Chapter 48: The Nation's Fortune Doomed!

“Why on earth did you put stealth car coating on that old geezer’s scooter?” Zhao Minggao was on the verge of losing his mind.

Just based on the 0.002 figure.

A square meter of that material must cost a fortune, right?

And to slap it onto an old man’s scooter?

Does that old scooter even deserve it?

Stealth coating is an extremely fragile substance.

Even on fighter jets, it requires meticulous maintenance and frequent replacement.

It’s hardly durable at all.

“Using such a high-performance material as a car cover is a total waste,” Zhao Minggao said reproachfully.

Wei Xiu understood Zhao Minggao’s concerns.

“This kind of car cover isn’t as fragile as you think,” he said.

“I’ve tested it multiple times. It withstands extreme high and low temperatures.”

“It also has a certain resistance to salt and alkali.”

“Even if it gets damaged, it can self-repair.”

*Gasp!*

Zhao Minggao nearly lost his breath, almost fainting.

Good heavens!

Not only is the stealth performance dramatically improved, but its durability is literally doubled?

Keep in mind!

Durability and self-repair capabilities for stealth coatings have been top priorities for Institute 906 over the past two years.

And yet?

Here, it’s been cracked by an old man’s scooter.

Thinking this, Zhao Minggao immediately stood up, arrogantly striding toward the door.

“Where are you going, Old Zhao?” Huang Han looked up and asked.

“I want to see that car cover with my own eyes—no, rather, that stealth material!”

At this point, the room fell silent.

Though Li Zhonghai and Tan Linsheng didn’t understand the difference between 0.002 and 0.4, they both felt satisfied.

Because Wei Xiu had admitted to using the car cover to evade speeding cameras.

Even if his explanation sounded grandiose—

Claiming the cover was for the old man’s benefit—

There was definitely wrongdoing.

Since there was wrongdoing, what else did the chief have to say?

Tan Linsheng was slightly more assertive.

“Chief, the intent is obvious.”

“Wei Xiu used the car cover to dodge cameras.”

“That’s clearly knowingly breaking the law.”

“Facilitating illegal activity.”

“Please decide how to handle this.”

Before the evidence, they would have let the official arrogance slide.

But now?

Wei Xiu had confessed to the evidence himself.

What could the chief say?

Surely, he had to offer some explanation to the city bureau.

“We will handle it. It must be handled,” Huang Han immediately declared.

He then turned to Qin Xi.

“Professor Qin, call the chief,” he instructed.

Qin Xi asked, “What should I say?”

“Just tell them Wei Xiu has made a breakthrough and the boss should send a team here to establish a special task force.”

Li Zhonghai and Tan Linsheng exchanged glances.

What the heck—

I told you to handle it, not to ruin him.

At worst, it’s illegal modification, aiding unlawful activity.

Why form a special task force?

Before they could question further, Huang Han looked at Wei Xiu.

“You kid, you’ve made us proud.”

“Don’t worry!”

“This year’s Science and Technology Progress Award will definitely have your name on it.”

Tan Linsheng: ???

Li Zhonghai: ???

...

...

“Old Li, there’s a major discovery. Drop whatever you’re doing and come to Linyang immediately.”

“...”

“Lin Yuan, why don’t you get it? It’s not a paper, it’s a finished product. Yes! A gift from the sky.”

“...”

“Difficulties? None whatsoever, smooth sailing.”

“...”

“I’ve already notified some key groups in the national metamaterials community. Help me file a report to formally request the formation of a special task force.”

“...”

Two hours later.

The courtyard of Linyang City Bureau.

Zhao Minggao was on the phone, notifying his contacts in the metamaterials field one by one.

Wei Xiu stood nearby with Huang Han, stealing a moment to smoke.

“Huang, next time you want to bail someone out, just do it outright. This was terrifying.”

Honestly,

For a split second, he thought he wouldn’t come out alive.

