Chapter 5 — After I Resigned, the Whole Academic World Upraised

The call with Director Tran was like a key. Open all the knots in my heart. It made me understand that. My worth was never determined by seven judges at University of A. My stage. It has never been just that small school campus. When I raise my sights higher. Just discovered. The stones have caused me pain for many years. Now look back. Ridiculously small. The phone vibrates. It's a message from Deputy Researcher Truong. The most powerful right-hand man on my team. A hard-working middle-aged man with extremely strong professional capacity. The message content is very short. But the amount of information inside made my eyes immediately cold.

“Vice Principal Liu and the Director have led people to the laboratory.”

“They said they wanted to 'inventory the school's assets'.”

“And is asking us to hand over the password to the core database server of the entire project.”

My eyes immediately turned cold. What a bunch of idiots who can't see the coffin without shedding tears. Do they think that just by pulling out the firewood from the bottom of the pot, they can control me? They don't know. In this pot. What is being cooked is the nation's rice. And them. I was about to be burned by that boiling pot to the point of peeling off a layer of skin. I don't reply to messages. Instead, call Deputy Researcher Truong directly.

“Mr. Truong.”

“Turn on speakerphone.”

“At the same time, open the recording.”

The other end of the line transmitted a series of chaotic sounds. I could clearly hear Vice Principal Liu's aggressive shouting.

“Hua Tinh ran away!”

“Why are you still selling her life for her?”

“I tell you!”

“Every single tree and blade of grass in this laboratory is the property of the school!”

“Data is even more important!”

“Whoever dares not to hand it over is appropriating state property!”

“I will make it impossible for him to graduate!”

“I will kick him out of University A!”

He is threatening my students. That is the final limit that I absolutely cannot forgive.

“Vice Principal Liu.”

“Your prestige is really great.”

My cold voice rang out from the speaker. In the blink of an eye. The whole laboratory fell silent. I can almost imagine his fat face right now. Probably stiff with surprise.

"Hua Tinh? You..."

“I just finished a call with Director Tran of the Ministry of Science and Technology.”

I directly interrupted him.

“He asked me to leave you a sentence.”

“All national level projects are in charge of me.”

“Including data, equipment and personnel involved.”

“All fall within the scope of national strategic resources.”

“During the transition period, I am in full charge.”

“Any organization or individual that intentionally obstructs, sabotages or usurps.”

"All will be handled according to regulations on acts that endanger national scientific research security."

I emphasize every word. Especially the phrase:

“Dangerous to national scientific research security.”

“Vice Principal Liu.”

“Now you are leading people to steal access to core data of national strategic projects.”

“At the same time, threatening key members of the project.”

“Tell me.”

“Does this count as obstruction?”

"Have Is it considered vandalism?

“My phone is currently maintaining a connection with Director Tran's secretary.”

“The entire process is recorded.”

“Do I need to invite Director Tran to directly explain the relevant regulations to you?”

The other end of the line. Quiet as a cemetery. I even heard someone inhaling cold air. More than ten seconds later. From the phone came the sound of chaotic footsteps. The sound of tables and chairs colliding continuously. They ran away. Like a bunch of startled mice. Deputy Researcher Truong's voice rang out again. I couldn't hide my excitement and gloating.

“They're gone!”

“Run clean!”

“I really ran away!”

“You're so cool!”

“In my eyes, you are truly an idol!”

I laughed.

“Mr. Truong.”

“Protect data well.”

“Protect the students well.”

“I'll be right back.”

Hang up the phone. I stood up and left the cafe. It's time. Time to return. End it all. But I didn't go straight to the lab. But go back to your small office first. I need to get something. A portable hard drive. Inside were all copies of my work over the past ten years. Includes original data for each project. The growth process of each student. Some evidence that outsiders do not know. Related to some people. And some stories. When I just went under the work building. A familiar figure appeared next to the row of sycamore trees. It's Chu Chi Vien. Compared to the previous meeting. He was very emaciated. Hair is messy. Deep sunken eye sockets. There is no longer the arrogant arrogance of the past. Just saw me. He immediately rushed forward. Like a drowning person seeing a straw that saves his life.

“Hua Tinh!”

“No... Professor Hua!”

He tried to grab my arm. But I leaned away.

“Professor Hua!”

“Please listen to my explanation!”

“The matter of considering the title that year... I was also forced!”

“It's all because of Vice Principal Liu!”

“It is he who manipulates everything!”

“He said that as long as I obeyed, he would make sure I was promoted to professor!”

“I... I was just confused!”

He began to place all the responsibility on Vice Principal Liu.