Rebirth: Controlled Nuclear Fusion

Part 79：Who Is This? So Rude!

Xia Xiaoyu's face turned ashen upon hearing Long Lao's words. She suddenly felt like an unloved child, abandoned by everyone! The disparity between people was too much to bear.

She had requested only half a day off, yet Long Lao had scolded her for it, while Jiang Fan merely made a casual phone call and was granted time off. When Long Lao had answered the phone just now, he even seemed pleased. Xia Xiaoyu was tempted to slam her fist on the table and argue with Long Lao, but she knew better. She wouldn't dare, not unless she was ready to leave Longguo altogether.

As her mood soured, Xu Guangyuan walked over, excited, holding his phone in his hand. He leaned in and whispered, "Xiaoyu, Xiaoyu, look at this!"

Xia Xiaoyu glanced at the phone screen. It was a message from Jiang Fan in their WeChat group. The message read:

"For this closed-door research, we have successfully developed a new type of battery. Everyone has worked hard, and I've transferred a bonus of 100,000 yuan to each of you!"

Xia Xiaoyu's heart leapt as she jumped to her feet. "100,000?" she exclaimed. "So much?"

"This is amazing! Looks like Old Zhou still has some conscience after all!" she laughed.

Hurrying to grab her own phone, she confirmed it—sure enough, Jiang Fan had transferred 100,000 yuan to her account.

At the same time, Niu Xu also saw Jiang Fan's message. Ecstatic, he wanted to alert Xia Xiaoyu and Xu Guangyuan but found them both grinning ear to ear, too joyful to speak.

He joined them, whispering his congratulations. "I really like Jiang Fan, hehe!"

"Didn't you always call him Old Zhou?" Xu Guangyuan teased.

Xia Xiaoyu immediately tried to defend herself, "That was meant as a compliment! He doesn't squeeze our time and energy, and that's why we have results. We're young and full of energy, creativity—this is the time to dedicate ourselves to research. Do you both understand now?"

Xu Guangyuan and Niu Xu exchanged a glance, both bemused. These were the very words Long Lao had just scolded her with, yet here she was, parroting them back with such confidence.

Ah, women...

Nonetheless, the three of them couldn't contain their joy. They had initially thought Jiang Fan would give them a 10,000 yuan bonus at most, so the 100,000 was a huge surprise. Though they had been somewhat dissatisfied with the closed-door research at first, now they were ready to embrace another month of it if it meant more rewards.

As they were basking in their elation, Long Lao walked over and asked, "What are you three doing? Shouldn't you be working on your research?"

"Don't worry, Academician Long," Xu Guangyuan assured him. "We promise to complete the graphite coating research within a week!"

Xia Xiaoyu and Niu Xu echoed his commitment.

Long Lao raised an eyebrow. Since when had these three become so motivated? Realizing his earlier scolding must have had some effect, he smiled and nodded. "Good, that's the spirit of youth!"

...

"Achoo..."

Jiang Fan, deep in thought at his residence, was busy organizing the ideas and materials for one of the Millennium Prize Problems: the P vs NP problem. He sneezed repeatedly, but he pressed on. The Millennium Problems were as difficult as they were famous. Even with his mastery of all the mathematical knowledge on Blue Star, he found it challenging.

Time flew by. From 8 in the morning until 9 in the evening, he had spent 13 hours working non-stop. Only when he glanced up and saw the time did he realize how long he'd been at it.

He stood up, stretching his stiff body. "This really is tough. I've already tried 20 different approaches."

At that moment, his stomach rumbled loudly. "Forget it. I'll go grab a bite to eat. Maybe that'll help me clear my head."

Without even washing his face, he opened the door and left.

When he arrived at the cafeteria, he found the food counters had already closed. Just as he was about to head to the supermarket for some instant noodles, an aunt from one of the windows called out to him.

"Young man, are you buying food?"

"Yes."

"I have two steamed buns left that haven't sold. Do you want them?"

With all the counters closed and no other options, Jiang Fan accepted gratefully.

"Give me your card."

The aunt smiled, saying, "These two buns are free. If I leave them until tomorrow, I won't be able to sell them."

"Thank you, Auntie!"

Jiang Fan then headed to the supermarket, bought two packs of pickled vegetables and a large bottle of mineral water.

Outside the supermarket, Xia Xiaoyu and a few friends were buying milk tea.

"Girls, today it's on me! Order whatever you want, don't hold back!" Xia Xiaoyu declared with a grin. She had just received the 100,000 yuan transfer from Jiang Fan, and after leaving the lab, she called her friends to celebrate.

Excited by the treat, her friends eagerly rushed over.

"I'll have a small cup of cheese-flavored Spring Tea!"

"I'll have a medium cup of Milk King Cake Milk Tea, with ice!"

A plump girl hesitated for a moment before saying to the cashier, "I'll have a Giant Super Milk Tea!"

As soon as she finished ordering, the others turned to look at her. The Giant Super Milk Tea came in an enormous cup, filled with eight kinds of fruit chunks, topped off with milk tea. It weighed about two pounds and cost an exorbitant 98 yuan—far too expensive for a student.

"Qiuqiu, weren't you trying to lose weight?" one friend asked.

"Well, today Xiaoyu's treating, so I decided to take a break from my diet. I'll start again tomorrow!" Qiuqiu replied with a wink.

"Xiaoyu, is it okay if I order this?" she asked, glancing at Xia Xiaoyu.

"Of course! No big deal!" Xia Xiaoyu teased, feeling generous with her newfound wealth.

"You're the best, Xiaoyu! I love you!" Qiuqiu exclaimed, giving Xia Xiaoyu a hug.

It had been three months since Qiuqiu had indulged in a Giant Super Milk Tea, and today, she couldn't resist. Though she had been dieting to shed pounds, she decided to treat herself.

Once the milk tea was ready, Xia Xiaoyu paid for it, and the group happily made their way to the table, sipping on their drinks.

Just then, a figure appeared at the door of the supermarket. With his hair slightly messy and holding two steamed buns and a bottle of water, Jiang Fan was deep in thought, not noticing anything around him. As he turned a corner, he bumped right into Xia Xiaoyu.

"Ouch! My milk tea spilled all over the ground!"

Before Xia Xiaoyu could react, one of her friends snapped angrily at Jiang Fan. "Don't you watch where you're going?"

"Sorry, I didn't see you."

"Sorry doesn't fix it," she retorted.

The group glanced at Jiang Fan, seeing him holding buns and water. He looked like a poor student.

Xia Xiaoyu lifted her head and recognized him. "Jiang Fan?"

Jiang Fan also noticed it was her. He quickly apologized, "Senior Xiaoyu, get yourself a new drink on me!"

"No... it's okay. I was the one who wasn't careful," she replied.

"Alright."

Jiang Fan nodded and, with his head lowered in thought, disappeared into the crowd, lost in his ideas.

"Xiaoyu, who is this guy? So rude!" one of her friends asked.