108: Chapter 108 Utilization

Leaving the Central Building that day, Zhang Weijie felt as if he were walking on cotton.

The cool breeze of the late autumn night blew against him, yet it failed to stir even a hint of sobriety.

The whistleblowing materials had been handed over, like a heavy stone cast into a deep pool.

There was none of the expected satisfaction of revenge or the feeling of vindication.

Instead, his heart felt as if it were stuffed with cotton soaked in ice water—cold, congested, and sinking heavily.

Was he happy?

The moment the thought emerged, he snuffed it out.

Not even a shred.

Who was Chen Youhua? A stranger who had snatched his laboratory, a well-connected individual he envied and couldn't stand.

They hadn't even had a proper conversation.

But what had he done?

Like a petty man lurking in the shadows, he had thrust out that wounding blade.

Why? Just for Professor Sun's words, "A-705 is ours"?

Or was it to vent the resentment accumulated from over a decade of mediocrity?

He didn't know how he had returned to the small but tidy dormitory assigned by the research institute.

Even the sound of the key entering the lock seemed exceptionally grating.

The room was quiet, with only the dim yellow light from the streetlamp outside filtering in.

Zhang Weijie sat by the bed for a long time, so long that his hands and feet began to feel numb.

As if possessed, he pulled open a drawer, where a pack of cigarettes lay—bought at some unknown time and never opened.

He tore open the packaging, pulled one out, clumsily put it in his mouth, and struggled to find a lighter to ignite it.

The pungent smoke rushed into his throat, making him double over and cough violently.

He wiped his face in disarray, looked at the flickering cigarette butt between his fingers, and curled his lips in self-mockery.

"I reported it... but so what?"

He took a deep drag, holding back the cough this time, letting the burning sensation spread through his lungs.

"Maybe his background is so powerful that this won't even cause a ripple..."

"Maybe... he really is capable? Just a genius that a mediocre person like me can't understand?"

"Then what am I?"

Zhang Weijie crushed the cigarette butt into the ashtray, leaving a charred mark.

"When did I... become such a petty person?"

He began to analyze the context of the entire incident calmly, almost cruelly, as if sorting through experimental data.

A clear line was traced.

He, Zhang Weijie, a Researcher who had worked diligently for over a decade and craved recognition, had unknowingly become a pawn in Professor Sun's hand to test others.

Was he angry? Strangely, he wasn't.

It was more of a cold fatigue, like the feeling of dust finally settling.

"Being utilized... so what?"

He whispered to himself, his voice sounding exceptionally clear in the empty room.

Anger was meaningless; he was just a diligent Researcher.

Keeping his job and reaching retirement peacefully might be the best outcome.

That night, Zhang Weijie lay in bed, staring at the blurred spots of light on the ceiling, unable to sleep for a long time.

The emptiness after whistleblowing, the numbness of being utilized, and the uncertainty about the future wove into an invisible net that bound him tightly.

...

A few days later, Professor Sun Liren's office.

On the large solid wood desk, a purple clay teapot was emitting curls of steam.

Sun Liren leaned back leisurely in his leather chair, holding an exquisite tea-tasting cup in one hand and his phone to his ear with the other, a perfect, breezy smile on his face.

"Hello, Old Han? Haha, it's me. I'm really indebted to you this time; that information on Z University's new project was a huge help!"

Sun Liren's voice was warm and friendly, as if reminiscing with an old friend of many years.

A slightly cautious voice came from the other end of the line.

"It was nothing, but Old Sun, I must remind you—this Chen Youhua... is a bit suspicious.

Project approval was ridiculously fast, the funding amount is staggering, but the security level is also extremely high.

I can't find anything more on my end; you... had better be cautious."

"Oh, Old Han, you're overthinking it!"

Sun Liren smiled and took a sip of tea, his tone relaxed.

"What intentions could I have? It's purely out of curiosity! You know, I've had my eye on that A-705 Laboratory for a long time. The equipment is top-notch, perfect for my new project.

Then it was suddenly reassigned without so much as a word. I just have to figure out which 'deity' has taken over my spot, don't I?

No matter how capable Chen Youhua is or how mysterious the project, it's not like others can't know what it is; otherwise, there'd be no point in him coming here for the project, right?"

"Hmm... as long as you know what you're doing. I have a meeting, so I'll hang up now." The other party clearly didn't want to talk further.

"Sure, sure, go ahead! Let's get tea some other time!"

Sun Liren responded warmly, but as soon as the dial tone sounded, the smile slowly faded from his face, and his gaze became deep and complex.

He put down his phone, sank deep into the back of his chair, and unconsciously tapped the smooth armrest with his fingers.

Only the faint sound of tea boiling in the purple clay teapot remained in the office.

A moment later, Sun Liren seemed to have made up his mind.

He stood up, walked to the solid wood bookcase against the wall, crouched down, and opened an inconspicuous locked drawer at the bottom.

There were no documents inside, only an old black feature phone without any brand markings.

He picked up the phone, walked to the window, and drew the heavy curtains.

The light in the room dimmed instantly.

He skillfully pressed a long string of numbers and dialed.

The phone rang for a long time before being answered.

Once connected, there was dead silence on the other end; not a sound came through.

Sun Liren seemed accustomed to this. He lowered his voice and clearly recited a string of numbers.

"It's me, 7-4-1-2-9-0-5."

After a brief silence, an electronic voice that had clearly been through a voice changer finally sounded from the other end.

"What is it?"

Sun Liren's voice was also kept very low, carrying a calmness as if completing a task.

"The materials I've collected are ready. Once there's a suitable point for public opinion to ferment, I'll post them all anonymously to several key academic forums and social media platforms.

At that time, I'll leave it to you to fan the flames."

"Very good."

The electronic voice was emotionless.

"As agreed, you and your family should first apply for offshore visas. It's recommended that you arrange for them to leave the country first under the guise of academic exchange or tourism.

Once the task is completed, a seat in a top laboratory here and ample research funding will be prepared for you."

Upon hearing this, Sun Liren's brow furrowed slightly, and a hint of imperceptible resistance and pride flashed across his face.

"Visas? Is that necessary? Didn't we make it very clear at the beginning?"

His voice took on a touch of the reserve characteristic of a senior scholar.

"Once the matter is settled, just transfer the consulting fee to my overseas account according to that figure. No matter how powerful Chen Youhua's background is, it's none of my business.

I am a pure academic. I haven't stolen or robbed; I just have some moral issues and posted a few pieces of questionable information.

How big of a deal can it be? The worst-case scenario is simply changing schools or moving. The country is so vast; there will always be a place for me."

The other end fell into a longer silence, with only a faint static sound.

Finally, the electronic voice sounded again, still cold, but seemingly having compromised.

"Fine. Remember your promise. Once the information is released, we will ensure it draws enough attention. The final payment will arrive on time. Keep your communication lines open."

"Rest assured, just wait for the show." The corner of Sun Liren's mouth curled into a confident arc as he hung up the phone.

He walked back to his desk, picked up the now-cool tea, and took a small sip against the faint light filtering through the gap in the curtains. His face returned to its usual refined elegance, as if everything that had just happened had never occurred.