Chapter 905: Vision

Aerospace Engineering Research Institute—that was the new name Lynch had given it. Previously, it didn’t even have an official name.

Now that it had gained some recognition, it naturally needed a proper title to reflect its value.

The institute’s chief engineer sat in his chair, sipping coffee and deep in thought.

Lately, many people had been calling to contact him.

There were high school classmates he barely remembered, elementary school teachers, former colleagues and supervisors, even old neighbors.

All of them suddenly seemed… unhinged, reaching out, congratulating him on his success, trying to chat about his work and future.

He knew their motives weren’t pure. Behind each one of them was likely some powerful force eyeing him.

Their goal was to get him to switch jobs.

Some of the things hinted at over the phone were indeed tempting. For example, his elementary school teacher.

She not only congratulated him but expressed sympathy—saying she knew someone in a similar position earning several times his salary.

That person’s skills and research ability weren’t even on par with his, yet they earned much more. It was both enviable and…

He understood this was an offer, conveyed through his former teacher—multiplying his benefits and salary. All he had to do was say yes, and every obstacle would disappear.

He had never experienced treatment like this before. It felt as if the entire world began to revolve around him. It was exhilarating.

In capitalist terms, he was finally realizing his full market value.

But with it came trouble.

Certain words or people would inevitably sway him.

It troubled him so much that he found himself zoning out for quite a while.

And it wasn’t just him. Most of the other researchers were facing the same pressure.

Those recruiters showed no shame, using every method to lure them—offering anything, as long as they were willing to change jobs and chase the lives they once dreamed of.

The institute, which should have been filled with joy, now felt… dejected.

“The boss is here…”

The chief engineer snapped out of his thoughts. He looked around and remembered he was in his office.

He took a sip of coffee, gathered himself, and walked toward the door.

There stood Lynch, his expression as always—faintly smiling, confident, bright, and full of life.

It was irritating sometimes. With his looks, he could’ve easily been a celebrity—but instead, he chose to start a business.

Starting a business was one thing—but then he actually succeeded.

And to top it off, he was handsome. It was infuriating.

“Boss…”

Lynch smiled and shook his hand. “You don’t look like you’ve been sleeping well.”

The chief engineer wasn’t sure how to explain. Some things are better left unsaid—once spoken, there’s no going back.

He brushed his hair back. “Yeah, I haven’t been sleeping well. They’re building a new residential complex near my place—it’s been noisy.”

“You could call the cops. They’ll help improve your neighborhood relations,” Lynch joked.

Austin, standing behind him, couldn’t help but laugh.

That’s just how Federal women were—cheerful, straightforward, and never shy about their thoughts.

Police and neighborhood relations had become a running joke in the Federation, based on a real incident from a few years back.

A family overheard their neighbors having a violent argument and called the police out of concern.

When officers arrived, they tried to de-escalate and fill out a report, but the angry husband threw a fork at them and shouted for them to leave. One officer, panicked, fired his weapon.

When the wife saw her husband shot, she lunged at the police, who fired again. Both husband and wife ended up bleeding on the ground.

The officer was later sentenced to 18 months of community service and suspended from duty.

The couple survived after emergency treatment. The police compensated them from a public fund, and they agreed not to sue. That was the end of it.

A media outlet later claimed the neighbor who called the police received an anonymous note afterward. It read only:

It’s quiet now.

He saw it as a threat. The police investigated but concluded it was just a prank. Still, the phrase neighborhood relations became a dark joke.

Some people took it further—saying it meant call the police to shoot people you don’t like, tying it to other sensitive news stories.

Of course, only those in elite circles would treat it as a joke.

For those at the bottom of society with no safety net, it was intimidation.

The chief engineer gave a dry laugh. There was no new housing near his place—that was just an excuse.

Lynch didn’t head straight into the institute. He stopped outside, where agents were already stationed.

“Some small incidents have happened recently. To ensure your safety, I’m planning to build a luxury residential complex here.”

“Detached homes, 400 to 500 square meters each, with private pools. The community will have shared tennis courts, basketball courts, and more.”

He pointed to a plot of land not far away. “This area is perfect. We’ll also add supporting infrastructure, like a transport system. We need to provide a convenient environment for the families of the researchers.”

“Medical care, education, leisure, entertainment…” Lynch took a few steps and picked up a small stone from the ground. “Maybe even a movie theater.”

His words were plain, without embellishment, but they struck the chief engineer with a powerful sense of awe he couldn’t quite explain.

A hopeful and futuristic vision unfolded before him, making it clear just how much Lynch valued this research institute.

He let go of those impractical thoughts lingering in his mind, firmed up his resolve, and smiled. “It’s like a small city.”

Lynch turned to him. “Why like?”

“That’s exactly what I’m planning.”

“A tech city—a satellite town built around Eminence. You could even call it ‘City of Tomorrow.’”

Lynch spoke casually, but in the chief engineer’s mind, a vivid city combining science and culture began to take shape—from a simple blueprint to a three-dimensional, tech-filled metropolis.

It kept expanding in his imagination, growing more significant—becoming a powerful force in the Federation, the power of science itself.

If that day truly arrived, it would be extraordinary.

The chief engineer let out a relaxed breath. As he looked at Lynch, his conviction solidified. He wasn’t going anywhere, no matter what better offers came his way.

They strolled the grounds for a while, with Lynch pointing here and there, describing what would be built—his enthusiasm was infectious.

By the time they returned to the institute, the chief engineer was already planning to hold a meeting once Lynch left.

He believed the troubles he faced were shared by many others.

He even had a suspicion who was behind it all. He needed to warn everyone: stepping out might not lead to freedom, but into a cage.

But just then, two researchers approached—with resignation letters in hand.

The chief engineer was stunned. He looked at them, confused and uneasy. “What’s going on?”

He stepped between them and Lynch, trying to cushion the moment.

He gave them a warning look, but they were clearly set on leaving. People like this couldn’t be persuaded to stay.

“We… plan to take a break for a while.”

Lynch gently moved past the chief engineer and took the letters from their hands. He didn’t try to stop them. “Approved.”

The chief engineer’s eyelid twitched. He looked at Lynch in disbelief. These two weren’t academic types—they were independent scientists.

Some people might scoff at the term independent scientist, assuming they’re frauds. But many foundational figures in various fields came from outside academia.

They hadn’t attended prestigious institutions—just relied on passion and inspiration to become remarkable scientists.

In the development of the aircraft, these independent scientists had contributed far more than the academic researchers.

They had built planes, flown them, and each had logged dozens—even hundreds—of hours in the air.

They understood every strength and flaw in the aircraft’s design. Without them, Lynch’s aircraft wouldn’t have reached production so quickly.

And yet these two crucial researchers were leaving—and Lynch didn’t even try to stop them. The chief engineer didn’t know what to say.

Even the researchers themselves didn’t expect Lynch to approve so easily. They looked uneasy, uncertain.

But Lynch didn’t give them time to reconsider. He reached out to shake their hands. “I hope we get the chance to work together again. Once you’ve packed your things, you’re free to go.”