The difference between cloud and mud

At the end of the internship, Chen Qiyu called Jiang Tong to the office, euphemistically calling it a summary of the work, but the actual evaluation was all prepared by the senior sister.Jiang Tong was very assured of his achievements and the attitude of his senior sister, so when he walked into the office, he was confident, thinking that it was just a formality.

Then got caught off guard.

"Jiang Tong, why do you want to study for a Ph. D?"

Chen Qiyu crossed his fingers on the table, with a serious expression and piercing eyes, which was quite different from his usual amiable appearance.

Jiang Tong was taken aback for a moment, his thoughts turned.His achievements are among the top among junior undergraduates of the same level.The professor actually had a negative opinion of him?Did the senior sister say something behind her back?Or is there some misunderstanding in between?I thought that the letter of recommendation was already guaranteed, but how could I explain to Professor Gu when I went back empty-handed?

"Shanshan has a high opinion of you. I read your report, and your level is not bad." Chen Qiyu flipped through the stack of bound A4 papers in front of him, and Jiang Tong recognized some familiar icons on it as his experiments. Summary and comments from senior sisters.

"Although I have never regretted taking the path of biological research, I have often told students in recent years that purely from economic considerations, the cost-effectiveness of PhD study is getting lower and lower. With your intelligence, you should I don’t have to worry about finding a job that is safe and earns money.”

"Why do you have to do a Ph. D.? Just like research? To avoid entering social work? My family thinks it is glorious to do a Ph. D.? Want to immigrate to the United States and use the degree as a springboard?"

"I really like to engage in academics." Jiang Tong weakly defended: "I don't know how you can trust me. I have never considered other options except for a Ph. D."

"You students may think that the recommendation letter is a matter of the supervisor's signature, but from my point of view, every letter I write is a gamble-betting my personal reputation, betting that this student will make a great contribution in the field of biology in the future. A career." Professor Chen said slowly.

"Biological research is very hard work. Most of the professions in the world pay for their efforts. In our line of work, we not only need more than ordinary people's diligence, but also a little bit of luck."

"Vaccinia vaccine, penicillin, DNA double helix structure... These so-called world-changing biological achievements are not created by us biologists out of thin air-they are there, we search for them, and find them. It is like finding a drop in the ocean. Fresh water, a grain of gold found in the desert. You will encounter many, many failures in the process, so many that you can hardly imagine now.”

"It is not enough to be smart, nor is it enough to be diligent. If I tell you now that 50% of biology Ph. Do you choose to go this way?"

"I want you to tell the truth." The man's eyes were sharp, and he seemed to be able to see Jiang Tong's heart: "Jiang Tong, why do you want to study for a Ph. D? Are you ready for it?"

Jiang Tong took a deep breath.

"Not ready."

Chen Qiyu's expression froze.

"Let me tell you the truth." Jiang Tong said calmly: "I went to Singapore to study abroad at public expense, and I had to pay all the undergraduate tuition fees when I applied to the United States. It is impossible for our family to afford this money. The school’s full scholarship, I have to stay in Singapore to find a job.”

"To put it bluntly, with my current background, applying to the top schools in the United States, if you fail, you will succeed. The probability of success is far greater than success, but I have to try no matter what, so I begged Professor Gu to recommend me. Here you are, I know your immunology laboratory is top-notch in Asia."

"I have thought about the situations you mentioned, but I didn't dare to think about them, and I felt that it was useless to think about them. After all, I don't live in the future of probability, I only live in the present moment. At this moment, apart from my immunology research I never thought about doing anything else."

"I like to make conjectures, argue with people, and then confirm it through experiments. I like to explore the mechanism of cell signaling pathways and find new proteins. I want to develop anti-cancer drugs that ordinary Chinese people can afford one day. When I was a teenager, I That’s how I think, and I still think that way.”

"Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to study in the laboratory, and I understand your concerns. It doesn't matter if you think I am not qualified enough to get your recommendation letter. But I will not give up the application. I will have my own in 20 years. Laboratory, come to Beijing to treat you to dinner again."

When he spoke, his expression was gentle, his voice was not high, but there was a kind of decisive and hard strength in it, like a mighty river, rushing through the narrow mouth of the river at a slow, steady but unstoppable speed, breaking up the rocks across the river , through the dangerous shoals, turbulent currents, and finally Baihui into the sea.

Chen Qiyu smiled slightly: "I see."

"When you confirm the lab and professor you are going to apply for, write me an email and let's discuss how to write a recommendation letter." He began to tidy up the documents on the table: "If you are fine, you can go back first."

Jiang Tong opened his eyes wide: "Thank you, Professor!"

"You should thank yourself." Chen Qiyu changed back to the kind middle-aged man in Jiang Tong's impression: "Young man is very eloquent. I look forward to seeing you give a report at an academic conference as soon as possible."

Jiang Tong was relieved, and thanked him again in a hurry.

