At 9:00 AM Beijing time, in Hall 2 of the Great Hall of the People.

The seats were already packed, a sea of ​​people of different skin colors, races, and nationalities gathered there, all with expressions of unanimous seriousness and tension.

Security personnel patrolled the area around the hall without letting up, and countless cameras and microphones were pointed at the stage, seemingly waiting for something.

"Oh damn it, the press conference is about to start, and you're telling me this damn machine isn't fixed yet! If we mess this up, we'll be going home and crying to your mother!"

Adams, a reporter from the United States, irritably ripped off his headphones, looking quite agitated.

"My God! I really don't understand what these Chinese people are thinking. A damn seed research institute can actually use official channels of communication, can you believe it, Mike!?"

"Only God knows what they're thinking, they're even doing this stupid security check—Great! Signal restored!"

Fortunately, his partner managed to fix the machine at the last minute, which restored contact with the UK's domestic television station.

Adams immediately got into character, holding a microphone bearing the official logo of the United States' news agency, and forced a fake smile:

"This is Eagle News Broadcast. Welcome to the live news studio. I'm reporter Adams, reporting live from the 'Red Harvest Research Institute Vegetable and Fruit Seed Promotion and New Variety Launch Conference' in China. As you can see behind me is Hall 2 of the Great Hall of the People in China. Based on past interview records, this meeting room is not open to the public. We are very likely to be the first media outlet from Eagle to enter here for interviews—"

Behind him, countless reporters appeared in the frame, with journalists from various countries racing against time to report. This time, the Chinese government has certainly whetted the world's appetite.

Adams broadcast the announcement with a smile, but the next second, his expression turned to surprise:

"My God! Cut to the scene!"

"Click—"

The conference room doors opened, and security personnel escorted the attendees into the room one by one. Upon seeing the composition of the attendees, the media present erupted in excitement.

"Does the attendance of Mr. Chen Yuanyu from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China at this press conference mean that the Honghe Research Institute has been nationalized?"

"Mr. Zhang Cang of Honghe Research Institute, does this press conference signify that your company intends to cooperate with the official authorities? Please answer this question directly!"

"Does your company's refusal to provide reproductively viable seeds to non-domestic companies constitute an admission of technological monopoly?"

"Although the new varieties from Honghe Research Institute have not yet been launched on the market, some people have already publicly questioned whether they are genetically modified foods. Is this true?!"

"Countries around the world are protesting against the Honghe Research Institute's seed monopoly and have filed a lawsuit with the International Commercial Court on the 15th of this month. Does your company intend to respond to the lawsuit?!"

"Why did Ms. Ren Honghe of the Honghe Research Institute not attend the press conference today? Is it true, as rumored, that Ms. Ren Honghe is the actual person in charge of the Honghe Research Institute?"

Flashbulbs went off wildly, and countless microphones were pushed to the front. Chen Yuanyu, dressed in a blue suit, exuded a commanding presence. Facing numerous questions, he simply raised his hand slightly and smiled:

"Dear journalists, it is not time for the Q&A session yet. If you have any questions, please follow the press conference procedure. I am happy to answer your questions. Now, I will hand over the time to the staff of Honghe Research Institute."

Although the Honghe Research Institute had previously issued a press release, the specific content of the meeting was kept confidential, and no one expected that an official spokesperson would also appear here today.

Many of the reporters at the scene had dealt with Chen Yuanyu before and immediately realized the importance of this press conference. They frantically tried to contact people in China while tearing up the press release and rewriting it.

Just by looking at the members of today's meeting, you can tell that the Chinese government is about to make a big move.

Xu Banxia, ​​Deputy Minister of the Information Department of China News Service; Liu Mingli, Deputy Minister of the State Food and Drug Administration; Fang Jianguo, Minister of Agriculture; Chen Yuanyu, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and two academicians from the China Academy of Sciences were present.

Zhang Cang trembled as he squeezed among a group of big shots, remembering his boss's words that he had found him a government job, and he felt like crying.

He thought his boss was joking, but who knew he actually got a permanent position!

Although it's unclear what specific collaborations the boss discussed with the authorities, this might be a classic case of "when one person attains enlightenment, even their chickens and dogs ascend to heaven."

When he dies, he must make sure to give clear instructions to his descendants, and have a golden statue of Ren Honghe made and placed in his family's ancestral grave for worship.

"Ahem, Xiao Zhang, don't be nervous. Just follow your company's press conference procedure. Leave the rest to the government."

Chen Yuanyu covered the microphone and smiled reassuringly.

Zhang Cang almost burst into tears on the spot.

What is a sense of security?

This is what security feels like!!

With the nation behind me—no, I mean, with my boss behind me—who am I afraid of?!

He suddenly understood the feelings of the fox in the story of "The Fox Borrows the Tiger's Power," the eunuch beside the emperor, and the lackey beside the landlord.

Damn! If I had known it would be this formal, I would have had Jiang Wen make the PPT more elaborate!

...

...

The heavy curtain on the stage was slowly pulled back. Zhang Cang, being a top student in the finance department, gave himself several mental pep talks before officially getting to the topic of today's press conference.

A large screen, large enough to clearly show the entire scene, lights up, and a fiery red divine bird flies across the screen, eventually transforming into the traditional Chinese characters "红禾" (Hong He) on the opening screen.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!