Chapter 121: First Day at Work (1)

Qin Chuan's gloomy eyes turned back to the car interior, where Luo Xiuwen's attitude remained resolute, leaving no room for further discussion. After confirming her stance, he took a step back, feeling a mix of confusion and resignation. While he couldn't quite grasp why Jian Yiling was present, he reminded himself that to the Jian family, he was merely a tutor they had hired. Their relationship was strictly professional, and any information regarding Jian Yiling's connection to the Huailing Research Institute was not something he had the right to pry into. 

With the blockage gone, Luo Xiuwen pressed the gas pedal and drove the car into the institute. As the gate closed behind them, she felt a sense of relief wash over her. Whatever was happening outside was no longer her concern. Once she parked, she stepped out first, standing by the passenger side to assist Jian Yiling. She worried that Jian Yiling might struggle to get out and was prepared to help without compromising her dignity. However, to Luo Xiuwen's surprise, Jian Yiling didn't need any assistance; she jumped out of the car effortlessly, landing gracefully on her feet. 

While climbing in might have been a challenge, jumping down was no problem at all. Cheng Yi, hearing the familiar voices, dashed to the entrance to greet them. Several senior professors accompanied him, including Professor Xu, whom Jian Yiling had met earlier. The rest were familiar faces, each excited about her arrival. Typically, the professors preferred to remain engrossed in their own laboratories, avoiding unnecessary distractions. Yet, this morning's news about Jian Yiling coming to report for work had shifted their focus, drawing them out of their research shells.

As Jian Yiling arrived, the old professors surrounded her, their excitement palpable, as if she had brought forth a significant breakthrough in their research endeavors. Cheng Yi noticed Luo Xiuwen and hesitated to voice his original intentions, remembering that it was supposed to be his responsibility to pick up Jian Yiling. Instead, he found himself momentarily sidelined after Luo Xiuwen had tossed him aside earlier.

Inside the institute, the professors bombarded Jian Yiling with questions, primarily centered around the thesis she had recently submitted for review. The gathering became so engrossed that even Luo Xiuwen found herself pushed aside, unable to interject amidst the flurry of inquiries. The younger researchers, in their thirties, stood at a distance, watching the interaction unfold with a mixture of admiration and curiosity.

Cheng Yi turned to Luo Xiuwen, his expression playful. "You know, it's pretty obvious that there's an imbalance here with all these men around. Finally, we have a female presence, and you're hogging her all to yourself. Why are you fighting with us over this? Aren't you a woman too?"

Luo Xiuwen shot him a look of indignation. "What's that supposed to mean? I've always wanted a sister, but my mother wouldn't let her give birth to another one. Now I'm stuck here surrounded by you guys every day; it's been frustrating!" 

Cheng Yi raised an eyebrow, curious about her backstory. "Why doesn't your mom want to have another child?"

Luo Xiuwen rolled her eyes, exasperated. "My mom said that with me around, the house is already chaotic enough. If she had another one like me, they might end up living on the streets!" 

"Wow," Cheng Yi replied, stifling a laugh. "Your mom has a point."

The crowd around Jian Yiling remained engrossed for a full two hours before they finally dispersed, each professor returning to their respective workstations, albeit with lingering excitement about her presence. Cheng Yi took the opportunity to guide Jian Yiling to her office.

"Welcome to your new workspace," he said, gesturing around the modest but functional office. "Every member of the institute is assigned an independent office. Your personal laboratory is available as well; you'll need to fill out a request for the equipment you require. The institute will handle the procurement and installation for you. Of course, most of the equipment you'll need is located on the second floor."

Jian Yiling nodded, already familiar with the setup, having experienced a similar arrangement at her previous research institute. This was a comforting continuity in an otherwise new environment, and she appreciated the thoughtfulness behind it. 

As she took in her new surroundings, she felt a mix of excitement and anticipation. The institute promised a wealth of opportunities, and she was eager to dive into her research. With her office set up and her laboratory awaiting her input, she was ready to begin this new chapter of her academic career.