Chapter 8 — After I Resigned, the Whole Academic World Upraised

Smiling said:

“Okay.”

“Stop crying.”

“On happy days, tears are not worth money.”

“From now on.”

“All divided into three groups.”

“Group one.”

“Mr. Truong is in charge.”

“The task is to synthesize all original data and core documents of the projects.”

“Multi-layer encryption and backup.”

“Group two.”

“Ly Triet is in charge.”

“Inventory all equipment in the laboratory.”

“Make a detailed list.”

“Especially the equipment we designed and improved ourselves.”

“We must prepare a good transportation plan.”

“The rest.”

“Pack up your personal belongings and all your research notebooks.”

“Our time is very tight.”

“The task is also very heavy.”

“Three days later.”

“I want this lab to be moved clean.”

“Not even a single test tube can be missed.”

I look at everyone.

“Can it be done?”

“DO IT!”

The response echoed like a tsunami. So strong that the dust on the ceiling was shaken down. Just when the whole laboratory was in full swing. My phone vibrated again. The caller came. It's Principal Vuong. Principal Vuong's voice no longer carried anger and loss of control. Instead there is fear. It was trembling, almost begging.

“Tieu Hua... no... Professor Hua!”

“I was wrong!”

“We were all wrong!”

“Don't go!”

“Definitely don't go!”

“You taking the whole team away like that is like digging my heart out!”

“The Materials Department of University A cannot withstand this shock!”

“You just give me the conditions!”

“Whatever you want!”

“As long as you and the team stay, I... I can even give you the principal's seat!”

I heard those confused pleas. There was no emotion in my heart. If I had known, today would have come. So why do that year? During avalanches. No snowflake is innocent.

“Principal Vuong.”

My voice was as cold as a surgical blade.

“It's too late to say these things now.”

“My resignation was submitted yesterday.”

“Legally.”

“Since yesterday.”

“I, Hua Tinh.”

“There is no longer any labor relationship with University A.”

“And the members of my team.”

“They are all adults.”

“They have the freedom to choose their workplace.”

“Go or stay.”

“It's their own decision.”

“Neither you nor I have the right to interfere.”

“If you intend to use personnel records, academic records or any other means to intimidate them…”

I stopped for a moment. Then emphasize each word.

“Then I believe.”

“The joint investigation team of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Science and Technology is about to enter University A.”

“I would be happy to sit down and talk to you about this.”

“Investigation team?”

Principal Vuong's voice immediately rose. Filled with panic. I didn't give him any more chance to continue. Then block the number. The world is finally quiet. I looked out the window. The sky of University A. is about to change. It is the person who will create that storm. From today onwards. There are only eight words left in my life. There is grace and grace. There is resentment for revenge. Principal Vuong was completely desperate. He threw the phone on the table. Then he collapsed into the chair behind the red wooden desk. He knows. Everything is over. Hua Tinh's departure is like a domino first falls. But the fact that her entire research team left together. It was the act of pulling out the most important pillar of the Materials Department of University A. He could imagine. In the next few years. University A's Materials major ranking will plummet. Research grant applications. Key laboratory audits. National level projects. All will suffer a devastating blow. But that's just the beginning. What scared him the most. These are the last five words Hua Tinh mentioned.

“Joint investigation team.”

Those five words are like five glowing red steel needles. Stabbed straight into his heart. Because that means. Things have completely gone out of control. This is no longer a personnel dispute within the school. Which has been raised to a national level issue. This is an investigation into the responsibility of a key university. As principal. He cannot escape responsibility. His political path. It will most likely end from here. Just when he was sinking into despair. The office door was suddenly pushed open. Vice Principal Liu and Chu Chi Vien almost rolled inside.

"Principal!"

“It's not okay!”

Vice Principal Luu's face was as white as paper. Sweat soaked his shirt.

“The Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Education just called the academy!”

“They announced that tomorrow morning the joint investigation team will officially enter the school!”

Chu Chi Vien's legs are soft. I almost knelt down to the ground.