Chapter 35 – Prepared a surprise

Translator: Abo Dammen

“It’s nothing.”

Professor Fu was always used to saying “it’s nothing,” always like this no matter the situation. Everyone was unhappy about the project’s failure, and Fu Nan’an was clearly the most anxious one. Over the past few days, he had visibly lost weight, with dark circles under his eyes and blisters forming at the corners of his mouth. Chi Zhao saw it all, anxious in his heart, but could do nothing.

Far more than just Chi Zhao was anxious; the entire project team was on edge. Seeing Professor Fu like this made everyone feel terrible. Some even began to have thoughts of giving up.

“Maybe… let’s just forget it?” Someone started, and it was quickly met with a chorus of agreement.

“Yeah, why not just forget it? This time was just an accident; we still have next time.”

“Definitely. Our team’s capabilities are there for all to see. Are we afraid of one misstep?”

“We might as well focus on experiments peacefully for now. Anyway, the next defense will start soon enough. We’ll definitely get it next time.”

People are always good at self-consolation. No one wanted to stay downcast. Everyone was talking over each other, discussing future experiment plans. When this reached Fu Nan’an, he fell silent for a long time.

Fu Nan’an’s fingertips brushed over his white cane. “Give me a little more time.”

Professor Fu’s tone was weary, a level of exhaustion Chi Zhao had never heard before. Chi Zhao didn’t know what to do or what he could do. He could only go to Fu Nan’an whenever he had time, helping with whatever small tasks he could manage, like applying a compress to his eyes.

A warm towel rested on his eyes. Fu Nan’an asked Chi Zhao, “What do you think?”

Chi Zhao was taken aback. “Think about what?”

“About this matter,” Fu Nan’an said. “They all say it’s better to give up. What do you think? I want to hear your opinion.”

Up until now, Chi Zhao hadn’t voiced his own thoughts, afraid of interfering with Fu Nan’an’s thinking or adding pressure. But since Professor Fu was asking, Chi Zhao wouldn’t hide it. He paused and said, “I don’t think we should just let it go.”

Fu Nan’an asked, “Why not?”

“It just feels wrong,” Chi Zhao answered. “Didn’t you say before that rights have to be fought for ourselves? What’s ours should be ours. It shouldn’t be taken by others, or at the very least, we deserve a reason.”

Chi Zhao spoke very earnestly. After speaking, he looked up at Fu Nan’an and asked in return, “What do you think, Professor?”

Fu Nan’an was silent for a while, then said, “I see.”

A moment later, he murmured softly, “Give me a little more time.”

After that, Fu Nan’an didn’t speak again, and neither did Chi Zhao. After finishing the eye compress, Chi Zhao left quietly without a word. When he left, Fu Nan’an was still sitting at his desk, his face showing a weariness Chi Zhao had never seen before. Chi Zhao took a deep look at him, as if making some decision, and strode purposefully out of the office door.

In the following days, Fu Nan’an remained extremely busy, so busy dashing around every day that he barely had time to eat, so busy that he unconsciously hadn’t been in contact with Chi Zhao for several days.

Another two days passed in a flash. The project team slowly started working on experiments again. When Fu Nan’an came to check, he neither supported nor opposed it, but he suddenly noticed someone seemed to be missing.

Fu Nan’an asked, “Why isn’t Chi Zhao here?”

A student answered, “He seems to have something going on these past couple of days.”

Fu Nan’an asked in return, “Something going on?”

“Not sure what exactly,” the person said. “He just said he had something to do and needed to ask for a couple of days off.”

Fu Nan’an thought to himself that he really had been too busy, not even noticing Chi Zhao had asked for time off. He sent a message on WeChat asking Chi Zhao what was happening. After a while, Chi Zhao’s reply came through.

-[It’s nothing, Professor Fu. I just have some personal matters these past couple of days. I’ll be back in a few days.]

Since Chi Zhao didn’t elaborate, Fu Nan’an naturally didn’t press further. Everyone has their own private affairs. Fu Nan’an wasn’t the type to interrogate, he believed Chi Zhao could handle it.

Professor Fu had always trusted Chi Zhao, but trust and worry are two different things. Chi Zhao didn’t come to the lab for the next several days, nor did he come to help with the eye compresses. Fu Nan’an, worried something might have happened to Chi Zhao, made a special trip to go see him.

Chi Zhao was on duty that night. Fu Nan’an had specially arrived during swapping shifts and pushed open the duty room door right on time. “Is Chi Zhao here?”

Chi Zhao was leaning over the desk writing something. He froze for a second when he saw Fu Nan’an, clearly surprised. “Professor? What are you doing here?”

“Can’t I come?” Fu Nan’an raised an eyebrow, deliberately teasing him. Chi Zhao hurriedly found a chair for him to sit. Fu Nan’an said thank you and then asked, “What have you been busy with lately? Why haven’t you been coming?”

Professor Fu had always been caring towards others, and even more so towards Chi Zhao. He sat beside Chi Zhao, his hand resting naturally on the table. Chi Zhao hesitated, “N-nothing much.”

Hearing this, Fu Nan’an sensed something was off. Chi Zhao had said he was busy before, but now claimed he wasn’t. This was clearly contradictory. Fu Nan’an asked, “Are you really okay?”

