The next day, everything seemed to have returned to the state before they all started working on the research topic.
The dormitory mates had breakfast together and went to the classroom together. Although they all still remembered the matter of the paper, no one brought it up again.
They knew full well someone had done it, but there was no way to deal with it, and talking about it would only add to their troubles - akin to the complaints of a resentful wife.
Li Zheng, of course, did not bring it up again, but he was very clear that he was still waiting for a statement from Hu Haibo and also remembered the three-day deadline he had set with Dean Zhou Yi. If the problem truly couldn’t be solved, then they would just have to let it be.
His university life couldn’t be obstructed by a piece of garbage.
It wasn’t until noon when class was dismissed, just as Li Zheng was so engrossed in his studies that he almost forgot about the incident, that he was startled awake by Mo Nian’s exclamation.
"That girl looks so cool..." Mo Nian was gazing from afar towards the back entrance.
Li Zheng only then noticed that the queue to get out of the classroom was slower than usual.
He gripped Mo Nian’s shoulder and stood on tiptoes to take a look.
It was Queen!
Her appearance alone slowed down the flow of people, like the increased drag in fluid mechanics.
As Sister Shu, she hadn’t actually noticed Li Zheng at first, only catching sight of him because Mo Nian was so conspicuous.
She raised her hand and snapped her fingers, smiling and lifting her eyebrows.
"Ah... is she flirting with me?!" Mo Nian was startled, looking around, then hurriedly straightened his collar, pointed to himself, and mouthed exaggeratedly from a distance, "Me?"
Even the other students turned to look at Mo Nian.
What?
Beauty and the Beast?
However, Wu Shu just waved her hand in a hurry, smiling as she gestured to the right.
Looking in that direction.
Dammit, it was still Li Zheng.
In the end, it was always Li Zheng.
Li Zheng simply straightened his collar, patted Mo Nian and Yang Jun, and said, "You two go to the cafeteria, I need to go schmooze for a bit."
Amidst the envious gazes of everyone, Li Zheng slung his backpack over his shoulder and jogged through the crowd, giving Wu Shu a high-five, and then, without any sentiment, turned and walked away.
"You’re too busy," Wu Shu complained with a smile as she walked, "You should have come to the School of Physics to pay your respects, yet you forced me to come find you."
Li Zheng laughed heartily, "School of Physics? Been there, everyone was quite friendly."
"I heard about it," Wu Shu shook her head, "You two, and that tall doofus, you guys ruined the biophysics class..."
"Ah, it’s just that there were a lot of unexpected events," Li Zheng asked, "Are you just passing by this time?"
"No, my teacher asked me to find you, wanted to have a chat with you," Wu Shu said, blowing a strand of hair from her forehead, "Chu Youhua, do you know him?"
The moment Li Zheng heard the name, his mood soured instantly.
Seeing him suddenly stop, Wu Shu couldn’t suss out the issue, "What’s the problem?"
"How did you end up under his wing?" Li Zheng asked with a frown.
"He came looking for me. He always picks one or two freshmen each year, I guess he’ll soon approach Lin Yujing too," Wu Shu was still puzzled, "What’s wrong, he’s quite nice."
"Hmm..." Li Zheng thought for a moment and realized he couldn’t really articulate any issues, so he sighed and said, "I respect your choice, but I’ve met him once, and we didn’t quite get along."
"Ah, you’ve met?" Wu Shu exclaimed, "If he’s already met you, why did he want me to come find you? He read your paper and appreciated it, said there was a suitable project he could offer you, so I came to tell you about it."
"A suitable project?"
"I don’t know the details, he also mentioned a professor named Jie something, said you two could work on it together. I’ve only heard of that sage, never met him," Wu Shu added.
"Oh?"
Li Zheng couldn’t help but swallow at this opportunity laid out before him.
Chu Youhua’s scholastic abilities were certainly not enough to sustain scholastic wealth.
But if he really knew how to use his resources well, generously making the most of them, it wouldn’t be a waste of his power.
Of course, a more likely possibility was that he saw the Chemical Institute collaborating well with Li Zheng, reaping a great advantage, and wanted to invest a bit into it.
That was of course acceptable, and a little negotiation wouldn’t hurt.
"I’m fine with whatever here," Wu Shu saw Li Zheng’s hesitation and patted him, laughing, "Don’t worry about me. If you don’t want to go, just don’t go. If you have any dirt on Chu Youhua, feel free to share, hehe."
"Ah, let’s go, let’s go," Li Zheng said, pointing backwards with his thumb, "Look at you, you’ve got me and my friends all stunned."
"... Don’t be like that..."
"What, too stiff?"
"No... just don’t start off being so..."
"Start off by unleashing my primordial power?"
"Pfffhahaha!! Li Zheng, you!! Pfffhahaha!"
