IMAO Chapter 115.2

When Xu Chen led Jiang Yuan out and saw Ji Rong who came with him, he nodded at Ji Rong before taking them both around the laboratory. Since this was the mecha lab, the scientific achievements here mainly involved mecha design, making it slightly more accessible than other labs.

After showing them around and familiarizing Jiang Yuan with the equipment, it was already three in the afternoon.

After checking the time, Xu Chen said to Jiang Yuan, “That’s enough for today. It’s 3 o’clock now. You should still have time to show him around. He’s been waiting for you for a while.”

Jiang Yuan nodded and put down what he was holding. “Then I’ll head out first, Professor.”

“Mm,” Xu Chen responded without looking up from the documents in his hands. He called out to stop Jiang Yuan just as he was about to leave, “Don’t forget to come tomorrow.”

“Got it!”

After the lab door closed, Xu Chen finally put down the documents. His gaze fell on the lab equipment, his expression somewhat conflicted.

Just as Xu Chen was deep in thought, the door suddenly opened and a middle-aged researcher walked in. Seeing Xu Chen, he paused briefly. “Director, do you need the equipment? I can take these interns next door…”

“No need, let them come in,” Xu Chen said after some consideration.

The seven interns became nervous upon seeing Xu Chen. Even within the research institute, it was rare to see this big shot, and when they did, it was usually from a distance.

After all, who in mecha engineering didn’t admire Xu Chen?

Under the senior researcher’s guidance, the seven interns familiarized themselves with the equipment, making a few minor mistakes and getting scolded along the way.

Xu Chen frowned and suddenly asked, “How long have they been at the institute?”

“Three months now,” the senior researcher immediately replied.

“Three months and they’re still not familiar with these machines?”

The interns immediately hung their heads in shame. It wasn’t that they weren’t trying hard enough. It was just really difficult! Embarrassing themselves in front of Director Xu felt worse than death.

Seeing the interns looking like they were about to cry, the senior researcher quickly spoke up for them, “Director, it takes at least half a year to become familiar and proficient with these instruments. They’re quite complex after all. These kids are learning pretty fast and they’re very dedicated. They even study the operation manuals after hours…”

Xu Chen: “…” But that kid had picked it up after watching him operate just once…

In the lab, Xu Chen rubbed his nose and cleared his throat. “Study hard and aim to work independently soon.”

“We’ll do our best!” The young people’s eyes sparkled at Xu Chen’s words of encouragement.

After Xu Chen left the lab, the young people inside threw themselves into studying with renewed enthusiasm and determination.

Xu Chen patted his head. A genius was just a genius. How could he expect these kids to be like Jiang Yuan? Everyone thought his mecha design couldn’t be improved upon, yet that kid had simply taken one of his old mechanical structures and enhanced the mecha’s performance.

That kid gave him too many surprises.

He was actually looking forward to reading Jiang Yuan’s improvement proposal!

Thinking of this, Xu Chen gave a self-deprecating smile.

He was really being unrealistic. No matter how impressive Jiang Yuan was, he was still just a kid. Coming up with the 671 structure was already surprising enough. He was getting too greedy.

That kid probably wouldn’t be able to write it even in half a year, and would come to him admitting defeat. But that wasn’t necessarily bad. Life shouldn’t always be smooth sailing, and a small setback could be good for him.

When Jiang Yuan came out, he saw Ji Rong sitting in a chair. “I’m done. Let’s go check out the open area.”

Ji Rong stood up straight and asked, “Are you feeling okay today?”

“Ah…” Jiang Yuan shook his head. “I’m fine.”

Jiang Yuan grabbed Ji Rong’s hand, pulling slightly. “Hurry up, we only have an hour before it closes.”

Ji Rong naturally followed behind as Jiang Yuan led him by the hand.

They were no different from a couple now. Although Jiang Yuan didn’t know what was in his heart yet, just being together like this made his heart race non-stop.

Before, he thought people were talking nonsense when they described having butterflies in their stomach. But since meeting Jiang Yuan, the butterfly in his heart had turned into a raging storm.

An hour for sightseeing felt rushed for both of them, and neither had time to look closely at anything.

When they walked out of the open area, Ji Yang and Su Lan were already waiting outside. Due to the weather, the wind was cold and snow suddenly started falling. The three of them had taken a taxi here, but in this weather, they couldn’t get one.

Su Lan: “I drove here. I’ll give you all a ride.”

Ji Yang and Su Lan exchanged glances for a few seconds. Ji Yang immediately understood. Su Lan was such a nice person, taking pity on him being single! Not only was he hurt, but he also had to deal with Ji Rong’s temper!

