Chapter 112: Educated Youth Who Abandoned His Wife and Child – 44

The high-ranking official said, “Then I’ll assign this task to you. You must trick… ahem, invite Shen Xiuyan to come over.”

He couldn’t help but fall into a fantasy—even if Shen Xiuyan only knew how to work with computers, that alone was enough.

To achieve that level of accomplishment in a single field was a height others couldn’t reach in a lifetime.

Just imagining how wildly sought-after computers would be once introduced to the world made him want to burst out laughing.

In the future, he could just sit back and watch as countless countries waved their money, begging to do business with them.

The high-ranking official, immersed in this beautiful fantasy, couldn’t help but suck in a breath of anticipation.

“Sluurp~”

He straightened his face and said seriously, “Old Qiu, this is the organization’s trust in you. You must complete the mission, understand?”

Dean Qiu: “Yes, sir!”

After hanging up, Dean Qiu was a bit puzzled. Did he just hear the sound of someone slurping on the other end?

Hmm, must’ve been his imagination.

A man as stern and composed as that high-ranking leader—how could he possibly make such a sound?

With the clear directive in hand, he immediately rushed back without delay to coax the little lamb.

The moment he walked in, he saw Shen Xiuyan surrounded by a crowd, adored like a star among moons. He felt deeply gratified.

As expected of someone from their research institute—flexible, adaptive, and savvy.

When someone saw Dean Qiu return, they immediately called out, “Alright, clear out, clear out. The Dean’s back.”

In an instant, the crowd parted, making way for him, though their eyes remained fixed on him, eager for news.

Dean Qiu beamed even more kindly, like a shady uncle trying to coax a child.

“Student Shen,” he began, “I just discussed things with the higher-ups. Here’s what we’re thinking: you can take this computer with you. But for the more advanced one you mentioned, you’ll need to teach us. Of course, we won’t learn for free—once this computer goes on sale, you’ll receive a royalty for every unit sold. We can negotiate the specific amount.”

Shen Xiuyan nodded in agreement. This dean was fairly reasonable.

Seeing how agreeable Shen Xiuyan was, Dean Qiu’s face lit up. He pressed further, tentatively: “Would you be willing to join our research institute?”

Before he could finish, he met Shen Xiuyan’s puzzled gaze.

He quickly clarified, “We’re a central department, fully state-funded. Your income would be guaranteed, and the benefits—well, they’re as good as it gets. If you’re willing to come, everything will be handled at the highest standard!”

Before Shen Xiuyan could respond, Chen Zhigang on the side was already looking envious.

A central department… that was practically the imperial kitchen. Calling it a golden rice bowl wasn’t an exaggeration.

Jobs like that didn’t need to beg for workers. They were the ones picking from endless applicants with pride.

It was the kind of job he dreamed of. But in this life… he might as well forget it.

And now they were inviting Shen Xiuyan so humbly, yet he still seemed hesitant.

Ugh, bro, please—stop hesitating!

If he hesitated any longer, Chen Zhigang felt like accepting the offer for him.

Shen Xiuyan asked, “But what about my degree? I worked hard to get into Q University.”

Dean Qiu cast a light glance at Director Wang, who, upon catching the cue, looked a little speechless.

What did he mean by “worked hard”? With that brain, getting into Q University was a walk in the park.

Of course, he didn’t dare show this on his face. Shen Xiuyan would be their future poster boy—top representative of outstanding students. He couldn’t afford to offend him.

So Director Wang waved his hand generously and said, “Don’t worry. At this point, whether you attend classes or not doesn’t really matter. Who teaches whom is debatable. You can come to school if you want, or not—it’s your call. When graduation comes, you’ll still get your diploma. And if you want to pursue a master’s or PhD, we’d be more than happy to support that.”

Dean Qiu gave Director Wang a thumbs-up. Well said. That should satisfy the young man, right?

But unexpectedly, Shen Xiuyan still wasn’t pleased. He grumbled, “But if I join the research institute, what about my wife? I still have to eat lunch with her—I’m very busy, you know~”

Dean Qiu: “…”

Director Wang: “…”

Everyone present: “…”

Right. They forgot this guy had a lover-boy brain…

Dean Qiu figured anyone smart enough to get into Q University couldn’t be too bad. Gritting his teeth, he said, “Why don’t we bring your wife into the institute too? Isn’t she studying computer science as well? It’s a perfect match—she could be your assistant, and you’d probably work better as a team.”

Shen Xiuyan showed a satisfied smile. “That’s probably not appropriate…”

Dean Qiu: “…”

He really fell for it. Saying “not appropriate” while grinning ear to ear.

Alright, alright. We get it—you love your wife. Enough already.

“It’s settled then,” Dean Qiu declared, before his brain exploded from this.

At that moment, his curiosity also peaked.

Just what kind of magic did Shen Xiuyan’s wife possess, to make him so wholeheartedly devoted?

Shen Xiuyan, sensing it was time to stop pushing, added, “Alright then. My wife will take up one position at your institute. But she still has to attend school normally. Of course, her salary and benefits must be fully in place.”

“Alright, alright, alright.” Dean Qiu no longer wanted to talk.

This Shen Xiuyan was really something—talking like he was all about getting perks.

But if he really was greedy, he wouldn’t have agreed to their terms so easily. With that computer alone, he could’ve negotiated for much more.

Thinking that, he shook his head. Still too young—easily swayed by matters of the heart.

Shen Xiuyan was finally satisfied. In a good mood, he didn’t mind making the other party feel good too.

So he threw them a sweet date after the stick: “Then I’ll go ahead and write up the list of required materials now?”

“Good, good, good!” Hearing that, Dean Qiu beamed like springtime sunshine, showing no trace of his earlier headache.

A sense of satisfaction welled up inside him. He was thrilled—this young man was reliable. Already taking the initiative to push forward development. He truly was born for their research institute.

While things were all warm and fuzzy on that side, things were different for Chen Zhigang.

He was “invited” outside by a group of soldiers who looked… very serious.

They interrogated him for several hours straight.

They even dug up the past three generations of the Chen family. As for anything beyond that—it wasn’t that they didn’t want to ask, it was that Chen Zhigang had no idea himself.

Once the officer in charge confirmed that the Chen family had been honest farmers for generations, he finally gave the nod and lifted the security alert.

Then, they had him sign a non-disclosure agreement that ran over a dozen pages.

He was strictly forbidden from uttering a single word related to any academic terms he encountered today.

If he leaked anything, the state had the right to impose the harshest punishment on him. Of course, to show goodwill, the state would also offer him a position within the system once he graduated.

This was the classic carrot-and-stick approach. Although Chen Zhigang knew it, he still accepted it gladly.

Oh mama, once he graduated, he could finally eat at the national table! The ancestral tombs of the Chen family must be emitting auspicious smoke!

He would never complain about Director Wang again. Director Wang was now his second parent. If he hadn’t been the one called today, if it had been someone else, would such a good thing have even come his way?

Director, he loved you!

But Shen Xiuyan—he loved even more!!!