Chapter 48 On Monday morning, Zhu Ren made himself a cup of tea in his office and picked up the day's newspaper. Just as he opened it, someone knocked on the door. He looked up and saw that it was Ji Zhixing and his two roommates.
Zhu Ren invited them to sit down and joked, "Do you want to go back to Professor Yan's lab, but are too embarrassed to say it?"
Ji Zhixing's choice surprised not only all the students, but also left Zhu Ren with mixed feelings. On one hand, he admired the young man's courage, but on the other hand, he felt it was a bit reckless and that there was a greater chance he would regret it in the future.
Ji Zhixing chuckled twice and got straight to the point: "Director, our zero-gravity seat project has reached the experimental stage. I'm here today to ask if we can rent an unused laboratory at the university?"
"Huh? Rent a lab?" Although Zhu Ren didn't really think Ji Zhixing regretted it so quickly, he didn't expect Ji Zhixing to have come for this reason.
To be honest, Guangling University has quite a few unused laboratories, both those belonging to the university and those privately owned by professors.
In the early years, in an effort to improve the school's facilities, there was a period of blind expansion of the laboratory building. When purchasing new equipment, there was a tendency to pursue size, novelty, and comprehensiveness. While the equipment looked impressive when piled up, its utilization rate was not high.
Many professors' private laboratories are also idle for various reasons. These include professors who have retired, those who have moved to administrative positions and no longer conduct experiments, those who don't have good projects and therefore don't need the lab, and those who have upgraded to new labs…
In summary, among the four experimental complexes of Guangling University, the highest utilization rate is only 78% in Area D and the lowest utilization rate is only 25% in Area A. The average utilization rate of the four areas is just over 50%, indicating that the underutilization situation is indeed quite serious.
There have been previous instances of renting lab space to students, but the results were unsatisfactory in 90% of cases. Some students were unable to put their ideas into practice, some blamed the poor lab conditions for their failed projects, and some complained about the high rent.
These are all fine, but the most worrying thing is the safety management problem.
In some experimental fields, such as computer science and engineering design, there are virtually no safety incidents except for data loss. However, in fields such as chemistry and biology, many materials and reagents are flammable, explosive, toxic, or hazardous.
Even graduate students with supervisors still occasionally have accidents while conducting experiments, so undergraduates without supervisors are even more likely to be careless when doing experiments on their own.
A few years ago, there was a hydrogen fluoride leak, which was detected in time and caused no harm. However, since then, the school has rejected all student applications to rent laboratories.
Whether it will dampen students' enthusiasm for research or bury their potential is not the most important thing. From the school's perspective, ensuring students' personal safety and successfully sending them to graduation is the top priority.
Given that Ji Zhixing was generally reliable, Zhu Ren was quite willing to make things easier for him. However, having set a precedent, it wouldn't be appropriate to refuse other students' applications in the future.
As the office director, Zhu Ren had a clear understanding of the dynamics of the students at the school and knew that after Ji Zhixing, many students had been inspired to start their own businesses.
Last semester, there were 83 applications to establish various research societies, but most of them didn't last a month. However, this didn't have much impact on the school; it just meant that the activity room keys changed hands more frequently.
However, if we take the Zero Gravity Seat Research Club as a precedent and open up access to laboratory applications, it's easy to imagine the trouble that will follow – students these days are getting harder to manage with each new cohort!
The director spoke sincerely, and Ji Zhixing and the others could understand the school's concern that it didn't seek merit but rather wanted to avoid mistakes. However, all three of them were somewhat unwilling to give up just like that.
Ji Zhixing recalled a recent special case and asked, "Director, under what pretext did Xue Hua borrow Professor Fan Chuanshuo's laboratory?"
Zhu Ren frowned: "When did this happen?"
"We just moved in the day before yesterday," Ji Zhixing replied.
Zhu Ren thought for a moment and said, "Wait a moment."
Ji Zhixing saw the director get up and sit in front of the computer, presumably to review the registration files for the experimental area. Then he left the office and went to some other department.
After a while, the director returned and said, "Fan Chuanshuo plans to admit Xue Hua as his graduate student. The laboratory is open to Xue Hua under the guise of a student project."
