109: Chapter 109 Senior Professional Titles

Life in the laboratory was like a slowly titrating reagent, passing day by day.

Zhang Weijie immersed himself in the laboratory's rhythm, culturing cells, preparing reagents, and recording data, using a near-mechanical busyness to numb himself.

He tried to lock the act of reporting, along with the coldness and emptiness of that night, deep within his memories, as if it had never happened.

That day, just as he placed a set of Petri dishes into the incubator, Sun Liren's internal line rang.

"Old Zhang, once you're finished with what's on hand, come to my office."

Professor Sun's voice sounded as gentle as ever, with a touch of familiar warmth.

Pushing the door open, Sun Liren was sitting behind a large desk.

He gestured for Zhang Weijie to sit, a habitual, relaxing smile on his face.

"Old Zhang, have a seat."

Sun Liren pointed to the chair opposite him, wearing his usual smile that carried a hint of scrutiny.

"Counting the days, you've been in my lab for... hmm, almost five years now, right?"

Zhang Weijie sat in the chair across from him. His posture wasn't stiff, but his back subconsciously straightened a bit as he nodded.

"Yes, nearly five years. Working under you, Professor Sun, I've also published a few decent papers."

Sun Liren nodded, leaning forward slightly with his hands clasped on the desk, adopting a posture of heart-to-heart sincerity.

"Indeed, it's been quite a while. I've always thought highly of you; you're down-to-earth and dedicated to your research."

"Your experimental records are also meticulous. There aren't many steady backbones like you in my lab."

He paused, observing Zhang Weijie's reaction, and continued.

"Actually, I have an Associate Senior Researcher title here that I've been saving for you."

"As you know, competition in the institute is fierce and slots are limited. Previously, your seniority and... well, heavyweight achievements were just a bit lacking."

Zhang Weijie's heart skipped a beat.

Associate Senior Researcher!

This meant a stable position, better pay, and more independent research space—it was practically the ceiling for an ordinary Researcher like him.

He looked up, a flicker of desire crossing his eyes, but it was quickly masked by deeper, more complex emotions.

He tried to make his voice sound calm and positive.

"Thank you for your high regard, Professor Sun! I will definitely give this project my all and strive to produce solid data and results as soon as possible, to live up to your expectations!"

Sun Liren seemed dissatisfied with Zhang Weijie's evasive answer.

The smile on his face faded slightly, and the rhythm of his fingers tapping the desk quickened as he cut straight to the point.

"Project results are the foundation, but sometimes, just working hard isn't enough. You have to... look a bit further ahead."

He leaned back into his chair, his gaze becoming meaningful.

"That material I gave you last time... regarding that fanciful project in the lab next door... have you... had any thoughts on it?"

Zhang Weijie seemed to have lost his spirit, forcing a slightly tired and helpless smile onto his face.

"Thoughts? Professor Sun, what thoughts could I have? They have a strong background, a big project, and plenty of money.

We... just need to do our own part. We can't control other people's paths, can we?"

His tone was flat, even carrying a hint of resigned dejection, completely devoid of his previous indignation.

The routine in the lab lately, combined with the lack of news from his report, had indeed worn down much of his edge.

"Can't control it?"

Sun Liren gave a light chuckle, sounding dismissive.

"Old Zhang, those words don't sound like you. What era is this? The Internet era!

Aren't there many Self-media outlets online now? No matter how strong his background is, can he stop the mouths of the public?"

He picked up the thermos on the desk, took a slow sip of tea, and stared sharply at Zhang Weijie.

"I heard that you also like to post your 'lofty opinions' online, on places like Zhihu?"

Zhang Weijie thought of his account on Zhihu, which had a small following.

He did enjoy using the tone of an industry insider to critique research phenomena, savoring the vanity of being liked and questioned for details by netizens.

He was very proficient in those tropes like "Currently in China, just stepped off the lab bench," "Those who know, know," and "Conflict of interest, staying anonymous."

But that was online; under a pseudonym, he could say whatever he wanted.

In reality, he was a conscientious, rigorous, and professional Researcher who wouldn't dare speak out of turn.

Zhang Weijie said vaguely.

"Yes... I occasionally write a bit, just chatting to pass the time."

"Exactly!"

Sun Liren set down the thermos, his voice rising with an encouraging tone.

"If you have insights, you should speak up! Let more people see them!

That project involves a massive investment and such a... radical direction. It should be subject to public scrutiny and discussion, shouldn't it?

This is also being responsible for the rational use of research funding!"

He leaned forward again, his tone becoming extremely enticing as he tapped the desk heavily with his finger.

"Old Zhang, this project is about to conclude. The data is solid, and the results are significant.

As long as you... well, at the right time, voice some rational concerns to get everyone to focus on the cost-benefit ratio of research investment... once the project report is out, I will immediately recommend you for the First Author credit!

With this heavyweight First Author paper, combined with your previous accumulation, attaining the Associate Senior Researcher title will be a sure thing!

You're not young anymore, Old Zhang. The opportunity is right in front of you. If you delay any longer... the young people behind are pushing hard, and positions will be hard to come by."

"Associate Senior Researcher... First Author..."

These words struck Zhang Weijie's heart like a heavy hammer.

Sun Liren had accurately poked his weak spot.

He had worked hard for so many years; wasn't it all for a prestigious position and results that could prove his worth?

Although Sun Liren's methods were somewhat unsavory, in this lab, he usually followed through on his promises to maintain team stability and his own prestige.

He had already made an anonymous report once, and it hadn't caused a ripple.

What harm would it do to post something else online?

Like Sun Liren said, without traffic, who would see it?

As long as he wrote professionally and obscurely, framing it as a rational discussion on the direction of research investment without naming names, how much of a storm could it really cause?

Yet the reward would be a tangible professional title and status...

A brief silence fell over the office, broken only by the ticking of the clock on the wall.

An internal war raged within Zhang Weijie. Reason told him this was poison coated in honey, but his thirst for success and dissatisfaction with his current situation were slowly eroding the dam of his logic.

He thought of the countless nights he had stayed up, the expectant looks of his family, and those younger than him who had moved faster due to background or luck...

Finally, he looked up to meet Sun Liren's calculating gaze. His Adam's apple bobbed with difficulty, and his voice was dry, yet carried a sense of desperate determination.

"Professor Sun... you're right. Some things are indeed worth discussing."

He paused and added, his tone carrying a trace of imperceptible tension.

"The things you promised me... the authorship and recommendation after the project concludes... please see to them."

The smile on Sun Liren's face instantly bloomed, looking exceptionally satisfied, even carrying the air of a victor.

"Rest assured! Old Zhang, I, Sun Liren, have always been a man of my word! Work hard, and your future is in my hands!"

He reached out and slapped Zhang Weijie's shoulder hard.

Zhang Weijie's shoulder dipped slightly under the blow, and he forced a strained smile.

He felt as if he had stepped into a quagmire; the ground was slimy, the path ahead was blurred, but there seemed to be no way back.