The Controlled Nuclear Fusion Project will be the focus of Xia Country's development over the next few years."

"What you need to do now is refine controlled nuclear fusion technology in the laboratory as much as possible. When the time is right, Xia Country will naturally build a controlled nuclear fusion demonstration reactor."

Lü Yongchang nodded silently.

"All right, you can leave now. Minister Hong and I still have a few things to discuss."

The moment the office door closed, Hong Qiming said anxiously, "Senator Li, that boy Lü Yongchang... he's just a little too young. He..."

"All right, all right." Senator Li's face was full of smiles. "I know what you mean."

"Of course I know that boy Lü Yongchang has potential."

"I asked you to stay for another matter."

As he spoke, Senator Li handed Hong Qiming a document.

Hong Qiming breathed a small sigh of relief and reached out to take it.

"This..."

The moment he saw the document, Hong Qiming's brows knitted tightly together.

"These are the findings of Xia Country Security Bureau Two's investigation."

Senator Li spoke as though it were nothing.

Hong Qiming's pupils abruptly contracted, and the hands holding the document trembled slightly.

Intelligence from Xia Country Security Bureau Two!

This was an intelligence agency on par with the United States Central Intelligence Agency, Y Country's Military Intelligence Five, and Su Country's KGB!

Senator Li's gaze was inscrutable as he said quietly, "According to the investigation, although Lü Yongchang had excellent grades in the past... he never seemed to show anything exceptional."

Hong Qiming swallowed. "Do you mean... there's something wrong with Lü Yongchang?"

Senator Li slowly shook his head.

"Not as such."

"I've reviewed his parents' records as well. They're clean."

"Otherwise, he would never have entered this office."

Senator Li's tone was utterly calm.

Yet Hong Qiming felt a chill creep up his back.

He hurriedly asked, "Then what do you mean...?"

Rather than answer immediately, Senator Li pressed a button beside his desk.

"Are the results ready?" Senator Li asked calmly.

A moment later, a steady male voice sounded in the office. "He spent a total of eleven minutes and twenty-five seconds in the office, from entry to departure. During that time, Lü Yongchang's heart rate fluctuated twice, accompanied by pupil constriction and a series of other responses."

"When?"

"The first time was while he was answering your question. The second was just before he left the office."

Senator Li nodded thoughtfully, then asked, "What did the psychological assessment say?"

"...According to the assessment, Lü Yongchang likely has no ill intentions. Everything he said was likely sincere."

"But he is concealing something."

Senator Li slowly nodded.

That fits.

Ever since meeting Lü Yongchang, he had felt that way.

It was as though... Lü Yongchang harbored an enormous secret.

Hong Qiming swallowed and asked quietly, "Senator Li, should we... remove Lü Yongchang from his position as Chief Engineer of controlled nuclear fusion for now?"

The corners of Senator Li's mouth lifted slightly, and a meaningful smile appeared on his wrinkled face.

"There's no rush."

"Having secrets isn't a problem. Everyone has secrets, including me, and including you."

As he spoke, Senator Li's gaze lingered briefly on Hong Qiming's face.

Hong Qiming's heart instantly skipped a beat.

After a brief pause, Senator Li continued.

"All I need to know is that he has no intention of harming Xia Country."

"Besides, he's made such a tremendous contribution to controlled nuclear fusion. Xia Country is certainly not a nation that discards people once they've served their purpose!"

Hong Qiming looked at Senator Li in confusion. "Then..."

Senator Li pondered for a moment, then said slowly, "Let him continue serving as Chief Engineer."

"Also, begin the second experiment as soon as possible."

"I hope that within a year, the light of fusion will shine across Xia Country!"