"How is this possible!"
Even with Feng Qian's upbringing, he still lost his composure when he saw Qi Yuan's paper.
Qi Yuan had once again snatched a project from Xiao Yu's mouth!
If it was any other project, it would be fine, but this energy weapon activation was a level 4 project. What right did Qi Yuan have to snatch it away!
More importantly, this project was related to whether Xiao Yu and Zhong Yunhai would be able to join the project team!
The two of them had already completed the experiment, but Qi Yuan was one step ahead of them in submitting the paper.
This sudden turn of events made him feel extremely uncomfortable.
Feng Qian wanted to loudly accuse Qi Yuan of plagiarizing Xiao Yu's paper because a level 2 researcher would not be able to complete a project of this level.
However, after seeing the materials Qi Yuan had used in the experiment, he had no choice but to swallow his words.
Xiao Yu's research project had used a mutated energy body obtained from the laboratory, but Qi Yuan had used an entire mutated energy weapon.
The two of them were not on the same level!
Although Feng Qian did not believe that Qi Yuan was qualified to conduct research on the Death Dance, Fu Qingqing had clearly stated that Qi Yuan had helped her complete the activation of the Death Dance.
All of this gave Feng Qian a sense of absurdity. It was clearly an impossible thing, but everything around him was proving to him that it was true!
He Shou, who had sensed the abnormality, also took a copy of Hope and quickly found the reason for Feng Qian's loss of composure.
While he was shocked that Qi Yuan was able to snatch Xiao Yu's project, he also let out a long sigh of relief. Qi Yuan's godly assistance was enough to keep Zhong Yunhai and Xiao Yu out of the list.
After a long time, Feng Qian put down the Hope in his hand with an ugly expression.
"Qi Yuan is only a level 2 researcher and a level 3 aptitude user. He does not have the ability to complete this project alone."
"A year ago, Xiao Yu applied for this project through the project team. Although Qi Yuan was the first to publish the paper, Xiao Yu had already presented the experimental results. Qi Yuan's behavior is considered malicious competition. The laboratory should step in and stop it!"
Before Feng Qian could finish speaking, Tanqiu threw the book in his hand onto the silver-white metal conference table with a loud bang, rudely interrupting Feng Qian.
"As a fourth-level researcher, isn't it inappropriate to use such baseless accusations to criticize a second-level researcher?"
Tan Qiu looked at Feng Qian, not concealing the mockery in his eyes at all.
"Since you suspect Qi Yuan, you should at least give Qi Yuan a chance to explain. I suggest you call Qi Yuan over and let him explain your doubts in person!"
Feng Qian's eyes turned cold. As a level four researcher, confronting a level two researcher was already a form of humiliation. But now that he was in the wrong, even he couldn't directly refuse.
"I also agree to let Qi Yuan come over personally to explain!" He Shou said.
Although Tan Qiu was also a competitor for the position of chief, He Shou didn't hesitate to stand on the same side as Tan Qiu when it came to suppressing Feng Qian.
Cao Yansheng also nodded. He also wanted to see this newcomer who had recently risen to fame in the laboratory.
Although Feng Qian wanted to stop it, Cao Yansheng's nod had already settled this matter.
Soon, Qi Yuan was called over.
Qi Yuan walked into the conference room and was immediately locked onto by the four people.
After a simple greeting, Tan Qiu smiled and picked up a copy of Hope. He flipped to the page where Qi Yuan had published the paper and asked:
"We just got hold of the latest issue of 'Hope' and found this paper titled 'Basic Activation of Energy Weapons'. It's your independent signature at the back. We want to confirm if this paper was published by you."
Qi Yuan looked at Feng Qian, whose face was as dark as water, and quickly guessed the reason for calling him over. Feng Qian was personally making things difficult for him.
"It is my independent signature!"
Tan Qiu nodded.
"Regarding your recent papers, Researcher Feng Qian has some questions and needs to ask you personally. You must answer truthfully!"
Qi Yuan looked at Feng Qian and asked calmly, "What does Researcher Feng Qian want to know?"
Feng Qian and Qi Yuan looked at each other and said expressionlessly, "The three papers you published recently were all projects that Xiao Yu applied for. Who ordered you to do this?"
Feng Qian didn't mention the matter of Xiao Yu snatching the project application. He directly pointed out that Qi Yuan was at fault.
Qi Yuan didn't show any fear in the face of Feng Qian's interrogation.
"No one ordered me to do this. This is a personal grudge between me and Xiao Yu!"
