On How To Defeat Dr. Qing Leng Chapter 10
byChapter 10: Bad Outcome
The autumn night was already quite cold. Wen Yelan wrapped his clothes tightly around himself and quickened his pace home. Only when he reached his door did he gently exhale a puff of white air. Just then, a cake box placed by his door caught his attention.
Wen Yelan walked closer and saw it was a taro cake. He stared blankly at the beautiful cake, guessing that Pei Yan had sent it. A complex emotion instantly surged within him—warm, yet also numb.
Wen Yelan carried the cake inside and sent a message to Pei Yan: [Thank you]. His finger slid over a bowing cat emoji and pressed send. When he realized what he had done, it was too late to retract it.
Whatever, Wen Yelan was too tired to worry about whether this seemed strange. He simply scooped a small bite of the cake.
It was very sweet, sweet enough to make Wen Yelan’s eyes well up. He wiped his face haphazardly, thinking he was becoming increasingly sentimental. His phone chimed; it must have been Pei Yan’s reply.
[Why are you only getting home now? Don’t mention it. Next time I’ll take you out for something even better], [Jumping puppy]
Wen Yelan abruptly shut off his phone, his heart pounding. What did Pei Yan mean by this?
Their previous encounter, the all-night care, the casually mentioned cake… was this truly just the attitude one held toward a life-saver?
But how could Pei Yan be interested in someone like him… Would someone like Pei Yan even like men?
Wen Yelan decided he was overthinking things, gave a bitter smile, and set the cake down.
A week later, the project proposal submission deadline arrived. A few days after that, the Institute announced that the funding representative would visit to hold face-to-face discussions with the candidates who had reached the final interview stage.
Wen Yelan and Fan Qingzhi both made the final list. This was somewhat unexpected, as Fan Qingzhi’s past research background was not entirely relevant to the project. However, her proposal was cleverly written, emphasizing interdisciplinary cooperation and application prospects, which made it marginally acceptable.
The interview was scheduled for Thursday afternoon in the small conference room. The funding representative was a middle-aged man named Zhao, wearing gold-rimmed glasses and a suit that looked expensive at a glance. He appeared sharp and capable, but his eyes occasionally revealed a subtle, scrutinizing look, especially when he saw Fan Qingzhi, who had dressed up for the occasion. His gaze lingered on her for a moment longer.
Wen Yelan was interviewed first. He wore a blue shirt and white casual trousers, maintaining his usual cool and simple style. When answering questions, his logic was clear, his arguments rigorous, and his understanding of the research field was deep and unique. He answered almost all the professional questions flawlessly. Representative Zhao and the others nodded frequently, taking notes in their pads.
The only hiccup was that the latter half of his presentation slides turned into garbled code, causing the faces of the representatives sitting below to instantly darken.
Wen Yelan only paused for a second before immediately adjusting. Relying on his memory from recent preparation and his solid professional expertise, he completed the presentation.
Wen Yelan only hoped the representatives wouldn’t think he was careless or incompetent because of this issue.
When it was Fan Qingzhi’s turn, she was clearly well-prepared. She wore a professional suit in a flattering, soft lotus-root pink that retained a feminine touch, and her makeup was delicate. Her demeanor blended the intellect of a researcher with just the right amount of approachability.
While her professional arguments were not as in-depth as Wen Yelan’s, she was skilled at focusing on the strengths and avoiding the weaknesses, emphasizing teamwork and outcome conversion. Her tone was gentle, and she occasionally offered Representative Zhao a slightly admiring smile.
“CEO Zhao, you might not fully understand the hardships of geological research, especially obtaining these valuable data at high altitudes. For example, when Dr. Wen and his team were on their last Mount Everest expedition, they faced enormous risks…” She cleverly diverted the topic, subtly flattering the funder while also hinting that Wen Yelan had made mistakes due to being overly aggressive in the past.
Representative Zhao clearly appreciated this, his smile deepening, and his interaction became more enthusiastic.
Wen Yelan sat in the waiting area outside, unable to hear the specific conversation inside, but he could vaguely hear Fan Qingzhi’s soft laughter and Zhao’s occasionally raised voice. He frowned slightly, a strange feeling crossing his mind, but he quickly suppressed it. He trusted the academic review process, and even more, he trusted his own ability.
