Lin Jiayi waved her hand irritably. "I get it. But recruiting people alone isn't enough—we still need research projects. Let go of me, I'm going to see your principal."
That student surnamed Wu actually dared to reject her invitation? She would like to see just how tough he thought he was, thinking he could turn down the Central Research Institute!
After sending Lin Muyao away, Lin Jiayi strode into the teachers' building.
Meanwhile, in the principal's office, Mu Yanning was leisurely sipping tea.
"Principal Wan," she said, "you can't refuse what I just proposed. Forget that Wu Cheng is already interning under my husband—this project also carries the efforts of my student, Shu Lanzhou."
"And considering Wu Cheng's personal wishes, if you overstep by awarding this project to someone else for personal reasons, I won't let it slide."
Wan Ruihua looked like he had just swallowed a bitter pill.
Moments ago, he had received a call from Director Zhou of the Academic Affairs Office, informing him that Wu Cheng had rejected Lin Jiayi's invitation. And now, Mu Yanning was blocking him in his office!
The university had collaborations with numerous research institutes, sending talent to them every year. He had already promised Lin Jiayi that she could handpick her candidates this year.
Who would have thought the grand prize winner wouldn't be from Han Weicheng's team this time? And on top of that, Wu Cheng had connections to Mu Yanning!
Mu Yanning and Han Weicheng had old grudges, and by extension, tensions with Lin Jiayi too. Now the two sides were fighting over a student, and he was caught right in the middle!
Still, he had no choice—Mu Yanning was a faculty member at his university, and he couldn't very well side with outsiders.
Especially now that Wu Cheng had already turned Lin Jiayi down.
Wan Ruihua glanced at Mu Yanning. "You usually stay out of these matters. Why the sudden concern for external collaborations?"
"I don't usually meddle," Mu Yanning replied with a smile, "but that doesn't mean I won't when it matters. You probably know I've recently launched a new project at the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital?"
"It happens to align closely with Wu Cheng's innovation project. I want to merge the two and pursue further collaboration with Professor He."
That reason steadied Principal Wan's wavering heart. "Alright," he said, "but you'll have to discuss it with Wu Cheng yourself. As long as he agrees, I won't interfere."
"No way!" Lin Jiayi burst through the door, face clouded with anger.
"Principal Wan, you can't agree to this! Once this project moves forward, the manpower and resources it will require aren't things that Professors He and Mu can manage alone."
"Only by handing it over to me will you be acting in the best interests of your student!"
Mu Yanning let out a soft chuckle. "Lin, you're really overestimating yourself. What gives you the right to say that? Your title as deputy director of the Research Institute? Or your Lin family background?"
"If it's your deputy director title—sorry, Professor He is backed by the Institute's director himself. In that regard, he's no less than you."
"And if it's your Lin family background—"
She smiled coldly. "Well, why don't you tell me—do you think the Mu family stands any lower than the Lin family?"
"…"
Cold sweat broke out on Wan Ruihua's forehead.
That was not something he could afford to comment on. Both the Lin and Mu families were medical powerhouses—offending either one would be disastrous!
Lin Jiayi's face turned green, then white, but she couldn't find a retort.
Years ago, she had only won the position of deputy director because He Xin wasn't interested and hadn't applied. Otherwise, she wouldn't have stood a chance!
Over the years, He Xin had focused solely on research, enjoying full support from the Institute's director—she couldn't touch him even if she wanted to.
Besides, the Mu family's prestige in medicine far exceeded that of the Lin family, and their financial backing was leagues ahead. Against Mu Yanning, she stood no chance!
She had always underestimated them, assuming they stayed low-key and uninterested in power struggles, focusing mainly on traditional medicine.
Never had she imagined they would suddenly step up to fight her for talent.
Suppressing her rage, Lin Jiayi forced a smile.
"Mu Yanning, we've known each other for years. Back when your sister and I were close friends, wasn't the Mu family always dedicated to promoting traditional medicine?"
"There's no need for you to fight me over a western medicine project. How about this—if your team lacks personnel, I'll send you a few experienced researchers. Let me have this project."
Mu Yanning laughed outright. "So when the hard approach doesn't work, you try the soft one?"
"Unfortunately, neither works on me—especially your tricks, Lin Jiayi."
"And don't you dare mention my sister! If it weren't for you, she wouldn't have had that car accident."
"You are not worthy of calling yourself her friend!"
Mu Yanning stood up and glanced at Wan Ruihua. "Principal Wan, I'll speak to Wu Cheng myself. Remember what you promised."
Without waiting for a response, she walked out of the office.
Lin Jiayi's face twitched with anger. "Mu! Are you really going to fight me over this?"
"If you've got the ability," Mu Yanning sneered without looking back, "then try and take him!"
Fuming, Lin Jiayi turned to Wan Ruihua. "You're just going to stand by and watch? Hand over a highly promising project to a traditional medicine professor? You know very well what kind of shape the Mu family is in right now!"
"Are you not concerned about the university's reputation?"
Wan Ruihua rubbed his forehead wearily.
"Deputy Director Lin, with all due respect, I can't comment on the Mu family's situation. But Professor Mu isn't taking this project for herself—it's for Professor He."
"Besides, Wu Cheng's specialization aligns exactly with Professor He's field. He's already interning under him. Merging the projects would be standard practice."
"I imagine that's probably why Wu Cheng turned down your offer in the first place. And since Professor He is a professor at the Central Research Institute, isn't this still a collaboration between the university and the institute?"
"I don't see how that would harm the university's reputation."
Lin Jiayi was about to explode.
She never expected the usually accommodating Principal Wan—who had promised her the freedom to select students—to suddenly switch sides.
"What did the Mus offer you for you to speak for them like this?" she demanded.
Wan Ruihua's face darkened instantly, and he shot to his feet.
"Deputy Director Lin, you're a respected figure. Please don't make baseless accusations. I'm simply stating the facts—I'm not favoring anyone."
"Besides, as educators, we should respect our students' autonomy. They are university students, adults—they should be able to make their own choices!"
"If there's nothing else, I have a meeting to attend. Please, see yourself out."
God, he was furious—so angry his chest ached. He had tried not to offend Lin Jiayi, given her status, and he could tolerate a lot for the sake of recruiting talent.
But to accuse him of taking bribes from Mu Yanning? That he could not endure, not even as a joke!
Wan Ruihua stood up to see her out, and Lin Jiayi's face twisted with rage.
She realized she'd let her temper get the best of her, but it was too late—she couldn't bring herself to apologize.
Besides, she and Wan Ruihua rarely interacted outside of official business. If they fell out, so be it!
Face dark, Lin Jiayi stormed out of the principal's office, determined that she would have to find Wu Cheng directly.
But she hadn't gone far when she spotted Mu Yanning standing with Wu Cheng—not far away, Shu Lanzhou and He Sixin by their side.