He thought carefully for a moment, then suddenly smiled. “You’re not angry with me, are you?”

Chi Zhao opened his mouth to say something, but Fu Nan’an continued gently, apologizing, “I’ve been busy these past couple of days and haven’t had time for you. If you’re angry because of that, I apologize.”

While speaking, Fu Nan’an reflected on his actions. He had been busy with other matters these past few days and really hadn’t paid much attention to Chi Zhao. He was afraid Chi Zhao was genuinely angry. After speaking, he quietly waited for Chi Zhao’s reply. Chi Zhao quickly shook his head. “No, no, I’m not angry.”

“If you’re not angry, why did you suddenly stop coming?” Fu Nan’an asked. “It’s been several days since you came by, right?”

“Four days,” Chi Zhao said. “One more day to go. I’ll be finished soon.”

Hearing this, Fu Nan’an smiled and relaxed a little. “You really have something going on?”

Chi Zhao said, “Really.”

“Can you say what it is?”

Chi Zhao’s lips parted and then closed. The words were on the tip of his tongue. “Professor, I’m…”

Fu Nan’an looked up, signaling him to continue. Chi Zhao pressed his lips together and finally said, “Let me tell you after I finish writing it.”

Fu Nan’an said, “Okay.”

Since Chi Zhao didn’t want to say, Fu Nan’an didn’t press further. Confirming that Chi Zhao wasn’t actually angry put Fu Nan’an’s mind at ease, and he chatted idly with him.

While talking, Chi Zhao couldn’t help but keep staring at Fu Nan’an’s eyes. They were very beautiful eyes, it’s just a pity they seemed covered by a layer of fog, lacking any luster. Chi Zhao’s heart stirred. He couldn’t resist calling out, “Professor.” Fu Nan’an looked up at him. Chi Zhao shook his head again. “It’s nothing.”

After that, they talked about other things. It was a very pleasant evening. Nothing major happened during the duty shift, and the two unknowingly talked a lot. They both avoided mentioning the project’s failure, sticking only to happy topics, so rare, long-absent smiles finally appeared on their faces.

By now, six days had passed since their project was rejected. When something weighs on your heart, it’s hard to feel good no matter what. This good mood was a rare treat for both of them.

Fu Nan’an stayed until late before leaving. The next morning, Chi Zhao reappeared in the laboratory.

Hearing Chi Zhao, Fu Nan’an was somewhat surprised, not expecting it to be so soon. “Are your matters finished?”

Chi Zhao nodded. “Pretty much. Just need to tie up the loose ends.”

“What loose ends?” Hearing their conversation, a senior brother came over to join the bustle. He smiled and bumped Chi Zhao’s shoulder. “Does our Xiao Chi have some secret work he hasn’t told us about?”

Everyone in the research group got along well. They spent days and nights together, comrades and friends. Everyone had been worried about Chi Zhao’s absence these past few days. This was already the third person to ask about Chi Zhao’s situation. Chi Zhao smiled and explained, “You’ll know in a couple of days.”

The senior brother laughed. “You’re not being forthright, kid! You’re really keeping secrets from us?”

Chi Zhao nodded, then shook his head, saying, “You’ll find out.”

After that, the senior brother tried several times to find out indirectly, but Chi Zhao still said nothing, his lips sealed tight as if glued shut. The senior brother was truly at a loss. He tried every method, but in the end, he could only shake his head and say, “Forget it, forget it, I won’t ask anymore.”

He sighed, “Your lips are sure tight, kid. Could it be you’ve prepared some surprise for us?”

Chi Zhao silently accepted his comment. A moment later, he added quietly, “I hope it’s a surprise.”

Chi Zhao was preparing a surprise for everyone. By noon, this news had spread throughout the entire research group. Several groups of people came to ask Chi Zhao what was going on. Chi Zhao rubbed his temples, sighing somewhat helplessly, “The news spreads so fast.”

“Since it’s out, just tell us,” a senior sister urged him. “You’ll have to tell us sooner or later anyway, you might as well say it now.”

Chi Zhao opened his mouth to say something, but another senior brother chimed in, “It’s the perfect time, right at noon! If it’s really good news, we can even go out for a meal to celebrate!”

“Yeah, yeah!”

“Let’s eat! Let’s eat!”

Everyone chimed in with a hubbub of voices. They really had been feeling pent up these past few days. The rejection had been on their minds for a long time, causing them much distress. Now that there was finally something to lighten the mood, everyone seized the chance to tease Chi Zhao. It didn’t really matter if Chi Zhao told them or not, they just wanted to have some fun.

The rejection was a regrettable matter, everyone thought so. But the reality was here, and they couldn’t dwell on it forever. A week was enough for them to regroup and start striving again. Seeing the public notice period about to end, the matter about to become final, everyone was already preparing for the next application.

“It’s all in the past, in the past.”

Everyone said this. They had settled their hearts and poured their energy into the next application. It wasn’t until the afternoon that Chi Zhao, alone, spent a long time typing clattering away on his computer. Finally, Chi Zhao pressed the Enter key and said in a very calm tone. “This matter isn’t over yet.”

He said, “There’s a problem with our result. I have submitted a real-name report against the project review panel.”