"Professor Zhong, neither you nor Professor Zhu are coming?"
["That's right. Haifeng runs outside the safe zone whenever he has time, he doesn't bother with any of that messy stuff at all. It's already normal for him not to attend meetings, nothing strange about it. But this time, I'll be absent too."]
"Professor Zhu is always elusive, so everyone understands if he doesn't attend the thesis hearing. But Professor Zhong, you're a top-tier professor in the safe zone. Why aren't you attending this hearing? The thesis review committee hasn't held something this large-scale in a long time. If you don't go, won't it affect your reputation?"
["Reputation? It's completely useless to me,"] Zhong Dingming let out a sigh, ["Tianming, you more or less understand my situation and what I've been through. I just want to do my research steadily and live a quiet life. But all this time, even when the tree wants to be still, the wind won't stop. I'm getting old. Half a lifetime of effort has turned into nothing but bitterness. I only have one chubby little boy left, still babbling his first words. I don't want anything to go wrong again."]
Hearing Zhong Dingming's grievances, Li Tianming thought of his three missing children and his first wife who had gone mad. His smile disappeared for a moment, "Professor Zhong, things will get better."
["Tianming, you don't need to comfort me. I know clearly what has happened in the past. If things could have gotten better, they would have already. So I told the thesis review committee a long time ago that I don't want to get involved in these matters. I'll also step down from my position as executive council member at the end of this year. It'll probably be handed over to Old Guan."]
"Professor Guan Fuhai?"
"Mm."
Qin Siyang thought for a moment and recalled the professor they were talking about.
Guan Fuhai, Tiger Card [Spade 10], was also an extraordinary figure.
Like Zhong Dingming, he was a professor at West Glory University, and the two of them were widely recognized as the pinnacle of research on divine hunting tools within the safe zone.
Working independently, the two had each successfully created fifth-tier divine hunting tools. Even Lu Daoxing, who held extremely high standards, spoke of them with genuine admiration.
However, Guan Fuhai had never revealed his own strength. It was only because of his reputation that he was placed in the position of Tiger Card [Spade 10].
Those ranked ahead of him were only top-tier professors and leaders of various factions.
Li Tianming said, "Professor Guan is also a highly respected senior, and like you, he teaches at West Glory University. From a balance perspective, one stepping down and one stepping up, there shouldn't be any issue with him becoming an executive council member."
["That's what I think too. Actually, the hardest part of this matter isn't whether the thesis review committee will approve it, but whether Old Guan will agree… forget it, I won't ramble on about this with you. In any case, I've already started preparing to slowly step back. Tianming, I heard that in recent years, both your career and family life haven't been going smoothly. I feel like you can understand me."]
Li Tianming let out a deep sigh, "Mm, Professor Zhong, I understand."
["Tianming, I know you have a good relationship with that kid Qin Siyang, and you called to test the waters for him. But on my side, I really can't do anything. Please understand."]
"I get it. Actually, calling you was just to ask about the situation. The fact that you can stay out of these matters, Professor Zhong, I really admire that."
["Admire? I can't accept that. I've got the only share of Yellow Silver Star Ore in my hands. I've basically secured all the materials I need for research. I don't desire anything else anymore."]
"Not being greedy and being so open-minded, that's something I should learn from."
["Tianming, the future of the safe zone rests on people like you who are in your prime. Zhao Longfei's character isn't any worse than Han Shuo's, and he can protect you. Teaching at South Glory University, I'm happy for you. Maybe someday, I'll need your help."]
"Don't worry, Professor Zhong. If you ever need me, I'll definitely do my best."
["Mm, that's all then. I need to go put the child to sleep. Stay in touch."]
"Goodbye, Professor Zhong."
Li Tianming hung up the phone, a trace of melancholy on his face.
Qin Siyang said from the side, "Old Li, this is the first time I've seen you speak so politely to someone."
"I've said it before, I've always admired Professor Zhong Dingming from the bottom of my heart. So Little Qin, I hope you don't disturb him."
"Alright, alright," Qin Siyang curled his lips, "I'll only talk to him and negotiate, I definitely won't force him. Don't worry."
Li Tianming pointed at Qin Siyang's pocket, "Take out your lie detector and say that again."
Qin Siyang looked disgusted.
"What I just said came from the heart."
["Truth."]
Only then did Li Tianming feel satisfied.
"Little Qin, out of the seven executive council members at the thesis hearing, two will be absent. That means among the remaining five, as long as you can secure three, you can break the deadlock."
Qin Siyang scratched his head, "I know all that. It's just choosing which three and how to persuade them that's giving me a headache."
Li Tianming said, "If you can't figure it out from the front, try working backward."
"Working backward?"
"You can look at the five people and see who absolutely cannot cooperate with you. Eliminate the wrong answers first."
"Absolutely won't cooperate…"
Qin Siyang glanced over the list and crossed out Guo Jiuxiao's name first.
No need to say more. Guo Jiuxiao would never compromise.
Then after thinking for a moment, he crossed out Jiang Hao and Jerry Warren as well.
As the vice president of the Zhao Chamber of Commerce, people from the three major chambers wouldn't give him a friendly face.
Well then, that's game over right away.
Qin Siyang tossed the folder aside, "What the hell is the point of this then!"
Li Tianming glanced at it and said calmly, "You can try to win over Jerry Warren."
"Huh?"
"I've heard that the Warren Chamber of Commerce's stance has never been firm. Among the three major chambers, they're also the one that gets pushed around the most. Maybe this is a good opportunity. And besides, you've got that little lover from the Warren Chamber of Commerce, don't you?"
"What little lover? Li Tianming, don't go slandering me!"
Li Tianming chuckled, "If you're innocent, why are you getting so worked up?"
"I'm not worked up!"
———
[District 5, West Glory University Faculty Villa Complex]
After finishing his call with Li Tianming, Zhong Dingming took off his glasses, a trace of helplessness in his expression.
His phone rang.
"Hello, it's me. Your call came at just the right time. I just finished talking with Li Tianming."
"I've already told him, neither Zhu Haifeng nor I will attend the thesis hearing. Handle the rest yourself. Don't bother me again. Also, after this, you and I are done. Let's pretend we never knew each other. Don't contact me again."
Zhong Dingming tossed the phone onto the table and rubbed his brow, "All this over an eighteen-year-old kid. It's like the Eight Immortals crossing the sea, each showing their own tricks. You all fight your battles, I'll do my research. From now on, let's each mind our own business."
After saying that, his gaze turned extremely puzzled again, "What the hell… it was buried there perfectly fine. How could it suddenly be missing…"
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