Meanwhile.
Inside the Red Queen's core control room, the Red Queen manifested as a projection—clad in a red dress, red accessories, sitting on a stool, her little feet swinging back and forth. Her eyes locked on the surveillance screen ahead, her mouth moving slightly, her voice firm and unwavering.
That's right.
The person spying on the military through the surveillance cameras just now had been the Red Queen.
What she didn't expect was for the military to detect her presence just by observing subtle camera movements. These military folks were way too alert! It was just a few surveillance cameras, and yet they got all jumpy?
But it wasn't really a problem.
The cameras in Black Domain Tech's conference room were privately owned and installed. As long as they were on the company's own premises, it wasn't illegal.
Even if they were discovered—it didn't matter.
Soon after.
Chen Mo arrived at the conference room door.
He was strikingly handsome, dressed in a casual outfit. There was still a hint of youthful naivety in his expression, but his mannerisms were calm and mature.
With He Xiaoxiao following behind like a personal assistant, the aura was strong.
He looked every bit the boss.
"Hello," Chen Mo greeted, his gaze sweeping over the three military personnel. "I'm Chen Mo, the head of Black Domain Tech. I heard you're from the military. May I ask who you are?"
Of course, thanks to the Red Queen's intel, Chen Mo already knew exactly who these people were. He was simply pretending otherwise. Life was like a play—and acting was everything.
This was a trap.
And he needed the prey to bite voluntarily—to ask to be ensnared.
Hearing this, Li Aiguo instantly stood up, his eyes lighting up as he looked at Chen Mo. He saw a youthful man in casual clothes—handsome, yes, but still with some baby-faced charm, like a college student who hadn't yet been tempered by society, with raw, unpolished edges.
Hmm?
So young?
He looked just like himself in his younger days.
Li Aiguo's eyes widened, silently observing for a long moment.
Ordinary people might judge others by experience or appearance—but he looked at their eyes. Chen Mo's eyes were calm, confident, with a hidden brilliance flowing within—mysterious and unfathomable. There was both sharpness and restraint; youthful arrogance, and the measured patience of a seasoned strategist.
This young man… was no ordinary person.
Li Aiguo sighed inwardly, then shook off the thought. Regardless of who Chen Mo was, he couldn't lose sight of the goal: obtaining the super-intelligent mechanical arm technology.
"I'm Li Aiguo, director of the 404 Armaments Research Institute, under the Eastern Military District."
"I've often seen you on television," Chen Mo smiled respectfully. "You're Academician Li, who led the development of the mushroom cloud project and modern BeiDou deep space technology. You've been a guardian of our nation. Without your pen and intellect, we wouldn't enjoy the peace we have today."
Though Chen Mo had never worked on such projects, he still held genuine respect for anyone who had contributed to the country. Anyone who did deserved to be called a hero.
Li Aiguo was stunned, then smiled warmly. Though he was already half in the grave, hearing Chen Mo's words still brought joy to his heart.
"You flatter me, young friend."
"Everyone has their own role. As long as they perform their duties with excellence, they too are heroes."
"As a businessman, you help increase GDP and tax revenue in peaceful times. That's also a contribution to the country. You, too, are a hero in your own right."
Haha…
Chen Mo chuckled. He had to admit, Li Aiguo was someone he rather liked. At least he wasn't arrogant or overbearing.
"Haha… I wouldn't call myself a hero. I'm just an ordinary guy who doesn't even know how to run a business."
"…" The corner of Li Aiguo's mouth twitched.
Doesn't know how to run a business?
That was pushing it.
Who didn't know that Black Domain Tech had earned hundreds of billions in a single week just from the Hatsune App? If you don't know how to run a business, no one does.
Long Zhan and Long Yue'er, listening to their conversation, were dumbfounded. Since when was Academician Li so easygoing?
They had spent plenty of time with him and knew his notoriously terrible temper well. Real scientists were a mix of genius and madness—Li Aiguo was even nicknamed "Mad Li." Everyone called him "that lunatic."
But now, seeing him chat so amiably with Chen Mo—how strange!
Just then…
Chen Mo's eyes shifted toward Long Zhan and Long Yue'er.
They seemed to realize something and quickly smiled and introduced themselves:
"I'm Long Zhan, from the Eastern Military District. I'm in charge."
"I'm Long Yue'er, Major of the Eastern Military District's ground forces."
After they spoke, they watched Chen Mo closely, expecting some reaction. Most people, when hearing those names and titles, would at least show some restraint.
They were curious to see how Chen Mo would respond.
To their surprise, Chen Mo simply nodded calmly, his expression unchanging—as if their names meant nothing.
He's not afraid of us?
Now that's interesting.
Both Long Zhan and Long Yue'er couldn't help but reevaluate Chen Mo.
Li Aiguo stood there for a moment. Seeing no one mention the mechanical arm, he grew impatient.
He glanced at Chen Mo and took the initiative:
"Chen Mo, to be frank, the reason the military has come to your company is for the super-intelligent mechanical arm. Would you be willing to show us a sample?"
"Of course."
Chen Mo smiled.
He'd been waiting for the military to bite. Now that they had, he was happy to reel them in—binding them tighter, until they couldn't leave.
At that point, applying for a military industrial license would be a sure thing.
Hearing how readily Chen Mo agreed, it was now Li Aiguo's turn to be surprised. He'd thought the mechanical arm would be a top-level secret, and that even as a military representative, it wouldn't be easy to access. He hadn't expected such an easy yes.
This level of cooperation was remarkable.
"Gentlemen," Chen Mo gestured, "please follow me. The super-intelligent mechanical arm is in our ninth-floor lab. Once we get there, you'll be able to witness Black Domain Tech's most cutting-edge technology."
"Alright," Li Aiguo nodded slightly, then followed Chen Mo. Long Zhan and Long Yue'er followed closely behind.