Postgraduate supplementary enrollment refers to a second round of enrollment for qualified candidates when there are still vacancies after the first round of admissions.
When the school was tallying the number of new students each master's supervisor wanted to recruit, Fan Chuanshuo had already mentioned that two more graduate students would be recruited in the new academic year. However, during the period of graduate school admissions, he was busy running around for his son and didn't have time to deal with the recruitment, so the two spots were left vacant.
Xue Hua did indeed take the postgraduate entrance examination and passed both the initial and re-examination, which is why he has always been so proud in Zero Gravity Society.
Look, I've already been accepted into graduate school, and I'm still willing to stay in this little club. You guys should at least give me some different treatment, right?
In reality, Xue Hua became arrogant after being admitted to graduate school, and the amount of data he submitted was often less than that of other members. Therefore, Xu Dongyang never tolerated his bad behavior. Xue Hua felt he had been mistreated, and his resentment grew, eventually leading him to part ways with the Zero Gravity Club.
In conclusion, Fan Chuanshuo's procedure of lending the laboratory to Xue Hua was in accordance with the school's existing rules and regulations.
Lin Lang's shoulders slumped; they couldn't emulate Xue Hua's example. Xue Hua was a senior, eligible for supplementary admission to graduate school. The three of them were only sophomores, and although they had secured their graduate school admission through the CUPT competition, they hadn't even completed their required undergraduate credits yet…
Xu Dongyang glanced at Ji Zhixing, who was deep in thought with his eyes down. Actually... there was a way. However, he couldn't be the one to suggest it.
Zhu Ren observed Xu Dongyang's expression and thought to himself, "This kid is quite clever, and what's rare is that he's also quite considerate of his friends."
Ji Zhixing was hesitating. In fact, when he heard that Fan Chuanshuo had admitted Xue Hua as his graduate student, he thought of Professor Yan.
He already has the qualification to be recommended for postgraduate studies, so he doesn't need to take the postgraduate entrance examination. As long as he completes the required undergraduate credits and contacts a supervisor, he can pursue postgraduate studies.
Driven by his interest in the Navier-Stokes equations, he had actually discussed it with Professor Yan when he first entered the lab, hoping to formally study theoretical physics under Professor Yan after graduating with his bachelor's degree, specializing in the Navier-Stokes equations. Professor Yan agreed.
Therefore, I can be considered a graduate student pre-admitted by Professor Yan, and the school should not object to following Xue Hua's example.
However, because of the Zero Gravity Society incident, he left Professor Yan's laboratory. Now, if he were to go back and ask Professor Yan for help, it would feel a bit inhumane.
Zhu Ren waited and waited, but Ji Zhixing didn't speak, so he simply prompted him first: "Professor Yan recently moved to a new laboratory, which is downstairs from the old one."
Lin Lang finally understood the director's implication: Professor Yan's old lab was now available. He was about to say something when Xu Dongyang pulled him back to silence him. Although Lin Lang didn't understand why he couldn't speak, he knew he couldn't outthink Xu Dongyang, so he obediently shut his mouth.
Ji Zhixing knew about the new laboratory; Zhao Yi and Sun Er had previously shown him photos, implying that they hoped he would return to the laboratory.
The new lab is three times the size of the old one. It's said that it originally belonged to a retired professor, but Professor Yan negotiated with him and got it. All the equipment inside has been replaced with new equipment; it's a complete upgrade compared to the old lab!
The X-band pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometer, the 9.4T ultra-high field resonance imaging system, the SEM3100 scanning electron microscope… all made Ji Zhixing envious. But he couldn't go back until the zero-gravity seat project was successful.
Ji Zhixing touched his nose, thought about Zero Gravity Society, and finally spoke up: "Director, if I ask Professor Yan to borrow that old laboratory, do you think he will agree?"
"Of course, you're his most valued student, how could he disagree?" Zhu Ren thought to himself. The teacher and student were both so stubborn, what was there to fuss about such a simple matter? But then he was secretly pleased. It was good to settle things sooner rather than later, so that he wouldn't have to worry about Ji Zhixing going to Yenching University or Tsinghua University for graduate studies after completing his undergraduate credits.
