Rebirth: Controlled Nuclear Fusion

Part 120：Recruiting Help

After Qiao Yifei finished introducing the lab, Qiao Lao took Jiang Fan on a tour around the entire chip research institute. The main focus of Research Institute No. 3 was chips. Currently, there were 120 researchers, each responsible for different aspects of chip technology. Among them, 75 were dedicated to the research of photolithography machines, while 45 were working on the research of silicon wafer technology. Qiao Lao was the chief engineer of the institute, overseeing the direction of chip research.

Once Jiang Fan gained a clear understanding of the institute's overall situation, he felt a sense of relief. The photolithography machine technology, which he had received as a system reward, required the collaboration of many researchers in order to succeed.

"Uncle Qiao, does the institute provide accommodation?" Jiang Fan asked.

"Yes, there are still some vacant dormitories. I'll arrange one for you, so you don't have to waste time commuting every day," Qiao Lao replied.

"Could you arrange a four-room apartment for me?" Jiang Fan inquired.

"A four-room apartment? Why do you need so many rooms?" Qiao Lao asked, puzzled.

"My professor's lab has three researchers, and we've worked well together in the past. I'd like to bring them here as well."

"Are you referring to the researchers who worked with you on the lithium iron phosphate battery?" Qiao Lao asked.

"Yes."

"That's great! We're short on staff here, so they can certainly help you. As for the dormitory, don't worry, I'll take care of it."

Afterward, Jiang Fan and Qiao Lao discussed chip-related topics for a while. By around 10 p.m., they were ready to head back. Just as they were leaving the lab, they unexpectedly ran into Qiao Yifei waiting for them outside.

"Yifei, why aren't you in the dormitory? There's a lot of experimentation to be done tomorrow!" Qiao Lao said.

"Uncle, I... I need to go back to Huqing University to pick up some clothes," Qiao Yifei replied.

"Alright, come with us then," Qiao Lao said, and they left Research Institute No. 3, heading first to Longke University before returning to Huqing University.

On the way back, Qiao Lao asked directly, "Yifei, do you have feelings for Jiang Fan?"

"No... no!" Qiao Yifei quickly denied, clearly flustered by the sudden question.

"I've known you since you were little. Do you think I don't understand you?" Qiao Lao remarked, having clearly noticed how warmly she had acted toward Jiang Fan during the ride.

"Well..." Qiao Yifei could only acknowledge it reluctantly.

"Jiang Fan is indeed very outstanding, but he already has a girlfriend. You should let go of such thoughts," Qiao Lao advised.

"What's wrong with having a girlfriend? People can break up if they want to!" Qiao Yifei mumbled.

Suddenly, Qiao Lao slammed on the brakes, and the screeching sound of the tires against the road startled both of them. Thankfully, they were both wearing seat belts, or they would have been thrown forward.

They were both shaken up and it took them a moment to recover.

"Yifei, you can date whoever you like, but don't get too involved with Jiang Fan. He is very important to the nation," Qiao Lao said sternly.

Qiao Yifei was taken aback by the seriousness in her uncle's voice. She had never seen him this serious before.

"Okay," she replied instinctively.

What Qiao Lao didn't realize was that the more you suppress feelings, the more they tend to grow and intensify.

The next day, after breakfast, Jiang Fan went to Long Lao's research lab. At that moment, Niu Xu was organizing data at his computer. Upon seeing Jiang Fan, he was momentarily startled.

"Junior Jiang Fan, what brings you here?" he asked.

"I have something to discuss. Has Xia Xiaoyu and Xu Guangyuan arrived yet?"

"Not yet, but they should be here soon. Do you need them? I'll send them a message now."

Niu Xu then sent a message to Xia Xiaoyu and Xu Guangyuan via WeChat.

Before long, the two came running into the lab.

As soon as Xia Xiaoyu entered, she teasingly greeted Jiang Fan with a grin. "The chief engineer has arrived. Any orders?"

"I have a research project and would like you to join. Are you interested?" Jiang Fan asked.

"Of course we are!" Xia Xiaoyu and the others replied in unison.

"Jiang Fan, what is the project?" Xia Xiaoyu eagerly asked.

The three of them were most eager to work with Jiang Fan on research. Recently, they had worked with him and, within less than half a month, had successfully developed a lithium iron phosphate battery, earning praise from both the university and the state. Now in their senior year, they knew that the experience would easily secure them great research jobs after graduation. More importantly, working with Jiang Fan also meant they could earn money. If they could produce more research results under his guidance, their careers would definitely take off.

To them, Jiang Fan's position was even higher than that of Long Lao. They would follow his lead without question, and their admiration for him was clear in their eyes.

"Don't get too excited yet. This project may require us to enter a closed research environment," Jiang Fan warned.

"Closed research? We've been through that before. We're ready to start right away!" Xia Xiaoyu said, patting her chest.

Although closed research was tough, it was nothing compared to the reward of successful outcomes.

"Jiang Fan, what kind of project is it?" Niu Xu asked curiously.

"It's a chip project."

"Chip?" The three of them exclaimed, surprised. The chip project was a national key initiative. They had heard that the government allocated as much as 6 billion yuan annually to chip research. However, it was also a highly difficult project.

"Jiang Fan, this chip project is a huge undertaking. It will require a lot of researchers working together to achieve results. With just the four of us, I'm afraid we won't make much progress," Xu Guangyuan said, concerned.

"We're not researching it here. We're going to a national research institute. There are over a hundred researchers there, and the equipment is top-notch," Jiang Fan explained.

"A national research institute?" The three of them were stunned. Researchers at such institutes were highly selective, and the minimum qualification was a postgraduate degree. They were still undergraduates, and Jiang Fan was only a freshman.

"Jiang Fan, are you joking with us?" Xu Guangyuan asked.

"When have I ever joked with you? Just tell me if you're interested in joining the research," Jiang Fan said.

"I want to join! From now on, Jiang Fan, you're my boss. Whatever you need, I'm there for you!" Xia Xiaoyu declared.

"I'm in too!" the others added enthusiastically.

None of them wanted to miss the opportunity to work at a national research institute—if what Jiang Fan said was true.