Chapter 307 - 237: Award for Scientific and Technological Progress

Chapter 307: Chapter 237: Award for Scientific and Technological Progress

Hearing Academician Chen Quan’s self-deprecating joke, Chen Lin laughed along, but his smile held a hint of meaning only he could understand.

Who hasn’t had their moments of youthful arrogance?

It’s the time of life for fine clothes and spirited horses, for savoring victory in a single, glorious day.

A few months ago, when he was first saddled with that unreliable "Elementary School System," he had to pretend to be calm and collected on the surface, but deep down, he was bursting with the unmistakable swagger of the newly rich.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have gotten into that head-to-head sing-off with Yunqing’s senior, Song Cheng, during his gig as a resident singer at a bar. That whole affair even caused a small stir on the campus forums.

But after experiencing more and seeing more of the world—especially after the number in his bank account jumped from tens of thousands to hundreds of millions, and seeing the team at Yanhai Company building this venture with him—Chen Lin’s mindset had completely changed.

What’s the damn point of being famous? Even standing in the spotlight like this wasn’t as satisfying as quietly getting rich.

Hiding one’s achievements and name, that’s the mark of a cunning... oh, no, the ultimate romance for a mature man.

After tagging along with Liang Tianshi to get some face time with a few titans of the field, and collecting a handful of business cards and compliments, Chen Lin glanced at the time and dutifully returned to his seat.

His seat was, just as Wang had said, almost unreasonably good—first level, fifth row.

This was a prime spot, right next to the academicians’ section. The people sitting around him, in front and behind, were all names you’d find in textbooks.

Time ticked by, second by second.

The great hall, which had been somewhat noisy, quickly quieted down as several staff members in dark formal wear entered to guide the attendees.

The atmosphere instantly shifted from relaxed socializing to a breathtaking solemnity.

When the clock struck nine.

As the elder who had spoken at length with Chen Lin two days prior walked onto the stage with steady steps and took his seat, majestic and stirring music suddenly filled the grand auditorium.

Chen Lin stood up along with all the other Guests in the hall.

When the music ended, everyone sat down.

Silence. A silence so profound you could hear a pin drop.

In this hallowed hall, at the annual event representing the highest honor in Huaxia’s academic and scientific communities, every breath seemed to carry weight.

After a brief but powerful opening speech, the ceremony quickly moved to its most adrenaline-pumping segment: the announcement and presentation of the five major national science and technology awards.

The State Supreme Science and Technology Award, the State Natural Science Award, the State Technological Invention Award, the State Science and Technology Progress Award, and the International Science and Technology Cooperation Award.

First to be announced was, without a doubt, the jewel in the crown—the State Supreme Science and Technology Award.

This was the "king of kings" among the five great awards, conferred upon no more than two individuals each year, with some years having no recipients at all.

Every recipient of this award was a titan who had either made major breakthroughs at the Technology Frontier or created enormous economic benefits through technological innovation and industrialization.

In domestic academic circles, winning this award was tantamount to having your name etched at the very top of a monument, to be revered by all who followed.

Chen Lin sat in the audience, his back ramrod straight, but internally, he had a very realistic grasp of the situation.

He was most likely just here to be part of the "premium hype squad," or in common terms, just to be part of the spectacle.

That wasn’t to say he was selling himself short.

The AI algorithm he proposed at the mathematics conference—a "dimensionality reduction strike" of a solution—and the mathematical bottleneck he solved for the solid-state battery project were, in terms of sheer technical value, absolutely nuclear-grade.

But the problem was—time.

The Supreme Award valued applied results.

As revolutionary as the solid-state batteries were, mass-produced cars using them hadn’t even rolled off the assembly line yet. The streets were still full of gasoline-powered and lithium-ion battery vehicles.

The day solid-state batteries truly overthrew gasoline cars and changed the nation’s electricity bills was the day Chen Lin would be qualified to even think about touching the trophy for the Supreme Award.

As for the AI algorithm, while it had shaken the world, it was open-source.

It was like inventing penicillin and giving it away to the whole world for free. The fame was there, but the direct economic benefits couldn’t be quantified yet.

So, Chen Lin’s state of mind was perfectly calm.

’I’m guessing, if I’m lucky, I might snag a "Science and Technology Progress Award," or maybe the "International Science and Technology Cooperation Award"?

After all, my algorithm has benefited all of humanity. Even those tech giants in the Beautiful Country got a taste.’

Chen Lin thought to himself.

As the names were read from the stage, the winners of the State Supreme Science and Technology Award, the State Natural Science Award, and the State Technological Invention Award were announced one by one.

