56: Chapter 56 Social Anxiety in Social Interactions

"Have you eaten yet?" Professor Zheng asked.

This inquiry, filled with the warmth of everyday life, instantly pulled Chen Youhua back to reality from his thoughts.

Only then did he feel his stomach was empty; the long journey combined with the intense focus during the tour had taken a massive toll.

"Not yet..."

Chen Youhua answered honestly. He had come in a hurry and indeed hadn't eaten anything on the way.

"Haha, I knew it! Come on, let's go to the cafeteria! A man is made of iron, but food is the steel—no matter how big the project is, you have to fill your stomach first!"

Academician Zheng didn't take no for an answer, grabbing Chen Youhua's slightly thin shoulder and leading him in another direction like he was escorting a prisoner.

Chen Youhua's body stiffened slightly. This overly intimate physical contact made him instinctively uncomfortable, but feeling Old Zheng's unreserved enthusiasm, he could only relax helplessly and let himself be half-pushed and half-pulled along.

The corridor leading to the cafeteria was equally spacious and bright, the air filled with the aroma of food, which diluted the smell of metal and ozone.

Occasionally, technicians in work uniforms hurried past. Seeing Academician Zheng and Chen Youhua, they would all nod respectfully in greeting. When their gazes lingered on Chen Youhua, they held an unconcealable curiosity and awe.

"These next few days are big days,"

Academician Zheng chattered as they walked, like a worried old father.

"The trial run is imminent. Many leaders from above, the military, and the Academy of Sciences are coming down to witness the moment this Spark is ignited. Youhua,"

He turned his head, looking at Chen Youhua with piercing eyes and a smile that brooked no argument.

"You can't hide this time! You have to show your face and say a few words to everyone! Last time, Minister Zhang originally wanted to invite you to the capital, but you just slipped away home, claiming you were too tired and needed to rest for a while, making the leaders feel too embarrassed to call you, so they could only complain to me."

Hearing this, Chen Youhua's scalp tingled.

This was exactly the kind of scene he feared most.

Facing cold formulas and complex logic chains, he was like a fish in water.

But facing a group of high-ranking people with different agendas for so-called communication and socializing felt more painful than solving ten of the world's most difficult problems.

He opened his mouth, trying to find an excuse.

"Old Zheng, I... I'm actually not very good at speaking..."

"Even if you're not good at it, you still have to speak!"

Academician Zheng interrupted him with a stern face, yet his tone carried the affection of an elder.

"You are the source of Spark! You are the protagonist! You can't hide from this.

Don't worry, I'll be right there beside you to back you up! Just treat it as... well, just treat it like you're explaining your ideas to a group of particularly curious students."

He patted Chen Youhua's shoulder with considerable force.

"This is a responsibility, and it's also an honor, do you understand?"

Looking at the unquestionable expectation and protection in Old Zheng's eyes, Chen Youhua knew there was no way to get out of it this time.

He sighed resignedly and gave a low response.

"...Understood, Old Zheng."

He looked just like a student caught by a teacher to participate in a speech competition he wasn't good at.

As they spoke, the two had already entered the cafeteria.

The cafeteria space was also huge, with a simple and practical decoration style—no redundant ornaments, but brightly lit and clean.

It was mealtime, so there were many people, but everything was orderly, and the sound of conversation was kept very low.

The variety of food was unexpectedly rich, with cuisines from all over the country, clearly meant to cater to the builders from all parts of the nation.

Academician Zheng picked up a tray with practiced ease and led Chen Youhua into the queue.

He clearly wanted Chen Youhua to relax, so he took the initiative to start a conversation, his tone becoming more casual.

"Youhua, I remember you're a local from Zhejiang, right? From this Zhejiang Province? Then... the clan concept is quite strong in your area. Does your family... have an ancestral hall? Do you know much about your clan?"

Chen Youhua was staring blankly at the steaming Braised Lion's Head Meatballs in front of him. Hearing this, he was stunned for a moment, his thoughts pulled from complex logic chains back to the distant past.

He thought back for a moment, shook his head, and spoke in a flat tone.

"Yes, I'm a local. As for the clan... I know a little, but it's very vague. I heard my father mention that in my grandfather's generation, because of some... land or interest disputes, things weren't very pleasant. Later, our family basically became independent from the clan, and there's been very little contact."

He I don't feel much about this.， For him, clan， More like a concept in a history book。He didn't feel much about it; to him, a clan was more like a concept in a history book.

"Oh? Independent?"

Academician Zheng nodded thoughtfully and picked up a lion's head meatball, placing it on Chen Youhua's tray.

"That's good, that's good. Fewer entanglements, fewer troubles. For those of us in scientific research, sometimes we just need that spirit of independence."

Chen Youhua, on the other hand, was a bit baffled as to why he was asking about these random things.

As they chatted idly, the sound of approaching footsteps and whispers suddenly came from the cafeteria entrance.

Chen Youhua instinctively looked up, and his heart immediately tightened.

A large group of people was surrounding several middle-aged men who had a steady temperament and were wearing seemingly ordinary but extremely well-tailored clothes.

