What if I don't want to ascend to immortality?

Chapter 40 The Value of Genius

It takes time to put new theoretical concepts into practice.

But if that thing can bring enormous benefits, the time can be shortened to a very short period.

For example, one noon.

While having dumplings for lunch, Meng Qingtong earnestly helped Han Jie devise a plan, discussing what level of performance he should be taught to be befitting of his genius status without being too flashy and causing trouble.

For example, in the afternoon's major lesson on the method of calming the soul and stabilizing the spirit, it would be best for Han Jie to observe it a few times first, gradually make some improvements to the original content, and then slowly bring out the better formulas he has.

Just like in a game, you can't all copy some short, fat skeleton who throws out all his ultimate moves at the start.

Han Jie had no objection to this. Since Meng Qingtong had already agreed to listen to his private tutoring sessions every night when she had free time, he didn't care how well she taught at the academy.

Upon arriving at the college in the afternoon, Han Jie went straight to the dean's office, intending to ask, as Meng Qingtong had instructed, whether there were still any housing purchase discount coupons available for internal staff.

Unexpectedly, when he knocked on the door and went in, there were seven or eight people sitting inside, like they were having a meeting. Chairs and sofas were scattered everywhere, and they all turned their heads to look at him.

"Does this mean I've arrived at the wrong time?" Han Jie frowned.

Fang Min smiled warmly from behind his desk. "No, you've come at just the right time."

Gu Shuangjin stood up and introduced, "This is our new teacher, Han Jie. You've all seen his background, and I'm sure you're aware of the attitude of the three academies. The content of this morning's advanced spirit rune course is probably already in the offices of the deans of the other six academies. So, if you have anything to say, please do so now."

A sprightly, thin old man immediately stood up and stretched out his arms to shake Han Jie's hand.

Han Jie frowned, moved closer to Fang Min's desk, and rudely avoided him.

The old man showed no embarrassment whatsoever, and was still beaming with excitement. “Professor Han, I am Zhang Fuling, the director of the Second Academy’s research institute. You can just call me Lao Zhang.”

Old Zhang? Are you two thousand years old?
Han Jie didn't like being stared at by so many people in such a small space, and he didn't even want to talk about the benefits. He said in a deep voice, "I'm planning to practice the Soul-Soothing and Spirit-Calming Technique this afternoon. Class is about to start, so hurry up and say what you need to say."

"That's not important, not important at all." Zhang Fuling smiled like an old plum blossom. "I heard from Dean Gu that Professor Han sometimes goes to the research institute to help solve some difficult problems when he has time. I came here specifically to thank him. The research institute hasn't had a capable young person for many years. Thank you, Professor Han, for giving this old man hope again!"

No, I just casually agreed, there's no need to thank me so much. But Han Jie was too embarrassed to say that, so he politely replied, "No need, since I'm working here, it's my duty."

Fang Min watched as Han Jie was put on a pedestal by the old man's few words, and shook his head with a smirk.

“But teachers should primarily focus on imparting knowledge and skills.” A middle-aged woman with high cheekbones stood up and said with a smile, “Teacher Han, I am Zhuang Linlin, the head of public courses. We met this morning.”

Han Jie was puzzled and could only nod slightly in acknowledgment.

He suddenly realized that dealing with people seemed more difficult for him than dealing with demons. At times like this, he truly missed Meng Qingtong.

"I still hope that Teacher Han can focus more on classroom work. The light and heat that a flame can emit if it is kept in one's own hands is certainly not as good as passing it on."

“Director Zhuang, Director Zhuang, you don’t need to rush to persuade her. I’ve seen Meng Qingtong’s course schedule. She’s already earned enough credits for her major courses. This year, she’s chosen 80% of her general education courses. Doesn’t that mean Professor Han is basically tied to your general education courses?” Another young man, who looked like he was from the research institute, protested from the sofa.

After listening to the heated exchange between the group, Han Jie realized that the reason they had come to the dean's office for a meeting was to poach someone.

To be more specific, it was to get Han Jie to work more on their turf.

Logically speaking, there shouldn't have been anything to discuss. Han Jie had originally agreed to help the research institute with some difficult problems and provide some ideas in his spare time.

However, during the advanced spiritual array class that Meng Qingtong missed in the morning, Teacher Han remained as quiet as a chicken, showing no desire to perform whatsoever.

So in just one morning, the faculty and staff of the Second Academy all heard a rumor—that Meng Qingtong, the renowned genius girl in the academy, had recruited a legendary 18-year-old male teacher for the Second Academy with her unique beauty and outstanding talent.

The people at the research institute couldn't sit still anymore.

Director Zhang even submitted a written application to Fang Min, requesting that Han Jie be given a permanent part-time position at the research institute, rather than a title like honorary advisor, which has no binding force.

Fang Min said that Han Jie likes to deal with evil spirits on the front line and is Meng Qingtong's partner, so he will not be on duty as usual during the commission time.

