114: Chapter 114 Declaration

Inside the laboratory at this moment, there was only the sound of keyboard typing, the low hum of operating instruments, and occasional low-voiced discussions.

The monstrous waves on the internet seemed to be blocked outside by these thick soundproof walls and the focused atmosphere.

Everyone was busy tuning parameters, recording data, or analyzing samples; their eyes were focused and their movements were agile.

It was as if the storm outside targeting their leader had absolutely nothing to do with them.

Only an occasional exchange of glances carried a wordless understanding.

They would use the most perfect results to smash those doubts to pieces!

Li Wei sat at her workstation, a document editor open on the computer screen in front of her.

She took a deep breath and began typing.

She took complex terms like neuronal signal conversion, material biocompatibility, and interface stability, breaking them down bit by bit and reassembling them into sentences that an ordinary person could understand.

She had a scale in her heart for which data had to remain confidential and which results could be disclosed.

She had to find that delicate balance between authenticity and understandability.

“Sister Wei,”

A young Researcher walked over holding a freshly printed stability test report, his voice kept very low.

“For the 37th set of duplicate data, the fluctuation range is 0.3% smaller than expected. It's incredibly stable.”

There was a faint trace of excitement on his face; this was solid progress.

“Good, archive the data.”

Li Wei didn't even look up, her fingers continuing to tap away.

“Tell everyone to keep a close eye on the work in their hands. The data must be rock-solid.”

Her tone was calm, yet it possessed an inherent strength.

“Understood!”

The young Researcher nodded and turned to walk away quickly, passing this sense of steadiness on to the others.

After spending quite some time, Li Wei finally organized a concise explanatory document.

She printed it out and checked it carefully twice, confirming there was no sensitive information or overly obscure terminology.

Only then did she take it and head toward the university's publicity department.

The publicity department office was currently like a poked hornet's nest.

Telephones were ringing one after another, several teachers were looking at computer screens with miserable faces, their fingers hesitating over keyboards, not knowing what to type.

The department head paced with hands behind his back in the cramped space, his brow furrowed into a knot.

“Chief, the public opinion monitoring side says the heat is still soaring. Several big influencers have stepped in to drive the narrative...”

“Are there instructions from the school office yet? How exactly should we respond? Cold treatment or issue a statement?”

“Cold treatment? Can things even cool down now? Haven't you seen how bad the comments section is being torn apart?”

When Li Wei pushed the door open and entered, she instantly attracted everyone's gaze, like a savior descending upon the world.

“Teacher Li? You are... from the prosthetic limb lab?” The supervisor rushed forward in one step, his eyes urgent.

“Yes, I am one of the project leads, Li Wei.”

Li Wei handed over the document in her hand.

“This is the project overview and current progress report for the first stage that we've organized. We believe it is necessary to provide a clarification to the public.”

“Wonderful! Teacher Li! You’ve finally come!”

The supervisor treated it like a precious treasure, snatching the document and flipping through it rapidly, shouting to the staff beside him as he read.

“Quick! Quick! The material is here! Prepare the copy, follow this framework!”

After he finished reading, he let out a long sigh of relief, some color finally returning to his face.

“Teacher Li, this explanation is very clear! It has substance and is easy to understand! This time is really... sigh, you guys are also suffering from an undeserved disaster. You were quietly doing scientific research, who knew...”

Li Wei gave a helpless smile.

“We’ve caused trouble for the school and everyone.”

“We soak in the lab every day dealing with cells; we really didn't expect to be noticed like this.”

She paused, her tone carrying the characteristic pragmatism of a Researcher.

“However, regarding the project itself, we have gone through full demonstration and strict auditing.”

“Two billion sounds scary, but every penny must be used where it counts to produce real results.”

“If we didn't have some confidence, we ourselves would find holding this money too hot to handle.”

A young teacher nearby couldn't help but interject, with a bit of awe and curiosity.

“Teacher Li, that... prosthetic limb you're working on, can it really work? It sounds... a bit like science fiction.”

Li Wei glanced at him and didn't over-explain the technical details, only saying calmly and affirmatively.

“Every step of technological development looks like science fiction at the beginning.”

“We are just working hard to take the first step in turning science fiction into scientific reality.”

The publicity department immediately swung into action.

The supervisor personally oversaw the quality, and the editors weighed every word, wrapping the core information Li Wei brought in a phrasing shell more suited for an official statement.

Soon, a statement released in the name of 'Z University Official' quietly appeared on the school's various social media accounts.

[Z University Explanation Regarding Recent Online Discussions on the 'Bio-Mechanical Fusion Prosthetic Limb Project']

Recently, false information and speculation regarding our school's 'Bio-Mechanical Fusion Prosthetic Limb Project' have appeared on some network platforms, sparking widespread concern.

