Chapter 92 The Female Assistant Who Does Side Jobs

It's a new week again.

The incandescent bulb emitted a soft light as Wang Qizhi leaned against the long table, warming his hands with a teacup in his arms.

Lin Sicheng stood opposite him, his hands in the pockets of his white coat. Morning light streamed through the blinds, casting fine golden lines on his face.

"So, it was that Manager Yang who did this? The one who opened the box without my permission after Senior Brother Hao arrived?"

“Yes, that’s her!” Wang Qizhi nodded. “She’s getting older, her professional skills have declined significantly, and her learning ability is practically nonexistent, which has led to a sense of crisis. Unfortunately, Ye Anning is too capable and has connections, forcing her to take a risk…”

"You were fired by Bao Li?"

"Of course. And Bao Li has already reported the case to the police, and he will be prosecuting next: I heard that he has done a lot of shady things... Oh right, and that Teacher Ma too."

Wang Qizhi then remembered: "After causing a scene for two days, on the third day, as soon as I entered Baoli, I was taken back by the police who had been waiting for me: detained for half a month!"

Lin Sicheng sighed deeply: This is true strength.

What I saw when I went in that day looked like a fake.

Wang Qizhi lifted the lid of his teacup, took a sip, and said, "I'm just wondering, why didn't that Teacher Ma come to bother you?"

Lin Sicheng smiled and said, "I guess they haven't had time to deal with it yet!"

Firstly, it was Baoli's people who instigated Teacher Ma to submit that calligraphy for auction. It was also because of that Manager Yang's careful planning that she forced the calligraphy and seal to be sold to her. Therefore, the main conflict still lies with Baoli.

Secondly, Teacher Ma knew perfectly well that even if she took the case to the United Nations, she wouldn't win because of those two third-party resale contracts. Her only option now was to try and find a way to join forces with Bao Li to find some evidence of Ye Anning's "betrayal and underhanded dealings."

Unfortunately, if she could have found Bao Li, she would have done so long ago; it wouldn't have been her turn. On the contrary, Ye Anning was the victim from beginning to end.

Thirdly, it must be the desire to seek advantage and avoid harm at play. The old man had painstakingly built up his reputation for most of his life, and the name "Lin Changqing" still carried some credibility and deterrent power.

In the antique business, making mistakes and losing valuable items is commonplace. Which expert dares to say they've never suffered a loss? But even if you make a big mistake, there's always a chance to make a comeback.

But if your reputation is ruined, then there is truly no hope left.

If Teacher Ma were a little more sober, she wouldn't make a scene; instead, she would use her persistent, clingy nature to come to Lin Sicheng and act pitiful: "Little brother, look, your sister lost tens of millions because of you. Shouldn't you show some pity and make some compensation?"

But to be honest, if Lin Sicheng could be entangled with her, he would have wasted two lifetimes, so he wasn't worried at all.

Compared to that, he admired Ye Anning more: when he didn't move, he didn't move at all, but when he did, he struck at the heart of the matter—steady, accurate, and ruthless.

After several days of interaction, Wang Qizhi could tell what Lin Sicheng was thinking at a glance. He sighed and said, "Don't overthink it: no one has interfered in this matter from beginning to end, including me, your teacher's wife, and even your aunt (Ye Anning's mother)!"

"That's why I admire her!" Lin Sicheng nodded vigorously. "Cousin Ye is really amazing!"

Wang Qizhi pondered for a moment: he felt that using the word "amazing" to describe a girl was somewhat inappropriate.

"Change the word!"

Lin Sicheng thought for a moment: "Calm down, be rational, and be decisive!"

Wang Qizhi stared with his mouth agape: Why does this feel even more off?

Forget it, the more I explain, the worse it gets.

He changed the subject: "Where did you store the seal? Is it safe?"

“I used my grandfather’s account to open a VIP safe deposit box at the bank, and that calligraphy is stored there.”

"Haha, Professor Lin, you weren't surprised, were you?"

Lin Sicheng shook his head: "I haven't said it yet. I've also told Senior Brother Hao and Director Guan not to say it yet!"

Wang Qizhi was stunned for a moment, then gave him a thumbs up: "Lin Sicheng, you are so filial!"

Lin Sicheng laughed: "Not bad!"

After a few jokes, the atmosphere gradually relaxed. Wang Qizhi glanced at his watch again: "It's just to pick someone up, why is Feng Lin taking so long?"

"Didn't you say you'd talk to them one by one? It should be soon!"

Lin Sicheng had barely finished speaking when the door was pushed open.

Feng Lin led the way, followed by five more people. Three men and two women, all very young.

These individuals were all carefully selected by Wang Qizhi as members of the project team, and they officially joined the team today.

The five people greeted him in turn, and Wang Qizhi nodded slightly. He reached out and took the resume from Feng Lin.

Then he casually handed it over: "These were basically chosen according to your requirements!"

