Chapter 36: Senior, Do You Have a Miniskirt?

  “Of course, there’s just a small problem I need help with,” Zhang Yang said, looking slightly embarrassed.

  “What problem? Whatever the institute can do, just say it. You can use all the labs at Meining University. The six of us here will cooperate with you anytime — no, the entire university will cooperate with you if needed.” Once Professor Shangguan Hong realized Zhang Yang wasn’t joking, he became so excited he almost started rambling.

  This kid — two days, just two days to produce an inhibitory gene. That was insane! Even ordinary research projects could take years without any results, yet this guy had already created the Super Anti-Cancer Cell, and now he wanted to make a corresponding inhibitory gene in forty-eight hours? That was pure science fiction.

  You have to understand, even studying the function of a single unknown human gene was a massive challenge. And this guy had managed to create a whole set of synthetic genes with special properties. This wasn’t just genius — it was godlike.

  Maybe they should be studying his brain instead.

  “Hehe, I’d better say it in private.” Zhang Yang looked around at the room full of elderly men — aside from Qiao the beauty, everyone was at least sixty. Each one of them was an academician-level figure, and his little request was really awkward to bring up.

  “No need for privacy, just tell us,” Zheng Yuntai said cheerfully. “Meining has everything — manpower, equipment, data. If we don’t have it, we’ll get it from Shanghai, Beijing, or even abroad. Anything you need, we’ll make it happen.”

  He wasn’t bragging either. With his connections, he could absolutely do it.

  “Ahem… well, I heard our project got national approval.”

  “Yes, the ‘Dragonborn Project.’ It’s a national-level research program.” Zheng Yuntai’s face was full of pride.

  “I also heard funding’s been released…”

  “Yes, the first batch of thirty million yuan is already in place,” Zheng Yuntai said with a smile. “Funding’s not an issue — the second batch will arrive soon. And several domestic companies are eager to partner with us, offering high sponsorships. Bai Pharmaceuticals alone donated fifty million in sponsorship fees. So, money’s the last thing you need to worry about.”

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  “In that case, lend me twenty thousand first.” Zhang Yang scratched his head awkwardly. “I’m a bit tight on cash lately.”

  “Twenty thousand?” Zheng Yuntai blinked, not immediately processing it.

  “Yeah, or even less — ten thousand works.”

  The professors exchanged puzzled looks. After a long silence, as the two foreign experts sat there confused, Zheng Yuntai slowly walked up to Zhang Yang, patted his shoulder, and sighed. “This is our fault. Earlier, I had Qiao Xier pull up your background file. Neither I, Professor Ding, nor Professor Shangguan could believe it — you managed to study and work part-time while developing the Super Anti-Cancer Cell. The three of us — no, thousands of genetic engineering experts — should be ashamed.”

  “For your contribution, forget ten thousand — even ten billion wouldn’t be too much.” Professor Ding Pengshan’s eyes were slightly red. “The national funds have already been allocated. I’ll have finance transfer five hundred thousand to you right away as an advance.”

  “Five hundred thousand? Isn’t that too much?” Now it was Zhang Yang’s turn to be stunned. He knew what he’d provided was priceless, but as someone used to being broke, even fifty thousand would’ve felt excessive — let alone five hundred thousand.

  Zheng Yuntai smiled. “Too much? Once this research hits the market, five hundred thousand, five million, even five hundred million will be nothing. Don’t worry — the state will take care of you. You won’t be shortchanged.”

  “You forgot — Professor Enreed just offered a million USD for him to study abroad! Haha, even if someone offered a billion, we wouldn’t let you go.” Professor Shangguan walked over, then looked at Ding Pengshan and said, “Oh, right — Zhang Yang’s housing situation should be resolved too. Should we assign him an apartment on campus or nearby? As for transport, let’s have Qiao temporarily serve as his personal driver. It’s a bit last-minute, but Zhang Yang, how’s that sound?”

  What could he say? Zhang Yang couldn’t even think of another request. Money, housing, a personal driver — and a beautiful one at that. Wasn’t this the life he’d dreamed of?

  “I’m already very satisfied. But I do have one small request.” Zhang Yang thought for a moment. Two days should be enough to earn seven more system points. He currently had forty-three, and to activate an emergency request, he needed fifty. Since the system didn’t allow going into negative points more than once a month, he had to raise his total first.

  In other words, he had to earn seven points in two days. Easier said than done. M-level missions were rare, and good deeds weren’t exactly easy to stumble upon. Back in Shanghai, he hadn’t earned a single point that way.

  But then again — he had noticed something. Beating people up seemed to have a high chance of earning points. He’d gotten at least four from the Bai brothers, Bai Gang and Bai Liangfeng.

  So maybe that was a good route!

  “Whatever it is, just say it,” Shangguan Hong said generously. “Don’t be polite with your teachers.”

  Zhang Yang looked at Qiao Xier. She immediately pursed her lips and shot him a murderous glare. This bastard — he better not be asking for me!

  “It’s like this — I might need Senior Qiao’s help for the next two days,” Zhang Yang said with a perfectly serious expression.

  “No problem. She’s part of the research team anyway. It’s her duty to assist you,” Shangguan said without hesitation.

  Then he turned to Qiao Xier with a smile. “Xier, you’re free the next two days, right?”

  Though Qiao Xier felt something was off, she couldn’t refuse her mentor’s order.

  Still, after the meeting ended, she cornered Zhang Yang in an empty hallway and demanded, “What exactly do you need me for? I’m not breaking the law or sleeping with you, got it?”

  Zhang Yang glanced at her. Despite her straightforward and confident personality, everything about her — her looks, her figure, even her voice — oozed femininity.

  What she lacked was a sense of style. Sure, she wore designer brands, but somehow still made them look awkward. For such a stunning woman, that was almost a talent in itself.

  “Senior, do you own a miniskirt?” Zhang Yang finally asked after a pause.