Lu Jiaojiao's expression changed.
A pass jointly signed by two major research institutes was, of course, more than sufficient.
But the question was, why would Rong Yu, a minor celebrity and not a researcher, have obtained this pass?
She looked carefully; it indeed bore Rong Yu's name.
Rong Yu put her phone away. "Now, may I enter?"
Lu Jiaojiao stepped aside, clearing the path.
Ji Mohan led Rong Yu up the steps to the main entrance, swiped the pass, passed the facial recognition, entered, took the elevator, and proceeded into the experimental area.
Although Ji Mohan was only a junior researcher, he was the primary discoverer of the new substance, granting him the authority to retrieve it. He placed it before Rong Yu.
Rong Yu immediately began her research.
The materials institute had already provided the basic data and properties, which mostly aligned with her expectations. Now, her task was to determine how to make this substance the optimal material for space applications.
"Ah Mo, I'll need samples of each of these substances," she instructed. "I'm going to start synthesizing elements and running experiments to collect data. You'll assist me."
Ji Mohan nodded. "Yes, Great-Grandmother."
Rong Yu's greatest expertise lay in mathematics and physics. While she had some involvement in the field of chemical materials, she wasn't as proficient as Ji Mohan, the specialist. Many details relied on his oversight.
"Calculations indicate that Shi can form a strong coupling with graphene..." Rong Yu frowned. "But the change in Shi's electrical conductivity under microgravity doesn't fit the underlying model..."
The two of them stayed in the lab until late into the night.
Rong Yu was still fully engrossed.
It was only when Ji Mohan's stomach growled with hunger that he realized they hadn't eaten all day.
He hurried out to buy food.
Once outside the experimental area, his phone regained signal. He saw a message from Lu Jiaojiao sent half an hour prior: "Mohan, I had a minor car accident on the road. Can you come pick me up?"
Ji Mohan called back. "Jiaojiao, is the accident situation resolved? Are you okay?"
"Why did you only call me back now?" Lu Jiaojiao complained. "The car is undrivable, it's been towed. This place is in the middle of nowhere, I can't get a taxi. I don't even know how to get home."
Ji Mohan said, "Send me the address. Wait a moment."
He brought the food in for Rong Yu. "Great-Grandmother, a friend of mine had a car accident. I need to go help. I'll come back to pick you up later."
Rong Yu, immersed in her experiment, waved a hand dismissively.
Ji Mohan drove to the outskirts. After over half an hour, he saw Lu Jiaojiao waiting at a service area.
Lu Jiaojiao opened the car door and got in.
As a woman in the sciences, her interpersonal skills were poor. Her circle consisted only of senior fellow students and colleagues, with no close friends to speak of. As for family, it was better not to mention them.
She looked touched. "Thank you, Mohan."
Ji Mohan drove her home.
Just as they pulled up to the Lu residence, his phone screen lit up with a new message.
Lu Jiaojiao glanced over casually and saw the preview of the sent content on the screen—
It was a file.
The title was: Shi-TaSe2.
Ji Mohan picked up his phone and opened it, his face a picture of astonishment.
He had only been gone for a little over an hour, and Great-Grandmother had already cracked this key problem. Some details needed filling in, a task that would fall to him.
Lu Jiaojiao was equally shocked.
She had been rather smug about becoming the discoverer of the new element, Shi.
Yet, Ji Mohan was already researching its synthesis with other elements and its applications across various industries.
Her achievement was, at best, theoretical.
What Ji Mohan was working on belonged to practical application, carrying far greater substantive value.
"Mohan." They had arrived at the Lu house, but Lu Jiaojiao didn't get out. She turned in her seat. "I am the discoverer of the Shi substance. I think I should be involved in your current project. Of course, you would be the primary researcher, the first author. Letting me be the second author would be enough."
Ji Mohan looked up, his voice devoid of emotion. "Jiaojiao, last time, you said it was the final time."
Lu Jiaojiao looked at him. "After being promoted to senior researcher, many people have been gossiping behind my back, saying I don't deserve the position. Such talk has hurt me deeply. I must prove my capabilities once again. Mohan, please, help me, okay?"
She reached out and grabbed Ji Mohan's sleeve.
Ji Mohan frowned and pulled away. "This isn't my project. I don't have the authority to decide."
Moreover, even if it were solely his project, he no longer wished to indulge Lu Jiaojiao in this manner.
"I need to get back to the lab. You should get out now."
Having been given his dismissal, Lu Jiaojiao could only step out of the car, visibly reluctant.
When the car reached the lab, Rong Yu was still busy, and the food Ji Mohan had bought remained untouched on the side.
"Great-Grandmother, stop working." Ji Mohan took the pen from Rong Yu's hand. "If you don't take better care of your health, the Old Master will probably come storming over from Haicheng."
Rong Yu was indeed hungry.
Stepping out of the lab, she checked her phone—dozens of unread messages, all from her 'old son'.
She called back. "Ying Bao, don't worry, everything's fine here. I'm having a meal now..."
"It's past ten at night, Mom. Are you only eating now?" Old Master Ji shrieked. "Put that brat Ji Mohan on the phone! How is he looking after Great-Grandmother? Letting her go hungry is utterly disgraceful!"
Ji Mohan shrank his neck slightly. "Old Master, my mistake. I'll do better tomorrow, definitely improve..."
Old Master Ji couldn't be bothered with him and turned to give orders to Ji Yanting. "Second Son, don't just stay at home either. Go to the capital and keep your great-grandmother company. You're the more reliable one."
Ji Yanting smiled, pleased by the praise. "Yes, Old Master."
That very night, Ji Yanting took the last flight to the capital.
The next morning, when Rong Yu woke up, she was greeted by an enticing aroma. The dining table was laden with a variety of breakfast dishes.
Ji Yanting respectfully pulled out a chair. "Great-Grandmother, please sit."
He glanced at Ji Mohan, who had just emerged from his room with messy bedhead and sleep in the corner of his eye, and shook his head. "Ah Yan, you're so unkempt. You might have a hard time finding a girlfriend."
Ji Mohan looked up. "Second Brother is well-groomed, and he doesn't have a girlfriend either."
Ji Yanting was left speechless.
Rong Yu enjoyed a comfortable breakfast and then took a car to the materials institute to continue her research.
For several days in a row, the research progressed exceptionally smoothly. She amassed a thick stack of raw data.
On the seventh day of the Lunar New Year, the materials institute officially resumed work.
As soon as Rong Yu and Ji Mohan entered,
someone approached and said, "Mohan, Professor Li wants to see you in his office."
Ji Mohan handed his bag to Rong Yu. "Great-Grandmother, please go to the lab first. I'll join you shortly."
Having been at the materials institute for a few days, Rong Yu was quite familiar with the layout. As she approached the lab door, she saw the light panel was on, indicating 'In Use'.
She frowned.
While Ah Mo might be a bit unreliable in daily life, when it came to scientific research, he ensured everything was done meticulously. He had clearly booked this lab for seven days. Had someone taken it over?
As she was pondering this,
The laboratory door opened, and Lu Jiaojiao stepped out.
