Chapter 87 The Name of Lover07

The Alliance's administrative system didn't have ranks, but in terms of hierarchy, the Ninth Bureau of National Security oversaw surveillance and handled major cases, while the Aerospace Agency was the focus of 80% of the Alliance's resources. Both institutions held equal status above other organizations.

Fu Luoyin's detention order had come from the Aerospace Agency, and the Ninth Bureau of National Security had approved its execution.

Many of the people who had come for him were familiar to Fu Luoyin; some of the veteran agents had even watched him grow up within the bureau.

"One Deputy Director Fu, we'll need you to come with us. The Aerospace Agency has accused you of dereliction of duty and potential collusion with the enemy. We must follow procedure and place you under arrest. The data loss in Project B4 constitutes a serious case."

Fu Luoyin wasn't overly surprised. He asked calmly, "How is General Fu Kai doing?"

A few days ago, Fu Kai had informed him about this. Although the incident had been sudden, he wasn't entirely caught off guard. As someone accustomed to storms and rough seas, he remained calm and composed in this situation.

One of the Ninth Bureau personnel replied, "General Fu is following protocol, so please bear with us."

Surrounded by a throng of people, Fu Luoyin was escorted outwards. Every three meters along the path, armed soldiers stood guard, watching over the proceedings.

The atmosphere was tense and oppressive. Employees from various departments remained silent, only a few daring to observe from behind their open doors without making any moves. Facing the ominous barrels of military guns, some timid souls had already trembled into their seats, unable to utter a single word.

Xia Ran clung to the door frame, his entire body shaking. He fixated on Fu Luoyin, but Fu Luoyin didn't look back at him.

In that instant, the silent and spacious corridor erupted into commotion. Amidst the hurried footsteps, voices attempted to restrain someone: "You can't come in! Go back! If you don't stop, we'll consider it obstruction of duty and fire!"

As the figure at the end of the hallway came into view, a flicker of emotion disturbed Fu Luoyin's calm expression, a hint of surprise evident in his eyes.

He softly said, "Lin...".

Lin Shuicheng approached him briskly, his breathing slightly uneven. Behind him were armed soldiers attempting to halt his progress. Seeing Lin Shuicheng charging towards the detention center, the team leader was forced to fire a warning shot—

A deafening explosion echoed through the air!

Several people in the adjacent office screamed in terror, causing a piercing pain to resonate in their eardrums, and even Fu Luoyin couldn't help but be startled!

He growled in a hushed tone, "What are you doing here? Leave at once!"

In the oppressive silence bordering on deathly stillness, Lin Shuicheng didn't pause in his steps. He stopped in front of Fu Luoyin and gave him a calm glance before surveying the surroundings. "I am a graduate student under Yang Zhiwei and was involved in the initial development of the Quantum Security Wall project. In the middle of this year, I exposed RANDOM organization's deceitful tactics during a presentation at Star University. Early November, I was an eyewitness to Luo Song's tragic incident. Furthermore, I am also one of the participants in the B4 project of the Fu family."

"Following the organization's procedures is only right, and I won't interfere. I've come to Deputy Director Fu to request a mandate. I'd like him to authorize me, in his capacity as both the Executive President and Chairman of Fu's Military Tech, to conduct information security maintenance and restore the damaged data from B4," Lin Shuicheng said with unwavering eyes.

Fu Luoyin was on the verge of being stunned.

— Lin Shuicheng was plain lying! When did he ever participate in B4? Or the Quantum Security Wall project?

At most, he had visited Yang Zhiwei's laboratory, which could hardly be counted as "participating in early-stage research and development!"

Fu Luoyin growled softly, "Stay out of this. Go back!"

The situation was unclear, and involving Lin Shuicheng might only make things worse. Besides, Lin Shuicheng had already violated regulations by forcefully entering the Seventh Bureau's operation to escort the detainee. Fu Luoyin couldn't even imagine the consequences of that.

"Fu Luoyin," Lin Shuicheng called his name, looking straight into his eyes, "I trust you, so you have to trust me. I'm here."

— How ridiculous.

A young student who had just started working, not even having graduated from his postgraduate studies, was telling him, the Deputy Director of the Seventh Bureau and CEO of Fu Military Technology, "I'm here?"

Fu Luoyin was shaken to his core.

He seemed to see that brilliant Lin Shuicheng standing on the defense platform once again. He stood there with such certainty, tranquility, and reliability, an aura that nobody could resist.

