Chapter 208: Evil Intentions

"Alright," Shao Meiyun said with a slight smile. "This is our real behind-the-scenes hero, Zhang Zhenghao. He was also the college roommate of our Liu family head and is an outstanding geology expert. It was his self-developed earthquake prediction theory that allowed us to foresee the earthquake half a month in advance and take subsequent actions."

Hearing this, the reporters' eyes lit up. A self-developed earthquake prediction theory! This could truly change the world. If this theory spreads, it would greatly benefit countries frequently hit by earthquakes.

"I know you all can't wait to interview Mr. Zhang Zhenghao!" Shao Meiyun said with a smile.

The room erupted in laughter, but it was clear they were eager.

"Let's move on to the Q&A session!" Shao Meiyun smiled. "To save time, we will only take ten questions. Please start."

Almost all the reporters raised their hands eagerly, and Shao Meiyun picked a foreign journalist.

"Mr. Zhang Zhenghao, hello. I'm a reporter from Germany's Bild. Miss Shao mentioned that you have developed an earthquake prediction theory. Will you make this theory public? If so, when? And will it become a strategic technological reserve for China? Thank you."

Zhang Zhenghao was momentarily stunned by the question. "I don't understand what strategic technological reserve means, but I will make this theory public to benefit people worldwide. As for when, I'm doing my best to organize it, but it will take time. If all goes well, it should be in about two years."

The reporter added, "What I mean by strategic technological reserve is—"

"Alright, your question is finished. Next." Shao Meiyun cut him off and pointed to a reporter from China.

"Mr. Zhang, hello. I'm a reporter from Yingzhou TV. It's well known that Yingzhou is the most earthquake-prone area in the world. Once your theory is made public, will you consider setting up the first earthquake prediction device in Yingzhou? Thank you."

Yingzhou was annexed by China during the East Asian Unification War. Despite its frequent earthquakes and tsunamis, it lagged in development but was thriving in technology, anime, and adult film industries. Zhang Zhenghao and Li Nianlong had their computers full of Yingzhou's films during college.

Zhang Zhenghao had a good impression of Yingzhou and nodded. "Although I invented it, I've given the usage rights to the Liu family. Whether the first device will be set up in Yingzhou depends on the family head's decision."

The Yingzhou reporter then looked at Li Nianlong with hopeful eyes.

Li Nianlong smiled, "Rest assured, once the device is successfully developed, Yingzhou will definitely be one of the first places to get it. We are all part of China, and we must take care of our own people first."

The Yingzhou reporter was very moved and bowed deeply. "Thank you, family head Liu. All the people of Yingzhou will be grateful to you."

"It's my honor," Li Nianlong smiled. "Next question, please."

"Family head Liu, hello. I'm a reporter from The Sun." A plump reporter in his thirties stood up. "Since you became the family head, many women in the UK have seen you as their dream man. In the latest edition of the eligible bachelor rankings, you are at the top. What kind of woman do you plan to marry? Do you consider marrying a girl from the UK?"

Li Nianlong chuckled. "First, I'm very grateful to the girls in the UK for ranking me as the top eligible bachelor and for seeing me as their dream man. As for who I will marry in the future, that's personal. Regarding marrying a girl from the UK, as long as she's beautiful, nationality and race don't matter."

Although the answer wasn't complete, the Sun reporter was satisfied. The last sentence made it clear that Li Nianlong was open to marrying a beautiful woman regardless of her background, encouraging beautiful girls worldwide to pursue their dreams of becoming Mrs. Liu.

Shao Meiyun gave Li Nianlong a knowing look, then addressed the reporters. "Alright, no more gossip questions. If anyone asks such questions again, this press conference will end."

This disappointed the reporters looking for juicy details, but most were focused on the earthquake news. The rest of the questions were about the disaster, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

The last question, however, was unexpected. Shao Meiyun had only wanted to accommodate the reporter from China Central Television by picking them, but the reporter asked a provocative question.

"Mr. Zhang, we know that twenty days ago you were a prisoner serving a life sentence. How did you suddenly walk out of prison overnight and become a geology expert? Is there something fishy about this?"

The room erupted in whispers. Elder Liu and Shao Meiyun's faces changed, and Li Nianlong's eyes flashed coldly as he memorized the reporter's face, planning to deal with him later.

The reporter felt a chill and shivered, tightening his coat.

Zhang Zhenghao looked flustered, unsure how to respond. Li Nianlong stepped in. "I'll answer that! I was directly involved in this matter."

No one was surprised to hear this. Zhang Zhenghao was Li Nianlong's college roommate. It made sense that Li Nianlong would have the means and motivation to help his friend, allowing Zhang Zhenghao to make a stunning transformation and save tens of thousands of lives. If Zhang hadn't been released, it would have been a disaster.

Li Nianlong looked at the reporter from China Central Television and said, "First, I'd like to know how you got this information. Second, how much do you know about this matter?"

Caught off guard, the reporter stammered, "It was reported by local residents, so we sent a crew to investigate and found out. I don't know much, only that Mr. Zhang accidentally killed someone and was sentenced to life. Normally, even with a reduced sentence, he couldn't have been released so quickly. We hope you can give a serious answer."

So he's making it a legal issue? Interesting.

Li Nianlong narrowed his eyes, hiding his cold glare. "My brother's village was targeted by a developer who wanted their land for a new project. The villagers resisted, so the developer bribed officials and sent thugs to terrorize them. My brother stood up for the villagers and accidentally killed one of the thugs, leading to his life sentence. 

I ask you, although my brother killed someone, what was the purpose of those thugs? If he killed to uphold justice, I believe such actions should be encouraged rather than limited by incompetent laws. So I freed my brother and arrested the corrupt officials and the unscrupulous businessman. They will face trial soon, and the truth will come out. That's all I have to say. Let the public decide."

The domestic reporters were unsure whether to support this or not. Supporting it meant challenging domestic laws; opposing it seemed inhumane. They were torn.

However, foreign reporters were very supportive, applauding and praising Zhang Zhenghao as a hero. One even called him a "warrior of justice" and a "nemesis of evil," deserving global admiration.

This made Zhang Zhenghao quite embarrassed.

The reaction made the China Central Television reporter's face turn sour. He had hoped to create a scandal to tarnish the Liu family's reputation, but the outcome was unexpected. Moreover, Li Nianlong had already marked him for death; his fate was sealed.

In the harmonious atmosphere, Shao Meiyun announced the end of the press conference and had the Liu family staff escort the reporters out. All requests to interview Zhang Zhenghao were declined by Li Nianlong.

Leaving the conference, Li Nianlong looked at Zhang Zhenghao and smiled. "Old Fourth, how was it? Did you feel like a superstar?"

Zhang Zhenghao shook his head repeatedly. "Boss, I told you I didn't want to come out, but you insisted. Now, I can't even step out without being watched. Who knows how many people are after me now!"

A super geologist with a complete earthquake prediction theory was someone no country could ignore. Zhang Zhenghao imagined countless agents waiting to kidnap him if he went out alone, a thought that made him shudder.