Chapter 173 Teacher-Student Relationship

Chapter 173 Teacher-Student Relationship

The professors of the Guixu Academy's Mutant Pharmacology and Psychic Medicine Application departments share the same office and laboratory building.

As a result, Yi Qian, the teaching assistant secretary of the Pharmacology department, often runs into Su Jiaoning, the deputy director of the Medical department. This greatly annoys him, but he can't do anything about it.

Medicine and pharmacology are closely related, and the two departments are actually very closely connected. He often delivers various materials to the Medical department, only to be met with Su Jiaoning's snide remarks, either finding fault with something or delaying the process for days, frustrating Yi Qian.

This time, when he was delivering the research topic requirements, he delayed for a while before reluctantly taking the documents to the Medical department. As he approached the office corridor, he saw his mentor, Wu Yuru, sitting in Su Jiaoning's office. Su Jiaoning's eyes were red, and she was wiping away tears while talking to Wu Yuru: "After losing the crystal core, my health has been deteriorating day by day. I easily get tired, can't concentrate, and my memory is fading. All the old health issues have resurfaced, and even a little walk leaves me drenched in sweat..."

Wu Yuru comforted her: "Have you tried to retrieve your own crystal core? I heard that Guixu has released a psychic energy imprint for crystal cores, so such things won't happen in the future."

Su Jiaoning's tears fell again: "I had already entrusted all my savings to the Shanxiao Squad, asking them to retrieve my crystal core for me. But now that this imprint has been released, that villain will definitely bind my crystal core, and I will never be able to get it back... The Shanxiao Squad returned the commission fee and suggested I find another light-attribute crystal core."

Wu Yuru: "..." This child is quite unlucky. With the release of the imprint, all psychics are rejoicing, but she just happened to miss the chance to retrieve her own crystal core.

Yi Qian gently knocked on the door. Su Jiaoning quickly looked up, wiped away her tears, and upon seeing him, her expression changed slightly, but she still managed to say: "Oh, it's Junior Brother Yi. That's great. Professor Wu, look, it's Junior Brother Yi. He arrived in Guixu City early and has established himself well. He's now involved in many major projects."

Wu Yuru was also pleased to see Yi Qian. She admired this diligent, intelligent, and hardworking student: "Ah, it's Xiao Yi. Good, good. You made the right choice coming to Guixu."

Yi Qian smiled and said: "Hello, Professor Wu. I heard that the head of the Psychic Research Institute has been sentenced to life imprisonment, and I've been worried about how you've been. Back then, my senior brothers and I went around seeking help... but we were constantly threatened, told not to cause trouble or we'd be expelled from Zhongzhou. Later, the institute transferred your projects and lab to Senior Brother Su, and many projects had their budgets and staff cut. I was also laid off, and being an ordinary person, I couldn't stay in Zhongzhou anymore. My father once studied under Yao Lao, so on his advice, we moved to Guixu to settle down."

He spoke at length, hoping to expose Su Jiaoning's true nature. Su Jiaoning wanted to subtly mock him for switching allegiances, but he wanted to show that she was the one who had burned bridges. However, Wu Yuru was completely distracted by the mention of Yao Lao: "Yao Lao? Are you studying under him now? That's wonderful!"

Wu Yuru was excited: "You're a good kid with a promising future. Learn well from Yao Lao."

Su Jiaoning chimed in sourly: "Yao Lao also teaches in the Medical department, but he only occasionally gives lectures and no longer takes on disciples. I heard he only has two junior disciples by his side now, one is an orphan with eye problems, and the other is the daughter of General Ren Yuefei from Jingnan Base, Dean Mi's granddaughter."

Yi Qian said: "When my father took me to visit Yao Lao, he was quite impressed with me and indeed said he wasn't taking on any more disciples, but he asked Professor Zhou Yun to mentor me."

Wu Yuru became even more excited: "Zhou Yun? That's even better! Learn well from him!"

Su Jiaoning said: "Dr. Zhou is young and in charge of many projects. He doesn't come to class often, and he's quite aloof. He doesn't seem like the type who enjoys mentoring disciples. I doubt you'll learn much. Junior Brother Yi is now just running errands, doing menial tasks and basic data work, which is exhausting. Professor Wu, since you're here with General Ye for an exchange, why not stay in Guixu? Both Junior Brother Yi and I can follow you, just like before."

