Lu Jiaojiao had been in the laboratory all morning.
All the risk control group experiments for the new synthetic material at the aerospace institute had failed.
She directly applied to hold an internal press conference.
Extremely irritated, she took off her glasses and pinched the bridge of her nose.
In the scientific research field, errors in papers were not uncommon. After all, to err is human; occasional mistakes were normal, and one could simply retract the paper and re-demonstrate the findings.
But unfortunately, this matter had blown up too much and required a public explanation.
When it came down to it, it was all Rong Yu's fault.
If Rong Yu, a public figure, hadn't gotten involved, this wouldn't have become common knowledge.
"Sister Lu, the reporters are all in position. You can go out now."
Her assistant knocked on the door to remind her.
Lu Jiaojiao put her glasses back on, straightened her white lab coat, fastened her senior researcher ID badge to her chest, picked up a stack of reports, and only then stepped out.
The hall outside wasn't large, accommodating only about a hundred people. More than half were industry professionals, the rest were media personnel.
As soon as she appeared, camera flashes went off.
A reporter was the first to ask: "This paper has three authors. May I ask why only Researcher Lu is participating in this press conference?"
Lu Jiaojiao walked up to the podium, first bowed to the audience, and then picked up the microphone.
She spoke calmly: "I am the discoverer of the Shi element and the primary person in charge of this project. If problems arise, naturally I should be the one to take responsibility. I hope everyone will not involve other members of my team."
Professor Li looked at her with an appreciative gaze.
After the incident occurred, having the courage to take responsibility instead of pushing it onto the celebrity Rong Yu—this was indeed the attitude a senior researcher should have.
Lu Jiaojiao's image of a scholar who knew her mistakes and was willing to correct them made it hard for people to be overly critical of her.
She continued, "Regarding the instability of Shi crystals under extreme conditions, it was indeed an oversight by our team. Scientific exploration is inherently a process of continuous trial and error. We humbly accept criticism and will continue in-depth research to ensure the safety and reliability of Shi element applications across various industries."
The professors seated below nodded one after another.
"The Shi substance was only discovered a little over a month ago; it was inherently full of uncertainties. Expecting a thorough understanding in such a short time was somewhat demanding."
"The completion rate of this research paper is as high as 98%. For a researcher as young as Lu, that's truly remarkable. She can completely be considered exceptionally gifted, a genius among geniuses."
"Moreover, Researcher Lu's candid attitude is worthy of respect. Scientific progress precisely needs this kind of courage to admit limitations."
It's not terrible for young people to make mistakes; the key is to have the awareness to correct them, like Lu Jiaojiao. Such talents should be key cultivation targets.
"…"
These remarks reached Lu Jiaojiao's ears.
She lowered her head, a slight curve appearing at the corner of her lips.
Even without Ji Mohan's help in providing the control group experimental data, she could still extricate herself from another angle.
Once the controversy had died down, she naturally had ways to supplement the data for this paper and republish it.
Just as the atmosphere was perfectly harmonious—
The hall door was suddenly pushed open, and a man and a woman walked in side by side.
Ji Mohan was only a junior researcher, not qualified to make a public appearance on any occasion, so not many people here knew him… except, of course, for Professor Chi.
Professor Chi was a veteran in the chemistry department. He had also been invited to this press conference concerning the new substance.
Sitting next to him was Lu Jiaojiao's supervisor, Professor Zhou.
Since the press conference began, Professor Zhou had been recounting Lu Jiaojiao's scientific research achievements over the years into the microphone: "...Back then, you didn't want to accept Lu Jiaojiao as a student, so the Lu family sent her to me instead. Over these years, the student who has given me the least worry is Jiaojiao. For her to achieve such great success has truly exceeded my expectations... Young people make mistakes, it's normal. What's frightening is that some people don't even have the opportunity to make mistakes."
Professor Chi was choking.
This was clearly a veiled jab at him for taking on a worthless student.
That kid Ji Mohan, clearly gifted, yet somehow, after all these years, still hadn't made a name for himself.
"If there's a problem with Jiaojiao's project, it's very likely because of that celebrity called Rong Yu," Professor Zhou said, tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Even celebrities these days can adopt the persona of a researcher. The world really is going downhill. The country should properly regulate it."
Professor Chi frowned.
Taking digs at Ji Mohan was one thing—after all, that kid really was hopeless; he could just lie back and take the ridicule.
But as for Rong Yu…
That night, while they ate hot pot together, they talked for a long time, in great depth. In his view, Rong Yu even had more talent than Ji Mohan.
He couldn't help but retort: "Professor Zhou, your student's apology is moving, but it doesn't clearly explain the key issues..."
He had only gotten halfway through his sentence.
Everyone in the hall turned their heads in unison.
Professor Chi saw Rong Yu and his underachieving student, Ji Mohan.
Professor Zhou snorted, "A celebrity—what significant contribution could they have made to this paper? And yet they're even listed as the third author. Without a clear explanation, it's hard to calm the public's anger."
On the stage, Lu Jiaojiao, looking at the two who had walked in, was momentarily stunned.
Ji Mohan was nothing to fear.
As for Rong Yu, a celebrity—who would believe a celebrity had any real substance?
When a celebrity is embroiled in such a public controversy, no matter what they explain, the public probably wouldn't believe it.
The public's doubts would be enough to cause Rong Yu to drown.
There were quite a few reporters present. Their cameras turned and aimed at Rong Yu's face.
Professor Li quickly stood up: "Rong Yu, what are you doing here? This is the materials institute's press conference, not a celebrity publicity event. Please leave."
Rong Yu stood at the entrance. The lighting seemed to especially favor her; the moment she appeared, all attention automatically shifted to her.
She said softly, "Researcher Lu, I have a few questions I'd like to ask. I hope you can clarify them for me in public."
Lu Jiaojiao's expression began to give way.
She had worked with Rong Yu for only two short days. During those two days she had been treated like a menial. She knew full well that Rong Yu was the real deal and didn't need her to clear anything up.
She knew this was no friendly visitor.
So, she gave Professor Li a look.
Everything that needed to be explained had been said, the apology had been made, and the press conference should be over. Professor Li stood up: "Everyone, that's all for today…"
"Hold on." Professor Chi stood up. "I'd like to hear what questions Rong Yu has. If Researcher Lu cannot clarify them for her, then we old pedants here present should be able to answer."
Professor Zhou even laughed: "A celebrity, what questions could they possibly have? Could it be they want to ask whether the synthesis of Shi crystals is physical vapor deposition or chemical vapor deposition? After all, for people in your industry, being able to tell a test tube from a beaker is pretty good already."
