The Dean laid out the investigation report.
"Upon thorough investigation, it was found that the methodology used by Professor Han's team originated from Professor He's team. Assistant Guo came across the documents while organizing Professor He's desk and stole the information."
"However, the initial concept based on that methodology was proposed by Assistant Tian, and upon verification, it was confirmed to be his original idea and unrelated to Professor He's team."
"Moreover, while the two research methodologies are structurally similar, they diverge significantly in practical application."
"Therefore, the subsequent developments by Professor Han's team, based on the initial concept, are considered independent and may continue to be used—but due to the high similarity, they cannot be patented."
"…"
Damn it!!
Shulan Zhou was so furious she could scream.
A bunch of shameless dogs!
If they wanted to freeload off the research method, they should've just said it outright. Now they were even dressing it up with excuses to make themselves look good—utterly disgusting!
After reading the report, the Dean turned to He Xin with a tone of reproach.
"He Xin, while this issue started with Assistant Guo, I also have to point something out—you left critical research documents lying around on your desk. That's just careless."
"Exactly!" Lin Jiayi echoed self-righteously.
"If you hadn't left such important materials scattered around, how could we have been tricked by a petty thief?"
Thinking back on how she had personally introduced Guo Jialiang to Han Weicheng, and how she had confidently asserted that the two research methods were completely different… and now it turned out to be stolen—she was beyond livid. Lin Jiayi wanted nothing more than to skin Guo Jialiang alive!
"Important?" He Xin gave a faint smile.
"It was just a discarded draft. Who would've thought a thief would treat trash like treasure? It's one thing for the thief to not know better—but to think…"
Ah—Shulan Zhou finally felt vindicated.
Professor He knew exactly how to shut them down!
Guo Jialiang, the thief, didn't recognize the value of the work—but what about Han Weicheng and his whole team? They couldn't even tell a draft from a finished product? What a joke!
"Oh? A discarded draft?" the Dean picked up on it instantly.
"Then in that case…"
"Allow me," Wu Cheng stood up.
"Dean, here's the first draft of our patent application, based on the initial concept. After conducting experiments, we found numerous flaws and oversights in the original version."
"So, we made adjustments and upgrades to the method, running multiple tests and validations before finalizing the current version for the patent."
"You mentioned earlier that Professor Han's team's method was structurally similar but differed in application—that's because they're still using the initial version."
"In our patent application, we clearly detailed this progression: the initial method, the reasons for its modification, and the advantages of the improved version. All of it is included in the report."
"In short, anyone using the same concept would inevitably overlap with our patented methodology."
"So unless we give explicit permission, any public use of our research method for profit constitutes infringement."
Simple in theory, but brutal in execution.
Shulan Zhou stealthily gave Wu Cheng a thumbs-up. That was a solid hit—let's see how shameless Han Weicheng's group could still be after this.
Not letting you use it. What are you gonna do about it? Cry?
Lin Jiayi looked like she was going to explode, her breathing sharp and uneven.
"According to institute policy, any research methodology discovered within the institute should be promoted institute-wide. Why aren't we allowed to use it?"
"Take a guess." Shulan Zhou blinked at her.
"Why don't you go ahead and use it first—and then I'll tell you why you shouldn't have?"
He Xin gave her a look, half amused:
"Don't be cheeky. Let's hear what the Dean has to say."
"Yes, this needs to be resolved immediately." The Dean picked up another document.
"Such a serious lapse in protocol is a clear failure of management. After a leadership discussion, the decision is as follows: intern Guo Jialiang will not be offered a position and will be immediately dismissed."
"As for Director Zhou Yan, who hired him, she'll receive a formal reprimand and have her monthly performance bonus deducted."
At that moment, everything clicked for Shulan Zhou—so that's why Zhou Yan was even here.
She blinked and glanced over at He Xin.
He Xin said nothing.
"He Xin, are you satisfied with this resolution?" the Dean asked with a resigned sigh.
"If not, we can consider further action."
"You still haven't answered the key question," He Xin said calmly.
"Will Professor Han's team be allowed to use our methodology?"
The Dean waved his hand dismissively.
"That's a minor issue. As Vice Dean Lin just said, institute regulations state that research methods developed by internal researchers must be shared within the institute. So yes, they'll have access."
Shulan Zhou pressed her lips together, then asked:
"What if… they're not internal researchers?"
"What are you implying, Shulan Zhou?" Lin Jiayi snapped.
"Wu Cheng signed a provisional contract with the institute ages ago. He's officially part of the team—we have every right to use what he's developed!"
She seemed weirdly smug about it, as if that earlier slap in the face wasn't enough. Well—if she wanted more, Shulan Zhou was happy to oblige.
She smiled sweetly:
"Actually, no. When Wu Cheng wrote that methodology and filed for the patent, he wasn't even officially an intern at the institute."
Zhou Yan's face froze. Just as she was about to stop Shulan Zhou, the words were already out.
"In fact," Shulan Zhou continued, "Wu Cheng's official offer only came through two days ago. I believe the formal contract was also signed just recently, right, Wu Cheng?"
"Correct!" Wu Cheng replied promptly, flipping his work ID for everyone to see—the employment date was clearly marked. No one could deny it.
The Dean snapped.
"Director Zhou, what have you been doing?! Wu Cheng and his team arrived at the institute late last year, and you're telling me it took over two months to process a simple onboarding?!"
"You're lucky nothing happened during that time. If there'd been any issues, you'd have dragged down the entire institute with you!"
He was furious. This was beyond neglect—it was outright incompetence. Delaying an employment contract like this? Unbelievable!
"It has dragged us down!" Shulan Zhou added with a dramatic sigh.
"Now we've got a cutting-edge research methodology that could've been free for internal use… but oops, guess we'll have to pay for it now. What a pity!"
"Though I suppose the institute's not short on money. Isn't that right, Director Zhou?"
Zhou Yan's face flushed hot and cold. She wanted nothing more than to rip Shulan Zhou's mouth off—but in the face of the Dean's fury, she couldn't do a thing.
She could only sit there, cheeks burning like someone had slapped her in front of all these twentysomething juniors.
It was humiliating—utterly humiliating.
She had actually fallen for Lin Jiayi's nonsense and made such a mess of things.
She bitterly regretted it—if only she'd known…
But who ever knows ahead of time?
Except for Shulan Zhou.
"Wu Cheng," she said brightly, "the patent is in your hands. How it's used is entirely up to you."
"Indeed." Wu Cheng nodded. Then turned to the Dean.
"Dean, I'm willing to allow this methodology to be used freely within the institute—but…"
His eyes swept over Han Weicheng's team—landing firmly on Tian Hua and Guo Jialiang.
"Professor Han's team is barred from using it in their current research project. Not even if they pay."
"…"