Wu Yuru shook her head: "General Ye has been kind to me. When I was imprisoned, I was in a bad state. After General Ye consulted me on some minor matters, he had my detention conditions changed. The management became much more lenient, and I was provided with food, accommodation, and even allowed to read and conduct research. Later, when the Psychic Research Institute case broke out, General Ye had someone approach me to be a whistleblower. He then helped reduce my sentence and secured my release on bail. I should be fully released soon."

"I'm now leading a few projects in Lindong. The lab conditions there are excellent, and the funding is sufficient. I plan to stay there. Xiao Su, if you're not doing well here, you can come with me. But Xiao Yi clearly has a bright future here. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Learn well from Dr. Zhou, and if possible, become his disciple."

Both Yi Qian and Su Jiaoning were puzzled. Yi Qian asked: "Professor, do you know something we don't?"

Wu Yuru said: "It's not exactly insider information. It should be made public soon, and you'll find out then. In any case, being Dr. Zhou's disciple will lead to an extraordinary future."

She had conducted genetic testing for Ye Yuqing, including crystal core transplantation, psychic ability activation, limb regeneration, and eye regeneration. Each of these was a groundbreaking academic achievement. She noticed that all the treatment plans were signed with the name "Zhou Yun." Connecting this with Guixu City's achievements, it was easy to deduce that he was the hidden "Dongjun" city lord.

She looked at Yi Qian sincerely: "Xiao Yi, you're diligent and intelligent, and you work solidly. Any teacher would like such a disciple. Do your best, don't worry about me, just focus on your research with sincerity and dedication. He will surely be moved by your efforts. I only hope you continue to excel in your academic path. Don't be constrained by sectarianism or factionalism. We're in the apocalypse now."

Yi Qian's facial muscles stiffened, and he couldn't smile.

He was still somewhat puzzled: "But... my father heard from a former senior brother that..." He thought about it but didn't dare to say it out loud, only mumbling vaguely.

Wu Yuru was surprised but then suddenly understood: "Are you saying his sexual orientation is different?" The news of General Guan and Dongjun's upcoming marriage was already an open secret among the higher-ups.

Yi Qian: "..."

Su Jiaoning looked up in shock: "What?"

Wu Yuru sternly criticized Yi Qian: "What are you thinking? As a female teacher, I've been mentoring you male students. Why didn't you worry about me? Why does it become a problem when it's a male teacher with a different sexual orientation? Such assumptions are highly disrespectful!"

"His academic achievements are undeniable—psychic affinity test strips, crystal core transplantation, psychic energy imprints for crystal cores. Which of these isn't a groundbreaking invention? Throughout history, many scientific giants have had different sexual orientations. Did anyone care? And you, the first thing you notice is his sexual orientation! What have you been learning all this time?"

Wu Yuru's face turned red with anger. As a female teacher leading male students, she had also experienced some baseless anonymous letters being reported to the school and even sent to her husband. At this moment, she empathized deeply and couldn't help but speak sharply, her expression furious and her words heavy.

Su Jiaoning couldn't help but laugh, her tone sarcastic: "Junior Brother Yi is indeed quite handsome, no wonder. But I think even if Dr. Zhou's sexual orientation is male, he might not find everyone appealing. Junior Brother Yi is really overthinking it."

Wu Yuru sighed: "No wonder. I was wondering why you came to Guixu so early and worked so diligently, and with your father having studied under Yao Lao. Xiao Su said you're still doing these menial tasks. With such thoughts, it's inevitable that they show in your words and demeanor. He's an extremely intelligent person; how could he not notice?"

Yi Qian's face turned red, feeling extremely ashamed and regretful, tears almost falling: "I was wrong, teacher."

Wu Yuru sighed: "With this mindset, you probably won't have much of a future in Guixu. It might be better to come with me to Lindong. It's okay to stray temporarily, as long as you correct yourself in time. I always hope for the best for you."

Yi Qian wiped his tears: "Thank you, Teacher Wu... I still want to stay here. If you ever need anything from me in the future, just let me know, and I will do my best. I will always be grateful for your reminders and care."

Wu Yuru was somewhat surprised: "If you stay here, you might have to endure these tedious administrative tasks and the heavy workload of collecting basic data for a long time, and you might never gain trust again. Are you sure you still want to stay here?"

Yi Qian's expression was firm: "Yes, even though I'm doing these ordinary administrative tasks and collecting basic data, I still have access to the latest pharmaceutical information, the newest mutated herbs, and mutated plant resources that are hard to come by outside. I can interact daily with top medical experts I could never have met before the apocalypse, listen to their lectures, and ask them questions."

