CHAPTER 516: CHAPTER 163: THE WORLD OF THE BIG BOSS

Colleagues are rivals, but this saying doesn’t really apply to the relationship between Ma Botao and Zhang Zuolin.

Old Xue once told Qiao Yu about the various dark sides of the academic world. But generally, it’s more about mutual harm at the research base level.

However, at higher levels, such as outstanding youth, leaders, or Changjiang Scholars, the connections within the same profession are relatively close.

Especially when both parties don’t actually have consistent research directions.

After all, anyone with these titles theoretically has a chance to become an Academician. Sometimes, it really comes down to luck.

If someone else makes it, having a good relationship might lead them to share part of a big project later on.

Especially in the field of science and engineering research. When an Academician lands a project worth tens of millions or even hundreds of millions, it’s definitely too big for one person, and it will eventually be divided into several, or even dozens of smaller projects.

This is when the value of personal relations becomes evident. After all, when the capabilities are similar, who takes on the project doesn’t make much difference.

So, as long as there’s a bit of emotional intelligence, if there’s no direct conflict of interest, everyone can get along on the surface at this level.

Not to mention that although both took on the same task, their academic research directions aren’t the same.

The success or failure of one project doesn’t affect their standings in academia; they still remain experts in their respective fields.

Just like a few hours earlier, Zhang Zuolin was planning to transfer his capable assistant Liu Hao to his new project.

It’s not because he doesn’t value this project, but because it’s been too long without results, so it’s better to focus efforts on some other projects.

This is the downside of a cross-disciplinary project. If it’s pure research, even if the lab can’t produce good data, you can just embellish it a bit, make some changes, and it’ll look good.

As long as the paper can get published in the end, that’s enough. In this field, if you can’t photoshop your paper, you’re not skilled enough.

But for cross-disciplinary projects, you’re responsible to the client and must provide genuine results. Only those research groups with real skills can handle this.

Put it this way, without a certain reputation and successful cases in the industry, the client won’t even consider you.

In fact, Ma Botao and Zhang Zuolin have a pretty decent relationship in private. At least Ma Botao didn’t behave in the meeting like he completely disregarded Zhang Zuolin.

So when he heard Zhang Zuolin say that there had been a major breakthrough in their lab, Ma Botao was just slightly taken aback, then quickly adjusted his emotions and joked.

"That’s really something to celebrate, but isn’t it a bit late today? Brother Zuo Lin, are you sincerely inviting me for dinner, or just calling to show off?"

"Haha, Brother Botao, you’re wrong on both counts. Actually, it’s not that I want to invite you for dinner, nor is it just to boast. There’s a very impressive young fellow who wants to meet you.

To put it this way, our lab’s quick breakthrough this time is all thanks to the help of this young fellow. If it were up to me, I definitely wouldn’t have called you.

As for whether you’ll attend this celebration banquet, that’s up to you. Honestly, it’s better if you don’t come, as I just promised to pass the message for this young fellow."

Upon hearing this, Ma Botao was stunned and asked, "Young fellow? Brother Zuo Lin, do I know this young fellow you’re talking about?"

"One thing I can be sure of is that you’ve heard of this young fellow’s name. That’s it, if you’re coming for dinner, head over to Boya, the Tortoise Shell Room at Yanchun Garden. I’m heading over there now, chat later."

"Hey, Brother Zuo Lin, hey, hey..." Busy tone from the phone, the other side hung up directly.

Ma Botao felt like cursing but unfortunately, no one was around. But then again, Zhang Zuolin doesn’t seem like someone who would joke about this. After considering for a moment, he thought he really should attend this dinner today.

Even if it’s a joke, it wouldn’t hurt to check out the samples in their lab to see if there’s really a breakthrough.

As for not allowing him into the lab?

They already tricked him from his place to Yanbei, over twenty or thirty kilometers away; they can’t just brush it off as a joke and settle for a meal.

...

Boya Hotel, Yanchun Garden Restaurant.

Once everyone arrived, they didn’t wait for Ma Botao and ordered the dishes after getting seated.

Zhang Zuolin was genuinely executing his task of just calling to invite, holding an attitude of "come if you want."

After all, it takes at least an hour and a half to get from the Huairou Research Institute to Yanbei University.

However, after the call, they didn’t leave immediately for dinner. Mainly, they were delayed a bit in the lab.

More than thirty samples needed attention; it wasn’t just a one-person job. A few people tinkered for nearly an hour before setting off.

When they arrived at the hotel room, waiting for the dishes took more time. In Zhang Zuolin’s opinion, if Ma Botao genuinely wanted to come, he wouldn’t wait until everyone finished eating to show up.

So naturally, everyone began eating first.

Beijing’s weather in December had already gotten cold, but the room was warm, and the atmosphere was cheerful.

For both Liu Hao and other members of the research group, today’s achievements were like a reassurance for everyone.

With the New Year just days away, even if the project isn’t completed before then, it shouldn’t be far off.

In any case, after receiving good news, with the character of their boss, it’s highly likely that they won’t be shortchanged, and they might end up with a generous bonus.