After climbing Mount Lingwu, Jiang Fan and Chu Ruoxi returned to Huqing University by car.
After dinner, the two of them strolled hand in hand around the campus of Huaqing University.
As they passed by the No. 3 teaching building, they happened to run into the esteemed Professor Qiao.
When Professor Qiao saw Jiang Fan, he paused for a moment, then glanced at Chu Ruoxi by his side. It seemed as though he understood something, and a smile spread across his face.
"Jiang Fan, you're something! The semester's barely started, and you've already found yourself a girlfriend!"
"Uncle Qiao, we were already in a relationship before university," Jiang Fan replied.
"Oh, so it's early romance, huh?" Professor Qiao teased, chuckling.
Jiang Fan felt a slight blush rise to his face at the comment.
Beside him, Chu Ruoxi looked at Professor Qiao with a sense of familiarity. It took her a while before she recalled who he was.
Wait... isn't this the renowned academic, Professor Qiao from their university?
She had heard him speak at the university's opening ceremony. Some of the senior students had mentioned that Professor Qiao had received the National Lifetime Achievement Award and, together with Long Lao from Dragon Science University, was considered one of the pillars of the scientific community in Dragon Country.
Long Lao, of course, was Jiang Fan's mentor, whom she had met before. But Professor Qiao was one of Huqing University's very own distinguished figures.
How could Jiang Fan know someone like him so well?
And it seemed they were quite familiar with each other too!
Chu Ruoxi couldn't help but notice how mysterious Jiang Fan seemed, as everyone he knew appeared to be someone influential in the scientific world.
However, she didn't dwell on it too much—after all, what she liked was Jiang Fan himself.
With a bright smile, Chu Ruoxi greeted Professor Qiao warmly.
"Good evening, Professor Qiao!"
Professor Qiao blinked, clearly surprised, and looked at her. "Oh? Do you know me?"
"I heard your speech at the opening ceremony," Chu Ruoxi replied.
"Ah, you're a student at Huqing University?" Professor Qiao asked.
"Yes," Chu Ruoxi nodded.
Upon hearing her answer, Professor Qiao felt a pang of regret. Back when he was competing with Long Lao for Jiang Fan, why hadn't he thought of approaching Jiang Fan's girlfriend?
Now that she was studying at Huqing University, all he had to do was convince her to persuade Jiang Fan to come here. That would have been easy!
Then, he would have been Jiang Fan's teacher, and Long Lao would have no say in the matter!
What a mistake—one mistake led to another!
Seeing the look of regret on Professor Qiao's face, Jiang Fan couldn't help but ask, "Uncle Qiao, what's wrong?"
Professor Qiao glanced at Jiang Fan and said with a knowing smile, "You're quite the secretive one, huh!"
Jiang Fan didn't understand what he meant, but didn't dwell on it, instead replying, "Uncle Qiao, if there's nothing else, we should be going."
"Where's the rush? Aren't you going to introduce me to your girlfriend?" Professor Qiao teased.
Jiang Fan suddenly realized what he had forgotten. He turned to Chu Ruoxi and said, "This is Chu Ruoxi."
"Chu Ruoxi? Nice name, and she's quite beautiful too," Professor Qiao remarked with a smile.
"Thank you for the compliment, Uncle Qiao," Chu Ruoxi responded.
Noticing Jiang Fan's consistent address of Professor Qiao as "Uncle," Chu Ruoxi, feeling like part of the family, also adopted the same manner of speaking.
"Well, if you ever encounter any trouble at Huqing, just come to me. Don't hesitate. I still have some influence here!" Professor Qiao chuckled, clearly pleased with her politeness.
"Thank you so much, Uncle Qiao!" Chu Ruoxi grinned, knowing that Professor Qiao was much more than influential at Huqing—he was a figure of immense prestige.
Seeing her lively, respectful nature, Professor Qiao felt reassured. He had witnessed Jiang Fan's talents firsthand, and the young man truly was the future of Dragon Country.
For Jiang Fan's partner, it was important that she be sensible and not interfere with his scientific pursuits.
At that moment, Professor Qiao suddenly remembered something and motioned for Jiang Fan to step aside.
"Jiang Fan, are you very familiar with nano-technology?" he asked.
"I know a bit," Jiang Fan replied modestly.
"Modesty doesn't suit you! The nano-light interference measurement technology you discussed with Yifei last time is several levels ahead of the methods I've researched!" Professor Qiao exclaimed.
Jiang Fan felt his face flush slightly at the mention of Qiao Yifei and quickly glanced at Chu Ruoxi.
Noticing this, Professor Qiao immediately fell silent. He had no idea Jiang Fan already had a girlfriend, and had even attempted to set up his niece, Qiao Yifei, to win his affection. He had been puzzled at the time as to why Jiang Fan hadn't taken the bait. Now, it all made sense.
"Let's not talk about that now," Professor Qiao continued, changing the topic. "I have something very important to discuss with you. You've already developed the ITER super-powerful magnet material, right?"
"The Beautiful Nation has threatened to sanction us by cutting off chip exports unless we provide them with the ITER super-magnetic technology," he continued. "In retaliation, we've ramped up research into chip technology. You, with your knowledge of nano-tech, are in the perfect position to help us. I'll talk to Long Lao and arrange for you to assist us with chip research."
Normally, Jiang Fan would feel obligated to take on such a task given the country's dire situation. But he had some knowledge of chips in his previous life, and he knew how difficult chip research could be.
Just as Jiang Fan was about to voice his concerns, the system's voice rang out in his mind.
[System]: "Choice system activated!
Choice 1: Accept Qiao Shan's request and receive 7-nanometer photolithography technology.
Choice 2: Reject Qiao Shan's request and receive no reward."
Hearing the system's voice, Jiang Fan was filled with excitement. The system always seemed to appear at just the right moment!
Without hesitation, he chose Option 1, and immediately, the 7-nanometer photolithography technology flooded into his mind.
Jiang Fan knew that developing chips required mastering two technologies: photolithography and silicon wafer materials. With the 7-nanometer photolithography technology now at his disposal, all he needed was the corresponding silicon wafer technology, and he could begin chip research.
Currently, the most advanced chips on Blue Star were the 7-nanometer chips produced by the Beautiful Nation.
The system had rewarded him with the 7-nanometer photolithography technology, meaning that if he could develop the corresponding silicon wafer technology, he would be able to create 7-nanometer chips.
"I'm willing to help, Uncle Qiao," Jiang Fan said decisively.
"Wonderful! With your help, I believe we can develop a 10-nanometer chip for Dragon Country!" Professor Qiao said, his voice filled with excitement.
"10-nanometer chips? Uncle Qiao, isn't the most advanced chip in the world the 7-nanometer one?" Jiang Fan asked, confused.
Professor Qiao looked awkward for a moment.
"Yes, the 7-nanometer chip is the most advanced, but with our current technology and equipment, developing a 10-nanometer chip is already the limit," he admitted.
Just as Jiang Fan was about to respond, the system's voice rang again.
[System]: "Mission issued: Develop a 7-nanometer chip and help save the patriotic company Huawai Technology by turning its losses into profits.
Mission reward: 4-nanometer chip technology!