"What? Someone wants to five billion to our school?" The president of Jiangnan University almost jumped up at the news, and even the old professors chatting with him had looks of fiery excitement in their eyes.
Every year, the government allocates a large amount of research funding to various universities. Jiangnan University is considered one of the top comprehensive universities in the country, and its annual research funding is less than five billion. This donation is almost equivalent to over a year's worth of research funding for the whole school!
What's most important for a university? Scientific research achievements! As the saying goes, "You can't make bricks without straw," and research funding is the lifeline of scientific research. To be blunt, research is essentially a money-consuming endeavor. Without money, even a group of academicians can't achieve much.
Those old professors are already of advanced age. They've long passed the point of thinking about getting rich, and what the school spends to hire them is an unimaginable sum for common people. But their pursuit of research is their sole obsession for the coming days.
Though five billion sounds like a lot, the university has so many colleges and research groups that when divided up, it's not actually that much. Many professors travel around, negotiating with companies for cooperation to secure more funds for research.
Suddenly hearing that someone wants to five billion to the school, all the professors immediately perked up.
"Alright, I'm in the office, come over first, and we'll discuss this!" This was a big matter. Principal Shen was originally discussing with these professors about a leader visiting the school that afternoon for guidance, so they might as well also discuss the distribution of funds.
"Old Shen? Did we hear correctly just now? Someone wants to five billion to our school as research funding?" An elderly man, missing several teeth, laughed radiantly. His research group had several equipment purchases awaiting arrangements.
"Yes, you heard right!" Principal Shen laughed.
"Is it a famous alumnus? We've had so many students graduate and start businesses, but not many could come up with five billion, right?" another professor said.
"It's a student, though he hasn't graduated yet!" Principal Shen replied, "I heard from Old Qi that today the leader's visit isn't primarily for inspection and guidance but to meet this student. He seems to have a significant academic achievement to report to the state!"
"A significant academic achievement? Is it Qi Dong's group's breakthrough?" They instinctively thought that student was Qi Dong's student, remembering that Qi Dong's group's achievements had been stuck at a bottleneck for many years. They estimated it might be related.
"I don't care about anything else, Principal. Our group's research on new battery electrodes is at a critical stage. If we succeed this time, I guarantee our university's research on batteries will reach the top position among domestic universities! You must allocate more funding to me!"
"Old Wu, stop boasting! Who does that stuff nowadays? The future focus must be our direction in artificial intelligence! Old Shen, you've promised to allocate funds to us for new equipment two years ago; this time you can't back out!"
"Old Xu, isn't that too much? While AI development is impressive, don't think we don't know how much those two devices cost. If imported, it would be at least 1.5 billion. Why should you alone get a third? Do the other groups not need to survive?"
"Exactly! Everyone's research isn't easy, and we shouldn't be biased. I don't agree with Old Xu's demand!"
"Old Ding! I haven't even held you accountable for your student breaking our group's equipment last time, and now you're siding with them against me?" Professor Xu was furious.
"That's a separate matter!"
If Fang Jueyu knew his donation almost caused so much academic conflict, what would his expression be?
"Bang!" The principal's office door was flung open, "You old folks are something; fighting over money that hasn't even arrived? Let me tell you, I fought for this donation! Without my consent, don't think any of you will get a dime!"
Qi Dong stormed into the principal's office, almost flipping a table after overhearing their bickering for shares at the door.
"Old Qi, have a seat, have some water. We all know you have the biggest influence!" A sharp professor quickly poured him a cup of tea, "Hehe, Old Qi, we've been friends for so many years, this money, hehe..."
"Old Qi, your grandson is graduating soon, right? I happen to have a granddaughter about the same age. I think young people should get to know each other. How about coming to my place for dinner next weekend?"
"Old Du, don't think I don't know your granddaughter looks like a pumpkin, another professor chimed in with a smile, "Old Qi, my granddaughter is pretty. She has been dancing since elementary school, and she's in great shape..."
For the first time, Qi Dong felt a sense of satisfaction. Although he's an academician, there were over forty academicians in Jiangnan University. All present held this title, and these old folks usually didn't acknowledge each other's superiority and even had a vaguely visible academic disdain chain. Qi Dong had always been in the lower-mid of this chain.
"Now you all need my favor!" Qi Dong beamed delightfully. "Our group wants five hundred million from this fund, do you have any objections?"
Qi Dong initially wanted a billion. With the additional money Fang Jueyu was providing, it would be ten years' worth of research funding for their group, but given the limited pie, he couldn't be too excessive.
"Of course, of course! This money came from your efforts, Old Qi; asking for ten percent isn't too much!"
"Yes, yes, not too much!"
At this point, who dared to oppose Qi Dong?
"We'll discuss fund allocation later. I'm here to inform you of some matters," Qi Dong said. "This achievement was done by the donor, who is only a junior at our school. If verified, this achievement might be nominated for a Nobel Prize in a few years. Do you know what that means?"
"Nobel Prize?" Those two words were the lifelong dream of everyone present.
"However, my student doesn't want this to cause too much trouble for him personally. So, he hopes this achievement can be published under the name of our school's Life Sciences Institute. In the coming period, I will need your help to prepare materials!" Qi Dong emphasized "my student" to give himself some face.
"This is a big deal for our school; we can't refuse!"
"Right! Old Qi, you lead this time, and we'll all follow your arrangements!"
Every old professor patted their chest firmly. Of course, whether for the school's sake or because of a desire for more funding was anyone's guess.
Meanwhile, Fang Jueyu had just finished making lunch. Though he had urgent matters, after their intimate moment, he felt uneasy leaving just like that.
"I've talked to Sister Xiaoying. If you need anything, just tell her and I'll come back as soon as I finish."
"Alright, alright, go then. Why are you being so wishy-washy?" Guo Xinyu laughed at Fang Jueyu's exaggerated behavior, though her heart felt warm. But she wondered if every man could be , and how long this kind of concern would last.
"Then I'm really going?" Fang Jueyu hesitated with every step.
"Am I really, really going?"
"Stop being wishy-washy, I beg you..."