1970s: Hot wife accompanies the army, cold-faced rough man is not easy to tease

Chapter 352 Impossible Mission
"Professor Lu, I'd like to congratulate you on becoming Tsinghua University's youngest professor with tea instead of wine!"

Duan Mingjuan picked up her teacup and downed it in one gulp with great gusto, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Lu Youyou.

"If Dazhuang can catch up with half of your level within ten years, I will be completely satisfied!"

“You have already surpassed the vast majority of people. Work hard and keep learning, and you will surely achieve your goals,” Lu Youyou said with a smile.

Nowadays, college students are precious, let alone graduate students from Tsinghua University. It can be said that having a diploma guarantees a future. As long as you don't mess things up, the future will only get better and better.

"I heard our department is going to establish a doctoral program?" Duan Mingjuan asked curiously. "Are you going to start supervising doctoral students right away?"

Lu Youyou smiled and said, "Maybe, but I don't know if it will be approved before September."

Even if it's approved, she might not necessarily supervise the students. A doctoral program lasts 3-5 years, and she probably won't stay at the university that long. She can't just hand over the students to someone else halfway through their studies.

Duan Mingjuan seemed to be deep in thought; to be honest, she was a little tempted.

After leaving school, she understood even more the meaning of lifelong learning. At work, no one was always there to answer her questions, so she had to keep learning to stay competitive.

Especially in research institutions, it's not unacceptable to hold a position without doing anything, but Duan Mingjuan is not the kind of person who just gets by.

When I get back, should I ask if I can pursue a PhD while working?
The pre-meal consultation had broadened her horizons once again, and the wide variety of questions did not cause Lu Youyou any trouble.

I remember when she first started working, it took her more than a month to get used to the way the research institute worked, simply because the efficiency was too slow.

In Lu Youyou's group, everything is done at double speed. Everyone is forced to grow, otherwise they will fall behind the leader.

Once at the research institute, everyone seemed to be in slow motion. The work schedule had an almost frighteningly large margin of error, and even the most skilled researchers were not as efficient as Lu Youyou.

"Professor Lu, you must let me know if you're recruiting PhD students!"

Before speaking, Duan Mingjuan felt she had been a bit impulsive, but after she finished speaking, she felt much calmer.

Lu Youyou quickly understood what she meant.

Whether it's because the fans love learning or because they're too enthusiastic, she couldn't tell for a moment. However, Duan Mingjuan's status as the chief disciple could still continue for a second season, although there might not even be a second season.

"I don't know how long I'll be at school, so..." There was no point in hiding anything from his student, Lu Youyou.

"Huh?!" Duan Mingjuan was indeed stunned; this was even crazier than her desire to return to school.

This is a university professorship, with a high salary and high social status—one of the best jobs out there.

Not to mention that Lu Youyou is young, capable, and holds numerous patents. It's no exaggeration to say that even if she makes some unreasonable request, as long as it's not about blowing up the school, Tsinghua University will basically agree to it.

No one would give up such a secure job, no, it should be called a precious job with gold and jade!
"I want to start my own laboratory."

Lu Youyou's words caused Duan Mingjuan's brain to shut down.

Each word is understandable individually, but why does it sound like a foreign language when put together?!
"Our school won't do experiments for you anymore?" Duan Mingjuan herself thought it was outrageous after she said it. How could that be?

If the school did something like that, Dean Luo would probably fight the principal to the death!

Lu Youyou smiled and shook her head, looking even calmer than the listeners: "I've always had this idea, to decide my own research direction, to invest in whatever projects I want, and to be able to get into production and see results more quickly."

Actually, Tsinghua University already gives her a lot of freedom, but as long as you're receiving national funding, it's impossible to be completely unrestrained. Sometimes you also have to take on tasks assigned by higher authorities. It's not that she's unwilling to take them on, but sometimes her decision alone doesn't count. She can still contribute to the country by changing her approach.

"But, but..." Duan Mingjuan didn't know how to say it; she simply didn't have that concept in her mind.

What is the process for setting up a laboratory?
Find the location, buy the equipment, and then hire the staff yourself?
Where will the money come from?
It sounds like an impossible task, and just thinking about it gives Duan Mingjuan a headache.

"For now, this is just an idea; we'll have to wait for the right time."

She had to finish the project at hand, as a way of repaying Tsinghua University for its care all this time.

Duan Mingjuan was still dazed, but strangely enough, her heart began to stir again.

In her heart, Lu Youyou was an omniscient and omnipotent god. She could accomplish what others could not, and every word she said came true. Her predictions were always the most accurate.

Her eyes gradually heated up; although she was still struggling, she had to admit that she was starting to feel something for her.

Lu Youyou had been observing, and she knew what was going on when she saw Duan Mingjuan's constantly changing expression.

It would be great if both of the founding disciples could join, but if that's not feasible, one will do.

"Teacher Lu, I..." Duan Mingjuan wanted to say something, but since it was a serious matter, she couldn't just make empty promises.

Lu Youyou smiled and said, "I only have this plan right now, I haven't started implementing it yet. I'll let you know when I have some progress."

Duan Mingjuan immediately burst into laughter, saying that she and the teacher were the most compatible. Niu Dazhuang, that guy, started calling her "senior sister" at first, but once the two of them got together, he began to secretly compete with her for who was Teacher Lu's favorite student.

Look how in sync she is with her idol! When her idol raises his arms and calls, she immediately follows. Let Niu Dazhuang stay in the ivory tower and teach and nurture people; she wants to conquer the stars and the sea with her idol!
Duan Mingjuan was excited before returning to her alma mater, but she was even more excited when she left. She was still thinking about this when she went to Shanghai to find Niu Dazhuang.

"What's wrong? Is work not going well?" Niu Dazhuang asked her with concern. "If you're busy, you don't need to come all the way here. School is about to start summer vacation, and I can come to Hangzhou to see you."

……

Duan Mingjuan didn't reply; to be precise, she didn't even pay attention to what Niu Dazhuang was saying.

"Mingjuan? Wife? Hello?" Niu Dazhuang reached out and touched Duan Mingjuan's forehead. "You don't have a fever. What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Duan Mingjuan was startled by the dark figure in front of her and immediately leaned back a good distance. She only came to her senses after realizing that it was Niu Dazhuang's hand.

"What are you doing, touching me like that!"

Niu Dazhuang clicked his tongue: "You've learned to turn the tables on me after not seeing me for a few months?"

Duan Mingjuan glared at him; he was still as sarcastic as ever after not seeing him for months!
She lay down on the sofa, Lu Youyou's words echoing in her ears, even the punctuation marks were etched into her mind and wouldn't go away.

Niu Dazhuang poured her a glass of water and handed it to her: "Drink some quickly, your lips are all chapped. What's the matter that's so urgent? Tell me, we're a highly intelligent person after all, we can give you some advice."

Duan Mingjuan took a sip absentmindedly. Luckily, the cup contained cooled boiled water; if it had been filled with hot water, she would have been burned.

"It's not that I'm in a hurry, it's that I can't figure it out..." She hesitated for a few seconds and then said, "It's not that I can't figure it out, it's that I don't understand it..."

(End of this chapter)