Without hesitation, Director Zhang personally signed the pledge, promising Han Jie that as long as his work relationship remained with the research institute and he occasionally helped with problem-solving, attendance and performance would not be a problem. If Han Jie thought the bonus was too small, he would give him the director's share as well.

It just so happened that the heads of several departments had arranged to come together to find out just how talented Professor Han really was. With several groups of people gathered together, it turned into a competition to find out who was the genius.

To Han Jie's embarrassment, these people all accurately grasped the key point—Meng Qingtong.

After greeting him and stating their terms, the group started scrambling for Meng Qingtong.

Only Xie Juyan, the head of the Spirit Talisman Department, could stand aside and watch the spectacle.

Firstly, Meng Qingtong majors in spirit talismans, and she will definitely prioritize making up for the three major courses before graduation: Advanced Level A, In-depth Research, and Practical Application. She is not worried that Teacher Han will not come to the department to prepare lessons. Secondly, she and Meng Qingtong have a pretty good personal relationship, and she has already decided to find other ways to retain her, rather than wasting her breath in front of others.

Seeing that Han Jie's expression was getting worse as he listened, Gu Shuangjin had no choice but to stand up and say a few words to smooth things over. Then, she smiled and said, "As for Meng Qingtong, she is a genius that we are focusing on cultivating. We can't neglect one for the other. In order to get Teacher Han to work for us for a couple more days, we're just using Meng as a brick to move around, right? Lao Zhang, I'll keep an eye on things at the research institute for you. Don't rush. If Meng can't stay at the research institute, then don't let her become a senior assistant."

He turned to the other department heads and said, “As for Meng’s course schedule, in principle, it shouldn’t be adjusted anymore. She usually has to go out to run errands, which greatly affects her time on campus. We should respect the personal wishes of independent students.”

After saying that, he turned to look at Han Jie, "Teacher Han, how about this?"

Han Jie glanced sideways at Fang Min, who had a look of schadenfreude on his face and was just about to take a bite of dried sweet potato, and said calmly, "I respect Qing Tong's opinion."

The implication is that what you say or think is unimportant.

Xie Juyan cleared her throat, stood up, and said, "Dean Fang, I have a teaching meeting to attend, so I'll take my leave now. Excuse me, farewell."

Everyone seemed to have realized something, except for Zhang Fuling, who remained stunned and didn't come to his senses. He was gently tugged by his subordinate before he forced a dry laugh and said goodbye.

Seeing that only Fang Min and Gu Shuangjin remained, Han Jie turned to the dean's desk, placed his hands on it, and said slowly in a deep voice, "I hope you can also respect Qing Tong's... opinion."

Gu Shuangjin glanced at Fang Min and said, "Don't worry, I won't let them really disrupt Meng's normal class schedule."

Fang Min waved his hand.

After Gu Shuangjin left, she smiled and sighed, "You can't hide a needle in a pocket, and no cloud can block the sun. Besides, you came in so high-profile right away, which put me in a difficult position."

Han Jie said calmly, "I didn't do anything. Since I'm a teacher, I should teach something useful." "Didn't you teach Xiao Tong privately?"

Han Jie didn't want to answer, mainly because he didn't like the kind look she gave him when she looked at a younger person.

He knew that this woman was probably over a hundred years old and was considered one of the strongest in the Second Hospital, but in his eyes, she was still a little girl, at most a little girl a bit older than Qing Tong.

Seeing that he didn't speak, Fang Min continued, "By the way, the content of your classes shouldn't need to be kept secret, right?"

"unnecessary."

"Then, could you please provide the academy with a copy of your highly innovative theory of spirit runes so that I can arrange for other teachers to prepare lessons?"

"It's inconvenient," Han Jie calmly refused. "You can use whatever I've told you, but I won't reveal anything I haven't told you beforehand."

"Okay." Fang Min nodded and made a note in his notebook. "It seems that I'll have to change all of Xiao Tong's classes to large classrooms from now on."

"what ever."

"Furthermore, I personally suggest that with your abilities, you have a much better way to stop the research institute from bothering you. Would you be willing to consider it?"

Han Jie then became somewhat serious, "What method?"

“Let them handle the experimental parts of your spirit rune theory.” Fang Min laughed. “I watched your class this morning. If it can indeed open up a new world, the teachers at the research institute, as pioneers, will probably not have time to bother you for a long time.”

Han Jie frowned slightly, remaining silent in thought.

Fang Min smiled and continued to offer advice, "When you go, remember to bring your lucky partner. Be a little subtle and let Lao Zhang guess that it was Xiao Tong who asked you to help. That way, even if there are troubles in the future, they will all go around Xiao Tong, and you can have a lot more peace and quiet."

Seeing Han Jie's conflicted expression, she added, "Don't worry, Xiao Tong is much better at handling this kind of thing than you, and she definitely won't let you suffer. Since you're partners, you should naturally leverage your respective strengths, play to your strengths and avoid your weaknesses, and support each other."