After the interview ended, Representative Zhao exchanged a few more pleasantries with the Institute leaders and then left. The results would be announced in a few days.
The weekend passed peacefully, and Pei Yan did not contact him again. When Wen Yelan arrived at work on Monday, he noticed that Fan Qingzhi’s attitude toward him seemed warmer.
“Yelan, good morning.” Fan Qingzhi greeted him with a smile as she walked past his desk with a water cup. “Were you still busy with the project over the weekend? You don’t look so good, you should remember to rest.”
Wen Yelan looked up, gave a faint smile, and replied, “Morning,” before returning his attention to the screen. He was never good at handling such meaningless small talk.
Fan Qingzhi didn’t mind. She took the opportunity to sit in the empty chair next to him, her tone concerned: “Seriously, Yelan, the competition for this project is quite fierce. CEO Zhao’s side… seems to place a lot of importance on practical application. I’m a little worried that your proposal might be too focused on basic theory?”
Wen Yelan’s fingers paused on the keyboard. He looked at her. “The research plan has been submitted. The reviewers will make their judgment.”
“That’s true,” Fan Qingzhi lowered her voice, adopting a confidential air, “but you know that sometimes the funder’s perspective is different from ours in pure academia. I heard that CEO Zhao has extensive connections in the investment world and a very unique vision.”
Wen Yelan’s frown deepened. He disliked this kind of suggestive talk. “I trust the professional judgment of the academic committee.”
“Oh, you’re just too earnest.” Fan Qingzhi gave him a chiding look and stood up. “Alright, I won’t interrupt your work. Just a reminder, sometimes a little extra communication doesn’t hurt.” With that, she swayed her hips and walked back to her own seat.
Wen Yelan watched her retreating figure, and that strange feeling resurfaced. What was Fan Qingzhi hinting at? Communication? With whom? The funding representative? He felt this violated the purity of academic competition, and was even a bit… sordid. He shook his head, pushing the unpleasantness aside, and refocused on his work.
Fan Qingzhi returned to her seat and smiled faintly at Wen Yelan. If he insisted on being so stubborn, then he shouldn’t blame her.
On Tuesday afternoon, Wen Yelan needed to go to the archives to look up an old journal. Passing the small conference room, he inadvertently glimpsed figures through the slightly ajar door.
It was Fan Qingzhi and Representative Zhao.
Fan Qingzhi was facing away from the door, holding a document, seemingly asking Representative Zhao for advice. Her body was leaning somewhat close, and she wore a bright yet slightly shy smile. Representative Zhao was leaning in slightly, his finger pointing at the document, but his gaze occasionally drifted to Fan Qingzhi’s delicate profile and her chest and neck area.
Wen Yelan stopped short, immediately averted his eyes, and hurried away. A sense of inexplicable irritation welled up. He told himself this might be normal communication, but the combination of Fan Qingzhi’s earlier hints and the scene before him still made him uncomfortable.
On Wednesday, the Institute held a small academic salon, inviting several external experts, including Representative Zhao. There was a simple tea break after the salon. Wen Yelan intended to grab a snack and return to his office, but Fan Qingzhi called out to him.
“Yelan, come quickly, CEO Zhao was just asking about you!” Fan Qingzhi greeted him warmly, smiling at Representative Zhao.
Representative Zhao adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and extended his hand to Wen Yelan with a smile: “Dr. Wen, I’ve heard much about you. Your performance in the interview was outstanding.”
Wen Yelan put on a polite smile and shook his hand lightly: “You flatter me, CEO Zhao.”
“A young man with ability and courage.” Representative Zhao’s grip seemed to pause for a moment, and he scrutinized Wen Yelan’s face before letting go. “Talents like Dr. Wen have limitless potential. However…” He changed his tone, sounding slightly regretful.
“Sometimes, doing research requires more than just burying your head in work; you also need to look up and see the road, and communicate more with people. Just like Dr. Fan, she is very good at communication. We were just discussing a great idea for collaboration.”
