Chapter 168 Scapegoat
Lin Yuanshu thought about it and finally agreed. Just as Director Huang said, if she was unwilling to take on the project, their research institute would miss out on this important project.
Regardless of whether she could eat it or not, she scooped it into her bowl first. With Director Huang backing her up, she didn't need to be so hesitant in her actions.
If she's lucky, she might complete the core work of the preclinical research for the new drug before starting university. By the time she graduates, the new drug might have already completed clinical trials, adding another achievement to her research. She could then be in charge of other, more important projects.
Of course, this is the best outcome.
Director Huang breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that Lin Yuanshu had agreed. He smiled and said, "I'm glad you've come to your senses. No matter what troubles you encounter in completing the project, you can come to me anytime, and I will do my best to help you solve them."
As long as Lin Yuanshu is willing to take over this project, no other problems are problems in his eyes.
Lin Yuanshu touched her nose somewhat embarrassedly. There were quite a few things that would trouble Director Huang in the future regarding this project. She couldn't tell Director Huang the truth right now; only she and Zhou Xiangyang knew about the matter of the reinstatement of the college entrance examination.
Zhou Xiangyang wouldn't delve into the matter further, nor would he reveal it to anyone. If it were Director Huang, things would be different. Even if he didn't think about himself, he would think about his descendants. So it's better to keep it from Director Huang.
She said sincerely, "I understand. I'll have to trouble you then."
"No trouble at all, it's what I should do as the director." Director Huang waved his hand dismissively.
He felt that given Lin Yuanshu's work ability, he shouldn't encounter any major problems that he couldn't handle, since Lin Yuanshu had never bothered him when completing project tasks before.
While Lin Yuanshu was focused on studying anti-tuberculosis drugs, the research institute began selecting suitable team members for his project.
The moment this news broke, the researchers at the institute were in an uproar. All the members who had been in the same project team as Lin Yuanshu had been promoted, so they all tried their best to join the project team. No one didn't want a promotion, and the once peaceful institute became lively.
In the lab, Ma Si glanced at Wu Qin, who was working, and said to the person next to him with a regretful look, "It seems that we will not have the opportunity to cooperate with Comrade Lin Yuanshu. What a pity! Comrade Lin Yuanshu cannot take over us. However, on the other hand, I really envy Comrade Lin Yuanshu for being so valued by the leaders. If there is any opportunity for promotion in the future, in the eyes of the leaders, she is probably the only one who can get it. No one else has a chance."
Everyone else in the lab subconsciously looked at Wu Qin. Ma Si's words were clearly meant for Wu Qin. Since Lin Yuanshu returned to the research institute, their lab had become increasingly lively.
Upon hearing this, Wu Qin was not angry. She slowly closed the notebook in her hand that was recording data, without even glancing at Mas, and said in a disdainful tone, "If you really want to cooperate with Comrade Lin Yuanshu, it's not impossible. You can write an application to join Comrade Lin Yuanshu's project team. Once you have written it, I can help you submit the application to Comrade Lin Yuanshu. The project team will not try to keep you. However, whether she will take a liking to you is another matter. After all, she is different from me. She doesn't want just anything dirty or smelly."
Mas's face flushed red instantly. He hadn't expected Wu Qin to be so ruthless, willing to belittle herself just to annoy him. He forced a smile and said, "Team Leader Wu, what do you mean by that? You can't target me just because I'm impressed by Comrade Lin Yuanshu's abilities!"
Wu Qin showed no mercy to Ma Si, sneering, "You're overthinking it. How could I be targeting you just because you admire Comrade Lin Yuanshu? I just can't stand that you don't do your job properly and just spout nonsense all day. No matter how capable Comrade Lin Yuanshu is, it has nothing to do with you or me. Instead of thinking about these messy things, you should work properly! If you continue to be so lazy, you won't even have the chance to work with me, let alone have the chance to work with Comrade Lin Yuanshu."
Mas looked at Wu Qin in disbelief. He hadn't expected Wu Qin to suddenly turn on him and break off their relationship. But he couldn't bring up Deputy Director Liu right now, so he could only grit his teeth and say, "Team Leader Wu, you've misunderstood me. I'm not the kind of person who likes to slack off."
“You didn’t slack off and you still managed to do a job like this. With your abilities, you still want to cooperate with Comrade Lin Yuanshu? I think it’s very doubtful. You’d better improve your work skills first!” Wu Qin’s face was full of disdain.
Anyway, if Mas says anything she doesn't like, she won't let him get away with it. If Mas belittles her, she'll belittle Mas in return. It's just mutual hurt, isn't it? Anyone can do that!
Mas took a deep breath and decided not to argue with Wu Qin. After all, Wu Qin was his team leader, and he would be the one to suffer if they argued. He said with a forced smile, "You're right. I'll go to the bathroom first and then come back to work."
After saying this, he lowered his head and quickly left the laboratory. He dared not look at the expressions of others, afraid that they would laugh at him. He would definitely report Wu Qin's evil deeds to Deputy Director Liu.
