Chapter 15 After the soul swap, I switched back.
On the day he met with the governor of Qing Province, Si Qi went to the research institute with them.
Si Qi provided very detailed blueprints, with no secrets or modifications. It could be said that mass production could be easily achieved simply by copying them.
With such a perfect work in front of them, even just following Si Qi to learn his design ideas and studying the internal structure and energy emission device of the laser gun would allow the copyist to gain a lot of new knowledge.
The research institute director, looking at the blueprints, tentatively asked Si Qi many questions, and Si Qi answered them all in detail.
Knowledge is something that cannot be faked, especially in front of experts in the same field.
In the course of a few questions and answers, the dean quickly realized that Si Qi's statement that "I developed these blueprints" was absolutely true.
His gaze toward Si Qi grew increasingly eager, and he surrounded Si Qi with many questions, even hoping to bring other scholars to learn from Si Qi.
Si Qi readily agreed.
The dean was overjoyed and immediately reported the matter to his superiors. His superiors had considered many possible developments after contacting Si Qi, but this was undoubtedly the most exciting outcome for them.
More than a dozen experts in the field of weapons development received notices from their superiors and successively rushed to Qinghai Province to meet with Si Qi.
Originally, in order to counter the conglomerates, the federal government had been researching various weapons, including laser guns. Unfortunately, due to shortcomings in manpower and financial resources, the research results were always unsatisfactory and could not compare with the weapons in the hands of the conglomerates.
The blueprints Si Qi sent showed that the prototypes produced were far more powerful than they had imagined. They were far superior not only to their existing research, but even to the standard weapons used by wealthy conglomerates.
Therefore, the Federation couldn't wait to call all the experts who were researching laser guns over to contact Si Qi, hoping to learn more about the cutting-edge knowledge that only circulated within the conglomerates through this young master of the chaebol.
Many experts, upon first seeing Si Qi's clearly aristocratic air, instinctively felt a bit intimidated. Coming from humble backgrounds, they instinctively tried to curry favor with the upper class, constantly watching Si Qi's expression, afraid of offending him in some way.
But as the conversation went on for longer and more and more points of knowledge attracted their attention, the experts, whose minds were full of academics, quickly forgot about these details. They were immersed in the ocean of knowledge, their faces glowing with excitement, and their gazes toward Si Qi were no longer filled with fear, but rather with admiration.
Si Qi is truly open-minded; he will answer any question they ask and teach them step by step until they understand.
This brought immense joy to experts who had been trapped in knowledge barriers for decades, unable to find a way out. It was like a thirsty traveler in the desert desperately seeking water, or someone who had escaped an oxygen-deprived environment breathing freely.
It seems that they have never been taught such knowledge so carefully since birth, especially such profound and advanced knowledge that they could never have even dreamed of before.
Back in school, the school was very stingy in imparting knowledge to them, only telling them that after joining the conglomerate, they would serve the conglomerate and that there were endless treasures waiting for them to discover.
Later, for various reasons, they gave up pursuing further studies with the chaebols and instead came to the government, where resources were scarce, to work hard for the people and for ordinary people like themselves. They thought that even if they devoted their entire lives, they would not be able to find a way out and would not be able to overcome the chaebols that weighed on everyone's heads, but unexpectedly, a pleasant surprise came so suddenly. Si Qi appeared out of nowhere, bringing hope to their eyes.
As they studied, and somehow, they didn't cry when they were ridiculed by those around them for being stubborn for giving up the conglomerate to join the Federation; they didn't cry when they worked day and night on research without finding a single solution; they didn't cry when their achievements were easily crushed by the conglomerate's technology. But now, listening to Si Qi's gentle explanation, their noses suddenly stung, their eyes reddened, and tears fell uncontrollably.
Si Qi paused slightly, then pretended not to notice and continued explaining.
The experts indeed wiped away the tears that were obstructing their vision with the back of their hands, racing against time to record the contents carefully, not wanting to miss even a single sentence, and daring not to be distracted in the slightest.
The governor stood aside, witnessing this scene, and sighed silently.
At this moment, even if tears are streaming down one's face, one must be happy inside.
The conversation continued until midnight, when someone's stomach started growling with hunger, finally bringing everyone back to their senses and making them realize how quickly time had passed.
Looking at the young man standing before them, they belatedly realized his identity. Feeling flustered and at a loss, fearing that their rash behavior would displease Si Qi, they hurriedly said, "Please go and eat and rest!"
The governor had been waiting for them all day, wanting to bring this up for a long time. But seeing the experts' bright eyes, he couldn't bear to interrupt. Now he finally had the chance to speak up: "The food is ready. Please follow me."
Si Qi nodded and invited the experts, "Let's go together."
The experts subconsciously smiled, smiles devoid of flattery, pure joy, and anyone could see how sincere their feelings for Si Qi were at that moment.
The governor observed Si Qi's expression from the side, trying to figure out what Si Qi meant by "together".
I had assumed that a young master from a wealthy family would never want to dine with commoners, and that even the dining venue was specially prepared for Si Qi. But now it seems...
The governor hesitated for a moment, then informed his subordinates of the changes to the arrangements. His subordinates quickly added tableware to the lavishly decorated restaurant and laid out many hot and extravagant dishes.
When Si Qi and the scholars arrived at the dining place, they were startled to see the restaurant's decor, which was clearly out of place with the research institute's style. They instinctively looked at Si Qi, who turned his head to look at the governor.
The governor smiled and said, "The preparations were made hastily and were not thorough enough. I don't know if they will satisfy you."
