Chapter 43: The Arrogant Wei Juan Asks

"Professor Xiao, what do you mean?" Zhu Lan asked uncertainly.

Professor Xiao shook his head. "Qin Min told me about your situation. She called me a few days ago. I thought you should have come earlier."

Xiao Cang sat down and smiled at Zhu Lan. "Sorry, I've been so busy that I forgot," Zhu Lan replied.

Xiao Cang didn't mind and sat there, lost in thought. Seeing this, Zhu Lan didn't dare interrupt him.

"Sorry, I was distracted," Zhu Lan said with an awkward smile.

"Zhu Lan, right? Qin Min has told me about your situation. I've given it a lot of thought," Xiao Cang said.

Zhu Lan immediately straightened up. "You probably know about my circumstances," Zhu Lan nodded.

"I don't mind," Zhu Lan said.

Xiao Cang nodded with satisfaction. "I knew you'd say that. Otherwise, Qin Min wouldn't have recommended me to you. She knows my temperament well."

"I've discussed it with my wife. I think I should decline your invitation," Xiao Cang said.

Zhu Lan didn't reply, but his expression was less pleasant than before.

"Can you give me a reason?" Zhu Lan asked.

Seeing that Zhu Lan wasn't angry, Xiao Cang nodded secretly. "Ever since that incident, I've become indifferent. I don't want to re-enter that circle."

Zhu Lan sighed. "In that case, I suppose I've come for nothing today. Sorry to have disturbed you." He didn't press further; since Xiao Cang was unwilling, Zhu Lan wouldn't force him. The follow-up research on the gene optimization fluid needed someone genuinely committed. If he dragged someone in against their wishes, nothing good would come of it.

"Wait!" Xiao Cang called out helplessly as Zhu Lan prepared to leave.

"I haven't finished yet," he said.

"Oh? Apologies," Zhu Lan replied, a bit embarrassed, and sat back down, waiting for Xiao Cang to continue.

Xiao Cang sighed at Zhu Lan's impatience. "Though I've turned you down, for Qin Min's sake, I can't let you leave empty-handed. I know her temperament—if I let you go with nothing, I don't know how she'll complain to me next time we meet."

"What do you mean?" Zhu Lan asked.

Xiao Cang smiled, stroking his beard. "Though I can't help you, my student can. He was Qin Min's formidable rival back then. Qin Min was a bit stronger, but academically, he's no less than your teacher."

"May I ask who your student is?" Zhu Lan's curiosity was piqued. He knew quite a bit about Qin Min's experiences—she had studied abroad, spent years at Peking University, and at the Political University. But Zhu Lan wasn't so familiar with his own teacher's situation.

"His name is Wei Juanwen, one of my proudest students. His achievements aren't as high as your teacher's, but academically, he's the best fit for you."

"Wei Juanwen? Professor Xiao, I've never heard that name before. I looked into it before coming—there doesn't seem to be such a person in the country."

Xiao Cang wasn't offended, just smiled lightly. "It's normal you haven't heard of him. Even your teacher has probably forgotten he exists."

"Oh? What's the story?"

"My student had some issues with his identity. While studying at Peking University, he left halfway and returned to the Netherlands, where he continued his studies until graduation. Afterward, he worked at S and another research institute. Because he fell in love, he chased her back to China, and now he's staying at home."

"What?" Zhu Lan was stunned. S and the other are top human research institutes in Europe, reportedly subsidiaries of European financial groups. Rumor has it that S was founded by the Italian mafia as a special institute for developing new-generation drugs. Though unverified, these two research institutes are world-class, and in China, only the National Academy can rival them.

And Xiao Cang's student had actually worked at both. No wonder Zhu Lan was so surprised.

"Wait, you said he's at home now?"

Xiao Cang understood what Zhu Lan meant and replied with a bitter smile, "You know how things are here. My student isn't just highly educated; his expertise is first-rate, and he's worked at international research institutes. Such people should be highly sought after. But apart from a few institutes, he doesn't value any domestic ones. And those are all top-tier, so even if I personally approach them, they wouldn't heed me."

Zhu Lan was taken aback. Proud? Aloof? What kind of trouble is this?

He couldn't help laughing, surprised at how unusual Xiao Cang's student was.

"Are you thinking my student is too arrogant?" Xiao Cang seemed to read Zhu Lan's thoughts and spoke calmly.

Zhu Lan hurriedly waved his hands. "No, no, not at all!"

