Chapter 3 World One [3]

The prize redemption process was not long. First, the identity information was verified, and then a photo was taken. Shang Siyu successfully got a check for 10 million or 11 million.

Originally, after deducting personal income tax, there was still 12 million left in the prize money, but at the enthusiastic suggestion of the staff, Shang Siyu donated 1 million to charity.

After coming out with the check, Shang Siyu felt like he was walking on clouds. He felt light and airy, as if his steps could not find any solid ground.

Fortunately, this emotion did not stay with Shang Siyu for too long. Before the check could even warm up in her hand, Shang Siyu turned it into the balance on her bank card.

After paying for a late lunch with his bank card and filling his stomach, Shang Siyu was sure that he was really rich.

Even if the laboratory cannot attract new investment, it doesn’t matter. Ten million is enough to keep the laboratory running until the day they produce concrete results.

[Are you willing to believe me now?] Jing Ke's voice appeared at the right time.

"Yes, thank you." Shang Siyu said sincerely, "The laboratory's current funding problem has been solved. Is there anything I can help you with?"

[You're welcome. If you want to help me, please make this project a success sooner.]

[The topic you are researching is very interesting. If you can make a breakthrough, it will have a great impact and bring you more luck.]

After a brief silence, Shang Siyu took the initiative to speak: "So you just want me to study the project at hand carefully? You don't need me to do anything extra for you?"

[Yes, but you need to do more than just continue your research. You also need to be on guard against Xue Fan attacking you.]

He's very obsessed with saving face. He said those things to you yesterday. He'll continue to force you to bow your head.

"But we have no grudges against each other, why is he targeting me?" Shang Siyu couldn't understand Xue Fan's thoughts from the bottom of his heart, "Is it because I rejected him in high school?"

In Shang Siyu's memory, Xue Fan was not a particularly special existence. He was just an ordinary neighbor and an ordinary classmate who had been in the same class for two years in high school.

As for confession, there were many people who liked him in high school, and Shang Siyu had rejected them all. Xue Fan was just one of those who were rejected.

If I had to say something special, it would be that I had heard a lot about Xue Fan's parents.

Xue Fan's father particularly likes to drink. Because of this hobby, his father was laid off for drinking when Xue Fan was ten years old, and he never recovered from it.

Xue Fan's mother was originally a housewife. After Xue Fan's father lost his job, she was introduced by her own mother to work in the elementary school cafeteria. Xue Fan's mother's monthly salary was average, barely enough to support an average family of three.

"Perhaps there are other reasons." Jing Ke said carefully, "Everyone is different. I can't guarantee that I can predict Xue Fan's thoughts."

"I can only surmise that Xue Fan is hostile to you. He thinks you know a lot about his past that he can't bear to look back on, and that you've trampled on his dignity in a condescending manner?" Jing Ke said with a hint of uncertainty in her tone.

Human thinking patterns are inherently uncontrollable, and everyone has different ideas. Jing Ke can only use existing data to deduce.

"I understand, thank you." Shang Siyu thanked again.

Regardless of whether Jing Ke’s purpose of binding herself to him was for her future fortune, at least the help she gave her at this stage was real, so that she would not be controlled by others due to lack of research and development funds.

As for why Xue Fan targeted him, Shang Siyu still couldn't figure it out.

Is the misfortune in the family a past event that is hard to look back on? None of this was caused by Xue Fan.

In high school, I rejected Xue Fan's advances because I was concentrating on studying. Was that the same as trampling on his self-esteem? I didn't say anything excessive at the time.

How could Xue Fan have been so upset about these things for eight years? To the point where he was now making things difficult for himself because of them?

Shang Siyu couldn't understand, so she gave up trying to understand and chose to focus on herself.

-

Shang Siyu did not tell anyone that he had won the lottery, but he went to the hospital the next morning to visit his mentor who was still recuperating in the hospital.

"I've heard from Xiaomei about the project funding. Don't worry too much. If it really doesn't work out, I still have some savings." Professor Lin comforted his student and gently patted Shang Siyu's shoulder. "The innocent will be cleared. Once this storm passes, everything will be fine."

Professor Lin himself can be considered a young and successful person. He graduated with a doctorate at the age of 27 and stayed at the school. At the age of 40, he was already a professor and a master's and doctoral supervisor.