That light was unbreakable.

"I hereby appoint you as the Executive President of Fu's Military Tech, Lin Shuicheng," Fu Luoyin said. "The verbal agreement takes effect immediately. Go find Zhou Heng."

"Alright," Lin Shuicheng nodded.

Just as he was about to turn and leave, Fu Luoyin called out to him, "Shuicheng."

Lin Shuicheng turned to look at him.

In a gentle tone, Fu Luoyin said, "Remember to take your medicine on time."

Lin Shuicheng paused for a moment, nodded, and then quickly left. The others escorted Fu Luoyin away.

There were two B4 research facilities – one in Star City and another in the Jiangnan branch.

Lin Shuicheng tried to contact Fu Luoyin's family but failed. Zhou Heng informed him, "Mr. Little Lin, General Fu is likely on the frontlines right now and unable to contact anyone."

Seated in the car, Lin Shuicheng listened as experts from Fu's Military Tech explained the current situation to him.

The Alliance had sounded the alarm the instant their quantum security wall was attacked. There was only a three-minute interval between the alarm and the breach of the first quantum security layer.

In those three minutes, the Alliance pinpointed the attacker's location and launched a full-scale pursuit. Despite his illness, Yang Zhiwei took on the task of repair, while those in charge pursued accountability and conducted investigations from the rear. All these operations unfolded within a span of just two hours.

"The self-destruct mechanism of the B4 encryption system caught everyone off guard, including President Little Fu himself. It's understandable that he's being held accountable, but accusing him of treason is utterly baseless," the expert whispered to Lin Shuicheng. "Someone seems determined to bring President Fu down this time. Perhaps Fu's Military Tech has been an thorn in someone's side for quite some time."

Zhou Heng was driving.

He was nervous the entire way, his face pale throughout. Finally, he interjected, "Professor Jin Li is also working diligently to restore the data. However, he hasn't been in charge of Project B4 for long, and it seems he's encountering considerable difficulties."

Lin Shuicheng inquired, "What exactly is Plan B4? What are the core contents of this data?"

The vehicle arrived at the experimental base.

As it was nearing the end of the year and it wasn't regular working hours, the place was deserted. The Alliance military forces that had been stationed here earlier had withdrawn twenty minutes ago.

This was Lin Shuicheng's first time stepping into the Fu's Military Industrial Science Park.

Previously, he had shown no interest in Fu Luoyin's professional background, and Fu Luoyin had never brought it up himself.

Lin Shuicheng stepped out of the car, and the expert guided him along the way, explaining, "B4 is, in essence, a biological optimization and enhancement program. Please do not misunderstand; the Fu family's focus is not on human enhancement but rather on the aspects of flora and fauna, similar to the research on luminescent algae. In the field of molecular genetics, the Fu family has advanced the furthest globally. Previously, they explored environmental modification and space construction on a smaller scale. However, the core technology of B4 is the optimization of the DNA genetic chain. Currently, in terms of DNA splicing and modification surgeries, many plants and animals exhibit side effects such as DNA dissolution and breakage. More severe after-effects resemble those of nuclear radiation. However, our company's optimization technology is free of any after-effects."

"Founder Fu Qingsong's first rule after inventing this technology was to prohibit its use in human augmentation. Both General Fu Kai and CEO Little Fu adhered to this principle. In B4, the only involvement with human subjects pertained to research on primary genetic disorders. Our company, in collaboration with the Xiao Corporation, promoted a gene modification initiative primarily aimed at providing free treatment for children born with severe hereditary diseases, such as—"

"Like primary immunodeficiency disease," Lin Shuicheng interjected, having listened attentively until now.

He lowered his gaze and spoke softly, "My younger brother had this condition. He was cured through this public welfare program."

"Yes, yes, how coincidental," the expert said, surprised and expressing his amazement. "Primary immunodeficiency, congenital heart disease, trisomy 21, and so on… The previous generation of B4 leaders focused on these areas and conducted research on cancerous genetic molecules for immune optimization, all with the Alliance's approval. Nowadays, the challenge lies more in chemistry than biology, which is why Mr. Jin Li and his team were invited in for this reason."

"What data was compromised?" Lin Shuicheng asked.

They had arrived at the laboratory entrance. The expert pushed open the door, and inside, a dozen people turned around to look at him in unison.

The usually pristine laboratory was now filled with smoke, and every person wore an exhausted expression.

