From Wage Slave to Tycoon

’Should I just tell him the research institute hasn’t even broken ground yet?’

If he said that, the trust he had just built would instantly plummet to rock bottom.

After a moment of deliberation, Su Chen decided to tell him the truth, but he couldn’t be too blunt about it.

"I only recently took charge of the campus myself, but the higher-ups have already assigned a professional construction team to the site. The research institute will be built and ready in a month at most."

This wasn’t just an empty promise from Su Chen. The professional construction team had indeed moved onto the campus after the Lantern Festival; they were just currently busy surveying and drafting the relevant blueprints.

But to Professor Wu’s ears, this meant something entirely different. ’The higher-ups? Who else could that be? It must be the people from the Imperial Capital.’

’Since the decision came from the top, and they have a professional infrastructure team on it, building a research institute in one month is more than enough time.’

’Conveniently, that one-month window would also give me enough time to wrap up my affairs at the university, so it wouldn’t cause any real delay.’

After a moment of thought, Professor Wu finally made his decision. "Alright... but you’ll have to wait until I’ve settled all my affairs at the university. Besides, there are certain procedures I’ll need to follow to join your institute."

Su Chen understood and nodded in agreement without a moment’s hesitation.

After they finished their discussion, Professor Wu reluctantly handed the file back to Su Chen. He knew how important the document was; if anything happened to it on his watch, it would be a grave mistake.

After securing the file, Su Chen asked curiously, "Professor Wu, who was that old gentleman from before? It seems like you two have quite the relationship."

Perhaps because of their earlier conversation, the awkwardness between them had vanished. Professor Wu didn’t hold back. "Oh, you mean Old Man Chen? He’s a top expert in nuclear engineering. Compared to me, he’s just a *tiny* bit lacking."

Su Chen laughed as he watched Professor Wu gesture with his fingers to show the tiny gap. He hadn’t expected the seemingly stern professor to have such a humorous side. However, his words gave Su Chen an idea.

’Nuclear engineering... The first civilian technology project is related to that, isn’t it?’ In that instant, Su Chen had the idea to poach him. Of course, he couldn’t be so direct about it; he would have to play the long game.

Su Chen glanced at his watch out of the corner of his eye and saw it was nearly noon. An idea struck him, and he smiled. "Professor Wu, it’s getting late. Why don’t we all grab a bite to eat?"

Professor Wu didn’t refuse, accepting the invitation readily.

The three of them had just stepped out the door and gone down a couple of steps when they ran into the very same Old Man Chen from before. It seemed like a rather convenient coincidence.

"Old Wu, where are you all headed?" Old Man Chen asked, his eyes looking Su Chen and his companion up and down.

As friends of many years, Professor Wu knew Old Man Chen inside and out. He knew what the man was up to before he even opened his mouth.

At the words, ’We’re going to lunch, want to come with us?’, not only did Old Man Chen smile happily, but Su Chen was inwardly ecstatic.

’He had been wondering how to poach the man, and here he was, delivering himself right to his doorstep. How could he possibly pass up an opportunity like this?’

He immediately smiled and said, "Since you’re a friend of Professor Wu, please join us. The more the merrier."

The group of four left the building, chatting and laughing. Professor Wu and Old Man Chen walked ahead, whispering to each other, though their voices were a little too loud—Su Chen caught most of what they were saying.

Old Man Chen was curious about the background of Su Chen and his companion, but despite his attempts to fish for information, he couldn’t get a single answer out of Professor Wu. This left him feeling so curious it was like an itch he couldn’t scratch; it was driving him crazy.

Su Chen wasn’t familiar with the area around the university and had no idea where to find a good place to eat, so he let Professor Wu and the others decide.

After a brief discussion, at Old Man Chen’s strong insistence, they chose a Shaanxi restaurant not far from the university.