Chapter 316 - 245: Invitation from the USA

Chapter 316: Chapter 245: Invitation from the USA

With that matter settled, Principal Chang Kai seemed to remember something. He lifted his teacup for a sip and looked at Chen Lin with a grin.

"Oh, right, Chen Lin. Since you’re here today, there’s something else I wanted to discuss with you."

Chen Lin was in a good mood as well and asked with a smile, "Go ahead, Principal. Just as long as you’re not asking me to keep that banner up for another month."

"Hahahaha, that banner? We’ll take it down in a few days."

Chang Kai waved his hand, then his expression turned serious. "Ahem, it’s like this. The year is almost over, and our university has produced many outstanding students this year.

Winter break is just around the corner, so the university’s ’Outstanding Person of the Year’ selection event is set to begin in a couple of days."

Chang Kai leaned forward slightly, his tone becoming persuasive. "In previous years, I or other university leaders would be the ones to present the awards. But this year is different. Our university has produced a ’big shot’ like you.

So I wanted to ask, would you be available? If your schedule allows, I was hoping you could come present the awards to our students and say a few words to encourage the underclassmen."

"In the eyes of Yannan’s students, your standing is much higher than mine as principal. A few words from you would be more effective than ten of our mobilization rallies."

Upon hearing this, it dawned on Chen Lin.

"Oh, so that’s what this is about," Chen Lin said with a laugh. "For a second there, I thought the university was going to give *me* an award. You scared me."

Hearing this, Chang Kai raised an eyebrow, the wrinkles on his face blooming into a wide smile. He couldn’t help but tease, "If you want one, it’s not out of the question. We could absolutely create a special ’Best Professor of the Year Award’ just for you. The prize money is negotiable, you know!"

"COUGH! COUGH! COUGH..."

Chen Lin nearly spat out the mouthful of tea he’d just taken. His face flushed, and he couldn’t stop himself from coughing violently a few times.

"No, no, no, Principal, please give me a break," Chen Lin said, waving his hands frantically, unsure whether to laugh or cry. "Let’s just forget it. This is just a joke, right?"

’What a joke.’

’Competing with a bunch of college students who haven’t even entered the workforce for awards is one thing... but if I actually accepted a "Best Professor Award," I don’t think even my thick skin could take it.’

’After all, even though I nominally hold the title of Full Professor in Yannan University’s math department and draw a hefty stipend from the school...’

’...in reality?’

’From the day I was hired until now, I haven’t taught a single class!’

’I haven’t even seen what a lesson plan looks like!’

’If I were to take home a "Best Professor" trophy right now... that mental image is just too rich. It would be... tsk, tsk... I don’t even want to think about it.’

At this thought, Chen Lin couldn’t help but feel a faint sense of guilt.

’Getting paid for doing nothing... even though the university is happy to pay me, it still feels a bit dishonest.’

’No, this can’t go on.’

Chen Lin silently set a goal for himself. ’Next semester, I have to get something on the schedule.’

’Even if I don’t teach a full course, I should at least hold a public lecture on mathematical thinking or the basics of AI algorithms. Otherwise, being a ’professor’ like this is making me feel like a total fraud.’

After composing himself, Chen Lin asked, "When is it exactly? I’ll check my schedule. If there are no conflicts, I’ll be there."

Seeing that Chen Lin had agreed, Chang Kai’s smile widened. "It’s in about two or three weeks, on January 10th. After this awards ceremony, the university will pretty much officially start winter break."

Chen Lin quickly ran through his schedule in his mind.

’The solid-state battery project doesn’t need my constant attention for now. Bai Qian and Pan Si are watching over the AI algorithm training, and the nuclear fusion project is just getting started...’

"January 10th..." Chen Lin thought for a moment, then nodded. "That shouldn’t be a problem. I’ll be there on time."

"Great!" Chang Kai said with a smile. "We’ll be counting on you, then. I’ll have the student council send you the itinerary."

...

By the time he left the principal’s office in the administration building, the sky outside was already growing dark. The daylight in winter was always exceptionally short.

Chen Lin raised his arm and glanced at the sports watch on his wrist.

Five o’clock in the afternoon.

There was still half an hour until Yanhai Company’s official quitting time of five-thirty.

After a moment’s thought, Chen Lin turned and headed toward the campus gate.

’Forget it, I’m not going to the office today.’

He had just gotten back from accepting an award in the Imperial Capital, then spent ages racking his brain with the controllable nuclear fusion team and Principal Chang. All Chen Lin wanted to do now was go home, collapse on the couch, scroll through his phone, and be a lazy, unmotivated "salted fish."

’As for whether the boss needs to clock in at the office?’

’What a joke. Isn’t the whole point of becoming the boss so you *don’t* have to clock in?’

As he walked off campus, Chen Lin pulled out his phone and opened the pinned WeChat group: [Yanhai Startup Squad].

His fingers flew across the screen. Chen Lin: [@everyone I just got back to Jinmen. I’m a bit tired today, so I’m not coming back to the office.]

Chen Lin: [@Huang Yiyi Also, Special Assistant Huang, I have a task for you. It’s almost six. You’re in charge of making sure everyone, and I mean everyone, leaves work strictly on time!]

Chen Lin: [Tomorrow is the weekend, so go have some fun!]

Not even two seconds after he sent the messages, the group chat instantly blew up.

Sun Yu: [! President Chen, you’re the man!]

Sun Yu: [I was just wondering if I should work overtime tonight to optimize that data-cleaning script, but since President Chen has spoken, I’m not gonna argue! Packing my stuff now!]

Bai Qian: [President Chen, but the model has just reached a critical point in its training...]

Chen Lin replied instantly: [@Bai Qian Let the server handle the critical point. You should have written an automated script for that, right? I think we discussed this last week.]