PFC Chapter 162 is back with an update!
Chapter 162 is back with an update!
After the start of summer, the temperature rises significantly, and the trees along the street are lush with leaves, exuding boundless vitality at a glance.
The atmosphere inside the research institute was as lively as the increasingly warm weather.
"Thank you! Want some cake? Want some milk tea? My treat!"
The female team leader, surnamed Cui, abandoned her usual harsh and difficult attitude and cheerfully put her arm around Xie Yan's shoulder, asking, "What are you daydreaming about?"
Xie Yan was sitting in front of the computer, expressionless, her glasses reflecting a cold light, making her look exceptionally aloof.
But after getting to know her recently, everyone knows that Xie Yan is gentle, patient, and very easy to get along with; she's just been spacing out a lot these past few days.
Sure enough, Xie Yan turned her head as if waking from a dream, revealing a confused expression, "What? I got paid? What bonus?"
The people in the office immediately burst into laughter. "It's not pay time yet. Team Leader Cui asked if you wanted afternoon tea. She's treating, so we're just basking in your coattails, hahaha!"
Team Leader Cui is a very meticulous and strict person when she works. She fits the stereotypical image of a female PhD: cold, unapproachable, and difficult to deal with. It's hard for others to even see her smile.
When Xie Yan first joined the company, Cui Nan did a lot of overt and covert investigations of her for work-related reasons. However, after a few attempts, he found that Xie Yan was really capable and not someone who relied on connections as they thought, so his attitude softened.
In particular, Xie Yan's arrival and the ideas and technologies she brought have greatly improved chip technology research and development. The research institute has completed the initial manufacturing of the super chip and put it into testing.
This speed would be terrifying in any country in the world.
The papers Xie Yan submitted were practically answers for them to copy. If a group of PhD students couldn't build a chip here, they would really have to tear up their graduation certificates.
It is said that geniuses are arrogant, but Xie Yan is humble and enthusiastic. She is not only strong in theory, but also has even stronger hands-on skills in the laboratory.
I really don't know what these top talents were doing all those years ago. Wasn't that a waste of time and a waste of their lives?
Cui Nan had never been so kind and gentle before. She smiled warmly at Xie Yan, who was a few years younger than her.
"Don't worry, your salary will definitely not be less. Our company is rich now. A few days ago, the company injected another billion yuan into the company. Your bonus will definitely double."
Xie Yan nodded. "It's fine."
Actually, she no longer cares about money. With Xie Qingyu being such a domineering CEO, she can't help but want money.
The milk tea, cakes, fruit, and other items were delivered quickly after the order was placed. Xie Yan, as a newcomer with outstanding abilities and significant contributions, had her table piled high with various pretty food bags and snacks.
The others also shared the milk tea in a lively atmosphere, enjoying a rare moment of leisure amidst their busy work.
After all, the last time Team Leader Cui treated everyone to a meal was several years ago when she turned thirty. It's been years since then, so it's quite a rare occasion.
Just as the atmosphere was harmonious, a soft female voice came from the office door, "Team Leader Cui, the director wants to see you and asks you to go to his office."
Xie Yutong wore the same white long coat as everyone else. Her hair was braided and hung to one side, making her look exceptionally gentle. Her gaze swept over the food on the office table and the milk tea in everyone's hands.
Cui Nan said "Oh" and immediately switched to work mode to go find her boss.
The others in the office exchanged puzzled glances, and one of the men chuckled, "Xiaotong, come over for some milk tea. Team Leader Cui is treating us today. Here, have a cup; it's still hot."
Xie Yutong smiled and said, "No need, one cup each is just right for you. I won't join in the fun. I still have work to finish, so I'll be going now."
After saying that, she turned and left, but her gaze lingered on Xie Yan for a couple more seconds as she walked away.
However, Xie Yutong's neglected appearance did slightly dampen the previously joyful atmosphere.
Although everyone dislikes those who get in through connections, they are all adults and at least maintain a semblance of civility. Cui Nan's few cups of milk tea clearly excluded Xie Yutong, and to make matters worse, this was seen, which was a bit awkward.
