Twenty years of cold chain

Pang Shiyou stayed away from home day and night, alone in his office.

When Xiao Wu came to deliver dinner, he was shocked by what he saw.

I saw Professor Pang lying on the ground, holding a magnifying glass. Papers and books were spread out on the ground like a blanket, and his lunch hadn't been touched. The setting sun slanted in through the window, making the old professor's face appear even more sallow and his wrinkles even more pronounced.

Besides a large amount of data, there were also many sketches of semi-trailers, box trucks, and even tank trucks on the ground, and a notebook next to it was already filled with several pages.

"Professor! What are you doing?" Xiao Wu hurriedly stepped forward to help him up.

Pang Shiyou shook his head. "Sitting like this for too long won't do. Let's leave it for now. I'll be fine soon. By the way, the news hasn't been released yet, right? No word from Ming University, has it?"

"Don't worry, everything is calm at the moment."

"That's good." Pang Shiyou nodded, feeling a little relieved.

"Professor Hong can't reach you, so he called me. Would you like to call him back?"

"Give it to me."

As soon as the call connected, I heard my old friend's reproachful tone.

"What's the old man up to?! How many times has he called you?!"

"It's a bit tricky. Why did you call me?"

"How is Li Zhou doing with you? Is he any better?"

"I feel much better now. I told you before that I had my own plans, so why are you worrying about me?"

"Don't try to comfort me like that. I really hope he can get over this soon. Please, old friend."

"If there's nothing else, I'll go now."

"Wait! Now that he's become more resourceful, could you help me talk to him about Daye? You and I both know Daye's level and capabilities; it's the best place for Li Zhou. Besides, Daye has been keeping an eye on him for a long time, their sincerity is unquestionable, and they'll provide him with a relaxed environment. Otherwise, given Li Zhou's character, he wouldn't last long anywhere!"

Pang Shiyou snorted, "Having energy and spirit doesn't mean you can speak eloquently. I've never seen a student like you before. Throw him in the equipment room, and he could produce cooling without a compressor!"

Professor Hong across from him chuckled. "Stop complaining! Old friend, lend a hand! Li Zhou is a rare talent; he just doesn't like interacting with people. I was a quiet type back then too, but you still gave me a chance!"

"I'll give it a try."

"Just trying isn't enough; you have to pull it off for me, or else I'll lose interest in this relationship."

"By the way, Lao Hong, back when we were doing the planning for Zhonglesi, do you still have any contact with that Chambers guy?"

"What a short-sighted, hopeless idiot! Why even mention him!"

"Your student is a headache, and mine isn't quiet either."

"Go and find every place in Mingyuan City where you can fish."

"I'm being serious!"

"What's the rush! Let me look through it!"

Pang Shiyou did not let Xiao Wu leave, but hurriedly started writing on the paper again. Half an hour later, he put the notebook in Xiao Wu's hands.

"Scan every page and send it to Shutong's email address. Do it now."

Xiao Wu nodded and was about to leave when Pang Shiyou asked again, "What has Li Zhou been doing lately? Why hasn't he come to the lab?"

Xiao Wu scratched his head. "Student Li is like a hermit; how could we possibly figure him out?"

"Go ahead and get busy."

……

The dormitory was empty except for Li Zhou.

These past two days he has maintained his previous routine, returning to the peaceful time between his arrival and Hu Shutong's, but the calm on his face cannot hide the turmoil in his heart.

He would occasionally glance at Hu Shutong's desk, where a ballpoint pen lay across the paper. Whether it was a reading note, an unfinished report, or specific content written on an electronic tag, it no longer mattered at that moment.

Whenever he played the ocarina, his gaze would occasionally drift towards that spot, and he would suddenly realize that he had lost a listener he cared about. In just one short month, he discovered that people who didn't talk much were easier to get along with, and that quiet yet powerful person made him realize that he seemed to have made a friend.

In the quiet afternoon, images flashed through his mind. He couldn't believe it; he didn't believe it that day, and he still didn't believe it now. But the scenes in the dormitory these past few days told him that it was true.

The world is a dangerous place, easily manipulated and controlled; the powerful oppress, leaving the weak to suffer.

It's always like this, so unreasonable.

"Is this Mr. Zheng? This is Li Zhou."

"Dr. Li! Hello, hello!"

"I've reviewed Daye's materials. Would it be possible to discuss this in person?"

"Great! Dr. Li will decide on the time and place; we'll meet in person!"

"President Zheng, please make the decision. I'll be there on time."

"Why not try your luck this afternoon? There's a teahouse called Yi Su near the old gate on East Street, Dr. Li, what do you think?"

"I'm off."

It was raining. Li Zhou put the ocarina in his pocket, then grabbed a black cane umbrella by the door and went outside.

Li Zhou carried an umbrella the whole way and had no intention of taking a car. He walked for more than an hour and arrived at the teahouse just as dusk was falling.

Inside the teahouse, General Manager Zheng was already waiting. Upon seeing Li Zhou, he couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion. Speaking of this matter, Da Ye had acted impulsively. The group had specifically requested to take down this person, making the "offensive" rather fierce.

"We have read many of Dr. Li's papers, and the group is paying close attention to his discussions on online readable and writable electronic tags and portable electronic tag readers. After joining Daye, we will build a team around Dr. Li, so that any idea can be put into practice and we can fully meet Dr. Li's research needs."

"Time will tell when it comes to technology, and I will try my best not to disappoint people."

Mr. Zheng was overjoyed. If he hadn't misheard, the other party had agreed, which gave him a sense of relief, as if he had completed his mission.

"Dr. Li, the group will offer you a salary based on the highest research standards. In addition, for senior engineers, we offer a fixed subsidy of no less than half of the down payment for housing. As you know, Daye has abundant customer resources, so not only will your research be widely promoted, but it will also involve year-end bonuses, etc."

While talking to Li Zhou, General Manager Zheng kept an eye on the man's expression. He was unmoved by the salary, subsidies, and bonuses, but when the topic of clients came up, a strange light flashed in his eyes.

Our clients are located all over the world...

"Among our clients, is there a company called Bingneng?"

Mr. Zheng nodded repeatedly, his mind racing with thoughts, because when the person in front of him spoke of ice energy, his slightly narrowed eyes revealed complex emotions.

Mr. Zheng didn't ask any more questions, because he had already seen the answer.

Rejection, annoyance, and hatred.

……