Chapter 191: Chapter 164: Cross-Departmental Cooperation Project 2
A single sentence was all it took to send years of a corporate executive’s hard work up in flames.
Liu Weicai nodded and said finally, "Apply as soon as possible. From what I know, the collaborative research between Ninghang Technology and the Prosthetic Engineering Department is moving very quickly. After the participants are confirmed, the list needs to be locked in with Ninghang Technology. It’s very likely the confirmation will happen today."
Liu Weicai’s attitude toward Lin Qi was the same as always; it hadn’t cooled in the slightest because of Lin Qi’s "infidelity."
Liu Weicai believed Lin Qi was a true genius, one who would bring the company incredible surprises in the future.
"Okay."
After nodding, Lin Qi ended the call with Liu Weicai.
He then accessed the company’s smart system to submit a new project application.
Nearby, Dong Wenlong finally breathed a huge sigh of relief.
He was a bit curious about Lin Qi’s choice. "I’ll be damned. Kid, I didn’t realize Prosthetic Engineering was your one true love."
Lin Qi gave a noncommittal answer. "I grew up in a Prosthetic Clinic. Back at Red Fruit Liu Academy, I was already studying Prosthetic Engineering. I hope that one day, I can design an X-Class Prosthetic Body with my own two hands."
Lin Qi didn’t forget to maintain his persona.
’A Prosthetic Body is always the best cover for my identity as a Wizard.’
After submitting the new research project application, Lin Qi waited quietly for a response.
...
「H4 Skyscraper, 3rd Floor, Prosthetic Engineering Department.」
Wei Wutao was in talks with Ning Hao, the leader from Ninghang Technology.
"Supervisor Wei, let’s finalize the list as soon as possible. Have faith in Ninghang Technology. This collaboration will earn you more than enough credit. In the future, you’re guaranteed to become a very important person."
"It might even allow United Pharmaceutical to grow to a scale comparable to Liu’s Heavy Industries in a single leap."
Wei Wutao nodded. "One moment. There’s still one last member to be confirmed."
A smile appeared on Ning Hao’s face. "The last person? It seems Minister Wei is quite confident in our collaboration."
Ning Hao misunderstood Wei Wutao, thinking the final member was someone with connections whom Wei Wutao wanted to sneak onto the team to get some easy credit.
Wei Wutao didn’t bother to explain and prepared to contact Lin Qi to hurry him along.
Wei Wutao hadn’t expected Ninghang Technology to be in such a rush.
Just as he was about to make the call, Wei Wutao received a joint research application from the Pharmaceutical Department.
The applicant was none other than Lin Qi.
"Perfect timing. The last member is in place. I’ll send the list to Leader Ning right now so we can lock in the final roster with Ninghang Technology."
Wei Wutao immediately used his authority to approve Lin Qi’s application, then sent the prepared list to Ning Hao.
"Oh?"
Ning Hao had already seen the previous list, so after receiving the final version, a quick comparison was all it took to identify the last person.
"Pharmaceutical Department? A-level Researcher? Nineteen years old?"
Ning Hao was thoroughly surprised.
First, he hadn’t expected the so-called final member to be from the Pharmaceutical Department.
Second, he was shocked that the newly formed United Pharmaceutical actually had someone so talented.
A nineteen-year-old A-level Researcher, even if not an A-Class in Prosthetic Engineering, was still an absolute genius.
Hearing Ning Hao’s muttering, Wei Wutao took the initiative to explain. "Leader Ning, don’t underestimate this researcher from the Pharmaceutical Department. He was previously employed at the Red Fruit Weapon Research Institute and is on the company’s fast track for high-potential talent."
"At nineteen, he was already an L-Class researcher in Prosthetic Engineering."
"As for Pharmacy? It seems he’s been studying it for less than a month."
"He’s a true genius. He might even be able to make a significant contribution to our companies’ joint project."
Lin Qi’s profile was displayed in front of Ning Hao.
Ning Hao was instantly stunned.
’Does a genius like this actually exist in the world?’
’Especially his talent for Pharmacy—it’s just too unbelievable, isn’t it?’
’Even the renowned S-Class Pharmacy experts in the Asian Administrative Region today hadn’t accomplished this much at nineteen years old.’
’For a talent like him to end up at United Pharmaceutical, or rather, Liu’s Heavy Industries, is a complete waste.’