In order to express the anger in his heart, Qi Yuan deliberately emphasized the word "grudge".
"In other words, you admit that you used malicious competition to snatch Xiao Yu's research project?" Feng Qian said in a serious tone.
"Malicious competition?" Qi Yuan suddenly raised his voice, and his eyes became angry.
"May I ask, Researcher Feng Qian, what do you mean by malicious competition?"
"I just wanted to do the experiment quietly. I didn't want to fight for anything. Why are you accusing me of malicious competition?"
"There are so many research projects out there. Why did you have to choose the project that Xiao Yu applied for? These projects have all been approved by the project review team. Xiao Yu has already invested a lot of time into them, and the lab has also invested a lot of money into them. By doing this, you've caused both Xiao Yu and the lab to suffer heavy losses. How dare you deny that this is malicious competition!"
"What losses did I cause the laboratory to suffer?" Qi Yuan said, feeling wronged.
"The early investment in these projects is the laboratory's loss!" Feng Qian said.
"But weren't these losses caused by Xiao Yu?" Qi Yuan asked back.
"I paid for these projects with my own money. I didn't apply for a single cent from the laboratory."
"On the other hand, Xiao Yu has been applying for projects for so long and received a lot of funding from the laboratory. However, he still hasn't completed the experiment. If I didn't complete the project first, the laboratory would definitely continue to receive funding from him. Didn't I recover the laboratory's losses by doing this?"
This was the first time Feng Qian had experienced Qi Yuan's mouth. He almost couldn't breathe.
Ever since Feng Qian entered the laboratory, everything had been smooth sailing. When had he ever had such a verbal confrontation with others?
You were clearly the one who snatched Xiao Yu's project, but in the end, you're helping the laboratory recover its losses?
Can you still be reasonable?!
This was also Xiao Yu's own fault. If Xiao Yu had worked harder, Feng Qian wouldn't have been so passive.
"You're the main culprit for Xiao Yu's wastage!" Feng Qian scolded.
"Regarding the research of these projects, Xiao Yu already has obvious results. Take this level four project as an example. They completed the research of the entire project yesterday. If you hadn't snatched these three projects, this waste wouldn't have happened!"
"Why not?" Qi Yuan asked back.
"I'm a level two researcher. I can complete the project in less than a month. Xiao Yu, a level three researcher, spent more than half a year and still couldn't complete it. Is his ability not good enough?
Or is he deliberately delaying the progress to cheat the laboratory's funding? "
Feng Qian was stunned. He really couldn't explain this. As a level three researcher, Xiao Yu's progress was much slower than a level two researcher. This wasn't because Xiao Yu was too weak, but because Qi Yuan was too strong.
Not to mention level two researchers, even the level three researchers in the laboratory couldn't complete these projects so quickly.
However, it was obviously inappropriate to praise Qi Yuan's research ability now.
However, after eliminating the only correct answer, there were only two left.
One, Xiao Yu's skills were limited. Two, Xiao Yu was deliberately cheating the laboratory's funding.
However, Feng Qian couldn't say these two answers.
After a short silence, Feng Qian pretended not to hear Qi Yuan's question and said directly,
"No matter how Xiao Yu's research progress is, you shouldn't have snatched the project under his name!"
Seeing that Feng Qian was starting to act shamelessly, Qi Yuan asked with an aggrieved expression, "Then what project should I be researching?"
"Every time I applied for a research project, Xiao Yu would snatch it away from me. He clearly doesn't want me to research other projects. Other than researching Xiao Yu's project, I really can't think of any other way.
"Everyone started as an assistant step by step. You should know very well how difficult it is for a level two researcher to find a suitable project. However, Xiao Yu used his authority as a level three researcher to shamelessly suppress me. If you were me, what would you do?"
Qi Yuan stared at Feng Qian and said word by word,
"Or, you can persuade Xiao Yu to focus on his own project and stop snatching my project application!"
Feng Qian looked at Qi Yuan coldly. If looks could kill, Qi Yuan would probably be cut into pieces.
"I've already warned him that he won't research the same project as you in the future!" Feng Qian said.
"But there's something that you need to explain to us."
Feng Qian picked up 'Hope' and flipped it to the page where Qi Yuan had published his thesis. He spread it open on the conference table.
"How did you complete this project?"
Qi Yuan shrugged. Facing Feng Qian's questioning, he was not afraid at all. The research committee had already approved the thesis and published it in 'Hope'. Why would they need you to talk nonsense here?
"Isn't it written clearly in the thesis?" Qi Yuan said.
"Your level of level three shouldn't be enough to support you to complete this project, right?" Feng Qian said.
"Why can't a level three researcher complete a level four project?" Qi Yuan asked in surprise.
"Who set this rule?"
"Why do I remember that you also completed a level four project when you were a level three researcher? Did anyone question you at that time?"
Feng Qian took a deep breath and said slowly, "You have to think carefully.
"You have to consider carefully. Academic fraud is a very bad behavior. Once it is verified, you will be stripped of your status as a researcher!"
"Is that so?" Qi Yuan laughed.
"Then why wasn't Tang Hong stripped of his researcher status?
He plagiarized my berserker and shamelessly held a press conference. Why doesn't he have to pay any price for his academic fraud? "
Feng Qian misspoke again. At this moment, he realized that Qi Yuan did not have any scruples at all. He did not have any scruples like he did when he first entered the laboratory. He had all sorts of scruples and moved forward carefully.
Looking at the two of them arguing, Cao Yansheng shook his head gently and finally spoke up to help Feng Qian out of the situation.
"Alright, since Qi Yuan's thesis was approved by the research committee and published in this issue of 'Hope', there's no need to doubt the authenticity of the thesis."
After Cao Yansheng finished speaking, he glanced at Feng Qian.
"Do you have anything else to ask?"
Feng Qian was silent for a few seconds and said slowly, "No."
Cao Yansheng nodded before turning to Qi Yuan with a gentle gaze.
"I've read your first thesis carefully. Ai Xin's evaluation of you was very pertinent. That perfect energy matrix opened a new door for all energy matrix researchers."
"Thank you!" Qi Yuan said.
From the attitudes of these people, Qi Yuan knew that Cao Yansheng's position was probably the highest among them. Receiving this person's approval meant that Feng Qian would not play any tricks on him anymore.
"Xiao Yu took three of your project applications, and you took three of his projects. This grudge will end here. What do you think?"
"No problem." Qi Yuan nodded.
"That's good!
With your talent, it's a waste to waste your energy on these schemes, "Cao Yansheng said.
"From now on, if anyone dares to play with the rules and suppress your academic research, you can come to me directly. I'll help you deal with them!"
"Thank you!" Qi Yuan said sincerely again.
Cao Yansheng's promise was even more powerful than Tanqiu's protection. From this moment on, whether it was Xiao Yu or Feng Qian, they would not be able to suppress him anymore.
"No need to thank me." Cao Yansheng shook his head.
"It's because of our negligence that Tang Hong and Xiao Yu were so unscrupulous."
"Don't worry, Tang Hong and Xiao Yu will pay the price for their actions!"
Qi Yuan's eyebrows twitched. He did not expect Cao Yansheng to settle old scores.
However, Qi Yuan quickly realized that Cao Yansheng probably wanted to use this opportunity to clean up the many years of abuse in the laboratory.
Cao Yansheng carefully sized up Qi Yuan before smiling faintly, "Your current strength is still a little weak. After you return, make the best use of your time to raise your strength. If you can reach the Fourth Order as soon as possible, I can make an exception for you and let you join the Chief's research project."
Feng Qian's face was ashen. The thing that he had fought so hard for for others was actually placed in front of Qi Yuan just like that!
He Shou also looked at Cao Yansheng in surprise. There were so many rank 3 researchers in the laboratory, but there were very few who could gain Cao Yansheng's approval. Qi Yuan, a rank 2 researcher, was actually able to gain Cao Yansheng's favor. This made him feel somewhat incredulous.
Not only was Cao Yansheng experienced and skilled, but he also had a good eye for people. The few researchers that he had praised by name had almost all advanced to rank 4.
Cao Yansheng's expectations of Qi Yuan, from a certain perspective, meant that Qi Yuan had a high chance of becoming a rank 4 researcher in the future.
After Qi Yuan left, Cao Yansheng slowly withdrew the smile on his face and said with a serious expression, "From today, Qi Yuan will be demoted to rank 1.
"From today onwards, Tang Hong will be demoted from a second-level researcher to a first-level researcher. He is not allowed to be promoted for a year."
Xiao Yu is demoted from rank 3 to rank 2. He is not allowed to be promoted within a year. "
Cao Yansheng looked at Feng Qian and said, "Do you have any objections to this punishment?"
Feng Qian lowered his eyelids and said slowly, "No."
Cao Yansheng nodded and continued, "Remember, the rank 4 researcher status is an honor given to you by the laboratory. Don't use this honor to bully others. This will only bring shame to the honor!"