The crowd was utterly stunned.
"A senior researcher, needing to ask a junior researcher for help?"
"Aren't these supposed to be Lu Jiaojiao's most authoritative scientific achievements over the years?"
"If she's not proficient in these topics, why did she conduct research in these areas? What on earth has she been doing?"
"Ji Mohan solved the vast majority of the technical challenges. Shouldn't these be Ji Mohan's achievements?"
"..."
Professor Chi's face changed dramatically.
So that was it. No wonder Ji Mohan had faded into obscurity over just a few short years, while Lu Jiaojiao had grown increasingly outstanding.
So, his student's work had truly been appropriated by Lu Jiaojiao.
Furious, his old face flushed red. "Professor Zhou, have you not taught your student how to conduct herself? In this field, academic misconduct is the most intolerable offense!"
Professor Zhou was also aghast. "Impossible! Jiaojiao would never do such a thing!"
He stood up and said loudly, "Jiaojiao, explain yourself immediately!"
If this were confirmed, not only Lu Jiaojiao, but even he, as her advisor, would face serious repercussions.
Lu Jiaojiao felt dizzy.
Since university, she had relied on Ji Mohan to complete various highly technical research papers, and there had never been a single issue.
She had thought that no matter what, Ji Mohan would never humiliate her in public.
Yet, he was being this ruthless.
She had saved his life.
How could he possibly destroy her?
She saw countless fingers pointing at her, felt the weight of everyone's skeptical gazes. She knew she needed to explain, but how?
What if someone asked questions about those papers? She might not be able to answer a single word. That would make it even harder to recover...
"I condoned Lu Jiaojiao's appropriation of academic work, a serious violation of the fundamental principles of research integrity. I am deeply ashamed," Ji Mohan bowed his head. "As a researcher, I have betrayed the trust of the Materials Institute and am willing to accept any disciplinary action from the leadership."
He removed his work ID and placed it on the table.
Professor Li, the head of the Materials Institute laboratory, was so enraged he threw a file at Lu Jiaojiao's head. "Speak up! What is the meaning of all this?"
Lu Jiaojiao could barely stand, swaying unsteadily.
Seeing this, the crowd understood everything. The hall erupted in an uproar.
Several senior professors were filled with indignation.
"This is a desecration of the academic temple! In thirty years, I have never seen such brazen academic theft!"
"Back in our day, we worked ourselves to the bone in the Gobi desert to verify a single data point. She just opens her mouth and someone else does the work for her. What kind of researcher is that?"
"In all future materials science classes, the name Lu Jiaojiao will serve as a cautionary tale, a reminder of what constitutes academic disgrace."
The editor-in-chief of the journal side said coldly, "We will retract all papers from Lu Jiaojiao's team from the past five years and initiate an academic integrity investigation."
"..."
Live news from the scene was streamed online in real-time.
"What's going on? Rong Yu, an actress, just publicly exposed a professional researcher?"
"She only filmed that aerospace promotional video, right? No one told me she was also a professional. This is unbelievable."
"She won the national physics competition gold medal and got a special contribution award from the Aerospace Institute to enter Huaqing University. That proves she has real talent. Shouldn't the netizens apologize now?"
"Got to admit, this Lu Jiaojiao is something else. She actually became a senior researcher through academic misconduct."
"This is an 'academic Daji'—using her looks to gain resources and easily reach heights ordinary people can't."
"Lu Jiaojiao isn't even that good-looking, is she?"
"You guys don't know? Lu Jiaojiao is the heiress of the Lu family. You know, that huge national real estate conglomerate."
"Well, well. So Miss Lu is the real capital behind it all."
"Poor Ji Mohan, sucked dry by capitalists for so many years. If it weren't for Rong Yu's celebrity influence, who knows how much longer Miss Lu would have stayed hidden."
"My sympathies to Ji Mohan."
"Poor leek."
"..."
Back at the scene, Professor Zhou said coldly, "Lu Jiaojiao has committed academic fraud. My mentorship relationship with her ends here."
He turned and left, not wanting to face further embarrassment.
Laboratory Director Professor Li, regaining his composure, picked up the microphone. "Regarding this matter, our institute will arrange a special investigation team to conduct a thorough inquiry. We will definitely provide the public with an explanation. That's all for today. Please exit through the main doors."
The reporters were reluctant to leave.
They still wanted to interview Rong Yu.
After all, someone from the entertainment industry getting involved with academia was a first in the domestic entertainment scene in years—an absolute exclusive story.
But they were all a step too late. Rong Yu was already surrounded by a group of senior professors.
"Young lady, would you be interested in being my student?"
"Young lady, I saw your experimental demonstration just now. You seem to have a particular sensitivity to numbers. Would you consider me as your teacher..."
A large crowd encircled Rong Yu.
This scene was captured by reporters and featured in news segments under the headline: "Professors Vie for Celebrity as Their Student."
Netizens found it absurd.
"Other celebrities: street style, scandals, livestream sales. Rong Yu: research, professors, mentorship."
"An actress, this impressive? Having professors fight to take her as a student?"
"I know she's talented, but this is a bit much. It's too unbelievable."
"These professors can't possibly be acting for the capital, can they?"
"..."
It was just past noon.
Song Huai had been invited for a meal at the Rong family home.
When the news broke, their phones received push notifications, and people were discussing it in group chats.
For the past few days, Rong Yu's name had been all over the trending searches, facing doubt and criticism. Rong Ruoyao had also been affected, and she had been blaming her mother, Shen Lin, for not publicly distancing themselves from Rong Yu sooner.
Now, seeing the latest news, she realized Shen Lin had been right.
Netizens were like weathervanes. One moment they were cursing Rong Yu, the next they were flooding her Weibo comments to apologize profusely... even pulling her onto the tail end of the trending list.
Shen Lin spoke up, "Xiao Yu has cleared her name of the public's doubts this time. If she could secure a mentor, it would be greatly beneficial for her future development."
Rong Wangtian was beaming with joy. "Yao Yao is in the entertainment industry, Xiao Yu is in the research field. Both sisters are achieving great things. Excellent, excellent! Our Rong family ancestors must be smiling from the grave. Qing'an, you need to learn more from your two older sisters."
Rong Qing'an didn't dare utter a word.
Before, with his grandfather's protection, he could afford to be willful and immature.
Ever since his grandfather was sent back to their hometown, he had been subjected to almost daily scoldings from both parents and had long since been tamed.
Song Huai remained silent.
These senior professors surrounding Rong Yu, having reached this age and still being professors, showed they lacked the innate talent to become academicians.
For Rong Yu to take a professor as her mentor meant, to some extent, she would never surpass him.
Because his own mentor, Liu Jinyue, was an academician.
He also had two senior brothers who had become professors.
With the guidance and support of his mentor and senior brothers, he would go far on this path.
