Year 2050, Blue Star

Deep in the underground laboratory...

"What is the status of the research?"

"It's almost complete, but we'll need more time to fully analyze and observe the nuclear reaction before publishing anything..."

"So what?! I don't care!" The man's voice cut through the air. "I want to publish the research as soon as possible! If you can't do it, I'll find someone else who can!"

"Do you understand?"

The scientist standing in front of him could only nod helplessly.

Chen Heng watched the interaction between the man and his teacher, his fists clenched tightly in frustration.

As they exited the room, and after walking some distance, he finally spoke.

"Who does he think he is? It was you who founded the equation..."

Chen Heng's voice trembled with emotion as he looked at his teacher, his eyes moist with unshed tears.

Albert, one of the greatest minds in the world, was the man who had founded the equation that connected energy and mass. But instead of praise, he had been ridiculed, labeled an idiot by the entire world.

When he finally proved his point with irrefutable evidence and experiments, he was kidnapped by a powerful family that saw the destructive potential in his work. They forced him to work for them.

Albert was a kind man. He never wanted his research to lead to destruction. He envisioned it as a way to create infinite energy for humanity.

At first, he refused the offers from the family and the country to conduct such research. But when they began to threaten his family, Albert's resolve began to weaken.

Still, he stood firm—until they captured his student, Chen Heng, and threatened his life.

Chen Heng and Albert shared a bond stronger than that of teacher and student. It was a father-son bond, born from years of research, study, and mutual respect.

Chen Heng, an orphan, had been taken in by Albert when the teacher saw his potential and curiosity in the field of physics. They had spent countless hours working side by side, growing closer than any biological family.

Albert, too, had spent so much time researching that he had distanced himself from his own family, leaving him with only Chen Heng for emotional support.

If anyone were to place Chen Heng and Albert's biological son before him and ask him to choose, Albert would choose Chen Heng without a second thought.

It was this deep connection—this weakness—that forced Albert to surrender to the powerful family's demands.

Chen Heng looked at his teacher, his heart heavy with guilt. A surge of emotion rose within him; he wanted to cry, to rebel against the cruel fate that had shackled them both.

The thought of his teacher suffering because of him was unbearable.

Albert, reading the emotions in Chen Heng's eyes, knew his student was about to do something reckless. He had known Chen Heng since childhood, and he could read him like an open book.

"Ho!" Albert gave a light cough, catching Chen Heng's attention.

When Chen Heng looked his way, Albert's face grew serious as he spoke.

"I know you want to save me, but there's not much you can do. Please don't do anything foolish in your anger, lest you lose your life for an old man like me."

"You're still young, and you don't have much experience in life. I've lived mine already."

"Do you understand, Chen?"

His words were heavy as if he were speaking his last. But Chen Heng knew this was how Albert spoke when he was dead serious about something.

"But, teacher—" Chen Heng began, but was quickly interrupted.

"Stop. I don't want to hear your excuses. Just promise me you won't do anything foolish."

Sighing in resignation, Chen Heng finally spoke.

"Alright."

In truth, he had planned to share the results of his teacher's research with other countries, bargaining for their freedom and a stable life in exchange. But the plan was full of loopholes: What if they were caught in the middle of their escape? What guarantee did they have that other countries wouldn't exploit them just like their own?

Albert had seen through all of it. That's why he had asked Chen Heng to promise him not to act rashly.

After hearing Chen Heng's promise, Albert's mood seemed to lighten, his shoulders relaxing.

"Now, now, don't get so down. It's not like working here is all that bad. We're provided with top-class facilities to eat and stay, practically like VIPs."

Chen Heng knew it was just an attempt to console him.

In truth, both he and Albert were like free birds, cherishing their freedom above all else. But now, that freedom had been taken from them, and they were trapped in a cage.

No matter if the cage was made of gold or iron, the feeling of being trapped was the same—bitter and suffocating.

Chen Heng forced a small smile as if resigning himself to fate.

Albert saw through the forced smile and gave him a hard slap on the back.

"Don't be so down. It's your duty today to look after the lab, so go on and enjoy your night as the lone researcher on duty!"

****************

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