1970s: Hot wife accompanies the army, cold-faced rough man is not easy to tease

Chapter 311 Poaching from the Other Side

Because Lu Youyou was too busy, she used to be able to come once a week, but the intervals between visits gradually became longer.

Song Huanian couldn't see people often, so she couldn't bear to let go of them now that she had seen them today.

While loving someone because of their love for them is only part of the story, Song Huanian genuinely adores his granddaughter-in-law, Lu Youyou. She is outstanding in every way, from character to looks. In his seventy-odd years of life, he has never met anyone more exceptional than Lu Youyou.

Song Huanian felt even more reluctant to part with her grandson who couldn't come to the United States and whose daughter-in-law would have to go back after graduation.

"Youyou, I remember you said the government-sponsored scholarship period was until you graduated with your master's degree?"

"Yes, I'll go back after I get my master's degree."

"Have you ever thought about pursuing further studies? If there are no government-sponsored spots, you'll have to pay for it yourself. Your grandfather will cover your tuition."

Before Lu Youyou could speak, Song Yunqing couldn't help but speak first.

"Grandpa, let's not even talk about tuition fees. If my sister-in-law weren't a government-sponsored student studying abroad, she would be raking in scholarships. If she just said she wanted to pursue a PhD, her advisor could get the paperwork done by tomorrow!"

This is no exaggeration. Professor Hopkins had already mentioned the doctoral program to Lu Youyou. She didn't need to worry about the quota, procedures, or tuition fees. As long as she was willing, it could be taken care of immediately.

Song Huanian beamed, his pride evident in his eyes: "Really? Good, good, then I'm relieved. Youyou, what are your thoughts?"

Lu Youyou shook her head: "I don't have any plans to pursue a doctorate for the time being."

Song Huanian's smile remained gentle: "Is there anything you're worried about? You can talk to your grandfather about it."

"I have no worries, I just want to go back to China."

Lu Youyou went abroad not because she was particularly passionate about studying and scientific research, but simply because she wanted to do her best to help the country catch up.

If pursuing a PhD would allow her to visit all the top-tier laboratories in the United States, she would definitely stay, but that is certainly impossible.

She does have a photographic memory, but she can't do magic or become invisible. Staying here will only mean spending a few more years in Professor Hopkins' laboratory.

She is aware of the research projects and future plans in the lab; they are all large-scale projects, and there will be no significant progress in the short term.

Of course, if she puts in the effort, she could make leaps and bounds, but she could use that time to improve herself back in China, saving herself the trouble of paying patent fees to foreign countries for decades.

The same applies to her second major. Her supervisor is researching genetically modified technology, which is still in the exploratory stage and will take some time before it is truly applied to the food industry.

She copied everything she could; the rest was just a matter of painstaking work. This part could also be done domestically, and who knows, China might become a leader in genetically modified technology in this lifetime.

The glitz and glamour outside held no appeal for Lu Youyou. As long as she had a research direction, it didn't matter if the conditions were poor; it would just mean spending more time.

She missed home, missed her parents, and missed Gu Qingye.

Although Song Huanian felt it was a pity, she didn't say much. Song Yunqing, on the other hand, couldn't bear to part with her and sidled over from the other side of the sofa, holding her arm tightly against her.

"Sister-in-law, are you really going back to China right after graduation? Aren't you going to reconsider?"

Song Yunqing's face practically screamed "bewitching."

Lu Youyou smiled without saying a word, while Song Yunqing continued her efforts to steal her cousin's girlfriend.

"Look, you've been in America for so long but haven't had time to go out and have fun. Stay a few more years and I'll take you all over North America, South America, and Europe too. I'll be your tour guide!"

"You can also come back to China to find me, and I'll show you the beautiful landscapes of our motherland."

Song Yunqing looked distressed. She wanted to, but she was only a sophomore and wouldn't have time for the next two or three years.

"Sister-in-law, I can't bear to part with you!" These few words took many turns. Song Yunqing never expected that she would still have to resort to the art of coquetry at the age of twenty. She knew that coquetry was useless, but she just couldn't bear to part with Lu Youyou.

The two had only known each other for a little over a year, but they hit it off immediately. Now that Lu Youyou was their cousin's wife, they were even more inseparable and had no inhibitions.

"You can come to China to find me after you graduate, and you can stay as long as you want."

Lu Youyou's mind stirred slightly, and she began to undermine the foundation from the opposite direction.

The younger generation of the Song family are all academic high-achievers. Song Shaoqing is a Harvard alumnus, Song Yunqing was admitted to Stanford, and I heard that Song Jingting's son from Hong Kong was admitted to Cambridge last year.

Song Shaoqing is out of the question; she's never met the one from Cambridge. But Song Yunqing is definitely worth a try!

Song Yunqing hadn't taken it to heart at first, but when she saw Lu Youyou's eyes, she paused for a moment: "Sister-in-law, are you serious?"

"Of course, you can come and visit during your winter and summer vacations. If you can adapt, come and find me after you graduate."

Song Yunqing's major wasn't business, which is popular among the third generation of wealthy families. Instead, she chose biology, which she was interested in. She didn't have to worry about supporting her family and could do whatever she wanted in the future.

She seriously considered what Lu Youyou said, and it seemed like it might actually work?

"But what could I do if I went?"

Lu Youyou briefly explained her future plans: "When the time is right, I plan to establish a private laboratory."

Song Yunqing's mouth dropped open: "How much will that cost?!"

In her mind, Lu Youyou was undoubtedly a genius, but even geniuses aren't guaranteed success in research.

Without producing results, scientific research is a bottomless pit; no amount of money can fill it.

Little did they know that this was exactly what Lu Youyou feared least. The right direction was right in her heart; all she needed was time, manpower, and the occasional flash of inspiration.

Lu Youyou smiled confidently, but Song Yunqing's imagination exploded in the opposite direction; she already had a picture in her mind—

My dear cousin's wife was at her wits' end because her research had stalled; all the money she had invested had gone down the drain. She cried, and my cousin cried too...

Song Yunqing shuddered. This wouldn't do; she had to help!
Even if she's just a cobbler, she might still be of some use, and every little bit helps to reduce the loss.

Seeing Song Yunqing's insistence on helping, Lu Youyou's smile deepened.

The progress bar for digging the foundation has moved forward a little further, which is cause for celebration.

*
Ever since Song Huanian learned that Lu Youyou would be returning to China after graduation, he has become even more attentive to her.

Since he couldn't go home every week, he would have the chef prepare nutritious meals and deliver them to him every few days.

You don't need to worry about food, clothing, housing, or transportation; the housekeeper will take care of everything.

He also instructed Song Shaoqing to come and visit whenever he had time, and the more Song Shaoqing came, the more often he encountered Li Mingyue.

If you're in a hurry, just give a quick greeting; if you're not, you might exchange a few words.

Over time, Li Mingyue learned a lot of information, such as that Lu Youyou was related to the Song family, and that Song Shaoqing was not only a project manager, but also the son of computer tycoon Song Heting.

That alone was enough to make her heart pound. Lawrence couldn't reach him, but what about Song Shaoqing? What if she could reach him...?

But the thought of Lu Youyou's calm eyes felt like being doused with a bucket of ice water in the dead of winter, chilling me to the bone.

What should she do?