Chapter 1 — After I Resigned, the Whole Academic World Upraised

TEN YEARS OF BEING BLOCKED AS A PROFESSOR, AFTER I RESIGNED WITH EIGHT NATIONAL LEVEL PROJECTS, THE WHOLE SCHOOL WAS IN PANIC. Ten times I applied for approval for a professorship. Ten times missed. Each time, the reason is different. But the results have never changed. The department I built has become the only key department in the entire province. In my hands, I am chairing eight national-level research projects. But the people sitting on the review board always think I'm lacking something. Where is it missing? They themselves cannot say it clearly. I don't make a fuss. No arguments. Also don't complain. I just quietly placed my resignation letter on the principal's desk. The next day. Three prestigious universities simultaneously announced their decision to invite me to work. The news that just appeared has shocked the entire academic community in the province. When the principal called me, his voice was visibly shaking:

“You go back, we can discuss anything.”

I smiled slightly. Then immediately hung up the phone. I stayed at this university for ten years. From a young lecturer who just received his doctorate, he gradually became the leader of the entire department. I have applied for a professor position ten times. Not once was it passed. The first time, the head of the evaluation board said I was too young and needed more time to gain experience. I accept. The third time, the council leader changed people. He said my teaching achievements were not outstanding enough. I don't argue. The following year, I won the Provincial Teaching Achievement Award. For the fifth time, Vice Principal Luu patted my shoulder, his tone full of enthusiasm. He said:

"Tieu Tinh, your research ability is very good, but being an academic cannot be too closed. You must interact more with colleagues and integrate into the group."

I understand what he means. The so-called "collective" in his words is his academic faction. And I don't like relying on factions. My major also does not allow me to waste time on social parties or meaningless meetings. The eighth time, the reason was even more ridiculous. They said my research direction was too pioneering, there weren't many experts in the school who understood it, and it wasn't conducive to academic succession. The Materials Science industry that I am in charge of is the only key industry in the entire province. I have eight national-level projects in hand, with a total research budget exceeding 50,000,000 yuan. I personally negotiated with the supplier to purchase each piece of equipment in the laboratory. The students I trained after graduating were all competing to recruit high-tech businesses and large research institutes. Yet I... A person who has always led the team on the front lines of research... For ten years. Still just an associate professor. It's the tenth time. I sat in a cold conference room. Opposite are seven judges with different expressions. Sitting in the chair is Vice Principal Luu. He gently cleared his throat and pushed up his glasses.

“Comrade Hua Tinh, we have reviewed your file very carefully.”

“The achievement is truly outstanding.”

He changed his tone.

“But the review board's opinion is that being an academic cannot just bury your head in the laboratory.”

“Teaching and educating children people, the words 'human education' are more important."

"We received some feedback that her teaching style is too strict and lacks humanistic concern for students."

“A good professor is not only a imparter of knowledge but also a leader of personality.”

“So, the council unanimously believes that you... are still a bit lacking.”

After he finished speaking. The entire meeting room fell silent. I saw Chu Chi Vien sitting diagonally opposite. The corners of his lips curled up slightly into an imperceptible, smug smile. Chu Chi Vien. My colleague. Also my old classmate. Last year, he was just promoted to professor. Relying on the support of Vice Principal Luu. And a technical solution that was abandoned by my research team a long time ago.

“Lack of humane concern?”

I laughed coldly in my heart. Last month, my graduate student Ly Triet had a mental breakdown because of a failed experiment and cried right in the lab. I was with him all night. Two people sat in a warehouse filled with research equipment. I don't blame you. Just quietly give him each bottle of cold water. Listen to him talk about his family situation. Listen to him talk about his uncertainty about the future. Finally I told him:

“It doesn't matter if the experiment fails ten thousand times. But in life's experiment, you are not allowed to fail. If you're tired, rest a bit and do it again tomorrow."

That... How would the evaluation committee know? They don't know. But I also don't want to know. What they need is just an excuse. An excuse to pin me down. And lift their people up. It's been ten years. I'm tired. It's not that the body is tired. It's that the heart is too tired. I looked at Vice Principal Liu's shiny, fake face. Look at Chu Chi Vien's proud villain appearance. Suddenly it felt like everything became tasteless. I'm not the same as before. Do not give arguments to refute. Do not use the project to prove it. Nor does it list scientific articles with top impact factors. I just quietly looked at them. Looking at it to the point that Vice Principal Liu started to feel uncomfortable. He coughed lightly.

“Comrade Hua Tinh, do you have any comments?”

I slowly stood up. Gently bow to greet them.

“I understand.”

“Thank you teachers on the council for your advice.”

My voice was very calm. Not a ripple. I don't look at anyone again. I turned around. Leave the meeting room. Behind me, the room seemed to fall into a moment of surprise. Perhaps they are too used to me fighting and criticizing. No one expected that this time... I would be so obedient. The lights in the hallway were so bright it was blinding. I didn't go back to my lab. That's where my graduate students are. There are unfinished topics. I'm afraid if I see them, my resolve will waver. I went straight to my private office. A small room, only about ten square meters, filled with books and documents. That is the compensation for an assistant professor. And Chu Chi Vien's professor's office is located in the building next door. Thirty square meters wide. There are ground-level glass windows with panoramic views of the campus. I turned on the computer. The screen lights up. Reflecting my strangely calm face. I didn't open any research documents. Also Didn't see the lab report. I create a new document. The mouse pointer flashes on the pure white screen. Each keyboard tap echoed in the quiet room. In the first line of text. I typed down four words: RESIGNATION.