178: Socially anxious people

“So, this research was completed independently by your student?”

Dean Liu’s wrinkled face was filled with disbelief. As he spoke, he tugged hard at the wispy grey beard on his chin.

Lin Yan’s expression stiffened slightly upon seeing this, then he quickly turned his face halfway, revealing a somewhat foolish smile.

He bared his teeth, intentionally showing off two prominent front teeth, and his not-so-large eyes widened, attempting to feign ignorance and muddle through the situation.

However, Dean Liu was not fooled by his appearance. He continued to stare intently at him, as if trying to see through his eyes into his true thoughts.

Seeing that he couldn’t avoid it, Lin Yan had no choice but to bite the bullet and speak.

“I… guess… so.”

His voice was as soft as a mosquito’s hum.

After receiving an affirmative answer, the Dean nodded with satisfaction, but then he stroked his long beard again and pressed on.

“Since that’s the case, what level of Breeder is this student currently at?”

Lin Yan straightened up slightly and replied, raising his voice a little.

“Intermediate Breeder.”

When he said this, he finally felt a bit of confidence. After all, not long ago, Li Wen had taken the Intermediate Breeder exam and passed it without a hitch.

However, what Lin Yan never expected was that when he said the words “Intermediate Breeder,” the Dean’s previously calm expression instantly changed, seemingly becoming even angrier than before.

The Dean roared in rebuke.

“With such outstanding ability and talent, he’s still only an Intermediate Breeder! Such an excellent seedling has been completely delayed by you!”

Lin Yan was taken aback by the Dean’s sudden outburst of anger. For a moment, his mind felt like a tangled mess, completely unable to sort things out.

However, after a brief period of thought, he finally realized with a flash of understanding—the Dean must have thought Li Wen was a retained student in the Breeding Department.

Breeding Department students, if they perform well enough, have a certain number of spots for retained campus employment.

So, Lin Yan quickly explained.

“No… that’s not it, Dean, you might have misunderstood. Actually, Li Wen just started his first year of university this year.”

“?”

The Dean, who had been furious and on the verge of a major outburst, was instantly stunned by this sudden remark. His emotions seemed to be abruptly interrupted, becoming somewhat disjointed.

Time seemed to freeze, and the whole scene was so quiet that it felt oppressive.

After several seconds, Dean Liu finally came to his senses as if waking from a dream, and then he spoke.

“Does that not count as a delay? Such an outstanding seedling, following you is a huge waste!”

“He already possessed the ability to conduct experiments independently in his first year of university. He should be following a responsible teacher like me!”

“What good is it following a brat like you?”

His tone was full of jealousy towards Lin Yan.

Lin Yan did not immediately respond to Dean Liu.

Lin Yan thought, “He finally fell for it.”

Finally, Lin Yan slowly broke the silence.

“Since you’ve asked this question, I won’t hide it anymore.”

He paused, then continued solemnly,

“I possess a large amount of special experimental resources. These resources are not something just anyone can easily obtain.”

This simple sentence immediately rendered the previously imposing Dean Liu speechless.

Indeed, although Lin Yan had no other particularly significant research projects besides his research on “Multiple Evolutionary Possibilities of the Little Green Worm,”

It must be admitted that the number of strange small-scale studies he undertook was vast, and their success rate was the highest in the entire academy.

It was just that most of these research results had relatively limited value in terms of practical application.

If Lin Yan could produce even one more significant research achievement with important meaning and widespread influence, then he would probably be qualified to join the Chicken Faction members of the Breeding Bureau.

Given Lin Yan’s age, he was just one major research project away from meeting the Chicken Faction’s standards.

Lin Yan still wanted to keep up the act.

But at this moment, Li Wen had just finished speaking and came down from the stage, walking over.

“Yo, old man, still chatting? Who’s this?”

Dean Liu looked bewildered, his face full of question marks, clearly very surprised by this sudden address.

Lin Yan, seeing this, quickly stepped forward to smooth things over. He scratched his head and explained with a hint of awkwardness.

“Uh… Dean, please don’t mind. This is just a more intimate way my student and I address each other.”

It was then that Li Wen realized the person in front of him was the Dean, and his previously arrogant demeanor instantly vanished without a trace.

He quickly straightened his back and respectfully said, “Hello, Dean.”

The Dean waved his hand and said with a smile.

“No matter, no matter. As long as you two are happy with it, I won’t say anything more. However, I do have a question I’d like to ask you two.”

Saying this, the Dean turned his gaze to Li Wen and then asked.

“What exactly was the source of your topic this time?”

Upon hearing this, a mysterious smile suddenly appeared on Li Wen’s face.

He narrowed his eyes slightly and replied unhurriedly.

“Well, you’ll have to ask my teacher about that. How exactly was this Parasitic Vine researched? Anyway, it’s particularly useful.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Yan immediately turned to look at Dean Liu. The moment their eyes met, there seemed to be an unspoken understanding between them.

Lin Yan conveyed the message “See? What did I tell you?” to Dean Liu with his eyes.

Looking at Lin Yan’s personality, Dean Liu felt both helpless and amused. He could only shake his head and sigh.

“Alright, alright, you two hurry back and prepare well. You’ll be representing our school in the competition, so don’t you dare disgrace our school!”

After Dean Liu left, Li Wen turned to Lin Yan and said, “Teacher, actually, do you know that the effect of this callus on pet beasts is, in essence, a very special and unique way? It can promote the formation of Aberrant Type forms and abilities in pet beasts.”

After saying these words, Li Wen seemed ready to turn and leave, then added, “Therefore, for important tasks like introducing research results, Teacher, you are perfectly capable! I’ll head back to the office now.” Before he finished speaking, Li Wen lifted his foot, ready to walk away.

Just then, the quick-witted Lin Yan swiftly extended a hand, grabbed Li Wen’s arm, and hastily said, “Hey! My good student, even if I introduce it, you can’t think of bailing out at the last minute!”

“Don’t forget there’s still an intense debate session. It’s just the two of us, master and disciple, in this lab, right? Are you really going to abandon me to face those eloquent opponents alone?”

Blocked by Lin Yan, Li Wen looked troubled and replied earnestly.

“Oh, Teacher, you know my personality. I have social anxiety! I really can’t handle arguing with people in front of a large crowd!”

Lin Yan said exasperatedly,

“Get lost, social terrorist, can that be called social anxiety?”