Chapter 107 Professor and Student
The Room was very quiet. Soma Taku secretly observed Chi Feichi's reaction.
Previously in the Laboratory, when there were other people around, he only felt that this Student was a bit cold and had a strong cold Aura. However, Chi Feichi had always been very polite when speaking to him. Considering it might be a Personality issue and the influence of his childhood environment, it wasn't unacceptable.
However, being alone with him, this Atmosphere was a bit overwhelming for him.
He had thought Chi Feichi might be happy, might suppress his happiness and continue to maintain his composure, or even be angry and unwilling to accept. But he never expected Chi Feichi to fall into Silence after reading it. This Situation made it impossible for him to understand what Chi Feichi was thinking.
The quieter the Room became, the clearer the Water Sound Outside the window. His heart grew heavier and heavier, as if a mountain was pressing down on him, constantly increasing in weight.
Chi Feichi withdrew his Line of Sight from the Document and looked up at Soma Taku in front of him.
In Japan, the retirement age for University professors is generally 65 years old. Professor Souma was already 62. Even with good maintenance, his Hair was mixed with a lot of white Hair, and deep wrinkles lined the corners of his eyes.
"Professor Souma, do you think I can't complete my Thesis?"
"No," Soma Taku heard this and guessed that Chi Feichi would not agree to such a thing. However, Chi Feichi's willingness to speak up still relieved him. "With your level, completing a Thesis is not difficult. Even from your Research Plan, you intend to use certain Data to make a breakthrough Research on this Topic, or at least make a detailed and accurate summary of this aspect."
Speaking of Academic Matters, Soma Taku was no longer nervous. However, worried about being overheard, he kept his voice very soft. "As long as the Thesis can be completed, not only will you Graduate early, but even among your Seniors in the same year, you can at least rank in the top three. However, your Thesis requires a lot of Time, and your Situation... whether it's your Family Background or your Illness, being too mentally taxing is not good. I don't want you to give up your Thesis. This Thesis can be your Graduation Thesis, and your Thesis can be published as your own Achievement."
"What do you want?" Chi Feichi asked directly.
He didn't believe that Professor Souma, whom he had known for less than half a month and with whom he had no personal Relationship, would be so concerned about him.
Soma Taku was unsure if Chi Feichi was moved by his words. He also couldn't tell what Chi Feichi meant. After hesitating for a moment, he truthfully said, "It's about the person who wrote this Thesis. He was a Student of mine before, very talented, but he hasn't had a good life after Graduation. A Surgery error caused someone's Pet Dog to die. The Director in charge of the Surgery blamed it on him. He was so angry that he went to argue with the other party, but instead, he was fired. You know, being fired for a Surgery error makes it very difficult for him to find another job. And he's not good at Communication with people. He had no choice but to come to me..."
Chi Feichi relaxed a little. He knew Professor Souma had always had a good Reputation, and from his interactions, he seemed to be a righteous person. He had wondered if the Rumor and his own Judgment were wrong. If that were the case, his previous considerations would have to be put aside. "What does he want?"
"I originally wanted to lend him some Money, but he refused. He asked me to help him make a Connection and wanted to exchange this Thesis for a job Opportunity," Soma Taku said. "I saw that his Research direction was similar to your Idea, and I also heard that Shinchi Group is acquiring Pet Hospitals, so I agreed to try for him. He also guaranteed that he would never reveal this matter."
Outside the window, a small boat carrying Sushi slowly drifted over along the Canal. Inside the Room, a 'ding' notification sound rang out.
Before Soma Taku could move, Chi Feichi had already gotten up and gone to the Window to take the Sushi. "You have an Optimistic View of him, which means his level is indeed good. Generally speaking, problems don't occur during the Surgery Process. A Surgery error means either he was made to take the Responsibility, as he said, or he is arrogant and made a Judgment error about the Animal's Situation."
Soma Taku quickly said, "He is definitely not an arrogant person. If he were arrogant, he definitely wouldn't go far, and I wouldn't feel sorry for him."
Chi Feichi remained noncommittal and placed the Sushi on the table. "I can give him an Opportunity. The Thesis is unnecessary. Whether he can stay in the end will depend on his performance."
Arrogance didn't matter. With such a setback, even the most arrogant person would probably restrain themselves. And just arranging a Doctor didn't require him to consider too much. If it really didn't work out, someone would handle it.
"Of course," Soma Taku nodded solemnly. "Thank you for giving him a Opportunity!"
"You're welcome," Chi Feichi sat down. "However, when my Father arranged for me to Graduate early, he must have also greeted you. And in the Regulations he gave me, there is a page with only three professors' Names, belonging to the Surgery, Internal Medicine, and Microbiology Laboratories. It means I should choose from them. Do you know why it's these three Names?"
Soma Taku was taken aback, then immediately understood.
He had indeed been muddle-headed today!
Shinchi Group arranged for Chi Feichi to come to him because they valued his Reputation.
For him, what he could get from Shinchi Group was not very important, but the Reputation he had maintained for a lifetime was his greatest pride.
Of course, if he could also take care of Chi Feichi and gain the Friendship of Shinchi Group, he would be very happy, especially since Chi Feichi was also an excellent Student.
But was this considered taking care of him?
He originally thought that as long as both parties agreed and got what they needed, it would be a good thing. But as the Heir of a large Corporation, he could have completed his Graduation Thesis in a dignified manner. If he still agreed to it, it would be a Stigma if it spread out.
For Chi Feichi, there was no need to take this Risk to save that Time and effort.
For him, there was also no benefit. His lifetime Reputation might be ruined. Even if he said it was voluntary, some people would not believe it and think he was a villain using other people's Achievements to curry favor with a large Corporation.
Don't say it's impossible for it to spread out, this thing should not be done.
Furthermore, he hadn't considered Chi Feichi for another Student, which seemed a bit too biased...
Chi Feichi spoke up, "For help, Professor, you can just tell me directly. There's really no need to bring a Thesis."
Soma Taku's Face was heavy and ashamed. In fact, in this Situation, if it were more serious, it wouldn't be excessive for Chi Feichi to transfer to another Laboratory. He had that ability. Yet, Chi Feichi chose to explain it to him clearly and even agreed to give that Student a request, which was already very respectful of him. "Being old makes me confused!"
"Actually, this meal should be my treat," Chi Feichi didn't continue, but changed the subject. "Shinchi Pet Hospital needs a Director. I hope Professor can help recommend someone."
Soma Taku considered it. "Wanting someone with high skill and management ability is not easy. Tell me the general Standard you have in mind first."
"Not understanding management is also fine. Shinchi Group is acquiring Other Pet Hospitals in Tokyo. When the Time comes, each Hospital will have someone to manage it. The Director needs someone with enough Industry Reputation," Chi Feichi paused. "It would be even better if Professor is willing."
In a few more years of development, perhaps they could promote someone younger and more capable to serve as Director.
In Japan, many company employees have long-term or even lifetime employment, and seniority is highly valued. However, the original Hospital was only built two years ago, and there is no suitable Candidate at present, so they need to find someone of high prestige to take charge.
This person was smart, a nice old man, with excessive sympathy and a sense of Responsibility, unsuitable for management, but his professional level could convince people. Many Students also knew many people in the industry and could introduce Talent to the Hospital. He himself had a great Reputation in the industry, enough to suppress dissent, very suitable for the current Shinchi Pet Hospital.
(End of chapter)