At this moment, Zhang Lin, who had just given a "passionate speech" in the office area, noticed something unusual in the corner here. He hurried over, and upon seeing the two people being stopped by the researcher Xiao Chen, his mouth opened wide enough to fit an apple, nearly letting out the words "Dean Xia" on the spot.

"Dean...dean...Xia...Xia..." Zhang Lin's tongue seemed to have a knot.

Seeing Zhang Lin, Dean Xia felt as though he had spotted a savior, yet also a harbinger of disaster, his emotions too complex for words. He quickly fixed Zhang Lin with a piercing gaze, subtly shaking his head and giving him a look, signaling him absolutely not to blurt anything out.

Despite his usual loud and brash demeanor, Zhang Lin's mind worked quickly in critical moments. In an instant, he "mentally filled in" a rough outline of the situation—the dean accompanying a mysterious big shot on a low-key inspection, ending up being mistaken for thieves by this fool, and almost calling security!

His intelligence-gathering and mental deduction skills were on full display, as Dean Xia had been caught by young doctors before.

In a flash of inspiration, Zhang Lin grabbed the researcher's hand that was about to make a call, "Misunderstanding! Misunderstanding!"

The researcher, seeing it was Zhang Lin, immediately stopped his intention to call: "Mr. Zhang? You...do you know them?"

Zhang Lin dashed forward and grabbed the researcher's shoulder without ceremony, pulling him aside several steps, intentionally lowering his voice: "You brat! You've caused big trouble! This is an inspector from above, undercover! Understand? They're here specifically to check our laboratory's safety management."

"Inspector? Undercover?" The researcher was half-believing, his gaze darting between the leader's perplexed face and Dean Xia's awkward expression.

"Why didn't the inspector notify in advance? Why don't they even have a basic visitor badge? This doesn't follow protocol!" He still felt something was off. In his world, procedural justice was deeply ingrained; it was difficult to get such a stubborn person to quickly change his mind.

"Come on, brother!" Zhang Lin patted the researcher on the shoulder forcefully, "If they notified in advance, would it still be a secret inspection?"

"Take a good look. Accompanying them is Dean Xia of our Sanbo Hospital. If you don't believe me, you can check it online and compare the photos."

The researcher trusted Zhang Lin. Zhang Lin was famously well-informed; if he said it was a secret inspection, it was a secret inspection. Mr. Zhang had inside information; if you don't believe him, who would you believe?

Although Mr. Zhang loved broadcasting news everywhere, his insider information was always reliable and never nonsense.

"Remember, this is only between you and me. Always keep it confidential, understand? Confidentiality is also one of the laboratory rules, got it?"

Zhang Lin took the opportunity to give a little "PUA", leaving Xiao Chen bewildered and awed.

Although his voice was low, Dean Xia and the leader heard everything clearly from the side. Dean Xia marveled at Zhang Lin's perceptiveness; he hadn't said a word, just a few glances, and Zhang Lin knew to keep his identity secret.

To recognize the current situation in such a short time required a high level of judgment, and Dean Xia couldn't help but think more highly of Zhang Lin, often known for his big mouth. It seemed his ability to stay in the institute wasn't solely due to currying favors; he had some special skills.

Researcher Xiao Chen was taken aback and intimidated by Zhang Lin's combination of coaxing and scaring, his momentum dampened considerably. Yet the young man's sense of responsibility and stubbornness regarding his work continued to dominate. He mumbled softly, yet persistently: "Even if you're an inspector, you can't violate safety regulations. Rules are rules, and nobody is an exception. I wasn't told anything about a secret inspection today. Moreover, this fully automated microplate reader suddenly broke down, and I'm in a rush to measure the IL-6 concentration of these cell culture supernatants. The data is needed tonight, and I'm getting anxious..."

Upon hearing this, the leader felt a surge of inspiration, recognizing this as an excellent opportunity to break the deadlock, ease the atmosphere, and simultaneously display a relatable image.

He glanced sideways at the equipment in the nearby room, then stepped forward immediately, wearing a gentle and understanding expression, and asked with concern in his voice: "The equipment broke down? Is it this latest model of the fully automated microplate reader? What exactly is the problem? What's the error code? Back when I was in the lab, I used to deal with these machines often. I'm quite familiar with this model, maybe I can take a look."

With these words, he aimed to naturally shift the topic from "identity checking" to "technical issues," thereby easing the current awkwardness.

As he spoke, he turned and walked into the room, naturally and with a nostalgic sense for an old researcher reliving old memories, as he reached to touch the machine's touchscreen panel flashing an error message.

"Don't touch it!"

The researcher followed him and shouted out.

This was out of an almost instinctual protection for the precision equipment; the random touch of a stranger might introduce static, dirt, or even lead to more complicated failures, which was a taboo in lab management.

The leader's hand awkwardly froze in mid-air, and the whole space's atmosphere seemed to solidify once more.

"Sorry, non-laboratory researchers can't touch the experimental equipment. It's our protocol." The researcher stood protectively beside the equipment, this time calm, lacking the harshness from before.

The leader nodded, lowered his awkward hand, his expression warm, with a hint of admiration. He gently patted the researcher on the shoulder, filled with encouragement and reassurance: "Young man, I'm sorry, I was a bit abrupt just now. You did well! Very well! The safety of the laboratory and data confidentiality need people like you, who are principled and responsible. In the face of rules, everyone is equal, no exceptions. You've given this 'old comrade' a solid lesson today."

He took another look at the still silent microplate reader, and earnestly advised: "For the equipment problem, report it for repair according to the formal procedures promptly, so as not to delay key experimental progress."

Seizing the opportunity, Dean Xia quickly took the leader's hand: "They're quite busy, and now they need to fix the machine as well. Let's not disturb them any longer. Let's head back first. Mr. Zhang, would you lead us out?"

Zhang Lin, ever so clever, immediately told the researcher: "Quick, call for repairs, stay here, and don't wander around. I'll be back to help you shortly."

Then he led Dean Xia and the leader through the corridor and out of the laboratory.

Zhang Lin continued leading the way and escorted them out of the institute building. At this moment, the leader realized and found Zhang Lin somewhat familiar; thinking carefully, he finally recalled—wasn't he the enthusiastic young talent surrounded by everyone earlier?

"Dean Xia, is this young man the one who gave that passionate speech we just saw?"

Dean Xia now couldn't say yes or no, only nodded ambiguously, hoping to brush over it.

However, the leader seemed to value this young talent very much. Not only was he an outstanding young talent, but he had also cleverly helped them out of a pickle just now, quickly understanding Dean Xia's signals without exposing Dean Xia and the leader.

"Young man, are you busy now? If not, come along to the dean's office for a cup of tea and a little chat?" The leader looked Zhang Lin up and down; his image during the passionate speech had deeply impressed the leader.

"Come on, bring him along back to your office, we'll have a chat." The leader waved his hand, without waiting for Zhang Lin's answer.

Dean Xia gave Zhang Lin a meaningful look, signaling him to find an opportunity to discreetly bow out and not to follow them to the office for a chat with the leader.

At this moment, for some reason, Zhang Lin completely missed Dean Xia's cue. He excitedly followed Dean Xia and the leader along.

He also recognized who this leader was. Unlike those researchers who huddled in the lab all day only knowing experiments and nothing about the outside world.

Zhang Lin was, after all, the chief intelligence officer of Sanbo Hospital. How could he not know who this leader was?

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