Rebirth: Controlled Nuclear Fusion

Part 194：Breach of Promise

In the livestream of the Dragon Country, as the "Flying Dragon One" carrier rocket reached its designated position, it marked the successful launch of the nation's thousand-ton thrust rocket, a triumph that resonated throughout the country.

The scene then shifted to an interview with the commander-in-chief of the launch, Liu Tianhang, responsible for the rocket's successful deployment.

Reporter: "Commander Liu, first of all, congratulations on successfully overseeing the thousand-ton thrust rocket launch!"

Liu Tianhang: "It is truly an honor. We did not disappoint the trust the nation placed in us."

Reporter: "Commander Liu, could you tell us which hero from your Northwest base contributed to the development of this remarkable thousand-ton thrust rocket?"

Liu Tianhang: "The mastermind behind this rocket's development is Jiang Fan! However, I am not at liberty to disclose any further details."

...

The live chat exploded with Dragon Country netizens flooding the screen with Jiang Fan's name!

Netizen 1: "Scientist Jiang Fan is incredible!"

Netizen 2: "Professor Jiang Fan is absolutely brilliant! He is a true hero of our nation. I suggest the country award him the National Hero Medal!"

Netizen 3: "Jiang Fan, you are unstoppable! Please, accept my deepest admiration!"

Netizen 4: "Professor Jiang Fan, I will study diligently, striving to become a hero like you!"

Netizen 5: "To hell with celebrities! From now on, Professor Jiang Fan is my idol!"

...

In the laboratory of Long Ke University, Long Lao was overjoyed. He thought back to the time when Bai Yanlang, on behalf of the Beautiful Country, had developed a 700-ton rocket thruster, humiliating the Dragon Country. But now, his student, Jiang Fan, had not only developed a thousand-ton rocket thruster but had delivered a stunning blow to the Beautiful Country!

The more Long Lao thought about it, the more pleased he became, nearly smiling from ear to ear.

Just then, his phone rang. It was Professor Li from the Kyoto Rocket Propulsion Base. Upon seeing the name, Long Lao recalled that his assistant, Professor Li, had once criticized Jiang Fan as arrogant and impractical, a comment that Long Lao had fiercely reprimanded him for.

"Little Li, what is it?"

Professor Li, brimming with excitement, exclaimed, "Academician Long, you must see the livestream! It says the thousand-ton rocket thruster was developed by Jiang Fan!"

"I already know that," Long Lao replied, knowing what had occurred.

"Jiang... Jiang Fan, thousand-ton... rocket thruster! He... he's incredible!" Professor Li gushed.

"My student is, of course, exceptional. If I recall correctly, didn't you once call him arrogant and impractical?" Long Lao remarked with a hint of teasing.

Professor Li's face turned red with embarrassment. He quickly apologized, "Academician Long, I was blind to his talents. I didn't recognize greatness when I saw it..."

Reflecting on the past, Professor Li now realized that the true fool was none other than himself.

While Long Lao was on the phone, Jiang Fan was also receiving a call from his mother, Li Guiqin.

"Son, where are you right now?"

"Mom, I'm at Long Ke University. What's up?"

From the other end of the line, Jiang Fan could hear his parents chatting.

"I knew it! The scientist who developed the thousand-ton rocket must be someone with the same name as Jiang Fan, right?"

"I told you to call and check. What if it really is our son?"

Then, with a cheerful voice, Li Guiqin said, "Son, did you see the Dragon Country livestream about the rocket launch? There's a scientist with the same name as you. Isn't that a coincidence?"

"It is quite the coincidence!" Jiang Fan replied, though he wanted to tell his mother that it wasn't just a coincidence—it was indeed him. However, he held back. Some things, he felt, were better left unsaid for now.

"Son, do you think it could be you?" Li Guiqin asked, still not entirely convinced.

"Mom! I'm just a freshman; how could I have developed such a colossal project?" Jiang Fan offered a casual excuse.

"Don't be discouraged, son. Maybe when you graduate, you'll develop a spaceship! Hehe..."

Jiang Jingguo, who was standing nearby, couldn't help but add, "A spaceship? You really have big dreams!"

"What's wrong with that? My son is the best!" Li Guiqin retorted defiantly.

Jiang Fan, amused by the playful banter between his parents, decided to join in. "Don't worry, Mom. When I develop a spaceship, I'll take you and Dad on a trip to space!"

When Jiang Fan said this, it wasn't just idle chatter. He truly believed that once controlled nuclear fusion research succeeded, space travel would be a reality in the near future.

"That's my son, always thinking of me!" Li Guiqin said proudly.

...

After the successful launch of the thousand-ton rocket, the Dragon Country immediately issued a statement to the Beautiful Country:

"In light of Bai Yanlang's insulting remarks against the Dragon Country, we demand an apology from the individual in question!"

The Beautiful Country, however, remained silent.

Shortly after, Russia also issued a statement:

"As a representative of the Beautiful Country, Bai Yanlang has demonstrated a complete lack of integrity and failed to honor his word. Our country now has serious doubts about the character of the Beautiful Country!"

Even Pakistan, a relatively minor country, released a statement condemning the Beautiful Country's actions.