’Such a waste.’
’If he worked for Ninghang Technology, with our resources in Pharmacy, he could have become a top-tier S-Class expert.’
Wei Wutao seemed to read Ning Hao’s mind and added another sentence.
"Leader Ning, you’d best not get any ideas about this researcher. From what I’ve heard, he and our Chairman Liu seem to have a... let’s say, ’special’ relationship."
Wei Wutao hadn’t been idle this past half-day.
First, he had asked his own son, then he’d inquired with old colleagues from the Red Fruit Weapon Research Institute.
Finally, he’d even heard some rumors through the grapevine.
That was how he’d finally pieced together the story behind Lin Qi’s background.
This had given Wei Wutao quite a shock.
He had thought Lin Qi had connections, but he never expected his backing to go all the way to the top.
Fortunately, he had always maintained a cautious attitude toward Lin Qi.
If he had offended someone like that, he feared he wouldn’t have a future left in all of Red Fruit City.
"So that’s how it is. A pity, then." Ning Hao shook his head.
’So he’s practically one of the Liu Family. That explains it.’
’The so-called "reaching A-Class in half a month" was most likely just a rumor.’
’This supposed genius researcher had most likely been exposed to pharmacy from a young age.’
’Studying Prosthetic Engineering was most likely just a smokescreen.’
’It seems the Liu Clan has been planning its move into the pharmaceutical field for some time.’
’Perhaps there’s more to the falling out between the Si and Liu Clans than meets the eye.’
Coming from a major corporation, Ning Hao had a habit of letting his mind wander, trying to reason out the true cause behind every event.
"Since the list is confirmed, the research will officially begin tomorrow."
Ning Hao stood up, said a word to Wei Wutao, and left.
...
[United Pharmaceutical: Congratulations, you have been successfully selected as a member of Project "Confidential-S-01." Please arrive at the H4-401 Large-Scale Comprehensive Experimental Site before 10:00 AM tomorrow to participate in the research.]
[Attached: "S-Class Research Project Confidentiality Agreement." Please sign as soon as possible.]
Lin Qi had expected the project to be confidential. He eagerly awaited to see what it was about.
He would just have to wait until tomorrow to witness for himself what this revolutionary technology, one that even Guang Ling had endorsed, truly was.
With some time left before the end of the workday, Lin Qi continued to browse the company’s A-Class Pharmacy literature.
Nearby, when Dong Wenlong saw Lin Qi start reading the literature again, he hastily kept his distance.
Their joint project had already been submitted, so he was no longer obligated to answer Lin Qi’s questions and resolve his doubts.
’Save your brainpower whenever you can,’ he thought.
’Once too many brain cells die off, not even the medical technology of the Cyber World can bring them back.’
As he moved away, Dong Wenlong also immediately applied for a new research project for himself.
An A-Class project. Based on his experience, completing one would take at least half a year.
And a single A-Class achievement was only worth 10 United Points.
Theoretically, even if Dong Wenlong went all out, it would take him six or seven years to accumulate one hundred United Points and exchange them for a one-percent stake in the company.
’Company shares? What am I even thinking? That whole system was clearly designed for Lin Qi. With that kid’s research speed, he could collect a hundred points in half a year, tops.’
’Forget it, I’m just going to coast!’
Dong Wenlong’s way of thinking was very pragmatic.
Besides, he had already saved up enough Credit Points.
He just needed to complete one A-Class research project a year to keep his job.
’There’s no need to push myself. I’m past the age for that kind of grind anyway.’
’I’ll take it easy on this A-Class research project and stretch it out over, say, a year and a half!’
’Besides, I just "collaborated" with Lin Qi to finish a study, which should satisfy my performance review requirements for the next six months.’
Lin Qi paid no mind to Dong Wenlong’s actions, focusing on reading the A-Class literature.
Time passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, there was only half an hour left in the workday.
Suddenly, Lin Qi received a message from Guang Ling.
[The S-Class Oriented Energy Release Device has been delivered to your residence.]
It’s here!
The weapon Lin Qi needed to deal with the Tier Three Monsters of the Doomsday World had arrived.
’In that case, once I finish my preparations tonight, I can head to the Doomsday World.’
’I need to complete Ding Yang’s commission quickly, then use the environment of the Doomsday World to become a Tier Three Wizard as soon as possible!’
