Chapter 243: Chapter 222: Big Shot

There are actually quite a few particle accelerators in the country, but only two particle colliders.

One of them is the well-known Beijing Electron-Positron Collider, which is relatively a bit lower in grade compared to the European Large Hadron Collider.

Obviously, it’s unrealistic to use the electron-positron collider to experiment with the “volcanic ash rock” subatomic particles provided by Lu Li.

Therefore, in the country, only the other particle collider can be used for experiments, and that collider is located in Lanzhou and is not open to the public.

That particle collider is an ion collider, which is a type of collider like the European Large Hadron Collider.

Of course, the European Large Hadron Collider, funded by thirty-four countries, has better performance than the domestic one.

However, this is a temporary situation. The country is currently investing 140 billion to construct the world’s largest particle collider, which, once completed, will be far ahead.

Hmm, actually Mr. Yang Zhenning is opposed to this 140 billion particle collider investment.

His opinion is that rather than spending a lot of money building a super collider, it’s better to first elevate basic physics to a world-class level, and then move into high-energy fields, which is a well-grounded suggestion.

Objectively speaking, building a collider does not significantly contribute to technological development.

Its main purpose is actually to verify existing physical theories and discover new phenomena in the microscopic world, focusing on theoretical physics.

Theoretical physics is like relativity, quantum mechanics, classical mechanics; they are considered humanity’s shared wealth. Once published as papers, peers around the world can see them, which is completely different from the manufacture of atomic bombs or chips.

Another point is that building and maintaining a super collider costs a huge amount of money.

Take Europe’s Large Hadron Collider, for example, with a circular tunnel that reaches a length of twenty-seven kilometers, and building and daily maintaining this collider cost over billions of US Dollars.

Therefore, Mr. Yang Zhenning’s opposition is quite understandable.

Of course, these are all side issues.

The reason Wu Er Mountain, Qian Jin, Cheng Yan, Gu Yilong, and others were shocked to hear that Lu Li “borrowed” the right to use the particle collider is because they know how many projects are lined up for the domestic ion collider.

Being able to use it a year later would already be very generous.

After all, with only one ion collider, many people are, of course, eager to use it.

Qian Jin incredulously asked, “Mr. Lu, are you talking about the particle collider in Lanzhou?”

Wu Er Mountain, Shen Xia, Cheng Yan, and others all perked up their ears.

Lu Li smiled, “The Beijing electron collider isn’t suitable for researching these high-energy particles either.”

Qian Jin exclaimed in surprise, “But isn’t the Lanzhou ion collider already conducting projects?”

Lu Li said with a hint of deeper meaning, “When some people or projects become so important that they cannot be delayed, everyone will serve them.”

Upon hearing this, Wu Er Mountain, Gu Yilong, and Chai Hen seemed to understand.

They finally realized that the seemingly ordinary young man standing before them likely has a social status so high that it’s beyond their imagination.

Actually, everyone could already infer this point earlier when Lu Li was left alone in the lab to place the “volcanic ash rock” subatomic particles into the trap for Pan Ning.

A single person walking in and then “conjuring” the “volcanic ash rock” subatomic particles was simply beyond everyone’s understanding.

Even though everyone had this suspicion, they all knew that some things should not be investigated too deeply.

Therefore, they did not inquire.

Now hearing Lu Li speak, everyone faintly understood.

This young man is extraordinary and indeed a really “important figure.”

Lu Li glanced at his phone again and said, “Everyone, don’t leave here just yet. Someone will come over later to talk to you about something important. Hmm, I have something else to do. Shen Xia, come with me first.”

Having said that, he left the laboratory with a bewildered Shen Xia.

The rest were left staring at each other, having no idea what was going on.

However, Wu Er Mountain, Qian Jin, Gu Yilong, and others all realized that the people who would come over later might not be the kind of big shots that ordinary people can easily interact with.

Therefore, none of them left, wanting to see who would actually show up.

Half an hour later.

The door of the laboratory was pushed open from the outside.

A slightly overweight elderly man in his sixties entered, surrounded by Liu Xiuming, Zhang Guocheng, and a group of people.

Everyone’s eyes involuntarily widened slightly when they saw who had arrived.

At that moment, they finally understood just how high Lu Li’s status is.

Even such a big shot, usually only seen on TV, was invited over?

Moreover, it seemed Lu Li didn’t particularly care for the person, not even waiting here?

…

On the other side, Lu Li led Shen Xia to the parking lot.

Shen Xia let out a sound, “Lu Li, I haven’t finished my academic report yet.”

Lu Li opened the car door and smiled, “It’s okay, you can submit your academic report to Su Cheng University later. There’s something more important that needs you, hmm, I’ll talk to you about it later. Get in the car first.”

With that, he got into the driver’s seat.

Although Shen Xia had many doubts, she had just seen how influential Lu Li was, and he might have arranged an important project for her.

Therefore, she wisely chose not to ask any questions.

Shen Xia instinctively opened the front passenger seat door to get in.

Lu Li quickly looked over, “You should sit in the back; someone else will sit in the passenger seat later.”

“Okay.”

Shen Xia turned to the back seat.

After she got into the car, Lu Li started it and said, “Shen Xia, can you ask Miss Ni if she’s done with work and if she’d like to join us for dinner?”

Shen Xia responded with a sound, took out her phone, and sent a message to Ni Qingwen.