So Ji Zhixing immediately made a phone call to Professor Yan and shyly explained his request.
Professor Yan was as decisive as ever: "Come to the lab building now and get the key."
Ji Zhixing breathed a sigh of relief, thanked the director, and got up to leave the office with Lin Lang and Xu Dongyang, heading towards the laboratory building.
As soon as they stepped out of the administration building, Xu Dongyang stopped in his tracks: "Zhixing, are you really going to be Professor Yan's graduate student?"
"Yes, is there something wrong?" Ji Zhixing looked at him with a puzzled expression.
Xu Dongyang said, "No, I was thinking that you could definitely find a mentor at Peking University or Tsinghua University in the future..."
Professor Yan is indeed very capable, but the difference in school environment and resources cannot be bridged by a mentor's individual abilities. For example, at the two top universities, there are definitely more opportunities for international exchange. Overall, at Yenching University and Tsinghua University, Ji Zhixing would certainly have access to more resources and broader development prospects.
Xu Dongyang felt that for him and Lin Lang, the zero-gravity seat project was likely to be their life's work, while Ji Zhixing obviously had a broader future. He couldn't use the needs of the Zero Gravity Society to constrain Ji Zhixing's choices during his postgraduate studies.
Ji Zhixing patted him on the shoulder: "You're overthinking it. I originally planned to study the Navier-Stokes equations under Professor Yan's guidance. Didn't Professor Wen Zhengyang say at the CUPT competition defense that in terms of Navier-Stokes equations, it would be hard to find someone with a higher level of expertise than Professor Yan, even at Peking University or Tsinghua University?"
Lin Lang then realized why Xu Dongyang hadn't let him speak earlier. He scratched his head, thinking that Xu Dongyang's mind was so complicated right now, having to consider so many things at once.
But Xu Dongyang felt he still needed to hone his skills; managing a company in the future wouldn't be easy. If he didn't consider all aspects carefully, the company would fail due to personnel issues rather than technical ones.
Ji Zhixing was very pleased that Xu Dongyang had such awareness. He knew that Xu Dongyang would definitely focus on scientific research in the future, and he was the best candidate to manage the company.
The three of them headed towards the experimental area together, with Ji Zhixing explaining things to Lin Lang and Xu Dongyang as they walked.
"This is Area A. The experiment Fan Chuanshuo lent to Xue Hua is here. The lab Fan Chuanshuo is currently using is in Area D, which is behind Area A. I think this guy is pretty cunning, so we should try to stay away from this area as much as possible..."
As Ji Zhixing was talking, he suddenly remembered something. It was said that Fan Chuanshuo suffered heatstroke on this main road that day, but whether he was going from the administration building or the teachers' apartment building to Area D, he didn't need to pass through this main road at all.
The road behind Area D is closer to the administration building and faculty apartments, and has better landscaping. In the sweltering heat of midday, what reason could he possibly have to take such a detour? Even if he were visiting colleagues in another lab, which professor would be in the lab at midday?
In short, Ji Zhixing became even more convinced that there must be something strange about Fan Chuanshuo's chance encounter with Xue Hua, and that his act of lending the laboratory to Xue Hua must also have ulterior motives.
"Do you think we should remind Xue Hua?" Xue Hua is a bit arrogant, but he hasn't committed any heinous crimes. Ji Zhixing felt that it was fine to just not associate with this person, but seeing that he was about to fall into an unpredictable trap, it seemed a bit hard to live with his conscience if he didn't remind him.
Even Lin Lang disagreed this time: "If we really say that to Xue Hua, there's no way we'll escape humiliation. That day in room 109, didn't She You also advise him to reconsider? Xue Hua didn't even bother to listen. He's a friend and roommate, what are we?"
Ji Zhixing thought about it and agreed. Xue Hua now regarded them as rivals, so he definitely wouldn't listen to what they said, and might even misinterpret it as jealousy. Forget it, it's better not to bother.
“Ahead is Area B. Professor Yan’s old laboratory is on the third floor.” Ji Zhixing pointed eastward. “Let’s go to the second floor to find Professor Yan first.”