"No need to explain. I've heard it all before. Arrogant is arrogant—it's nothing. I'm recommending him to you; choosing him is your decision. As long as I've explained it to your teacher, that's enough for me."

"Very well. May I meet him?"

The next day, Zhu Lan met Xiao Cang's student, Wei Juanwen, in a café. He was undeniably a striking young man—though already in his thirties, he looked youthful, at least six foot one, with gold-rimmed glasses that lent him a refined air.

"What? You're just going to stare at me? I'm not into men," Wei Juanwen said as he sat down, unnerved by Zhu Lan's steady gaze, and moved his chair back, eyeing Zhu Lan warily.

Zhu Lan rolled his eyes. "Come on."

"Let me introduce myself. I'm Zhu Lan, owner of Fantasy Technology Ltd."

"I know you. Fantasy Technology has been quite the sensation lately," Wei Juanwen replied, unafraid of strangers, standing up to shake hands with Zhu Lan.

"Please, sit."

"Thanks."

"Mr. Wei, your youthful appearance is truly enviable. Who would guess your actual age..." Zhu Lan remarked.

Wei Juanwen wasn't offended; he was used to such comments.

"Mr. Zhu Lan, let's get to the point," he said.

"Alright," Zhu Lan agreed, since Wei Juanwen was so direct.

"Mr. Wei Juanwen, you probably know the company's general situation. Are you interested in joining us?"

"Very straightforward," Wei Juanwen replied with a smile, rather than an answer.

Zhu Lan laughed, "You want directness, I'll give you directness."

"Smart—I like speaking to smart people," Wei Juanwen said, smiling.

Zhu Lan only smiled in response.

"Aren't you going to test me?"

Zhu Lan shook his head. "No need. You've already been assessed."

"Oh? I wasn't aware."

Zhu Lan took something from his bag, placed it on the table, and slid it toward Wei Juanwen.

Wei Juanwen looked at the file curiously, glanced at Zhu Lan, then opened it. The deeper he read, the more his brows furrowed.

After finishing, he put down the file and stared at Zhu Lan in silence. "What's your meaning?"

"Fantasy Technology is committed to biotechnology research. The gene optimization fluid is our first product. Everyone in the company must be thoroughly known. I don't listen to rumors or hearsay; I pull decades of personal records and select the most suitable candidates as employees. Everyone has a probation period, and you're entering yours now. Of course, you can choose to refuse."

The file Zhu Lan showed Wei Juanwen contained his entire history, from birth to the present, including personal experiences and behavioral records.

Of course, the information wasn't complete—no one could have every detail unless they'd been tracked since childhood.

Wei Juanwen's information was easier to gather, perhaps due to his special status.

He had half Italian blood, and when he returned to China to study, this background barred him from many projects. Frustrated, he returned to Europe, studied bio-micro brain science in the Netherlands, and, thanks to his academic record and maternal grandfather's influence, joined the S research institute.

According to the investigation, Wei Juanwen had a clean record—no drinking, no smoking, and top ratings during his years at S and the other institute. Before returning to China, even more advanced institutes had reached out to him, but love drew him home.

Before meeting Wei Juanwen, Zhu Lan had remotely asked Qite to gather his data.

Qite couldn't get everything, but processing such information was simple.

Wei Juanwen's information wasn't classified; though scattered online, it could be pieced together into something comprehensive. Human effort might take a year to compile such a profile, but Qite's intelligent robot, with enough computing power, could easily sort the information and send it to Zhu Lan's phone, which he then printed out—simple as that.

Wei Juanwen looked at Zhu Lan. "What if I choose to refuse?"

Zhu Lan smiled. "You won't refuse."

"Oh? Then I'll tell you now—I refuse your offer."

"Excellent," Zhu Lan said, not annoyed at all, even applauding.

Fortunately, they were in a private room, so the sound didn't carry.

"I said you wouldn't refuse," Zhu Lan remarked, placing a photo on the table.

"You..."

"This is your wife, isn't it? You're facing some trouble now. I can help you solve it, and I can offer your wife a satisfactory job as well."

In the photo, a woman in her late twenties wore a fur coat, exuding the aura of a refined lady.

She was Wei Juanwen's wife, once a socialite and heiress, and a former model. Her status was distinguished. Wei Juanwen had picked this flower, but in doing so, he'd encountered her admirers as well. Now, Wei Juanwen was living amid all sorts of trouble.