Sure enough, the ones walking up to the stage were all white-haired seniors who had dedicated their entire lives to the nation’s scientific pursuits. Watching their faltering but determined figures, Chen Lin clapped enthusiastically, his respect coming from the bottom of his heart.

"Next, we will present the State Science and Technology Progress Award."

Onstage, the announcer’s voice paused for a moment as he picked up a new list of names.

The entire hall seemed to hold its breath.

Compared to the almost unattainable prestige of the previous awards, the "Progress Award" had a broader scope and was the honor most coveted by many young and middle-aged scientists.

An award citation, broadcast through the top-of-the-line sound system, echoed under the dome of the great hall:

"...Mathematics, the jewel in the crown of science, is also the most fundamental engine driving technological change. There is a young scholar who, with his astonishing mathematical talent, has broken down the barriers between abstract theory and engineering application."

"The Generative Model Manifold Boundary Control Algorithm he proposed has cleared the fog for the development of global artificial intelligence; the High-Dimensional Potential Energy Surface Topological Screening Model he constructed has propelled our nation’s new energy technology to a quantum leap."

"He has proven with his actions that every small step forward in basic science can create colossal waves in the industrial world."

Hearing these words, Chen Lin’s heart skipped a beat.

’This citation... why does it sound so familiar?’

Before he could even process it, the sonorous voice announced the name:

"The first recipient of the State Science and Technology Progress Award—Professor Chen Lin!"

BOOM—!

The moment the words landed, applause erupted through the great hall like a tidal wave.

Chen Lin was stunned for a moment, then immediately snapped back to reality. He took a deep breath, composed his expression, and rose slowly from his seat with a humble yet confident smile on his lips.

This time, thousands of gazes in the great hall, like spotlights, all locked onto him at once.

It was the gaze of several thousand of the top minds in their fields.

No one questioned his ability.

A top-tier paper in JAMS, endorsements from six Fields Medal laureates, and the national backing of the solid-state battery project... these were all concrete, irrefutable achievements.

But as Chen Lin’s peripheral vision swept over his surroundings like radar, the super vision from [Little Champion] left no expression hidden from him.

Even amidst the thunderous applause, he still keenly caught some dissonant micro-expressions.

Frowning, pursed lips, a flash of complex emotion in their eyes.

In the eyes of some of the gray-haired, old-school scholars in the front rows, Chen Lin’s award was a bit... "problematic."

It wasn’t that he was unworthy, but... he was too young.

Twenty-one years old! Not even twenty-two yet!

Who here hadn’t worked until their hair turned white, hadn’t spent decades waiting in the wings for this honor? In the past, which recipient of this award wasn’t a pillar of the community over the age of forty?

For a kid still in his junior year of college, even if he was a genius, this was just too outrageous.

Some were even grumbling internally: ’We’re giving you this award so early, what are you going to do next?’

’Give you the Supreme Award directly?’

’How would all those senior veterans still waiting in line for an award show their faces?’

However...

Chen Lin straightened his expensive suit, and with long, steady strides, walked toward the stage.

The smile on his face didn’t change one bit; in fact, it grew even brighter.

Chen Lin walked onto the stage.

The elder on the stage was watching Chen Lin’s slow approach with a smile.

"Congratulations, Professor Chen."

The elder took the heavy, gold-and-red inlaid medal from the tray held by an attendant.

"It’s an honor. Thank you, Sir."

Chen Lin smiled and bowed slightly, lowering his posture to make it easier for the elder to place the medal on him.

The elder gently pinned the medal on him, carefully straightened the red ribbon, then looked up and said in a voice only the two of them could hear:

"You’ve earned this. Thank you for your contributions."

A warmth spread through Chen Lin’s chest. Before he could say anything, the elder had already placed the bright red, gilt-stamped certificate in his hands.

Their hands clasped tightly together.

The elder’s hand was broad and strong. He looked at Chen Lin, patted him gently on the shoulder, and said meaningfully:

"Young man, just keep moving forward."

"From now on, remember to do what you believe is worth doing."

"No matter what obstacles you face, remember, you will always have support behind you."

Chen Lin nodded emphatically, his eyes beginning to well up:

"I’ll remember."

Camera flashes flickered wildly.

Chen Lin turned and stood shoulder to shoulder with the elder, facing the dense sea of people below the stage.

He raised the certificate in his hand. In that instant, his young, handsome, and vibrant face, along with the brilliantly shining medal on his chest, was forever immortalized in the images from that year’s National Science and Technology Awards Conference.