Fan Qingzhi chimed in perfectly, giggling: “CEO Zhao, please don’t tease me. I’m nowhere near as professionally solid as Yelan. I just feel that you are so knowledgeable, so I take the opportunity to ask for your guidance.”
Listening to the pair’s back-and-forth, Wen Yelan felt the air around him thicken. He clearly sensed a meaning in Representative Zhao’s gaze that went beyond academic appreciation—it was one of assessment and probing. He finally understood what Fan Qingzhi meant by “communication.”
He suppressed the faint discomfort in his stomach and said coldly, “I have data to process. Please excuse me,” before turning and leaving the tea break area.
Behind him, he vaguely heard Fan Qingzhi’s slightly apologetic voice: “CEO Zhao, please don’t mind him. Yelan is just like that, he doesn’t talk much…” followed by Representative Zhao’s unconcerned laughter: “Talented people always have a bit of personality, I understand, I understand.”
Wen Yelan quickly walked back to his office, closed the door, and leaned his back against the cold door panel, letting out a long sigh. A sense of powerlessness and disgust washed over him.
He hated this environment that required fawning, and he hated the calculations hidden beneath the smiles. He just wanted to quietly do his research. Why was it so difficult? Why had it always been this way since childhood?
Over the next few days, Wen Yelan distinctly felt a subtle shift in the atmosphere around him.
First, Director Chen called him in for a talk, gently reminding him: “Yelan, the Institute places great importance on this project. The funder’s side, well, CEO Zhao gave some feedback. He thinks your research proposal is excellent, but… hmm, perhaps the practical application aspect could be strengthened?”
“Also, young people should be more outgoing. Communicate more with the investors so they can fully understand your abilities and ideas.”
Wen Yelan listened in silence, his fingernails digging deep into his palms.
Next, Professor Zhang, from the same office, engaged in seemingly casual small talk: “Yelan, I heard Fan Qingzhi has been in frequent contact with CEO Zhao from the Moonlight Foundation lately? Apparently, they’ve even had dinner together twice? Ah, these days, securing a project isn’t just about ability; connections and emotional intelligence are also very important. You, you’re just too reserved. You should learn from her.”
Even the assistant looked at him with a mixture of pity and hesitation.
Gossip, like moss in the shadows, quietly began to grow. Wen Yelan became even more silent, speaking to almost no one except for necessary work communication.
Wen Yelan threw himself even more desperately into his work, trying to numb himself with heavy data analysis, but the shadows under his eyes grew darker.
He knew what Fan Qingzhi was doing, and he anticipated that things were sliding toward a direction he didn’t want to see. But his inherent pride and stubbornness prevented him from doing the same thing to “compete.”
He stubbornly believed that academic matters should remain academic.
However, reality dealt him a heavy blow.
Friday was the day the project review results were posted. Wen Yelan arrived at the office early and found a crowd gathered around the bulletin board. A sudden tightness seized his chest, and he quickly walked over. On the public notice board, the result was clearly displayed: “Moonlight Foundation, Key Issues in Glacier Monitoring and Paleoclimate Change Research,” Awarded to: Fan Qingzhi.
The area instantly fell silent, and everyone’s gaze, whether overt or subtle, turned toward him. Wen Yelan stood rooted to the spot, motionless, as if nailed there.
Wen Yelan stared at the name, his mind momentarily blank. Although he had anticipated it, when the result was laid bare before him, the sharp disappointment pierced the calm he had struggled to maintain, like an ice pick.
“Oh, congratulations to Dr. Fan!” “Qingzhi was indeed very well-prepared this time, and her proposal matched the funder’s needs…” “Yes, yes, well-deserved…”
Colleagues congratulated the beaming Fan Qingzhi. Fan Qingzhi smiled in response, her gaze inadvertently sweeping over Wen Yelan’s pale face. A flicker of guilt crossed her eyes, quickly replaced by satisfaction and triumph.
Wen Yelan said nothing. He quietly turned and returned to his seat. He opened his computer and stared at the screen, unable to read a single word. Did it have to be this way? Wen Yelan felt unwilling to accept it, his heart aching with every beat. Was his dedication, his persistence, truly so insignificant?
Just then, a message popped up on his phone.