âRight. Weâve managed to increase the density of the material to ten thousand below atmospheric pressure. Weâre planning to implement the fruits of our research by the end of the year. Feel free to contact us if you need the material in your country.â Jiang Yuning had switched to English at the end of the speech and spoke to the entire group of physicists.
Everyone was looking at him in disbelief. Suddenly, Christian from America walked over with a smile. âIâm curious to know, how did you guys manage to do it? We have nanotechnology and nuclear technology as well. Itâs not as simple as what you have described.â
âI donât think your America has ever shared their latest technology with us before,â Jiang Yuning replied gently.
He had replied to Christian in English and Nian Xi understood what he had just said. She gave him a thumbs up.
Christianâs expression changed. âYes, we havenât shared our breakthroughs, but have you forgotten the hundreds of thousands of Chinese students studying in the U.S.? Are they not learning from us?â
âAre you not using the talent of our students to stimulate the growth of your industries and your enterprises? Besides, you have hired many of our famous researchers. There are many Chinese scientists, directors, and investors in America, arenât there? Most importantly, the foundation of America is formed based on immigration. America was once a British colony. Your people come from England, Germany, and everywhere around the world.â
Jiang Yuning hadnât spoken so much in a long time that he took a deep breath after saying his piece.
He took the cup Uncle Han was holding and uncapped it to take a big gulp. He was exhausted, but to prevent Christian from engaging him further, he decided to give him a lecture.
âAs for scientific progress, we have built all of our own rockets and space shuttles. What has America ever done for us?â
Christianâs eyes widened, but he had nothing more to say.
âGood. Well said.â Professor Wang was the first to applaud.
Although Nian Xi didnât understand what he had said before, she understood the last bit. She was thrilled and excited, and she started clapping as well.
She could never look at this man the same way again.
Bernie could see that Christianâs expression was dark, and he quickly said, âLetâs go look at the next exhibit.â
Professor Wang smiled. âMr. Bernie, please donât use French here. Although we are in France, we are at an international conference. If youâre going to switch between English and French, you might give the impression that youâre not well-spoken in English. If youâre not familiar with the language, the research center should replace you with someone else.â
Bernieâs face immediately had turned red. He replied saying, âI will take note of what youâve said, Professor Wang. I speak English well, itâs just that Iâm used to speaking in my native language, and I often mix the two together.â
âDonât make this kind of mistake during the World Physics Conference tomorrow,â Professor Wang said seriously.
Bernie had to swallow his anger. He wanted the exhibition to end and for the crowd to disperse as soon as possible.
...
At noon, the exhibition ended.
There were many African and Russian physicists surrounding Jiang Yuning. They were in a heated academic discussion about their fields of research.
Nian Xi was standing in a corner and listening to their discussion. They were using jargon that she didnât understand. Jiang Yuning was like a different man standing in the center of the room; he wasnât like a pitiful puppy anymore. He was a respected professional. A man who was exuding a humble, charismatic glow.