60: Chapter 60 Mother-in-law's View of Son-in-Law

Zhao Yang declined the invitation from the Huang siblings and didn't linger at the Huang family home, heading straight to the laboratory.

Professor Lin had just returned from a meeting and wanted to discuss with him the matter of establishing a joint research project with Handong University of Political Science and Law.

Although he was the "group favorite" of the Computer Science Department, Zhao Yang was still very respectful toward Professor Lin. Before arriving at the laboratory, he specifically bought some cold drinks.

"Teacher Lin, have a drink to cool down. In this weather, I don't know when it will finally get cooler," Zhao Yang said as he handed over a bottle of room-temperature Mirinda.

Professor Lin originally wanted to refuse, but seeing it wasn't chilled when he took it, he smiled and said, "Thank you, you're very thoughtful. Calling you over on a big weekend must have delayed your rest, right?"

Zhao Yang smiled. "You're in such a hurry to find me, it must be good news."

"You slick fellow!" Professor Lin laughed. "It is indeed good news. The matter of establishing a joint laboratory with Handong University of Political Science and Law has basically been approved. However... the laboratory won't be at our Shuimu, nor in Handong Province."

Zhao Yang was stunned. "Then where will it be?"

"At the Ministry of Public Security's Third Institute," Professor Lin explained. "It's equivalent to a joint laboratory between our Shuimu, Handong University of Political Science and Law, and the Ministry of Public Security. The laboratory will enjoy national fiscal funding, and of course, the three of us will also allocate a portion."

"How did the Ministry of Public Security get involved?" Zhao Yang had a strange expression.

"Isn't it because of you!" Professor Lin patted his shoulder. "Did you forget? You were recommended by the Ministry of Public Security, and your affiliation is still with the Jinghai Public Security Bureau! Your thesis coincides perfectly with their next research step. Old Sun and I showed them the preliminary research you did, and they immediately convened an emergency meeting, then prepared to establish the three-party joint laboratory."

"Did you and Teacher Sun proactively approach them?" Zhao Yang asked.

"Yes. The investment for the research direction of your thesis is no small amount," Professor Lin said. "Although we can get support from the school, it's already September, and this year's funds are almost spent. I don't think you'd want to delay for three months."

Zhao Yang realized. "So you and Teacher Sun wanted to find another financial backer."

"Of course!" Professor Lin laughed. "Your home base is the Ministry of Public Security; if we don't ask them for money, who else? You should also prepare; at the latest by the end of September, the preparatory work for the laboratory will fully unfold. You will serve as the Deputy Director of this laboratory, mainly in charge of the subject research."

"What?" Zhao Yang was stunned. "I'm the Deputy Director? I'm still a student; can I convince others?"

"Stop pretending, kid!" Professor Lin was somewhat annoyed. "You're already a Section-level cadre at such a young age. The laboratory's level is Deputy-division level, so a Section-level Deputy Director is perfectly legitimate. Besides, the foundation of the laboratory is your doctoral thesis; if you don't manage it, who will?"

"Then I'm still a doctoral student in our Shuimu Computer Science Department, right?"

"Of course you are!" Professor Lin snorted, as if thinking of something. "Thinking of this point makes me Life Qi. Couldn't you have just picked any random direction for your Criminal Investigation doctorate? Such a good direction, and you didn't even leave it for our department!"

Zhao Yang gave a wry smile. "Actually, I really just picked this direction randomly. The direction for Computer Science is a bit mind-blowing; I haven't completely clarified my thoughts yet and am still investigating background information."

"Oh?" Professor Lin immediately perked up. "What idea? Tell me, I'll help you check the background information!"

Zhao Yang leaned in and whispered a few words into Professor Lin's ear.

Professor Lin said in surprise, "Isn't this too advanced for the country? If you choose this topic... I'll have to worry about money again! You, oh you, have posed another difficult problem for me!"

Zhao Yang smiled. "No rush, no rush. I plan to wait until I get my Criminal Investigation degree before getting busy with this; otherwise, I'd really be lacking a Clone to handle everything."

Professor Lin pondered for a moment and nodded. "You're right. I'll note this down for now, and we'll first do some domestic and international background investigation. By the way, my daughter is a high school senior this year and wants to apply for the Computer Science major. She's been pestering me to find a senior student to learn from. Are you free tonight? Come over for a simple meal and tell her about university life and the major's direction."

How could Zhao Yang not see through his intention? No need to ask—he was definitely coveting this Great Disciple of his. Your daughter just started her senior year, so she's only 17, right? You're really going all out!

He put on a regretful expression. "Teacher Lin, I've already made plans with a friend to go to a concert tonight. I'm usually quite busy, and it's not easy to get such an opportunity."

Professor Lin also understood the underlying meaning—the word "female" would surely be added before the so-called "friend." He secretly regretted making his move too late and could only smile. "Then I won't take up any more of your time."

The two turned the conversation to scientific research and only left the laboratory when it was almost mealtime.

Zhao Yang hastily ate a meal and arrived at the Shuimu South Gate at the appointed time.

Huang Yimei was already waiting there. She had changed into a white dress, her long hair flowing like water, and she smiled as brightly as a flower. "Brother Yang!"

Zhao Yang's lips curled up. He had actually noticed the change in how Huang Yimei addressed him, but he was too lazy to point it out and just let nature take its course. Seeing only Huang Yimei, he asked, "Where is your family?"

"My parents took my brother's car," Huang Yimei smiled. "They were too embarrassed to follow us backstage."

"Oh... then get in the car." Zhao Yang pulled open the car door, waited for Huang Yimei to slip in, and then sat in the Driving seat.

In fact, Huang Zhenhua's Santana was parked diagonally across the road. The three of them watched through the car window as Zhao Yang and Huang Yimei got into the car.

Huang Zhenhua said, "Dad, Mom, see that? That's Zhao Yang."

"The young lad is quite handsome," Wu Yuejiang couldn't help but exclaim. "Those features, that temperament—he looks better than a celebrity."

Huang Jianzhi gave a bitter smile. "This matter, just as Zhenhua said, is a bit troublesome."

"How is it troublesome?" Wu Yuejiang smiled. "I think that lad Zhao Yang is quite good."

"He is good, just too good," Huang Jianzhi said. "You also heard what Zhenhua said this afternoon about the talent Zhao Yang displayed. Can our Rose match up to him?"

Wu Yuejiang rolled her eyes at him. "Are you hard of hearing? Didn't you hear Zhenhua say that Zhao Yang is all alone at home? So as long as he's willing, it's fine. I saw him being quite good to our Rose just now!"

Seeing Wu Yuejiang looking like she was inspecting a son-in-law, Huang Zhenhua could only sigh secretly—he hadn't yet mentioned that Bai Erru wanted to match Zhao Yang with Bai Xiaohe. Things weren't that simple!

Huang Yimei was naturally unaware of her parents' discussion. She was only focused on chatting chirpily with Zhao Yang.

Zhao Yang's voice was warm and magnetic, and he spoke in a very interesting way, making her laugh uncontrollably from time to time. She had never felt this way with any other boy and only felt that every minute with Zhao Yang was happy.

When the car arrived at the Workers Stadium, Zhao Yang took her directly backstage.

Backstage was a scene of chaos, with staff running around and several assistants shouting into their phones. Meimei was sweating profusely while making a phone call; seeing Zhao Yang, she immediately stuffed the phone to an assistant and ran over quickly. "Brother Yang, this is bad! Something happened!"