Chapter 113: Abdication for the Worthy

Chapter 113: Passing the Torch

Ji An returned quickly, but since he had left in a hurry and all the lab personnel were still waiting for his news, he decided to go back and inform them personally.

"Jinsheng, would you like to come along?" Ji An asked.

Gu Jinsheng nodded. "I’ll go and say a few words."

The researchers in Ji An’s lab had worked tirelessly alongside him, contributing both effort and merit. It was only right for Gu Jinsheng to express his gratitude to them.

The two took the Suspended Vehicle back, arriving in the blink of an eye. As if they had already received word of their return, Na Boyu, Zhou Fanxiu, Bai Na, Wu Youyang, and even researchers from Han Yaokun’s team were all waiting at the entrance of the research institute.

The moment Ji An’s Suspended Vehicle landed at the institute’s entrance, the crowd surged forward, surrounding them. Seeing the excitement on Na Boyu and the others’ faces, Ji An knew they had already learned the outcome from the internet. Still, he announced it himself: "Everyone, our Suspended Vehicle is a success—a resounding success! It’s even faster and more stable than we envisioned. Thanks to it, we’ve successfully brought back all our compatriots stranded abroad. Now, over ten thousand of them have safely landed!"

The researchers burst into cheers, their cheers were deafening—even more enthusiastic than the Command Center’s staff. After all, the Suspended Vehicle was their invention, and it was because of this breakthrough that their compatriots had been rescued.

On the institute’s square, someone played the rousing national anthem. As the music swelled, the Five-Star Red Flag slowly rose. At that moment, everyone stopped and turned toward the flag, standing at solemn attention and pledging their loyalty.

There had been no rehearsal, yet in that instant, it was as if everyone shared the same thought, shouting in unison, "Long live our motherland! Long live our motherland! Long live our motherland!"

Ji An had already participated in one flag-raising ceremony at the Command Center, but he couldn’t help being moved again. He shouted the pledge loudly, his eyes slightly reddened.

After the ceremony, Na Boyu stepped forward. "Dr. Ji, the fact that we were able to retrieve our stranded compatriots is entirely due to the Suspended Vehicle. Its speed of thousands of kilometers per minute left the pursuing American forces utterly unable to track, ensuring our success.

"And we all know that the Suspended Vehicle’s success hinges entirely on you. At best, our role was merely assisting—like guiding students—hardly contributing anything substantial.

"So, the greatest credit belongs to you. Please, say a few words!"

Ji An didn’t decline. Standing at the podium, he looked at the excited faces before him and said, "Here, I want to thank everyone for your unwavering support. While the core technology of the Suspended Vehicle was my independent achievement, I cannot deny your contributions. Without your tireless efforts and meticulous checks, the Suspended Vehicle could never have been completed in such a short time.

"Thus, I sincerely thank you all—for your dedication, for your wholehearted assistance!" With that, Ji An bowed deeply to the crowd.

As the highest-ranking participant in the experiment, Na Boyu responded loudly, "Dr. Ji, we also thank you! Thank you for your revolutionary inventions, one after another! Thank you for choosing us to be part of this landmark experiment! Thank you for bringing our compatriots home safely!"

After speaking, Na Boyu bowed deeply in return, and all the researchers behind him followed suit.

At that moment, Gu Jinsheng stepped onto the stage and stood facing Ji An. His deep eyes locked onto Ji An’s, as if in that instant, the entire world had narrowed down to just the two of them.

"Xiao An, as the Jing City Base Commander-in-Chief, I must also thank you—for choosing to join our base back then, rather than any other. It’s because of that choice that Jing City Base has everything it does today!" With that, Gu Jinsheng bowed deeply in gratitude.

Ji An understood that this gesture wasn’t from Gu Jinsheng as an individual, but as the Jing City Base Commander-in-Chief.

He strode forward, lifting Gu Jinsheng up, and couldn’t resist embracing him. Softly, in his ear, Ji An whispered, "I also thank my past self for choosing Jing City Base—for letting me meet you."

The most beautiful love confession in the world might just be this: you thank fate for bringing you together, while he, too, gave thanks to fate for leading him to you.

Gu Jinsheng suddenly pulled Ji An into a tight embrace. Onstage, they held each other close, while the crowd below cheered wildly!

"Kiss! Kiss! Kiss…"

Neither Gu Jinsheng nor Ji An were particularly expressive with their emotions—especially Gu Jinsheng. Outwardly indifferent, he seemed to care about nothing, but in truth, he was deeply possessive. Just look at Thunder Dragon’s temperament, and you’d understand.

