Backlighting

Researcher Zhou was taken away by security to assist in the investigation, and a tense atmosphere of fear permeated the laboratory. Xiao Chen paced anxiously back and forth, muttering repeatedly, "Impossible, Professor Zhou is definitely not that kind of person! He clearly went to dinner with us last night..."

Shen Zhiyan stood by the window, gazing down in the direction of the security office, his brow furrowed. Jiang Mo walked to his side and whispered, "This is a frame-up. The timing is too coincidental."

“The probability is close to one hundred percent.” Shen Zhiyan’s voice was cold and stern. “The other party is putting pressure on us and testing our reaction.”

He turned around, his gaze sweeping over the uneasy crowd in the lab, and suddenly raised his voice: "Xiao Chen, pull up the analysis data from last week about the behavior patterns of online trolls. Since they want to play with fire in the dark, we'll use the brightest light to illuminate every corner."

For the next forty-eight hours, the laboratory entered a wartime state. Shen Zhiyan led her team day and night to organize data and write algorithms, transforming their experience in combating cyberattacks into easy-to-understand popular science materials. Jiang Mo, on the other hand, used her professional expertise to transform these complex contents into vivid scripts.

On the morning of the third day, a popular science video titled "How AI Spots 100,000 Online Trolls: Taking You Directly to the Truth of Online Manipulation" was suddenly released across the internet. The video, with Jiang Mo and Shen Zhiyan's collaboration in the laboratory as the main thread, used real case analysis to demonstrate the operation mode of online trolls, and even boldly showed some of the characteristics of the abnormal accounts that were marked.

At the end of the video, Jiang Mo stands under the starry sky projection in the laboratory, looking firmly at the camera:

“We believe that the truth is like starlight; even if it is temporarily obscured by dark clouds, it will never be extinguished. This video is a lamp that we have lit.”

Shen Zhiyan's voice rang out calmly in the voice-over:

"In science, we call this process—reverse illumination. When you can't directly observe dark matter, you observe its gravitational effect on its surroundings."

The video quickly went viral after its release. This was not only due to the value of the content itself, but also because of its timing—just when Researcher Zhou was under investigation and various speculations were rampant. This was undoubtedly a brilliant counterattack.

Two hours after the video was released, the security department released Researcher Zhou. The investigation revealed that his access card record had been forged using technical means. Although there is no direct evidence pointing to the mastermind, the whole farce has been exposed.

"That's great!" Xiao Chen exclaimed excitedly, almost jumping for joy. "Teacher Zhou, I knew you were innocent!"

Researcher Zhou shook his head with a wry smile, but looked at Shen Zhiyan and Jiang Mo with gratitude in his eyes: "Thanks to you for speaking up in time, otherwise I don't know what kind of labels I would have been labeled."

Even more surprisingly, after the video was released, several high-end brands that had previously suspended their cooperation with Jiang Mo due to public pressure re-expressed their interest in working with her. Linda excitedly reported this on the phone:

"MoMo, it's a complete reversal! Public opinion is now overwhelmingly in your favor, and even mainstream media outlets are starting to report on the issue of online trolls!"

At the same time, Shen Zhiyan received an email. It was from his doctoral supervisor, who praised the value of the science video and informed him that a paper based on some of the research results shown in the video had been accepted by a top journal in the field.

In the acknowledgments section of the thesis, Shen Zhiyan wrote:

"Thank you to Ms. Jiang Mo for her outstanding contributions to data visualization and public communication. Her unique perspective has shown us the infinite possibilities at the intersection of science and art."

This is one of the highest levels of recognition in academia.

As evening fell, Jiang Mo received an unexpected phone call. It was from Lin Jing.

"Ms. Jiang, I've seen the video." Lin Jing's voice remained gentle, but carried an undisguised hint of approval. "You did a great job. You upheld the truth while also maintaining the bottom line."

"Thank you, Aunt Lin."

"How is Zhiyan... lately?"

“He’s fine.” Jiang Mo looked at Shen Zhiyan, who was discussing the next steps with Xiao Chen in the lab. “We’re all doing what we believe is right.”

After hanging up the phone, Jiang Mo walked to Shen Zhiyan's side. The afterglow of the setting sun shone through the window, bathing the entire laboratory in a warm golden light.

"Congratulations on your paper," she said softly.

Shen Zhiyan turned his head, his eyes behind his glasses reflecting the light of the setting sun: "It's the result of our joint efforts."

At this moment, no words are needed. They are like two comrades-in-arms fighting side by side in the darkness, finally lighting the first lamp in their own way.

Just as the atmosphere was beginning to lighten, a new email popped up on Shen Zhiyan's computer. The sender was none other than Shen Huaiming, and the subject line consisted of only four simple characters:

"An interview. Now."

The email body was unsettlingly concise:

"The conference room on the first floor of the lab. One person is coming."

Shen Zhiyan stared at the screen, his expression gradually darkening. Jiang Mo instinctively grabbed his arm, and the two exchanged a glance, both understanding—this war had only just entered its most crucial phase.