Chapter 262 - 199: Meeting

Chapter 262: Chapter 199: Meeting

"The review process for the Ten Thousand Talents Plan, especially for the ’Distinguished Talent’ tier, is extremely, extremely strict."

"They don’t just look at your academic level and achievements, but also your political stance, personal character, social connections, and all sorts of other aspects."

Chang Kai looked at Chen Lin, his tone more serious than ever before.

"So, from now until the public announcement period is over, you must be very careful about your words and actions."

"Especially..."

He emphasized.

"You must avoid any unnecessary contact with foreign organizations and institutions."

"Even for normal academic exchanges, you should try to keep your distance. Postpone them if you can."

"Understand?"

Chen Lin’s heart skipped a beat when he heard this.

He immediately thought of the message Annie had sent him last night.

’It seems Principal Chang’s worries aren’t baseless.’

Chen Lin nodded solemnly.

"I understand, Principal Chang. I’ll be careful."

"Good." Chang Kai nodded in satisfaction. "I’m glad you understand."

He paused, then added:

"Also, Chen, for this round of the Ten Thousand Talents Plan, there are only a few dozen ’Distinguished Talent’ spots in the entire country."

"In the previously announced lists, our Yannan University hasn’t had a single ’Distinguished Talent’."

"If you can secure this spot, you’ll be setting a precedent for our university!"

As Chang Kai spoke, his expression became incredibly excited.

"So, you must cherish this opportunity!"

"Fill out the application materials properly. There can’t be any mistakes!"

Looking at Chang Kai’s face, flushed with excitement, Chen Lin felt a stir in his heart.

For Yannan University, having a "Distinguished Talent" would definitely be a major event worth celebrating.

This wasn’t just Chen Lin’s personal honor; it was an honor for the entire university.

Thinking of this, Chen Lin’s expression also grew serious.

"Principal Chang, you can rest assured."

"Good! Good! Good!" Chang Kai nodded repeatedly.

The two chatted for a few more moments before Chen Lin stood up to leave.

Walking out of the principal’s office, Chen Lin held the thick document folder in his hand, his feelings somewhat complicated.

’Once I pass the review, I’ll officially become a "Distinguished Talent" specially cultivated by the state.’

’At that point, my responsibilities will become even heavier.’

Chen Lin took a deep breath and started walking toward the university’s innovation hub.

...

「Two days earlier, on the other side of the Pacific Ocean.」

USA, at a private estate.

It was an incredibly vast estate, situated on a suburban hillside and surrounded by a dense forest, ensuring extreme privacy.

The main building on the estate was a three-story classical European-style villa. Its exterior walls, made of off-white stone, looked exceptionally elegant under the sunlight.

On the second floor of the villa, inside a spacious and bright conference room.

Seven or eight people were seated around a long, solid wood conference table.

These individuals varied in age, gender, and skin color, but they all had one thing in common—

Every one of them exuded the aura of someone long accustomed to a position of power.

Seated at the head of the table was Elena Caroline.

At this moment, Elena was dressed in a black Chanel suit. Her facial features were beautiful to the extreme, like a work of art meticulously carved by God.

Her figure was sultry and enchanting. The pure black suit clung to her voluptuous and alluring body, her hips as full as peaches, her waist a slender S-curve, and her chest firm and ample. Below the hem of her professional skirt, two flawless, porcelain-white legs were revealed.

She was stunningly beautiful and mature, her age impossible to guess.

In front of her lay a thick document.

On the cover of the document, several large words were written in English:

[Chen Lin - Background Investigation Report]

Elena’s long fingers gently opened the file, her gaze quickly sweeping over the densely packed text.

A moment later, she looked up at an elderly man with graying hair and gold-rimmed glasses sitting to her right.

"Robert, thank you for your hard work."

Elena’s voice was gentle.

"This report is very detailed."

The man called Robert was none other than Robert Stone—the CEO of Pacific Investment Management Company (PIMCO)—who had spoken at the Wall Street magnates’ meeting previously.

At this moment, Robert’s smile held a trace of infatuation and eagerness to please.

"It’s what I ought to do, Elena."

He paused, then continued:

"But to be honest, the background investigation on this Chen Lin was much more difficult than I had imagined."

"Oh?" Elena raised a delicate eyebrow. "How so?"

Robert adjusted his glasses and began to speak slowly.

"This Chen Lin has only been in the public eye for a short four months."

"Before that, he was just an ordinary Huaxia university student, with nothing noteworthy about him."

"Moreover, his social circle is extremely small."

As Robert spoke, he opened another file in his hands.

"According to our investigation, during his university years, Chen Lin spent almost all his time studying and working part-time jobs to make money."

"His friends, aside from a few roommates, consist of only a handful of classmates."

"As for female friends..."

A meaningful smile touched the corners of Robert’s lips.

"Based on the information we currently have, there are two women in Chen Lin’s life with whom he is relatively close."

"One is named Shen Yan, a student in the mathematics department at Yannan University, who also works part-time at Chen Lin’s company."

"The other is Yunqing, a student at Yannan University’s School of Art, who is also a part-time employee at his company."

"Other than them, there’s no one else."

Robert’s tone held a hint of emotion as he said this.

"This Chen Lin’s experience with the opposite sex should be extremely, extremely lacking."

"I even suspect he’s never been in a romantic relationship."

After hearing this, a playful glint flashed in Elena’s emerald-green eyes.

"Never been in a relationship?"

She let out a soft laugh.

"Now that’s rather interesting."

A middle-aged white man sitting to Elena’s left suddenly spoke up.

"Elena, since this Chen Lin’s social circle is so small, shouldn’t our point of entry be those two girls close to him?"

The speaker was a burly man who looked to be around fifty, with short brown hair.

His name was Jack Harrison, a partner at some private equity firm. As he spoke, his gaze toward Elena was filled with infatuation and lust.

Hearing this, Elena shook her head slightly.

"No."

Her tone was calm, but firm.

"Those two girls are both Huaxia locals, and they’ve known Chen Lin for a long time."

"If we rashly approach them, it could easily arouse Chen Lin’s suspicion."

"Besides..."

Elena paused, a cold smirk playing on her lips.

"According to Robert’s report, the relationship between that girl, Shen Yan, and Chen Lin is already more than just that of ordinary colleagues."

"If I’m not mistaken, the two of them have mutual feelings for each other."

"Under these circumstances, if we try to get close to Chen Lin through Shen Yan, the probability of success will be very low."