Although Zhao Longfei was praising Qin Siyang, Qin Siyang still felt like he was being scolded.
But he didn't say anything.
He just curled his lips and kept waiting for Li Tianming and the others to ask their questions.
Qin Siyang's tolerance for Zhao Longfei was pretty high.
Mainly because he still remembered that Zhao had gone outside the Safe Zone to save him, and twice had gotten Zhao Fengjun to come rescue him too.
Even though Zhao Longfei sometimes didn't act like a decent person, when something serious actually happened, he could still be counted on.
Just as everyone was about to leave, Qin Siyang suddenly remembered something.
"Right."
Now that Li Tianming had returned to his position, the research should quickly get back on track, there were some matters he didn't need to delay anymore.
He first glanced around the size of the room, then looked down at the storage box for a moment.
After confirming that there was no problem with placing it here, under everyone's gaze, he took out a piece of Water Glazed star ore about the size of a human body.
Only, this piece of star ore looked a bit different from the other Water Glazed star ores.
It didn't have the usual visible crystal structure, and the grayish-blue matter inside also looked different.
This was the one he had found that day, sitting right in the center among all the other pieces of Water Glazed star ore.
Qin Siyang noticed this piece looked distinct from the others, maybe it held some other secrets waiting to be studied.
Everyone's eyes were immediately drawn to the ore.
Lu Daoxing even climbed onto the table without caring about his image, pulled out a pair of glasses-shaped instruments, and kept adjusting them to look from all sorts of angles. Like a fat goose bobbing its head up, down, left, and right.
Chang Tianxiang asked, "Little Qin, is this also Water Glazed star ore?"
Qin Siyang nodded, "It was in the middle of the others. I guess… it should be, right?"
Lu Daoxing, still sprawled on the table, muttered, "The substance inside this one seems different from the other star ores."
"Exactly, exactly! I thought so too! I noticed this piece looked different from the rest, so I figured once all the professors were here, I'd bring it out for discussion."
Zhang Kuang brushed aside his messy long hair, practically pressing his eyes against the ore's surface.
After observing for quite a while, he said, "This piece might be the core of the Water Glazed star ore. Just like how the heart of a vine is the core of a sacrificial giant vine."
Qin Siyang nodded eagerly, "Yes, yes, that's what I thought too. This piece was right at the center, it really seems like a core."
Li Tianming also frowned, "The material inside might be the original cause of the transformation, from Water Glazed ore to Water Glazed star ore."
"Yes, yes, I think so too! Maybe we can uncover the origin of the star ore's formation!"
The others looked at Qin Siyang in surprise.
They clearly weren't used to him talking like this, constantly agreeing with everyone.
Qin Siyang shrank his head back a bit, "Why are you all looking at me like that?"
"It's mainly because you don't seem like yourself," Wu Yu said, adjusting his gold-rimmed glasses, "Normally, you never go along with anyone's words like this. But now not only are you agreeing, you're also getting all worked up and excited, like some overeager, not-quite-mature bootlicker."
Wu Yu's analysis instantly earned nods of agreement from everyone else.
Especially the phrase 'not-quite-mature bootlicker', it perfectly captured how Qin Siyang had just acted in everyone's eyes.
Qin Siyang scratched his head, "I mean… I don't really understand research stuff. I just had some guesses, but I didn't dare say them in front of you big professors, I was afraid you'd laugh at me. Now hearing that what I thought matches what you said, of course I'm excited."
"Oh, right, professors, would you say I have a talent for scientific research?"
Li Tianming replied, "Whether you have a talent for research or not, just talking won't prove anything. Spend some time in the lab, and your aptitude will show clearly enough. Why, you thinking of doing research now?"
"Not at the moment. But maybe someday."
At that point, Zhao Longfei leaned over again with a sly grin.
Qin Siyang raised his hand to stop him.
"Hold it. Principal Zhao, this ore, I definitely can't give it to you. Not to South Glory, and not to the Zhao Commerce Association either."
Zhao Longfei's face instantly froze, "If you're not giving it to me, then why keep me here at all?"
Qin Siyang looked at him seriously, "Principal Zhao, we've been together long enough that I don't think I need to hide anything from you. In the future, whatever research results Old Li and the others come up with, I believe they'll be happy to share them with you."
"But when it comes to the latest, possibly trump-card-level research materials, I'll still only keep them with the professors here. I hope you can understand. You don't do research yourself anyway, right?"
Zhao Longfei paused for a moment, then couldn't help but smile and shake his head.
"You kid, you're really something."
"All right then. You all get busy. I'll go take care of some school matters."
With that, he clasped his hands behind his back and left the conference room.
No one had expected Zhao Longfei to leave so easily.
Maybe Qin Siyang's words really had gotten through to him.
After Zhao Longfei left, Chang Tianxiang sighed, "Leaders like Principal Zhao are really rare."
Hao Liang added, "Didn't you notice? People who've clawed their way up from the bottom are totally different from us folks who've always just studied and done research."
"I think if Little Qin ever became a leader, he'd probably be just like Principal Zhao."
Qin Siyang immediately frowned.
"No way. If I were the principal, I'd definitely be better than him!"
"Sure, Zhao Longfei can be reliable in critical moments, but most of the time, can you even call him human?"
Wu Yu said lazily, "You describing him like that just makes you sound even more alike."
Qin Siyang glared furiously at Wu Yu.
After some more joking around, Li Tianming and the others decided to set aside a dedicated laboratory just to study this peculiar piece of Water Glazed star ore.
That lab would be fitted with a special lock, only they and Qin Siyang would be able to enter.
For now, it was their highest-level shared secret.
After returning home, Li Tianming told Chen Fenghe about his plans.
Chen Fenghe fully supported Li Tianming's decision to return to frontline research.
At the same time, since Li Pengfei was now old enough to start school, Li Tianming decided to send him to South Glory Affiliated Elementary.
South Glory Affiliated Elementary was right next to South Glory University, with a connecting gate between them.
That way, Li Tianming could easily drop off and pick up Li Pengfei every day, it would be very convenient.
And Chen Fenghe could rest assured and take up her new position as director of the 7th District United Hospital.
She had already passed the assessment and received her appointment letter. It was just that, not knowing what Li Tianming planned, she hadn't gone to work yet.
Now that Li Tianming had made up his mind, everything was finally falling back into order, and Chen Fenghe could get busy with her career again.
Chen Fenghe also secretly called Qin Siyang to express her thanks.
["Little Qin, when I have time, I'll come visit and give you my medical kit, it has lots of unique medicines I developed myself."]
"Mistress, that's not right. If you give it to me, what will you do? What if something happens to Old Li?"
["It's fine. Most of them aren't one-of-a-kind. And once I'm at the 7th District hospital, I'll have even better access to research materials. I can easily make another set."]
"Then thank you, Mistress!"
["No need to be polite."]
Qin Siyang then asked, "Mistress, when are you and Old Li getting married?"
Chen Fenghe's voice suddenly turned soft and shy, ["You little rascal, taking advantage just to tease me, huh? Why do you have to ask about everything?"]