Chapter 17: Like Customer Service

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It was late at night in the country. In the duty room of the Grand Academy of Sciences, Wang Guangzheng was holding a blueprint, deep in calculation. Ever since the three-nanometer photolithography machine had been developed, many scientific fields had seen breakthroughs that allowed for profound advancements. Consequently, the pressure on the Grand Academy had surged significantly.

Many complex calculations required the expertise of the academy's scholars and researchers. Over the past couple of days, nearly all personnel at the level of research fellow and above had been working overtime. Despite the sudden increase in workload, not a trace of frustration appeared on anyone’s face; instead, they all looked spirited and eager. They welcomed this kind of overtime and even wished for more.

Even Wang Guang, on duty that night, could not browse forums or post online as he had previously. Zhao Zizhen, wanting to train him, assigned him many tasks, so even during the night shift, Wang was constantly engaged in computations. The experience was simultaneously painful and joyful—this truly reflected the inner feelings of Wang Guang and many of the academy’s esteemed scholars.

“Beep, beep, beep.”

Suddenly, the phone rang. Wang Guangzheng instinctively picked up. Since the last time he had received a call from Lin Yang late at night, the academy had issued a formal notice: at any hour, if the duty room phone rang, it must be answered immediately and any matter, no matter how incredible it sounded, had to be taken seriously! The notice was emphasized in bold red letters, especially stressing the importance of treating late-night calls with utmost care.

Normally, the duty phone at the Grand Academy rarely received calls from ordinary people—science was too remote for most, and they respected that boundary, so few would dare to disturb the duty line. Late-night calls were always urgent. Furthermore, since it was almost certain Lin Yang was abroad and there was a time difference, they treated such calls with extra caution and politeness.

As a result, after the first ring, Lin Yang immediately heard Wang Guang’s courteous voice, “Hello, this is the duty room of the Grand Academy of Sciences, this is Wang Guang on duty tonight. I’m pleased to take your call. How may I assist you?”

Lin Yang was stunned.

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Almost instinctively, he glanced at the number on his phone, wondering if he had dialed incorrectly.

What was going on? When did the Grand Academy become this polite, like a customer service center? If he remembered correctly, the last time he called, there was no such formal greeting. What had happened in just a few days?

While Lin Yang was still dazed, Wang Guang’s polite voice came again: “Hello, this is the duty room of the Grand Academy of Sciences. I’m Wang Guang, on duty tonight…”

He actually repeated the same introductory phrase again!

Lin Yang was truly bewildered. This was the Grand Academy, after all. Even the night shift researchers were young talents—the kind of people who were extraordinary by any measure. Now, to hear them speak as if this was a customer service line was quite perplexing. What’s more, despite Lin Yang calling late at night and potentially disturbing them, not only was there no impatience, but they had been equally courteous twice over.

Still puzzled, Lin Yang quickly responded because he heard Wang Guang about to repeat his greeting a third time. Moreover, he recognized the voice—it was the same young man who had answered his call that night before. It was an old acquaintance!

After a brief smile at the quirks of the world, Lin Yang interrupted before the third repetition: “Hello, I’m the person who sent you the photolithography machine’s instruction manual last time. I’m calling today because I want to ask if I could… borrow some money…”

“Wh-what? You… said borrow money?” Wang Guang was stunned.

The moment he heard that voice, he had been unable to contain his excitement because he would never forget that voice. But before he could fully express his admiration, he heard Lin Yang’s next words: borrow money? He doubted his own hearing.

On the other end, Lin Yang spoke with firm certainty, “Yes, borrow money. Of course, I will repay it. Also, I’m not borrowing without offering something in return. Plus…”

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Now Wang Guang understood clearly. It seemed this great figure abroad had encountered some difficulties and was short on funds. Before Lin Yang finished, Wang Guang excitedly interrupted, “M-mighty one, please wait, please don’t hang up! I will immediately find my teacher—oh, pardon me, our academy director! Please, do not hang up! Money is no problem, whatever amount you need!”

Wang Guang’s voice trembled as he urged Lin Yang not to hang up and repeatedly assured him that money was absolutely no issue, afraid Lin Yang might misunderstand and hang up.

Lin Yang knew borrowing money was not a decision a duty officer could make, so he assured them he would wait for the director to arrive.

Then, from the other side, Wang Guang’s voice rose almost to a heart-wrenching pitch: “Teacher, the great one is on the phone, asking to borrow money. Yes, the very great one who gave us the photolithography machine manual. Please come to the duty room immediately, right now!”

Wang Guang was obviously informing Zhao Zizhen by phone. Perhaps overwhelmed with excitement, he forgot to mute the duty room’s landline microphone, allowing Lin Yang to hear everything clearly.

“This kid is pretty impressive—still the director’s student…” Lin Yang muttered.

Indeed, anyone young enough to enter the Grand Academy was no ordinary person. Even a duty researcher was a direct disciple of the director.

Lin Yang felt a bit envious. Given his own achievements, he wouldn’t even be allowed near the Grand Academy, let alone be the director’s protégé.

Lost in thought, Lin Yang then heard Wang Guang’s somewhat hesitant voice again: “M-mighty one, hello, are you still there?”

“I am.”

“Phew… That’s great. Rest assured, I’ve already notified our director. He’s in the nearby dormitory and will be here shortly. Please don’t worry about the money; your safety is what matters most.”

“And also, we are truly grateful for the photolithography machine plans you provided last time. We have manufactured it, and some of our domestic research will soon develop rapidly. You are truly remarkable—you are my idol!”

Wang Guang poured out a long string of words. Realizing he might have been a bit impolite, he quickly added, “Sorry, mighty one. Meeting you again has me too excited to hold back. I usually am not this verbose. I hope I haven’t troubled you. Please forgive me.”