There was no way Gu Jinsheng would let others witness Ji An’s blissful expression as he kissed him in public. That sight belonged to him alone.

So, he released Ji An. Slightly embarrassed, Ji An said, "Everyone has worked hard these past days. All personnel in my lab will receive double bonuses and an extra month’s supply of nutrition rations. Additionally, everyone involved in the Suspended Vehicle’s development may choose one of the following according to their needs: a spatial storage device, an upgraded smart treatment pod, a terminal, or a mental scanner."

Na Boyu already had all of the above, so he called out, "What if I already have everything? Can I request a Suspended Vehicle instead?"

He hadn’t expected much—it was just a casual question. But Ji An replied, "Yes. However, mass production of the Suspended Vehicle will take some time. If you don’t mind waiting, you can put in your request."

Na Boyu's eyes instantly lit up, and the researchers below erupted in cheers, answering in unison, "We don't mind waiting! However long it takes!"

Ji An smiled. "It won't be too long—at most half a year."

Zhou Fanxiu asked, "What about the cost?"

Ji An chuckled. "Since it's a reward, it's completely free—not a cent. This is your reward for successfully developing the hovercar!"

Wu Youyang, who had worked with Ji An the longest, spoke most casually. He couldn't help but grin broadly and laugh. "Even though the hovercar is entirely Ji An's achievement and we didn't contribute much, we'll still gladly take this perk!"

"Also, I have to say—Ji An, Divine Ji, Long live!"

"Ji An, Divine Ji, Long live!"

"Ji An, Divine Ji, Long live!"

Listening to the heartfelt cheers from the crowd, Ji An felt deeply moved. At this moment, everything seemed worth it.

Gu Jinsheng added, "Command Headquarters hasn't forgotten all the researchers who participated in the hovercar experiment. Each of you can apply at the Command for a Zombie Core that suits your needs."

"Thank you, Commander-in-Chief Gu! May Commander-in-Chief Gu and Ji An enjoy a lifetime of happiness together, remain united in heart, and grow old together!"

To everyone's surprise, Gu Jinsheng bowed to the crowd in gratitude. "Thank you for your blessings. We will."

At this moment, Ji An suddenly realized that Gu Jinsheng was actually quite thick-skinned.

Amid the crowd, Han Yaokun watched Gu Jinsheng and Ji An on stage with mixed emotions.

Not because of their relationship, but because of Ji An—his achievements.

Han Yaokun couldn’t help but think of Zhao Zhen, who had accompanied him for years but had taken a wrong turn.

If Zhao Zhen had succeeded back then, who would have been responsible for the lives of these thousands of compatriots? Could they have been brought back so smoothly? Even a single death would have been his and Zhao Zhen’s fault.

At this moment, Han Yaokun felt nothing but relief—relief that Zhao Zhen hadn’t known how to conceal himself and had exposed his intentions early, sparing Ji An from harm.

"Researcher Ji." Han Yaokun stepped forward. His voice wasn’t loud, but it successfully silenced the cheers as everyone turned to look at him.

Han Yaokun said, "Researcher Ji, thank you for bringing back our tens of thousands of compatriots. And I want to say—you're far more qualified than I am to be the director of this research institute. So I sincerely ask you to take my place as director!"

Ji An shook his head. "Director Han, there’s no need for this."

"No, it must be done!" Han Yaokun insisted. "I’m not being impulsive—I mean this sincerely. Compared to your contributions to our country, our people, and the Beijing Base, my modest accomplishments pale in comparison."

"Just now, I received a call from an old friend. He asked me about the hovercar and was surprised to learn that the inventor wasn’t me, the director. When he asked which of the Beijing Base’s remarkable inventions were mine, I couldn’t answer."

"My friend then asked, if none of them were my doing, what great inventions had I accomplished? Nothing. So what right do I have to be above you as the director of this institute?"

Han Yaokun continued, "Faced with his pointed questions, I realized I've long been unworthy of this position. Ji An, I ask you now to take the role of director—to lead me, lead this institute, and lead the Beijing Base toward an even brighter future!"

Han Yaokun wasn’t pretending to be humble or putting on an act. He truly believed this from the bottom of his heart. By making this request publicly and admitting his inferiority to Ji An, he gave himself no way back.

Han Yaokun raised his voice. "Ji An, please accept the position of director! Lead this institute and the Beijing Base toward a more glorious tomorrow!"