The one leading them had a resolute face and eyes as sharp as an eagle's, carrying an invisible aura in his stride. It was exactly that leader surnamed Zhang whom he hadn't met last time!

The few people following behind him were also of extraordinary character, clearly figures from the core circle.

Chen Youhua felt the veins in his temples throbbing, wishing he could bury his head in his tray.

No escape, there really was no escape!

Academician Zheng, however, seemed to have expected this, showing no surprise on his face.

He calmly put down his utensils and wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin, his movements unhurried, as if he were just seeing an old friend visit.

He stood up, his face instantly lighting up with a warm yet measured smile, and took the initiative to greet them.

"President Zhang! You, the vanguard, have arrived too quickly! What, are you afraid I, Old Zheng, won't supervise well and will neglect your precious project?"

Academician Zheng's voice was loud and hearty, filled with familiar banter, instantly breaking the subtle stagnation in the cafeteria caused by the group's arrival.

President Zhang also laughed, shaking Academician Zheng's hand firmly.

"Old Zheng! With a great Buddha like you personally overseeing things, what could I possibly worry about? I'm here to scout ahead and confirm the final situation and progress so I can have some peace of mind. Besides, I'm also here early to soak up some of the spiritual energy from your Spark!"

His tone was relaxed, but his gaze was like a precision scanner, unobtrusively sweeping across the entire cafeteria before finally landing on Chen Youhua behind Academician Zheng.

"Progress? I guarantee there's no problem! Ignition will be on time in 72 hours!"

Academician Zheng patted his chest, full of confidence.

"Every brick, tile, and screw in this base is being watched!"

"Good! With those words from you, I can rest easy."

President Zhang nodded, his smile fading slightly as his tone became solemn.

"But Old Zheng, safety—safety is always priority number one! Everything else can be fast, but the security mechanism alone must be slow and meticulous, absolutely in place! There can't be even a hint of wishful thinking! I'm just here this time to show support and make a statement; as for the specifics of how to do it, I have to rely on you and the experts!"

These words were powerful, serving as both a requirement and a trust.

"Understood! Safety is the lifeline; we wouldn't dare be careless!" Academician Zheng replied solemnly.

Their pleasantries concluded, and President Zhang's gaze finally fell completely on Chen Youhua, who was trying—and failing—to lower his presence.

"Old Zheng, this young talent is...?" President Zhang asked knowingly, his tone gentle.

Academician Zheng stepped aside, gently pushing Chen Youhua forward, his voice filled with unconcealed pride and teasing.

"President Zhang, let me give you a grand introduction! This is the true biological father of the Spark project, the creator of our electronic life, Chen Youhua!"

"Oh!!!"

An extremely warm smile instantly bloomed on President Zhang's face, as if he were seeing a long-lost relative.

He stepped forward a few paces and, before Chen Youhua could react, had already firmly grasped his hands.

Those hands were warm and powerful, carrying an unquestionable sense of control.

"Comrade Chen Youhua! I've heard so much about you! Your name precedes you!"

President Zhang's voice was full of charisma.

"I've wanted to meet you for a long time! I finally have today! You are truly young and promising, a pillar of the nation!"

He looked Chen Youhua up and down, his eyes sharp yet filled with elder-like affection, making Chen Youhua feel completely uneasy, as if he were being placed under a microscope.

"President Zhang... hello..."

Chen Youhua managed to squeeze out a small smile, his mouth feeling as stiff as if it were frozen.

He tried to pull his hand back, only to find the other man's grip was very firm.

What followed was a social purgatory that felt incredibly long to Chen Youhua.

President Zhang was clearly full of interest in him, asking everything from the core principles of Spark and the safety of the Shackles to his vision for the future, even thoughtfully asking about his family situation and whether he was used to living at the base...

Questions came one after another, seemingly casual but actually probing deeper step by step.

The few accompanying personnel behind President Zhang also chimed in and agreed at the right moments, making the atmosphere seem warm and harmonious.

Chen Youhua, for his part, illustrated and explained every question by grounding it in practical, real-world matters, seeking only to translate those complex questions and sophisticated rhetoric into something an ordinary person could understand.

This cafeteria conversation lasted for nearly an hour.

When President Zhang finally expressed satisfaction, saying "I won't delay you young people's rest" and left with his entourage, Chen Youhua felt as if he had fought a great battle, the clothes on his back slightly damp with sweat.

He sat back in his chair, almost collapsed from exhaustion.

Academician Zheng looked at his "survivor of a disaster" appearance and couldn't help but pat his shoulder with a laugh.

"Alright, go back and get some good rest, recharge your energy, and wait to see Spark light up!"

Chen Youhua returned to the room Academician Zheng had arranged for him.

A simple but fully equipped single room.

He threw himself heavily onto the soft bed, staring at the soft light on the ceiling and letting out a long, weary breath.

Physical fatigue was secondary; that kind of intense mental tension and energy consumption made him feel as if his soul had been hollowed out.

Amidst his chaotic thoughts, only one strong idea remained: 72 hours, please pass quickly!