"By the way." He got up and was about to go out, but was stopped by Professor Chen: "Do you have a girlfriend?"

"what?"

Seeing Jiang Tong's inexplicable expression, Professor Chen said jokingly: "Ph.D. life is hard, so hurry up and make an appointment with your girlfriend after graduation, and the young couple will go to the United States together, without delaying both study and personal life."

Jiang Tong's face was flushed, and he stuttered a few words, but he didn't seem to be calm just now.Professor Chen found it funny and didn't tease him anymore, so he let him go.

Jiang Tong didn't return home from the school dormitory with the bedroll until the eve of leaving Beijing.A traditional custom in the north, the so-called go out dumplings and go home noodles.Fang Dayong tried his best, not only made dumplings with various fillings, but also cooked a table of big dishes, including chicken, duck, fish and meat.The family enjoyed dinner happily. Jiang Tong wanted to help clean up the table after dinner, but was called to the back room alone by his mother.

"How is your summer research going?" Song Yi leaned on the head of the bed and looked at Jiang Tong with a smile.She has benefited from self-cultivation at home recently, and the flesh on her cheeks has become more plump, and she is no longer so skinny.It's just that his complexion is still not good, his skin is yellowish gray, and the veins near his temples are clearly visible.

"Very good." Jiang Tong sat on the side of the bed in a regular manner. The mother and son hadn't seen each other for a long time, and they started to feel cautious when talking: "The teacher in the laboratory is very nice and has learned a lot."

"That's great, that's great..." Song Yiyi murmured, she seemed to be in a trance for a moment, but she quickly cheered up: "It's my senior year, what do you think about the future? Do you want to work or continue to study?"

Jiang Tong's heart skipped a beat: "I want to go to the United States to study for a doctorate."

"I will apply for a scholarship!" Before Song Yiyi could speak, he hastily added: "Apply for the full scholarship and then borrow part of the loan, and the tuition fees in Singapore will definitely be repaid. In addition to the money from a part-time job in the United States, not only the living expenses for studying abroad will not be paid. problem, and save money for the family.”

"And I have saved some money now." He smiled: "You don't have to worry about anything, just treat your illness in a down-to-earth manner."

The woman's eye sockets were moist: "Silly boy."

"It's mother's useless." She talked and held Jiang Tong's hand: "When your father left, mother swore in her heart that she would let you have a good life by herself. I didn't expect that I would not only be sorry for your father, but also suffer from it." This disease has dragged you down..."

"My own situation is clear in my heart." She said slowly: "I'm talking to you alone today, just to tell you that after I... pass by, you and your Uncle Fang will separate from each other."

"I didn't sell the house in my hometown, and your name was written on the real estate certificate. I made up the will and put it behind the bookcase and mirror frame." She pointed to Jiang Tong to see the location: "Your father left you a lot of money left A lot, but it’s better than nothing. You can do whatever you want with the house and the money, don’t worry about them.”

"Beibei goes to college, gets married, and everything needs money. If you leave such a bottle of oil for you, my mother will leave without peace of mind."

Jiang Tong was in a hurry: "What a good family, what are you talking about! Don't think about it, take care of your illness, and leave the rest to me and Uncle Fang."

"I've already told your Uncle Fang." Song Yiyi said softly, "He also agrees."

"In the future, you will get together during the holidays and have a meal. It's good to take care of yourself at ordinary times."

Jiang Tong pulled his hand from his mother's hand: "I don't agree. You have a good rest, and don't think about other things."

He didn't give Song Yiyi a chance to continue, he turned around and walked out of the room.Fang Dayong was sitting in the living room with a cigarette between his fingers, not smoking, just staring blankly.Seeing Jiang Tong coming out, he hurriedly stood up, his eyes drifted up and down, not daring to look at Jiang Tong.

"I have to go out first." Jiang Tong said blankly: "My mother is looking for you, why don't you go in and have a look."

He hurriedly left the small apartment as if he was fleeing, but he had nowhere to go, he could only circle around the building.It was late at night, the street lights were dim, and there were few pedestrians on the road.Jiang Tong turned on the phone, and by accident, he clicked on Xiao Fengtai's video call interface.

He didn't expect to be connected.Xiao Fengtai was wearing homely shorts and a T-shirt, his hair was still wet in strands, as if he had just taken a shower and was about to go to bed.

"What's the matter?" The boy grinned at the screen and made a grimace: "Isn't it the flight back to Singapore tomorrow morning, and you don't sleep so late, what should you do if you miss the flight?"

Jiang Tong originally wanted to say a lot to him, such as the pressure of applying for schools, his mother's illness, his lack of power for the future... But looking at Xiao Fengtai face to face, his throat suddenly seemed to be choked.

"I just missed you." He smiled: "Did you do all the homework I left for you on time? I'll do random checks when I come back."

