Rebirth: Controlled Nuclear Fusion

Part 8：Director Ma Unleashes His Fury

At 9:30 AM,
In the Office of the Technology Project Review at Longke University,
Wu Zhiming had spent the entire night without rest, consumed with the task of reviewing Jiang Fan's controlled nuclear fusion document.
Around 6 AM, as a group of professors set off for Huqing, Dean Li had instructed Wu not to go but to remain by his computer without a moment's break.
Wu understood well that if this document were confirmed to be correct, it would undoubtedly be classified as a national top-secret file.
Before leaving, Dean Li had given him a strict order: the document must not be seen or forwarded by anyone.
Having worked through the night, Wu Zhiming had not eaten and was now both hungry and exhausted, subsisting on water alone.
The office hours at the Technology Project Review Office were from 9 AM, and there were five people working there: four reviewers and one director.
Usually, everyone was laid-back, and the office was still empty as time passed.
At around 10 AM, Director Ma strolled leisurely into the office. He greeted everyone with a smile, but his demeanor instantly soured as he approached Wu Zhiming's desk.
The previous evening, while he was out drinking with friends, Wu had kept calling him repeatedly, much to the amusement of his friends, who mocked him for being unable to control his subordinates.
Though Wu Zhiming had rarely crossed him before, today, Ma decided to teach him a lesson, determined to assert his authority.
Wu Zhiming, however, had never sought conflict with anyone—he simply wanted to work diligently and contribute to national projects.
But Ma's mindset was different: his department was a review office, and they rarely approved more than two projects a year. As a result, Ma had become accustomed to coasting along, knowing his salary would remain unaffected.
On several occasions, when the team was bored during work hours, Ma had suggested a trip to KTV, but Wu had firmly rejected the idea, even reprimanding Ma.
At the time, Ma had been forced to endure the rebuke, but since then, he had found reasons to dock Wu's pay.
"Uh... Wu, could you come to my office for a moment?"
Director Ma said coldly, striding toward his office without waiting for a reply.
Wu Zhiming, however, did not follow. Dean Li had specifically instructed him to stay by his computer at all costs.
In the comfort of Ma's plush office chair, he pondered over the situation. While he didn't have the authority to fire Wu, today he was determined to teach him a lesson. After all, how could his leadership remain unquestioned if he didn't act now?
Yet, as time passed without Wu Zhiming entering, Ma became increasingly perplexed. Normally, Wu was always compliant and punctual.
What was going on?
Ma rose and went back to the office area, where he found Wu still staring blankly at his computer screen.
This sight infuriated him, and he stormed over, slamming his hand on the desk.
"Wu! Didn't you hear me call you?"
The others in the office jumped, startled by Ma's sudden outburst. But as soon as they realized he was shouting at Wu, they exchanged glances and smirked quietly, amused at the unfolding drama.
"Director Ma, if you have something to say, please speak here. I cannot leave this spot," Wu Zhiming replied calmly.
"What's this? Has your butt been nailed to your chair?" Ma mocked, his words dripping with derision.
The others chuckled, but Wu Zhiming remained silent, firmly planted in his seat.
Seeing Wu's unyielding stance, Ma smirked inwardly. He had hoped for this—this was the perfect excuse to reprimand him.
"Wu, let me warn you. Your behavior is an open challenge to authority. I have the right to report this to the higher-ups.
In the past year, how many projects have you reviewed? How many have actually entered the research phase? None, right? I've noticed that you don't take your work seriously, and you have no real skills. You're just wasting national resources. If I were you, I would have quit by now. You're old enough that I've always respected you, but you've started to act like a senior, using age as an excuse..."
Ma's tirade continued, each word more cutting than the last. The others, though uncomfortable, knew better than to intervene.
In truth, while Wu Zhiming didn't fit in socially with his colleagues, no one could deny that he was the hardest-working and most dedicated of them all.
But today, Ma had made up his mind to make an example of him. If Wu couldn't stand the pressure and resigned, so much the better for Ma.
For over ten minutes, Ma lectured Wu harshly, his words becoming unbearable. Yet, Wu Zhiming said nothing, his thoughts fixed solely on guarding the files on his computer.
"Director Ma, you must be thirsty. Would you like some water?" one of the reviewers asked, attempting to curry favor.
Ma took the cup of water, glanced at Wu Zhiming, and was surprised to find that Wu had not uttered a single word in protest. He had expected Wu to at least defend himself, but he had remained completely silent.
This change in Wu's demeanor left Ma pondering—could it be that Wu was simply enduring for the sake of something else?
"Since you've endured so well, let me find a different way to deal with you."
Ma sneered and then declared, "Wu, for your insubordination, I'm assigning you the task of cleaning the restroom for a week."
Wu Zhiming, fully aware that Ma was deliberately seeking to provoke him, made no response. All that mattered to him now was protecting the file.
If things became too unbearable, he would consider resigning and finding a simple job elsewhere, enough to support himself.
"What are you waiting for? Go clean the restroom!" Ma barked.
Just then, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed down the corridor.
The door to the office was suddenly flung open, and a squad of armed special forces officers immediately surrounded everyone.
The office was thrown into confusion, each person wondering what transgressions had led to this unexpected intrusion.
The most nervous of all was Director Ma. Recently, he had partnered with a few friends to open a bar, which, according to national policy, was strictly prohibited for public servants.
However, this violation of discipline hardly seemed serious enough to warrant a special forces operation.
As Ma nervously considered his options, Principal Lu entered, accompanied by an officer in uniform.
"This is Wu Zhiming," Principal Lu introduced.
The officer turned to Wu and asked, "The files have not been tampered with, have they?"
Wu Zhiming stood up and responded with utmost seriousness, "No."
"Move it," the officer ordered.
Without further delay, several officers affixed a seal to Wu Zhiming's computer and moved it out of the office.
Soon after, a group of others came in and removed all the computers and office equipment from the room.
Moments later, the entire review office was stripped bare, with only the desks and chairs remaining.
After the officers departed, Director Ma, utterly confused, asked Principal Lu,
"Principal Lu, surely our department isn't being shut down, is it?"
Principal Lu gave him a cold look and replied,
"Your department isn't being shut down. But you, on the other hand, are."
"Why?" Ma asked in shock.
"From now on, Wu Zhiming will be the Director of the Technology Project Review Office. As for you, you'll be undergoing an investigation."