Chef at the University Canteen

Chapter 562 301: An Unexplainable Sense of Superiority

Professor Qin Zhiyuan is truly craving it.

After finishing a portion of the spicy and delicious cold chicken noodles, he still wasn't quite satisfied. He turned back to the dining hall window and ordered another serving of food.

In fact, during this period, what he's craving the most is the soup dumplings from the Seventh Dining Hall.

After returning to Beijing, he tried to find shops that make delicious soup dumplings, but unfortunately, he never found the same stunning taste as the ones at the Seventh Dining Hall.

The kind of flavor that was rich to the bone lingered in his memory, but he could never find it, which was truly torturous.

Unfortunately, the soup dumplings from the Seventh Dining Hall are only available for breakfast and not sold during lunch or dinner.

If they were, he would definitely have to order two baskets of soup dumplings to satisfy his cravings.

Professor Hans finished his cold chicken noodles, wiped his mouth with a napkin, took a satisfied sip of the complimentary plum juice from the dining hall, and then sat across from Professor Qin Zhiyuan, watching him devour his food with a smile.

Despite his pride, Professor Qin, like himself, is a foodie willing to drop everything for good food.

It's a pity, after much effort, he finally fulfilled his wish to come to Jiang University, but Professor Qin could only spend one or two months here each year as part of a collaboration.

It's not that Professor Qin Zhiyuan isn't trying to make it happen; he's simply too tied up at Huazhong Agricultural University.

Besides, his children don't understand why he would be attracted to such an unknown university like Jiang University.

They were more concerned about who would take care of him, with their mother already passed away and their father, at his old age, moving alone to Jiang University for work.

Because of these reasons, Professor Qin Zhiyuan ultimately had no choice but to compromise.

But in any case, this outcome is much better than before. At least each year he has one or two months to come to Jiangzhou and satisfy his appetite.

Of course, the most crucial point he hasn't told anyone is that in a few more years, he will retire. By then, no one will stand in his way, right?

After a lifetime of hard work, shouldn't an old man be able to choose where he wants to enjoy his retirement?

By then, if anyone dares to object, he would really turn his back on them!

Children?

Even the children won't do!

As Professor Hans watched Professor Qin Zhiyuan devour his food, an inexplicable sense of superiority welled up inside him.

After all, I'm an authentic member of Jiang University. This Seventh Dining Hall is my dining hall, and I could come here to eat every day if I wished.

But even though Professor Qin Zhiyuan is a specially appointed professor, in the end, he's still an "outsider" and can only stay here for one or two months.

Seeing him eat so unabashedly in my dining hall, why do I feel a bit of pride?

Professor Qin Zhiyuan, of course, didn't know what Mr. Hans was thinking. He quickly finished the food on his tray, let out a satisfied sigh, leaned back in his chair, patted his belly, and burped.

To be honest, this was the most satisfying meal he had in the past month or two.

Seeing him in this state, Professor Hans couldn't help but laugh and asked:

"Professor Qin, did you enjoy your meal?"

"Not too shabby!"

Professor Qin made a light "hmm" sound from his nose, and his slightly squinted eyes opened at once.

He noticed Professor Hans looking at him with an amused smile and couldn't help but blush, hastily changing the subject,

"Professor Hans, the academy has submitted the report for applying as a national key laboratory. From here on, it's not up to us anymore.

So, what do you plan to do next?"

"I've already planned for those things."

Speaking of business, Professor Hans grew serious too. He smiled and said to Professor Qin Zhiyuan,

"Although the academy's current provincial key laboratory has been built for years, due to a lack of talent, the output isn't numerous. Despite occasional impressive achievements, the overall strength is still weak and lacks prominence in Huaxia, which is a significant weakness that adversely affects the application for a national key laboratory."

"Yes, that's indeed the case."

Professor Qin Zhiyuan nodded thoughtfully,

"Jiang University's biology program is merely below average domestically, and applying for a national key laboratory is somewhat ambitious; to be frank, the basic qualifications still come up short.

However, with Professor Hans here, it's no longer an issue!"

The achievements Professor Hans has made in the field of biological sciences are of international calibre, far beyond what domestic university researchers can compare.

With him stationed at Jiang University, the laboratory's stature has been significantly elevated.

"You can't put it that way. No matter how great I am, I am just one person; how can I support a whole laboratory?"

Professor Hans waved his hand dismissively, though he was old, his mind was as clear as ever. He absolutely didn't accept Professor Qin Zhiyuan's "praise."

He glanced at Professor Qin Zhiyuan, hinting,

"Anyway, we're still short of people in the lab. If it weren't for that, we could utilize summer break and start researching some cutting-edge topics that are leading internationally."

He paused, lowered his voice as if afraid someone might overhear,

"I've actually had some ideas about these important topics for a while now, just waiting for concrete experiments to validate the hypotheses.

If we truly succeed in these studies, undoubtedly, it will cause a sensation across the entire field of biological sciences."

"Ah?"

Upon hearing what Professor Hans said, Professor Qin Zhiyuan's old heart couldn't help but tremble.

The sudden notion to stay at Jiang University sprang partly from the Seventh Dining Hall, but Professor Hans's presence was indispensable.

After all, he is a highly esteemed scholar in the international biological sciences field. Working with him would significantly advance his own research.

Upon learning that Professor Hans and the Jiang University School of Life Sciences were planning to establish a national key laboratory, he didn't hesitate and came running.

The reason he acted so decisively is that he knew Professor Hans wouldn't fight an unprepared battle. Since he dared to apply for a national key laboratory, he must have suitable research topics.

By coming here to "assist," couldn't he also "leverage" some credit?

What he didn't expect was that Professor Hans had prepared several leading-edge topics, each with preliminary ideas.

Now, they're just waiting for the right talents to start the experiments!

This, this, isn't this a great "opportunity"?

Thinking of this, he quickly patted his chest and declared earnestly,

"Count me in, Professor Hans. During the experiment, I'll follow your instructions!"

He paused and added,

"If the lab is still short-handed, I'll call my Ph.D. and Master's students over to help out with miscellaneous tasks!"

Don't underestimate "miscellaneous tasks." These are cutting-edge topics; if they participate and witness any outcomes, it will be significantly beneficial for his Ph.D. and Master's students!

Although their names might not appear on papers, what they learn in the lab will benefit them for a lifetime!

Thinking about this, even Professor Qin Zhiyuan couldn't help but sigh:

"These kids are truly lucky!"