In late spring, the chill of winter has long since faded in Beijing, and the city is imbued with a gentle vitality. Behind the headquarters building of "Natural Taste," the research and development center is nestled among a lush grove of plane trees. Copper bells hanging from the glazed tile eaves tinkle softly in the breeze. This independent three-story building, its exterior walls covered in verdant ivy, its leaves glistening with morning dew that reflects shimmering silver light in the morning glow, adds a touch of tranquility and elegance compared to the grandeur of the main building—a veritable oasis in the bustling city.
The R&D center is a completely different world inside. On the first floor, in the raw material testing area, the pristine white lab benches are spotless, and the sophisticated testing instruments gleam with a cool metallic sheen. Several researchers in white lab coats are intently operating the equipment, and the air is filled with a faint aroma of grains and the slightly astringent scent of reagents. The second-floor R&D laboratories are divided into several functional areas. The ovens in the baking area constantly release the sweet and chewy aroma of pastries, while the ceramic jars in the sauce preparation area hold various fermenting sauces, rich in color and aroma. And in the innermost nutritional analysis area, imported spectrometers, chromatographs, and other high-end equipment are displayed, showcasing the company's relentless pursuit of excellence in product development.
Standing at the entrance of the research and development center, Shen Nian'an gently stroked the school badge on his chest, his heart filled with an indescribable mix of excitement and trepidation. He wore a well-pressed light gray shirt, the cuffs neatly rolled up to his forearms, revealing his sleek wrists. The gold-rimmed glasses perched on his nose added a touch of scholarly elegance to his already refined demeanor. At this moment, his gaze swept over every corner of the research and development center, from the slogan "Quality is King, Innovation is the Soul" hanging on the wall, to the busy researchers in the laboratories, and to the sophisticated instruments he had only seen in textbooks—all of which felt both familiar and strange to him.
"Nian'an, don't be nervous." Lin Wanqiu's voice was gentle yet firm. She walked to her son's side and gently patted his shoulder. "This will be your battlefield from now on. Relax, learn well from Director Zhang, and I believe in you."
Shen Nian'an turned his head and met his mother's gentle eyes, and the anxiety in his heart gradually dissipated. He nodded, his voice trembling slightly: "Mother, I understand. I'm just a little worried that I won't do well and will cause trouble for the R&D department."
"Silly child, everyone starts as a beginner." Lin Wanqiu smiled slightly, her eyes full of satisfaction. "The math knowledge and data analysis skills you learned at school are exactly what the R&D department needs right now. Be bold and try, don't be afraid of making mistakes, your mother and father will always be your strongest support."
Shen Tingzhou, who was standing nearby, also stepped forward, patted his son on the back, and said in a steady tone: "Nian'an, doing research and development is the same as doing academic research. Both require a rigorous and meticulous attitude and the courage to innovate. If you encounter something you don't understand, ask more questions, do more research, and do more practice. The seniors in the R&D department are all excellent. You should humbly learn from them."
"Yes, I'll remember, Dad and Mom." Shen Nian'an nodded heavily, keeping his parents' instructions firmly in mind. He took a deep breath, suppressing his excitement, and his gaze became firm. He knew that this internship was not only a test of his studies, but also his first step into the family business. He had to do his best and live up to his parents' expectations.
At this moment, Zhang Qiming, the director of the R&D department, strode over. Zhang Qiming was in his fifties, his hair already somewhat gray, but he was vigorous, with bright, piercing eyes and a gentle smile on his face. He was a leading expert in the domestic food R&D field, having been persuaded to join Lin Wanqiu's team after three visits to his humble abode. Over the years, he had dedicated himself to the product development of "Natural Flavor," launching several blockbuster products for the company, and was Lin Wanqiu's most trusted right-hand man.
"President Lin, President Shen, Shen Nian'an, welcome, welcome!" Zhang Qiming warmly extended his hand and shook hands with Shen Nian'an. "I've heard President Lin mention you before. You're a top student from the mathematics department of a prestigious university, young and promising!"
Shen Nian'an smiled somewhat shyly: "Director Zhang, you flatter me. I'm still a novice, and I'll need your guidance in the future."
"It's not about giving guidance, it's about learning from each other!" Zhang Qiming said with a smile. "Your professional knowledge is very helpful to our research and development work. I believe you can bring us new ideas and inspiration. Come on, let me show you around the research and development center and introduce you to our team and the projects we are currently working on."
Led by Zhang Qiming, Lin Wanqiu, Shen Tingzhou, and Shen Nian'an entered the R&D center. As they walked, Zhang Qiming explained in detail the functions of each area and the R&D team: "Our R&D center currently has over thirty employees, including three PhDs and ten Master's degree holders, all professionals in food research, nutritional analysis, and bioengineering. We are currently focusing on three main research areas: first, upgrading and optimizing traditional products, such as our signature pickles and pastries, exploring how to enhance their nutrition and taste while preserving their original flavor; second, developing new health foods, targeting the needs of different groups by creating low-sugar, low-fat, and high-protein options; and third, innovating food processing techniques to improve production efficiency and reduce costs."
Shen Nian'an listened attentively, nodding occasionally, his eyes sparkling with a thirst for knowledge. His gaze swept back and forth between the various laboratories, and when he saw the spectrometer in the nutritional analysis area, his eyes lit up instantly: "Director Zhang, is this spectrometer imported? I've used a similar one in the school's laboratory. Its detection accuracy is very high, and it can quickly analyze the nutritional content in food."
“That’s right, this was just introduced last year, and it cost quite a bit of money!” Zhang Qiming said with a smile. “With it, we can more accurately grasp the nutritional data of raw materials and products, providing a scientific basis for product development. It seems that Shen is quite familiar with these devices.”
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