It’s a pity that Professor Lin comes from a purely grassroots background. He doesn’t form any cliques or factions, and he doesn’t have any big-name parents in the academic circle, so his foundation is relatively weak.

After Professor Lin was misled by a group of internet trolls into believing she was engaging in academic fraud, only a few of her fellow students came forward to clarify her case. Ultimately, their influence was ineffective, and only after the news spread widely was Professor Lin finally cleared of all charges within a small circle.

"I believe in the teacher." Shang Siyu nodded, then gave a faint smile, which softened her facial features.

Shang Siyu: "But I also have good news to tell the teacher."

Professor Lin showed an interested expression. "What's the good news? Have you made a breakthrough in your research?"

Shang Siyu shook his head, showing his childish side for once, and kept the question in suspense, "Teacher, guess again."

Professor Lin pondered for a moment. "If it's not a research breakthrough, could it be that there's new funding?"

"You could say that." Shang Siyu's face lit up with a smile. "The day before yesterday, I bought a lottery ticket and won."

"If the lab is short of funds, I can become a new investor," Shang Siyu said with a smile. "So, Professor, you don't have to worry about funding. Just take good care of yourself and try to be discharged soon so you can come to the lab and guide us."

Professor Lin was stunned when he heard this. Instead of being happy that the funding problem had been solved, his face showed a serious expression.

"Xiaoyu, I'm happy that you're so thoughtful, but the experimental project was never your sole responsibility. You don't have to take responsibility for it."

"Attracting investment is not just your job. Don't put pressure on yourself because of some random words."

Professor Lin said seriously, "I am your teacher and the project leader. How can I ask you, as a student, to fund this?"

"Teacher, I understand what you mean, but I have also spent nearly two years of hard work on the project. I believe we can succeed. This is my decision after careful consideration." Shang Siyu said seriously with a sincere tone.

"If the research is successful, as an investor, I can also make a profit. This isn't a spur-of-the-moment decision," Shang Siyu said. "Besides, Teacher, I received a total of 11 million in prize money. Even if I invest 10 million, I'll still have 1 million left."

"How much?" Professor Lin was stunned. She originally thought that her student had won hundreds of thousands or even a million, but what did she hear?

"I won the first prize, a total of 15 million. I paid 3 million as personal income tax and donated 1 million, leaving 11 million." Shang Siyu raised a smile.

"Teacher, if I invest 10 million, will I be the biggest funder of the laboratory?" Shang Siyu said, feeling inexplicably proud.

Professor Lin couldn't help but have a question mark pop up in his head. He coughed lightly and said, "What's the financial sponsor? He is the largest investor."

Shang Siyu responded very obediently, "Okay, teacher. If our research yields results, we should be able to profit from the patents, right?"

Professor Lin looked a little dazed. "If the project is successful, it should soon be applied to some prosthetic limbs, which is good news for some people with disabilities. The laboratory can use the patented technology to invest in the corresponding company, thereby generating profits."

The impact of 10 million is still a bit too big for Professor Lin. After all, the research and development of the project she is currently working on has cost less than 10 million so far.

"In that case, it would be considered a reasonable investment on my part. If the research and development is successful, as an investor, I will have priority use of the patent. Moreover, as one of the researchers, I will receive the lion's share of the profits and dividends."

Shang Siyu looked at his teacher seriously and said, "Teacher, I am not investing blindly. I am very familiar with our research project and I believe we can succeed."

Professor Lin met the gaze of his student, and when he saw that there was no reluctance or joking in Shang Siyu's eyes, but only determination and stubbornness, he sighed softly.

"If we still don't get investment this month, you can invest more," Professor Lin said earnestly, "but it doesn't need to be 10 million, 5 million... No, 3 million will be enough. If the research and development goes well, I will fight for half of the patent ownership for you."

"Okay, teacher. Thank you." Shang Siyu quickly agreed and said with a smile, "Then teacher, you should have a good rest. I'm still waiting for you to be discharged from the hospital to help me with my research."

There was a hint of helplessness in Professor Lin's eyes, but he was still very happy in his heart.

It is worth it for her to be a teacher to have a student who trusts her so much and even supports her unconditionally.

-

When I returned to the laboratory, it was already past two in the afternoon.

After changing clothes, Shang Siyu said hello to her senior sisters and prepared to continue the experiment at hand.

