Names: Uncle Zhao Mengsheng, Father-in-law Pei Yihong

Upon hearing this, Wang Qixin felt a pang of anxiety. Looking at the composed Guo Changyi before him, he felt a headache coming on.

People are different.

Guo Changyi receives a special allowance from the state.

There are very few people in the whole country who enjoy that kind of treatment when conducting agricultural research.

As a native of Handong, and having graduated with a doctorate, I still work in Handong, so I still have some concerns.

"Teacher, the person outside is, after all, the provincial party secretary and the top official of Handong. It would be inappropriate to refuse to see him in public."

In the complexities of officialdom, one must always leave room for maneuver.

Guo Changyi tapped the table. "Xiao Wang, why are you having so many concerns?"

We are engaged in agricultural research, rooted in the fields, concerned with grain production, and safeguarding people's livelihoods.

I've heard of Sha Ruijin; he's into chemical fertilizers. We're on different paths, so we can't work together.

Whether it's the provincial party secretary or the governor, it's all the same if they come.

Useless social interactions—at my age, there's no need for me to compromise or accommodate.

Wang Qixin knew perfectly well that his teacher was stubborn and had the pride of a scholar. He never sought power or curried favor with those in power, and once he made up his mind, no one could persuade him otherwise.

He could only nod in agreement, "Understood, teacher. I'll go and reply to Secretary Sha."

How to reply is also an art.

As I was thinking, I arrived at Secretary Sha's car.

Wang Qixin put on a polite smile, his posture humble and his manner perfectly measured, and said in a serious tone, "Secretary Sha, I'm really sorry."

Professor Guo has been busy with research for days and nights, and is now unwell and resting.

I cannot receive guests tonight, and I also have a medical check-up at the Handong Provincial People's Hospital early tomorrow morning. I ask for Secretary Sha's understanding.

These words were perfectly worded, giving the officials ample face while completely blocking any possibility of a formal visit.

So, it means we won't see each other tonight, and we won't see each other tomorrow either.

Upon hearing this, Sha Ruijin's brows furrowed even more deeply.

I feel like I've been wronged and can't speak out.

Even though I know it's most likely a pretext, I can't find a single fault with it.

It is perfectly reasonable for the old professor to be unwell; officials should not force people to do things they cannot do.

He suppressed his frustration, nodded slightly, and turned to get into the car.

The car restarted and drove away from Qijia Village.

The atmosphere inside the carriage was heavy and oppressive.

Looking out at the dark mountains and fields, Sha Ruijin said in a deep voice, "Xiaobai, let's go back to Jingzhou. Also, contact the People's Hospital of Handong Province, make an appointment with an emergency general practitioner specialist, and vacate one of the best VIP wards in the entire hospital, ready to be on call at any time."

Perhaps Wang Qixin is telling the truth.

In case Guo Changyi really goes to the hospital tomorrow, I'll take good care of him.

It has both substance and appearance.

A mere PhD should not dare to lie.

Secretary Bai nodded, focusing on driving. "Okay, boss. Please sit tight and hold on."

inside the room.

Wang Qixin brewed a pot of tea, poured it for everyone, and then left the room.

Liu Changsheng picked up his teacup, a smile playing on his lips. "Old Guo, to be honest, we've benefited from Tongwei's success today."

"If it were anyone else, let alone discussing cooperation on an equal footing, they probably wouldn't even get a meeting with Mr. Guo."

Guo Changyi chuckled upon hearing this, his gaze falling on Qi Tongwei beside him, his eyes gentle, "Tongwei is upright and honest, and most importantly, he has a strong sense of courage, daring to act and take responsibility, he is brave enough."

Li Dakang took a sip of tea, put down the teacup, and immediately replied, "Old Guo, that's for sure!"

In terms of courage, I'm no less brave.

I, Li Dakang, also rose through the ranks from the bottom. I've always been decisive and efficient in my work, and I'm not afraid of offending anyone.

As he spoke, Li Dakang raised his hand and rolled up his sleeves, looking as spirited as ever.

