Chapter 55 Shamelessness to the Extreme
These past few days, Yu Yan has been dealing with her thesis, visiting many relevant departments.
She had only recently returned to China and wasn't very familiar with the situation there, so Shao Muyan helped her with many of the procedures.
Yu Yan was truly grateful to Uncle Yan.
Saying I'm grateful is actually too mild.
After all, when something really happens, there are always few people who will help you in your time of need; everyone tries to avoid such situations. But Shao Muyan never said a word of objection after the incident and shielded her from a lot of negative comments.
With her thesis to work on and other tasks to continue, Yu Yan has been incredibly busy these past few days and has lost a lot of weight.
Xiang Jingheng is also extremely busy.
This time, Xiaoxing's research lab is really in big trouble.
He had a premonition that something was wrong when the incident happened. Last time, he was taken away by the security bureau outside the family compound and underwent an investigation. Although they didn't say much, Xiang Jingheng still had some sensitivity.
I guessed that Yu Yan is no ordinary scientific researcher.
Whether it was her sudden disappearance three years ago or the kidnapping incident, she is shrouded in mystery.
Mu Zhiwei and others were taken away for investigation. Yu Yan provided all the materials she was required to provide, and Mu Zhiwei also prepared a lot of materials, but they could not withstand the investigation and were full of loopholes.
Gan Xiaoxing rushed into Xiang Jingheng's office without a care in the world, and when she asked him for help again, Xiang Jingheng looked at her expressionlessly.
"You still have the nerve to come looking for me?"
"Jingheng, who else can I turn to if not you? No one else can help me but you."
Gan Xiaoxing's face was pale. She hadn't expected things to escalate to this extent. She had received many phone calls in the past few days, and many departments had come to her home to inquire.
...It was called an inquiry, but Gan Xiaoxing felt it was practically an interrogation!
Her parents panicked and privately asked her what Yu Yanjiu actually did. She was just an ordinary university teacher, so why did she alarm so many high-ranking officials?
Gan Tai even went back to the school to inquire about it, but the teachers, whether they were her former colleagues or students, all avoided her.
For her daughter's sake, she thought she should swallow her pride and go to see the principal, after all, he was her former boss, but she couldn't even get a meeting with Principal Mu...
Gan Xiaoxing recounted the grievances she had suffered over the past few days to Xiang Jingheng, as if she were the one whose thesis had been stolen and the victim.
The more Xiang Jingheng listened, the colder his expression became.
However, Gan Xiaoxing was so engrossed in her own emotions that she kept cursing this person and that person, trying to clear herself of all wrongdoing and claiming to be completely innocent.
"We were still too hasty."
Xiang Jingheng suddenly interrupted her, "Since you've already stolen it, why don't you wait for Yu Yan to publish her paper first, and then accuse her of plagiarism?"
Gan Xiaoxing was stunned for a moment, "What did you say..."
"If you're going to use Mu Zhiwei to deal with Yu Yan, then go all the way. Make him accuse Yu Yan of plagiarism, and then she'll have a hard time clearing her name later."
Xiang Jingheng shook his head, looking quite regretful.
"You acted too hastily. You stole files from Yu Yan's computer. Do you know how much of that data was encrypted? This is theft!"
He stared intently at Gan Xiaoxing. "Don't even mention Mu Zhiwei, I can't even save you. You'd better think of someone to take the blame for you."
Every word Xiang Jingheng said seemed to be on her side and considering her best interests, giving Gan Xiaoxing the illusion that no matter what she did, no matter if she did it right or wrong, Xiang Jingheng was still on her side.
"Jing Heng!"
Gan Xiaoxing was deeply moved and wanted to rush over to hug him, but Xiang Jingheng dodged her.
Seeing him frown, Gan Xiaoxing awkwardly withdrew her hand, bit her lip, squatted down in front of him, and looked at him with her puppy-dog eyes from when she was a child.
She had always known that Xiang Jingheng was the type of person who responded better to gentleness than force. From childhood to adulthood, whenever she gave him that look, he would grant her any request she made.
"Jingheng, I was inconsiderate this time, please don't be angry."
Gan Xiaoxing pursed her lips. "Actually, at first, that was what I thought too. I would deal with Yu Yan after she published her paper. But she was too patient. She wrote the paper so long ago but didn't publish it. Once this kind of paper is published, it will definitely cause a sensation in the industry. It will be very difficult to accuse her of plagiarism. After all, none of the doctoral students in our research lab can compare to Yu Yan's reputation. I had no choice."
Xiang Jingheng listened in silence, "You seem quite helpless."
"It's really frustrating."
Gan Xiaoxing shrugged, her eyes filled with jealousy and resentment. "She's Academician Yu's granddaughter, and her teacher, Professor Fang, is a renowned figure in the research circle. She also has an ambiguous relationship with Shao Muyan. These three powerful figures alone can guarantee her a lifetime of wealth and status. I'm just unlucky compared to Academician Yu; I don't have her strong background. The research circle and academia are very complex. Is the matter of authorship on papers really that clean?"
She smiled dismissively, "I don't believe that Yu Yan, at her current age and level, could write such a paper. It's probably written by her grandfather and her teacher, and she's just putting her name on it to promote her."
“Of course,” Gan Xiaoxing smiled meaningfully, “it’s also possible that she’s latched onto Shao Muyan. Look at this whole affair, Shao Muyan’s been running around like crazy, he seems even more anxious than she is. Who would believe there’s no connection?”
Xiang Jingheng saw all of Gan Xiaoxing's expressions.
He asked casually, "Have you thought about how this will end?"
As if she had finally gotten over it, and as if she was certain that Jing Heng would stand by her side, Gan Xiaoxing simply revealed all her inner thoughts.
"The ending is simple. To be frank, this matter has nothing to do with me. The paper was published by Mu Zhiwei and it was put in his name. Whether it's academic fraud or paper theft, it's his business. At most, as his boss, I have some responsibility for lax supervision. At worst, I can just shut down the research lab."
At this point, she looked a little aggrieved and glanced at Jing Heng, "Anyway, you're not planning to continue investing in me, are you?"
Xiang Jingheng glanced at Gan Xiaoxing's face.
"Oh, so it's my fault again?"
"Oh no, that's not it."
Gan Xiaoxing squatted down in front of him, twisted her body, and acted coquettishly, "I've been so annoyed these past few days. Groups of people keep coming to my house, my parents are scared half to death, and they keep asking me what's going on. I don't want to stay at home anymore, I want to go on a trip and relax. I've been so busy with work these past few years, I haven't been able to go out and have fun in a long time. Besides, I still have you, don't I? If I can't make it in academia, I'll just marry you and become a rich wife."
You're dreaming.
Xiang Jingheng looked at her and sneered, "Why should I marry you?"
Gan Xiaoxing was slightly taken aback; she sensed the change in his expression.
"Just look at your jealous face, your irresponsible attitude, and your ugly demeanor!"
Xiang Jingheng stared straight at her.
"So this is the real you. Gan Xiaoxing, we grew up together, but I only truly got to know you today. You have really opened my eyes."
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