78: Bringing his wife and children to Harbin Institute of Technology

Ye Bingwen looked at Zhou Mingyi but did not answer immediately. In the darkness, Zhou Mingyi's smile was gentle, but his eyes, hidden behind his glasses, were unfathomable.

"Section Chief Zhou, it's so late, is there something you need?"

"It's nothing major, I just wanted to talk to you." Zhou Mingyi gestured with his briefcase. "Is this a convenient time?"

Ye Bingwen thought for a moment, then stepped aside. "Come on up."

The stairwell was dark; several motion-activated lights were broken, with only one still lit on the third floor. The two walked upstairs, one after the other, their footsteps echoing in the empty stairwell. Ye Bingwen walked in front, feeling Zhou Mingyi's gaze on his back.

When the door opened, Zheng Shuyun was holding An'an and spinning her around in the room. When she saw Zhou Mingyi come in, she was stunned for a moment, but quickly regained her composure.

"Section Chief Zhou, what brings you here?"

"Excuse me, I've come to chat with Ye Bingwen for a few minutes." Zhou Mingyi stood at the door, not going inside, his gaze sweeping around the room. The room wasn't large, containing a bed, a table, two chairs, books and blueprints piled in the corner, and An'an's small bed by the window. The furnishings were simple, but it was clean.

Zheng Shuyun put An'an in the crib and poured a glass of water for Ye Bingwen and Zhou Mingyi. "You two chat, I'll take the child inside first."

She carried An'an into the inner room and closed the door.

Ye Bingwen sat at the table and gestured to the chair opposite him. "Section Chief Zhou, please sit down."

Zhou Mingyi sat down, placed his briefcase beside his lap, and took a sip of water. "The conditions are a bit simple. It's not easy for your family of three to live here."

"I'm used to it. It's better than the countryside."

Zhou Mingyi smiled and put down his water glass. "Ye Bingwen, I've come today to apologize to you."

Ye Bingwen looked at him without saying a word.

"Regarding my brother's matter, I apologize to you on his behalf." Zhou Mingyi's smile faded, and his expression turned serious. "He was wrong. No matter the reason, it's wrong for a teacher to frame his own student."

Ye Bingwen remained silent. He was waiting for Zhou Mingyi to reveal his true purpose.

"I was transferred to Harbin Institute of Technology not because of my brother," Zhou Mingyi said, as if sensing his doubt. "I worked at the Provincial Department of Education for eight years and always wanted to do publicity work for universities. This is a normal transfer and has nothing to do with my brother."

"Section Chief Zhou, you don't need to explain all this to me," Ye Bingwen finally spoke. "Your brother's matter is over. The school has dealt with it, and I haven't pursued it any further."

"I know," Zhou Mingyi nodded, "but I want you to know that I'm different from my brother. I won't side with him just because he's my family. If he does something wrong, he should bear the consequences."

Ye Bingwen picked up his water glass, took a sip, and didn't reply.

Zhou Mingyi was silent for a few seconds, then took an envelope from his briefcase and placed it on the table.

"These are some materials I came across when I worked at the Provincial Department of Education." He pushed the envelope towards me. "They're about Zhao Jianguo, the Deputy Director of the Provincial Department of Industry. My brother is his brother-in-law, and you've dealt with him before. These materials might be useful to you."

Ye Bingwen picked up the envelope but didn't open it. "Section Chief Zhou, why did you give me this?"

Zhou Mingyi looked at him calmly. "Because I understand Zhao Jianguo. He's not the kind of person who's kind to someone for no reason. He's being nice to you, giving you projects, and helping you get funding, not because he admires your talent, but because he sees greater benefits in you."

Ye Bingwen's heart skipped a beat. What Zhou Mingyi said was exactly the same as what Li Guoliang had said.

"Your brushless motor has high technological content and a good market prospect," Zhou Mingyi continued. "Zhao Jianguo isn't after you as a person, but the technology you possess. He'll help you apply for projects and get funding approved. Once your technology is mature, he'll find a way to get involved. He'll either take a stake, demand a share of the profits, or transfer your technology to a company connected to him."

Ye Bingwen's fingers slowly clenched.