Lin Sicheng nodded and took the folder.

One PhD, two Master's degree holders, and two Bachelor's degree holders. All have relevant majors, and the top three have extensive experience.

In particular, one of the female master's students, majoring in metal conservation at our university, interned for two years in the laboratory of a retired professor of metal conservation at our university after graduation. She has both sufficient knowledge and rich experimental experience.

The key is the research direction: collaborative research on high-temperature kiln furniture and metal molds.

This is one of the few research projects that intersects ceramics and metal artifacts. She stayed there for two full years, which shows that ceramic experiments are easy to learn, and metal artifact experiments are even easier to learn.

He also knows a bit about lacquer carving; in this context, he's practically an omniscient person.

After comparing the photo with the person in question, Lin Sicheng continued scrolling down.

I looked at them very carefully, and in about five or six minutes, I had memorized most of their resumes and special skills.

After Lin Sicheng finished reading, he returned the folder to Feng Lin, and Wang Qizhi picked up his thermos: "You handle the arrangements, I'm going to a meeting!"

Lin Sicheng was stunned: No... you're just leaving like this?

You are the mentor, the head of the lab, the project initiator, and the overall person in charge. You recruited people without giving them a single explanation?

At least say a few words to encourage them, right?

"What's the point of all that empty talk?" Wang Qizhi hadn't managed to escape, so he had to turn back: "Besides, Lin Sicheng, what did we agree on before?"

Lin Sicheng's eyes widened.

Yes, I did say that: Teacher, you just need to take care of the overall situation, such as planning, application, project approval, funding, acceptance, and evaluation... and keep an eye on things occasionally. Senior Sister Feng and I can basically handle the small details.

But it didn't say that it would let you just become a hands-off manager?

Lin Sicheng paused for a moment: "Aren't you afraid I'll mess this up?"

Wang Qizhi chuckled: "Which instrument in this lab do you use better than Feng Lin?"

And those research plans, even the sub-topic directions were proposed by you. You say you can't do it?

Besides, how badly can it be smashed?

Wang Qizhi nodded again with a very serious expression: "Teacher believes in you!"

Just one sentence rendered Lin Sicheng, who had prepared a whole host of arguments, speechless.

Lin Sicheng knew, of course, that Professor Wang was intentionally establishing his authority in the laboratory. Just as he had once confidently told Professor Shang: "With Lin Sicheng here, he is the founding disciple, the senior brother of the sect."

Anyone who comes after you, regardless of your background, must follow orders if you're willing to come.

Lin Sicheng felt that Professor Wang trusted him too much.

He breathed a sigh of relief: "Teacher, I'll do my best!"

Wang Qicheng gave a mysterious smile: Why would Lin Sicheng need to exert his full strength?

Using only 50% of my power is enough to make these people completely obedient.

He lowered his voice again: "The teacher isn't just going for a stroll; he needs to give the dean a heads-up."

Lin Sicheng nodded vigorously: "Yes, business comes first!"

Whether the teacher and student can take off depends on whether the iron project can be approved. But without the support of a school, they really can't pull this off on their own.

Because it involves real-world competition to snatch food from someone else's bowl, and considering the competition: the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, Peking University, Beijing University of Technology, the National Museum of China... just seeing those names would make most people's scalps tingle.

Lin Sicheng gave him an encouraging look, and Wang Qizhi nodded knowingly before leisurely leaving the laboratory.

The atmosphere fell silent as the door closed.

Lin Sicheng got straight to the point: "Senior Sister Feng, could you show a few of the senior brothers and sisters around the machines and explain the experimental plan?"

The group of people were all taken aback for a moment, and only nodded in response when Lin Sicheng's gaze swept over them.

These individuals were all handpicked by Wang Qizhi, and Feng Lin spoke with each of them individually, speaking very frankly: Professor Wang's laboratory is somewhat special, and the daily management is basically handled by Junior Brother Lin.

Although she held both a research assistant and an administrative assistant position, her main job was to assist Lin, her junior colleague. She even specifically reminded him: "Lin is a senior this year and hasn't graduated yet, so you should be prepared."

At the time, all five people expressed their understanding. But expressing it was one thing, and seeing it with their own eyes after arriving was another: in this lab, were assistant administrators really being sidelined?

Lin's age goes without saying, everyone knows that. What they find hard to accept is their mentor's attitude:

The entire process, from receiving the resume to handing it over, was incredibly smooth. The key was Wang Zhiqi's comment at the time: "They were basically selected according to your requirements."

What's the meaning?

It's very likely that Professor Wang will not be the one to employ those five people in the future, but rather this junior brother Lin.

The problem is, they're here because of Professor Wang's qualifications and abilities, so what's the point of leaving them to a child?

For a moment, everyone had different thoughts and a myriad of ideas.

