Chapter 016 Losing Face to Grandmother's House_1

Chapter 016 Losing Face to the Extreme

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Zhou Yupeng was dragged by his dad to the office building of Wuling County No.1 Middle School. When they were about to reach the meeting room, Zhou Yiliang specifically stopped, straightened Zhou Yupeng's clothes for him, patted his shoulder and said with a relieved smile: "You look quite spirited, young man."

Zhou Yupeng looked at his father's beaming face and felt an inexplicable sadness. "Dad, I..."

"Save it, we will talk at home." Zhou Yiliang interrupted and pushed open the meeting room door, "Dear leaders, respected journalists, I have brought Zhou Yupeng to you."

The journalists from various stations all stood up, pointing their camcorders and cameras towards the door of the meeting room. As soon as Zhou Yupeng stepped in, he was left spellbound, having never seen such a spectacle before. His calves kept shaking, his legs felt like noodles, weak and without strength.

The consistent clicks of the camera and the repetitive flashing of lights seized the scene. In no time, Zhou Yupeng's image would appear on the country's two most authoritative media outlets, and he might even get a chance to show his face on Huaxia Central Television's News Broadcast. Thinking of this, Zhou Yiliang almost burst out laughing, completely forgetting his countless previous frustrations and complaints about wishing he had. "released" Zhou Yupend onto a wall instead.

"Come here, Zhou, sit by me." Mayor Zhang Guoji, also finally figuring out what was going on, was exceptionally enthusiastic. Having a high school student who could publish a paper in "Science" magazine under his governance was undoubtedly a gold star for him. If handled correctly, it could be a great boost for his political achievement.

"The mayor is calling you, get over here quickly." Zhou Yiliang urged his son, barely holding his chuckles.

Zhou Yupeng, still dazed, walked to Zhang Guoji's side, sitting next to the mayor. Zhang Guoji warmly shook Zhou Yupeng's hand, "The paper 'The Modification and Cultivation of Desert Plants' published in the American Science Magazine is authored by you, right?"

Zhou Yupeng nodded unconsciously. At that moment, he failed to realize the severity of the situation and only acted out of vanity, eager to claim the honor for himself.

Seeing Zhou Yupeng nod, Zhang Guoji's heart bloomed. He greatly adored such promising young men. If he could cultivate more talents like that under his governance, Wuling City would surely prosper, and as the main person-in-charge of the city, it would give him great prestige. "Well done, boy. You've brought fame to our city, Wuling, at a global level. I'll definitely have the city present you with a 'Good Citizen Award'."

"Mayor, should we start with the interview?" asked a journalist from Huaxia News Agency.

"Right, right. How could I forget about it? Dear journalists, let's proceed. With so many journalists around, allow me to briefly assume the role of a spokesperson. I will call on you. When called upon, please ask your questions. Let's start with the journalist from Huaxia Central Television," Zhang Guoji explained.

The journalists were well-disciplined. The journalist from Huaxia Central Television asked, "My question for Zhou is this: Why did you come up with the idea to write the scientific paper 'The Modification and Cultivation of Desert Plants'? Given your educational background - pardon my skepticism - it seems impossible for you to write a paper with such foresight and rigorous scientific theory. Do you have a mentor guiding you or do you have a personal laboratory that supported you in writing this paper?"

The reporter from Huaxia Central Television was indeed not a rookie, immediately pushing Zhou Yupeng into an extremely embarrassing situation. He had no clue about what kind of paper "The Modification and Cultivation of Desert Plants" was. How could he discuss the content of the paper or anything about the laboratory? Did the school's teaching lab even count?

Zhou Yupeng tried to smooth things over, saying, "The comrade journalist's question involves Zhou's personal privacy. I don't think we should dig too deep. Could we switch to another question?"

Jennifer Fox from CNN butted in, asking, "I would like to ask Zhou, why your submission to Science Magazine was missing two crucial steps? What was your consideration behind this? Was it to protect the potential commercial value that might be concealed in it? What are your thoughts on Science Magazine defining 'The Modification and Cultivation of Desert Plants" as the Goldbach's Conjecture of the plant world? Science Magazine has offered a reward of $100,000 for any scientist worldwide who can unravel the crucial steps you omitted. Do you think the sum adequately reflects its value?"

The penetrating questions from the CNN reporter were renowned, although Jennifer was showing some consideration, perhaps because Zhou Yupeng was still a student. She didn't lead the question to the issue of national interests. However, even so, Zhou Yupeng was still on tenterhooks, with sweat pouring down his forehead.

Seeing Zhou Yupeng's reaction, the room fell silent. There was no one present who hadn't seen the world; even Zhou Yiliang, the principal of the smallest duty Wuling County No.1 Middle School, had attended meetings at the People's Congress Hall in Yanjing, the Huaxia capital, and had the fortune to shake hands with the central government's head. Everyone understood that if "The Modification and Cultivation of Desert Plants" was Zhou Yupeng's work, he might be nervous when facing so many journalists, but certainly not like now, as if he was facing a group of tigers ready to devour him.

Zhang Guoji genuinely thought the issue was Zhou Yupeng's nervousness and gave a gentle smile, "Our young man dares to publish a paper in Science Magazine but is afraid to face the journalists. Principal Zhou, go get a glass of water for our young man to calm his nerves before he answers the journalist's questions."

Zhou Yupeng suddenly stood up, which startled everyone. Zhou Yiliang's eyes widened, almost blurting out, "you little rabbit," but luckily, reacted quickly, "Zhou, what are you doing?"

Zhou Yupeng stammered, "I... I... I need to use the toilet."

The journalists laughed. They had encountered similar incidents many times during their field interviews and did not find it strange.

Watching Zhou Yupeng leaving the meeting room, Jennifer Fox stood up thoughtfully, "Excuse me, I need to use the restroom."

No sooner had Jennifer left the meeting room than she saw Zhou Yupeng sticking his head out of the restroom covertly. After making sure no one was around, he darted out and dashed for the stairwell, bolting down the stairs.

Ignorant of the high-heeled shoes she was wearing, Jennifer Fox took off, catching up with him, "Zhou, why are you running? The interview isn't over yet!"

Hearing Jennifer's shout, the other journalists also rushed out of the meeting room, chasing Zhou Yupeng down the stairs. The tiny figure of Zhou Yupeng surely could not outrun these top-notch news-catching journalists. Soon, Zhou Yupeng was surrounded by a group of chasing journalists.

A reporter from Huaxia News Agency said, "Zhou, why are you running? It's an honor to be interviewed by us."

Zhou Yupeng's face turned beet red, then he closed his eyes and yelled, "Please, I beg you, let me go. I didn't write that paper."