Building a Sci-Fi Empire: Starting with Cold Nuclear Fusion

Affiliated Hospital of Huaxia University of Science and Technology.

In the ward, Chen Yuan was receiving an IV drip, while Chu Yingying and Fang Wenbin stayed by his side.

This is a three-person ward. On the two beds to the right of his bed are an old man and a young man.

He has seasonal flu, and his condition is quite serious. His temperature was 40 degrees Celsius just now, so it's no wonder he feels so weak.

Because of the high body temperature and the diagnosis of respiratory acidosis, the patient needs to be kept in the hospital for observation.

Chen Yuan was still dizzy and wanted to sleep for a while.

Suddenly, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside.

Immediately afterwards, Shen Yun, Xu Gang, and an elderly man in a white coat walked in.

"Xiao Chen."

"How is it?"

Shen Yun and Xu Gang immediately showed concern upon entering.

Chen Yuan was taken aback. "Why are you here?"

"With your condition like this, how could we not come?" Shen Yun replied with a worried expression, then quickly turned to the side and said, "Dean Tang, could you please give him a full body checkup?"

Chen Yuan: "..."

He said, half-laughing and half-crying, "Dean, I just have seasonal flu and respiratory acidosis. There's no need for a full-body checkup."

"Oh, that won't do." Shen Yun said seriously, "Your health is very important. I have to make sure you're okay."

Dean Tang said, "Let me see your medical records and examination reports."

Chu Yingying handed the items over.

Dean Tang glanced at it a few times, then looked up and smiled, "Respiratory acidosis is a bit troublesome, but everything else is fine. Dean Shen, don't worry too much. Professor Chen will be alright. If you're really worried, I can arrange for him to have a full-body checkup."

Perhaps upon hearing the name Professor Chen, the patients and their families on the two adjacent beds couldn't help but glance at him, seemingly unable to believe that Chen Yuan was such a young professor.

Well, they didn't know Chen Yuan was a visiting professor.

How did Dean Tang know that Chen Yuan was a visiting professor?

The reason is simple: this is the affiliated hospital of the University of Science and Technology.

As a visiting professor at the University of Science and Technology, Chen Yuan's arrival and registration immediately draws attention.

Shen Yun and Xu Gang were not contacted by Chu Yingying or Fang Wenbin, but directly by the hospital.

Seeing that Shen Yun was about to say something, Chen Yuan quickly stopped him, saying, "There's no need for a full body check-up, really. I'm feeling very weak right now, I just want to get some sleep."

"Okay, okay." Shen Yun didn't insist any further, but still turned his head and said, "Dean Tang, do you think it's possible to change Xiao Chen's ward?"

Dean Tang nodded and said, "Professor Chen has respiratory acidosis, so it's not suitable for him to stay in a regular ward, as it would be detrimental to his recovery. I'll have someone prepare a private room for him to observe."

It's normal for someone with a close relationship to be assigned a private hospital room.

Chen Yuan didn't want to share a ward with anyone else, so he acquiesced to the ward change.

He thought he would be moved to a regular single room.

When he arrived at the new ward, he realized he had been wrong.

……

A private hospital room.

This is a high-end single-occupancy hospital room.

Includes a private bathroom, TV, refrigerator, companion bed, and smart medical system.

It is said that it is also equipped with dedicated care and customized meals.

Chen Yuan's first thought upon entering was: Could this be a luxury guest room?

Keep in mind that this is the affiliated hospital of the University of Science and Technology of China, which ranks among the top three hospitals in Luzhou. Even ordinary wards are in short supply, let alone such a luxurious single ward.

Chen Yuan finally experienced what it felt like to have "privilege".

Afterwards, Shen Yun and Xu Gang stayed for a while before getting up to say goodbye.

As Shen Yun left, she thought for a moment, "Xiao Chen, I'm worried about you being alone in Luzhou, especially in the hospital. How about we find someone to stay with you?"

Chen Yuan said, "There are dedicated caregivers in the ward, so there's no need to look for them."

"Hey, hospital care is never as reliable as having your own people," Shen Yun insisted. "I'll make a call and get someone to come."

Chen Yuan waved his hand and said, "No, no, I'm not used to being with strangers."

Chu Yingying suddenly spoke up: "Dean, I'll stay with you."

Upon hearing this, Shen Yun immediately replied, "Okay, you can stay with me. I'll apply for a stipend for you later."

That's how it was settled.

Then, Shen Yun and Xu Gang left.

Once everyone left, Chen Yuan told Chu Yingying and Fang Wenbin to go home, indicating that he didn't need anyone to accompany him.

Although Chu Yingying had just offered to be his caregiver, Chen Yuan thought she was trying to get him out of a difficult situation. Besides, it was inappropriate to have a girl as a caregiver, so he naturally had to send her back.

Chu Yingying and Fang Wenbin didn't say much and left the ward one after the other.

Immediately, Chen Yuan closed his eyes and went to sleep.

……

I don't know how long I slept.

Chen Yuan woke up feeling hungry.

Perhaps because he was on an IV drip, his head wasn't as dizzy anymore.

He yawned and reached for his phone to check the time.

Unexpectedly, Chu Yingying's voice came from beside him, "You're awake?"

Chen Yuan looked in the direction of the sound and saw Chu Yingying sitting on a chair next to the cot not far away.