At his lead, others joined in, and soon the entire crowd was chanting in unison.

Seeing Han Yaokun’s sincerity, Gu Jinsheng said, "Xiao An, you've earned this. Accept it—otherwise, many will criticize Han Yaokun behind his back for being unworthy of the position."

Ji An looked at Han Yaokun and finally nodded. "Then I'll humbly accept this position. I vow to everyone here: I will fulfill Director Han’s expectations, and yours, and lead the Beijing Base toward a more glorious future!"

Han Yaokun's eyes glistened with tears as he looked at Ji An, filled with emotion. "Thinking back to our first meeting, Dean Ji had just arrived at the Capital Base and applied for a laboratory. At the time, I thought it was a waste of resources, thinking someone so young couldn’t properly gauge their own abilities. Now, I feel nothing but shame, blushing at my own words. I almost stifled a genius’s rise due to my own ignorance and arrogance."

Zhou Fanxiu chimed in, "Indeed. Back then, I even suggested Dean Ji become my student. When he refused, I thought he was being overly ambitious and reluctantly offered him an assistant position. Looking back now, how bold I was to even suggest Dean Ji as my assistant—I truly feel no shame!"

Na Boyu also admitted with embarrassment, "I was the same. Whenever I recall the things I said back then, I wish the ground would swallow me and I'd never show my face again."

As these leaders spoke, many others remembered Ji An’s early days at the Capital Base—how no one had faith in this young man, only to be proven wrong time and again, watching Ji An’s unstoppable rise to the top.

Shi Jun watched Wu Youyang’s delighted expression with envy, realizing that Han Yaokun had completely lost to Ji An. From now on, the Capital Base would enter Ji An’s era, and he’d lost his bet, too.

Shi Jun sighed, "I always believed I outshone Wu Youyang in both attitude and skill. But now I see it was just my own arrogance. Wu Youyang chose the right person to follow and will now far surpass me."

Meng Changan gazed in the direction of Rong Meng with admiration. Back when Rong Meng first left with Wu Youyang, he had thought it foolish—to follow a regular teacher with no superpower and pledge loyalty to a young leader. Later, when Ji An lost his superpower, Meng Changan assumed it was the end for him. But Ji An bounced back from rock bottom, coming back even stronger. Now, Rong Meng had become a researcher on equal footing with his own mentor, while Meng Changan remained merely a student trailing behind his teacher. Only then did he realize how foolish and ignorant he had been.

Ji An didn’t dwell on past slights—he had long forgotten them.

Ji An smiled and said, "After all, I was young and had no notable achievements. It made sense for everyone to doubt me—that’s just being responsible."

He then pulled out a stack of data from his spatial storage. "This time, rescuing our stranded compatriots from M Country and R Country was like stealing food from a tiger’s jaws. R Country’s no threat now—it’s practically gone, now just a base for clones. But M Country won’t let this go. I’ve got a hunch we’ll end up fighting them."

"Rumors say M Country has secretly developed advanced weapons like high-energy particle cannons, while ours haven’t progressed. This is the latest weapon I’ve conceptualized. If Dean Han’s free, he can start a quick study. Anything unclear can be discussed when I return."

Han Yaokun replied, "Since Dean Ji has agreed to take over as head of the research institute, please don’t call me ‘Dean’ anymore—it’s too much."

Ji An chuckled. "Even if you’re no longer the head, you’re still the Vice Dean. Calling you ‘Dean’ isn’t wrong."

Han Yaokun laughed.

As he read through the data Ji An had given him, Han Yaokun’s expression gradually shifted, his hands shaking by the end. "Dean Ji, this weapon… this weapon is—"

"Shh!" Ji An pressed a finger to his lips, smiling. "Don’t say it out loud. If the day comes when we go to war with M Country, this will be our secret weapon!"

Han Yaokun nodded, tears welling in his eyes. "Dean Ji, the best decision I’ve ever made in my life was stepping down from this position. Otherwise, I would have been branded a disgrace forever, ridiculed by future generations!"

Zhou Fanxiu and the others, seeing Han Yaokun so moved, were eager to know what the technology was. But Han Yaokun carefully tucked the papers away and said, "Haven’t you all been working hard for so long? Get some rest. When you return, you’ll naturally find out. I’m sure you’ll be even more excited than I am!"

Ji An added, "Since we’re all part of the same lab now, there’s no need to keep secrets. Dean Han, if you’re interested, just let Wu Youyang know—all tech is open for review, though they must not be leaked. That includes the suspended vehicle technology."

