Just as He Yuan had anticipated, someone was indeed behind the recent trouble at the research institute.
It was that Uncle Zhou – the maternal uncle of Xiao Zhou from the supply and marketing cooperative, who had been sent away for a long time after Director Wang and Ji Shuyu teamed up to expose him for reselling materials and passing off inferior goods as high-quality.
After his last encounter with the Public Security Bureau, he felt he had lost face and had a source of income cut off, harboring a deep grudge against Ji Shuyu and Director Wang.
Seeing that not only was Ji Shuyu unscathed, but she was also becoming more successful, even starting some research institute focused on shell materials, full of vigor and vitality, with strong support from the military, Uncle Zhou’s resentment flared up again.
He thought to himself, if this institute really succeeds, wouldn’t Ji Shuyu become even more formidable?
Furthermore, regarding the shell business, in the past, islanders sold them sporadically. He could still use his niece Xiao Zhou or others to acquire good items at low prices and resell them for a profit. But if everything became standardized by the institute, how could he intervene in the future? How could he skim profits?
Wasn’t this cutting off his source of income again?
So, he sought out Cadre Qian, who also held a grudge against Ji Shuyu, feeling she was too high-profile and didn’t show him proper respect. The two hit it off immediately.
Uncle Zhou secretly incited Uncle Ah Wang and others who relied on collecting and selling shells for a living, exaggerating that the institute intended to monopolize all the good shells, leaving everyone without a livelihood.
Cadre Qian then used his position to pressure the institute, hoping to make Ji Shuyu back down from the challenge or, at the very least, create an opportunity for himself to get involved and take a share of the profits.
When there was money to be made, even though Cadre Qian understood nothing about it, he still wanted to muscle in and profit.
They had assumed that Ji Shuyu, being a young woman, would be flustered facing such a confrontational situation and would either yield or have to beg them for help.
Unexpectedly, Ji Shuyu didn’t play by the usual rules at all. She bypassed them directly by offering jobs, pulling the originally opposed islanders to her side and effortlessly resolving the crisis.
He Yuan’s behind-the-scenes warnings made Cadre Qian nervous, too afraid to openly cause trouble again.
Watching the institute not only survive but grow closer to some islanders, Uncle Zhou was so angry he smashed a cup at home.
“That Ji Shuyu! You’re something else!”
Uncle Zhou’s face was dark. “And that He Yuan, backing her up just because of his status! This isn’t over!”
If brute force didn’t work, he considered softer or more underhanded tactics.
He carefully inquired about the institute’s activities, pondering what major plans Ji Shuyu actually had for these shells. He refused to believe he couldn’t find a new weak point.
Back at the institute, the temporary crisis was resolved, and work proceeded more smoothly.
With the help of some islanders, the efficiency of basic material preprocessing improved significantly, allowing Ji Shuyu to devote more energy to core technical research and development.
In the evening, Ji Shuyu discussed the day’s response and its effects with He Yuan.
He Yuan smiled and nodded. “You handled it very well. Shared interests make the most solid alliance. However, Uncle Zhou and Cadre Qian likely won’t give up so easily.”
“If they don’t dare act openly, they might resort to underhanded tricks. You need to pay more attention to the institute’s security and the flow of materials.”
“I know,” Ji Shuyu sighed. “I just want to do some research quietly. Why is it so difficult?”
“Where there are people, there is conflict, especially when interests are involved,” He Yuan comforted her, patting her shoulder.
“Don’t worry, I’m here. Regarding your mother’s notebook, I’ve followed up. There’s already some progress on that end; they are verifying the details. We should have preliminary news soon.”
Mentioning Su Wanning’s notebook perked Ji Shuyu up.
Compared to the petty scheming surrounding her, she cared more about Su Wanning’s story. For some reason, she felt that if she could uncover the truth about Su Wanning, it might reveal a very important secret.
A few days later, He Yuan received the first investigation report from the mainland.
He found Ji Shuyu with a grave expression.
“Shuyu, we found information about that Professor Wang from Peking University. His full name is Wang Hansheng. He was a leading authority in the field of materials science. But over a decade ago, shortly after the period mentioned in your mother’s notebook, he was investigated due to some historical issues. Although he was eventually cleared, he was removed from core research and teaching work. He passed away from illness a few years ago.”
Ji Shuyu’s heart sank. “He passed away…”
“Yes,” He Yuan continued. “The key point is, the investigators visited some of Professor Wang’s former students and colleagues. They vaguely learned that back then, he did indeed greatly appreciate a young woman surnamed Su. She was said to be exceptionally talented. Although not a formal student, she often audited his classes and discussed academic questions with him.”
“Professor Wang even strongly recommended her for an exception to participate in the selection for an extremely important advanced study program. But later…”
“What happened later?” Ji Shuyu asked urgently.
“Later, that woman surnamed Su seemed to voluntarily give it up due to family reasons. Not long after that, Professor Wang encountered his troubles. The timeline matches.”
He Yuan looked at Ji Shuyu. “Combined with the words in the notebook, it’s likely your mother’s withdrawal back then wasn’t voluntary but forced. It’s even hard to say if Professor Wang’s subsequent misfortune was related to this.”
Ji Shuyu clenched her fists. Family reasons? The Ji family! Ji Guodong!
She was almost certain that Su Wanning’s talent was stifled by the Ji family, most likely by Ji Guodong himself.
And did his subsequent coldness and disgust towards the original owner also stem from jealousy of Su Wanning’s talent, or from resentment over this past event?
The clues were gradually becoming clearer, pointing towards that nominal father.
“He Yuan, I need you to help me with one more thing.”
Her expression turned stern as she looked at He Yuan.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the island, Uncle Zhou had also used his channels to learn some news that made him even more envious.
It seemed that large merchants from outside the island were very interested in the processed material made from the special shells Ji Shuyu was researching and were willing to purchase it at high prices.
The prices far exceeded any profit he could currently imagine.
Greed and jealousy instantly overwhelmed him.
“No! I absolutely can’t let her succeed!”
A ruthless light flashed in Uncle Zhou’s eyes. “Since you cut off my source of income, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”
A more sinister plan began to brew in his mind.
This time, he would muddy the waters even further, even if it meant… resorting to some underhanded methods.
However, Ji Shuyu was already wary. After finalizing the initial list of cooperating islanders, she had instructed the institute’s researchers to be cautious of outsiders.
Since Uncle Zhou’s first scheme had failed, he would surely try again. In that case, she would make sure he fell for good.
“Sister Shuyu, Director Wang asked you to go to the supply and marketing cooperative when you have time!”
That day, Xiao Zhang hurriedly came to find Ji Shuyu.
“What is it?”
“Good news, great news! Director Wang can’t even stop smiling!”
Hearing Xiao Zhang’s words, Ji Shuyu raised an eyebrow slightly. What kind of heavenly good news could make Director Wang that happy?
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