Han Jie nodded and said, "As expected of the dean, you make sense."

He took out his phone and sent a message to Meng Qingtong.

"Shouldn't you go back to prepare your lessons? Is there anything else?"

Han Jie didn't leave. Instead, he sat down on the sofa and smiled, "Qing Tong will be here soon. I'll wait for her."

"Xiao Tong? What's she doing here?"

He maintained his friendly smile and said, "I think what the Dean said makes a lot of sense. Therefore, I plan to have Qing Tong come over as my full representative to formally finalize my various benefits and treatment at the academy."

Fang Min's smile froze on her face. "Teacher Han, this kind of game is getting a bit boring."

Han Jie smiled even more happily, "Don't worry, I believe that Qing Tong, who is such a sentimental person, will definitely make appropriate concessions for you."

Meng Qingtong arrived shortly afterward.

As expected of a perfect partner who would haggle over even a pair of pants costing 19.9 yuan to get the other party to round down the price, she showed no mercy to Han Jie for his benefit. Fang Min was dumbfounded, her expression as complicated as an old mother who gave her daughter's savings book to her mother-in-law as a gift.

Salaries are calculated based on the teaching hours of visiting professors, all large bonuses are distributed to reduce taxes each month, all research results require first authorship and no names of any associates are allowed, and the profits from solving difficult problems are split 30/70... A whole bunch of things were decided, but the most important one was to immediately apply for housing vouchers for internal employees.

Fang Min stared resentfully at Meng Qingtong, sighing and muttering as he signed and stamped the document: "Alas, daughters grow up and leave home, daughters grow up and leave home, daughters grow up and leave home..."

"My dear Dean Fang, let's not do this after we've already gotten such a great deal, okay?" Meng Qingtong turned her head and glanced at Han Jie, who completely trusted her and was already playing on his phone, and said softly, "Old Dong from the Third Hospital is practically begging me at my house. Others may not fully understand Han Jie's value, but you certainly do."

Fang Min smiled, scanned the stamped documents into the computer, and sent them to Gu Shuangjin for follow-up processing. "I know, I know perfectly well. You signed them without hesitation, didn't you? Look how anxious you are. Are you going to ask me for the guardianship consent form in a couple of days?"

"Huh? What do I need that for?"

"Marriage between the ages of sixteen and eighteen requires the consent of a guardian," Fang Min said, pointing to himself. "I am your guardian. I don't want his bride price anymore. How about you both stay at the Second Hospital for a couple more years after graduation?"

Meng Qingtong blinked, and in an instant, her honey-colored face turned as red as a candied hawthorn. "What nonsense are you talking about? We're partners, partners!"

"Why is my partner so concerned about the housing situation?" Fang Min gave him a look of disdain. "Don't you know that normally you have to work for a full year and perform exceptionally well to get that kind of discount? Judging from your calculations just now, are you going to live with us too?"

Hit right in the bullseye, Meng Qingtong blushed and lowered her head, scratching the table with her nails.

Fang Min's brows furrowed slightly. "Xiao Tong, it can't really be that fast, can it?"

"W-Where, where, where, where, where!?" Meng Qingtong waved her hands frantically, her words tumbling out in her unease. "I just need to live closer to him. There are many things he doesn't understand, so it's easier to take care of him. That's... yes, that's like being life partners."

"Partners in business, partners in life, and after a while you can partner in something else, like... partners in having children?"

Meng Qingtong was really anxious now. She bent forward and whispered, "Dean Fang! Don't make jokes like that!"

Fang Min waved his hand, creating a soundproof barrier with spiritual energy, and asked seriously, "What, don't you like him? I don't believe you would go to such lengths without considering suspicion just out of kindness. Don't talk to me about benefits or interests. I've watched you grow up; do you think I don't know what kind of person you are?"

Meng Qingtong said solemnly, "He has been isolated from the world for 1,800 years and has been all alone for nearly 2,000 years. Under these circumstances, he met me and needs my help to guide him into this era. So, no matter how much I like him... cough cough, no matter how much I have feelings for him, I cannot take advantage of this to take advantage of him. That is not the kind of love I want."

"Huh?" Fang Min looked puzzled. "What do you want?"

Meng Qingtong felt a little embarrassed and habitually scratched her cheek. Then she took a deep breath, placed her hands on the table, and said solemnly, "I want to wait until he is completely familiar with this world and understands everything about this era. He will no longer be as confused as a newly hatched bird, and he will no longer have that subconscious dependence. Then, I will do my best to be worthy of him and make him... fall in love with me."

Fang Min was silent for a moment, then said, "So you two are indeed going to live together."

"It's my roommate, my roommate. I pay for the rent! It's a friend's price for my partner!"

"Remember to take safety precautions."

"What are you talking about?"

"Alas, daughters grow up and leave home, daughters grow up and leave home..."

(End of this chapter)