"I have no evidence for these things," Zhou Mingyi said, pointing to the envelope. "But the whistleblower letter, project list, and fund flow information in the materials will let you see Zhao Jianguo for who he is. Whether you believe me or not is your business."

He stood up and picked up his briefcase. "I have to go. Sorry to bother you."

Ye Bingwen saw him to the door. Zhou Mingyi turned around and glanced at him.

"Ye Bingwen, my brother says he'll come back sooner or later. I hope he doesn't. But if you have something on Zhao Jianguo, he won't be able to come back."

The door closed.

Ye Bingwen stood at the door, listening to Zhou Mingyi's footsteps gradually fade away in the corridor.

Zheng Shuyun came out from the inner room and glanced at him. "What did he say?"

Ye Bingwen handed her the envelope. Zheng Shuyun opened it and read it, her face growing paler and paler.

"Is this Zhao Jianguo Zhou Mingyuan's brother-in-law?"

"Um."

"Then he'll help you..."

"They're not helping me; they've got their eyes on brushless motors." Ye Bingwen carefully put the envelope away. "Chief Engineer Li also warned me that Zhao Jianguo has a bad reputation."

Zheng Shuyun sat down on the edge of the bed and remained silent for a while. "Bingwen, what do you plan to do?"

"Let's wait and see. The project hasn't been approved yet, and the money hasn't arrived, so he can't do anything for the time being." Ye Bingwen sat down next to her. "Besides, we have these materials in our hands. Even if he dares to make a move, I'm not afraid."

Zheng Shuyun leaned on his shoulder and sighed softly.

An'an rolled over in her crib, mumbled something, and then fell into a deep sleep again. Ye Bingwen looked at her, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside him. He had to protect this family. He also had to protect the brushless motor.

Anyone who tries to reach out will have their hand chopped off.

The next morning, Ye Bingwen went to Zhang Guangyuan's office.

He recounted Zhao Jianguo's story, and after listening, Zhang Guangyuan took off his glasses and wiped them.

"I know this person. He doesn't have a good reputation in the Provincial Department of Industry. But he holds a position of power, and most people don't dare to offend him."

"Professor Zhang told me to apply for the technological upgrading project directly to him."

"Don't go," Zhang Guangyuan said firmly. "Follow the normal procedures for the project, not his private channels. If he were sincere, he would have the department issue an official document. He's only contacting you privately to make you owe him a favor."

Ye Bingwen nodded.

"Also, submit your paper on brushless motors as soon as possible. Once it's published, the technology will be public, and he won't be able to monopolize it."

"It has already been sent out; it's in the Journal of Mechanical Engineering."

Zhang Guangyuan nodded. "Okay. What you need to do now is to solidify and master the technology. If anyone tries to take advantage of you, what you have in your hands will be your shield."

After leaving Zhang Guangyuan's office, Ye Bingwen went to the post office.

He made a copy of the materials Zhou Mingyi had given him, locking the original in a drawer in the lab, and mailed the copy to his father in Daxing Village. The envelope was addressed to his father, but not to the sender.

As I stepped out of the post office, it started snowing. The snowflakes were small, fine and dense, and felt cool on my face.

Ye Bingwen stood at the post office entrance, watching the hurried pedestrians on the street. Some rode bicycles with groceries in their baskets; some carried children, walking briskly; some carried briefcases, heads down, hurrying on their way. Everyone had their own days to live, and everyone had their own troubles to deal with.

He turned and walked towards the school, his pace neither fast nor slow.

As he approached the school gate, he saw a black sedan parked on the side of the road. The car door opened, and Zhao Jianguo got out, smiling as he walked towards him.

"Ye Bingwen, it's just a coincidence that I've run into you."

Ye Bingwen stopped. "Deputy Director Zhao, what brings you here?"

"I'm here at your school to take care of something." Zhao Jianguo pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket. "I brought you a copy of the application form for the technological upgrading project. Just fill it out and hand it to me directly. It'll be much faster than going through the bureau's procedures."

Ye Bingwen accepted the application form. "Thank you, Deputy Director Zhao."

"You're welcome. I really believe in your skills." Zhao Jianguo patted him on the shoulder. "Keep up the good work, you'll have a bright future."

He turned and got into the car, which quickly disappeared around the corner.