Capítulo 1759: Chapter 1253: Childlike Innocence (Part 2)
At the sa ti, he also received an offer from a top biotech company, offering a salary of up to five hundred thousand dollars a year, plus generous stock options.
Now, in Chen Xiao’s hands, the screen of the tablet is still lit, displaying detailed reports from ho about the “Breaking Wall” plan, as well as a heartfelt email personally sent by his alma mater’s forr principal. In the email, the forr principal conveyed the earnest expectations of Xiang Wangshan and other older generation scientists.
In recent years, Chen Xiao has erged as a rising star in the field of gene editing and nucleic acid drugs. His research achievents during his doctoral studies have been hailed by the industry as “opening up new possibilities,” and nurous top journals have invited him to contribute articles, with countless opportunities reaching out to him from all over the world. Staying in the United States, he has access to the world’s top research platforms, ample funding support, and a clear, visible path leading to academic excellence or financial freedom.
But at this mont, those conditions that once thrilled him seem to lose their luster in front of the words “Breaking Wall.” He recalled a few years ago when he was leaving the country, his elderly father patting him on the shoulder at the airport, with that simple, sincere advice: “Xiao Xiao, when you’ve made it, rember to co back.” He rembered during his graduate studies in China, the nights he couldn’t sleep because of that old instrunt in the laboratory that needed constant recalibration due to its lack of precision.
He also rembered the report where Professor Yang Ping, when faced with a blockade, said that calm yet earth-shattering phrase: “This is not just a war for our research group.”
He once saw Professor Yang Ping at an academic conference, observing from afar without any close contact. Professor Yang was his idol, a true genius in his heart. At that ti, he felt his abilities were inadequate to communicate fluently with Professor Yang in the professional field, so he could only sit far away in the last row, vowing to work hard, hoping one day to discuss academic challenges face to face with him.
Now, it seems the opportunity has co, but instead, he begins to hesitate in his heart.
“Should I go back?” He repeatedly questioned his inner self. Going back ans giving up the comfort zone and the almost foreseeable glorious future at hand, to engage in a grand plan full of unknowns, challenges, and the possibility of failure due to high technical barriers. It ans facing potential disparities in research conditions between ho and abroad, adapting to completely different cultural and research managent systems, and transitioning from a much-acclaid rising star to an ordinary practitioner who may need to “slt iron with primitive thods.”
Rationality tells him that staying in the United States is a more “sensible” and “prudent” choice. But deep within, an indescribable emotion stemming from his bloodline continuously crashes against the dam of rationality like a tide.
Just then, his phone on the table rang, and the screen displayed the words “Dad.” He took a deep breath and answered the call.
“Xiao Xiao,” his father’s voice remained calm as always, with a hint of hotown accent, “Your mom and I saw the news, it’s about the ‘Breaking Wall’ plan. You’re grown now, you’ve seen more of the world than Dad, and you have your views. Dad won’t interfere with you.”
Chen Xiao remained silent, listening to his father’s words.
“Dad has been just an ordinary teacher all his life, not very accomplished. But Dad knows one thing,” his father’s voice was slow but determined, “In life, whether you have more or less money, you can get by. No matter how high or low your position is, it doesn’t an much. But if you can do a few things that make you truly proud, that make you worthy of your country and your conscience, things that can allow our descendants to proudly say about certain fields, ‘This is made by us Chinese!’ Achieving one or two of such things is what’s really worthwhile!”
His father paused, his voice sowhat choked, as if reminiscing: “Your grandpa… he participated in the Korean War in those freezing days, with just so fried flour and snow, risking his head for what? Wasn’t it for the stability of the country, so that future generations wouldn’t be bullied, and could stand tall as humans? Now, you don’t need to risk your life, just go back, use what you’ve learned to conduct research, to break those bottlenecks, why… why are you still hesitating?”
His father’s simple, even sowhat rambling words beca the last straw, completely overwhelming the balance in Chen Xiao’s heart nad “rationality” and “pros and cons.” A surge of warmth suddenly rushed to his eyes, and his vision blurred instantly.
He seed to see his grandfather’s weathered but resolute face, saw his father’s hardworking figure on the podium, and saw countless faces of overseas Chinese students like him who, while studying abroad, always carried the concern for their holand in their hearts.
“Dad…” Chen Xiao’s voice was a bit hoarse, he wiped the dampness from his eyes vigorously, took a deep breath, and his tone beca more determined than ever, “I understand. You and Mom take care of your health. I know what to do!”
After hanging up the phone, Chen Xiao made up his mind without any hesitation. He turned on his computer, first writing a long email to Professor Davidson, sincerely expressing his decision, regrets, and gratitude for his ntor’s guidance and kindness. Then, he carefully prepared his resu and representative papers, and solemnly sent them to Sanbo Research Institute’s designated global recruitnt email. In the email’s body, he wrote a heartfelt ssage:
“…I am well aware the road ahead is full of challenges, but I know even more that so things always need soone to do. I thank the ‘Breaking Wall’ plan for giving such an opportunity, allowing what I’ve learned to be utilized where my country needs it most. May our youth forge the soul of the national revival sword.”
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