100: 100. Reconciliation

Inside the Chemical and Environmental Engineering College building at Jiangcheng University of Technology.

Fang Li carefully completed a set of data at the experimental bench, then breathed a sigh of relief. She rubbed her sore neck, turned to the computer, and meticulously entered the experimental data she had just recorded.

As soon as she clicked save, she looked up and saw Cheng Xiaokai leaning against the doorframe of the classroom, quietly watching her. She didn't know how long he had been waiting.

Fang Li smiled and said, "You're so fast? I thought I'd have to wait for you for a while."

Cheng Xiaokai rubbed his slightly throbbing temples and said, "Yes, I came right after finishing my coursework. I saw you were busy with your experiment, so I didn't disturb you and waited here for a bit."

"Wait for me a moment, I'll pack up and we can leave together."

Fang Li haphazardly shoved her computer into her backpack, then tidied up the experimental bench. Only then did she get up and walk out with Cheng Xiaokai.

The two walked out of the laboratory side by side. Just as they passed the teacher's office, a slightly sharp voice called out to them: "Fang Li, Cheng Xiaokai!"

Their steps paused, and they exchanged glances, both seeing a hint of helplessness in the other's eyes.

They peeked inside and, sure enough, saw their mentor, Bi Hua, sitting behind his desk, waving at them.

Bi Hua was a thin middle-aged man with long, narrow eyes, and his gaze always carried a scrutinizing look that made people uncomfortable.

"Professor Bi, were you looking for us?" Fang Li asked, forcing a smile.

Bi Hua leaned back in his chair and said unhurriedly, "Hmm, you've done very well with this semester's project, but there are still some issues with the paper. You need to revise it quickly. We're about to start a new experimental design, so don't delay."

"Alright, Professor," they both said in unison.

Only then did Bi Hua show a satisfied smile and say, "Very good. Both of you have solid foundations and high comprehension. If it weren't for that Qin Tian holding you back, you would definitely have made further progress by now, perhaps even published in top journals. Fortunately, that misleading fellow has been expelled from the school. You should take it as a warning and not chase after those illusory things."

"Understood."

"Very good, off you go," Bi Hua waved his hand, dismissing them.

The two silently walked out of the office without speaking. It wasn't until they were out of the building that Cheng Xiaokai spat, suppressing his anger, "He speaks so grandly, but isn't he just going to steal our first authorship again? How many times has it been? Before, I spent half a year on experimental data, writing, and revising, all done independently. He just opens his mouth, and my name becomes second author! Why?"

Fang Li was also angry and helpless: "What else can we do? He's our mentor. Whether we can graduate or get job recommendations in the future, it's all in his hands."

Stealing authorship was one thing, but there were also all sorts of empty promises, PUA tactics, and he would exploit their free time to help him with various personal matters.

In contrast, their mentor Qin Tian, whom he called misleading, was different. He didn't exploit or PUA them, was always available to communicate and answer questions, and even paid them monthly labor fees. He was simply a divine mentor.

Moreover, after experiencing Bi Hua, both of them understood how high Qin Tian's professional level was, it's just... he was too fixated on that seemingly distant dream.

Thinking of Qin Tian, they quickly walked towards the school gate.

Every week at this time, they would unfailingly go to assist him. Besides learning more knowledge, they also hoped to help Qin Tian alleviate some pressure.

"Qin Tian's mental state hasn't been too good lately," Cheng Xiaokai said worriedly. "I heard he hit another wall; almost all venture capital firms rejected him."

"Sigh, it's such a good invention, how could it hit a wall?" Fang Li also couldn't understand.

The two walked and discussed, turning a corner down a familiar street, and suddenly froze.

The dilapidated warehouse, which was always tightly shut, now had its doors wide open. Some people in moving company uniforms were moving the simple equipment out of it, haphazardly piling it on the roadside outside.

Seeing this, their faces changed dramatically. These were all Qin Tian's hard work; he had sold all his family property and slowly gathered money to assemble them. How could they be dismantled like this?

"Stop it, stop right now!!" Cheng Xiaokai was the first to react, rushing over and shouting.

