Rebirth: Controlled Nuclear Fusion

Part 118：Institute No. 3

System: "Task issued: Develop 7nm chips to save the patriotic company, Huawei Technology, turning its losses into profits. Task reward: 4nm chip technology!"

Upon seeing the task, Jiang Fan suddenly recalled that he had encountered a representative from Huawei Technology during the World Mathematics Summit. During their casual conversation, he had learned that Huawei mainly operated in the fields of mobile phones and telecommunications. Given that the United States had imposed chip sanctions, it was likely that Huawei was suffering greatly.

Since the system had classified Huawei as a patriotic enterprise, Jiang Fan was naturally willing to offer his help. In essence, the key to helping Huawei turn its fortunes around lay in developing Chinese-made chips to neutralize the effects of the American chip sanctions.

Understanding the crux of the issue, Jiang Fan immediately knew what course of action to take next.

Seeing that Jiang Fan had agreed to collaborate on chip research, Old Qiao immediately called Long Lao.

At first, Long Lao's reaction was to refuse. He had just given Jiang Fan two days off! Now, Old Qiao was pulling him back into chip research. Long Lao was reluctant to push Jiang Fan too hard, knowing how vital his contributions would be to the future of the country. However, after Jiang Fan explained the national economic situation and the gravity of the sanctions, Long Lao reluctantly agreed.

As for the "Dragon Journal" matter, it would be handled by a group of senior professors selected by the state, so there was no cause for concern.

Long Lao had also recently made significant progress in the Mecha Energy Lab, with the lithium iron phosphate battery coating showing a 50% increase in performance, currently in the optimization phase. He was not too busy at the moment, and in the near future, he would be heading to the National Rocket Energy Research Base for a new project on rocket propellant fuels. Thus, Jiang Fan's involvement in chip research would certainly be beneficial for his future development.

Once Long Lao agreed, Old Qiao promised that if the research was successful, he would gift Long Lao a Song Dynasty blue-and-white porcelain teacup.

Long Lao, who had been eyeing this teacup for quite some time, jokingly instructed Jiang Fan to make sure the chip research succeeded.

"Don't worry, Teacher, I'll definitely bring back the teacup for you!" Jiang Fan replied.

"Haha, good! Good!" Long Lao's cheerful laughter resonated through the phone.

Old Qiao felt a bit frustrated, hearing the conversation between the teacher and student—it almost seemed like they were conspiring to steal his treasure! However, if Jiang Fan really did manage to develop a 10nm chip, he would gladly hand over the Song Dynasty teacup to Long Lao.

"Let's go, Uncle Qiao," Jiang Fan said as he hung up the phone.

"Go?" Old Qiao was momentarily confused.

"To the lab," Jiang Fan replied. He didn't quite understand why, but the mere mention of scientific research made him feel inexplicably excited.

"It's already 8 PM," Old Qiao noted.

"It's fine, I stay up late," Jiang Fan responded.

Seeing Jiang Fan's eagerness to dive into chip research, Old Qiao felt gratified. After all, chip research was no easy task, and the sooner Jiang Fan started, the better.

"Alright, I'll take you," Old Qiao said, leading Jiang Fan toward the entrance of Huqing University. The chip research institute, however, was not on campus—it was located at the National Research Institute No. 3.

Just as they were about to take a few steps, a voice called out to Jiang Fan.

"Jiang Fan!" It was Chu Ruoxi.

Only then did Jiang Fan remember his girlfriend, Chu Ruoxi. He quickly walked over to her.

"Ruoxi, I have some experiments to take care of with Uncle Qiao, so I won't be able to stay with you tonight."

"Oh, alright, go ahead then." Her voice clearly held a hint of reluctance.

But she understood—Jiang Fan would undoubtedly become a prominent scientist, and spending more time with figures like Academician Qiao and engaging in research projects would benefit his future development. As his girlfriend, she couldn't hold him back.

"Alright, I'll go now. Take care, Ruoxi."

"Mm," Chu Ruoxi nodded.

Jiang Fan reluctantly turned toward Old Qiao, but just as he had taken a few steps, he heard her call his name again.

"Jiang Fan!"

He paused and turned around to face her.

To his surprise, the girl ran up to him, gently kissed his cheek, and whispered, "I love you."

Her face flushed a deep red as she turned and ran away.

Jiang Fan stood there, looking at her retreating figure, his heart filled with sweetness. He whispered to her fading silhouette, "Ruoxi, I love you too."

Only when she disappeared into the crowd did Jiang Fan come back to himself and walk over to Old Qiao's side.

Old Qiao smiled warmly at him. "This girl is quite something! You're a lucky man, Jiang Fan!"

Jiang Fan couldn't help but smile shyly.

"Don't worry about her, Jiang Fan. With me here at Huqing University, I'll make sure no one dares to cause her trouble!"

"Thank you, Uncle Qiao."

"No need for thanks between us," Old Qiao replied.

National Research Institute No. 3, Kyoto:

Two guards stood at attention with firearms, flanking the entrance.

Old Qiao drove up to the gate, and the guards saluted him. But they didn't allow Jiang Fan to pass.

Old Qiao, knowing the institute's strict rules, immediately took out his phone and called Director Zhang of the institute. After explaining the situation, the guards received a call from Director Zhang and finally allowed Jiang Fan to enter.

"Jiang Fan, don't take offense. This is a national research institute, and all projects inside are highly confidential. So, security checks are quite stringent," Old Qiao explained.

"I understand, Uncle Qiao," Jiang Fan replied.

Having worked in a national research institute in his previous life, Jiang Fan was well aware of the protocols.

Instead of heading directly to the lab, Old Qiao took him to Director Zhang's office.

"Director Zhang, let me introduce you. This is Jiang Fan, who has come to assist me with chip research."

Director Zhang glanced at the young Jiang Fan, momentarily stunned. In his mind, he wondered, How could someone so young be involved in chip research? Probably just an intern under Academician Qiao.

"Academician Qiao, is this your student?" Director Zhang asked.

"If only he were my student! He's Long Lao's student. After much persuasion, Long Lao finally agreed to lend him to me for a while," Old Qiao responded.

"Long Lao's student? The one who developed the lithium iron phosphate battery?" Director Zhang asked in surprise.

"Yes," Old Qiao affirmed. "He's also the editor-in-chief of Dragon Journal and the developer of ITER magnetic materials, among other confidential national projects."

Director Zhang's eyes widened upon hearing Old Qiao's introduction. The mention of Jiang Fan's involvement in national secret projects was particularly striking. As the head of the research institute, he understood the significance of that statement.

"Professor Jiang, welcome! Truly, a hero emerges in youth!" Director Zhang exclaimed, shaking Jiang Fan's hand warmly.

"Director Zhang, you flatter me," Jiang Fan said modestly.

"With you here to help, I can rest easy. Haha...