Ni Sheng didn't like Lin Jiayi very much. To him, she was like a venomous scorpion—beautiful, yes, but potentially deadly.
Someone like her was not to be trifled with. The only way to deal with her was to avoid her altogether. But when it came to Han Weicheng...
He glanced up at the second-floor cafeteria, hesitated for a moment, then finally started up the stairs.
Shu Lanzhou had said her ideas came from Han Weicheng. Well then, he wanted to ask Han Weicheng a few questions himself.
The meal was already halfway through, but they hadn't even touched on the real topic.
Han Weicheng seemed genuinely interested in getting close to him, constantly steering the conversation toward academic matters. Unfortunately, the topics were so technical that Ni Sheng could barely get a word in edgewise.
To sum it up, Han Weicheng had been boasting non-stop about his own achievements. If it had been anyone else, they might have been dazzled by now and eager to join his research team.
But Ni Sheng wasn't some naive youngster. Many of the "achievements" Han Weicheng bragged about—he'd done similar work himself. It just didn't carry his name in the end; instead, the credit had gone to the team.
With the meal nearly over, Ni Sheng couldn't hold back anymore:
"Professor Han, since we're on the topic of experiments, let me ask you something. In traditional cytological research, what's your typical point of entry when starting an experiment?"
"Of course—" Han Weicheng's answer was textbook, traditional. Completely different from what Shu Lanzhou had described.
Ni Sheng frowned slightly. "Then what if the experiment hits a bottleneck, and you just can't get accurate data? Are we supposed to keep repeating the same tests based on conventional methods?"
"Of course!" Han Weicheng's tone grew solemn.
"Medical research is inherently tedious and complex. We must have patience and repeat the experiments as many times as necessary. Only through such repetition can we obtain truly accurate data!"
Ni Sheng's brows furrowed. "That doesn't sound quite right. I heard you've developed a set of reverse-thinking approaches…"
Then he recited to Han Weicheng everything Shu Lanzhou had told him.
Han Weicheng gave a derisive chuckle. "Ah… That must've come from Shu Lanzhou, right? That girl always has these strange, offbeat ideas. She lacks the discipline to work steadily and is always looking for shortcuts."
"But research isn't something you can cut corners on. She used to be my student, so I could rein her in a bit. But now? I'm no longer in a position to discipline her. Even if I tried, she wouldn't listen."
"Group Leader Ni, you're a rare talent in research. Please don't let a naïve young girl mislead you. Her unconventional thinking is completely unreliable—don't fall for it."
Han Weicheng's expression was full of sincerity, as if he genuinely feared Ni Sheng was being deceived.
"Is that so?" Ni Sheng gave a dry chuckle, smiling with a hint of resignation.
"I honestly thought her ideas might've originated from you, Professor Han. After all, you've always had a high success rate in your work."
Han Weicheng waved his hand. "How could I teach her such contrarian thinking? That's entirely her own wild imagination. Using my name to spread that nonsense—utterly unacceptable!"
"Group Leader Ni, as a senior researcher, how can you allow your thinking to be swayed by the whimsical ramblings of a clueless girl?"
"You're absolutely right!" Lin Jiayi chimed in immediately. "He Xin disregards his position just to favor his wife. He treats the research institute like it's the Mu family's backyard—it's already unfair to the rest of us!"
"And now he lets that ignorant girl roam the lab and tell senior researchers what to do? What does he take you all for?"
"Is he really doing research, or is he just satisfying his wife's personal desires and their selfish ambitions? Group Leader Ni, don't let them take advantage of you!"
Ni Sheng had been on the fence about using Shu Lanzhou's formula for his experiment. But now, he was really starting to feel tempted.
If Han Weicheng had known about Shu Lanzhou's unorthodox thinking all along, why hadn't he expelled her from the start? Why let her remain on his team for years?
He'd learned a bit about He Xin and Mu Yanning these past few days. Neither had ever interfered in institute affairs.
Saying they treated the research institute like their private property was pure nonsense!
Two top-level professors like them—why would they back someone as ordinary as Shu Lanzhou? Surely the girl had some real skills.
And even if he wasn't sure how much of what Han Weicheng said was true, he didn't believe a single word that came out of Lin Jiayi's mouth. That woman had conned him more than once over the years!
"You're right!" Ni Sheng suddenly slammed his chopsticks down, feigning outrage.
"As a senior researcher, how could I let some brat lead me around by the nose? That He Xin clearly doesn't respect me!"
"I'm going back to confront him right now. This is my experiment—no one else gets to interfere!"
He stood up as if ready to storm off.
Lin Jiayi and Han Weicheng exchanged a quick look and each grabbed an arm to stop him.
"Wait, Group Leader Ni, why the rush?" Lin Jiayi coaxed. "What's the point of going back? You think He Xin is going to take your side?"
She snorted. "All these years, he's only had eyes for his wife. Trust me—he'll never let you show your full potential while you're on his team."
"If you ask me, why not join Professor Han's research group instead?"
Han Weicheng nodded in agreement. "I truly admire your abilities, Group Leader Ni. If you're willing, our main lab will be yours. For every experiment going forward, your approach will be the foundation."
"Well? Would you consider it?"
The invitation was sincere—so sincere it almost seemed like they were handing the entire lab over to him. Every experiment would be based on his ideas?
Then what role would Han Weicheng play in all this?
Surely not just to reap the rewards?
Ni Sheng sneered inwardly but didn't let it show. He subtly pulled his arm from Lin Jiayi's grasp.
"That wouldn't do," he said calmly. "If He Xin really looks down on me, that's all the more reason I need to prove myself. If I walk away now, wouldn't that just give him something to laugh at?"
"You just wait. I'll show He Xin exactly who he should be listening to—me, not some girl or his precious wife. This is outrageous. I'll put him in his place!"
He stormed off, rolling up his sleeves as he went, not caring how much the meal cost—or whether he'd paid.
The second-floor cafeteria was a pay-as-you-go setup, unlike the downstairs buffet where you just swiped your card. He rarely came up here.
But since he'd been invited, the bill was on them anyway.
As Ni Sheng marched out of the cafeteria, the anger on his face melted into a smile. The corners of his mouth curled up involuntarily.
"Trying to take me for a fool? Not a chance."
Even if he was going to switch teams, now was definitely not the time!
If He Xin was really as incompetent as they claimed, then all the more reason to stay—it would be the perfect opportunity to prove his worth!
Grinning from ear to ear, Ni Sheng returned to the lab and, without hesitation, changed the entire experimental methodology…
Back in the cafeteria, Lin Jiayi was fuming. "Old Han, what was that all about?"
Wasn't he supposed to submit a report and jump to their team immediately? Why was he suddenly determined to prove himself instead? Did he hit his head or something?
What future could he possibly have with He Xin? Clearly, Han Weicheng's side had more promise!
Han Weicheng hadn't expected to be snubbed either. "Whatever his reason, we've said all we can. If he can't see the opportunity in front of him, that's on him."
"Since you found out Shu Lanzhou has started interfering with the experiments, they won't be making progress any time soon. Our priority now is to launch our own research immediately!"
Luo Corporation wasn't like the Du family—he couldn't afford to disappoint them. They expected results by the end of the year, at the latest.
His research had to succeed!