The class looked on from a distance at Wu Shu, who was laughing and leaning against the wall.
She had cracked, Queen had cracked.
It was normal to crack when she was with Li Zheng.
But no one expected her to crack so quickly.
In the midst of their laughter, the two arrived at the door of the designated classroom, Wu Shu took a long while before she finally knocked on the door.
"Come in."
Wu Shu took a deep breath, gave Li Zheng a fierce glare, and then pushed open the door.
At that moment, Chu Youhua was sitting at the front of the classroom, handling his work. Seeing the two of them coming, he also stood up with a smile to greet them.
"Ah, Sister Shu still carries quite the clout," he said.
Wu Shu didn’t quite know how to respond, so just politely greeted him.
Li Zheng also greeted him out of politeness.
He had thought the atmosphere would be somewhat awkward, but Chu Youhua acted as if nothing had happened before, engaging in warm small talk.
"I read the paper about the electron microscope as soon as it was published, very impressive. It’s hard to believe it was written by an undergraduate. Even the Yangtze River Scholars and the Thousand Talents Plan members might not have this level of quality."
"It’s all thanks to Dean Zhou Yi’s excellent guidance," Li Zheng habitually raised his hand in the Cheng Huan gesture, while also noticing the changes in Chu Youhua.
[Chu Youhua]
[Academic Power: 817]
[Scholastic Wealth: 143625]
Academic Power seems to be unchanged, but Scholastic Wealth appears to have increased a bit.
This is incredible. Does this thing also earn interest?
Chu Youhua himself was beaming and gestured with his hand, "Please, have a seat. We are all busy people here, let’s get straight to the projects we have on our side."
Li Zheng was just about to sit down with Wu Shu when he heard a knock on the door resound once more.
This time it wasn’t just anyone.
It was Wu Yue and Liu Yuwei.
Seeing the two of them with their timid expressions, Li Zheng immediately felt a tingling on his scalp.
Shit.
I was thinking too simply.
How could there be such a good thing as having resources fed to you on a silver platter?
On Chu Youhua’s side, he still received Li Zheng with a smile, gesturing for them to take a seat: "You two sit over there for now. I’ll discuss the matters within Yingpei with you after I finish talking with Li Zheng."
But Li Zheng’s expression had completely cooled, and he said only to Wu Shu, "Sister Shu, I don’t mean to disrespect you, but I’ve got to go."
Seeing the arrival of the two unwelcome guests, Wu Shu also realized that Chu Youhua was hiding something and felt a sense of being used, her face also took on a chill, "Since Teacher Chu has already made other arrangements, Li Zheng and I will come back another time."
Before Chu Youhua could speak, Liu Yuwei stepped forward and blocked Li Zheng’s path.
"Li Zheng, that’s enough, I really haven’t done anything," she said, glancing at Chu Youhua, "Otherwise, Teacher Chu wouldn’t have invited us to sit together."
Li Zheng simply waved his hand, "Move out of the way."
"Li Zheng!" Liu Yuwei frowned and said, "I’m not afraid of you, nor am I guilty. I just don’t want to make a scene. I know you’re still running around, making these groundless accusations is pointless."
"You are afraid of me; you are feeling guilty," Li Zheng replied with a cold laugh, shaking his head. "And since you’ve managed to find your way here, it shows how disgusting you really are."
"..."
"Alright," Chu Youhua’s expression darkened, and he nodded at Liu Yuwei, "You two go out first, I’ll speak with Li Zheng for five minutes."
"No need," Li Zheng walked past Liu Yuwei and headed towards the exit.
Chu Youhua, as if expecting this scene, said in a deep voice, "I know you don’t have to, but don’t you care about Jie Qifen’s situation? You should know, my time is much more valuable than yours. Five minutes, let’s give each other five minutes."
Li Zheng halted, turning to look at Chu Youhua.
Okay.
Interesting.
Too much Scholastic Wealth for your taste, huh?
In the midst of the tense situation, Wu Yue and Liu Yuwei had already discreetly left.
Wu Shu made a "I’ll wait for you outside" gesture and then closed the door firmly.
The current situation had become clear: someone wanted to use a big name to smooth things over.
But why him of all people?
At this moment, Chu Youhua completely dropped any pretense of courtesy and politeness, merely nodding coldly, "I don’t know if Jie Qifen told you, but he’s been moved to the experimental center since the start of school. He doesn’t even have the qualification to teach anymore, only manages and maintains teaching equipment, doing the same work as a vocational technician."
Before Li Zheng could respond, Chu Youhua shook his head again.
"Don’t look at me like that; this is an administrative arrangement of the institute, it has nothing to do with me."
"I have no interest in such pettiness."
"I’m just showing you the reality of this world."
"When Jie Qifen was making high and mighty declarations in international journals, you might not even have been born yet. He was so prestigious back then; who would have thought he’d be reduced to an equipment manager today?"