Upon reaching the second floor, I heard his voice before I saw him. Professor Yan was reprimanding a new intern in the lab.
Aside from the time Yan Jiusheng lost the data, Ji Zhixing had never heard Professor Yan reprimand him in the six months he was in the lab. Of course, all four of them were very self-disciplined and hardworking, and made few mistakes, so there was really nothing to criticize them for.
He initially thought Professor Yan was angry because the new student was slacking off, but judging from the tone of his voice, it turned out to be because the student was overly diligent...
It seems that Professor Yan's method of persuading students with incentives is really effective!
"Now, pack your things and go back to get some sleep. Anyone who stays up all night again will have their internship eligibility revoked!"
Wow, staying up all night! That's incredibly diligent, but it's definitely not a sustainable solution.
Professor Yan never requires them to work overtime. They are encouraged to leave on time, go back to their dormitories, and rest well so they will have the energy to work again the next day. Insufficient rest makes it easy to lose focus during experiments, and one's mind becomes sluggish, which can easily lead to experimental accidents.
Ji Zhixing and his two companions waited at the corner of the stairs until Professor Yan finished his reprimand before continuing upstairs.
Upon seeing Ji Zhixing, Yan Anjin immediately took out a key from her pocket and handed it to him: "The original equipment is still here. Use it if you can, and move it to the warehouse if you can't."
"Thank you, teacher." Ji Zhixing didn't waste Professor Yan's time with any polite words; he didn't want to hear them.
Xu Dongyang stepped forward at the opportune moment: "Professor Yan, may I ask you to be our project consultant?" This was something they had discussed on the way here.
Professor Yan kindly lent them his lab without mentioning money. Of course, they couldn't just accept it without a second thought, but asking for rent would be too mercenary and wouldn't suit Professor Yan's temperament.
Why not take this opportunity to ask Professor Yan for guidance on the project? We can also rightfully pay Professor Yan a consulting fee, killing two birds with one stone.
Yan Anjin could easily tell that they were trying to find a pretext to pay him for using the lab, but he didn't refuse. If he refused, Ji Zhixing and the others wouldn't be able to use the lab without feeling guilty.
After having a laboratory, we need to purchase instruments and materials.
Xu Dongyang had already conducted market research on this. After inspecting the existing equipment in the laboratory, he contacted the previously selected equipment suppliers one by one and ordered the equipment. Then, he purchased a batch of materials according to the materials list set by Ji Zhixing.
Soon, the laboratory was taking shape, and the ten club members were very excited after their visit. Compared to the small activity room of a few dozen square meters, what they saw before them was the true starting point of their dreams!
Before officially starting the experiment, Ji Zhixing specially sought out Qi Bian, whom he had dealt with before, and asked him to tell a story to "scare" everyone.
Qi Bian is now a third-year graduate student and has been working in the experimental zone for three years, hearing countless experimental accidents. He understood Ji Zhixing's intention and deliberately chose some sensational experimental accidents to talk about.
For example, there was a case where the material concentration was miscalculated and increased by 100 times, causing the pressure gauge of the reactor to explode and blow off an ear; another case where a partner accidentally triggered a second-harmonic green light while setting up the optical path of a parametric amplifier, resulting in permanent blindness in one eye; and yet another case where a mistake during gas mixing caused a gas cylinder to explode, tragically severing a leg...
At first, all ten members listened to the story as if it were just a story, but the gore and carnage in the story made their expressions increasingly serious.
After thoroughly explaining the importance of standardized experimental procedures, Qi Bian then began to conduct routine safety training, which everyone listened to attentively.
Finally, Ji Zhixing stepped forward to summarize and calm everyone down: "The materials used in our project do not contain any flammable, explosive, harmful, or toxic substances, but everyone should still concentrate when conducting experiments to avoid injuring themselves due to improper operation..."
He then divided the ten members into two groups: one group was responsible for developing chair surface materials, and the other group was responsible for researching pressure and reaction force systems.