Once Deputy Director Liu has freed up his resources, Wu Qin's good days will be over. All she can do now is be arrogant for a while. The only regret is that his attempts to sow discord failed, and he couldn't make Wu Qin harbor any ill will towards Lin Yuanshu.
Wu Qin didn't care about Mas's departure at all. She would kick Mas out of the project team sooner or later. She clapped her hands and said loudly, "Stop watching the show and get back to work!"
Upon hearing this, everyone sprang into action, not daring to look at Wu Qin. After all, Wu Qin didn't even give Mas face, and people like them without any background had no choice but to obey.
They weren't as capable as Mas, who could jump around and wasn't afraid of offending Wu Qin. They clearly had powerful backers, but everyone was just pretending not to know.
During lunch break, while everyone was resting and no one was paying attention to him, Ma Si quietly left the laboratory to find Deputy Director Liu and complain to him about Wu Qin's arrogance.
Deputy Director Liu ignored Mas's grievances and questioned him expressionlessly, "Were you spotted when you came here? Didn't I tell you before? Don't come looking for me unless it's important."
Mas quickly explained, "Deputy Director Liu, don't worry, I'm very careful. No one noticed me coming. I just think our plan to watch from the sidelines isn't working. Lin Yuanshu and Wu Qin can't start a fire at all. I'm worried they might collude and work together to deal with you."
Deputy Director Liu frowned, deliberately feigning a troubled expression. "Sigh! I'm aware of these things, but I can't make a move against Wu Qin. Director Huang is keeping a close eye on me, which prevents me from acting rashly."
Upon hearing this, Ma Si's eyes lit up, and he immediately volunteered, "Deputy Director Liu, I am willing to help you solve your problems and drive Wu Qin out of the research institute, as long as you can let me take over Wu Qin's project tasks."
Fortune favors the bold, and Wu Qin was not as difficult to deal with as Lin Yuanshu.
Deputy Director Liu's lips curled up slightly, a hint of triumph flashing in his eyes. He wanted Mas to help him willingly, and if necessary, become his scapegoat.
He promised earnestly, "As long as you can make Wu Qin make a big mistake and leave the research institute, I can not only let you take over Wu Qin's project tasks, but I can also make you an assistant researcher."
Mas said with great excitement, "I guarantee I will complete the mission."
Deputy Director Liu tapped the table lightly. He didn't quite trust Mas's abilities. After thinking for a moment, he slowly said, "Team Leader Zhao will help you."
"Okay, I'll discuss it with Team Leader Zhao." He and Team Leader Zhao, one in the open and one in the shadows, would easily deal with a nobody like Wu Qin if they joined forces.
Deputy Director Liu nodded and waved to Mas, indicating that Mas could leave.
Having received Deputy Director Liu's promise, Ma Si left Deputy Director Liu's office happily.
As Deputy Director Liu watched the office door close again, he couldn't help but sigh. He said to his assistant, "I originally planned to use Mas to deal with Lin Yuanshu, but it's a real waste to use him on Wu Qin now. It's a pity I don't have any better pieces at hand."
He's the only one who doesn't care about losing Mas, and on the surface, he has no connection with Mas now; everyone knows he severed ties with Mas a long time ago.
The assistant thought for a moment and comforted him, "I knew as soon as I saw Comrade Mas that he was suited to doing wicked things. He will definitely be able to drive Wu Qin out of the research institute without getting involved himself. You can still use him to deal with Lin Yuanshu."
"I hope so!" Deputy Director Liu felt that the possibility was very low. If Director Huang did not pursue the matter, it would be fine, and the matter could be easily glossed over. But if Director Huang insisted on investigating the truth, then he would need to put forward a scapegoat.
"Definitely," the assistant said confidently.
Anyway, he only needs to use his mouth; he's not the one doing the work. He can say whatever he wants, however he wants, as nicely as possible.
Meanwhile, Qu Zhigang was eating in the institute's canteen when three unfamiliar comrades sat down next to him with aluminum lunchboxes. One of the older men asked, "Are you Comrade Qu Zhigang? Did you go to the epidemic area with Comrade Lin Yuanshu?"
Qu Zhigang nodded, puzzled, and asked, "I am Qu Zhigang, the one who went to the epidemic area with Comrade Lin Yuanshu. What do you need me for?"
“We’re here to inquire about Comrade Lin Yuanshu. The Minister of Health has assigned Comrade Lin Yuanshu to lead a research project on anti-tuberculosis drugs, and our institute also needs to transfer a colleague there. So we’d like to know how capable Comrade Lin Yuanshu is, whether she’s reliable, and what we should be aware of when working with her,” one of the colleagues asked earnestly.
Qu Zhigang: "..."
He didn't really want to hear news about Lin Yuanshu, nor did he want to discuss Lin Yuanshu with others; jealousy had distorted his true nature.
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A note from the author: My anxiety has been quite severe these past few days, mainly manifesting as a fear of sleeping, which makes me sleepy both during the day and at night. Today, I tried a "fight fire with fire" approach, watching a lot of videos that only exacerbated my anxiety, and I feel much better now. At least I'm not anxious about the initial problem anymore.
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