"I’m not trying to persuade you, just informing you of the objective facts of this world."
"You can choose to be obstinate and arrogant like him, if you like."
"But by doing so, you’ll miss out on countless opportunities and resources."
"Those who hate you will seize every opportunity to kick you when you’re down."
"On the other hand, if you accept just a little, just a little bit of what you dislike..."
"The doors of the scientific community will open wide for you in multiples."
Chu Youhua said these words with a light chuckle.
"I can tell that the disgust for me is written all over your face."
"But if you act solely on personal preference, how are you any smarter than Jie Qifen?"
"Let me tell you what I can do for you first."
"Within a budget of 1.5 million, anything related to quantum, you can freely pick the topic."
"My people will assist you, requiring only the second author’s position."
"You can invite Jie Qifen, Lin Yujing, Wu Shu to work with you, as you please."
"If needed, I can also help you get published."
"It might not mean much to you, Lin Yujing, or Wu Shu."
"But with just one word from me, I can get Jie Qifen reinstated at the Institute of Theoretical Physics."
"And what I need you to do on your end is very simple—"
"Let those two outside go."
Chu Youhua pointed outside the door and said.
"You may not care."
"But Lin Yujing’s future, Jie Qifen’s whole life, these things that seem like a person’s lifelong struggle."
"Often, it’s just a casual remark from a big shot."
Li Zheng watched him silently, nodding in approval.
Okay.
Impressive.
That same phrase again.
Too much academic wealth, right?
Since it’s come to this.
Then let’s go for it.
"Lin Yujing’s future isn’t for you to worry about; Jie Qifen’s life was his own choice." Li Zheng slowly shook his head, smiling as he sized up Chu Youhua, "If Old Xie cared about this, he would have done what he needed to do long ago. Does he really need my help?"
"He’s a man too stubborn to turn back, but you still have a chance," said Chu Youhua as he picked up his cup and took a slight sip:
"Seeing you again today isn’t just for Liu Yuwei and the others."
"If you’re willing to let go of your prejudices, we could become the best of partners."
"I can give you freedom, abundant resources, and full support; I could help you achieve the Outstanding Young Scientist Fund and the Ten Thousand Talents Program within a few years, and even the future Youth Talent and Yangtze River Scholar."
"Of course, even without me, if you’re lucky enough, you might still become a Yangtze River Scholar, but that would still be 20 years from now."
"I know you have Shen Yuecen and your mother."
"But they will lose power and retire much faster than you can grow."
"While I will always be here."
Chu Youhua then placed down his cup, pointing outside again.
"The favor they asked of me over there is nothing compared to the series of benefits I’m offering you."
"The reason I am willing to mediate is because I still have high hopes for you, hoping to use this as an opportunity for us both to do more for the field of physics, instead of getting embroiled in infighting."
After a long pause, seeing Li Zheng had no response, he gently nodded.
"I’ve said all I wanted to say."
Why didn’t Li Zheng react?
He was still hesitating.
He could have walked away directly.
But...
As the saying goes.
Since he’s here anyway...
Why not take it when they complain about too much academic wealth?
Li Zheng then took a deep breath, walked close to Chu Youhua by the podium, and spoke in a volume only the two of them could hear.
"Teacher Chu, your reasoning is very clear."
"But do you know what I smell?"
"I smell fear..."
Li Zheng looked at Chu Youhua with eyes full of demonic nature.
"You fear me, Teacher Chu."
Chu Youhua shuddered, almost choking on the water he just swallowed.
Both the words and the look seemed to pierce deep into his heart in an instant.
Yet, this was just the beginning.
As if possessed, Li Zheng continued.
"You’re well aware of your capability, and also very clear about what your quantum empire is doing..."
"That’s why you’re ceaselessly navigating the social realm for funding and scouring the campus for talents, all to keep this system standing tall."
"But you fear me because from the first time we met, I’ve seen through you."
"You fear me, afraid I will become the one to challenge your quantum empire."
"A leader in academia like you, stooping so low, coming before me once more, in what feels like an act of self-humiliation."
"In the eyes of others, this may seem like cherishing talent, a passion for physics."
"But I only see fear."
"Thank you, Teacher Chu."
"Your fear stands as the most solid recognition of my ability and talent."
"I will embrace this recognition and approach my future studies and research with even greater confidence."
Li Zheng thumped his chest hard.
"Thank you."
If Chu Youhua was initially just surprised, now his expression revealed real fear.
With such fear...
[Academic wealth plundering successful!]
[Chu Youhua→Li Zheng]
[Chu Youhua’s scholastic wealth: 143625→143278↓↓↓]
[Li Zheng’s scholastic wealth: 1210→1557↑↑↑]
Li Zheng’s eyes also bulged.
This is too surreal!
It was just a casual bluff.
