Fan Jiasheng let out a deep sigh, not knowing whether he was truly lamenting Qiao Ze's foolishness or resenting himself for not having a daughter as beautiful as a flower.
"Qiao Ze? The one who works on material models? That Qiao Ze?" Lu Zhongguo asked in astonishment.
He didn't understand the first half of the sentence, but he recognized the name Qiao Ze.
And then he was stunned again.
Just now, people in the group chat were discussing it, saying that there was reliable news: the material model that had driven the upstream manufacturers insane had been developed by a professor named Qiao Ze from Xilin University of Technology.
Though he hadn't joined the chat, his heart was filled with envy.
Anyone who could develop such a model, praised by a myriad of engineers, would probably never have to worry about money in their life.
He never imagined he would meet such a legendary figure tomorrow.
No wonder the boss didn't mind the leak!
"What are you talking about, working on material models? He is a mathematician! Do you understand? A mathematician! Working on models is just a sideline! His achievements in mathematics are the real deal. Lu, if you really want to better yourself, you should keep up with the news. Especially the daily news at seven o'clock, you must watch it!"
Fan Jiasheng said with meaningful emphasis until the secretary brought in the printed documents, which he stamped and handed over to Lu Zhongguo.
Lastly, he gave an instruction, "Oh, and if Professor Qiao happens to give any offhand advice tomorrow, make sure you record it. Go to logistics and get a digital voice recorder to carry with you. Just be upfront about using it, Professor Qiao probably won't mind."
"Sure, Director Fan."
Early the next morning, when Lu Zhongguo arrived at the factory, ready to meet Qiao Ze at any moment, Xu Dajiang was pacing anxiously in the stairwell next to the corridor outside conference room 603 in the Xilin University of Technology administration building.
Finally, he heard footsteps coming from below. Xu Dajiang poked his head out and saw they had finally arrived.
"Found it, boss." A sweat-drenched Liu Chenfeng handed over an onion.
Looking at the intact onion, Xu Dajiang glared at Liu Chenfeng.
"Didn't I tell you to find a way to cut it? If you cut it suddenly now, the smell is too strong, it's unprofessional!"
"Boss, you were rushing me; I didn't have time to look for a knife!"
"Forget it, do you have the key?" Xu Dajiang decided not to fuss over it, as he couldn't expect everyone to be as perceptive as Qiao Ze.
After all, this was a student he had foolishly taken on himself, and he had to accept the kid's stupidity.
"Oh, yes, here it is..." Liu Chenfeng suddenly realized and immediately removed the key from his pants and handed it to his supervisor.
Xu Dajiang took the key, thought for a moment, and then handed back the onion: "You hold this..."
"Uh..." Liu Chenfeng took the onion, and then Xu Dajiang promptly stabbed the key into it, stirred it around viciously a few times, and smeared some of the onion juice that came out onto his finger. With resolve, he applied it directly to his eyes.
Liu Chenfeng watched dumbfounded as his own boss treated himself so harshly; his eyes noticeably reddened, and tears and snot began to run uncontrollably. Admiration began to overflow in his heart...
"Boss, you don't have to go this far..."
"You don't know shit..."
Xu Dajiang, in the midst of the burning sensation, cursed softly and then said, "I'm supposed to go in there, throw a fit and complain. If I don't do this, what if I can't help but laugh outright at the critical moment?"
Liu Chenfeng swallowed hard, finding the explanation simply perfect!
"Alright, get lost now. Remember to take the stairs, and keep the onion in your pocket; don't let anyone see it." Feeling that his emotions were sufficiently stimulated and finally being able to barely open his eyes, Xu Dajiang gave his disciple one last glare and then turned and strode confidently towards the meeting room.