Huang Han thought, you even have the nerve to complain: “You did make a contribution, no doubt, but you really crossed the line.”

He had watched the traffic cop’s body camera footage.

You don’t realize until you see it; it was shocking.

A gray modified car streaking along the national highway at terrifying speed.

“The traffic police already gave you face by only accusing you of ‘facilitating illegal activity.’”

Huang Han joked, “If I were the traffic police, I’d have shot you on the spot.”

“You wouldn’t have the heart,” Wei Xiu chuckled. “So I’m safe, then?”

“Don’t get ahead of yourself. Director Lin has ordered you and Dr. Qin to report to Beijing as soon as possible.”

Though only two hours had passed,

The academic world was already abuzz.

From the Academy of Sciences down to university research institutes,

Everyone in the field was discussing the good news as if it were a festival.

The boss was overjoyed.

Not only did he personally invite Chen Chen and Qin Xi to Beijing, but also sent a team to transport that old man’s scooter there.

Just as they spoke,

Zhao Minggao hung up the phone,

Quickly approaching the two.

“Director Huang, Professor Wei,”

“The initial test results are in.”

“Our military’s main radars have detected no reflected signals from this material.”

Huang Han raised an eyebrow, “Including the JY-27?”

Zhao Minggao nodded, “Yes, even the long-wave radar can’t detect it.”

Highlight this:

Fooling millimeter-wave radar is impressive.

But fooling long-wave radar is a masterpiece.

Because long-wave radar is the nemesis of stealth fighters.

Though the technology is somewhat outdated, it can detect stealth jets.

Now,

Wei Xiu’s discovery completely fills this blind spot.

“The batch of materials Professor Wei produced, both in performance and durability—”

“I dare say—”

“Are absolutely top-tier globally.”

“If mass-produced for aircraft, our air force will become invincible!”

Old Zhao wanted to keep praising,

But Qin Xi hurried over, interrupting.

“Teacher! Director Huang! The helicopter has arrived, we must go.”

On the city bureau’s rooftop,

The roar of a helicopter from the Capital Garrison District filled the air.

Though Huang Han wanted to chat more with Wei Xiu,

He couldn’t resist the boss’s pressing urgency.

“Go quickly!”

“Wei Xiu, stay sharp, you represent the Qilin War Zone after all.”

Wei Xiu nodded, walking shoulder to shoulder with Qin Xi toward the helipad.

At the same time,

On the fourth floor,

Two city bureau officers stared blankly at the helicopter landing on the opposite helipad.

Though the city bureau had a helipad, it had never been used before.

Since the bureau’s establishment, this was the first helicopter landing.

But!

Who would have thought!

For the first time, it was a military helicopter!

“Holy cow, it’s a Z-20!” Li Zhonghai’s eyes widened upon seeing the green giant.

“Not just a Z-20. Listen to that sound—fighter jets!”

Prompted by Tan Linsheng,

The three looked up together toward the left front.

Two faintly visible J-15s streaked across the sky, leaving twin trails of exhaust.

A helicopter sent to pick someone up would be noteworthy enough, but fighter jet escort?

Who exactly is Wei Xiu?

Li Zhonghai and Tan Linsheng’s heads were almost smoking, utterly baffled.

Just then, Yang Chong came rushing over.

“Gentlemen, the provincial department has issued instructions.”

“What did they say?” Li Zhonghai and Tan Linsheng exchanged worried looks.

“They told us to follow all of Staff Officer Huang Han’s instructions.”

Yang Chong said with lingering apprehension.

“All records concerning Wei Xiu’s case—including Old Yang and that vehicle—must be sealed and encrypted at S-level.”

Upon hearing this, Tan Linsheng exhaled deeply.

“Good, at least they didn’t blame us…”

“How could they not blame us?” Yang Chong shook his head helplessly.

“The provincial department scolded us harshly, saying we nearly ruined the nation’s fortunes.”