President Xue was in a daze when Min Yu stood up from the couch. He took his jacket from the side and said, “Mr. Xue, I have to go now.”
President Xue snapped out of his thoughts. He raised his hand and checked the time. “Are you leaving already? Won’t you stay for a little longer? I was hoping you could check out the parts in storage.”
Min Yu nodded and replied. “I’m busy. Maybe next time.”
President Xue did not insist. Since Min Yu had already signed the contract, he could not go back on his word. “Fine. Next time then.”
“Uh huh,” acknowledged Min Yu before quickly leaving the office.
President Xue veered his eyes when his disciple was completely out of sight. He looked at the contract in his hands and paused briefly before instructing his assistant. “Tell Prof Yang about the change in plans. We aren’t going with proposal two anymore. Tell him we will go ahead with proposal one.”
The assistant looked at President Xue in surprise. “Didn’t we already do a simulation and conclude that proposal one was too difficult to execute?”
President Xue smiled as he shook his head. He replied. “That was before we could find someone to build the submarine.”
The assistant thought about Min Yu’s talent and cast a knowing look at President Xue. He nodded and responded. “In that case, I will notify Prof Yang about the change in plans immediately.”
“Go on.” President Xue waved his hand as he spoke
**
Meanwhile, Huo Yao received a text message telling her to wait for him at the lobby.
An employee in the lobby knew she was from Tsing University and the institute was partnering with them on a research project. He reminded her not to walk around the institute randomly before leaving the lobby.
She stood with her head lowered looking at her toes with both hands in her jacket pocket. Her posture seemed very relaxed.
Min Yu saw Huo Yao the moment he got out of the lift. He paused briefly and headed toward her. “Did you wait for long?”
Huo Yao raised her head the moment she heard his voice. She looked at him brightly. “Not really. Just a few minutes.”
Min Yu nodded. He reached his hand into Huo Yao’s jacket pocket and held her warm hand. “Let’s go.”
Huo Yao went quiet.
Min Yu held her hand as they headed to the parking lot. On their way there, they did not encounter anyone else. He seemed to know his way around the institute, so Huo Yao said in surprise, “Do you work for the institute?”
“Not really.” Min Yu pondered before he explained. “My teacher works here.”
Huo Yao nodded knowingly without probing further.
“I know your school is collaborating with the institute. Are you in charge of it?” asked Min Yu after glancing at Huo Yao.
Huo Yao shrugged. “Nope. I am here to answer some questions for the institute.”
“I am sure you are brilliant either way.” Min Yu raised his brow.
Huo Yao raised her chin slightly and spoke modestly. “Just average.”
Min Yu smiled without saying a word.
Before long, the two of them arrived at the parking lot.
After getting into the car, Min Yu asked as he started the engine. “Are you going back to school?”
“Hang on. Let me check.” Huo Yao took out her phone and sent Liu Qian a text message.
Liu Qian was probably busy, so he only replied ten minutes later telling her she did not have to go back to school.
Since it was still early, Huo Yao sent Fu Ya a text message. After deciding on the meeting location, she told Min Yu, “Can you take me here? I am meeting someone.”
She showed Min Yu the GPS location of the place where she was meeting Fu Ya.
Min Yu glanced at the address and asked randomly. “Are you meeting that Lei guy?”
Huo Yao spun her phone as she looked sideways at Min Yu. “Huh? Do you mean Lei Xiao?”