He doesn't have to know anything.Jiang Tong thought.Why use your own troubles to disrupt the children's life rhythm.What's more, what's the use of telling him?

When school starts in September, Jiang Tong and Xiao Fengtai are equally busy.Jiang Tong is taking the GRE and Xiao Fengtai is taking the SAT. Professor Jiang Tongtaoci is preparing the application essay, and Xiao Fengtai has to fill in the university application interface.Compared with Jiang Tong, Xiao Fengtai even has one more job-to fight wits and courage with his family in choosing a university.

"What's wrong with Cambridge." The old woman on the other side of the screen rarely frowned at him: "Your grandfather, your uncle, me, your eldest cousin all graduated from here. The school environment, professor quality and alumni are the first It is first-class, and there are many relatives in the UK, so it is convenient to take care of.”

Xiao Fengtai lowered his head and stirred the teacup: "I heard from the seniors that American schools have a more open atmosphere and more opportunities..."

The old lady laughed out loud: "With your wealth, you still talk about atmosphere and opportunities? I'm curious, what opportunities can Cambridge not give you, but mit can give?"

Seeing that he couldn't get away with it, Xiao Fengtai quickly changed his strategy, trying to be subdued and coquettish to get through: "I don't mean that. There are too many relatives and friends in the UK. It's hard to go to university, and you always hang out with people you know. I don't think it's fun."

However, the other party has rich experience in fighting, so he doesn't like him: "Going to college is not something shameful, why do you have to avoid relatives and friends and go to the United States alone?"

"That's it," she said with a final word: "Let's take a step back. You can choose one of Cambridge, Oxford and Imperial College of Technology, and then consider studying MBA in the United States, and forget about undergraduates."

Xiao Fengtai's heart sank.

"Grandma, I'm serious." He suppressed his panic and forced himself to look up at the old lady's stern gaze: "I want to apply for a school in the United States, I won't go to England."

The old lady did not speak for a while.She looked at Xiao Fengtai carefully, her face expressionless, but it made Xiao Fengtai feel a chill down his spine.The age has blurred the coldness and sharpness in Mrs. Xiao's outline, only her eyes still retain traces of the coldness of the past.Xiao Fengtai knew nothing about Mrs. Xiao's past fame, but subconsciously felt restless.Grandma's sharp and calm gaze made him feel that he was an incapacitated patient on the operating table, whose brain was cut open by a sharp blade, and the veins of nerves and blood vessels were inspected inch by inch.

"Really." After a while, she said flatly, "Then do as you please."

"Just one thing, if you want to go to the United States, you can apply by yourself. From recommendation letters to contact interviews, my family will not help you."

Xiao Fengtai's children from ordinary backgrounds, unless they are really hopeless, will enter prestigious schools in all likelihood.Even with mediocre grades, the family's huge alumni network and rich resources are enough to make them stand out from their peers.Xiao Fengtai has excellent grades in school, and until now, he has never worried about his university admission situation.

However, without the support of his family, it is another matter for him to prepare application documents like ordinary middle school students.

"Thank you, grandma." With Xiao Fengtai's intelligence, he couldn't fail to hear the threat in her words.The young man responded without hesitation. Although he still tried his best to keep his face sullen, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly uncontrollably.

Mrs. Xiao was annoyed, she hung up her grandson's phone, her heart was beating wildly, and she immediately dialed another number.

"What's the matter with you." As soon as the video call was connected, she reprimanded her head and face: "I worked hard to get you back to Asia. You are restless in school every day, and you don't have to do well with poor grades. I'll let you figure it out Why haven't we figured it out for so long?"

The girl looked aggrieved, and when she was about to argue, she was interrupted coldly by Mrs. Shaw: "Kenneth just told me not to go to the UK to study at university. I let him apply for it himself - but you have to go back to the UK after high school, No negotiation."

"But I really didn't find anything!" Tiffany was about to cry: "My cousin doesn't even have a girl around. I usually go home directly after school, and the driver picks me up every day. There is no gap at all."

"Aren't you overthinking it?" She said boldly, "Cousin doesn't look like a person in love no matter what."

"No." Mrs. Xiao murmured, "There must be something wrong."

"It's really nothing, especially recently, my cousin is busy with exams and applying for universities, so he is so busy. Except for Chinese classes, he doesn't even go out very often." As a result, she always had to find excuses to run to his house, and was disgusted by him .

"Wait." Mrs. Xiao looked at her intently as if waking up from a dream, "When did he start taking Chinese classes properly?"

Tiffany was at a loss: "My cousin likes Chinese very much. No matter how busy he is, he still spares two hours a week to go to class. I even saw him writing Chinese homework. It's quite difficult, I can't even read it. Understand."

The old woman's eyes were a little menacingly bright.

"Tiffany, I have a task for you, and you will be rewarded for completing it." She said softly, "Help me find out about Kenneth's Chinese teacher."