Qi Tongwei shook his head helplessly, "Secretary Dakang, stop joking around."

A few casual words eased the tense atmosphere from before. Gao Yuliang smiled and remained silent, watching the others joke around.

Guo Changyi looked around at the three of them and slowly said, "Have you all been curious about my relationship with Qi Tongwei?"

Liu Changsheng's eyes flickered, and he nodded frankly, "To be honest, I am indeed curious. Professor Guo has been deeply involved in academia and never gets involved in officialdom or personal relationships, yet he has shown a particular fondness for Tongwei."

Li Dakang quickly chimed in, "I'm curious too."

Gao Yuliang raised his hand slightly, his expression solemn. "Mr. Guo, I, Gao Yuliang, swear by the light of a lamp that Tongwei never mentioned a single word to me. I truly knew nothing about it."

Qi Tongwei poured Guo Changyi more tea. "Mr. Guo, shall I say a few words?"

Guo Changyi raised his hand to stop him, "Tongwei, no need, let me speak. Outsiders don't know, but Tongwei has made great contributions to our country's soybean breeding cause."

Guo Changyi felt that if Qi Tongwei were to say some of these things, it might sound like self-praise or even boasting.

As someone who was involved at the time, I can be more objective, fair, and better able to highlight Qi Tongwei's personal charisma.

Upon hearing this, Li Dakang looked completely taken aback and subconsciously asked, "Wait a minute, Mr. Guo, Executive Director Qi studied law and economics. When did he start researching soybean breeding?"

Guo Changyi waved his hand, "Don't rush, calm down and listen to me slowly. But it must be kept secret."

"Okay, Mr. Guo. I'm very tight-lipped. Even my wife won't know," Li Dakang said confidently.

Gao Yuliang joked, "Dakang, that's because you and President Ouyang sleep in separate beds."

Governor Liu tried to smooth things over: "Yuliang, Dakang, you two can fight your whole lives. Stop fooling around and listen carefully to what Teacher Guo is saying."

Whenever Guo Changyi starts talking about agriculture, or about people or things related to soybeans, he does so.

Even Governor Liu considered Guo Changyi to be a teacher.

That's why I specifically call him Teacher Guo.

Guo Changyi finished his tea, put down the cup, and said, "Alright, it's been more than ten years. Let me tell you about it. Even now, thinking about it still sends chills down my spine."

Decades of ups and downs have all settled into my mind.

Guo Changyi's voice suddenly became hoarse, "You're curious about the relationship between me, Guo the Big Bean, and Tongwei. Actually, it's not a favor, it's a debt of gratitude."

It was a life-saving grace, but even more so, a great grace that saved the foundation of the nation's seed industry.

Many people never understand in their lives that, for us breeders, a single good seed is more valuable than life itself.

The group listened quietly without saying a word.

That year.

The soybeans are nearing maturity and are about to be harvested.

For breeding research, the harvest season is the season for drawing conclusions, and no mistakes can be tolerated.

Around that time, his assistant suddenly developed acute pneumonia, had a persistent high fever, and was hospitalized.

In the breeding industry, the timing and location are crucial. After years of trials, success or failure hinges on the autumn harvest.

Once abandoned, years of hard work will be wasted.

Scientific research waits for no one, and land waits for no one either.

Guo Changyi rode his bicycle alone from the Academy of Agricultural Sciences to the breeding base.

That experimental field was far from the town and was almost deserted on weekdays.

It is precisely because of its remoteness that it is isolated from external species and pesticide pollution, which is why Guo Changyi spent several years finalizing the experimental field after returning from studying abroad.

It was evening.

Soybeans grow lush and green, their pods full, as the autumn wind sweeps across the ridges.

Guo Changyi bent over and walked between the ridges of the field, his eyes carefully examining the growth of each plant.

He paused at the deepest part of the experimental field.

The dozen or so soybean plants stood tall and neat, unlike ordinary varieties on the market. They had dense pods, full grains, and were drought-resistant and insect-resistant. They grew steadily in the cool evening breeze of early autumn, without a trace of disease.