Xie Yan still has a deep impression of Xie Yutong.
She's a bit of a green tea bitch. She even harmed Shen Yan in the past to curry favor with Xie Qingyu. She's ruthless and unscrupulous. She has some brains, but not many.
From being the once-glorious heiress of the Xie family to now being in this mediocre situation, the fall is too great, and she must have suffered a lot.
The conversation among the others gradually shifted to Xie Yutong.
"I'm not trying to be mean, but sometimes I feel sorry for Xiaotong. She does odd jobs all day and doesn't earn much money."
"There's nothing we can do about it. She did her master's degree abroad. In principle, our company shouldn't hire people who have studied abroad. It's a miracle she even got in. She definitely won't get access to the core technology of the project."
"What's there to pity? If she thinks the salary is too low, she can find other jobs. It's not like people who come back from studying abroad can't find work. Besides, she got in through connections, so why should she be afraid of what people say?"
"Exactly, isn't it just about getting prestige at work? After all, it's respectable to say you work in a research institute."
"..."
The group was chatting animatedly, while Xie Yan kept her head down, taking small bites of cake and not participating in the conversation.
But as soon as she raised her hand, she saw the wound on the fair skin below her thumb.
The skin was slightly broken, not too deep, but the teeth marks were still very clear, making it easy to see how much force the person who left those marks used.
Xie Yan's eyes flickered slightly, and her mind became somewhat chaotic again.
I wonder what happened to Shen Yan that day, whether he returned safely or got lost.
She took the room key back and found the person was gone. She was startled but didn't know who to ask. She searched everywhere like a headless fly for a long time but couldn't find him. In the end, she had to give up.
These past two days, Xie Yan has been lost in thought about this matter, feeling worried and anxious all the time. She just hopes that Shen Yan's condition isn't too bad.
However, he was still wearing a suit at the time, so he probably couldn't bear the pain during the business meeting and had to hide away beforehand to use the pain to sober up.
Just thinking about how Shen Yan had spent the past ten years like this made Xie Yan feel a tightness in her chest.
For her, it had only been ten months since they parted ways, and her memories of Shen Yan were still mostly of him when he was eighteen or nineteen.
Back then, he was well-behaved and handsome, clingy and charming, with a gentle face that always smiled at everyone. Even though she knew it was just an act, he still easily stumbled into Xie Yan's heart.
The last time the two of them met on the cliff was too tragic; Xie Yan felt suffocated just thinking about it.
For nineteen-year-old Shen Yan, witnessing Xie Yan's death was a traumatic experience, perhaps even more so than the one experienced by Shen Yinshuang. She only realized this when she was in the storeroom.
In fact, during those ten months in that fake world, she often dreamed of Shen Yan's final, desperate and shrill roar.
Xie Yan felt that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, Shen Yan's condition might have worsened.
the other side.
In the director's office, Cui Nan pursed her lips, looking somewhat reluctant.
"Boss, it's not that I'm unwilling, it's just that I'm only good at research. I'm not suited to attending those kinds of social occasions, and I don't even know how to wear high heels."
The director waved his hand, looking reassuring, "You're the team leader. If you don't lead the team, who will? Besides, the investors just added another billion. They just wanted to meet with the project team for a meal to check on the progress. How can we not go? And it's not just our project; there are other project teams too."
Actually, this meal should have been eaten a long time ago. The group's investment didn't just start recently; it started several years ago.
The investors are deep-pocketed and have invested in more than one or two projects. Recently, there has been significant progress in chip research and development, which is a great boost to their confidence.
The empty office was filled with the director's voice. He knew that Cui Nan never socialized, but this time was different. The investment company said that not a single person on the team could be missing, not even an intern.
"Don't worry, if you can't wear high heels, then don't wear them. There's no need to be so worried. It's just a meeting. But you should still tell the new Xie Yan to prepare well. I suspect she might ask some questions."
After several attempts to persuade her, Cui Nan finally nodded, "Okay, so when is the time?"
Upon hearing this, the director immediately smiled and looked down at the itinerary.
"Tomorrow afternoon."