Rebirth: Starting from Lighting Up the Tech Tree

Chapter 64 Professor Li

The next morning, Yu Ying went to Professor Li's office.

Professor Li's full name is Li Weimin, Vice Dean of the School of Communication Engineering at Huaxia University of Technology, and a leading authority in the field of satellite communications in China. He is 58 years old this year, with gray hair, but is in good spirits.

Yu Ying is his prized student. In her second year of doctoral studies, she had already published three papers in top journals, and her research focused on low-orbit satellite communications.

"Teacher." Yu Ying knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Professor Li was reading a report when he looked up at her and asked, "What is it?"

"I'd like to talk to you about my plans after graduation."

Professor Li put down the report in his hand and gestured for her to sit down.

"Have you thought it through?"

"I've made up my mind." Yu Ying sat up straight. "I want to join 402 Technology."

Professor Li did not immediately express his opinion, but simply looked at her quietly.

The office was silent for about ten seconds. Yu Ying could feel her teacher's gaze scrutinizing her face, but she didn't look away.

"For that Zuocheng?" Professor Li finally spoke.

"Not entirely." Yu Ying shook her head. "What 402 is doing aligns closely with my research direction. The Sky Dome project is the most cutting-edge low-Earth orbit satellite communication project in China, and I want to participate in it."

"Is academia bad?"

"Academia is great, but I'd rather do something practical," Yu Ying said. "Besides, 402 needs me. They're very technically strong, but they lack people with academic backgrounds. My involvement can help them make their solutions more robust."

Professor Li remained silent for a while.

Do you know how many people are in room 402 right now?

"About ten."

"Ten." Professor Li repeated the number. "The budget for the third phase of the Sky Dome project is eight hundred million. They think they can take it on with just ten people?"

"So they need help," Yu Ying said. "Teacher, I'd like to ask you to consider something."

"explain."

"402 would like to establish a collaborative relationship with your team. The third phase of the Sky Dome project involves many cutting-edge technical issues, and your guidance would make their solutions more competitive."

Professor Li narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Is this what Zuo Cheng means?"

"It was my idea," Yu Ying said, "but I believe he would have been even happier to do so."

Professor Li stood up and walked to the window. Outside the window was the old campus of Huaxia University of Technology, where the leaves of the plane trees were already beginning to turn yellow.

"Yu Ying, do you know why I took you on as my student?"

"Because I have good grades?"

"No," Professor Li turned around, "it's because you have a strong drive; if you want to do something, you absolutely have to do it. That kind of drive is rarely seen in young people these days."

He walked back to the table, picked up the teacup, and took a sip.

"I can work with 402, but on three conditions."

Yu Ying's heart beat a little faster: "Please speak."

"First, the authorship rights for the results of the joint research belong to my team."

"no problem."

"Secondly, 402 needs to provide my team with three internship opportunities; my students will participate in the actual development of the Sky Dome project."

"I can talk to Zuo Cheng about this; it shouldn't be a problem."

"Third," Professor Li paused, "you must complete your doctorate; you cannot drop out to start a business."

Yu Ying was stunned for a moment.

"Teacher, I didn't..."

"Don't rush to deny it," Professor Li waved his hand. "I know you young people get into passionate relationships and are easily impulsive. But a doctorate is yours alone; only when you have it in your hands is it real."

Yu Ying's face flushed slightly.

"I understand. I promise you, I will definitely finish my doctorate."

"That's fine then." Professor Li nodded. "Have Zuo Cheng come to me; I'll discuss the specific details of the collaboration with him."

Thank you, teacher!

Yu Ying practically ran out of the office to send a message to Zuo Cheng.

"Professor Li agreed and wants you to go talk to him about the details."

Zuo Cheng replied quickly: "Let's celebrate tonight."

Yu Ying laughed: "Then I want to eat the expensive stuff."

"I'm willing to pay any price."

Yu Ying put away her phone, feeling so happy she wanted to hum a tune. Professor Li's collaboration was of great significance to 402, not only because of the academic resources, but also because of Professor Li's connections and influence in the industry.

At 3 PM, Zuo Cheng sent a message.

"I'm going to Huaxia University of Technology at four o'clock."

"I'll be waiting for you in the lab."

At 10:50, Zuo Cheng appeared at the laboratory door. He was wearing a dark blue shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows.

"How did you get here so quickly?"

"There's nothing urgent at the company, so I came early." Zuo Cheng looked around. "Your lab environment is quite nice."

"That's right, our advisor is the vice dean, so he has more resources than others." Yu Ying tidied up the documents on the table. "Let's go, I'll take you to see Professor Li."

On the way, Yu Ying told Zuo Cheng about Professor Li's three conditions.

"The first two are fine, but the third one was something I insisted on from the start," Zuo Cheng said. "I must finish my doctorate; that's non-negotiable."

"Why do you sound just like my teacher?"

"Because your teacher is right." Zuo Cheng looked at her. "Kongkong, the doctoral degree is yours alone; it's more important than mine."

Yu Ying stopped and looked into his eyes.

"You are important too."

Zuo Cheng smiled and took her hand: "Let's go, don't keep Professor Li waiting."

In Professor Li's office, the three of them talked for over an hour. Zuo Cheng gave a detailed introduction to the technical roadmap of Project 402 and the progress of Project Sky Dome. Professor Li asked many professional questions, which Zuo Cheng answered one by one.

"Your technical approach is correct," Professor Li concluded. "I've heard the concept of space-ground integration mentioned at conferences abroad, but no team in China has actually implemented it yet. If you can, it will indeed be a major breakthrough."

"So we need your guidance," Zuo Cheng said. "We have experience in engineering implementation, but we need your team's support for deeper theoretical understanding."

Professor Li nodded: "Cooperation can begin, but there's a prerequisite."

"You said."

"I need to see your technical solution. Not the final bid, but the core technical framework. I need to confirm that you truly have the capability, and aren't just boasting."

Zuo Cheng agreed without hesitation: "No problem, I'll send you the plan in three days."

Three days?

"Three days," Zuo Cheng repeated. "We have the technical expertise; three days should be enough."

Professor Li glanced at him but didn't ask any further questions.

"Okay, I'll be waiting for your proposal in three days."

It was already dark when he left Huaxia University of Technology in Zuocheng. Yu Ying walked him to the school gate, and the two stood under the streetlights.

"Is three days enough?" Yu Ying asked, somewhat worried.

"That's enough," Zuo Cheng said. "I'll go back and use the algorithm development tool; I can come up with a framework in two days."

"Algorithm derivation tools?"

"I wrote my own design software that can speed up the design process," Zuo Cheng smiled. "And with your help this time, the efficiency will be even higher."

Yu Ying smiled and said, "Then it's a deal. I'll keep you company if you work overtime tonight."

"No need, you should go back and rest."

"No," Yu Ying insisted. "If we're going to collaborate, I need to participate in the design of the plan."

Zuo Cheng looked at her and did not refuse again.

"Okay, let's go together."

The two men looked at each other and smiled, the streetlights casting long shadows behind them.