"Ah? Today at one o'clock in the afternoon? Huh... That's a coincidence. I actually have a meeting then, a pretty important one. Mu Cheng, what's up with you? Can you give me some context first? I need to see if I should ask for leave," Dajiang said instinctively on receiving Su Mucheng's call.
It wasn't that Xu wanted to throw his weight around, it was just that Dou Dou's blunt criticism last time had really hurt. So subconsciously, Xu Dajiang wanted those young people to understand that he, the director, was actually quite busy. It wasn't like he was idling every day, doing nothing.
But Xu Dajiang hadn't lied—he did have a meeting that afternoon—but whether it was important was a matter of perspective.
Like which people would be attending, for instance.
And given Xu Dajiang's current status, he really could decide the importance of this afternoon's meeting at this level.
If he deemed it important, anyone who didn't attend might be in trouble; if he thought it wasn't important, it wouldn't be a big deal to cancel it or reschedule at the last minute.
Unfortunately, the person on the other end of the phone was Su Mucheng, who didn't have so many schemes but instead spoke with a hint of regret, "Oh, then you go ahead with your business. We can discuss this among ourselves; it's fine whether you make it or not. That's it, I'm hanging up, I still have to call my dad."
Xu Dajiang was annoyed. Why don't these young people understand how to take care of an elder's face?
Luckily, Xu Dajiang quickly weighed the importance of face versus substance and, before Su Mucheng could hang up again, asked, "Su, what's so important that you need to call your dad over?"
"Qiao wants to set up a world-class science prize, something that could replace the Nobel Prize. We're discussing putting up five billion as prize money. Qiao Ze and I don't have enough, so we need to ask my dad to chip in a bit, right?"
Upon hearing this, Xu Dajiang's thoughts froze for three seconds. Afterward, he felt his blood beginning to boil, along with a tinge of fear.
What the hell, he almost missed out on an opportunity that could go down in history because of his pride.
Being involved in designing a world-class science award that aims to rival the Nobel Prize in the future is self-explanatory.
The key point is that Qiao Ze might really succeed, at least in the areas of mathematics, physics, and computer science; right now, his opinions are indeed very persuasive.
How could he not have realized that this Crafoord Prize drama could bring about such a benefit?
This must be the legendary 'strike while the iron's hot,' huh?
Without considering his pride any longer, Xu Dajiang immediately said, "This is a big deal, much more important than my afternoon meeting. One o'clock, right? Okay, I'll be there on time. Su, save me a spot."
"Hmm? It's really okay if your meeting gets disrupted?"
"It's fine, it's fine. The meeting's just about the new semester's teaching quality requirements in the college, and most of the professors are still at Yanbei for training. I can let someone else take charge of the video conference, no problem at all."
"Oh, okay then, let's meet at one o'clock in Qiao's office."
"Right, I'll be there on time. By the way, apart from me and your dad, has Qiao Ze invited anyone else?"
"No one else. We don't need other people to contribute money or effort, so why would we need to discuss it with a lot of people, right?"
"Exactly, exactly, no need, no need. Alright, that's it, I'm hanging up."
Though the meeting was at one o'clock, Xu Dajiang quickly finished his lunch and arrived at the Mathematics Research Institute by twelve forty-something.
For something as important as this, although it wouldn't require dressing up, it was always right to be early.
Being part of an event that could potentially influence the course of world scientific civilization made Xu Dajiang genuinely excited.
Especially since, from Su Mucheng's tone, it seemed like Qiao Ze had only invited him and Su Lixing to discuss this matter.
Look, what good does it do to be a university president like that Chen?
He can only manage the school's own little world!
To start a world-class science award from scratch, he wouldn't even get a say in it!
This sense of spiritual satisfaction was something Xu Dajiang wouldn't even have dared to dream of before, and it was something he simply couldn't reject.
A hint of rationality made him check the parking lot for Su Lixing's car before heading to the institute's building. The car wasn't there yet.
So Xu Dajiang didn't directly go up; instead, he took a look at where Dou Dou was and, feeling that the little guy hadn't noticed him, he went straight into Lv Bei's security room to check on work.
Lv Bei wasn't there, but everyone knew him, the imposing dean from the school, so after chatting awkwardly for a bit, he heard movement outside. Peering through the window, he saw Su Lixing entering the yard alone with a briefcase.
Xu Dajiang didn't rush out; instead, he waited until Su Lixing had gone upstairs before he said goodbye to the duty officers and prepared to go up to the meeting.
Xu Dajiang admitted that there was an air of 'burying his head in the sand' about this maneuver.
But preserving some face was still necessary.
Appearing too eager always made him fear that he'd be teased again.
Fortunately, when he passed by the stairway and saw Dou Dou, the little thing simply rotated its display screen and greeted him, "Uncle, you are here."
"Yes, Dou Dou, good job, you're working diligently," Xu Dajiang praised with a smile.
Unaware that there was a touch of flattery in his words.
"Uncle Xu, we're not part of the same system. Your evaluation isn't important to me, you know," Dou Dou retorted.
"Heh heh..." Xu Dajiang chuckled dryly and walked past Dou Dou.
That little thing, truly getting less and less likable.