Genius of the Rules-Style System

Chapter 339: Chapter 226 I feel like I am a fool!

That day.

Dai Tianqing’s lab conducted a major experiment. The preparation alone took two days and everyone in the lab was involved, but in the end, no significant results were obtained.

Dai Tianqing sat in his chair, somewhat vexed, his thoughts returning to Zhang Wei.

In Dai Tianqing’s lab, Zhang Wei was one of the least experienced associate researchers. Among all associate researchers, she ranked last in terms of qualifications and experience.

But qualifications and experience do not necessarily indicate capability.

Perhaps due to her youthful dynamism, Zhang Wei frequently came up with ideas during experiments, and these could potentially benefit the project and trials.

Inspiration is significant.

Dai Tianqing believed that the project to detect inhibitory factors—that is, to discover something new—required not so much experience and capability as that touch of brilliant inspiration.

Since Zhang Wei left, the youngest associate researcher in the lab was over forty, and the doctoral students involved in the project had practically no experience. When they fail to meet the threshold in terms of capability, having inspiration would be meaningless.

Dai Tianqing was very anxious, for he knew that the lab at Shuimu University’s Affiliated Medical School was also researching potential inhibitory factors based on Zhao Yi’s speculative paper. They had even confirmed their existence, and their progress was no worse than his lab’s.

It’s a race against time!

If his lab fails to discover the critical characteristics of the inhibitory factor before its competitors do, all their efforts would be in vain.

All the manpower, energy, and time invested would become meaningless.

Dai Tianqing took a deep breath.

The next morning, he visited Zhao Yi’s lab again and talked to Zhang Wei about coming back to his lab.

Zhang Wei bluntly declined, "I’m really sorry, Teacher Dai. We have only completed half of our project and we’re short-handed in the lab."

"If I could help, I would certainly go over, but I cannot leave right now. You know the situation in our lab. There are only Liu Chengjie and I. Zhao Yi has classes every day and has limited time in the lab."

Dai Tianqing was aware of the situation, but he felt that Zhang Wei was wasting time in Zhao Yi’s lab, working on a project that his own lab had given up on. Whether they can produce results or not, they don’t even have enough project funding.

He had already brought this up with Zhang Wei once, and bringing it up again seemed pointless. So, he left, heavy-hearted.

Upon his return to his office, Dai Tianqing saw Ai Lixin waiting for him. Somewhat puzzled, he asked, "Why are you here so early today? Didn’t you drop off your wife?" fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

Ai Lixin often had to drop off his wife at work and his daughter at school and usually clocked in just in time.

Ai Lixin laughed, "Today, I took the subway. My wife dropped off our daughter. Director Dai, I need to talk to you."

"What’s up?"

Dai Tianqing furrowed his brow. Ai Lixin wasn’t much younger than him, and usually called him Old Dai. They had known each other for nearly ten years and were as familiar with each other as they could be.

When he addressed him as Director Dai, it could only mean one thing: there’s a problem.

Dai Tianqing sat down, beckoning Ai Lixin to do the same and listened to him explain.

Ai Lixin hesitated, "Yesterday, Zhao Yi asked me to assist in his project at his lab. It’s the project that our lab has abandoned. I plan to join Zhang Wei in his lab to help him."

"What?"

Dai Tianqing was taken aback. He had not expected Ai Lixin to ever say he wanted to leave.

"Are you joking? Go to Zhao Yi’s Lab? What are you thinking about?」As his surprise wore off, Dai Tianqing sprang to his feet, his expression revealing his agitation.

Ai Lixin nodded, "I’ve made up my mind, Director Dai. Zhao Yi and I get along well. He asked me to help and there’s no way I could refuse."

"..."

Dai Tianqing found this explanation hard to swallow and shook his head in vehement refusal, "You can’t. We severely lack staff for our project. If you leave, how can we continue?"

This was an emphasis on Ai Lixin’s importance.

Ai Lixin shook his head, "Director Dai, I did get involved in the project, but to be honest, my presence or absence won’t make any difference. I can’t offer any suggestions, all I do is follow your instructions."

"Once I move to Zhao Yi’s Lab, someone else will take over my research tasks. Don’t worry."

"Before coming to you, I spoke with Director Yan. He has given his approval."

This is... putting the cart before the horse!

Dai Tianqing was rather frustrated. Ignoring Ai Lixin, he made straight for the director’s office and confronted him, "Director Yan, you should know how vital our project is. How can you let Old Ai leave?"

Yan Xuelin leaned heavily on the back of his chair and nodded, "I’ve mentioned before, anyone who wants to go to Zhao Yi’s lab can do so as long as both parties agree."

"Old Dai, you should know that Zhao Yi is a talent that our institute is focusing on developing. His lab has already completed a project. I hope they can continue with their success."

Dai Tianqing was incredulous, "Do you believe that Zhao Yi’s lab can complete our abandoned project?"

"Not at all."

Yan Xuelin stated unflinchingly, "This is our institute’s investment. Even Academician Zheng supports my approach."

Yan Xuelin’s thoughts were simple.

The institute wants to give Zhao Yi the treatment of an actual researcher. As a researcher, he naturally has the right to apply for projects. And there’s no reason not to let him handle the projects that the institute has shelved. Whether he succeeds or fails is his problem.