"Xiao Yu, have you dealt with your personal affairs?" Senior Sister Mei asked with concern when she saw Shang Siyu coming back.

"Well, everything has been taken care of." Shang Siyu smiled, "Senior, I have some good news..."

Before Shang Siyu could finish his words, there was a knock on the laboratory door and a familiar-looking person walked in.

"Director Liu, why are you here?" Senior Sister Mei's attention was drawn to the person coming from outside the door, and she greeted him with a smile.

"I'm here to inform you that there is not much money left in your account. Starting tomorrow, we may not be able to provide you with daily laboratory supplies." Director Liu said in a gentle tone.

But the words spoken were undoubtedly like a bucket of cold water to the members of the laboratory, making the smiles disappear from their lips.

"As for the venue and equipment, if Mr. Xue is unwilling to inject funds, please move out of here in seven days and give the venue to a team that needs it more." Director Liu added slowly.

"Seven days?" Senior Mei was stunned for a moment, her voice becoming increasingly sharp as she spoke anxiously, "Director Liu, didn't we agree that the deadline was the end of the month? Today is only the 12th."

Seven days after the 12th, that is the 19th, which is a full eleven days difference.

"Previously, yesterday, President Xue invested three million in a team researching a topic similar to yours. The school made this decision after a comprehensive evaluation."

Director Liu spoke earnestly, offering comfort with the air of someone who had experienced it all. "Don't worry too much. The team that received investment is looking to recruit new members. If you'd like to continue your research, I can connect you."

After hearing Director Liu's obvious intention to poach someone, Senior Sister Mei's face darkened. "Director Liu, our project hasn't been disbanded yet. Isn't it inappropriate for you to say that now?"

Director Liu smiled, not taking Mei's words to heart, and continued, "I was just offering a kind suggestion. I've said everything I needed to say. Without an injection of funds, you won't be able to apply for basic consumables starting tomorrow, and everyone needs to vacate the lab by the 19th."

"Of course, if you can get Mr. Xue's investment within seven days, the existing venue will be retained, and the best quality consumables will be prepared." Director Liu said, his eyes falling on Shang Siyu.

Director Liu said nonchalantly, "Doing experiments and projects is indeed important, but everything has its priorities. If we lose our projects, we won't have anywhere to do experiments."

There was something hidden in these seemingly sighing words, and most people in the laboratory could hear it.

Especially Shang Siyu, she can best perceive the deep meaning hidden in Director Liu's words.

Mr. Xue, Mr. Xue, isn’t this a clear signal to me to take the initiative to contact Xue Fan and then bow to him?

Shang Siyu took a step forward, patted his senior sister on the shoulder, and met Director Liu's malicious gaze.

"Really, my memory is not very good. I seem to have forgotten to tell Director Liu a piece of news." Shang Siyu said with a wry smile.

Shang Siyu's facial features are naturally cold, and when he has a stern face, he looks very distant and difficult to approach.

"What news?" Director Liu frowned, not very satisfied with Shang Siyu's performance.

In his opinion, Shang Siyu should behave more obediently at this time so that he can achieve his goal, and then he can accept the 100,000 yuan with peace of mind.

"Our project has received new investment and the funds will arrive tomorrow," said Shang Siyu.

A faint smile appeared in her eyes. "So, please, Director Liu, prepare the best quality lab supplies for us and maintain our lab site well."

Director Liu frowned even more deeply. "If it's a few hundred thousand or a hundred thousand, it will only give you a few extra months of use. It's just a drop in the bucket for your project."

"I'm sorry, Director Liu guessed wrong." Shang Siyu's eyebrows curved, and although his expression was smiling, there was no emotion in his words.

"We have an investment of five million, which is enough for the laboratory to operate for another two years." Shang Siyu said word by word.

After seeing Director Liu's expression change because of the amount, Shang Siyu's mouth corners slightly raised, "Director Liu, you can withdraw the previous notice."

Director Liu calmed his expression and forced a fake smile, "There's investment, that's great."

Just as Director Liu was about to leave, Shang Siyu added, "By the way, tell President Xue thank you for your time. We no longer need his investment."

Shang Siyu is not a person without temper. If Xue Fan targets him for some strange reasons, it's fine. He will just pretend that he saw and heard nothing.

But if Xue Fan deliberately made things difficult for the entire experimental team because of himself, Shang Siyu could not swallow his anger.