Since leaving the Science and Technology University of Shazhou City, Zhao Jianshu's life has been extremely difficult. In the early years, there were still people who introduced him to various investors, who poured a lot of money into his projects. However, those nouveau riche investors' substantial funding has now become a beautiful memory that Zhao Jianshu can only reminisce about...
The TL-7 liquid metal was a research project that Zhao Jianshu had dedicated half his life to. He never doubted the correctness of his research direction and always had a strong determination to prove to those who mocked his ideas that he was right!
But after those nouveau riche investors gradually lost confidence in his research, not only did they withdraw the funding, but they also almost took him to court. Zhao Jianshu was then completely in a dire situation.
If it weren't for his wife, Chen Aiping, who could still provide him with some meager funding, he would probably have to, like those academic scoundrels he despised, compete for some 'filling the domestic gap' projects to live a stable life.
Zhao Jianshu's research institute was built in the southeast corner of their suburban courtyard, a dilapidated bungalow covering less than forty square meters. It used to be a livestock shed built by his parents and later became his laboratory.
A pile of semi-old experimental instruments were haphazardly placed in this small room of less than forty square meters. Zhao Jianshu, who hadn't slept all night, was standing in front of the experimental table, carefully manipulating two thin wires with his tired eyes wide open.
A small brand DV camera, which was at least from 2002, was set up in the upper left corner of the experimental table, with the lens directly facing Zhao Jianshu.
"... Experiment number 0926, the ninth attempt to reduce current stimulation. The purpose of the experiment is to detect the morphological changes in the TL-7 liquid metal under microcurrent stimulation..."
Zhao Jianshu was fully focused on the experiment, muttering to the DV camera to record his experimental process.
But just as the two wires approached the silver-gray liquid metal in the electrolyte on the experimental table, the tightly closed laboratory door was casually pushed open by Chen Aiping, who had come from the city with Yang Chen.
"Old Zhao..."
"Ah?!" Zhao Jianshu, who never expected anyone to suddenly barge in at this time, was genuinely startled. His movements were inevitably too large, and he accidentally knocked over a round glass dish on the shelf in front of him, which contained some aluminum powder.
The large amount of aluminum powder that fell from the glass dish precisely landed in the glass tank on the experimental table, which contained the electrolyte and the liquid metal. The ninth experiment was thus declared a failure...
"Aiping, why are you back?" Zhao Jianshu wasn't angry, as he didn't expect this experiment to yield any results.
Seeing his wife enter with a young, unfamiliar man, Zhao Jianshu took off his rubber gloves but didn't notice that the two wires had fallen into the electrolyte. He turned and asked, "Is this your student? He looks unfamiliar."
"You old man, how many times have I told you not to stay up all night doing experiments? If you ruin your health, what will I do?!" Chen Aiping gave Zhao Jianshu a stern look and said, "Hurry up and tidy up, let's talk about some serious matters."
"What's the matter?" Zhao Jianshu looked at Chen Aiping suspiciously, somewhat unwillingly, "I'm still doing an experiment here..."
"Come out when I tell you to, no need to make a fuss!" Chen Aiping, after saying this, turned to Yang Chen, who was following behind, a bit embarrassed, and said, "My old Zhao is like this, don't take it to heart..."
"It's fine, I admire how dedicated Professor Zhao is," Yang Chen's gaze slowly swept through the laboratory, then he put on a smile and walked over to Zhao Jianshu, extending his hand, "Hello, Professor Zhao, I'm Yang Chen, Yang from 'Mu Yi' and Chen from 'Chen Xi'..."
"You are..." Zhao Jianshu subconsciously shook hands with Yang Chen.
"Professor Chen introduced me to your research project, and I have a general understanding of the situation. I came here specifically to discuss funding support with you..." As he spoke, Yang Chen's gaze inadvertently swept over the silver-gray liquid metal in the glass tank behind Zhao Jianshu, which was still in the electrolyte.
This glance shocked Yang Chen. The liquid metal, under the stimulation of a weak current, was continuously consuming the aluminum powder also immersed in the electrolyte! Its surface, originally dark silver, was gradually becoming shiny... This scene matched the liquid superalloy metal in Yang Chen's memory!
That's right, it's him!!
Yang Chen's heart was suddenly stirred, and he shook hands with Zhao Jianshu more firmly, "It seems, Professor Zhao, that your research has made a breakthrough..."
"Breakthrough?" Zhao Jianshu was taken aback, thinking Yang Chen was just being polite, and didn't take it to heart, "Which organization are you from?"
Zhao Jianshu's reaction wasn't strong, but this moment of hesitation was keenly noticed by Yang Chen.
