It was as expected.
As the old fellow Tommy had predicted.
Meng Hao had no intention of joining America.
Once again refused.
The old fox showed no signs of disappointment, instead appearing calm and unperturbed.
Likely.
Meng Hao's reaction had already been foreseen by Tommy.
"It seems you still haven't made the right choice."
"Then you'll have to continue to be accommodated in Australia for a while longer."
"Of course, with Mei Ren by your side, you won't feel bored... If you have any material needs, feel free to mention them... Except for contact with the outside world, or allowing you to return to Great Xia, any other demand of yours can be met."
Tommy chuckled and hung up the phone.
This left Meng Hao completely bewildered.
What was going on?
Did this mean that being rejected by him was something to be happy about?
Never mind.
Whatever he wanted.
After hanging up the phone, Meng Hao.
Once again, hand in hand with Luna, they went for a swim, played beach volleyball, and basked in the sun!
…
At this very moment, within Great Xia.
Meng Hao had become the focus of the entire nation.
Almost all mainstream social media, news apps, and major streamers' live broadcasts were discussing Meng Hao.
"Speaking of which, have you all seen the recent news?"
"Our Brother Hao has become the center of global public opinion... Honestly, it's amazing. He not only cracked the core technology of the F-35 fighter jet but also developed Great Xia's domestic lithography machine. With such a genius tech youth in our Great Xia, why worry about the lack of hope for revival."
"By the way, this is the first time the US government and Western allied countries have admitted that our research and development level has surpassed theirs, right? And all of this is thanks to Brother Hao."
Indeed.
The people of the Western allied countries always had a peculiar sense of superiority towards Great Xia.
But.
Following the official announcements from the US military, the Dutch government, and the Rui Tian Royal Family.
They were all dumbfounded.
What was going on?
For so long.
Were groundbreaking technological breakthroughs in countries around the world not supposed to be led by the Western allied countries, especially the United States?
When did.
Great Xia, which they had never valued, and an ordinary, unheard-of young man, become the recipient of several Nobel Prizes?
Even.
The US military itself had personally acknowledged Meng Hao's formidable abilities.
One must know.
As human civilization has developed to this point.
Technology is the primary metric for determining a nation's strength.
Meng Hao.
In just over a year, he had not only cracked the F-35 fighter jet technology but also developed and manufactured Great Xia's domestic lithography machine, and even defeated NG Company in the production of new energy lithium batteries.
If Meng Hao were given more time.
Perhaps.
He might even lead Great Xia's scientific research community to overtake others and completely replace America's position.
Various complex emotions continued to brew.
Countless citizens of Western allied countries began to doubt the capabilities of their own governments... Especially American citizens, who took to the streets to protest, questioning what their government was doing.
Why was a top-tier researcher like Meng Hao not incorporated into the American national system?
It seemed.
These fellows had long since developed a fixed mindset.
Anyone who was brilliant and possessed core technological expertise must join America.
Of course.
America had indeed been doing so in recent years.
Not to mention ordinary large countries like India.
Even countless talents from Great Xia's Tsinghua and Peking Universities were poached by America every year!
Seeing more and more citizens protesting.
At the next regular White House meeting.
General Tommy, like an old fox, smiled and made a decision.
"It seems this is killing two birds with one stone."
"Not only can we handle Meng Hao, but we can also win considerable votes and favor for our dear President."
"Phase two, we begin implementation."
…
In the face of surging domestic protests.
America announced it would hold a worldwide press conference the next day... The focus would be to address the recent skyrocketing reputation of Meng Hao.
Regarding this.
The netizens of Great Xia didn't pay much attention.
If the US couldn't handle public pressure and held a press conference, what did that have to do with Great Xia?
The US government.
They wouldn't possibly imitate South Korea, would they?
Claiming everything was theirs?
And then, unilaterally announce that Meng Hao was actually American?
Life's events are often more magical than people can imagine.
…
The next day.
At the US government press conference.
This time, the conference was not hosted by high-ranking US officials but by a seemingly harmless Lieutenant General named Tommy, who claimed to be the head of US Weapons Command.
Facing countless camera flashes and the gaze of journalists from around the world.
Lieutenant General Tommy began his speech unhurriedly... No one expected that the beginning of his speech would revolve around Meng Hao.
"Meng Hao is a rare technological genius in human history... It can be said that even elevating him to the same status as Einstein, Newton, and Galileo would not be an exaggeration... Even judging by the achievements Meng Hao has made, it's not impossible for him to surpass those human technological giants in the future."
"Cracking the key core technology of the F-35, overcoming the technical barriers of lithography machines, defeating NG Company to become the world's largest lithium battery manufacturer, and receiving three Nobel Prizes from the Rui Tian Royal Family!"
The journalists exchanged bewildered glances.
What was going on?
Was the press conference held to praise Meng Hao?
Before anyone could react.
Lieutenant General Tommy continued.
He leaned forward slightly, revealing a meaningful expression.
"However, please think with your brains, could Meng Hao have achieved such remarkable results without external help?"
Hmm?
What did he mean?
There seemed to be an underlying message.
The journalists, who had initially felt somewhat bored, had their eyes instantly light up.
Journalists who could attend such global press conferences were seasoned veterans who had been in the industry for over a decade.
Experienced reporters, hearing Tommy's words, immediately deduced that a major breaking news story was likely to be unveiled.
"Lieutenant General Tommy."
"According to your statement, did Meng Hao receive assistance from the official government or even the military of Great Xia?"
A reporter, eager to get the exclusive scoop, quickly raised their hand to ask.
Lieutenant General Tommy narrowed his eyes, chuckled, and shook his head.
"Then, did he receive help from the military of Russia?"
To another reporter's question.
Lieutenant General Tommy still dismissively shook his head.
"Everyone, Meng Hao has repeatedly denied receiving assistance from the military or official government of Great Xia or Russia over the past year and more!"
"He always said that Huarong Technology is a private technology company and has no relation to the Great Xia military."
"Everyone, haven't you sensed something different from his staunch denial?"
Faced with Lieutenant General Tommy's tease-like answer, almost all the journalists appeared somewhat confused!