Chapter 318 - 245: An Invitation from the USA

Chapter 318: Chapter 245: An Invitation from the USA

A brief silence fell on the other end of the line. Fu Yangqing seemed to be thinking. After a few seconds, he asked, "So, Professor Chen, what’s your take on it? A conference of this caliber should be very important for scholars like you, right?"

Although Fu Yangqing worked in security, he was still aware of the customs of academia.

Getting an invitation from the Cray Research Institute and sharing the stage with the titans of the field was an opportunity countless mathematicians dreamed of.

It wasn’t just a matter of prestige; it was a crucial step in establishing one’s international standing in academia. He was even prepared for Chen Lin to agree, which would mean he and his team would have to start racking their brains to devise a complex security plan for a trip to the USA.

However, Chen Lin’s response the very next moment stunned even this veteran national security agent, a man who had seen it all.

"My take?" Chen Lin opened the door of a taxi and slid in. He gestured to the driver, then said languidly into the phone, "I’m probably not going."

"Huh?" Fu Yangqing was clearly taken aback on the other end of the line, his voice jumping an octave. "Not going?"

"Yep. Not going." Chen Lin shifted into a more comfortable position against the seatback, watching the streetscape recede outside the window.

Fu Yangqing was momentarily at a loss for words.

He had expected Chen Lin to say something like, "Because I’m concerned about security," or "Because I’m busy with a national project."

But Chen Lin offered no further explanation.

"Alright then."

Fu Yangqing felt a mix of exasperation and amusement, but inwardly, he heaved a massive sigh of relief.

’It’s good he’s not going!’

’It’s for the best!’

As long as Chen Lin remained within the country, his security was ironclad. No one could even think of touching a single hair on his head.

If he actually went to the USA, that was their home turf. No matter how good their security detail was, there was no guarantee an "accident" wouldn’t happen.

After all, there was likely more than one group with their eyes on Chen Lin right now.

"Just keep your line open. Contact me immediately if anything comes up."

"You got it. Hanging up."

After hanging up, Chen Lin stared at the neon lights that had begun to flicker on outside the window, his gaze gradually deepening.

His reason for not going was actually quite simple: the risk wasn’t worth the reward. He was afraid that if he went, he might never come back.

As for fame, Chen Lin already had it. He’d won the nation’s highest award for science and technology—what more could he possibly ask for?

As for fortune, he was certainly not lacking.

The valuation of Yanhai Company was what it was, and he had a stable income every month thanks to his Little Financial Planner.

’Going to the USA for a math conference—what tangible benefits would that even bring?’

’Besides boosting his profile in the so-called international academic circle and getting a few compliments from foreigners, what else was there to gain?’

’And for that little bit of vanity, he was supposed to risk being targeted by the forces behind Amy Howard, not to mention other unknown powers?’

’For all he knew, they could detain him on some trumped-up charge the moment he stepped off the plane.’

Chen Lin might be young, but he wasn’t stupid.

In fact, when it came to his own safety, he was shrewder than anyone.

This was the legendary art of "laying low."

Only those who mastered it could have the last laugh.

’Unless...’ Chen Lin stroked his chin, musing to himself. ’Unless it’s for something like the Fields Medal that Academician Liang mentioned, or a Nobel Prize for controlled nuclear fusion in the future.’

’If they’re really handing out an award of that caliber, then I might consider taking the risk to go accept it. And do some major flexing while I’m at it.’

’As for anything else...’ Chen Lin scoffed, tucking his phone back into his pocket. ’Life is comfortable here on my own little turf in Jinmen, and I have Old Fu and his guys watching me 24/7. Only an idiot would go out there and serve himself up on a platter.’

Chen Lin made a mental note that over the weekend, he should summarize the details of that recent probing attempt by an unidentified party and report it all to Fu Yangqing. Even if Fu Yangqing already knew, it was never a bad idea to sync up their information.