Chapter 61: Samuel
About ten hours later, Chen Chen stood outside the X-ray room of the research inst.i.tute, looking over the X-rays in his hand.
Most of the X-rays were blank while some of them displayed only a dot so tiny that it could easily be missed.
These were the images of the STEM chip under X-ray.
X-rays were a type of electromagnetic radiation but its waveband covered a wide range of 0.001nm to 10nm. It lay between ultraviolet rays and gamma rays on the electromagnetic spectrum and the corresponding energy ranged from 125eV to 125keV.
Those in similar professional fields often referred to X-rays with a wavelength between 0.001nm and 0.1nm as hard X-rays whereas those with wavelengths above 0.1nm were called soft X-rays.
According to the data scale of how X-ray penetrated carbon, soft X-rays with wavelengths above 0.2nm could illuminate diamond-like materials with a thickness of more than 3mm. The core processor of the STEM chip was a diamond-like crystal with a diameter of 3mm.
The X-rays used in security inspections were soft X-rays with lower energy. Therefore, in principle, chips implanted in the human body would still be detectable.
However, to Chen Chen’s surprise, the material of the STEM chip’s motherboard was a special biocompatible material, which was compatible with the human body.
In other words, when a person implanted with this chip underwent an X-ray, only the core processor of the chip would be illuminated, but it would be difficult to trace the chip’s motherboard.
Moreover, since the core processor of the chip was as tiny as a sesame seed, it was practically invisible unless it was actively searched for.
As expected of a high-tech chip from the future. They had even considered all these.
Chen Chen sighed inwardly. Still, this in turn made things easier for him. Even if he went through an airport’s security check or an X-ray examination in a hospital, the secrecy of the chip was guaranteed to an extent.
“It’s time to a.s.semble my team...”
Chen Chen muttered to himself. Following that, he destroyed all the X-rays and left the room.
...
“Mr. Samuel —”
In the evening, as the researchers were getting off work, Samuel, who was inspecting the equipment, was stopped by Chen Chen.
“Please come by the main control room later. There’s something I have to discuss with you.”
“As you wish.”
Samuel shot Chen Chen a curious look and nodded.
Upon returning to the main control room, Chen Chen took his time pouring out two cups of cappuccino and placed them on the table. After that, he picked up a doc.u.ment from the table and began reading with relish.
About ten minutes later, there was a knock on the door.
“Please come in.” Chen Chen looked up slightly. Instantly, Samuel opened the heavy iron door and strode in.
“Boss, you...”
Samuel was about to ask something when Chen Chen shook his head while pointing at the hand-brewed coffee on the table. “Drink it while it’s hot. It’ll get cold.”
“... Thank you.”
Helplessly, Samuel could only sit down opposite Chen Chen.
“Tap tap!”
“Tap tap!”
“Tap tap...”
There was a rhythmic drumming sound. Samuel looked up at the noise and saw that it was Chen Chen tapping the table with an index finger. Chen Chen’s gaze was fixed upon the doc.u.ment in his hand.
Huh, a doc.u.ment?
Samuel suddenly felt that this doc.u.ment was rather familiar. From his perspective, he could see a part of its contents. Was this not...
“Bang!”
After noticing the doc.u.ment’s contents, Samuel viciously slammed the table with his palm and some of the coffee splashed onto the table. “Boss, what do you mean by this?”
“What do I mean by what?” Chen Chen put down the doc.u.ment.
“I’m talking about the file you’re looking at!” Samuel’s eyes were burning with fury. “Why do you have my file? What are you trying to do to me?”
“Relax a little.”
Chen Chen took a sip of his coffee and said unhurriedly, “I have my reasons for doing this. Before you lose your temper, why don’t you listen to what I have to say?”
“No matter what your reasons are, this national-level file shouldn’t be on your desk!”
Although Samuel said this, he still drew in a deep breath to soothe the rage in his heart as he waited for Chen Chen’s explanation.
“Mr. Samuel, you were born in 1975 and you turn 46 this year. You married a Polish woman in 2003 and together, you had a daughter.”
Chen Chen read out as he studied the file. “However, ten years ago, on your daughter’s seventh birthday, a car accident damaged her spine and both her legs were paralyzed.”
“So? What are you trying to say?” Samuel asked through clenched teeth.
“As far as I know, you had a bachelor’s in medical science?”
Chen Chen said pointedly, “But after your daughter became permanently disabled, you switched careers and started research in the field of stem cells. I wonder why?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” Samuel immediately retorted with his question.
“Because you wanted to save your daughter through your efforts?” Chen Chen shot back. “Nonetheless, when I first met you, that didn’t seem to be what you were doing.”
“...” When Samuel heard this, he fell silent.
After a long while, he sighed. “That’s right. I’ve studied stem cells for ten years and I’ve waited for those ten years.
“With the current state of modern medicine, only the field of stem cells gave me a glimmer of hope. So, I gave up on clinical medicine, which I loved, and turned to stem cell research.
“I once thought that I could find a way to treat Annie through my talents. But, I didn’t realize how ludicrous my confidence was until I got into this field...”
“So, you’re just waiting?” Chen Chen asked.
“Yes, I can only wait for the field of stem cells or some other field, to successfully treat a case of spinal injury. Even so, after so many years, that has never happened.
“I don’t know how much longer I’ll have to wait. My daughter is seventeen now. When people her age are enjoying their youthful years, she could only watch them enviously from a wheelchair...”
Samuel cradled his head and cried softly. “I’ve failed as a father...”
“You give up too quickly, Mr. Samuel.”
Chen Chen still maintained a poker face as Samuel revealed his true emotions. “Your learning in the field of stem cells might not rank among the world’s top. It can’t even be called second-tier. But, it’s still noteworthy.
“How about this...”
As Chen Chen spoke, he took out another paper doc.u.ment and placed it before Samuel. “If you sign this agreement, I might be able to help grant your wish.”
“You?” Samuel felt a jolt of temptation.
He used to be bossy and domineering, and did not even respect the company’s shareholders. However, as Chen Chen demonstrated his genius, Samuel’s att.i.tude underwent a 180-degree change. Many people were baffled by this transformation.
Even so, Samuel himself knew the reason, which was nothing more than the fact that he had pinned his hopes for his daughter’s recovery on Chen Chen.
Although it was a slim chance, as long as Chen Chen could work out a way to heal spinal injuries with stem cells, then Samuel’s daughter would have hope of recovery.