Then, Feng Lin handed over several more documents: "You've all used the machines before, so take a look at the manuals to familiarize yourselves with them. This is the research plan; you need to understand this carefully. Ask questions promptly if you have any, and offer suggestions as soon as possible..."

The group nodded, took the documents, and casually flipped through them:

Material and process analysis: Evolution of early bronze metallurgy technology - Study on alloy composition of bronze artifacts unearthed from the Banpo site.

Protection and Restoration Techniques: Corrosion Mechanism and Intervention Measures of Bronze Artifacts Unearthed from the Loess Plateau - Desalination and Slow-Release Protection Techniques.

The former pertains to process restoration, while the latter pertains to repair and protection; both are comprehensive and highly targeted.

Just by looking at these two research plans, it's clear that the project team put in a lot of effort before the project was approved: they avoided the possibility of duplicate applications with other research institutions in the same university, province, or even other institutions, and they also demonstrated a certain degree of foresight.

The latter, in particular, although a vertically segmented project, is currently untapped and has a very promising future. To put it simply: any research results could lead to several patents.

I was reading papers non-stop.

Suddenly, the group felt much more at ease: although the person on stage seemed unreliable, their mentor was still very reliable.

But when you look beyond the title and read the details, it's as if all five of them craned their necks forward at once:

PI (Project Leader): Wang Qizhi.

Co-PI (Joint Project Leader, Sub-project Leader): Lin Sicheng.

As if in disbelief, I looked at it again: Yes, not only is he the head of the sub-project, but he is also the co-head of the project.

what does that mean?

This means that, apart from the main research direction, he also designed the specific technical roadmap, key technology modules, experimental phases, and progress forecasts.

In addition, he will be responsible for all aspects of daily experimental division of labor, data analysis, supervision and inspection of experimental progress, as well as coordination of interdisciplinary guidance and collaboration.

This means he has to do at least half the work that the supervisor should be doing. As long as the supervisor doesn't say anything, he's the one who calls the shots in the lab and the project group.

The problem is, putting aside whether he has the capability, is this report truly what he planned? According to regulations, sub-projects require a doctoral degree or higher, and co-leaders of the project must hold associate professorships.

But this person is only a senior in college and hasn't even graduated with a bachelor's degree yet... So how did the project proposal get approved?

Strangely enough, the school actually approved it?

Just as they were filled with doubt and surprise, one of the undergraduates muttered, "I heard he's Vice Dean Lin's grandson?"

The other four remained silent, but their intuition told them it was unlikely: the signs of backroom deals and the transfer of research resources were too obvious and blatant.

The group made wild guesses, while Feng Lin watched coldly from the sidelines.

Professor Wang had stated that, according to Lin Sicheng's plan, the project would be extremely demanding once it began. This intensity did not refer to time or physical exertion, but rather to the stringent requirements on professional skills and knowledge reserves.

How strong is it? Those with ability will shut up obediently, while those without ability will voluntarily withdraw.

Before that, no matter how much you explain, there will always be skeptics. It's better to prove yourself on stage. To put it bluntly, it's a matter of putting your abilities to the test.

Fortunately, these individuals were not naive fresh graduates; despite their doubts, they maintained a relatively stable mindset.

They got into the swing of things quickly, skimming through the material before sitting down to discuss it again. The topics were surprisingly consistent: the design was somewhat vague, and the verification process wasn't detailed enough.

In layman's terms: They don't quite understand this report.

The PhD student was alright; he could basically understand. The two master's students, however, were much less clear-headed. They seemed confused, as if there was a thin layer of paper between them, and they just couldn't make sense of what was going on.

As for undergraduate students in the two disciplines, it's like reading gibberish.

Feng Lin sighed inwardly.

Professor Lin was right: the gap between these people and Lin Sicheng was at least one laboratory.

Just as they were reminiscing, with a "whoosh," they all turned around at the same time.

On the workbench, Lin Sicheng took out a box and poured out a pile of porcelain shards.

After sorting them roughly, he put them back together.

The group was puzzled.

After watching for a while, the PhD student turned around and asked, "Assistant Feng, what is Junior Brother Lin doing?"

"Puzzle with porcelain pieces!"

The doctor choked for a moment: Didn't I know he was assembling porcelain pieces?

The problem is, this is a metal artifact laboratory.

Presumably sensing what he was thinking, Feng Lin explained: "This is Lin Sicheng's own project. He and Chen Huaizhi (the all-around capable female master's student) will complete it independently. It has nothing to do with you!"

The doctor didn't know what to say.

What is "your own project"?

Side jobs.

It's one thing to openly bring it to the lab to do, but the project team even assigned him a personal assistant to do his side jobs.

The group glanced at the lab sign, then at Lin Sicheng assembling the porcelain pieces, and then at Chen Huaizhi, who was remarkably calm and seemed to know exactly what he was there to do.

Suddenly, a strange sense of absurdity arose...