Chapter 288 - 221: Special Approval

Chapter 288: Chapter 221: Special Approval

But the value of this thing was immeasurable!

"This is incredible... It’s practically a dimensional strike..."

Tang Xuebing muttered to himself, then suddenly snapped his head up, his eyes fixed on Chen Lin with a fervent gaze.

"Professor Chen! Words can’t express my gratitude! I’m heading back to the Science and Technology University right now! The project team will start running this model tonight!"

"As soon as we have the results, I’ll let you know immediately, whether it works or not!"

With that, Tang Xuebing carefully placed the A4 sheet into a folder, then stuffed the folder into his briefcase.

"Old Lu, Yan Lin, I can’t stay and chat. There’s no time to lose, I’m off to catch the high-speed train!"

Tang Xuebing was a man of swift and decisive action. After a hasty farewell to Chen Lin and the others, he rushed out of the classroom in a flurry.

Chen Lin watched Professor Tang’s departing figure, smiled, and stood up as well.

"Professor Lu, Yan Lin, I’m going to head back as well. I have some things to take care of at the company."

"Of course, of course. Take care, Professor Chen!" Lu Zhongqi said, his face wreathed in smiles.

Yan Lin stood to the side, watching Chen Lin’s upright figure. She waved a little shyly. "Goodbye, Professor Chen!"

...

As he walked out of the School of Chemistry building, the cold wind cleared his head, and the feeling of dizziness began to fade.

He stuck his hands in his pockets and strolled toward the startup incubator.

He was about halfway there when the phone in his pants pocket suddenly began to vibrate.

He took it out. The caller ID read: Liang Tianshi.

Chen Lin raised an eyebrow.

Ever since that last confidential project, Academician Liang had been contacting him much more frequently.

"Hello, Academician Liang," Chen Lin said, answering the call.

"Chen Lin, are you still at the university?" Liang Tianshi’s aged yet gentle voice came through the phone.

"I am. I just helped the joint research team for the solid-state battery calculate something. I was just about to head back to my company," Chen Lin replied casually.

"Mm, it’s good for a young man to be full of energy, but you have to remember to balance work and rest." Liang Tianshi advised him like an elder before his tone shifted. "I’m calling you today about an official matter I need to inform you of."

Chen Lin’s interest was piqued. "I’m listening."

"It’s already mid-December," Liang Tianshi said, his tone growing more serious. "As is customary, the National Science and Technology Award Conference is held every year in December or January."

’The National Science and Technology Award Conference?’

Chen Lin froze for a moment.

The name sounded vaguely familiar. He thought he might have come across it while scrolling through short-form videos. It was one of those grand occasions with red carpets and prestige turned up to the max.

If the Nobel Prize was the highest temple for scientists worldwide, then the State Preeminent Science and Technology Award presented at this conference was the ultimate dream for researchers in Huaxia. It was, in the truest sense, their ultimate pantheon.

"This is the highest honor in our nation’s scientific community," Liang Tianshi said slowly over the phone. "You probably don’t realize just how prestigious it is or how rigorous the selection process is."

"You can’t just apply to be a candidate for this award. Like the Nobel Prize, it works on a nomination-only basis."

"Furthermore, to ensure absolute fairness, the State Preeminent Science and Technology Award’s review committee uses an open ballot system. Each committee member is accountable for their vote, and an award is only considered valid if it passes with a majority of over two-thirds of the committee."

Liang Tianshi paused before continuing, "This is especially true for the highest awards, which are essentially lifetime achievement honors. Although there’s no official age requirement, they are, by convention, typically awarded to veteran scientists who have dedicated their entire lives to a field and have a vast body of work to their name."

As he listened, Chen Lin started to understand what Academician Liang was getting at.

’This kind of award is reserved for the titans of the field. Seniority is a must.’

’After all, if you give a lifetime achievement award to someone in their twenties or thirties, and they go on to make even greater contributions, wouldn’t the nation face the awkward predicament of having no higher honor to bestow?’

’I might be in the spotlight right now, but I’m ultimately too young and my foundation is too shallow. Under normal circumstances, an award like this would be completely out of my league.’

"So, Academician Liang, what you’re trying to say is..." Chen Lin asked, confused.

"Normally, based on seniority and standard procedure, you wouldn’t be qualified to participate this year."

A hint of a smile suddenly crept into Liang Tianshi’s voice.

"However!"

"Because you performed a great service by helping the national defense research system solve the core mathematical bottleneck for the hypersonic vehicle project."

"Academician Xiang Wentian, Chief Engineer Li Weiguo, and I jointly submitted a letter of recommendation to the higher-ups."

"Just a little while ago, the approval came through."

Liang Tianshi’s tone became solemn and dignified: "Special approval has been granted for Comrade Chen Lin to attend this year’s National Science and Technology Award Conference!"

Chen Lin’s grip on his phone tightened slightly.

’Special approval?’

’Recommended by three major figures?’

’They’re... showing me an incredible amount of respect!’

"The conference is scheduled for December 25th," Liang Tianshi said. "Arrange your work, and just plan to arrive in the Imperial Capital a day early. Someone will contact you with the specific itinerary and reception details."

"Understood, Academician Liang. I’ll be there on time," Chen Lin immediately agreed.

After hanging up, Chen Lin stood by the side of the road, watching the students come and go across the Yannan University campus as he mulled things over.

Even though Academician Liang had made it all sound very grand, with the special approval and nominations, Chen Lin knew exactly what the situation was.

This trip to the Imperial Capital was, in all likelihood, just for show.

’An award like the State Preeminent Science and Technology Award, practically a lifetime achievement honor, was definitely not going to go to me.’

’My accomplishments really did seem a bit thin compared to those of the veteran scientists who had dedicated their entire lives to the nation.’

Still...

’Just being able to attend an event like that, see the world, and meet some of the real titans in the field... it’s definitely not a bad deal.’

A slight smile touched Chen Lin’s lips.

Having come to this conclusion, Chen Lin no longer felt any pressure.

He pocketed his phone and quickened his pace toward the startup incubator.

The conference wasn’t until the 25th, and it was only mid-month.

The priority right now was to take care of business at the company.

A few minutes later, Chen Lin was back in the Yanhai Company office.

It was a little after four in the afternoon, and everyone was busy with their work.

Chen Lin walked straight to his workstation and immediately spotted Bai Qian at the desk next to his, hair a total mess, eyes glued to the screen. His fingers were flying across the keyboard as he muttered to himself.

"The tensor product for this part... no, the dimensions don’t line up..."

Chen Lin smiled but didn’t disturb him, simply pulling out his chair and sitting down.

He stretched his fingers, woke up his screen, and expertly opened his PyTorch development environment.

He already had the mathematical model for the new algorithm architecture he’d derived, but turning it into executable lines of code would still take considerable effort.

’Alright, time to get back to grinding out this code.’

Chen Lin took a deep breath, his gaze instantly sharpening with focus.