“Old Zheng, that’s not how it works! What can someone learn from doing odd jobs? At most, she’d be passing things around and copying data. If she’s actually asked to work on breeding programs or experiments, can she really do it? If she delays the progress of our research, who’s going to take responsibility?”
Old Zheng frowned and continued persuading them.
“Our experimental station was only established recently. We’re short on manpower. Even if she only knows the basics, she can still help with miscellaneous tasks and data organization. That’s better than bringing in someone completely unqualified. Besides, Battalion Commander Lu helped our station before. It would be too cold-hearted to reject his recommendation outright.”
His words struck a chord with many people.
Everyone still remembered how Lu Chengjing had recovered the Fengmai No. 13 grain variety. That seed was extremely important to the experimental station. Saying that they owed him a favor was no exaggeration.
Yet allowing someone suspected of dishonesty into the station left everyone unwilling.
The office once again fell silent.
Some frowned deeply.
Some looked troubled.
Others still wore expressions of open resistance.
Everyone had their own thoughts.
Director Li remained silent the entire time, absentmindedly rubbing Lin Shuyao’s file in his hands, his expression complicated.
He looked at the detailed breeding proposals and soil data in the documents, then recalled Professor Chen’s dismissive tone during their phone conversation. Mixed emotions filled his heart.
He had lived for most of his life and met all kinds of people.
Professor Chen’s words clearly carried an intention to belittle her. But why would a professor deliberately criticize a junior assistant who had worked under him for two years?
Lin Shuyao’s materials were well prepared. They did not look fabricated. Some of the details were far beyond what an ordinary assistant could produce.
After a long while, Director Li let out a heavy sigh.
He raised his hand, silencing the room.
“Enough. Stop arguing.”
Everyone turned toward him, waiting for his decision.
Director Li picked up the file and flipped through it.
“Her identity has been verified. Lin Shuyao did indeed come from the Kyoto Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and she did spend two years working under a professor. As for whether she was merely running errands or genuinely participating in research projects, none of us witnessed it firsthand. We can’t completely deny her based solely on Professor Chen’s words.”
“So what do you mean, Director?”
“We investigate further. Our experimental station conducts scientific research. We value genuine ability, not reputation. Since she submitted an application and provided such a detailed proposal, she deserves an opportunity. Arrange an interview. Let her explain for herself whether those breeding concepts and soil data are truly her own work.”
The moment he finished speaking, several of the more hot-tempered opponents became dissatisfied.
“Director! The facts are already obvious! Someone like her shouldn’t pass the review process at all! We researchers work for the country and the people. We can’t accept someone who cuts corners and deceives others!”
“I understand your dissatisfaction.”
Director Li raised a hand to stop them. His tone left no room for debate.
“We can give her an opportunity, but we can’t hand out positions carelessly. If she truly has ability and can produce real results, we can adjust her position later. If she’s exactly as Professor Chen described—slow-witted, incompetent, and reliant on deception—then asking her to leave won’t be too late.”
The room filled with reluctant sighs.
Director Li set down the file and continued.
“Let’s do this. The interview will be held three days from now. For now, assign her to a logistics position in the experimental fields. She’ll be responsible for organizing research data and caring for experimental seedlings. It’s the lowest position in the station—no official staffing quota and no additional subsidies. Whether she stays or advances will depend entirely on her own abilities.”
The logistics position was, frankly speaking, the hardest, most tedious, and least technical job available.
It was usually handled by temporary workers and didn’t even come with official employment status.
Compared to the outstanding academic credentials listed in Lin Shuyao’s file, the difference was like heaven and earth.
Some people still refused to accept it.
“Director Li, isn’t that basically approving her? This is far too lenient. What if she’s only here to coast along?”
“Coast along?”
Director Li let out a cold laugh.
“Our logistics positions in the experimental fields aren’t easy. Workers endure wind and sun every day, spend all their time dealing with soil, and must carefully verify every set of data. Not even the slightest mistake is acceptable. If she can really survive in that position, then she has some ability after all. If she can’t, we won’t even need to dismiss her. She’ll leave on her own. And as for Battalion Commander Lu’s favor, we’ll have repaid it.”
After hearing that, no one voiced further objections.
This arrangement repaid Lu Chengjing’s favor, gave Lin Shuyao a chance, and still protected the station’s standards.
It was the most balanced solution.
Old Zhou breathed a sigh of relief and immediately nodded.
“Understood, Director Li. I’ll make the interview arrangements right away.”
Director Li nodded slightly.
Picking up Lin Shuyao’s file once more, he glanced at the detailed notes inside.
A trace of expectation flickered in his eyes, accompanied by lingering doubt.
“I hope she truly has some talent. Don’t let us down—and don’t make Battalion Commander Lu lose face.”
The atmosphere within the experimental station gradually relaxed.
Everyone returned to their work, though whenever Lin Shuyao’s name came up, their voices still carried hints of skepticism and disdain.
No one believed that a mere assistant, criticized so harshly by a professor, could accomplish anything significant at the station.
Meanwhile, on the training grounds of the Special Operations Battalion, the usually stern and intense atmosphere felt noticeably more relaxed than usual.
Lu Chengjing stood in the center of the field.
His neatly pressed military uniform was dampened with sweat, leaving faint dark marks. His expression remained cold and stern, yet the chill in his eyes had lessened somewhat.
Even his training standards had quietly become more lenient.
“Battalion Commander, that crawling drill exceeded the time limit by three seconds. According to regulations, that’s an additional five laps.”
The communications soldier, Xiao Song, held the training records and quietly reminded him.
Under normal circumstances, let alone three seconds—even half a second over the limit would earn extra punishment from Lu Chengjing without mercy.
Yet today, Lu Chengjing merely glanced at the results and casually waved his hand.
“Pay attention next time. No additional punishment.”
Xiao Song froze on the spot.
His eyes widened in disbelief.
For a moment, he thought he had misheard.
It wasn’t just him.
The soldiers training nearby immediately began whispering among themselves, all wearing expressions of astonishment.
What was wrong with Battalion Commander Lu today?
His temper was unbelievably good.
Several soldiers gathered together and whispered:
“Did something good happen to the Battalion Commander? I was slow earlier, and he didn’t even scold me!”
“Who knows? He’s always strict and impartial. This is way too unusual.”
“You guys don’t know? His wife arrived. The old iron tree finally bloomed. Of course he’s happy.”
Lu Chengjing ignored the discussions among his men.
His gaze settled on the distant courtyard wall as his fingers lightly brushed the military belt at his waist.
Even he couldn’t explain why his mood had improved after leaving the experimental station.
Perhaps it was the surprise of hearing others praise Lin Shuyao’s application materials.
Or perhaps, deep down, he was hoping that this woman who had traveled so far would genuinely choose to stay and build a life with him.