He asked, puzzled, "Didn't I tell you to go back?"

Chu Yingying didn't answer. Instead, she stood up and picked up the insulated lunchbox. "You haven't eaten all day. Would you like some porridge?"

Chen Yuan was also hungry. "Okay, I'll eat first, then you can go back."

Chu Yingying poured the porridge into a small bowl, picked up a spoon, and asked, "Shall I feed you?"

Chen Yuan: "..."

He was speechless again and quickly declined the offer, saying, "No need, I can eat by myself."

After saying that, Chen Yuan took the small bowl and spoon, blowing on them to keep them warm as he asked, "You still haven't answered my question. Didn't I tell you to go back? Why are you still here?"

Chu Yingying blinked and said, "I'm your assistant, so of course I have to take good care of you."

Chen Yuan rolled his eyes and said, "Come on, you're a research assistant, not a personal assistant. There's no need for you to do this."

Although he was touched by Chu Yingying carrying him downstairs, what happened afterward made him feel that she was too enthusiastic and that the concern between superiors and subordinates was not appropriate.

Chen Yuan, having a girlfriend, would definitely be mindful of boundaries, so when he sensed something was amiss, he deliberately became stiff in his tone to prevent any unpleasant situations from arising.

Chu Yingying seemed to have figured something out and explained softly, "Don't overthink it. I don't have any feelings for you. It's just that as my superior, I heard that you might be in charge of a major scientific research project in the future. I have a chance to get ahead if I follow you, so I'm being so obsequious. Just take it as me flattering you."

Flattery is never something you can just say yourself.

This is clearly an attempt to cover up the truth.

Chen Yuan wasn't narcissistic; he genuinely felt something was wrong.

He didn't know why Chu Yingying was so enthusiastic towards him.

To put it bluntly, if you were an assistant, it would be normal to come and stay with your superior when they are hospitalized. But if they are asked to go back, who would insist on staying to take care of them?

What else could this be but excessive enthusiasm?

Chen Yuan took a sip of porridge and changed the subject, saying, "Hey, you work at the research institute, and you finally get two days off on Saturdays and Sundays when there are no research projects. Why didn't you go home to see your parents?"

Chu Yingying pouted and said, "They're much busier than me."

Chen Yuan said, "Busiers than you? Are they researchers too?"

Chu Yingying nodded and said, "My dad is the chief scientist of Fusion Energy Company, and my mom is a senior researcher at the Institute of Biomedical Sciences at Fudan University in Shanghai. They are very busy on weekdays, and sometimes we don't even see them during the Chinese New Year."

Chen Yuan asked in confusion, "Fusion Energy Company? I remember that the Southwest Institute of Physics under China Nuclear Industry Corporation was managed by this company. Your father is the chief scientist of Fusion Energy, so why are you here...?"

"You mean, how did I get here as a research assistant?"

Chu Yingying cleverly replied, "Indeed, given my father's status, I would have a better future working for a company under Huazhong Nuclear Power. However, I don't want to rely on my parents and want to make a name for myself. Therefore, I interviewed for a research assistant position in plasma physics research so that I can become a researcher in the future and even have the opportunity to lead major research projects."

Generally speaking, there are many different career paths for research assistants.

They can pursue further studies, obtaining master's or doctoral degrees to further enhance their research capabilities, or they can become full-time researchers in universities or research institutions.

Chu Yingying is a postdoctoral fellow. With a little experience, it wouldn't be difficult for her to become a research intern.

Chen Yuan thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "I didn't realize you were so ambitious."

"That's right." Chu Yingying smiled. "Let me tell you something, and you'll understand why I became your research assistant."

Chen Yuan asked in surprise, "Wasn't this arranged by Dean Shen? There were twists and turns in the process?"

"Yes, I have." Chu Yingying's eyes were sly as she spoke the truth: "Actually, I had already heard of your great reputation long before you came to study plasma physics."

Chen Yuan wasn't stupid; he immediately guessed where the other person had heard his name before. "You know about the 'Dyson sphere'?"

Chu Yingying said, "I've heard of it, but I don't know the specifics. I called my dad before, and he kept praising your design as amazing. He also said that it will definitely become an important research direction for controlled nuclear fusion in the future. Later, I learned that you came to work at the Institute of Plasma Physics. Coincidentally, that day, Dean Shen said he wanted to find you a research assistant, so I volunteered to sign up."

Oh!

It turned out to be the case.

Chen Yuan roughly understood why Chu Yingying was able to become his research assistant. He was afraid that Shen Yun was doing it because of Chu Yingying's father, and when he agreed, he most likely gave her some earnest advice, telling her not to reveal her true nature.

It's no wonder that Chu Yingying is incredibly fierce to others, but very obedient to Chen Yuan.

Because she not only listens to Shen Yun, but also has a biased view of Chen Yuan.

Chu Yingying continued, "I was very curious at first, how could someone younger than me be such a genius? But at that time, it was just curiosity. Until a few days ago, when you were in the control hall of the Oriental Superconducting Equipment... well, anyway, I immediately became a fan. So don't overthink it. I was just so enthusiastic because I admire you so much. After all, you are my idol."

what?

Does he have a little fangirl now?

To be honest, this was something Chen Yuan hadn't expected.

Although he hadn't expected this, he felt a strange sense of satisfaction. It was really nice to have someone admire him!