Kim Li's striking blue eyes were also brimming with fatigue. Upon seeing the newcomers, he immediately jumped up from his slumped position in the chair and shouted, "This can't be restored! Everything else, maybe, but not the critical compound's spectrum! Let's consult a fortune-teller or something! We should leave sooner rather than later; I don't want to be charged with treason!"

"Executive President is here," the expert cleared his throat and stated expressionlessly. "Everyone will follow the Executive President's instructions from now on."

Zhou Heng made a call and smiled. "As per Mr. Lin's directive, we'll seal the laboratory doors starting today, allowing entry but no exit. We'll ensure the supply of necessary resources and everyone's safety. We hope that you all can complete the task as soon as possible and recover the crucial data."

Jim Lee's eyes widened. "You can't treat me like this!"

Zhou Heng nodded. "Sir, we can. We're the client."

Jim Lee: "..."

Lin Shuicheng stepped forward and held out his hand to Jim Lee. "Hello, my name is Lin Shuicheng."

Jim Lee's blue eyes blinked, confusion written all over his face. "Is my client on the verge of bankruptcy? I have a vague memory of your name... Oh, I remember now! You're CEO Fu's partner!"

Lin Shuicheng nodded and continued, "Vixerunt is also me. I've benefited from your assistance before, so it's nice to meet you. Let's cut to the chase. Could you brief me on the current situation?"

Jim Lee rubbed his eyes with his hand, his voice hoarse. "I've only been here for less than a month, so I'm still getting the hang of things. Most of the data can't be backed up in the Alliance system. The other destroyed content isn't a big deal, but the crucial report on a DNA binding compound in the core report is missing. It's the key component in B4's new generation of genetic optimization splicing. The previous leader had just developed it before passing away, and it hasn't been produced yet. We only know that it's a mixture, and direct analysis of the sample didn't yield any results."

In short, the critical information about the substance was lost, and conventional analytical methods such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry couldn't distinguish it.

Lin Shuicheng furrowed his brow. "What about functional groups? Can infrared spectroscopy or similar substances help?"

Jim Lee gave a bitter smile. "If infrared could identify it, would I be in this predicament? We've run an infrared analysis, but the system didn't match it with any similar substances. This is a novel material synthesized independently by the previous leader. If only quantum computers were still usable, we could exhaustively decipher its constituent elements. But as you know, that's not possible now. There's no solution at all. How long is CEO Little Fu's investigation period? Two days? Three days?"

"Two days," Zhou Heng replied.

Lin Shuicheng said, "There's a way. How many people in your team can interpret infrared spectra?"

Jin Li responded, "Three of my team members specialize purely in chemistry, and that makes four including myself. Since B4 is classified, we can't bring in any external help at this point."

"Then with me, it'll be five. In three days, five chemists should be able to decipher an infrared spectrum," Lin Shuicheng continued. "Without a quantum computer, we'll use our hands and minds for the calculations."

Jin Li exclaimed, "You're insane! Do you have any idea how many possibilities we'll have to compute? Do you know the number of substances in the mixture and their respective proportions?"

This was a shot in the dark, akin to a blind cat hoping to catch a mouse by sheer luck. Whether they succeeded or not would depend entirely on fate—it was sheer mysticism!

"I don't know, which is why we need to make the most of our time." Lin Shuicheng turned to the massive whiteboard in the lab, whispered to the experts, and projected the infrared spectrum onto the screen. Then, he distributed sheets of paper to each person.

Stacks as tall as half a person.

Jin Li kept on nagging, "I get it now, Lin. You're actually a fortune-teller! You're going to divine the substance's proportion! Students from the Central Asian branch always resort to exam-solving mentality to resolve issues! If you're going to do calculations here, I might as well go fix a quantum computer!"

"If exam-solving methods work, why shouldn't we use them? Besides, we aren't completely clueless. We at least have the infrared spectrum and know the characteristic functional groups." Lin Shuicheng had already immersed himself in the calculations while instructing Jin Li's assistant, "Give me all the available data. As the acting CEO, I'm assigning tasks to you. Mr. Jin Li, I want to know everything about this substance. Let's hypothesize together: If we were to develop an entirely new DAN adhesive ourselves, which direction would we pursue?"

"All the data is here, including the predecessor of B4 Adhesive. But it'll take you at least a month to go through them all," Jin Li said, his frustration fading as he gave up on yelling.

Lin Shuicheng stared intently at the calculation paper without averting his gaze. "Have you read them?"

Jin Li replied, "Yes."

