Chapter 261 - 198: Annie’s Reminder

Chapter 261: Chapter 198: Annie’s Reminder

After hanging up, Chen Lin sat on the sofa, lost in deep thought.

’The Outstanding Talent of the Ten Thousand Talents Program...’

’A state-level classified project...’

’It was all happening so fast.’

’So fast it felt unreal.’

’Then again,’ he thought, ’it was all perfectly normal.’

His mathematical abilities had been proven time and again by his achievements.

The JAMS paper, the solid-state battery, the algorithm from the mathematics conference...

Each one was enough to prove his worth.

And given the Huaxia government’s style, they would never let a talent like him—someone who could make major contributions to the nation—slip through their fingers.

A faint smile touched Chen Lin’s lips at the thought.

’The coming days would surely be busier.’

’But this feeling of being needed and valued...’

’...was actually pretty nice.’

Chen Lin stood up, walked to his desk, and opened his laptop.

He opened a notepad application and began to jot down the key points from his call with Academician Liang.

Ten Thousand Talents Program application, national project, remote collaboration...

When he finished, Chen Lin glanced at the time. It was almost ten.

He stretched, getting ready to wash up and head to bed.

Just then, his phone vibrated again.

This time it wasn’t a call, but a WeChat message.

Chen Lin picked up his phone and saw it was a message from Annie.

Annie_Brunt: [Chen Lin, is now a good time? There’s something I need to tell you.]

Chen Lin arched an eyebrow.

He thought for a moment before replying:

Chen Lin: [I am, go ahead.]

The reply came back instantly.

Annie_Brunt: [Well, some people I don’t really know have been asking about you recently.]

Annie_Brunt: [They’ve been asking what you like to do, if you have a girlfriend, where you usually spend your weekends, things like that.]

Annie_Brunt: [I thought it was a little weird, so I wanted to give you a heads-up.]

Chen Lin’s brow furrowed as he read the message.

’Someone’s digging up information on me?’

’And they’re going through Annie?’

’This is...’

A few possibilities immediately flashed through Chen Lin’s mind.

’Could it be some investment firms trying to get in touch with me?’

’Or...’

He suddenly recalled the email Sun Yu had forwarded him—the one from a so-called "Venus Consulting Company," which claimed it could help find clients for Yanhai.

Chen Lin had felt something was off back then, so he’d told Sun Yu to reject them outright.

Now, it seemed there might be a serious problem.

A sense of alarm rose in Chen Lin.

He quickly typed a reply:

Chen Lin: [Annie, thanks for letting me know.]

Chen Lin: [If anyone else asks about me, please don’t tell them anything.]

Chen Lin: [If they keep bothering you, just tell them we only know each other through academic discussions and you don’t know anything about my personal life.]

There was a short pause before she replied:

Annie_Brunt: [Okay, I understand.]

Annie_Brunt: [But, Chen Lin, are you in some kind of trouble? Do you need help?]

Chen Lin’s heart warmed at her message.

Annie might have come off a bit superior when they first met at the mathematics conference, but she was genuinely a kind person.

He thought for a moment and replied:

Chen Lin: [I’m fine. It’s probably just some corporate harassment. Don’t worry about it.]

Annie_Brunt: [Okay, good. But if you need anything, just let me know!]

Chen Lin: [Okay, thank you, Annie.]

After ending the conversation with Annie, Chen Lin put down his phone, his expression turning serious.

’Looks like my initial assessment was right.’

’Someone is definitely watching me.’

’And they’re even starting to gather information through people I know.’

Chen Lin took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down.

’Since they’re still just gathering information, it means they haven’t made their move yet.’

’All I have to do is stay vigilant and not give them an opening.’

Thinking of this, Chen Lin opened WeChat and scrolled to the company’s group chat.

[Yanhai Startup Squad]

He sent a message in the group:

Chen Lin: [@all, please be aware that some unidentified individuals may try to contact you under various pretexts to ask about me or the company.]

Chen Lin: [If this happens, refuse to answer and do not disclose any information.]

Chen Lin: [If they persist, let me know immediately.]

Not long after the message was sent, the group chat exploded.

Sun Yu: [Holy crap! President Chen, is someone trying to move against our company?]

Huang Yiyi: [President Chen, are you in trouble? Do you need me to contact a lawyer?]

Yunqing: [Boss, you’re not being targeted, are you? Should we call the police?]

Shen Yan: [Chen Lin, are you okay?]

Reading through the concerned messages in the group chat, Chen Lin felt his heart warm.

He thought for a moment and replied:

Chen Lin: [Don’t worry too much, everyone. It’s just some normal competitive business tactics.]

Chen Lin: [Our company has a high profile now, so it’s normal for people to be curious.]

Chen Lin: [As long as everyone stays vigilant and doesn’t give them an opening, we’ll be fine.]

Huang Yiyi: [Understood, President Chen. I’ll be careful.]

Sun Yu: [Roger!]

Yunqing: [Okay, Boss!]

Shen Yan: [Okay, I understand.]

After reassuring his team, Chen Lin finally put down his phone.

He glanced at the time. It was almost eleven.

He had to go get the application forms from Principal Chang Kai tomorrow, so he needed to get some rest.

Chen Lin turned off his computer, walked into the bathroom, and took a shower.

Lying on the bed, he stared at the ceiling, but his mind just couldn’t calm down.

’So much happened today.’

Soon, exhaustion took over his body.

Not long after, he fell into a deep sleep.

...

「Friday, November 15th, 10:00 AM.」

「Yannan University, Principal’s Office.」

Chen Lin sat on the sofa opposite Principal Chang Kai, holding a cup of hot tea.

Principal Chang Kai sat behind his desk, an irrepressible smile on his face.

"Chen, Academician Liang called me last night."

There was a hint of excitement in Chang Kai’s voice.

"He said your application for the Ten Thousand Talents Program is pretty much a done deal!"

"This is fantastic news!"

Chang Kai said, pulling a thick file folder from his drawer and handing it to Chen Lin.

"These are the application forms for the Ten Thousand Talents Program. I’ve already had someone prepare them for you."

"Take them back and fill them out carefully. If there’s anything you don’t understand, come find me anytime."

Chen Lin took the file folder and nodded solemnly.

"Thank you, Principal Chang."

"Don’t be so formal." Chang Kai waved his hand dismissively. "You securing this position is a tremendous honor for Yannan University as well!"

He paused, his smile fading slightly as his tone grew serious.

"However, Chen, I must give you a word of warning."