Mu Yanning wore a serious expression.
"Your idea is worth a try. It can count as the first collaborative experiment of our joint research. If it succeeds, we can advance into the second phase of research ahead of schedule."
Shu Lanzhou's proposal received full support. There was no time to waste—after the summary meeting concluded, members from both project teams headed straight to the lab.
Not long after they left for the lab, the door of the adjacent conference room opened. A group of people walked out with gloomy expressions.
Han Weicheng led the group, his students trailing behind him.
Once they'd walked a fair distance, a few senior researchers—who had joined the team because of his reputation—gathered together, whispering quietly.
"This Professor Han isn't quite as impressive as the rumors say. It's already been so long since the first research phase started, and he's still only presenting a theoretical framework, let alone actual results!"
"Exactly. And even that framework is just an untested idea. Who knows when—or if—it can ever be applied in practice?"
"At this rate, how can the research possibly progress? Looks like we overestimated Han Weicheng. If we'd known it would be this basic, we might as well have done it ourselves—probably would've been faster."
"…"
Hearing the grumbling, Lin Jiayi's gaze darkened.
"The research just started—why are you all complaining so much? Whether Professor Han is truly capable or not, just wait and see. And besides, at least he has a framework. That's better than those who don't even have an idea to begin with!"
She threw down those words and turned, heading back to her office.
Thankfully, no research breakthroughs had been announced from He Xin's team yet. If they managed to get ahead of them… where would she even put her face?
No—this couldn't drag on any longer. She had to push Han Weicheng harder.
She'd already signed onto this project despite the dean's dissatisfaction. If they kept failing to produce results, her position as vice dean might soon come to an end.
Just as Lin Jiayi rose from her seat, Guo Jialiang knocked and stepped inside.
"Dean Lin, I heard during your meeting you discussed a research framework. I've compiled some notes here that might be similar. I wonder if they could be useful?"
He handed over a notebook. Lin Jiayi hadn't planned to entertain him, her eyes only glancing casually at the pages.
"Where did you get these notes? Has this research method been tested? Is it feasible?"
Guo Jialiang shook his head.
"These are notes from lectures I attended before. I did some related experiments back in school, but this method itself—I only just organized it, haven't had a chance to test it yet."
"Come with me." Lin Jiayi tucked the notebook under her arm, giving him a faint glance, unclear if she believed him or not.
Guo Jialiang clenched his hands nervously, then followed her in large strides.
The truth was, this research method wasn't originally his. He'd stumbled upon it recently while organizing materials for He Xin. It seemed to have been proposed by someone named Wu Cheng.
Back then, He Xin had withheld Wu Cheng's application form, refusing to sign off on it. But in the past few days, Guo Jialiang noticed He Xin's team had started experiments—likely because the method had finally been approved.
He Xin's researchers weren't as well-known or capable as Lin Jiayi's team. If they used the same research method and beat them to the punch, no one would care where it originated. As long as they succeeded, the credit would be theirs.
Guo Jialiang thought gleefully: with this method, there's no way they won't let me into the team!
Once he joined, when the research achieved success—he'd secure his place at the institute.
With that thought, he happily followed Lin Jiayi into the lab.
Inside, Han Weicheng was frowning at Tian Hua.
"There's nothing wrong with your theoretical framework," Han Weicheng said gravely. "But it's been almost two months, and you still have no concrete experimental methods. I'm truly disappointed."
"You've all been under my tutelage—yet at critical moments, you need to learn to think for yourselves. I can't be expected to handle everything personally…"
As he lectured, he opened Tian Hua's framework to analyze it more carefully. But just then, Lin Jiayi walked in.
"Han Weicheng, take a look at this." She handed him Guo Jialiang's notebook.
Han Weicheng, a seasoned professor, only needed one glance to realize how well the method aligned with Tian Hua's framework.
"Who wrote this?" he asked.
Lin Jiayi stepped aside, revealing Guo Jialiang behind her.
"Not an outsider—your own student. What do you think? Is this method viable? I didn't look too closely, but it seems to complement Tian's framework nicely."
Han Weicheng was briefly surprised to see Guo Jialiang.
But the surprise soon gave way to a warm sense of approval. After all, this was his student. After facing setbacks, the young man had bounced back and shown initiative.
The timing of this research method couldn't be better. With it, he was confident their research would succeed!
His overconfidence left him with no suspicion of Guo Jialiang whatsoever.
In his mind, this was simply a diligent pupil proving his worth.
"It's excellent," Han Weicheng affirmed. "Guo Jialiang, would you be willing to contribute this research method to our project team?"
Guo Jialiang's face held a humble sincerity.
"Of course I'm willing. You're my teacher. I let you down before… Now that I'm at the institute, I can't be your assistant anymore, but I hope I can at least help in some way, so I don't waste the guidance you gave me."
His earnestness moved Han Weicheng.
"It's all in the past—don't mention it again. It's good that you're motivated now. I hope you continue improving."
Lin Jiayi hadn't expected Guo Jialiang to be this useful. She was delighted.
"Han Weicheng, here's what I think: our team's short-handed anyway. Why not let Guo Jialiang officially join? He was your student, he's familiar with the others. And since he proposed this method, it makes sense for him to participate directly. I'm sure it'll speed up our progress. Don't you agree?"
Han Weicheng furrowed his brows slightly.
Truth be told, though he appreciated the research method and Guo Jialiang's current attitude, the man still carried a stain on his record. Accepting him outright…
But if he didn't accept him… Han Weicheng hesitated only a moment before making up his mind.
"You're right. He's my student, and he's worked with Luo Jialin and the others before. I believe their renewed collaboration will lead to even greater success. Guo Jialiang, how do you feel?"
Guo Jialiang could tell Han Weicheng wasn't thrilled about letting him in.
Han Weicheng, who valued his reputation above all else, had long wished to sever ties with him. Sharing a team again was the last thing he wanted.
Yet the old man still wanted his research method. Selfish to the core.
Guo Jialiang swallowed his resentment, lowering himself even more.
"I'll follow Dean Lin's arrangements."
His submissive attitude greatly pleased Lin Jiayi.
Young, handsome, knowing his place, deferential, always mindful of her status—who wouldn't enjoy a subordinate like that?
Lin Jiayi smiled faintly.
"Then it's settled. Starting today, Guo Jialiang joins the project team and participates in the experiments. I'll apply with the dean to have him serve as my personal assistant."
"…"
To Guo Jialiang, this was an unexpected windfall.
Becoming Lin Jiayi's personal assistant meant more opportunities to be close to her. With enough time, he'd surely win her affection.
And then? She wouldn't refuse to marry her daughter to him!
Little did he know—Lin Muyao was already Luo Jialin's girlfriend.