Strange, does he still not know the greatest advantage of the liquid metal he developed? Yang Chen temporarily suppressed his doubts, straightened his expression, and formally introduced himself, "Hello, Professor Zhao, I represent Jinzhou Tongtai Industrial Co., Ltd. to discuss cooperation with you... Of course, we also have a close relationship with Yuanbang Steel Group."
"Tongtai Industrial?" Zhao Jianshu ran this name through his mind, confirming he had never heard of it... It was only when Yang Chen mentioned Yuanbang Steel Group that he perked up and smiled, "How do you plan to cooperate with me?"
"First, we will build a high-spec metal laboratory for you in Jinzhou, with a budget of up to 20 million yuan for equipment and facilities," Yang Chen said confidently, "Based on your experimental needs and project progress, we will provide you with an annual experimental budget of 10 to 50 million yuan, which can be increased if there are significant breakthroughs."
"Additionally, to ensure you can focus on your research in Jinzhou, our company will provide you with a one-time settlement fee of 1.6 million yuan and a minimum of a three-bedroom apartment. Your fixed monthly salary will be 50,000 yuan, with an annual bonus, and you will receive corresponding bonuses for any experimental results."
"Our company will benefit from the commercial value of your experimental results, and you will receive 5% to 10% of the profits as a reward, in addition to academic honors..."
Yang Chen clearly outlined the benefits he could offer, one by one.
Zhao Jianshu was completely stunned, and Chen Aiping was also shocked, her mouth agape in disbelief!
It wasn't until nearly half a minute after Yang Chen finished speaking that Zhao Jianshu chuckled and asked, "Are you here to make fun of me? Are these conditions for me? It's not that I lack confidence, but you're being too exaggerated!"
Even Chen Aiping, who had come with Yang Chen, remained silent, clearly thinking that the conditions Yang Chen offered were so unbelievable that they were just a joke!
A high-spec metal laboratory with a 20 million yuan equipment investment? An annual budget of 10 to 50 million yuan? A 1.6 million yuan settlement fee? A three-bedroom apartment? A monthly salary of 50,000 yuan with project dividends?!!
These conditions would make even top researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences jump at the opportunity! And now, they were being offered to Zhao Jianshu, a disgraced university associate professor? What a joke!!
Chen Aiping hesitated for a moment before forcing a laugh and said to Yang Chen, "Don't joke around with my old Zhao... Although he lacks funding for experiments, but..."
"Who said I'm joking?" Yang Chen was frustrated, "Although Tongtai Industrial Co., Ltd. is newly established, all the benefits I mentioned will be clearly stated in the contract... The only requirement is that the contract must be signed for at least fifty years, and Professor Zhao must resign from all his positions at the university!"
Although Zhao Jianshu had left the university, he was on leave, not dismissed. To avoid future complications, Yang Chen had to require him to completely sever all ties with the university!
If this requirement were made to a normally working university professor, they might need to think it over, but for Zhao Jianshu... He had long lost any affection for the university, so leaving was no big deal.
"Fifty years! You mean you're going to take care of me until the end of my life..." Seeing Yang Chen's serious and earnest expression, Zhao Jianshu started to believe him. He asked half-jokingly, "If I sign the contract with you right now, would you dare?"
"What's there to be afraid of?" Yang Chen's lips curled, and he was eager to finalize the deal quickly!
A few minutes later, two A4 papers filled with cooperation clauses were signed by Yang Chen, who also pressed his fingerprint on them! Zhao Jianshu's hands were trembling as he signed!
He never dreamed that he could so easily sell himself... And the key was, he sold himself for such a high price! Chen Aiping was already too excited to contain herself. After Zhao Jianshu signed, and the contract officially took effect, she even kissed Zhao Jianshu's bearded face in front of Yang Chen!
"Smack! Old Zhao, you've finally made it!!"
"Ha... ha ha ha..." Zhao Jianshu held the contract paper, standing there, not knowing what else to do but laugh foolishly...
Seeing the contract signed, Yang Chen also felt relieved.
He carefully tucked the contract away and said to Zhao Jianshu and Chen Aiping, "From now on, Professor Zhao is a researcher for Tongtai Industrial Co., Ltd.... The 1.6 million yuan settlement fee will be transferred to Professor Zhao's account before 2 PM today. Please also prepare a list of the instruments you need as soon as possible, okay?"
"Sure, sure... No problem at all!" Zhao Jianshu readily agreed, his mind filled with the names of instruments he could only dream of before, his eyes almost glowing.
At this moment, Yang Chen pointed to the glass tank on the experimental table, where the liquid metal had completely fused with the aluminum powder, and said to Zhao Jianshu, "Oh, and this... Please quickly organize the experimental data..."
"What experimental data?" Zhao Jianshu was taken aback, subconsciously following Yang Chen's gaze. When he saw the liquid metal in the electrolyte, which had grown several times in size, he was completely stunned, "This... What's going on?!"