Chapter 195 – Asking for a Favor

Zhang Yan couldn’t wait to get back to school and start her experiments.

Meanwhile, Zhang Jiànshè had arrived at the home of Deputy Director Chen of the research institute.

Deputy Director Chen was in charge of coordinating research materials, and wielded considerable authority within the institute. He had a notoriously bad temper, and most researchers weren’t too fond of dealing with him, but they had no choice but to keep in touch with him.

“Xiao Zhang, say what you came for,” Deputy Director Chen said in a businesslike tone.

However, his gaze was fixed on the cardboard box Zhang Jiànshè had brought with him.

Coming over at this hour? What’s he playing at?

It wasn’t just that the researchers didn’t like him—he didn’t like them much either. All of them were single-minded and only knew how to do research, completely clueless about social niceties.

“Director Chen, a friend sent me some mangoes from the South. I brought some over specially for you to try.” Zhang Jiànshè had learned how to deal with him by now—play to his interests.

Mangoes?

Deputy Director Chen was slightly surprised.

Now that was a rare fruit—rarer than apples up in the North. Even he hadn’t been able to get his hands on any. And yet, this Xiao Zhang had managed to bring so many?

Looks like he’s got a big ask in mind.

“Oh? Let me have a look.”

He opened the box and saw it was nearly full of mangoes—at least four or five. Each one was plump and fragrant, radiating a rich fruity aroma.

Seeing this, his mood improved greatly.

Recently, he’d been considering transferring out of the institute to advance his career elsewhere. Truth be told, the research institute wasn’t a good fit for someone like him, who was more focused on climbing the ladder.

He’d been stressing about how to approach his old superior and what gift to bring. And now—just like that—a pillow delivered to a man longing for sleep.

He knew full well Zhang Jiànshè wanted something. But that didn’t bother him. As long as it was something within his authority, he’d say yes. After all, he wasn’t planning to stay here much longer anyway.

“Xiao Zhang, does your research team need any materials again? I’ll try to prioritize your lab,” he offered, assuming Zhang Jiànshè was there to request research supplies.

Zhang Jiànshè shook his head. “Director Chen, I’m not here for that this time.”

“Oh? Then what is it?” Deputy Director Chen was puzzled.

Zhang Jiànshè got straight to the point. “Director Chen, there’s a village called Zhoujiazhuang just outside Beijing. They want to build a small hydroelectric power station, but they’re short one generator.”

Deputy Director Chen understood immediately.

A small hydroelectric generator? That wasn’t hard to get—actually easier than some of the rare materials he dealt with.

“Would a used one do?” he asked.

“No problem. As long as it works, thank you, Director Chen.”

Zhou Yìmín’s request wasn’t high to begin with—just something functional for the village. Second-hand, third-hand—whatever, as long as it worked.

“Alright then. I’ll handle it.” Deputy Director Chen agreed without hesitation.

He had the channels to acquire a used small hydroelectric generator. All he’d need was a proper justification and he could allocate one to Zhoujiazhuang. Judging by Zhang Jiànshè’s tone, that seemed to be exactly what he was hoping for.

“Thank you, Director Chen. Much appreciated.”

Seeing Deputy Director Chen pick up his teacup, Zhang Jiànshè took the hint and politely excused himself.

After he left, a subtle smile played across Deputy Director Chen’s face—one filled with thought.

He’d always found researchers dull and socially inept. Tonight, Zhang Jiànshè had shattered that stereotype.

Maybe researchers weren’t all the way he imagined. Some of them might actually be pretty good company.

“Old Chen, what about those mangoes?” his wife asked, eyes gleaming.

Even she had rarely seen such fruit. Just imagine taking a few to her parents’ place—how impressive would that be?

Of course Deputy Director Chen knew what she was thinking.

“Take the top layer, leave the rest. I have plans for those,” he said.

The top layer was already incomplete anyway. He might as well remove it, throw in some filler, reseal the box, and give it to his superior—perfect.

His wife beamed and quickly took away the top layer of mangoes.

“You’re hopeless,” he chuckled, teasing her.

As he thought about where to source the generator, something came to mind—and with that, he was confident.

By the time Zhang Jiànshè got home, Zhou Yìmín had already left.

“Yìmín went home?”

“He just left a little while ago.”

Just then, Zhang Yan came out of her room, holding a newly-organized draft in her hands.

“Dad! Can you take a look at this—see if it works…”

She then explained the idea Zhou Yìmín had suggested earlier. Although Zhang Jiànshè didn’t specialize in this specific area, he understood enough to give some input.

When it came to scientific research, he could at least offer a few pointers.

“Yìmín gave you that idea?” Zhang Jiànshè asked, eyes widening.

“Yeah! I think it really works too.”

Zhang Jiànshè was inwardly impressed. Definitely Old Zhou’s son—his thinking had always been out of the box. While others struggled to even get started, he always found another angle.

And it seemed Yìmín had inherited that knack as well.

What a shame the kid didn’t continue on to higher studies.

But of course, he wasn’t going to judge him. Even without a college degree, Zhou Yìmín had achieved things most people couldn’t.

And his idea for Zhang Yan’s research? Genuinely insightful.

“Hmm, I think it’s solid. You might want to look into fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine—those elements should all enable tungsten recycling,” Zhang Jiànshè said.

Spoken like a true researcher.

In fact, that was precisely how halogen tungsten lamps worked.

Depending on the reaction temperature and interactions with other substances inside the bulb, bromine and iodine tungsten lamps could be mass-produced.

Some lamps even used chlorine as a halogen agent.

Zhang Jiànshè was getting the itch himself—he was dying to test it out. Occupational hazard, really.

“But you’ll probably need to find a new material for the bulb casing too,” he added.

Zhang Yan nodded. “Yìmín mentioned that too—it has to be high-temperature resistant.”

With this design, not only would the filament last longer and reduce blackening, but the lamp would also shine brighter.

Since the filament could operate at higher temperatures, the lamp would achieve greater brightness, higher color temperature, and better luminous efficiency.

All in all, plenty of advantages.

But it was all theoretical for now. Only experimentation and data would prove anything.

What Zhang Yan didn’t know was that halogen tungsten lamps had already been developed abroad just a few months ago.

Of course, even if she knew, it wouldn’t stop them from developing their own. Even if it wasn’t world-leading, it would still be world-class.

As for Zhou Yìmín, he returned to his courtyard house like none of this concerned him. Luo Dàpéng came knocking, trying to drag him out for drinks, but Zhou Yìmín wasn’t in the mood and said maybe next time.

(End of Chapter)