"Thank you, but there's no need for all this trouble," Si Qi said tactfully. "You're too kind."
"We just wanted to express our gratitude to you," the governor said sincerely.
They had all witnessed the extravagant lifestyles of the tycoons. No matter how approachable Si Qi appeared, they couldn't afford to treat him casually or lower his standard of living to the point of not even meeting his most basic needs.
Si Qi thought about it and felt that this was also the governor's good intention. If he really wanted to refuse, he could wait until they were more familiar with each other and then talk about it slowly. He sat down with everyone, picked up his bowl and chopsticks, and began to eat.
The scholars had never dined with a tycoon before, so they subconsciously paid attention to Si Qi's reaction. Watching Si Qi wash his hands and sit down, exuding elegance in every movement, they couldn't help but marvel at how different the young master's aura was from theirs. They unconsciously lowered their voices while eating, imitating Si Qi's dining etiquette, chewing slowly and carefully, not wanting their rudeness to displease him.
Si Qi didn't say anything as usual, but suddenly put down his chopsticks, grabbed a sandwich, and took a bite.
The scholars who had been silently observing him were taken aback, their faces full of doubt. Hesitantly, they also grabbed a sandwich.
To be honest, they hadn't eaten all day and had been slowly imitating Si Qi's eating habits, restraining themselves from eating much of the delicious food on the table. But now, with a bite of a sandwich in their mouths, they were instantly filled with the satisfaction of the food, and unconsciously swallowed and chewed it in big mouthfuls, finishing their sandwiches in a few bites.
Si Qi watched their reactions, a smile flashing in his eyes. The provincial governor, who had been watching Si Qi's expression closely, paused slightly, looking at Si Qi and then at the exquisitely presented and lavishly prepared dinner before him, and felt as if he understood something.
"This lobster is so delicious!" The scholar picked up a piece of lobster meat the size of a baby's fist and put it in his mouth, then squinted and whispered, "I've never eaten anything so good before."
“This piece of meat is worth a month’s salary for us.” Another scholar replied in a low voice, “It is said to be a live lobster airlifted from abroad. Each one can be as long as an adult’s arm and sells for hundreds of thousands of yuan. I have only seen it online.”
"Wow... truly worthy of the title..." the scholar exclaimed, glancing at Si Qi and then at the dazzling array of food before him, his tone conflicted: "This meal could cost me several years' worth of income?"
“More than that,” another scholar replied.
The governor toasted Si Qi, thanking him: "Young Master Si, you've worked hard today."
“You’ve all worked hard,” Si Qi raised his glass. “The dinner was very sumptuous. Thank you for your hospitality.”
"I'm glad I can make you happy," the governor said with a smile.
"The experts and I are very satisfied. Is this a welcome banquet prepared for us?" Si Qi said.
The experts who were whispering were taken aback when they heard this. The governor realized what was happening and smiled, "Yes."
The scholars looked flattered and waved their hands repeatedly, saying, "No, no, we wouldn't dare."
“You have all contributed so much to the Federation, which is truly admirable. We deserve all the hospitality we can offer,” Si Qi said. “I am very happy to be able to discuss academic matters with you all now. I would like to propose a toast to you all.”
The scholars were stunned. They never imagined they would hear "I admire the federal scholars" from a tycoon. They raised their glasses and drank them down in one gulp.
The tea flowed down their throats and into their stomachs. They put down their cups, thinking that this young master was really different from the tycoons they had in mind.
“He is completely different from what we imagined,” the governor said a few days later when he reported to his superiors on time. “Arrogance, contempt, extravagance... all the typical impressions of tycoons are completely absent in him.”
"He treats everyone equally, regardless of their social status."
"He imparted all his knowledge to us without reservation, as long as we were willing to learn."
"He has no liking for tycoons, but he pities the weak, helps others, and is angry about all injustices."
“During this time, we tested him, and he noticed but never pointed it out. Instead, he openly allowed us to approach him. He is truly a very gentle and remarkable person.”
Si Qi's personal charm easily wins the favor of others. Coupled with his unconditional sharing of knowledge and his humble origins from a wealthy family, he has no arrogant airs. With all these advantages, everyone in the research center has a very good impression of Si Qi.
The federal government was already in a weak position, and to the young master of the Si family, it was utterly worthless, not even to be fooled. If it were a joke, he wouldn't have gone to such lengths to put on this act—simply showing them the blueprints would have been enough to make them willingly do many things, including die.
Therefore, Si Qi likely just wanted to help them; there is no other explanation.
The superiors hadn't expected that the unexpected windfall, instead of being filled with poison, would yield even more gold. Trusting their subordinates' judgment, and based on feedback from the research institute staff, they confirmed that the technology Si Qi had brought them was genuine and effective. They nodded and said, "Cooperate with Si Qi as much as possible. Do our best to meet any needs he may have. As long as he is willing to give his heart, we will treat him with utmost sincerity."
The governor answered loudly, "Yes!"
“We need to send more scholars over,” the superior said with a happy concern. “The previous group of experts learned too much and need time to digest it. Also, the manufacturing of the laser guns requires them to go there as consultants and oversee the process. We can’t let them stay there and take up Si Qi’s student spots.”
"Student quotas?" The governor nodded in agreement, "They must be extremely disappointed."
"Indeed." The superiors couldn't help but laugh and cry when they recalled the scholars' wailing and lamenting when they received their transfer orders.
A note from the author:
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Happy National Day!! I'll randomly select 50 lucky commenters to receive a red envelope~ [heart]
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