The car slowly drove out of the experiment center.

Lu Li looked in the rearview mirror and saw Shen Xia looking down with a furrowed brow, not speaking.

He proactively smiled and asked, “Aren’t you curious about what just happened?”

“Huh? Oh.”

Shen Xia seemed lost in thought, and when she heard the voice, she suddenly came to her senses.

She shook her head and said, “I want to know, but some things are better left unasked.”

Lu Li nodded, “This sort of thing shouldn’t be disclosed, but I’ve recommended you to the higher-ups to lead this project, so I’ll fill you in first.”

Shen Xia was taken aback, then incredulously asked, “You mean the high-energy particle research project will be handed over to me?”

Lu Li gave a definitive answer, “Yes, you’ll be in charge.”

Shen Xia let out a gasp, overwhelmed and said, “But… but I’ve never led such an important project before, I’m afraid I won’t be up to the task… Also, will the higher-ups agree to let someone without experience like me lead the project?”

“You don’t need to worry about that, I’ve discussed it with them, and they’ll find suitable personnel to help you, like Qian Jin, isn’t he the leading figure in domestic high-energy particle research? He’ll act as your deputy then.”

Lu Li carefully explained the situation, “The reason I want you to lead this project is mainly because the ’Volcanic Ash Rock’ subatomic particle project is too important and needs a trusted person. I don’t know many people in the physics community, so I recommended you. After checking your background, they confirmed there are no issues and agreed to my request.”

Getting Qian Jin as a deputy?

And just a recommendation, a background check, and they agreed?

Shen Xia felt as if she was dreaming.

It’s hard to believe Lu Li has such influence.

He can easily put an ordinary theoretical physicist like her in charge of such a significant project.

Unbelievable.

What kind of influence is this?

Shen Xia couldn’t help but be secretly amazed.

Honestly, it’s not just Shen Xia who felt secretly amazed inside.

In fact, Lu Li also didn’t expect matters that Zhang Guocheng can’t handle would end up with a bigwig contacting him.

And promised that as long as he remains a Huaxia citizen, they would provide the greatest convenience.

Naturally, his recommendation of Shen Xia as the leader of the ’Volcanic Ash Rock’ subatomic particle project was accepted without hesitation.

This shows that he actually possesses a very high social status.

Lu Li roughly knows why, likely due to the sensational actions he took during his trip to the Ugly Country, recounted by people like Zhang Guocheng, which reached some bigwigs’ ears.

Those bigwigs naturally know what a ’patriarchal figure’ like Lu Li signifies, so they want to win him over, hence the current situation.

Frankly, Lu Li finds it somewhat laughable.

Before his trip to the Ugly Country, he was pondering how to elevate his social status.

Who would have thought that right after returning from the Ugly Country, someone would instantly elevate his social status?

Lu Li doesn’t know his exact standing in those people’s minds.

But from today’s events, he can make a general guess.

As long as he doesn’t make any principled errors, he should have smooth sailing back home.

Shen Xia is a smart person.

She quickly realized what Lu Li meant by his words.

She proactively asked, “Is there something you want me to do?”

Lu Li turned the steering wheel to the right, “Yes, there are a few things I need you to do, let me mention two points.”

Shen Xia showed a serious expression, “Okay, please go ahead.”

Lu Li said, “It’s simple, for now, this project won’t be publicly disclosed, and all research outcomes only need to be reported to me. In other words, if there’s anything, you just report to me, not anyone else, remember, anyone else.”

Shen Xia nodded, “Alright, I understand, anything else?”

“Actually, besides confidentiality and reporting only to me, there’s nothing much else significant… oh, but there’s one more thing.”

Lu Li continued, “This project will launch immediately, but since it won’t be public for the time being, you might not gain fame from it in the short term. However, once the project reaches a stable phase, it will be disclosed. At that time, you’ll write a paper and provide concrete experimental data, which should make you a candidate for a Nobel Prize nomination, even winning it. Then, you cannot add my name to the paper; the public first author, or rather, the sole author, should be you. Remember this well.”

Shen Xia never imagined that a golden opportunity would fall from the sky.

She was momentarily overwhelmed by immense joy and caught in a dream.

Shen Xia immediately agreed.

Of course, things haven’t been finalized yet.

Even though she believes everything Lu Li said is true, she doesn’t know how long she’ll wait.

Shen Xia hadn’t had this thought for long when her phone suddenly rang.

She quickly answered the call.

The person on the other end introduced themselves first.

Then recited content similar to what Lu Li just said.

In other words, she was indeed appointed to lead the ’Volcanic Ash Rock’ subatomic particle project.

Moreover, she must head to Lanzhou by tomorrow.

Actually, confirming the project leader’s identity was a secondary surprise.

Shen Xia never expected the call to be from the domestic head of scientific research.

This profoundly shocked her.

At the same time, she finally realized how high Lu Li’s status is.

Unconsciously, Shen Xia looked at Lu Li’s back as he drove ahead with a hint of reverence in her eyes.

Lu Li didn’t notice Shen Xia’s gaze at all.

He was contemplating more important things.

That is, whether others can affect his evolution.

This matter is extremely important.

If it’s proven that others can indeed impact his evolution, then he can evolve faster as a result.

If not, there’s no real loss.

So Lu Li made up his mind to find out more from Ni Qingwen later.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep