The paper Tony Snow was going to write this time, "Several New Types of Cell Culture Methods," contained the most suitable cell culture methods and technologies for different cell types that would gradually emerge over the next few decades.
What is most valuable in today's society? Technology.
Those tech companies that developed early all made fortunes by building strong patent barriers. By registering patents for the new technologies mentioned in the paper before its publication, Tony Snow aimed to earn his first significant income.
"Then what instruments and reagents will you need?" Dr. Howard Quinn asked again. He had to be cautious about this matter—it was not a joke.
"I'll need quite a lot of things. I'll write you an application when I get back, listing all the instruments, reagents, and usage times I'll need." Tony couldn't possibly explain everything he needed right there.
This encounter with Dr. Quinn had been a coincidence. Tony had originally planned to make a full list and then meet with him, so this just meant giving him a heads-up in advance.
"Alright, then send it to my email. Oh, by the way, you probably don't have my contact info yet, do you? How about this—what are your messenger and chat IDs? I'll add both. That way, you can just send me the Word document directly." Dr. Quinn said, pulling out his phone.
This was a good opportunity to add Tony as a contact—Dr. Quinn figured that once Tony became famous, it would be much harder to reach him.
The two quickly exchanged contacts and saved each other's phone numbers.
"By the way, Clara Quinn, do you have any plans for your senior year? Are you planning to go straight into the workforce or continue on to grad school?"
Dr. Quinn turned to Clara, who had been listening silently while eating.
Clara hadn't expected Dr. Quinn, who had been chatting with Tony, to suddenly ask her a question. She first gave a surprised, "Ah," and then quickly composed herself.
"I want to continue studying and pursue a postgraduate degree, Professor."
Hearing her response, Tony, who already had a clear idea of the situation, added, "Dr. Quinn, the salary for undergrad bioengineering majors is too low. Mr. Sharp—you know him, right? I asked him before. At his company, the monthly salary for fresh undergrads is only three to four thousand credits."
"That's barely enough to get by in a city like New Avalon. After rent and food, there's nothing left."
"You're right, it's definitely better to go for a graduate degree. The salary and career trajectory are much better afterward." Dr. Quinn nodded in agreement.
"You mean Mr. Sharp? He and I went to university together. You've been tutoring his daughter recently, haven't you? He asked me about you specifically and later said his daughter really liked your teaching style. Did he also tell you about the benefits at his company? Is he trying to recruit you?" Dr. Quinn smiled knowingly.
"Which university do you want to attend?" he then asked Clara.
"I'm aiming for National University, in their School of Life Sciences, focusing on Cell Biology," Clara answered.
"National University is an excellent choice. Have you decided on a research direction? You should consider applying for their Summer Research Camp. Tony told me about it too. The call for applications hasn't been posted yet, but you two could apply together." Dr. Quinn said, catching himself just before calling Tony her boyfriend.
Clara blushed but nodded. "Tony mentioned the Summer Camp before. We're keeping an eye out for the application notice."
...
After lunch, Dr. Quinn returned to his office.
Since there were no classes scheduled for Friday afternoons this semester, Tony and Clara decided to take a nap in their respective dorms first before heading to the library.
"Dr. Quinn already knows about your paper, doesn't he?" Clara asked as they walked from the cafeteria toward the dormitories.
"Yes. During yesterday's bioengineering class, remember when three faculty members came to the door looking for me? Besides Dr. Quinn, the other two were Dr. Walter Sharp, Dean of the School of Mathematical Sciences, and Chancellor Sterling Holt of New Avalon Institute. They came because they already knew about my paper."
Tony led Clara to a quieter area as they continued talking.
"After my mathematics paper was accepted, the journal sent a physical letter. That letter only arrived at the university yesterday. Somehow, Dr. Quinn saw it.
"But the envelope didn't look opened. I think it was delivered to the student union first, and someone noticed the journal's name on the envelope and told Dr. Quinn. That's how he found me."
"No wonder Dr. Quinn was so nice to you today. You said you weren't going to attend his class anymore, and he didn't even blink." Clara nodded in realization.
"Oh, and by the way, my roommate told me last night that word about you is already circulating. People know a third-year student published in a top mathematics journal, but they don't know it's you."
Although Clara's roommates knew about Tony's mathematics paper, Tony had asked his friend Ryan not to spread the news until after it was officially published. Ryan had followed through, even asking his girlfriend to keep it to herself and instruct her roommates not to gossip.
So currently, only a few people actually knew that Tony was the prodigious student in question.
After saying goodbye to Clara, Tony returned to his dormitory.
As soon as he opened the door, his roommates—Ryan, Lucas, and Matt—were acting strange.
They had already eaten lunch and returned to the dorm, and they'd spotted Tony and Clara downstairs chatting. So, naturally, when Tony walked in, they began dramatically acting out exaggerated romance scenes, mimicking fictional lovers.
Tony couldn't help but laugh. He threw a few playful remarks back at them.
"Tony, when's that prestigious journal finally going to publish your paper? I've been dying to post a photo of you and show off," Matt said, clearly unable to contain his excitement.
"Soon. Probably next month," Tony replied as he kicked off his shoes and climbed onto his bunk.
Knowing Tony's habit of taking a nap at noon, his roommates quickly quieted down once he was in bed.