Credit could not be attributed to a single person. After informing the other party where the final experimental data and results were stored, Sheng Qianyu also withdrew from the sweet potato yield research group.
The team members would not be affected, but with the main credit for the scientific achievement shifting from Sheng Qianyu to another team member, there was inevitably some discussion within the group. It was only after the vice dean intervened and took hold of the team members’ weaknesses that no one dared to leak the information externally. Even though Song Jincheng had not secured the deputy team leader position due to the previous criticism, he still claimed most of the credit. As for other benefits, Sheng Qianyu did not inquire further.
It seemed these two had dug a pit long ago, just waiting for her to jump in.
After submitting her transfer application, the dean, who had just returned, spoke with her privately.
The dean knew she had been threatened and probed her both openly and subtly. Sheng Qianyu responded, “We are now moving forward in the dark, but we do so because we believe light will come. Not only do I believe in the country, but millions of Chinese people also believe it! In the future, we will become a strong and great nation. My decision now is not a retreat, but as a person, I have things and people I care about. I cannot disregard them for the sake of my career. I believe in myself—even if I don’t reach the peak in this field, I will achieve great things elsewhere. Regardless of the circumstances, please keep this confidential for me, and please believe in my abilities.”
The dean vaguely guessed something.
This child was young, a provincial top scorer, and had entered the Agricultural Science Academy at a tender age, attracting much attention. Yet, at the age of 12, she faced a sudden upheaval. How many could remain calm and act correctly in such a situation? Thinking further about the current predicament of the old Zhao family, the dean waved his hand.
“Go. When the storm subsides, I hope you will return.”
Sheng Qianyu bowed deeply to the elder. “Thank you for your appreciation, Dean. I’m sorry for causing you trouble because of my situation.”
The elder said nothing but remarked, “He thinks I got this position because of my sons, but such people are the most laughable. Remember, girl, in any research institute or academy, ability is what matters most. You will never lack appreciation wherever you go. Those who climb up through manipulation don’t belong in research institutes but in politics. He took the wrong path from the start and is destined to remain stagnant.”
Sheng Qianyu knew the “he” the elder referred to was the vice dean.
And indeed, it was true.
The vice dean had competed for the position against the dean but was ultimately rejected. Unwilling to accept this, he took advantage of the current situation to recruit many talented individuals. He excelled at socializing, initially using forceful tactics to win people over, eventually gaining their loyalty.
After confirming that her decision would not significantly affect the dean, Sheng Qianyu began preparing for the fighter jet research institute.
The Zhao family also learned of this.
Zhao Daxiong personally called her, urging her to think carefully.
Sheng Qianyu fell silent for a moment, detecting weariness in his voice. Instead of addressing the topic, she asked, “Dad, from the sound of your voice, are you sick?”
Zhao Daxiong was stunned for a few seconds, then felt a warmth flow through his heart.
Xiao Yu, who lived under the same roof as him, hadn’t noticed this, yet his adopted daughter could tell from just a phone call.
Zhao Daxiong closed his eyes, refusing to dwell on it further. He feared that his stubbornness, which had lasted a lifetime, might lead him to regret respecting his adopted daughter’s wishes and letting her go back then.
“Yes,” Zhao Daxiong paused, then added, “I’m much better now. Cough, cough, cough…”Sheng Qianyu also hesitated for a moment. “I’ll come see you tomorrow.”
Logically speaking, she had already repaid her debt of gratitude and should sever ties with the Zhao family. But over a decade of shared life wasn’t fake—whenever she thought about cutting off contact and never interacting again, her heart ached sharply. This was much more painful than distancing herself from Chen Zhou.
It was the lingering emotions from this body, memories etched deep into the bones.
It seemed that in the original owner’s heart, family was far more important than the person she had liked in her youth.
Sheng Qianyu thought of something and added, “If it’s inconvenient, I can wait until it’s more convenient for you.”
What she meant by “convenient” was understood without words between them.
Zhao Daxiong felt a pang of guilt, then grew angry out of shame. “What inconvenience could there be? You come over tomorrow!”
What angered him was that his adopted daughter had to constantly yield and be considerate for the sake of him and his biased wife, always speaking with extreme caution to avoid hurting their feelings. What angered him even more was that his biological daughter was so unreasonable—her flamboyant behavior not only caused trouble for the Zhao family everywhere but also couldn’t tolerate an adopted daughter who had already been reclaimed by the Sheng family!
Even if they couldn’t live under the same roof, wasn’t it normal to keep in touch?
Zhao Daxiong brought up the matter of transferring hospitals again, but seeing that the other party kept changing the subject, he didn’t press further.
After hanging up, he rubbed his temples. Just then, Political Commissar Chen walked over with an enamel mug filled with strong tea. Seeing him like this, Chen said, “Headache over your daughter again? What earth-shattering thing has she done this time?”
Mentioning Zhao Xiaoyu, even Political Commissar Chen shook his head.
That child was too flamboyant, didn’t know how to rein in her expressions, thought everyone was a fool who couldn’t see through her little tricks, and even acted in ways that didn’t match her life trajectory before the age of twelve…
If Old Zhao hadn’t gone to the hospital to confirm she was indeed his biological child, he would have suspected she was some kind of mutation.
Hearing this, Zhao Daxiong’s headache worsened. Remembering something, he said apologetically to his friend, “Old Chen, let’s call off the marriage arrangement between Xiaoyu and Chen Zhou.”
“Ah? Why?” Chen asked, suppressing the wild joy in his heart and the trembling of his hands holding the enamel mug.
Zhao Daxiong angrily slammed his pen and paper on the desk. “I sent her back to school for further studies so she could focus on learning and keep a low profile. Instead, she started dating someone at school! How old is she? Fifteen! And the guy is almost twenty-two—a full seven years older! I told her to break it off. Guess what she said?”
Political Commissar Chen, having recovered from his excitement, played along. “What did she say?”
“She said older men know how to cherish their partners!” He omitted the part where Zhao Xiaoyu complained that Chen Zhou had run off to an island to avoid her, not wanting to upset his friend.
Honestly, if it weren’t for Chen Zhou, he himself would have run away too! Such a troublemaker—if she weren’t his own flesh and blood, he’d have blasted her with a laser gun to put an end to all this mess!
Political Commissar Chen: “…” He forced himself to maintain a complicated expression.
Zhao Daxiong, looking equally pained, said, “Go ahead and laugh if you want.”
Political Commissar Chen, struggling to hold back, only said, “Old Zhao, you really need to keep a closer eye on your Xiaoyu. If this continues, what if she gets deceived by some guy? People can still be straightened out as long as they don’t go completely astray.”
Zhao Daxiong’s eyelids twitched.He used to have high expectations for his adopted daughter, but now that he had encountered this reckless one, well, his standards had dropped to “as long as she doesn’t turn out bad.”
Sheng Qianyu arrived on a weekend, and Qin Fang had found an excuse to go shopping at the mall with Zhao Xiaoyu.
Because she was in a hurry, Sheng Qianyu even declined the offer of lunch. After taking her pulse and prescribing the medicine, she was about to leave when she bumped into Zhao Xiaoyu, who had forgotten something and returned.
Qin Fang said, “Xiao Yu, if you want something, I can buy it for you. Why did you have to come all the way back…”