The next morning, Shen Heng went to the station by himself and told Ji Guizhang that Bai Jiaojiao had overslept and missed the train, so the two of them planned to leave a little later.
The train departs at seven o'clock, which means they have to wake up at five o'clock. When Ji Guizhang heard Shen Heng say that, he didn't say much, but only said, "Then you two hurry up and don't miss tomorrow's train."
"I understand, I'll go back and tell her."
Shen Heng saw Ji Guizhang off and even helped him carry his luggage onto the train. Then he bought a meal and returned to the guesthouse, where Bai Jiaojiao was already up.
Did you see Teacher Ji off? Did he ask us why we were going back a day later?
Shen Heng has already told the truth. Upon hearing this, Bai Jiaojiao shot him a glare: "You're ruining my reputation again!"
"How is this ruining your reputation? At most, Teacher Ji will think you like to sleep in late. Besides, I'm doing this for your own good. Leaving him with this impression will save him from assigning you any dirty or tiring work in the future."
"Nonsense, I should thank you for that!"
"No need for thanks."
"I wasn't planning on thanking you!"
"If you really want to thank me, stick your little face out so Heng-ge can pinch it." Shen Heng reached out his hand to Bai Jiaojiao, and Bai Jiaojiao slapped his palm.
"Stop fooling around, the neighbors will be knocking on the door again soon."
"Don't worry, he won't dare to knock anymore."
Shen Heng extended the room for another night and called Xu Hong to ask her to take care of Shen Shi for another night, still using the excuse that Bai Jiaojiao overslept and missed the bus.
The next day, the two of them took a sleeper train back to Yancheng.
For the energetic Shen Heng, this journey was nothing; on the contrary, he and Bai Jiaojiao got plenty of rest at the guesthouse these past two days.
He came back, had lunch, then wandered around the factory twice, and then went to the school to find Teacher Jian.
"Where did you go? I can't get through to your home phone."
Jian Shao saw Shen Heng appear at the door of his office and asked him to come in and close the door.
Shen Heng said, "I went out with Jiao Jiao for two days and wasn't home. Teacher, how's the matter at the School of Mechanical Engineering?"
Jian Shao said, "I was just talking to you about this. At first, Professor Chen hesitated a bit, saying that since we are teachers in the same department, and who knows when he might be forced to make some decisions that violate the rules. He said it's best to be lenient and not to fall out over a student. But when I told him that you were willing to invest in them, he agreed very readily."
Now that Yancheng allows private economy, Yanda University, in order to develop the scientific research level of its various colleges, has proposed to encourage cooperation with external private enterprises. Private enterprises invest and take the output for profit, while the university can have more money to invest in scientific research and produce scientific research results more quickly, all for the sake of reputation.
However, despite the encouragement, attracting investment is still difficult, and most of it still relies on government funding. But with everything in need of rebuilding, very few research funds can be allocated to each laboratory, creating a vicious cycle where applying for funding requires results, and producing results requires funding.
Now that a private entrepreneur has offered to invest, Mr. Chen couldn't resist immediately.
“That’s good, Ms. Jian. I’d like to talk to Mr. Chen about investment.”
If Shen Heng wants to pursue independent research and development, he can't rely on Shan Guanwen alone. His collaboration with professional teachers at Yanda University is not just a spur-of-the-moment decision.
"No problem, you can come back with me tonight. I'll treat you all to a meal."
"Okay, Ms. Jian, then I'll trouble you."
"Don't be so formal with me. Seeing how well you're doing makes me very proud as your teacher. Even if you're a complete stranger, I'll help you if it's something that benefits economic development."
Professor Jian Shao has aged considerably in the past two years, a result of his tireless efforts in economic system reform.
Shen Heng went home, changed into suitable clothes, and told Bai Jiaojiao that he wouldn't be coming home for dinner.
Bai Jiaojiao didn't go to the lab today either, saying, "Then I'll go to my godfather's house for dinner. If you're out socializing, come back early."
"Hmm, I don't know how late it will be. You don't need to wait for me to go to sleep tonight. Lock the door and go to bed early."
Shen Heng was having dinner at Jian Shao's house when Chen Ting, a teacher from the Mechanical Engineering Department across the street, was already drinking tea at Jian Shao's house. When he saw Shen Heng, he glanced at him, stood up, and said, "Is this the young factory director you were talking about?"
"Let me introduce you. This is my last disciple, Shen Heng. Shen Heng, and this is Professor Chen Ting, a full professor in the School of Mechanical Engineering."
"Hello, Teacher Chen. You can just call me Xiao Shen." Shen Heng extended his hand and shook hands with Chen Ting.
Chen Tingdao said, "He is truly a man of great talent. He is clearly an outstanding entrepreneur. Old Jian, you have made a good choice in selecting your apprentice."
Chen Ting looked at Shen Heng as if he were a god of wealth.
"Right, that's why I chose him – because of his big build. I'm always on the go, and the car is always a mess. I don't feel at ease without him by my side."
Shen Heng: "..."
Jian Shao's wife busied herself preparing the food. Her cooking skills were so-so; when she hosted the dinner, she bought two stir-fries from the cafeteria and then brought back a fish from a restaurant. However, she cooked the noodles herself.
After pouring the wine, Shen Heng spoke first: "Professor Chen, as you probably know, our factory now wants to pursue independent research and development. On one hand, we've set our sights on Shan Guanwen from your department and hope he can come to the factory to guide our work. On the other hand, we still want to take advantage of the strength of the Mechanical Engineering Department of Yanda University and leverage their already mature laboratories to help our factory. However, Shan Guanwen has recently had some conflicts with his laboratory, so I can only ask Professor Jian to ask you for help."
"No one can avoid conflict with Gao Long. Don't worry, Xiao Dan's graduation should be relatively easy. The defense won't be Gao Long's sole decision. I'll try to talk to the other professors and explain the implications to them. I think they won't want to get involved."
Gao Long has no trusted confidants. He only uses and employs people on a case-by-case basis, provided that no one objects. Once someone takes the lead in rebelling against Gao Long, the others will naturally choose to protect themselves.
Shen Heng said, "In that case, I will thank Teacher Chen on behalf of Shan Guanwen in advance."
"It's nothing, it's just a matter of helping those in need!"
The two clinked glasses, and Teacher Chen took a sip.
Unable to resist asking, "Xiao Shen, you just mentioned wanting the help of a mature laboratory. It's actually quite a coincidence. I heard from your Professor Jian that you work in the home appliance industry. Our lab has a project that studies refrigeration systems. Does your factory manufacture refrigerators?"
Shenheng Factory mainly produces televisions now. He has put a lot of effort into just this production line. Moreover, the price of televisions is less than half that of refrigerators, so the market is relatively larger.
However, Shen Heng's investment was based on foresight; refrigerators are something that every household will eventually have.
“If Professor Chen can provide technology that is more advanced than what is currently available on the market, I can certainly make refrigerators too.”
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