After dropping the three of them off at school, Su Lan drove away.

After driving for just a few minutes, his communicator suddenly vibrated. Su Lan connected it directly to the hover car’s system.

“Bro, how was today? Any suitable projects?”

Su Lan: “There are two patents that I think are really good. Others are competing for them too. I’ll probably need your help again to secure them.”

“Send them over, let me see which ones you’re interested in.”

Su Lan immediately sent over the two patents he had his eye on.

“These two are indeed good… but bro, are you really planning to give up your family inheritance? These projects can make money, sure, but compared to your family’s business, it’s nothing.”

Su Lan gave a bitter laugh. “Then why don’t you compete for it?”

“Me? You know I’m not cut out for business. With my brother around, isn’t it nice just being taken care of?”

Su Lan said calmly, “You know my family situation is different from yours. I think it’s most reliable to depend on myself.”

“Alright, I’ll go with you tomorrow.”

The person on the other end didn’t stop talking, instead he grumbled a bit more. “I don’t know what you’re thinking. Your family’s connections with the Chinese Academy of Sciences must be stronger than mine…”

The voice trailed off, as if realizing they had said too much.

Su Lan hung up the call and spaced out for a couple of seconds.

His family certainly had good relations with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, given their military industry cooperation.

But he just didn’t want to rely on that person.

Although he never lacked money and lived comfortably since childhood, he had never felt any familial warmth. After all… that person was someone who couldn’t even get his own son’s name right.

…

The next day.

Jiang Yuan was ready and about to head out.

“Jiang Yuan.”

Just as he was about to turn around at the call, someone pulled him back. He found himself pushed against the door and kissed.

Why did Ji Rong suddenly kiss him?

Seeing Jiang Yuan frowning at him, Ji Rong couldn’t help but regret his actions. Why couldn’t he control himself?

Jiang Yuan felt his brain short-circuit. His pheromones were stable today, his dependency syndrome wasn’t acting up, so why did Ji Rong kiss him?

What did Ji Rong mean by this?

In the room, Ji Rong stepped back, head lowered, not knowing how to explain. He had been too obvious!

What if Jiang Yuan asked him about it?

Then he’d just shamelessly hug Jiang Yuan and confess!

Ji Rong: “Aren’t you leaving?”

Huh?

Was leaving really the issue right now?

Shouldn’t you explain why you kissed me?

Jiang Yuan glanced at Ji Rong, hesitated for a moment, then said, “I’ll head to the lab first.”

It was getting late. He could ask Ji Rong about it when he got back tonight. He spent all of last night writing the mecha improvement proposal, and woke up a bit late this morning. He couldn’t waste any more time.

As he got into the car, Jiang Yuan touched his lips, which still tingled from the kiss.

Although he had never dated or liked anyone before, his heart was racing now, which seemed like… he had feelings for Ji Rong!

He must have gotten too used to sleeping with his brother…

Jiang Yuan got out of the car. The cold winter wind blew against his face, clearing away his messy thoughts. He took a deep breath and entered the lab.

Xu Chen arrived early as usual. Although he held a high position, he was essentially still a researcher who loved science. Upon seeing Xu Chen, Jiang Yuan immediately asked about his tasks for the day.

“You’ll work with them on this project’s experiments to familiarize yourself. This is a new metal material we’re developing, still in the experimental stage. Later, we’ll apply it to the mecha based on its properties.”

Jiang Yuan nodded, “Yes, Professor.”

He immediately followed the researchers.

“Oh right, Professor, I finished the assignment and sent it to you through the institute’s internal system!” Before leaving, Jiang Yuan remembered the report he wrote yesterday and turned to tell Xu Chen.

“You finished it?” Xu Chen’s hand paused over the lab equipment as he looked up at Jiang Yuan in disbelief.

“Yeah! I wrote it all last night!”

Xu Chen held his gaze for a few seconds, quickly composing his expression to appear neutral. He nodded at Jiang Yuan, then calmly instructed the lab staff about the project.

After Jiang Yuan left, Xu Chen immediately put down his documents and opened the lab’s internal system, searching for Jiang Yuan’s report.

“Lao Xu, what assignment is this? Let me see.” A senior researcher who was close to Xu Chen smiled and leaned in to look at his screen, then froze in place.

“This modification… we’d considered this approach before, but there were still problems…”

“Wait,” the senior researcher scrolled down to see the improved structure, “This pressure structure is brilliant! Combined like this, all the previous flaws are eliminated!”

“Lao Xu, when did you design this pressure structure? You’re really something! No wonder you were the best among our batch!”

Xu Chen: “Would you believe me if I said I didn’t design this?”

Senior researcher: “???”

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