Yi Qian's face turned purple, somewhat embarrassed: "Even Yao Lao and Dr. Zhou will carefully review my academic papers and basic data experimental reports and give me feedback. There's no suppression." Even though he knew deep down that he would never gain Zhou Yun's trust again, he wondered if he had been more proactive and hadn't made mistakes, could he really have had the chance to become Zhou Yun's direct disciple, as his mentor had said?

Wu Yuru nodded in approval: "Indeed, you've always been able to stay calm, endure hardship, and be meticulous and patient. Then continue to work hard. If you ever want to go to Lindong, just contact me." From her perspective, having a student stay in Guixu was also beneficial for her to obtain cutting-edge research information, so she still needed to carefully win him over.

Yi Qian was deeply moved and expressed his gratitude. Seeing that Wu Yuru obviously had more to discuss with Su Jiaoning, who was after all her most outstanding student, he tactfully left the research materials and excused himself.

Wu Yuru watched Yi Qian leave and then said to Su Jiaoning: "Think about it. If you want to go to Lindong, our exchange period here is a week. Once you've made up your mind, just pack up, and I'll take you back with me. Over there, it's fully military-managed, with dormitories, canteens, and laboratories all arranged. The conditions should be better than what you have here."

Su Jiaoning hesitated: "From what you said earlier, Dr. Zhou can perform crystal core transplant surgeries? I have some connections with General Guan... I was thinking... to ask General Guan to put in a good word for me, to have Dr. Zhou perform a crystal core transplant surgery for me."

These days, he had been probing around and found that Jiang Rongqian and Dong Kexin both seemed to have psychic, and they didn't hide it much. Tang Anchen even directly bought a crystal core, smiling and saying it was for Sister Kexin. Clearly, both of them had also awakened their psychic.

Wu Yuru: "..." This student came from a prestigious family, and when she had mentored him, she indeed gained many conveniences and resource inclinations in academic research. Therefore, she had treated this student with considerable effort. But now, she still felt somewhat disappointed: "I seem to recall you saying before that you insisted on bringing General Guan back because he was your benefactor, and his legs were amputated saving you? You were then focused on researching whether light psychic could restore amputated limbs and conducted many experiments."

Su Jiaoning said: "Yes."

Wu Yuru: "..." This Zhou Yun is most likely Dongjun. You caused his husband's legs to be amputated, and you still hope he would perform a crystal core transplant surgery for you without any resentment? Have you been in high positions for so long, surrounded by flatterers, that you think others should naturally be good to you?

She was about to scold him but saw his red and swollen eyes and thought of how pitiful he was now. After some consideration, she said: "Since Guixu announced the psychic affinity test paper and that case of limb regeneration and psychic awakening, this technology has been semi-public. The key is that high-level wood psychic ability users are hard to find, but this isn't a problem in Lindong Base. The Haiyuan Laboratory in Lindong Base has also been able to successfully transplant crystal cores and awaken psychic."

In fact, most laboratories could already do this privately, but they all followed Dongjun's lead and didn't publicly announce it.

Su Jiaoning mumbled: "But if Dr. Zhou performs this surgery, wouldn't the success rate be higher?"

Wu Yuru patiently said: "Even if it fails, it won't be fatal. The risk of this surgery is very small." With the increasing levels of high-level light psychic and wood psychic, the probability of death during surgery has decreased significantly.

She continued to persuade Su Jiaoning: "Given General Guan's current status, it's already very difficult to get a word with him. Are you sure you want to use this rare bit of old comrade camaraderie on this psychic awakening? Moreover, it's not General Guan performing the surgery, but Dr. Zhou. What connection do you have with Dr. Zhou?"

Su Jiaoning: "..." No connection, only enmity.

Wu Yuru said: "It's better to keep this bit of old comrade camaraderie. Let's go to Lindong and get it done there. If you ever have something major in the future, you can still use this relationship. Don't exhaust all your favors; once used up, there's no way forward. You're alone now, without psychic, and need to learn more about these social nuances."

Su Jiaoning's heart also began to waver. What if Zhou Yun was unhappy, not necessarily deliberately, but just not putting in enough effort, and there were side effects later? It seemed that the teacher's side was better, and the prospects were brighter.

He immediately made a decision: "Alright, teacher is right. I'll go with you."

Ye Yuqing brought his grand team of experts to Guixu for a week, discussed many collaborations, signed many contracts, and then grandly returned.

And as the bases concluded their preliminary rounds, they sent their psychic and psychic teams to Guixu, arriving one after another.

The semi-finals and finals of the Psychic Competition began.