"Dean Ji, I’m nowhere near your level," Han Yaokun sighed sincerely. At the very least, he could never be as open as Ji An—sharing his research freely, even with his own people.

Ji An replied, "One mind can only do so much. To progress, we can’t hoard technology. Right now, we’re in a crisis. If not for M Country’s sinister ambitions and other nations eyeing China covetously, I wouldn’t bother with secrecy."

Han Yaokun said, "No wonder you’ve succeeded. That kind of generosity—I’ll never measure up."

After leaving the lab, Ji An asked, "I’ve handed out benefits on my end. What about yours?"

Gu Jinsheng replied, "Those who participated in the rescue can apply for an additional Zombie Core. On top of that, everyone’s bonuses are doubled."

Ji An grinned. "Actually, I was thinking of organizing some public entertainment."

"What do you have in mind? Let’s hear it."

Ji An said, "With suspended vehicles now, getting anywhere takes no time. So why not create a grand public entertainment event?"

"Since The M Nation doesn't believe we have nutrient packs, let's just watch as the hovercars casually drop them into our base. Later, we can have more people livestream to Jingshi Base, showing how easily we can organize activities with these supposedly worthless items."

Gu Jinsheng said, "Great idea."

Gao Wanli had been livestreaming ever since returning to Jingshi Base. Having lived abroad before, he knew exactly how foreigners viewed the base's so-called "great inventions"—most dismissed them as outright scams.

The appearance of hovercars finally shattered The M Nation's self-deception, and Gao Wanli decided to seize this opportunity to keep broadcasting Jingshi Base, making more foreigners realize how much it had changed.

Ji An knew Gao Wanli was livestreaming and understood his deep love for the homeland. He entrusted him with the task and even prearranged the nutrient drop locations.

Because of his past as a hostage stranded in R Base, Gao Wanli became an instant internet celebrity the moment he started streaming.

The day before, to prove the authenticity of the med-pod, he had yanked out his own front tooth and then used the pod to regrow it. That short clip skyrocketed his popularity.

This time, as soon as Gao Wanli started his livestream, hundreds of thousands flooded in.

Gao Wanli grinned. "I promised to test all of Jingshi Base’s trending tech for you guys. Yesterday, we tried the med-pod, but I saw many doubting it was fake.

So today, let’s do something different."

He walked down the street. "Yesterday, Jingshi Base announced a three-day welcome bash to celebrate the return of our stranded compatriots.

What’s the event?

Hovercars will appear randomly across the base and drop nutrient packs—some good for a day, three days, a week, or even a month. It’s all free. Whether you grab any and what dosage you get is pure luck."

"More staged content, host? Like yesterday? You could just drink something, then sneak real food later while claiming you only had nutrients. How would we know?"

"Host, you started streaming right after returning. Is Jingshi Base forcing you?"

"Damn, host, back home and still lying for the base."

Of course, since the hovercars appeared, more people began believing in the base’s next-gen tech.

One comment read: "Host, don't feed the trolls. We just want to see the real stuff!"

"I really want to know if nutrient packs exist. Food costs in The M Nation’s bases are through the roof. My family hasn't had a full meal in forever—just trying not to starve."

Gao Wanli didn't let the chat get to him, smiling. "I’ll show you everything you want to see. Just wait."

As he walked, the crowd went wild. Looking up, he saw a hovercar right above him.

Though prearranged, he played up his excitement, shouting, "I’m so lucky! A hovercar! Folks, we’re about to grab nutrients!"

As he spoke, the hovercar’s door opened, and Thunder Dragon flew out, clutching a massive basket overflowing with nutrient packs. Some spilled as it flew, scattering them midair while people went nuts below. Thunder Dragon couldn’t care less—just kept cruising, occasionally tossing more into the sky.

The crowd surged.

Gao Wanli dove into the madness. With so many people, even Thunder Dragon’s huge supply wasn’t enough. He only managed three packs, lost a damn shoe, messed up his hair, and tore his clothes in the chaos.

Unfazed, he laughed into the camera. "What a rush! Getting mobbed rules!"

Missing a shoe, he hobbled home with one shoe.

There, he announced, "Since some think this is BS, let’s livestream the whole thing."

He laid out his three packs. "Score! Snagged three kinds: one-day, one-week, and one-month. To prove it’s real, I’ll take the month’s supply.

Anyone can go without food for a bit, but go a month without eating? Yeah right! That could kill someone!"