The facts were clear without further explanation, anyone with clear sight could see for themselves.
Yang Yi didn’t speak; it wasn’t his place to say anything, and Eric didn’t try to persuade, nor was there any need for him to persuade Ian.
Ian was already excited enough.
"Can I get my own laboratory?"
"I don’t know, it depends on your abilities. If you are capable, what’s a laboratory? I can’t promise you anything, and no one needs to promise you anything. As long as your research direction is valuable and as long as you need it, ten laboratories, a hundred, a thousand laboratories will support you unconditionally—it just depends on your abilities!"
"As for nationality..."
Zhao Qiang regretfully said, "I still can’t make you any promises. Our nationality management is very strict. Unless you can make a very significant contribution, I can’t ensure you can naturalize."
"I mean, can I retain my British nationality?"
Ian thought for a moment, then said, "If I come over, when can I start working?"
"Anytime. This ’anytime’ means right after you have rested well. You might need to explain the direction of your research; if we find it valuable, you can list what resources you need, such as human resources, material resources, and the like."
"Hmm, I absolutely believe my research is valuable. I have a very strong confidence in it. I’ve made some breakthroughs in materials, it’s still confidential at this stage, but how can I be sure it will be taken seriously over there?"
Yang Yi’s heart shuddered fiercely.
He had thought Ian was the bait for something bigger, a means to find truly valuable leads. Yang Yi’s main goal had been to acquire Ian, but with those words, it seemed as if Ian himself was the precious jade.
Remarkable, truly remarkable.
Yang Yi began to feel nervous, and Zhao Qiang must have known the value of these words, but Zhao Qiang spoke calmly, "You should be more confident. Do you need me to say anything else? Look at our performance, do I need to say more? We are desperate for talent, like a thirsty traveler in the desert longing for clear water!"
Ian took a deep breath, then in a deep voice he said, "If I come over with my research project, confident that it will be taken seriously, then how soon can you provide the resources I need to continue my research? If you don’t know, then ask someone who does. I need a precise timetable. I’ve had enough of bureaucratic delays day after day, I’ve had it!"
Zhao Qiang said solemnly, "You want an exact timetable? Fine, I’ll give you one: one day!"
Zhao Qiang held up one finger and continued in a heavy tone, "Arrive today, prove your worth and capabilities, and tomorrow we will provide everything you need. You need assistants? We’ll give you the best, or you can choose them yourself. Whoever you want is yours, no conditions. As for hardware and funding, just make a list. If we have it, if we can buy it, if we can get it, if we know where to find it!"
Ian exhaled deeply, and then extended his hand to Zhao Qiang, saying solemnly, "I will go!"
Zhao Qiang and Ian shook hands, and then Zhao Qiang said with a serious face, "Welcome!"
Eric paused, then exclaimed, "Hey, wait a minute, wait!"
Eric turned to Ian and hurriedly said, "Buddy, have you forgotten what I said? At least find out about your salary first. For instance, how much will you earn per month? And vacations?"
Ian was startled for a moment, but Zhao Qiang spoke slowly, "Sorry, I don’t know how the salary compares with the United Kingdom, but I repeat, it’s all about capability. At least, it would be the highest salary in our circle of scientists, but I must add that over with us, salary is really beside the point. You will find there’s hardly any need for money."
Ian couldn’t suppress a smile and said, "Right, salary really is irrelevant."
Eric protested urgently, "No, don’t forget about the three million British Pounds settling-in fee; that was agreed."
Zhao Qiang thought for a moment, then said, "If that is the agreed condition, then there will be no problem. We don’t mind paying any price for talent."
Ian hurriedly said, "No no no, that doesn’t matter. The key is my research funding..."
Zhao Qiang didn’t hesitate to respond, "You don’t have to worry about that at all. All I can say is that it’s unlimited. That’s not a promise to you, it’s a standard policy for all research projects, of course, assuming..."
"Value and ability, I get it. You don’t have to repeat it every time."
Eric waved his hand helplessly, then addressed Ian, "Forget it, if you think it’s appropriate, that’s fine. I won’t ask for any more settling-in fee on your behalf."
At that moment, Ian, full of confidence, said, "Believe me, compared to the research I’m doing right now, a three million British Pounds settling-in fee is nothing! Really, nothing at all!"
Eric said in a low voice, "You haven’t even said what your research is, it’s just integrating a camera very well, in my opinion..."
Zhao Qiang said firmly, "That’s enough! We are enthusiastic about any research project that can contribute. Ian, as long as you are confident you can do the best, then you will surely receive the best."
Ian took a breath, then suddenly said, "I’m leaving now, but I need to go home and get some materials. I have two portable hard drives with my research data on them. All I need is to take these two hard drives and leave here immediately!"
Zhao Qiang looked toward Yang Yi, and Yang Yi looked back at Zhao Qiang.
Zhao Qiang pondered for a moment, then said to Ian, "Aren’t you considering resigning or anything? I think leaving a place like Kauswell Laboratory without saying anything might affect your future work."
Yang Yi was a bit anxious; wasn’t this unnecessarily creating issues, when the goal was to quickly get Ian out of there? Could it be that Zhao Qiang was actually playing some sort of hard-to-get game?
Ian said in a low voice, "There’s no way to resign; my work is under exit restrictions! I can’t wait anymore, I can’t waste any more time. I have to leave here immediately, so that I can start my research work as soon as possible!"
Zhao Qiang sighed, then looked toward Yang Yi and asked, "Can you arrange for Ian to leave as soon as possible?"
Yang Yi thought that Zhao Qiang and his team would handle the arrangements, but the look in Zhao Qiang’s eyes made it clear—Zhao Qiang wanted to expedite Ian’s departure. So, Zhao Qiang really was playing some sort of hard-to-get scenario after all.
Yang Yi nodded and smiled, "Of course, we can take him away, he can leave tonight."