Chapter 14: You're Engaged?
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Gu Xizhu didn’t let Ye Luochuan come all this way for nothing; she invited him and Lin Qiongqiong to have dinner at a nearby private restaurant.
Upon learning that Lin Qiongqiong had scolded Gu Xizhu for spending ten million upgrading her equipment, Ye Luochuan was stunned.
“I wouldn’t have guessed—your junior sister dresses so modestly, yet she’s a wealthy woman.”
Then he nodded, “Only families with mines at home would bother to further their studies in a remote place like Tiankeng.”
Someone like him, short on money, would have left long ago.
Lin Qiongqiong gave an awkward smile, unsure how to explain.
But she was somewhat puzzled—Gu Xizhu’s family was so rich, and logically, her resources at school shouldn’t be lacking. So why were the laboratory conditions so rudimentary?
“Professor, if it weren’t for Senior Uncle contacting me, I wouldn’t have known you were in Jiangcheng. When I graduated, weren’t you still at Qing University working on targeted drug development? Can Jiangcheng Institute of Technology really support experiments like these?”
Seeing Lin Qiongqiong look up, Ye Luochuan quickly added, “Junior sister, I don’t mean to belittle Jiangcheng Institute of Technology.”
Lin Qiongqiong was speechless.
Gu Xizhu pursed her lips, remaining silent.
Knowing he wouldn’t get any answers, Ye Luochuan sighed softly and changed the subject. “By the way, professor, Qin Group has a medicinal chemistry project that aligns with your research. It’s currently open for bidding. Would your team like to try?”
“Yes!”
Lin Qiongqiong’s eyes sparkled.
She was aware of this—Zhao Hanyang’s team had been preparing for this bid recently. She had heard from Cheng Ziyu’s group that the project was worth one hundred million.
Although she was now linked to a wealthy system, she was definitely a spendthrift, with no savings of her own.
If Gu Xizhu could secure Qin Group’s project, as his top disciple, she could benefit as well.
Gu Xizhu, who had intended to decline, saw Lin Qiongqiong’s eager gaze and silently consented.
A faint smile appeared in Ye Luochuan’s eyes. “Professor has always been dedicated to research, untouched by worldly affairs. This is the first time you’re willing to cooperate commercially with a company. With your capability, winning this project should be a breeze. I’ll speak to President Qin and ask him to allocate an additional spot for the Institute of Technology.”
“Thank you so much, senior brother!”
Lin Qiongqiong enthusiastically added Ye Luochuan on WeChat.
Gu Xizhu helplessly rubbed her forehead. “Qiongqiong, there are only you and me in our team.”
A one hundred million project from Qin Group was definitely not something two people could handle.
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Lin Qiongqiong understood that Gu Xizhu’s laboratory was understaffed, nowhere near the size of Zhao Hanyang’s team, which boasted numerous PhDs and master’s students. But she believed that wasn’t a problem.
“Mentor, you just focus on showing your capabilities and winning the project. I’ll take care of the personnel and equipment!” Lin Qiongqiong patted her chest confidently.
“All right!” Ye Luochuan applauded, then winked at Gu Xizhu. “Junior sister is so ambitious—professor, don’t hold her back now!”
Gu Xizhu looked at Lin Qiongqiong helplessly. “Fine. I’ll go along with you.”
She had invested so much in him; she couldn’t afford to disappoint her.
Lin Qiongqiong immediately set about recruiting for Gu Xizhu’s team.
She first approached Chu Miaojing and An Ling, who were close friends in her class.
At a café.
Lin Qiongqiong ordered two coffees, waiting for Chu Miaojing to finish her dance class.
In the first semester of senior year, there weren’t many courses; many classmates were preparing for graduate exams or internships, or traveling. Chu Miaojing had signed up for a ballet class.
The dance studio was right across from the café, and through the glass, one could see the girls’ graceful, swan-like movements.
After class, Chu Miaojing came to find Lin Qiongqiong without changing out of her ballet outfit.
“Qiongqiong, what’s up?”
