66: Chapter 66 Of all his qualities, he's the most stubborn.

"Rose!" Huang Zhenhua said anxiously. "Don't keep us in suspense! If you won't say it, then... let Zhao Yang speak?"

Huang Jianzhi looked at Zhao Yang. "Little Zhao, you... when did you two start dating?"

"Alright, alright! Don't make it difficult for Zhao Yang!" Huang Yimei waved her hand. "Actually, Brother Yang arranged everything!"

"Arranged everything?"

Everyone looked bewildered.

Huang Yimei stopped teasing and said, "Yesterday, Brother Yang saw that something was wrong with Zhou Shihui. When he came back at night, he specifically reminded me that if Guan Zhizhi came to cause trouble, I should do exactly what I just did."

Huang Jianzhi and Wu Yuejiang breathed a sigh of relief at the same time, though they felt a faint sense of regret—it wasn't real after all.

Huang Zhenhua realized and gave a thumbs up. "Zhao Yang, you're practically a mastermind!"

"Little Zhao, thank you so much today!" Wu Yuejiang said apologetically. "It's so late, and we've troubled you to come all this way."

Zhao Yang smiled. "I'm staying at the Expert Apartment anyway, it's not far."

Huang Zhenhua suddenly frowned, as if remembering something, and looked at Huang Yimei. "Rose, then is there really nothing between you and Old Zhou?"

Huang Yimei looked speechless. "Do you think my taste is that bad?"

She giggled and patted Zhao Yang's arm. "Besides, why would I like Zhou Shihui when there's a guy as outstanding as Brother Yang? Do you think I'm a fool? Right, Brother Yang?"

Zhao Yang was silent for two seconds and nodded slightly. "What you said... makes a lot of sense."

Huang Yimei suddenly realized she had let something slip. Her face turned red, and she waved her hand. "Anyway! Stop worrying! Get me a new Master tomorrow. I don't think Zhou Shihui's skill level is that great! He didn't give a single suggestion when looking at Brother Yang's house! Don't let him design it for Brother Yang either!"

Huang Zhenhua gave a bitter smile. "After what happened, how could I have the face to ask for his help?"

"Then I'll have to trouble you with all the renovation matters," Zhao Yang smiled. "I believe in your ability!"

Huang Zhenhua steeled himself. "Fine! I'll definitely do my best to give you a satisfactory plan!"

Seeing it was late, Zhao Yang took his leave.

Huang Yimei walked him a long way out, still chatting incessantly.

Zhao Yang joked, "Why don't you just walk me to my building, then I'll walk you back, and then you walk me again? Let's just spend the whole night strolling."

"Uh... Hahaha!" Huang Yimei laughed heartily at the thought. "Then I'm going back! Bye, Brother Yang!"

The two said their goodbyes, and Huang Yimei skipped back home.

As soon as she entered, she saw her parents and Huang Zhenhua looking at her scrutinizingly. Her smile vanished instantly, and she asked guiltily, "Why... why are you looking at me like that?"

"Rose..." Huang Jianzhi probed, "Give us the truth. Are you and Zhao Yang actually dating?"

Huang Yimei blushed and immediately shook her head. "Dad! I haven't even graduated yet! I haven't even found a job... how could I be in the mood for dating? Stop guessing! I'm tired, I'm going to my room."

After saying that, she grabbed the phone gift box on the table and scurried back to her room, closing the door.

Huang Zhenhua curled his lip. "Stubborn mouth through and through."

Wu Yuejiang suddenly thought of something. "What did this child just say? Finding a job? Is she not going to graduate school? Zhao Yang is a PhD student! No! I need to have a good talk with her!"

"Mom..." Huang Zhenhua said, "Look what time it is. Let's talk tomorrow. Sleep, sleep. I'm exhausted."

...

The next day, Zhao Yang became busy. He hadn't expected the Ministry of Public Security to place such importance on the Joint Laboratory of Intelligent Investigation project. Deputy Director Gao Wenbo went directly to Shuimu to find him, asking him to start the laboratory preparations immediately.

Zhao Yang had no choice but to follow him to a building on South Tiyuguan Road in the capital.

Once there, he learned that the Third Institute and the First Institute had fought tooth and nail for this laboratory. In the end, the Ministry of Public Security had no choice but to let strength talk—whoever put up more money would get it.

The Third Institute had barely managed to win.

To achieve results as soon as possible, Director Gao Wenbo had hurriedly invited Zhao Yang.

Zhao Yang was primarily responsible for the laboratory's scientific research, which was the core of its operations. From research equipment to the research framework, it was all his responsibility. For many things, it was Zhao Yang's first time—like a bride mounting the sedan chair.

Fortunately, he had the gift of Photographic Memory, and coupled with an intelligence far beyond ordinary people, he managed to straighten everything out in two weeks, allowing things to proceed step-by-step.

This Friday, Director Gao Wenbo specifically found Zhao Yang and smiled, "Little Zhao, you've worked hard lately!"

Zhao Yang had just finished reading a document and quickly closed it, standing up. "Director Gao, hello. Do you have another task for me?"

Director Gao Wenbo patted his shoulder with a smile. "Look at what you're saying. I can't keep squeezing you like some black-hearted capitalist. I'm here to tell you that you've been busy here lately and worked hard. Take this weekend off. Come back when the laboratory staff list is finalized."

"Alright, thank you, Director Gao!"

After chatting a bit more about work arrangements, Zhao Yang left the laboratory.

Director Gao Wenbo smiled as he watched Zhao Yang's back disappear around the corner of the hallway. He then took out his phone and dialed the Director, Ma Tiankui's, number. "Hello, Old Ma."

Ma Tiankui's voice came through the phone. "Xiao Gao, how did you think of calling me? Are you treating me to dinner this weekend?"

Director Gao Wenbo's mouth twitched. "Where else in the world is there a Department-level cadre like you? Always asking for a free meal! I'm still in the capital! We'll talk when I'm back in Magic City! I'm talking business with you. I've been observing that kid Zhao Yang lately."

"Oh? How is he? I don't want to hear about the research; his thesis direction is at least ten years ahead of its time, you don't need to tell me that."

"Of course it's not about research, but his learning ability and the coordination and organizational skills he's shown!" Director Gao Wenbo said. "To test him, I handed over all the preparatory work for the research side to him without assigning anyone to help."

"What? You really dared to do that! He's only twenty-three! He's just a student! You're..."

"A student?" Director Gao Wenbo laughed and interrupted him. "You underestimate him too much! Although he's only twenty-three, twenty-eight-year-old PhDs from the Shuimu Computer Science Department have to call him 'Brother Yang' in front of him!"

"So what?"

"After these two weeks, even I want to call him 'Brother Yang'!" Director Gao Wenbo sighed with emotion. "The workload I gave him would take an old hand about two months. I estimated that even if he learned fast, he'd be busy until the end of the year. Guess what happened?"

"Just say it! ...You should listen to less cross-talk! You're driving me crazy!"

Director Gao Wenbo smiled triumphantly—he did it on purpose. "Two weeks! It only took two weeks to complete with high quality! It's a waste of his talent for him to just be a laboratory deputy director. I plan to promote him by the end of next year at the latest and hand the entire laboratory over to him!"

"Are you joking? He was just promoted to Section-level! You want to promote him to Deputy Division-level in a year? Wait... he's only twenty-three and already Section-level! A twenty-four-year-old Deputy Division-level? Are you trying to create a Rocket Cadre and set a record for the whole country?"