When Florence saw Qin Siyang arrive, he was startled as well.
Ever since they worked together on the research paper about the Doom Octopus, they had not kept in touch.
Meeting this time at an elementary school tutoring class inside South Glory University truly caught Qin Siyang off guard.
Florence turned to the students in the room and said, "Class, look over the problem I just explained. I'll come back in a moment and continue with the next one, alright?"
"Alright—"
Florence stepped out of the classroom and casually closed the door behind him.
After not seeing him for a few months, Florence had changed a lot compared to how Qin Siyang remembered him.
His neat blond hair was still there, but the bloodshot veins in his eyes and the dark circles beneath them spoke of exhaustion he could not hide.
When he saw Qin Siyang again, he no longer had that confident, high-spirited look from before. Instead, there was unease and avoidance in his eyes.
"Student Qin, I didn't expect you to come. What a coincidence… I was even thinking of asking you out for tea in a couple of days."
Qin Siyang smiled, "Professor Florence, you're trying to use our polite phrases from East Country, but it sounds a bit stiff."
Florence laughed awkwardly, "Student Qin, you're still the same as before, like a rising sun, full of life and energy."
"Of course. It's only been a few months since we last met. How much could I have changed? But you, Professor Florence, you don't look like things are going very well."
Florence pushed up his glasses. A trace of gloom flashed through his eyes, "You could tell right away…"
"With how you look, it'd be hard not to notice. And Professor Florence, you're a university professor. No matter what, it shouldn't have come to running a tutoring class for elementary school kids, right?"
"Student Qin, you'd better not call me professor anymore. I'm just a regular lecturer now."
Qin Siyang was surprised, "Hm? What do you mean? Last time we met, didn't you say that once the paper on the new Doom Octopus was published, you'd likely be promoted to associate professor around May this year?"
"The paper about the Doom Octopus was rejected by the review committee."
"Rejected?"
"Yes. My advisor, Mr. Harrison, personally went to the committee to demand an explanation. They only said that although the model in the paper fits the currently observed cases, it may not have universal applicability, and still needs improvement and proof."
"Universal applicability?", Qin Siyang could not understand, "How many people inside the safe zone have even seen a Doom Octopus? The number of cases is right there. Where are you supposed to get a model that's absolutely universal for them?"
Florence glanced at Qin Siyang, a hint of curiosity in his eyes, "I didn't expect you to know something about academic papers as well?"
"Just a little. Nowhere near you professors."
"Professor Harrison said the same thing. But the people on the review committee just wouldn't approve it. Their attitude was extremely firm. I don't know why. Professor Harrison almost got into a fight with them on the spot."
Then he said apologetically to Qin Siyang, "Student Qin, I'm sorry. I can't fulfill my promise to help you obtain research credits."
'The review committee insisted on rejecting the paper?'
Florence's paper also had his name on it. Qin Siyang suddenly realized this was the same situation as the papers Professor Zhang and the others had helped him publish.
Then the reason Florence's paper was blocked became clear. He had been dragged down by him.
Now a dignified professor had to teach a group of elementary school kids just to scrape by. Even hearing it made Qin Siyang feel bitter.
Just as Qin Siyang was about to say something, Florence spoke again.
"In our European countries, there's a saying, 'Either it doesn't rain at all, or it pours.' It's similar to what you in East Country call 'misfortunes never come singly.' My student, Laudenor, died in an accident outside the safe zone. When Professor Harrison told me, I almost fainted."
"Laudenor was from my hometown. I knew his parents. He was smart and hardworking. After he died, his father and mother were heartbroken. I couldn't bear it, so I gave them most of my savings."
"Because the paper couldn't be published, my promotion to associate professor is now nowhere in sight. I'm still just a lecturer. According to South Glory University's rules, a lecturer's salary isn't enough for an easy life in District 7. On top of that, I barely have any savings left, so I had to find ways to earn some extra money to support my family."
Hearing this, Qin Siyang was completely at a loss for words.
As for Laudenor's death, there was no need to say more. He had been implicated by Qin Siyang's side as well. Completely innocent.
So Florence had ended up in this situation entirely because of him.
For a moment, he didn't even know how to face Florence.
"Um… Professor Florence, with things like this, didn't Professor Harrison help you? Harrison told me he's famous for being very protective of his students."
"Professor Harrison is indeed very good to his students. But I've already caused him a lot of trouble. I don't want to burden him any further."
Qin Siyang had never had a particularly strong impression of Florence before.
But now, the knot around Florence's neck had been tied by his opponent's hands.
The one who tied the bell must untie it.
Qin Siyang wanted research credits to fulfill the well-known special recruitment agreement, and also to raise his own reputation.
As long as the papers Zhang Kuang and the others had submitted under his name were successfully published, he would definitely surpass Chu Baxing to become the top freshman, and then obtain the privilege of setting privileges.
Next month, he would attend the paper hearing to resolve this issue.
As for the few papers in Florence's hands, they were only icing on the cake. It didn't really matter.
He said to Florence, "Professor Florence, remove my name from those papers and submit them to the review committee again. They'll approve them."
"Hm? Student Qin, what do you mean…"
"They're targeting me. Or rather, they're targeting the materials in my hands. You were dragged into this because of me. If you take my name off as an author, the papers will definitely be published quickly, and you'll be promoted to associate professor."
Florence's eyes shifted a few times, and he immediately understood the reason behind it.
But he shook his head, "Without your help, these papers would never have been written. If I remove your name, then I'd be eating the whole cake by myself. That's not right."
"It's fine if you eat it yourself. This cake isn't that big anyway."
"Ah!"
Qin Siyang smiled casually, "Don't worry about my research credits. Professor Zhang and the others also have a few papers with my name on them, and they're blocked by the review committee too. I'm going to deal with that next month. There's no need for your papers to be stuck with mine. If you feel you owe me, then thank me some other time. For now, focus on living your life properly."
"Student Qin…"
Qin Siyang added, "I heard from President Zhao that among the younger generation of research talents at South Glory University, you rank near the top. Teaching elementary school kids is a waste of your talent. Leave that to someone else."
"Student Qin! Student Qin!", Florence tightly grabbed Qin Siyang's hand, deeply moved, "I always thought you were cunning, sly, and only cared about profit. I never expected you to be this generous and righteous! Thank you!"
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