“Miaojing, would you be interested in joining Professor Gu’s team? We’re planning to compete for Qin Group’s medicinal chemistry project. We’re about eighty percent confident.”
Chu Miaojing was a little surprised. “That new Professor Gu? That confident?”
Lin Qiongqiong boasted without batting an eye, “Of course. My mentor used to be at Qing University; coming to the Institute of Technology is like a dragon swimming in shallow water. Winning a small commercial project is a piece of cake.”
Chu Miaojing thought it over briefly and agreed. “Great. I’m free these days, so I’ll help out in your lab.”
They chatted over coffee for a while, when a slender young man in a white casual sports jacket approached.
“Miaojing, Auntie asked me to pick you up.”
Lin Qiongqiong glanced at the young man, finding him somewhat familiar.
Chu Miaojing introduced him, “Qiongqiong, this is my fiancé, He Fangfeng.”
Lin Qiongqiong was surprised. “You’re engaged?”
Chu Miaojing blushed. “Yes, it was arranged by our families. The engagement banquet will be held soon—I’ll invite you.”
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Lin Qiongqiong hadn’t expected arranged marriages still existed nowadays, but seeing Chu Miaojing accepted it happily, she smiled and said, “Congratulations! I’ll definitely prepare a gift for your engagement!”
After parting, Chu Miaojing and He Fangfeng left the mall together.
During the walk, He Fangfeng didn’t say a word to Lin Qiongqiong.
After getting into the car, He Fangfeng finally spoke coldly, “Miaojing, you’ve been officially recognized by the Chu family for four years now, so why do you still hang around with such questionable people?”
Chu Miaojing’s expression stiffened slightly. “Qiongqiong is my classmate and good friend.”
He Fangfeng sneered, “She’s just after your money. Wearing those street-market clothes, you’re not worried about embarrassing yourself by bringing her to the engagement banquets of the Chu and He families?”
Chu Miaojing pressed her lips together. “Qiongqiong doesn’t embarrass me; your prejudice does.”
He Fangfeng frowned. “That’s how our circle is. I thought you’d adapted by now. You always say your parents favor Chu Miaoyi over you, but she doesn’t hang out with shady friends like you do. She’s close with Miss Qin and even facilitated cooperation between your family and the Qin family. Your parents have their reasons for favoring her.”
Chu Miaojing’s face turned cold. “Stop the car!”
He Fangfeng frowned. “What are you sulking about now?”
“Stop the car! If you think Chu Miaoyi is so great, then go marry her!”
...
When Lin Qiongqiong met An Ling for lunch, An Ling had just finished her morning tutoring session. Clearly upset, she vented to Lin Qiongqiong as soon as she saw her.
“Qiongqiong, I just gave a trial lesson to a tenth grader. I was parched after teaching nonstop for two hours and both sides were quite satisfied, but the parents insisted on paying only 100 yuan for two hours. They really treat college students like cheap labor. We couldn’t agree, and when I asked them to pay a 60 yuan trial fee, they still hesitated and only transferred me 44 yuan after a long delay. I’m furious!”
Lin Qiongqiong also tutored; her rate was at least 70 yuan per hour. She was shocked at how exploitative those parents were and joined An Ling in complaining, “If you can’t even pay 60 yuan, why bother hiring a tutor?”
They vented for a while at a snail noodle shop before An Ling finally felt better.
Then Lin Qiongqiong said, “By the way, An Ling, my mentor is bidding for Qin Group’s project and the team needs more people. Why don’t you join? Five thousand yuan a month!”
An Ling’s eyes lit up instantly. “Professor Gu is so generous! I heard Professor Zhao’s team only gives their graduate students two thousand yuan a month!”
Lin Qiongqiong didn’t mention that she planned to pay that five thousand yuan herself.
After all, it was money drawn from the system, so she didn’t feel the pinch.
An Ling hugged her tightly. “Qiongqiong, you’re amazing! You’re the first person I think of when something good comes along! I’m done with tutoring and all the nonsense!”