Rebirth: Controlled Nuclear Fusion

Part 16：The Struggle

The officer walked straight up to Jiang Jingguo and Li Guiqin, saluted them, and then spoke.
"Your son is Jiang Fan, correct?"
"Yes, yes!" Jiang Jingguo responded, and then cautiously asked, "Sir, has Xiao Fan gotten into some kind of trouble?"
The officer was momentarily taken aback, sensing they might have misunderstood the situation. However, with so many eyes around, he refrained from explaining further and simply said,
"I need you to come with me."
Several armed SWAT officers promptly positioned themselves on either side of Jiang Jingguo and Li Guiqin.
Seeing the situation escalate, Jiang Jingguo's heart raced with anxiety. He glanced at his wife, who also wore a face of confusion and worry.
No matter what Xiao Fan had done, as his father, he would protect his son at all costs.
He took Li Guiqin's trembling hand and followed the officer towards the building.
...
At the entrance of Building Three, an elderly man spoke with a smile,
"Long Lao, I didn't expect you to be here, heh heh..."
"Qiao Lao, if I hadn't come today, that young fellow Jiang Fan would likely have been snatched up by you, wouldn't he?" Long Lao replied without any pleasantries.
"Haha... Long Lao, you're too kind. I simply came here as a representative of Huqing University to have a chat with Jiang Fan," Qiao Shan responded with a dismissive laugh.
Originally, Qiao Shan had no doubts about using his reputation to recruit Jiang Fan to Huqing University. However, with Long Lao suddenly showing up, the situation had become complicated.
"You think I don't know what you're after? We've been working together for decades, don't hide it anymore," Long Lao said bluntly.
Both Long Lao and Qiao Shan were national-level academicians, having both received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, an honor only granted to a select few in the entire country. Their influence was immeasurable.
Seeing that Long Lao was getting straight to the point, Qiao Shan decided to be open about his intentions. After all, Huqing University had given him substantial authority for this task.
As long as he could secure Jiang Fan, everything else would fall into place.
"Long Lao, are you planning to take Jiang Fan on as your student?"
"And if I am?"
Long Lao's directness made it clear that Huqing University was prepared to go all out to recruit Jiang Fan, and this wouldn't be an easy task.
Luckily, before leaving, Principal Lu had granted him full authority. As long as Jiang Fan was brought to Long Ke University, the terms could be negotiated.
"Heh heh... Long Lao, you're getting on in years, surely you don't have the energy for this? You see, I'm only in my fifties, in my prime and full of vigor..."
"Energy, you say? How about we have a competition? I can run a marathon—42 kilometers—in one go!"
Long Lao rolled up his sleeves and declared with defiance.
Qiao Shan knew that when Long Lao was sixty, he had actually completed an entire marathon and had even secured a respectable finish.
If it were a marathon, Qiao Shan would certainly be outmatched—he knew he could never compete with Long Lao.
"Long Lao, I definitely can't match you in a marathon. How about a swimming race instead? 500 meters, 1000 meters—take your pick. And I'll even let you start 100 meters ahead," Qiao Shan suggested.
"That's nonsense! Who doesn't know that I'm a complete landlubber?" Long Lao snapped.
The two men argued fiercely, red-faced and fuming, as if ready to come to blows.
A representative from Beijing University stepped forward to mediate.
"Long Lao, Qiao Lao, please, stop arguing. When Jiang Fan returns, let him decide for himself."
Long Lao glanced at the representative from Beijing University and sneered,
"What? You, a younger generation, think you can compete with us? Do you even know what you're talking about?"
The representative from Beijing University, completely taken aback, had no words to say.
"Well, I guess I shouldn't have gotten involved," he muttered, stepping back and positioning himself beside the representatives of other top universities like Jingda and Huake University.
They had arrived with great confidence, certain they could recruit Jiang Fan, but once they saw Long Lao and Qiao Shan, they knew they had no chance.
Even their combined influence couldn't compare to either of these two prestigious figures.
Privately, they had all informed their respective school leaders of the situation. As soon as the leaders learned that Long Lao and Qiao Shan were personally competing for Jiang Fan, they knew the odds were slim.
Still, they hoped that with some luck, they might catch a break.
As the saying goes: "When the snipe and the clam are fighting, it's the fisherman who benefits."
Meanwhile, as the top university representatives schemed and whispered,
An officer appeared with Jiang Fan's parents.
Before the officer could speak, Long Lao immediately approached, taking Jiang Jingguo's hand with a firm grip.
"You must be Jiang Fan's father, Jiang Jingguo?"
Long Lao had seen Jiang Jingguo's photo in Jiang Fan's file.
Jiang Jingguo, taken aback by the unexpected greeting, stared at Long Lao with confusion, muttering, "Yes... yes, that's me."
"Hello, hello. I'm Long Zhen Guo from Long Ke University."
The name "Long Ke University" sounded vaguely familiar to Jiang Jingguo, but he couldn't place it right away.
"Long Ke University... Long Zhen Guo..."
He repeated the name twice in his head, his eyes widening in disbelief.
Long Zhen Guo of Long Ke University was one of the top academicians in the country, having made significant contributions to research in nanotechnology and rocket fuel. He had even received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Jiang Jingguo had seen Long Lao's interviews on television.
How could such a person suddenly appear before him, gripping his hand?
Was it somehow related to his son?
Before he could process it, another middle-aged man, in his fifties, stepped forward and took Jiang Jingguo's other hand.
"Hello, hello. I'm Qiao Shan from Huqing University."
Upon hearing the introduction, Jiang Jingguo's astonished gaze shifted.
Qiao Shan, although not as famous as Long Lao, was also a prominent figure, having received the same Lifetime Achievement Award.
To have two of the most prestigious figures in the country simultaneously shaking his hand left Jiang Jingguo feeling both honored and overwhelmed.
What had he done to deserve such an honor?
Long Lao, seeing Qiao Shan follow his lead, scowled in irritation and said,
"Qiao, I was the first to shake Jiang Lao's hand. What are you trying to do? Do you not understand the basics of respect?"
"I was holding his other hand. There's no issue. What are you complaining about?" Qiao Shan retorted.
Just as the two were about to quarrel over the handshakes, the officer spoke up,
"Long Lao, Qiao Lao, let's proceed with the formalities first."
Only then did Long Lao and Qiao Shan release their grip, allowing the officer to lead Jiang Jingguo and Li Guiqin upstairs.
They followed closely behind, as if fearing that the couple might flee.
The representatives from the other schools, witnessing the scene, sighed in resignation. They had hoped for a chance to speak with Jiang Fan's parents, but now they saw they didn't even stand a chance.

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