Four months had passed. In that time, the storm caused by the Satan virus had gradually subsided, and the online world slowly returned to normal.
The news of the virus incident had faded from the public eye, and Chen Mo's life had returned to a calm rhythm. Over the past four months, aside from spending quality time with the pregnant Xiao Yu, most of his attention had gone into technology development within Building 1, laying the technical foundation for future research.
During this period, the Huaxia government began vigorously promoting the Marching Ant Company's termite system, allowing the company to reap considerable benefits.
Meanwhile, in the island nation, following the virus crisis, Prime Minister Anbei carried out a major cabinet reshuffle.
Across Europe, Britain, France, and Germany jointly announced the establishment of an artificial intelligence research institute. China, the United States, and Russia also launched dedicated AI initiatives, elevating artificial intelligence to a strategic level—on par with atomic energy.
As celebrity gossip and other scandals captured public attention, the smart virus incident was gradually smoothed over by the passage of time. But beneath the calm surface, a new storm was quietly brewing.
Yang Mingxi stood in the futuristic lobby, taking in the minimalist design and sleek decor. He was genuinely curious—what kind of person was the boss he was about to meet?
Zhao Min had personally extended the invitation, asking him to serve as general manager of the joint venture between the Marching Ant Company and China Nuclear Energy Group. Without much hesitation, he'd accepted.
He had, of course, heard of Chen Mo—the enigmatic founder of the Marching Ant Company—many times in the news. But today would be his first time meeting the man in person.
"This is Yang Mingxi," Zhao Min said as she made the introduction to Chen Mo. "MBA, senior engineer at the researcher level. He previously served as deputy general manager of China Nuclear Power, general manager of Taishan Nuclear, among other roles. He resigned two months ago, and I invited him to join China Nuclear Energy Group as general manager. He's been helping build the management structure of Huaxia Nuclear Energy Group."
"Manager Yang, welcome to the team," Chen Mo said with a warm smile.
"The honor is mine, Chairman."
Yang Mingxi studied the young man in front of him—someone less than half his age, about the same as his own son. Yet this young man had singlehandedly built the most technologically advanced private enterprise in all of China. It felt surreal.
"The management of the nuclear energy group will depend on you," Chen Mo said.
"I'll do my utmost. Thank you for your trust."
Once the formalities were out of the way, they quickly got down to business. Yang Mingxi began outlining his plans for the development of Huaxia Nuclear Energy Group.
Meanwhile, another important event was unfolding.
Over the past four months, the Nuclear Industry Group had been fast-tracking the construction of the Nuclear Fusion Research Institute. The main laboratory had now been completed. With contact established between the Marching Ant Company and the Academy of Sciences, a group of researchers had been sent to support the development of the [Star Ring] project.
Today was the day they were scheduled to arrive.
On the bus heading to the Marching Ant headquarters, Academician Wan Yuanzhen gazed out the window at the futuristic skyline.
The name "Nest" was fitting.
A few years ago, no one would've imagined that Huaxia could produce a company that rose so fast and now stood at the pinnacle of global technology.
The collaboration between the Marching Ant Company and the Academy of Sciences aimed to develop controlled nuclear fusion. Wan Yuanzhen had been dispatched as the Academy's representative.
Li Jian, head of the Academy's "Oriental Super Ring" experimental project, couldn't leave his post. Director Wang Nian was also too busy to attend in person.
Yet Chen Mo's theoretical research was too valuable to ignore. Someone of importance had to be sent to study it. As the most senior expert in high-temperature plasma research, Wan Yuanzhen was the natural choice.
The field of nuclear fusion spans countless disciplines, and there was a severe shortage of qualified researchers. Many experienced professionals were tied up with other responsibilities.
That made Wan Yuanzhen's personal leadership of this team especially rare.
Although the public assumed the collaboration was being led by the Academy, insiders knew the truth—Chen Mo and the Marching Ant Company were steering the direction.
The simulation data Chen Mo had shared with them contained new technologies and groundbreaking formulas that diverged from existing theory. These provided a fresh perspective and sparked significant insight into their ongoing research.
That was why the Academy sent him with a handpicked group of young researchers. Their primary task was to learn Chen Mo's theory and techniques while also developing into capable technical personnel.
After passing inspection, the bus smoothly entered the Marching Ant Company's headquarters. The moment the bus entered the campus, the passengers stirred, craning their necks to get a glimpse of the futuristic complex.
They had heard of the Marching Ant Company countless times in the news, but this was their first time seeing it in person—and their first time realizing the full weight of who they were about to work with.
Chen Mo personally greeted them. As the door opened, he extended his hand to Wan Yuanzhen. "Welcome, Academician Wan."
"Chairman Chen, I've long admired your work." Wan Yuanzhen smiled, the wrinkles on his face deepening with warmth.
"You're too kind. This is the general manager of our group and of Huaxia Nuclear Energy Group, Mr. Yang Mingxi," Chen Mo said, introducing the two men.
After exchanging greetings, Wan Yuanzhen turned to the group of young researchers stepping off the bus. "This is the research team from the Academy of Sciences. Since it's our first time here, I'd like to request a tour of your company."
The team consisted of thirty people—eight women and the rest men, all aged between 25 and 35. They were newly minted PhDs from the Academy of Sciences, the future lifeblood of the organization.
For this project, the Marching Ant Company had committed an investment of at least 60 billion yuan. It was a monumental boost to low-temperature plasma research. These researchers weren't yet seasoned experts, but they were some of the best and brightest the Academy had to offer, chosen to gain experience and contribute to this cutting-edge project.
If Chen Mo's research succeeded, this group would become the next generation of leaders in high-temperature plasma research. Even if it failed, the experience gained here would shape them into the future backbone of the field.
Many of them had fought fiercely just to secure a spot on this team.
Chen Mo scanned the group and gave a slight nod of approval.
He hadn't expected the Academy to send many senior experts. Despite the collaboration, the Academy of Sciences was still busy with its own "Super Ring" project on Science Island, and several other Tokamak devices were also under construction.
The shortage of high-temperature plasma experts was a global problem. Expecting seasoned veterans to join a private enterprise's research team was unrealistic.
His primary goal in working with the government was to accelerate the pace of nuclear fusion research.
Without official support and access to state resources, building a fusion institute would've remained a fantasy. Even abroad, constructing such a facility independently was virtually impossible.
While Chen Mo, empowered by the Technology Library, had the knowledge and freedom to create, the real world was bound by international regulations. He couldn't operate outside the global rules governing atomic energy.
Unless he possessed the strength to shatter those rules entirely, any reckless move would be suicidal.
That was why the cooperation mattered. He didn't care how many researchers were sent; as long as he had access to the site and resources, he could make it work—even alone.
Still, with the exception of Wan Yuanzhen, the rest were clearly fresh-faced researchers.
The controlled nuclear fusion technology he obtained would require starting from scratch in many areas. But if these researchers were capable and willing to learn, they could still play a helpful role.
After greeting every member of the team, Chen Mo led the group to the company's autonomous sightseeing vehicles and began a tour of the Marching Ant Group's headquarters.