He slammed his fist on the table, spitting almost onto Liu Wenjun's face: "Let me tell you, Liu Wenjun! There's no room for discussion! If you want to do research, if you want to manufacture, do it at the research institute! Are the facilities at the research institute just for show? Everything there is far superior to what she has at home! Make her overcome the difficulties! Get familiar with the environment as soon as possible! This is an order!"

Liu Wenjun's face turned pale after being bombarded with a scolding from Zhang Mingyuan. Her lips trembled, and she still tried to plead, "Dean, Jiang Feng, he..."

“I sympathize with Comrade Jiang Feng’s situation!” Zhang Mingyuan’s tone softened slightly, but remained firm. “However, sympathy cannot replace principles! The research institute wasn’t opened by her! Rules are rules! There’s no room for compromise! Go back and tell her that if she wants to use the materials to make things, she should come to the research institute to work honestly! She should abide by every rule here! Otherwise, there’s no point in talking!”

Looking at Zhang Mingyuan's face, which was full of businesslike and unquestionable expression, Liu Wenjun's heart sank completely.

She knew that saying anything more would be futile.

A wave of immense disappointment and helplessness instantly overwhelmed her.

With years of research experience, she was well aware of how important secrecy was to the industry.

She knew in her heart that Mingzhao's request was somewhat unrealistic, but this was the hope she had fought for Jiang Feng. Was it going to be cut short because of these rules?

She couldn't persuade Mingzhao, and now she can't persuade Dean Zhang either.

Just like back then, she couldn't convince Jiang Feng to eat properly. There was nothing she could do…

She lowered her head, looking dejected, her voice hoarse: "...Yes, Dean. I understand."

She turned around and walked heavily toward the door, her back view filled with loneliness.

Just as her hand was about to touch the doorknob, Zhang Mingyuan's voice rang out again, carrying a subtle, condescending tone of condescension:

"etc."

Liu Wenjun stopped in her tracks and turned around blankly.

Zhang Mingyuan sat back in his chair, tapping his fingers on the table. His face regained some of the dean's composure: "Go back and tell Comrade Mingzhao. The rules can't be broken, but it's not entirely out of the question. Have her come to the research institute in person to discuss this with me. If she fully understands the importance of confidentiality and demonstrates sufficient sincerity and… well, obedience, I can consider submitting a report to higher authorities on the possibility of her working in a home, citing special circumstances. Of course, the prerequisite is that her home undergoes a rigorous security check, and she signs a stricter confidentiality agreement and accepts regular supervision."

He paused for a moment, then added, "This is the biggest concession I can make. Let her think it over carefully; opportunities are something she has to seize herself."

A faint flame of hope instantly ignited in Liu Wenjun's dim eyes!

Face-to-face communication? Is there still a possibility of applying? Although the conditions are stringent, it's better than having no hope at all!

"Thank you, Dean! Thank you, Dean! I'll go back and tell Mingzhao right away! I'll ask her to come see you as soon as possible!"

Liu Wenjun thanked her repeatedly, as if she had grasped at the last straw. Her steps became lighter, and she turned and left the office.

...

The small courtyard of the family compound.

Liu Wenjun practically ran back, her face showing excitement and urgency.

She rushed into the yard and saw Mingzhao squatting on the ground, intently assembling a strange little gadget with a few scrap metal pieces she had picked up and the spring from an old alarm clock. Howard was sitting in a wheelchair, looking at her with a complicated expression.

"Mingzhao! Mingzhao! Good news!" Liu Wenjun gasped for breath, eagerly repeating Zhang Mingyuan's words, emphasizing "face-to-face communication" and "the possibility of application," her tone full of encouragement. "Mingzhao, this is an opportunity! Dean Zhang has relented! As long as you go there in person, have a good talk with him, and show your attitude, there's hope for Jiang Feng's leg! I'll go with you! Let's talk to the dean properly!"

She was convinced that Mingzhao would agree, since it was the only way out.

Moreover, Dean Zhang's request is not excessive!

However, Mingzhao simply stopped what she was doing. She raised her head, her clear eyes looking at Liu Wenjun, without any excitement or hesitation.

She didn't even consider the implications of Liu Wenjun's words regarding attitude, sincerity, and obedience.

Under the expectant gazes of Liu Wenjun and Huo Hua, Mingzhao shook her head decisively, uttering only two crystal-clear words:

"I'm not going."

Liu Wenjun's smile and excitement froze instantly, as if she had been doused with a bucket of ice water! She looked at Mingzhao in disbelief.

"No...you're not going? Mingzhao! Why wouldn't you go?! This is such a great opportunity! You just need to meet with the dean and say a few words! For Jiang Feng's sake..."

“No need,” Mingzhao interrupted her, his tone as calm as if stating an objective fact. “He doesn’t understand.”

"He doesn't understand?" Liu Wenjun was stunned, thinking she had misheard. "Who doesn't understand? Dean Zhang? What doesn't he understand?"

Mingzhao stood up, dusted off his hands, and glanced at Liu Wenjun, then seemed to pass through the wall and land in the direction of the research institute.

Her voice remained flat, yet it carried an almost cold directness and the absolute confidence of a top researcher:

"He doesn't understand technology."

"All he does is create obstacles."

"Inefficiency. Too low."

My time is precious.

“At home. I can do it.”

He provides the materials. I do the work.

"No."

Mingzhao paused, and for the first time, a sharp, undeniable edge, belonging to a strong person, flashed clearly in his clear eyes, like a drawn blade pointing straight to the core.

Let the results speak for themselves.

Mingzhao's words, "He doesn't understand technology," "His efficiency is too low," and "Let the results speak for themselves," were like several heavy bombs that hit Liu Wenjun's heart hard, leaving her dizzy and almost unable to stand.

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