"In that case, I don't need to look at them. You can work on the research plan while I handle the calculations," Lin Shuicheng said. "Happy collaboration."

The laboratory was brightly lit, and at this moment, Lin Shuicheng had no other thoughts on his mind.

He etched the diagrams projected onto the screen deeply into his memory. They lingered in his mind, whether his eyes were open or closed.

In that instant, he felt like he was back in his student days.

He had studied for competitions, and his small town's chemistry teacher had gone out of their way to buy him materials and create exams.

His teacher always said he was the most outstanding student they had ever seen. By the time Lin Shuicheng reached the first year of junior high, he had already self-taught himself all the high school curriculum. In class, he never listened to lectures but instead followed his own study plan and the guidance of his teacher, working through textbooks one by one.

The competition papers each year were notoriously difficult and obscure. As Lin Shuicheng couldn't afford expensive summer camp training programs, he would spend every winter and summer vacation solving every problem he could find and compiling all the knowledge points he encountered into test papers for discussion with his teacher.

In their small high school, the caliber of outstanding students was actually higher than that of the teachers.

His competition mentor was well aware of this fact and always encouraged him with resolute words, "Where there's a will, there's a way!"

This elderly teacher, in his early sixties, suffered from high blood pressure and heart disease. He had no children or family, nor any impressive titles – even his position as a competition coach was specially assigned to him by the school after they recognized Lin Shuicheng's abilities.

When faced with challenging problems, the teacher would wear his reading glasses and study them diligently alongside Shuicheng. After every major exam, Lin Shuicheng would see him hunch over the grade bulletin board, peering closely at the results.

Lin Shuicheng had long stopped checking the grade boards himself, but his teacher would always joyfully inform him, "You're number one."

He never grew tired of it.

Through countless dull days and nights, the high school dormitories had a curfew, but during winter, Lin Shuicheng would wrap himself in a quilt and go downstairs to stand in for the dormitory supervisor, staying up all night so he could study under the light and complete more test papers.

Deciphering spectra was the most challenging part. Analyzing each sheet one by one, sometimes encountering difficult problems where a spectrum with barely any usable information would require the solver to deduce a direction.

The printing paper was of poor quality, and the piles of rough drafts grew tall. It was then that he developed dry eye syndrome; sometimes, during daytime classes, when he closed his eyes, blinding illusions would appear before him.

That was his guiding principle in life, one that took root since that snowy morning of his childhood and blossomed during his early high school years.

He wanted the people he loved to be proud of him, to break through that transparent wall that separated them.

After so many years, he touched that vivid emotion again, or perhaps encountered that subtle barrier that stood in his way—whenever he improved, whenever he held hope, whenever he fell in love, the gods would take everything away from him.

But now, he was no longer afraid.

He remembered Fu Luoyin's gaze, the scent of mint that clung to him, and all that he had given him—the first sense of security he had experienced in his over two decades of life.

That familiar, deep voice resonating in his mind, telling him, "That's an impostor god."

"Conjugated alkenes stretch over three thousand, excluding overtone and halogen bonds. Terminal alkene peaks are strong here, with one hydrogen not as obvious. The compound has a biased bond, and at 1650, you'll find it. Alkenes are prone to deformation outside the plane, resulting in a strong peak below 1000. Terminal hydrogen at 910, another hydrogen at 990. cis-Dihydro at 690, while trans shifts to 970..."

He didn't need such simple mnemonics anymore; the challenges he faced were far beyond what he'd encountered in high school. Yet, these words that emerged in Lin Shuicheng's mind brought him a sense of calm.

"Lin, do you think we should take a break?" At nine in the morning, Jin Li stared at him with dark circles under his eyes, looking on the verge of collapse.

They had been working nonstop for twelve hours. Before Lin Shuicheng arrived, they had already been pushing themselves to recover more peripheral data.

Lin Shuicheng replied, "Go ahead and rest, I'll take a break later."

He rose to his feet and sought out Zhou Heng, who was dozing on a sofa. A gentle pat roused him. "Mr. Little Lin, is there anything you require?"

"Fetch a doctor with a sedative and an arousal electro-stimulator," Lin Shuicheng instructed. "I might have trouble falling asleep. Administer the sedative when I'm ready to rest, and use the electro-stimulator to wake me up three hours after I've fallen asleep." He added, "And I'll need some coffee."

Without waiting for Zhou Heng's response, Lin Shuicheng turned back and resumed his seat.