Her project presentation wasn't as polished as others', and in pure academics she couldn't outmatch them either, but this grant funding was untouchable—it belonged to Ye Qiusuo.
For these professors, the money wasn't the most important thing; it was mainly the blow to their pride today.
"Alright, that concludes today's meeting," the dean said with a beaming smile. "All mentors, take this rare opportunity to spend more time communicating with your students."
Before leaving, the dean made a slight hand gesture, seemingly wanting to call Ye Qiusuo out, but ultimately lowered his hand and left on his own.
That was just Ye Qiusuo's nature; talking to her wouldn't change anything. Let those professors stew in it.
"Professor, that grant..." Lin Lu leaned in, holding up one finger, "Is it really this much?"
Ye Qiusuo glanced at her student, who had grown bolder lately, and replied calmly, "The grant goes to Ding Hong and the others. The three of you head back."
Lin Lu immediately pushed Ding Hong forward. "Understood, we'll return to the lab shortly."
Their professor had secured the grant right under the noses of other esteemed professors, filling her students with a sense of pride and joy.
"You've both been involved in this project," Ye Qiusuo said, looking at her students. "If there's anything you don't understand, message me directly. I'm on campus Mondays and Fridays, you can also come find me then."
"Understood." Ding Hong's expression remained largely unchanged, but his hands were clenched tightly. This was the first time in his life he had participated in such a practical project.
From start to finish, Ye Qiusuo paid no attention to the other students. After saying this, she left directly.
The students chatted excitedly behind her.
"Did you see that professor's face just now? It turned bright red all of a sudden, hahaha!"
"How many papers has our professor actually published?" Ding Hong wasn't very clear.
"It's not about the number of papers. The key is our professor's impact factor is terrifyingly high."
"Not just that," Lin Lu shook his head. "The papers are just the surface. In reality, our professor has almost single-handedly rebuilt a sub-discipline branch systematically."
"That impressive?!"
"The professor is low-key; she doesn't talk about it much."
Meng Weiren overheard their conversation as he passed by, his expression souring. Why hadn't he known about this before? He stepped forward, trying to greet his former lab mates, but they merely glanced at him without responding.
...
"What banquet?" Xie Xi sat in front of the TV, game controller in hand, asking somewhat distractedly.
"Old Master Lu's 85th birthday. They've invited you to sing." Wei Qi waved the invitation in front of Xie Xi.
"A birthday party inviting me to sing?" Xie Xi said, unimpressed. "Not going."
He wasn't short on money.
Wei Qi blocked the TV. "It's Old Master Lu. All the prominent figures in the entertainment industry will be there. And for singing one song, this much." She gestured with her fingers.
Xie Xi looked up at the number his agent indicated and raised an eyebrow. "My price went up?"
"So, are you going or not?"
In the end, Xie Xi agreed.
At the same time, Ye Qiusuo also received a banquet invitation.
She was discussing a project collaboration with Lu Minglang. The technology wasn't particularly complex; it was purely a business partnership.
Lu Minglang was the son of the eldest branch of the Lu family, deeply favored and exceptionally capable.
After they finished discussing the project, he handed her an invitation, hoping she could attend so they could talk in more detail later.
It wasn't until just before the banquet started that Ye Qiusuo suddenly realized why the address seemed familiar.
The book described the female lead attending this banquet, where she clashed with someone in the industry, was pushed into the swimming pool, and the male lead heroically saved her, sparking mutual affection.
They could have their romance. Ye Qiusuo was there to discuss business cooperation. Whether next year's project would have enough funding depended entirely on today.
The guests from the entertainment and business worlds were all prominent figures. The cars pulling up could practically host a luxury car exhibition. Yet, mixed in was Ye Qiusuo's ordinary car, standing out conspicuously.
"Whose car is that? Don't let just anyone slip in," Mrs. Lu frowned, looking down from the second floor.
"Mom, that's Professor Ye's car," said Lu Minglang, dressed in a custom-made black suit that accentuated his handsome, tall figure. "I'll go greet her first."
Hearing it was her son's future business partner, Mrs. Lu's expression softened considerably. "You go ahead. I'll accompany your grandfather."
Ye Qiusuo parked her car, and as soon as she got out and closed the door, someone stood before her.
"I knew it was you," Xie Xi said, his eyes curving into a smile as he stood in front of Ye Qiusuo, looking as surprised as a student seeing their teacher out socializing.
"Here for some business," Ye Qiusuo said, looking at Xie Xi. "Is your homework done? Don't leave it all to the last minute to make up."
Xie Xi: "..."
"Professor Ye, I was just telling Xi Xi it couldn't possibly be you," Wei Qi came over from behind, greeting her with a smile.
"What brings you two here?" Ye Qiusuo tried to recall if Xie Xi appeared at this banquet in the book, but her mind drew a blank, only remembering the female and male leads would be present.
"To sing," Xie Xi said, plucking a red rose from a vase on a nearby table and twirling it in his hand.
He was wearing a white suit today—a difficult color to pull off, yet Xie Xi wore it with effortless ease. The same lights shone on him, but he seemed like a deity who had stepped out of the moonlight.
Professor Ye glanced at the flash of red between his fingers. Perhaps a not-so-proper deity.
Lu Minglang was waylaid by several people as soon as he came downstairs. By the time he made his way over, he found someone already standing in front of Professor Ye. The two were talking face-to-face, creating an unexpectedly harmonious picture.
"Professor Ye," Lu Minglang stepped forward with a smile. "Have you been here long? Let me show you around."
He nodded towards Xie Xi and Wei Qi opposite him, then turned his attention solely to Ye Qiusuo, clearly intending to escort only her.
"I'd like to join the tour too," Xie Xi insisted on inserting himself.
Lu Minglang: "..." Could this singer not take a hint?
