Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Huo Yao went quiet for two seconds before she acknowledged him.
Principal Yu wanted to ask how Huo Yao did in the exam. But after he thought how incredibly intelligent she was, he changed his mind.
Never mind. He should save this question for Yi Lianfan.
After chatting about Prof Zhao briefly, he hung up the phone and called up Yi Lianfan.
Huo Yao clicked on her phone and checked her WeChat. There was a new friend request pending.
Song Ning could not help turning to look at her and asked when she heard her daughter talking to the principal. “Did your principal ask about your exam?”
“Uh huh. He told me that he gave my number to a professor in Tsing University,” replied Huo Yao as she added Zhao Lian’s number to her phone book and greeted him politely.
Song Ning was stunned. “A professor from Tsing University?”
Huo Yao nodded as she continued looking at her phone.
Song Ning went into a daze. After some time, she looked at her daughter proudly. Her daughter was amazing. Huo Yao had only just finished her exam, but even the professor of Tsing University was trying to reach her.
She was far more impressive than any of her older brothers even though they had graduated from great universities as well.
After Zhao Lian asked Huo Yao how her exam went, he ended the chat without asking her about what she intended to major in. Since the results were not even out, this could wait.
Zhao Lian placed his phone on the coffee table and took a sip of tea before looking at the department head sitting across from him on the couch. “… I need more time to think about what kind of disciple I want.”
The department head sat with his hand on his knee and leaned into the couch’s backrest before he contemplated and said, “Do you have someone in mind?”
Prof Zhao was in his forties, but he looked young. “That’s not it. I just feel there is no hurry.”
The department head caught his meaning and moved his fingers slightly. He felt that Zhao Lian was probably going to select a disciple from the existing pool of Biology students and said, “I think Mu Qing is pretty good.”
The department head paused before he sighed and continued. “Mu Qing was ranked second during the college entrance exam. Although he majors in Civil Engineering, he chose to minor in Genetic Engineering. I heard he has been doing well and is equally good as our students.”
Zhao Lian had heard about Mu Qing before. He happened to see Mu Qing at work in the laboratory. Mu Qing was undoubtedly talented, but it wasn’t enough to make Zhao Lian accept him as a disciple.
Zhao Lian shook his head and simply replied. “Let’s wait and see.”
The department head did not continue talking about Mu Qing and changed the subject. “It is almost time for the freshmen to join us. I wonder how many of them will choose the Biology department.”
Zhao Lian poured another cup of tea and said calmly, “It’s quality over quantity.”
The Biology department was not as popular. There were only a handful of students with talent in the field and interest in the subject, so they usually had no more than 20 students each year.
Also, Zhao Lian was very strict about the quality of the students, so very few of them made it into the department. The ones who remained, genuinely loved the subject.
The department head nodded. “You are right. We want to groom real talent and not some kid who just wants a degree.”
Zhao Lian acknowledged softly. “I am counting on you to recruit good candidates for us this year.”
The department head waved his hand. “It is my job.”
Zhao Lian had stayed out of administrative matters for years, so the burden of recruitment each year had fallen on the department head.
