"If you don't come out, how will you make a name for yourself?" Li Nianlong patted Zhang Zhenghao on the shoulder. "No genius ever stays hidden in a deep alley. They have to come out and let others taste their talent to know their worth. The boss has confidence in you. In the future, you will definitely be the brightest star in the field of geology."
Pausing, Li Nianlong smiled and added, "Besides, you're a geologist, not a military strategist. Why fear being watched? Others will only respect you, not kidnap you."
"This… seems to make sense." Zhang Zhenghao thought for a moment and agreed. "But I'm still not used to so much attention. I want to go back to the lab and work on my research."
"Alright, I'll arrange for someone to take you there."
"Okay."
As Li Nianlong predicted, the press conference made Zhang Zhenghao an overnight sensation. His self-created earthquake prediction theory, though not yet released, garnered significant attention from renowned geologists both domestically and internationally. Many expressed a desire to meet Zhang Zhenghao to exchange insights, but all such requests were declined with the explanation that he was currently immersed in finalizing his theory and did not wish to be disturbed.
The experts understood and expressed their hope to meet him once his theory was complete, a request that was accepted.
Tianfu University, not wanting to be left out, extended an invitation for Zhang Zhenghao to return as a faculty member, offering him a professorship in geology.
Zhang Zhenghao expressed his gratitude for the recognition but declined the offer, citing his need to complete his theoretical work. This left the university president quite disappointed.
Similarly, numerous media outlets sought to interview Zhang Zhenghao, but all were turned away. However, they did not give up. Since they couldn't interview him, they targeted his parents and wife, who were bombarded by hundreds of domestic and international media outlets until they put up a sign on their door saying, "No entry for reporters and dogs," to get some peace.
The relentless reporters then turned to interviewing Zhang Zhenghao's neighbors, teachers, and classmates from his past.
"To say Zhenghao is good is an understatement!" A neighbor from Zhang Zhenghao's village, an elderly man, praised him during an interview, giving a thumbs-up. "This kid was always good, quiet and honest, never giving his parents any trouble. He was very polite to the village elders. It's no wonder the Zhou family gave their lovely daughter to him. The Zhou daughter is lucky, now enjoying a good life in the city. It's a pity I don't have a pretty daughter, otherwise…"
"Excuse me," the reporter interrupted the rambling old man. "Let's focus on Zhang Zhenghao. What notable things did he do growing up?"
"A lot! This kid was always the top student and loved helping others. Look at this cane. Zhenghao made it for me when he was in middle school, and it's still good after ten years."
"This cane looks quite new."
"Of course, I've kept it safe. I only brought it out because you're here. I don't tell just anyone about it… Hey! Don't leave, let's continue the interview!"
"Zhang Zhenghao?" His primary school teacher, now the principal, smiled at the reporters. "Zhenghao was a good student, always diligent, never distracted in class, and he was very team-oriented."
"Principal, can we focus on Zhang Zhenghao? How was he different from other students?"
"Different? Not much different. Zhang Zhenghao was just one of the many excellent students from our school. Every child here is just as good… Hey! Don't go, I haven't finished yet!"
"Zhang Zhenghao? Yeah, he's my buddy." His middle school classmate laughed. "He's doing well now. Tell him he still owes me fifty cents from middle school."
"Is there anything else you want to share? Like what kind of person was Zhang Zhenghao in middle school?"
"He was very honest, never causing trouble, always focused on his studies. Quite boring, actually. But he couldn't stand being bullied. Once, he broke a bottle over a bully's head, and after that, no one dared to mess with him. That bully even transferred schools. Wonder what he's doing now."
The reporters soon found the bully, now a butcher. "Did I bully Zhang Zhenghao? Haha, that's all in the past. Who hasn't fought in school? I heard he's doing well. Tell him to visit me sometime. We have plenty of meat."
The reporter was moved. "Those who accompanied Zhang Zhenghao have grown up. It's a touching and nostalgic scene, as time flows and youth fades, leaving only memories to cherish."
The reporters, after interviewing everyone, found the material insufficiently juicy and decided to dig into the reason for Zhang Zhenghao's imprisonment.
"This was already explained by his classmates!" Zhang Zhenghao's father-in-law said. "Our village is beautiful and well-located, attracting a developer who wanted to buy it for a housing project. But we refused to sell our ancestral homes. The developer, not giving up, colluded with corrupt officials and sent dozens of hooligans to cause trouble. My daughter was harassed, and Zhenghao couldn't stand it, so he killed one of them with a brick."
His father-in-law's face was full of anger. "Those damn hooligans! If I had been there, I'd have killed them all! Zhenghao did the right thing. I didn't make a mistake with my daughter's marriage."
"But killing is still a crime…"
"Crime?" His father-in-law glared. "Why didn't anyone say it was a crime when those hooligans came to our village? When those officials took bribes? When that developer bribed them? Now you say my son-in-law is a criminal for protecting his wife? Wife, bring my dragon-head cane! Today, I'm beating these bastards! Don't run, I'll kill you!"
The reporters fled in a panic.
In short, Zhang Zhenghao became thoroughly famous. Besides earthquake relief, most news was about him. Many celebrities expressed admiration for his ability to predict earthquakes and save thousands of lives.
As for his release from prison, after thorough analysis, everyone understood and supported him. Zhang Zhenghao's actions to protect his wife were seen as heroic. If he had restrained himself then, he wouldn't be a man.
Zhang Zhenghao was a man, so he acted. Ultimately, it was the collusion of officials and businessmen that caused the injustice. Without his release, thousands would have perished. Though the law is strict, there is room for mercy. A renowned TV journalist made a poignant statement:
"Zhang Zhenghao is a criminal, but he didn't need to be. It was his environment that forced him. This is his misfortune. Li Nianlong, his friend and brother, was enraged and rescued him, punishing the corrupt officials and businessmen.
Many overlooked a key detail: the immense anger among Zhang Zhenghao's hometown villagers. This was the fault of local officials. In turbulent times, Zhang Zhenghao's actions were innocent. We can't impose inflexible laws on people in such chaos—that's inhumane.
Lastly, Zhang Zhenghao's timely release saved thousands of lives. Isn't that worth mercy? If not, this society truly has no hope."
This statement quelled any remaining criticism. A hero saving thousands, a victim of turbulent times, could not be condemned.
As Zhang Zhenghao continued to refine his earthquake prediction theory, media attention shifted elsewhere. With no casualties, the earthquake drew less focus, and the spotlight moved on after initial donations.
For instance, Li Nianlong's speech at the press conference, reported by The Sun, drove British women into a frenzy, forming a fan club insisting on marrying him. This made Li Nianlong laugh and cry, while Shao Meiyun teased him for days.
As Tianfu's western region needed rebuilding, Li Nianlong designed a reconstruction plan, optimizing drainage, sewage, and town placement. For a master architect who could design space fortresses, planning a town was as simple as one plus one.
The plan, maximizing resource use, amazed urban planners who wanted to apprentice under Li Nianlong, seeking to learn the essence of town planning.
Li Nianlong politely declined.