Although the theft of Scholastic Wealth had happened and his confidence was seriously shaken, Chu Youhua soon suppressed this layer of fear and looked at Li Zheng in disbelief, "...Have you lost your mind? I just wanted to give you an opportunity. Do you know how important it is to become a Yangtze River Scholar a few years in advance?"
Here, it was a very normal defense.
But because Li Zheng could see many data points firsthand, whether it was the weak Academic Power or the shattered confidence, it was all so clear.
Therefore, Chu Youhua’s stubbornness, from Li Zheng’s perspective, actually...
...actually had a hint of tsundere...
It was that kind of stubbornness, clearly already crying but still refusing to admit defeat.
This scene felt utterly fantastical to Li Zheng.
He was a leading figure of his generation. If it weren’t for his excessive lack of Academic Power, how could he be pushed to such an extent by a mere student’s words?
Since things had unwittingly developed to this point,
there was no need for further courtesy.
Li Zheng nodded in increasing approval.
"Thank you for the opportunity, Teacher Chu, but I’m someone whose study skills are incredibly polished. The last thing I lack is opportunities."
"I know you think you’re offering goodwill and that you feel aggrieved by my sudden treatment of you."
"But if we talk about the facts, do you remember what you asked for my help with?"
"You hope that, for the little resources you deign to offer, I would condone academic plagiarism where I’m the victim."
"And what about becoming a Yangtze River Scholar several years early?"
"When did quid pro quo become the evaluation standard for becoming a Yangtze River Scholar?"
"When did condoning plagiarism become the stepping stone to being a Yangtze River Scholar?"
"Am I the one who’s gone crazy?"
"Or is it you?"
[Scholastic Wealth Plundering Successful!]
[Chu Youhua→Li Zheng]
[Chu Youhua Scholastic Wealth: 143278→143009↓↓↓]
[Li Zheng Scholastic Wealth: 1557→1826↑↑↑]
Looking at Chu Youhua’s reddened eyes, Li Zheng felt somewhat reluctant.
But he was far more stubborn than expected.
"I’m done talking to you." Chu Youhua lowered his head, determinedly gathered his things, and abruptly pointed toward the exit, his voice becoming shrill, "Get out!"
Li Zheng was somewhat reluctant to leave: "It’s okay, if you’re not convinced, we can talk a few more minutes..."
Chu Youhua felt his nose tingle: "Get out!!!"
Just as Li Zheng was about to push the conversation further to snatch a bit more, the door was suddenly pushed open.
Liu Yuwei glared at Li Zheng with her phone in hand: "You! You!! You called the Academic Affairs Office???"
Wu Yue even started crying out loud: "Didn’t you say there was still a chance..."
Li Zheng’s own phone also began to ring at that moment.
He picked it up and looked.
[Hello, Student Li Zheng.]
[Based on a report from relevant personnel, please bring the relevant paper materials and come to the Academic Affairs Office’s third-floor meeting room by 13:30 today to cooperate with the investigation as a victim of academic plagiarism.]
[Jijing University Academic Affairs Office]
[Academic Discipline Office]
[Wang Xueli]
Li Zheng was momentarily stunned, but then he quickly adjusted.
"It wasn’t me." He smiled, waving his phone and walking out, "But I hope it was."
Liu Yuwei, with reddened eyes again, blocked his way: "This is slander, complete slander!!"
"Hey, what are you thinking?" Li Zheng tapped his forehead slowly, "The more you upset me, the harder I’ll come down on you later."
"It’s you who’s affecting..."
"Shut up, bitch." Li Zheng raised his hand and gestured toward the podium: "Next time, if your dad feels like getting a famous professor to sort things out for you, he might as well come directly to me, the victim, and ask for forgiveness. Don’t you know how to settle out of court?"
Having said that, he pushed past Liu Yuwei, shaking his head and muttering as he walked out.
"How little respect do you have for me to resort to this display of authority under pressure?"
After taking two steps out of the classroom, he didn’t look back, simply gesturing to Wu Shu: "I was too harsh just now. Your teacher is very vulnerable right now. If it’s too much for you, go comfort her."
"Forget it." Wu Yue pushed Li Zheng toward the exit, "Who would’ve known he’d come to me with such lousy matters... It’s all so inexplicable... He’s started to trap me before anything has even happened, and I’m not dealing with that ghost... Go on, it’s rare to meet up, and I’ve got a dinner planned with Old Ou~"
[Scholastic Wealth Plundering Successful!]
[Chu Youhua→Li Zheng]
[Chu Youhua Scholastic Wealth: 143009→142755↓↓↓]
[Li Zheng Scholastic Wealth: 1826→2080↑↑↑]
???
This works?! So much?
This chapter is updat𝓮d by freēwebnovel.com.
Does this count as digging out the opponent’s future backbone?