The Self-Cultivation of a Reborn Massage Therapist

Chapter 435 Corner
Tianjin, Huadian Technology Research Institute No. 45.

As the new day begins, sunlight streams into the office through the old window frames, but fails to dispel the oppressive atmosphere.

This was the third time. Young researcher Lin Han stood before Director Zhang's desk for the third time. Unlike his restraint the previous two times, this time he slammed a stack of project progress reports onto the table, the edges of the papers curling from the force.

"Director Zhang, I am formally applying to withdraw from the research and development team."

Director Zhang didn't even lift his eyelids, slowly sipped his tea, and then said unhurriedly:

"Xiao Lin, it's you again. The institute has trained you for so many years, and you can't even endure a little hardship? Which major project wasn't accomplished through perseverance? You keep giving up at the drop of a hat, do you think you're worthy of the organization's trust?"

"Persist?" Lin Han laughed angrily, his voice trembling with excitement. "Are we 'gnawing' at the project? We're being 'gnawed' by the project! The progress is so slow, don't you really know why?"

He pointed out the window towards the laboratory:
"How many people with connections are crammed into the R&D team? Some can't even understand the basic principles of spectroscopy, and some just clock in every day to coast along! Only a few of us actually do the work! And what's the result? They get all the credit, and we take the blame!"

"What kind of attitude is this!" Director Zhang slammed his teacup down. "That's just how things are in the institute. You have to understand the bigger picture! What's wrong with young people taking a little loss? Look at Engineer Wang and Engineer Li, didn't they get through this?"

"So we just have to endure this generation after generation until everyone becomes numb?" Lin Han took a deep breath and took out the resignation letter he had prepared beforehand. "I'm not here to ask for your consent, I'm here to inform you. This is my resignation report. According to the regulations, I will leave the company in one month."

When Director Zhang saw the resignation letter, his expression finally changed: "Xiao Lin, you're a key member of the institute. You know the BM policy; you can't just leave like that. Here's what we'll do: I'll adjust your project team, and I'll also apply to the institute for your salary..."

“No need.” Lin Han interrupted him, his eyes unusually firm. “I’ve already received offers from Alibaba, Huawei, and Hikvision, and the salaries are at least two and a half times what I get here.”

He looked directly at Director Zhang and said, word by word:

“Director Zhang, I came here because of my passion. But after staying here for a while, I realized that you can’t survive on passion alone.”

Lin Han turned and left, leaving Director Zhang alone, his face ashen, staring at the resignation letter. Lin Han knew perfectly well that the institute's BM policy was holding him back, and he couldn't leave for at least six months.

He returned to the project team, where the project manager, Wang Lei, leaned over and asked with a low laugh, "Went to cause trouble again?"

Lin Han nodded: "Mm."

Inside the lab, several people with connections were still chatting idly, completely oblivious to the commotion.

At this moment, Deputy Director Zhao, who rarely makes an appearance, walked in discreetly. He directly called Wang Lei and Lin Han to the project team's small conference room.

"How's the back-illuminated CCD project progressing?" Director Zhao asked bluntly. "Any new ideas?"

Wang Lei quickly reported: "We're trying to improve the dynamic range of the CCD by precisely adjusting the thickness of the photosensitive layer..."

Zhao interrupted him and asked a specific question: "Following this line of thinking, if you encounter a cottonseed hull impurity of 0.09 millimeters, can you detect it?"

When Lin Han heard Deputy Director Zhao, who was in charge of technology research and development and funding approval, ask him this question, he quickly replied affirmatively, "Director Zhao, this solution is expected to improve the dynamic range to at least 70dB. With this sensitivity, let alone cottonseed hulls of 0.09 millimeters, even a defect half the size will be clearly detected."

Zhao hesitated for a moment, tapping his fingers on the table, before finally asking, "What specific difficulties are there with the project right now?" Just as the easygoing Wang Lei was about to offer some polite words about "needing leadership coordination," Lin Han preemptively spoke first, bluntly stating:

"Director Zhao, there are two difficulties. First, too many people in the project team are not doing any work, and there are very few who can actually tackle tough challenges. Second, the existing funds and equipment cannot keep up with the actual needs of research and development."

Since he was leaving anyway, he might as well go all out and fight for a cleaner environment for Wang Lei, which would also be a way of repaying the kindness he showed when he joined the company.

After Lin Han finished speaking, Deputy Director Zhao lowered his head and remained silent for several minutes before slowly speaking:
“There is a major national project that aligns perfectly with your current direction. However… the requirements are much higher than your initial project goals.”

Upon hearing this, Wang Lei and Lin Han's eyes lit up. They exchanged an excited glance and stared intently at Deputy Director Zhao.

“The participating institutions that have been confirmed so far,” Deputy Director Zhao rattled off a list of names, “are Huaqing Microelectronics Institute, Shanghai Institute of Microsystems and Information Technology, Zhengzhou University School of Physics and Engineering, Daheng Imaging, Hikvision…”

He paused, then emphasized:
"This project has two investors: a private company and a state-owned large investment fund. The level of financial and talent support is unprecedented. You could say they're providing both money and personnel!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Lei and Lin Han's breathing quickened. Wasn't this exactly what they had been dreaming of?

However, Deputy Director Zhao changed the subject, a wry smile appearing on his face:

"But... the leadership team in the institute is very hesitant right now."

"Why?!" the two asked almost simultaneously.

"Because the client has a strict requirement," Deputy Director Zhao said in a low voice, emphasizing each word, "the person in charge of the project must guarantee it with their own position! If the task is not completed within the stipulated time, the consequences will be severe. This time, no connections or background will be of any use!"

Lin Han and Wang Lei exchanged another glance, their hearts filled with suspicion.

Lin Han thought to himself: Here we go again? It's always the same old story—making empty promises to get the project funding first. And then there's the responsibility for failing to complete the task? In China, connections and background don't work? That sounds absurd!
Deputy Director Zhao seemed to see through their thoughts, and shook his head with a wry smile: "I don't understand why the institute is so hesitant this time either. But the rumor is... this time is different."

He lowered his voice:
"Because the leaders who approved this project also vouched for it with their positions! And there are rumors that anyone who dares to cheat on the funds or do something shady will face very serious consequences... Taking responsibility is a small matter; they might even lose their household registration!"

These words completely stunned Lin Han and Wang Lei.

"Director Zhao..." After a moment of hesitation, Lin Han asked curiously, "Could you tell me which private company is the investor?"

"Director Zhao..." After a long pause, Lin Han finally came to his senses and asked curiously in a low voice, "Could I ask... which private company provided the funding?"

"I knew you'd ask this." Deputy Director Zhao's face showed a complex expression as he slowly uttered four words:

"Take it easy and slow."

(End of this chapter)