Chapter 15 — After I Resigned, the Whole Academic World Upraised

It was Director Tran's voice.

“Hello, Director Tran.”

"The case of University A has already been resolved."

His voice carried a bit of fatigue. But more than that is the feeling of relief after completing a difficult task.

“Principal Vuong was dismissed from all positions inside and outside the Party.”

“Retire ahead of time.”

“Liu Guo Dong and Zhou Zhiyuan were determined to be involved in many criminal acts.”

“The file has been transferred to the judiciary.”

“According to preliminary assessment.”

“At least a sentence of over fifteen years in prison is required.”

I listened quietly. Don't speak up. Director Tran continued.

"Besides."

“Six members remained on the title consideration committee that year.”

“Those who deliberately gave her a low score to remove her from the list.”

“They were all stripped of their professor titles.”

“Downgraded to become a lecturer.”

“And you will never be able to participate in any title review committees again.”

“The entire leadership of University A.”

“From top to bottom.”

“Almost two-thirds replaced.”

He stopped for a few seconds.

“Professor Hua.”

“The results of this processing.”

“Are you satisfied?”

I didn't expect it. He personally called to inform me. Even more unexpected. The level of handling is so severe. This is no longer a normal form of discipline. Which is almost a complete purge. I calmly answered.

“Chief Tran.”

“This is not about whether I am satisfied or not.”

“This is the nation's attitude toward academic dishonesty.”

“It is an uncompromising determination towards those who harm science.”

There was a soft laugh on the other end of the line.

“This answer is very good.”

He continued slowly.

“Hua Tinh.”

“You know what?”

“Your matter has been discussed at a very high level.”

I was a bit stunned.

“A veteran leader once said.”

“The country may not have a single entrepreneur.”

“But it's impossible without Hua Tinh.”

I suddenly tightened my grip on the phone.

“Because capital can help us run faster.”

“But there are only scientists like you.”

“It just helps the country go further.”

“Walk steadier.”

“So the handling of University A.”

“It's not simply about getting justice for yourself.”

“But also a signal to the entire scientific research community across the country.”

“Let everyone know that.”

“The nation will forever be their strongest rear.”

My eye sockets became hot again. The things I do. Things I persisted in for ten years. Somewhere very high. There's always someone watching.

“Thank you.”

“Chief Tran.”

"I got it."

“Then keep trying.”

He laughed.

“We are all waiting for good news from you.”

The call ended. I stood up. Go to the large ground-level glass window. Outside the window. The sun is gradually disappearing behind the horizon. Bright red afternoon clouds dyed the sky of the capital. Each light in the city lit up one by one. Like the stars below the earth. From my location. A small square can be seen in front of the research institute. My students. With the most outstanding students of Thanh Hoa. Gathering together. In the middle of the crowd is a giant mobile board. Ly Triet and Lam Dao stood in front of the board. Having an extremely intense debate about a certain issue. Sometimes. Around again laughter rang out. Applause. Excited cheers. No more distance. No more embarrassment. There is no longer a boundary between "people from University A" or "people from Tsinghua". Under the common belief called science. They are truly becoming one. Like a true team. I smiled. The dust belongs to University A. Belongs to the past. It has finally completely subsided. And my team. Will begin to write a new story on this land. A new legend. Seventy-two hours. The research institute's Thien Ha supercomputer operates at full capacity. Ly Triet and Lam Dao brought along more than ten graduate students. Almost always eat and sleep in the engine room. I didn't bother them at all. Because I understand. Great scientific breakthroughs sometimes require that kind of almost frantic concentration. Wednesday morning. When the first rays of sunlight just passed through the office window. The doorbell rang. Not fast. Not slow. But it made the corners of my lips curl up involuntarily. Those seventy-two hours of madness. Maybe the results have already come out. Ly Triet and Lam Dao entered the office. Both have dark circles under their eyes. Jagged whiskers. His face clearly showed fatigue after many days of staying awake. But in those eyes. It's burning with an almost passionate light again. Ly Triet's voice was hoarse. He placed a tablet in front of me.

“We succeeded.”

I take it. His eyes immediately stopped on the screen. It is a three-dimensional dynamic model. Countless atoms are constantly arranging and restructuring according to a law that is both strange and surprisingly beautiful. In a simulated environment of extremely high temperature and pressure. They are constantly stretching. Recombinant. The crystalline fiber is made up of carbon and silicon in the center and remains unbroken. It is like a pillar holding up the sky. Locks the entire structure of the amorphous alloy. In the right corner of the screen. A series of numbers are flashing.