Chapter 2436: Chapter 2339: Purity

Huo Sining shared what she knew about the current progress of the research institute with Zhang Xiaomei. Zhang Xiaomei completely ignored Huo Sining’s age, evidently ready to become intergenerational friends with her.

"Professor Zhang, on my side..."

Huo Sining wanted to discuss more about Cloud Brocade restoration with Zhang Xiaomei, but Zhang Xiaomei directly interrupted her, naturally saying:

"Just call me Sister Zhang. Since you’re Mr. Zhou’s disciple and Mr. Zhou and my mother are from the same clan and generation, by seniority, we’re equals. Or, let me be presumptuous, you can call me your senior sister!"

Upon hearing this, Huo Sining was immediately embarrassed. Asking her to call a sixty-year-old lady "sister," why did it feel so strange?

She hesitated slightly, seeing that Zhang Xiaomei had no intention of making it difficult or joking, and seemed very at ease. Only then did she tentatively call her "Sister Zhang."

Zhang Xiaomei naturally responded, and even said to Huo Sining, "The research institute at Xiang University is no worse than S University. The facilities are even slightly better. If you’re interested in joining this field, why not come to our institute? I’ll give you a back door entry!"

Huo Sining found it amusing. Half an hour ago, this person was quite wary of her, fearing she would take Zhou Shitao’s path to get into her research institute through connections. Now, however, she acted as if Huo Sining was one of her own and would do her best to help her. This contrast really left Huo Sining at a loss for words.

The key is that even in front of so many people, she said the part about using connections so openly, without any hint of hiding it, acting very naturally.

Yet her demeanor didn’t evoke any aversion or rejection from Huo Sining, because her eyes were clean and clear, looking especially pure, clearly showing that she wasn’t a scheming person.

A sixty-year-old lady still maintaining such purity and simplicity would be hard to believe if spread around, but Professor Zhang Xiaomei managed it.

Such a person is indeed the most suitable for doing research and engaging in scientific inquiry, right?

Huo Sining really liked this old lady, even feeling a bit of closeness, realizing that this elderly woman had no intention of deceit. She felt her previous convoluted thoughts were too worldly.

"Senior sister, since I’m calling you ’senior sister,’ that makes us family, so let’s not get into formalities. To be honest, although I have equity in two projects over at S University Research Institute, I’m actually not involved in the research work, I only manage post-market dividends."

"Even though I’m majoring in bioengineering, I probably won’t work in this field after graduation, so I’ll have to disappoint your kind offer."

"As for the matter of giving you a batch of original generation silkworm breeds, I don’t expect any equity or dividends from your side. Consider it a gift from me; I only hope your project can produce results quickly. The archaeological community needs this project, and the country needs people like you!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiaomei was stunned. She originally thought that Huo Sining would at least propose a few conditions. She was prepared to make concessions, considering that a project that had been consuming years of research suddenly had a breakthrough. She was not going to give up this hard-earned opportunity, even if it meant making sacrifices.

But she never imagined that Huo Sining would offer it so nonchalantly, with no signs of bargaining, just outright giving it away, leaving Zhang Xiaomei unsure of how to respond.

She was a bit indecisive, but it was clear she was very tempted by the idea of obtaining the purebred original generation silkworm breed.

Seeing her hesitation, Zhou Shitao smiled and clapped his hands, making the decision for Zhang Xiaomei:

"What’s there to think about? Huo girl said she’d give it to you, so just accept it. She’s worried the Cloud Brocade won’t be treated properly, not concerned about your research project. Just make sure to cultivate the silkworm breed quickly; no need to overthink it!"

Zhang Xiaomei frowned, "But..."

Zhou Shitao rolled his eyes, "No buts. Back in the earthquake days, this girl sold off fifty percent of a major jade mine’s shares in Myanmar just to raise donation funds."

"She donated billions. These little things, she wouldn’t care for. This girl has a broad vision, just use it freely. If it’s not enough, just ask her for more. She won’t refuse at all!"

At this, Zhang Xiaomei fell silent, only turning back to look at Huo Sining.

Huo Sining nodded with a smile, acknowledging Zhou Shitao’s words.

Since the conversation between Huo Sining and Zhang Xiaomei was at a normal volume, Zhang Xiuchun on the other side had no idea what they were discussing.

However, during their talk, the elderly woman didn’t interrupt, allowing them to chat freely. She occasionally guessed their conversation through her daughter’s lip movements while looking at Huo Sining with curiosity and exploration in her eyes.

An elderly woman nearing a hundred, her eyes still spirited, not showing any cloudiness.

Until Zhang Xiaomei recounted her and Huo Sining’s conversation one by one to her mother, the elderly woman’s eyes glowed brighter, nodding repeatedly, and finally turned towards Huo Sining with a benevolent smile, saying gratefully, "Good child, good child, Shitao has taken on a good disciple!"

Over there, Zhang Xiuchun produced a project plan, advising the Cultural Relics Bureau to move these boxes of Cloud Brocade to a secure place for sealing without damage, while waiting for a response from Zhang Xiaomei.

This was not difficult. The first step in dealing with damaged relics is protection, a task commonly undertaken by archaeological teams.

Using some reagents and tools to finalize and reinforce the Cloud Brocade in these boxes would ensure they wouldn’t be further damaged, and then sealing them for preservation would allow for safe transport.

This task was not taken lightly by Zhou Shitao and his team. Due to a previous mistake by the archaeological team, damaging a box of Cloud Brocade, Zhou Shitao realized his judgment was off, as these team members were inexperienced and couldn’t handle such a task.

Considering this, Zhou Shitao hesitated to direct them again, so he directly called on Xie Daoyuan and Shi Qingyun. The three of them personally decided to spend a day finalizing and reinforcing the Cloud Brocade.

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