The relevant situation is now explained as follows:

This project was established after strict academic demonstration and complete procedural approval. The use of funds is subject to supervision throughout the entire process, complies with Rabbit Country's scientific research project management regulations, and the issues mentioned in online rumors do not exist.

This project aims to explore high-efficiency and stable interface technology between biological neural signals and mechanical actuators, dedicated to providing a new future rehabilitation path for patients with physical disabilities...

Finally.

Scientific research requires being down-to-earth and is inseparable from public understanding and support. Our school always adheres to a rigorous and realistic attitude toward scientific research. Regarding the dissemination of false information and malicious speculation on the network, we reserve the right to pursue legal responsibility. We urge netizens to view online information rationally, not to believe or spread rumors, and to jointly maintain a clean online space. Z University Publicity Department.

Z University Publicity Department

...

As soon as the statement came out, it was like a drop of cold water falling into a boiling oil pan. The entire online public opinion field instantly exploded, but this time it was an explosion of bewilderment.

Where was the imagined script? Admitting mistakes? Apologizing? Project suspension for investigation? Rectification notice?

There was none of it!

Z University's official side directly stepped in with a tough stance, and the core meaning was just one thing.

The project is reasonable, legal, and compliant! What we are doing is prosthetics! We even got something out of the first stage! What are you all blindly shouting about? If you keep talking nonsense, watch out or I'll sue you!

The comments section directly split open:

“Holy crap??? Is Z University this tough??? Directly taking on the netizens? This statement is just short of writing ‘I’m not wrong, get lost’ on their face!”

“Focus on the key points: staged progress! Basic neural interface materials! Bidirectional signal conversion verification! Although I don't understand it, it feels really impressive? So... they really made something?”

“I only care about who the project leader actually is! The statement just says ‘inconsistent with the facts’ and that’s it? Was that Chen Youhua name from before real or not? Who has the inside scoop? I'm dying of curiosity!”

“Warrior upstairs! I just saw a post that mentioned the three letters cyh, and it was 404'd instantly! The account is gone! Brothers, this name is toxic, speak with caution! (shivering.jpg)”

“The thread is drifting! The focus is the project! I have a childhood friend who had an amputation due to an accident. He has a prosthetic but it's very inconvenient to use, and his personality has become withdrawn. Seeing this project, I really... even if there's only a sliver of hope...”

“Me too! My mom’s arm hasn't had feeling since her stroke. If there really is technology that can let her control her arm again... I beg you, it must succeed!”

“Just came from the Tech Debunker King next door. He said this statement is just avoiding the important stuff. Two billion invested and you just get some ‘staged progress’? Who are you fooling! If you have the guts, show the papers, show the data, show the videos! Anyone can talk big!”

“Is the person upstairs stupid? They said it involves confidentiality! Show you the core data? You think they're dumb? Laboratories in other countries would copy it in minutes, believe it or not? This kind of person is either stupid or malicious!”

“Oh, here comes a ‘rational-neutral-objective’ person? Labeling people at every turn? Is it wrong for me to just demand openness and transparency? Isn't research funding everyone's money? Are we not qualified to supervise? I think it's because there are too many brainless defenders like you that they are so unscrupulous!”

“Supervision is fine, but biting people like a mad dog and driving the narrative is wrong. I don't believe Z University would dare to issue such a tough statement without some confidence. Waiting for the subsequent face-slapping.”

The direction of public opinion, like a lake surface with a stone thrown into it, became complex with ripples.

Voices of doubt and abuse still existed, especially from some accounts obsessed with the lack of evidence and driving the narrative.

But more voices began to turn toward curiosity and expectation, especially those who truly had needs or had disabled relatives and friends around them. Their messages carried cautious anticipation, appearing exceptionally sincere amidst the clamor.

Of course, there was no lack of 'rational-neutral-objective' types and brainless defenders on both sides passionately clashing and labeling each other.

Li Wei scrolled through the comments sections of several major platforms on the lab computer, her brow furrowing slightly before relaxing again.

She closed the webpage and stood up.

“Sister Wei, what are they saying online?”

Wang Zhe leaned over, still holding a freshly printed circuit diagram.

“We’ve said what needs to be said, and the school has explained what needs explaining.”

Li Wei's tone was calm, her gaze sweeping over the busy figures in the laboratory.

“The remaining war of words is meaningless. Our battlefield is not here.”

She took a deep breath, her eyes becoming sharp and focused, her voice clearly reaching everyone's ears.

“Everyone, the school's statement is only the first step.”

“Next is the real highlight! Wang Zhe, how is the progress with the animals?”

Wang Zhe grinned and patted his chest.

“The monkey is in place, and the simple mechanical arm has been bought. I just finished the final debugging! I'm just waiting for your final stability report on the interface material, Sister Wei!”

“Good!”

Li Wei nodded, an invisible fighting spirit spreading throughout the laboratory.

“Everyone, do a final check of your respective parts! What we are preparing for is a demonstration where failure is not an option! We will use facts to make them shut up!”