Genius Playground

After all...

A Time Travel Machine was something that could change the world. Even presenting the tiniest bit of theory on it would be groundbreaking.

’Even if I accomplish nothing with this project, no one would doubt my abilities. It’s a failure everyone can accept. At most, they’d just laugh at my poor choice of research direction, but they couldn’t deny my pursuit of the truths of space and time.’

"No!"

Zhang Yang waved a dismissive hand.

"Absolutely not!"

"Why not?" Jiang Ran protested.

"I know no one has ever researched this, but that’s exactly why I want to! What’s the point of always following in others’ footsteps, just picking up their scraps? I want to research a brand new field, a groundbreaking product!"

Zhang Yang spread his hands in exasperation, his voice taking on a heavy, heartfelt tone.

"My great senior! Your idea is just too ridiculous. How could this topic possibly get approved?"

"Let’s just assume you’re actually serious. Could you at least consider my reputation as your advisor?"

"This is my first year advising a graduate student, and on top of that, it’s a recognized, peerless genius recommended by the Longke Institute who fast-tracked into the program... All eyes are on us, waiting to see what we’ll achieve."

"You know what, forget what I said. I apologize. I was too hasty, I pushed you too hard. Let’s just call it a day. Go home and think it over... Please, don’t act on a whim. You have to at least pick a normal topic..."

"What’s not genius about this topic?" Jiang Ran insisted.

"It’s precisely because I’m a genius that I *should* be researching this!"

’This logic is flawless,’ Jiang Ran thought.

’Isn’t this what a genius is supposed to do?’

’Lu Yu is a recognized super genius, and there’s a high probability that he was the one who invented the Time Travel Machine.’

’If Lu Yu, a real super genius, could research the Time Travel Machine, why can’t I, a fake "super genius," do the same?’

’If Lu Yu could walk that path, then so can I!’

"No! Absolutely not!"

Zhang Yang was just as unyielding.

"This topic is out of the question, no matter what. There’s no way I’m submitting it for you!"

For a moment, the air crackled with tension. Neither of them would yield an inch.

But Jiang Ran knew.

He had to secure this research topic.

’It’s the only way to play it safe, to free up enough time to carry out my own plans at East Sea University without blowing my cover.’

’Since Zhang Yang won’t agree...’

’Then I’ll have to call for reinforcements. Time to bring out the big guns to put on the pressure.’

"Hmph."

Jiang Ran let out a calculated snort.

"If Dean Gao Yan heard my choice of topic, he would definitely support me."

"Hahahahahahahaha."

Even Zhang Yang, who was furious, was instantly disarmed by this absurd statement and couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

"Are you trying to make me laugh? The Dean of the Longke Institute supporting your research on a time machine?"

Jiang Ran raised an eyebrow.

"Is that a problem?"

"A problem? Of course not! It’s more than fine!"

Zhang Yang found the student before him to be utterly incorrigible.

"It seems I’m not qualified to teach you. How about I just call you ’Teacher’ from now on?"

Jiang Ran had left him completely dumbfounded. He’d never met such a headstrong student who refused to listen to a word of advice.

"To actually say that Dean Gao would support you researching a time machine... Jiang Ran, you’re too full of yourself! It’s true the Dean of the Longke Institute admires you, but you think he’d go along with this nonsense!?"

"Heh, ridiculous! If Teacher Gao actually agrees to you researching a Time Travel Machine—"

"Fine! If he really agrees, then I’ll drop my research on Quantum Tunneling! I’ll call you Senior Brother, become your Junior Brother, and help you research the Time Travel Machine! How about that?!"

In all his years, this was the first time Teacher Zhang Yang, a man always known for his good temper and easygoing nature, had lost his composure in front of a student.

He’d even resorted to sarcasm, his tone dripping with passive aggression.

’Surely,’ he thought, ’even the most rebellious student would have to back down after hearing that, right?’

However...

The next second...

Jiang Ran said something that made Zhang Yang’s blood boil!

"Done."

Jiang Ran agreed without a moment’s hesitation.

"It’s a deal!"