Chapter 91

Chapter 91

"What do you reckon the deputy director called us all in for?"

"How should I know? At least they're not gonna fire us, right?"

A few college students were uneasy; most of them had graduated from Peking University, plus a couple from Tsinghua. The 101 Institute was close to Peking University, and many of its professors also taught there as adjunct faculty. If not for the movement, they might still be giving occasional lectures at the university.

These students were the top dogs from Peking University—perfect GPA types. Looking back on their lives, they could be called the golden kids of their generation. But ever since joining the 101 Institute, many had realized just how vast the world's disparities could be—the gap between some people was bigger than the gap between humans and dogs. Standing before these professors, they felt like paramecia next to these professors, with zero intellectual swagger left.

Xu Donghua stood in the farthest corner. His hair was a bit longer than before, and for some reason, he hadn't gotten it cut. He looked gloomy and sullen, like slimy moss in a damp corner. The people around him exchanged glances, getting that he was stuck in his own head. They paid him no mind and just kept whispering among themselves.

A few minutes later, Professor Zhu Guangya walked in with Feng Xia. Feng Xia looked at the row of obedient, trembling college students and smiled with satisfaction. Aside from one elderly professor specializing in materials science, she planned to pick her assistants from the newcomers. Intelligence didn't matter much—she already had the rough data for the finished product in her head. What mattered most was obedience.

These people had already participated in some of the earlier experiments. Seeing Feng Xia and Vice Minister Zhu Guangya sizing them up like they were picking out cabbages at the market, they naturally guessed that a new project was coming down the pike. They held back their excitement and stood in line. Even Xu Donghua, skulking in the corner, burning with resentment and hatred for Feng Xia, couldn't help but show a glimmer of anticipation.

Feng Xia smiled, her voice crisp and bright: "I have a research project that's been approved. Anyone willing to join, raise your hand."

Swish—the whole front row raised their hands.

Feng Xia continued: "Those with the best English, step forward. Must be able to read and write."

A guy with glasses and a short-haired girl stepped forward, standing out. Both couldn't help but show a hint of pride. Feng Xia nodded and gestured for them to stand aside.

"Those who have written project proposals before, step forward. Or those who write the best experiment reports."

A short guy proudly stepped forward and joined the two future project partners.

Feng Xia casually grabbed two of the biggest guys and one girl who was immaculately dressed with perfect hair. That was her selection done. Zhu Guangya nodded, finished the registration, and Feng Xia was ready to take her crew to her private lab.

"Professor, are you just gonna let her pick people like that? This is totally unfair!" Xu Donghua's face darkened as he almost shouted, voicing his discontent.

Feng Xia raised an eyebrow at him but said nothing. Zhu Guangya's expression turned serious: "I remember you, Xu Donghua. Didn't you get assigned to another lab group? Why are you here?"

Xu Donghua's face flushed at the question: "I, I finished that project. Professor Wang said I had free time now." He didn't say it outright, but it was clear—Professor Wang had booted him from the project.

Zhu Guangya's face went dark, his voice icy: "Is that so." The rest went without saying.

Xu Donghua's eyes bored into Feng Xia and her group, full of resentment and anger: "Professor, why does she get to pick people arbitrarily? This isn't fair! It's bad for lab unity. Professor, aren't you going to step in?"

Feng Xia adjusted her lab coat, a smile on her face, but her voice was as cold as alpine snow, biting to the bone.

"You want to talk about fairness with me? Fine, let me ask you—I'm the lead on this project. Why shouldn't I be allowed to pick my own people?"

Xu Donghua stubbornly shouted back: "It's still unfair! Just because you're the project lead, you can pick anyone you want? Who knows what they slipped you under the table? Why them?!"

Feng Xia let out a dismissive laugh: "And what makes you think you're better than them? I believe the lab has rules about dress and hairstyle, right? If you're serious about doing experiments, look at yourself—your hair's so long it's almost covering your eyes. I'm afraid you wouldn't even be able to read the reagents clearly. Now look at them—neat and tidy. Tell me, why should I go dumpster diving? I'm here to do research, not run a charity."

Feng Xia's dressing-down left Xu Donghua red-faced and sputtering, unable to utter a single word. His finger trembled as he pointed at her, shaking violently. Feng Xia half-expected him to keel over any second.

The students standing nearby were stunned! Damn, so this is how a big shot reads someone the riot act? Not a single swear word, but she tore him to shreds. Their eyes were practically shining as they looked at Feng Xia—she was freaking amazing.

Zhu Guangya, being a sly old fox, stepped in then to smooth things over: "Comrade Feng Xia, you can't talk like that. Don't you have experiments to run? Take your crew and go." Then he turned to Xu Donghua with a smile: "Comrade Xu, don't mind her. She's young and speaks too bluntly—doesn't know any better. Don't take it to heart. As for the experiment, I'll go ask Old Wang what's going on, alright?"

His words said everything and nothing. Xu Donghua, pale-faced, watched Zhu Guangya's back disappear through the door. The people around him kept their distance, refusing to talk to him. This guy was shady—who knew if he'd stab you in the back?

Xu Donghua wanted to leave, but he couldn't. A basic researcher earned fifteen yuan a month; joining a project group added a five-yuan bonus, and a successful project meant dividends. Becoming a second-level researcher came with a thirty-yuan base salary. For professors and vice ministers, the pay was even higher. He didn't dare leave—outside, he'd struggle to find a job with such good pay, benefits, and prestige.

He looked around blankly. Everyone else was cold and busy. And him? He had no idea where his future lay.

Feng Xia led her team into the lab. There were five of them, plus an elderly materials science professor named Huang—seven in total. This was the entire "Composite Ceramic Materials" team. First order of business: signing confidentiality agreements.

An officer from the Ministry of Science and Technology oversaw the signing. Once done, he packed the agreements into his briefcase, smiled, shook Feng Xia's hand, and left, looking optimistic about the experiment.

Feng Xia turned to face the excited, nervous, and slightly terrified students. She picked up a wrist-thick wooden stick from the table and, with a smile, snapped it in half with a crisp crack right in front of them.

The five students all turned pale. Even Professor Huang couldn't help but glance sideways.

The young woman smiled sweetly, her left cheek dimpling charmingly: "In our lab, you'd better do your work properly. Got it? I'm not usually one for violence, but when I lose my temper, I can't always hold back. When I'm angry, anything can happen. You all agree, right?"