Comparatively, pressure and reaction systems are more complex. However, the preliminary project paper has already addressed a large portion of this complexity. The team members only need to further refine the selection of more effective components and improve the coupling between them. This team is led by Lin Lang, who is skilled in computer science.
The seat material was not covered in the initial project theory, so at this stage, we need to select materials, adjust the proportions, and adjust the shape based on the several schemes simulated by the computer software in the first phase, so as to properly match the pressure and reaction force system and ultimately achieve a zero-gravity effect.
Ji Zhixing led this group's experiment, which divided the 6 members into 3 subgroups.
A team was tasked with scouring the market for all available seat materials, such as honeycomb gel, hollow memory foam, and 3D air fiber, to see if they could be modified to create a zero-gravity effect when combined with a pressure and reaction force simulation system.
The other two groups are responsible for developing their own materials, gradually moving towards the middle degree from the extreme softness and extreme hardness ends respectively.
Different people have different preferences regarding the firmness of a seat, and what they need to consider is what kind of firmness can better express the zero-gravity effect.
In the laboratory, the ten members displayed an even greater passion for scientific research than in the first phase, and everyone cherished this opportunity, which might be fleeting.
With Ji Zhixing's guidance, and Professor Yan's offer to bring people to his lab for observation, everyone quickly overcame the novice period and got the hang of it, and the experiment progressed very smoothly.
While Ji Zhixing was pleased with the progress of the experiment, he was also waiting to see what Fan Chuanshuo was up to. Unexpectedly, all he heard were good things about Fan Chuanshuo. Fan Chuanshuo's gratitude was now widely known, and there was even a popular post on the school forum praising the professor's character and demeanor.
Out of wariness of Fan Chuanshuo, Ji Zhixing even took some time to read the post from beginning to end, and the more he read, the more he felt that the poster was very scheming.
First, she used a catchy title that easily evoked empathy: "Let's talk about my weird mentor who loves to show favoritism." Then, she complained that her mentor was particularly fond of a certain "supplementary" graduate student, and all resources were unconditionally tilted towards him.
The post has already sparked outrage among many people. The term "supplementary enrollment" is particularly prone to touching on sensitive issues such as "educational fairness," and the behavior of the tutor described in the post further confirms that there must have been favoritism and violations behind it.
The crowd was agitated and questioned the graduate student's eligibility for supplementary admission. Soon, someone discovered Xue Hua's name and that her supervisor was Fan Chuanshuo.
Immediately, someone posted a comment, briefly describing Xue Hua's rescue of Fan Chuanshuo from the perspective of an intern at the affiliated hospital. They also specifically described how dangerous Fan Chuanshuo's condition was at the time, saying that if they had arrived any later, even a miracle would have been impossible to save him.
At this point, opinions became divided. Some began to see Fan Chuanshuo's decision to admit Xue Hua and show him favoritism as an act of gratitude, which they found understandable. They also felt that Xue Hua's act of saving lives was a reward for his good deeds.
The post debated the boundary between "public" and "private" for a whole day, but after someone posted Xue Hua's postgraduate entrance exam results, the negative comments almost disappeared. This was because Xue Hua's results were indeed very good; even without the incident of helping Fan Chuanshuo, he was fully qualified for supplementary admission.
Then the post was basically all praising this positive story.
After some time, the original poster would occasionally pop up again. Today it was said that Xue Hua misappropriated some equipment for his own private research project, tomorrow it was said that he emptied out some materials, causing Professor Fan's legitimate national key research and development project to be affected multiple times.
The original poster and his fellow students were very dissatisfied, but Professor Fan, out of consideration for Xue Hua's life-saving grace, repeatedly indulged his increasingly audacious behavior.
Gradually, Xue Hua's and Fan Chuanshuo's reputations showed an inverse relationship, with one rising as the other fell. Xue Hua's reputation worsened, with most people criticizing him for being greedy and insatiable. Meanwhile, Fan Chuanshuo gained praise and sympathy from the majority, and his reputation improved.
Ji Zhixing read it from beginning to end and felt a chill run down his spine. It would be strange if Fan Chuanshuo wasn't intentionally manipulating public opinion. What exactly was he trying to do?
A note from the author:
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