Fang Li also followed, trying to stop them, asking breathlessly, "Who are you, and what are you doing? Who told you to move these things?"

The movers were startled by the two students who suddenly rushed out. The leader urged, "We're working, moving things! Young lady, young man, step aside. These things are heavy, don't get hurt!"

"No! You can't move them! These are all very important scientific research equipment!" Cheng Xiaokai spread his arms, blocking the warehouse entrance, refusing to budge.

The two anxiously pulled out their phones, constantly dialing Qin Tian's number, but couldn't get through.

A bad premonition surfaced in their hearts.

"What do we do?" Fang Li panicked.

Cheng Xiaokai gritted his teeth and said, "Call his wife."

When Qin Tian was still teaching at the school, they had met his wife, Xu Xiufeng, who was very kind and often brought them food.

Thinking of this, he quickly made the call and explained the situation.

Soon, a middle-aged woman on an electric scooter with a little girl hurried over.

Xu Xiufeng got off the scooter. She was dressed in simple clothes, her face filled with anxiety. She first carried her drowsy young daughter from the back seat, then quickly walked towards the warehouse.

Seeing the warehouse mostly emptied, Xu Xiufeng's face also turned pale.

Her first reaction was the same as the two students: Qin Tian had reached the end of his rope, unable to even keep his last refuge and means of livelihood.

She took a deep breath, handed her daughter to Fang Li, then walked forward and said to the moving crew leader, "Sir, please stop for a moment. These things are my husband's very important scientific research equipment. Did he owe you rent or moving fees? How much? I'll pay! Please don't move anything else!"

In her opinion, these must be people hired by the Landlord or a creditor to forcibly clear the premises.

The movers were somewhat bewildered by the successive interruptions. The leader happened to see several people approaching from a distance, as if seeing saviors, and quickly shouted loudly:

"Mr. Lin! You've come at a good time. These people won't let us move. What do you think..."

Xu Xiufeng, Cheng Xiaokai, and Fang Li heard this and quickly turned their heads to look in the direction the worker was pointing.

They saw three figures approaching unhurriedly in the distance. The person in the middle was Qin Tian, whom they had been anxiously searching for, and beside him were two distinguished-looking men.

"Daddy!"

The little girl's face lit up with a joyful smile when she saw Qin Tian. She broke free from Fang Li's hand and ran towards him like a little bird.

Qin Tian quickly knelt down and hugged her tightly, his voice trembling, "Xinxin, Xinxin, Daddy's here."

"Daddy, I haven't seen you in so long. Mommy always says you're very, very busy. Don't you want us anymore?" Xinxin's innocent childlike voice asked curiously.

This sentence was like a needle, instantly piercing Qin Tian's heart. His eyes immediately reddened, and he kept shaking his head: "No... no... How could Daddy not want you... Daddy loves you, really loves you so, so much..."

The little girl smiled brightly, turned her head, and shouted to her mother, who was still frozen in place: "Mommy! Mommy! Daddy says he loves us! Daddy didn't abandon us!"

Xu Xiufeng's worries disappeared. Looking at Qin Tian, her face showed a complex mix of emotions: anger, grievance, and helplessness.

She reached up to wipe her eyes, turning her head away.

Qin Tian held his daughter's hand and slowly walked towards Xu Xiufeng. Looking at his wife's haggard face from overwork, countless words choked in his throat, eventually turning into a single, apologetic sentence.

"Xiufeng... I'm sorry... This past while... you've worked hard... Really... I'm sorry... Now, everything has cleared up."

His voice was hoarse but full of sincerity. Then he reached out and hugged Xu Xiufeng tightly.

Xu Xiufeng struggled for a moment, but ultimately couldn't bring herself to push him away. She quietly lowered her head, letting him hold her.

Under the setting sun, the little girl hugged her mom and dad, laughing non-stop.

Yu Tianxiong and Lin Shaohui watched quietly, a slight smile on their faces.

Meanwhile, Cheng Xiaokai and Fang Li kept examining Yu Tianxiong and the other man, feeling surprised and excited. Could it be... that Qin Tian's invention... had taken a turn for the better?

[Thank you all for the gifts, truly very grateful!!]