Top Student at Their Peak

You go handle other things first, you can set aside the work at the Huairou Institute for now, let me call Tian Yanzhen and see. And next time, don't be so impulsive when something comes up!

Luo Jingren nodded and said, "Alright, Academician Liu, I'll listen to you! Please ask Academician Tian what's really going on! I'm off!"

After saying this, Luo Jingren turned around to leave.

Wait, take all these materials with you! Are you leaving them here for me to sell as scrap paper?! Waste like this again, and I'll suggest to finance that your department won't get any more supply funds! You'll have to buy it yourself!"

Coldly watching Luo Jingren call back a few students to move all the materials away, he left. The office finally quieted down again, and he sat there thinking for a moment before taking out his phone and dialing a number...

Hello, Yan Zhen, it's Liu Zhao Yuan... Haha, yes, yes, long time no see... Haha, I'm still the same, unlike you, who got a great student...

...

Meanwhile, after leaving the office, Ma Botao also made a phone call. From his perspective, Luo Jingren was being overly obvious!

If there are too many matters, just let go; if you can't manage it, also let go; the current situation is an archetype of someone both bad at it and yet loves to meddle!

He wasn't interested in arguing with the institute about it anymore; researching and discussing is tiresome. Nor would he ever go to Qiao Yu or Zhang Zuolin with such trivialities, for that would be too embarrassing!

So, Ma Botao planned to directly go and talk to the client. No matter how formidable the institute is, you have to show some respect to the financier, don't you?

Of course, seeking pressure from the client on his own unit would surely lead to backlash later. He might even be given a hard time.

But isn't that human nature? Once provoked, can you really care about these things?

Ma Botao had already made up his mind that at worst, after this project ends, he would quit! Staying at the institute feels too stifling, and if it doesn't work, he'd look for a university to join.

He really wanted to ask, which university in the country wouldn't welcome a professor who possesses credentials, can secure projects, and doesn't occupy a budgeted position? Truly, he's giving them credit!

...

At Huaqing University, Qiao Yu was discussing with Qiao Xi whether to return to Star City for this year's winter vacation.

Originally, Qiao Yu thought this was a matter that didn't need discussion; students going home for winter break is as natural as it gets.

Even if the emperor himself came, it would be that way. This year, he planned to go home to pay New Year's respects to the good guy, Principal Zhang, and Old Xia.

By the way, to check if Keke, in her precious high school year, has been studying hard...

As the saying goes, "To be wealthy and not return home is like wearing embroidered clothes at night." Though Qiao Yu wouldn't dare say he's wealthy now, the family's assets multiplying several times is an undeniable fact.

More importantly, he has become a rising star in academia, of the world-renowned kind.

Although few people recognize him when he walks down the street, merely mentioning his name, he now holds some degree of fame whether in the education or academic circles.

The fact that his rarely updated Weibo has over 150,000 followers is proof.

However, after asking around, he became unsure if he should go home for winter break.

For instance, people around him who had made clear that they would stay over the break included but were not limited to newly met senior Zhang Xiao, Senior Brother Chen who was completing resignation procedures at Jinzhou University, and Senior Brother Liu Hao from the laboratory...

The most exasperating one is Old Xue.

When they met, he merely asked, "When are you planning to go home for the New Year?"

Old Xue gave him a self-righteous lecture in return.

Going home for the New Year? What New Year? At our age, this is precisely the time to work hard. With such a big project and so many tasks, how can you even think of going home for the New Year?

This made Qiao Yu thoroughly understand why so many people online complain that the world is too competitive and makes them just want to lie flat!

Everyone around him, without exception, are the kings of competition...

The scariest thing is, these guys are all concentrated in the top-notch universities in Huaxia.

For a moment, this made Qiao Yu even start doubting if he has become too lax lately and has been living too comfortably. After all, his ideals haven't been realized yet.

No, actually his ideals are somewhat grander; with his and Qiao Xi's current family assets, they can't even buy a house near Yanbei University.

So to earn what others can't, he has to work harder than others and do the things others can't.

The realization was there, but Qiao Yu still wanted to go back to Star City for the New Year vacation. After all, he lived in that city for fifteen years. He wanted to see how the old house was doing.

Why are you asking me? I can go home to Star City or stay; I think you should talk to your advisor first.

You shouldn't put it that way. If I talk to you first, then go to Director Tian, isn't that better? Director Tian might not give me face, but he'd probably show some for his junior sister, right?

Heh... You might as well go directly to Elder Yuan, I think your advisor would give Elder Yuan face more.

Sigh... You don't understand, other matters are easy to say, except for staying in school to study and research, Grandmaster is always on the advisor's side.

If that's the case, then just stay in Beijing, why insist on going back to Star City? After all, it's New Year wherever you celebrate, going back would only trouble Uncle Xia and Aunt Liu. And they might even be out driving this year!

That's exactly why we should go back. Can you not think about Keke, spending New Year alone in Star City... Shh... It's Director Tian's call...