The fake heiress loves to act? The max-level boss isn't interested in playing along.

Fu Hua took a step forward and stood at the doorway.

"I'm here at Peking University on behalf of Professor Yan to present this award."

The room fell silent again, then a low murmur of discussion broke out.

"Professor Yan? Which Professor Yan?"

"Who else could it be but Old Yan from the Physics Department at Peking University?"

"He sent a student? Isn't that ridiculous?"

The old woman's smile vanished immediately, replaced by a frown.

"Girl, this is no place for jokes, this is the final evaluation of the citywide physics competition."

The judges are all professors and researchers from various universities. What right do you, a student, have to sit here?

An elderly gentleman wearing reading glasses next to us also spoke up, his tone rather impolite.

"If Professor Yan has something to do, he can ask for leave. Sending a student instead is just fooling us. Who gave him permission to do this?"

Fu Hua stood at the door, her face expressionless.

Didn't Professor Yan give me any prior notice?

She never expected to be harassed before even stepping inside.

"Exactly, what gives you the right?"

The old man pulled his reading glasses down and stared at her.

"What papers have you published? What projects have you participated in? What qualifications do you have?"

There have been precedents of awarding prizes to students before, but those were for exceptionally outstanding students.

The girl in front of me is exceptionally beautiful, but this isn't a movie where looks don't matter.

The room fell silent, and all eyes were on Fu Hua.

Some questioned her, some watched the spectacle, and some waited to see how she would handle the situation.

Lu Tingxiao put down his teacup and stood up.

"She was Professor Yan's most outstanding student."

His voice was deep, strong, and unhurried.

Like a bell tolling in the heart in the dead of night, it subconsciously makes one want to quiet down.

"The layered encrypted communication project was led by her team. The military's acceptance inspection was personally approved by the commander."

A murmur of sighs rose from inside the room.

Layered encryption?

The old men's expressions changed.

They certainly know about this project.

Because of the involvement of the military, whenever there are good projects from above, they all prioritize Kyoto University.

Professor Lü stood up from his seat and waved to Fu Hua with a smile.

The two had met once before at a celebration banquet.

"Comrade Xiao Fu is here? Come, come, have a seat here."

He glanced at the few people who were questioning him.

"I've seen this girl before. At the celebration banquet for the layered encryption, Old Man Yan was extremely proud of himself that day, introducing her to everyone he met, saying that he had taken on a good student."

"Professor Yan and I had already discussed this, and she will be presenting the award on my behalf today."

The old lady's expression softened a little, but she still frowned.

"Even a good student can't replace a professor as a judge, can they? This is a city-wide competition, not child's play."

Another old man nearby chimed in, "Exactly! No matter how talented a student is, they're still a student. What are the other kids supposed to think if they're sitting on the judging panel?"

Professor Lü smiled and waved his hand.

"Old Li, you're wrong about that. The evaluation is based on ability, not age. If the person leading the layered encryption isn't qualified, then who is?"

"This will show those award-winning students what true excellence is, and prevent them from getting carried away with winning a competition award."

The old man with reading glasses snorted and didn't say anything more.

Lu Tingxiao sat back down in his chair, picked up his teacup, and stopped looking in his direction.

As soon as Professor Lü finished speaking, the buzzing discussion in the room ceased.

He beckoned to Fu Hua: "Comrade Fu, come, sit here."

Fu Hua walked over and sat down in the empty chair next to him.

The elderly men and women opposite her were still looking at her, but no one spoke again.

Professor Lü opened the documents in front of him and cleared his throat.

"Alright, let's continue. I'll read the award ceremony procedures one more time, so everyone has a general idea."

He read out the process: what time it would start, who would give a speech, who would present the awards, who would speak, and the order of the first, second, and third prizes.

After reading it aloud, I asked if anyone had anything to add.

No one spoke.

"That's settled then."

Professor Lü closed the document. "Ten-minute break, we'll officially begin at 10:30."

The people inside gradually stood up; some went to get water.

Some acquaintances huddled together and spoke in hushed tones.

Fu Hua remained seated, her gaze fixed on the view outside the window.

"Give."

A bottle of Arctic Ocean soda was handed to her, its surface covered with fine water droplets.

Fu Hua looked up and saw Lu Tingxiao standing beside her, holding another bottle in his hand.

"Thank you, Professor."

She took it.

Lu Tingxiao sat down on the chair next to her, unscrewed his own bottle, and took a sip.

Fu Hua also unscrewed the cap and took a small sip.

The cool breeze made me feel much better.

However, the abstinent professor is not like someone who drinks soda.

Shouldn't he like drinking tea?

Why are you looking at me like that?

Lu Tingxiao touched his cheek.

"It's nothing."

Fu Hua withdrew her gaze: "Thank you, Professor, for speaking up for me earlier."

"Of course."

Lu Tingxiao smiled slightly, "You are my student and my junior sister. No matter which way you look at it, there is no reason for me not to help you."

Fu Hua nodded and didn't say anything more.

Lu Tingxiao held the bottle and glanced at her.

"You've heard of that official document, the interdisciplinary biomedical project, right?"

Fu Hua nodded.

"I've heard about it."

"What are your thoughts?"

Lu Tingxiao took a sip of soda and frowned: "There is basically no interdisciplinary research in China. The disciplinary barriers are high, equipment and reagents are scarce, there are no precedents to follow, and there is a shortage of talent. It is difficult to get projects approved and supported."

The experiments were lengthy, had a high failure rate, and were not widely accepted by the mainstream.

In this day and age, many people still think that biology is a peripheral science and medicine is clinical experience, and few people are willing to settle down and do interdisciplinary research.

Fu Hua, however, knew that relying on a single discipline wouldn't lead to long-term success.

The key to truly breaking through bottlenecks lies in interdisciplinary approaches.

Based on biological mechanisms and directed towards medical applications.

Transforming laboratory data into clinically applicable methods and life-saving technologies.

This is the kind of scientific research she wants.

"The ultimate value of scientific research is not how many papers are published, but whether it can truly help people."

She composed herself and said, "Only by combining biology and medicine can China's biomedical field avoid being constantly controlled by others in the future."

One day, even grassroots hospitals will have access to simpler and more accurate diagnostic and treatment methods.

No matter how difficult, someone always has to take the first step.

Lu Tingxiao listened quietly, his eyes revealing undisguised agreement.

She is down-to-earth in her studies, has a broad perspective, and does not pursue empty fame; she is a true researcher.

"Your idea is very good."

His eyes lit up with admiration. "I've read your previous report on the layered encryption project. The logic is clear and the implementation is solid."

In scientific research, the worst thing is to build castles in the air; being able to ground your ideas in reality is a strength.

Fu Hua remained silent, waiting for him to continue.

Lu Tingxiao paused for a moment, then spoke again.

"If you encounter any difficulties in the future, feel free to contact me anytime."

His eyes were gentle and clear. "Whether it's equipment, data, or connections, I'll help as much as I can."

Fu Hua looked at him and nodded.

"Thank you, Professor Lu."

Lu Tingxiao's lips twitched: "Don't call me that so formally when we're alone in the future."

I'm a few years ahead of you, so you can just call me senior.

Fu Hua was stunned for a moment, and before she could reply, a commotion arose from ahead.

"It's starting, it's starting, everyone sit forward."

The two stood up and walked to the front of the stage.