Ch 56: Those who wronged me are now begging me for mercy

Do You Dare Go Out Looking for Girls?

The melody of “Jilejingtu” was already highly captivating, but now that it was played with the suona, it had an additional layer of soul-piercing allure.

As a result, that night, everyone who came out of the veterinary laboratory had a slightly dazed look on their faces.

However, their inner thoughts were entirely the opposite—rich and complex. Even so, they all shared a unified background BGM, which was the opening prelude of “Jilejingtu” with the tune of “deng deng deng dengdeng…”

Rong Ziyin really used this melody to send everyone to nirvana together. Despite the major breakthrough in their research, they didn’t go out to celebrate with a meal as a group. Instead, after submitting their reports and assigning tasks for the second phase, they all dispersed.

Two of the top researchers, in particular, after saying their part, looked at Rong Ziyin with deep regret before turning to leave.

Talented as he was, they figured it was better not to take him back to their labs. Not to mention whether they themselves could handle it, they feared that Rong Ziyin would drive their old apprentices in the lab insane.

They could already imagine the scene: everyone in the lab depending on Rong Ziyin for results, unable to physically retaliate even if driven to rage, eventually all puffing up like pufferfish in frustration.

Just thinking about it was quite pitiful.

Thus, without even realizing it, Rong Ziyin had gone from being the sought-after talent everyone competed for to a true “orphan” no one dared to take in.

But one person hadn’t left—the chubby big shot who had first taken a liking to Rong Ziyin.

At the moment, this big shot, whose blood pressure was rapidly rising, was squatting in a corner, smoking with a face full of sorrow.

Rong Ziyin finished tidying up the lab and was about to return to the dormitory when he ran into him.

The system immediately sounded an alarm: “Master! Watch out for this middle-aged man; he seems to have taken an interest in you!”

Coincidentally, before the system could finish, the chubby big shot gritted his teeth and mustered up the courage to say to Rong Ziyin, “Xiao Rong, come here, I need to talk to you about something.”

“What is it?”

“I’m interested in you.” As if making an extremely difficult decision, the chubby big shot spoke and sighed heavily.

The system screamed, “Holy crap, holy crap, holy crap—academic circles’ unspoken rules!”

Rong Ziyin: “Don’t talk nonsense.”

After dismissing the system, Rong Ziyin squatted next to the chubby big shot and asked, “What do you mean by that?”

Chubby Big Shot: “Be my apprentice! You see, you’ve almost caused enough trouble at the Agricultural University. I have a bunch of oddballs in my lab who would really suit your development.”

Rong Ziyin: “But I don’t specialize in genetics.”

The chubby big shot stubbed out his cigarette. “You’re already in the field, so it’s okay to get a preview.”

As he spoke, he pulled out his phone to show Rong Ziyin a short paper.

“This was written by me.” It was a report Rong Ziyin had previously written on avian infectious diseases.

The chubby big shot pointed out two spots in the report, then pulled up another document. “Take a look at this.”

Rong Ziyin was stunned as he looked at it. The research direction was the same as his previous paper. But so far, in the academic circles, he hadn’t heard of anyone focusing on avian infectious diseases.

The chubby big shot exhaled a long breath. “This is mine, but as you know, in the veterinary field, animal husbandry isn’t the main focus. Even if I apply for funding, it won’t be much. I’ve been sustaining this research with funds from other projects.”

“But I don’t have the right talent in my team; it’s hard to accomplish anything alone.”

Rong Ziyin thought for a moment. “I’m not enough on my own either.”

The chubby big shot pointed to himself. “And then there’s me! I’m currently lacking someone who can lead the entire project. If we have that, we can start immediately with full resources.”

“You know my reputation in the circle; at the very least, I won’t hold back capable people from rising to the top.”

But Rong Ziyin asked him a very important question, “Why are you interested in this project?”

The chubby big shot couldn’t help but laugh. “You could say it’s a mix of personal and professional interest! I also come from a village. My family used to raise geese.”

He left it at that and didn’t continue, and Rong Ziyin didn’t press further.

The chubby big shot lit another cigarette. “So, what do you think? Want to join?”

“I think I could.” Rong Ziyin nodded. “But I have one more important question.”

“What is it?”

“Would you mind if your graduate student had a second job?”

The chubby big shot immediately became alert. “No playing the suona! Xiao Rong, let me tell you, even though the suona is a national treasure, it’s really not suitable for you. Trust me, give it up!”

System: Pfft.

Rong Ziyin, expressionless: “It’s not that.”

The chubby big shot breathed a sigh of relief. “In that case, anything is fine.”

Rong Ziyin nodded and said nothing more.

Taking advantage of the moment, the chubby big shot added Rong Ziyin on WeChat and immediately pulled him into a group chat with his other students, introducing Rong Ziyin to everyone.

Although he hadn’t yet informed the Agricultural University, he knew there would be no problem from their side.

After all, Rong Ziyin’s advisor and their department head had been recommending him to the chubby big shot for this very purpose.

The academic world isn’t always peaceful. Rong Ziyin had no powerful backers, just the support from Agricultural University out of their teaching relationship. Having him under his wing could be a form of protection.

The chubby big shot patted Rong Ziyin on the shoulder, encouraging him, “Work hard!”

Rong Ziyin stood up and solemnly bowed to him. “I won’t disappoint your expectations, teacher.”

With this change in address, he acknowledged their relationship. The chubby big shot nodded, signaling that Rong Ziyin could leave.

He had followed Rong Ziyin to the small forest yesterday, and he knew that after finishing in the lab, Rong Ziyin still had to rehearse a program with his classmates, so he was quite busy. He decided to let him go.

However, as he watched Rong Ziyin walk away lightly with the suona in hand, the chubby big shot suddenly felt that his earlier thoughts had been too extreme.

Rong Ziyin might not be without a support network after all. Even if it’s just a teaching relationship, the name Agricultural University is enough to serve as Rong Ziyin’s first stepping stone into the academic world.

Scholars specializing in animal husbandry from the Agricultural University’s Veterinary Department—who would dare to underestimate them?

With this thought, the chubby big shot sent a WeChat message to his friend, “Want to grab a drink tonight? I think this new apprentice of mine has a very bright future ahead.”

A few seconds later, his friend replied, “Definitely a bright future—he managed to ‘send us all off’ with one tune. That’s pretty impressive. No drinks tonight, though; my head hurts.”

The chubby big shot, with his usual cheekiness, responded, “How about I call him back to play you something new? How about ‘Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix’? We could cleanse our ears together.”

The response: “…”

Five seconds later, the chubby big shot sent another message, but this time he received a notification: “You are not friends with this contact. Please add them to your friends list to continue the conversation.”

He had been blocked.

“Tsk! At this age, how can he not understand the importance of maintaining good health? What’s the point of getting angry so often?” the chubby big shot muttered, deciding to go find his friend immediately. After all, if the monk runs away, the temple can’t escape.

It seems the term “dog” might truly describe a certain master-apprentice lineage.

Meanwhile, on Rong Ziyin’s end, the system was also feeling quite emotional.

“So he wanted to take you on as an apprentice! That gave me quite a scare.”

“What else did you expect?” Rong Ziyin replied while fiddling with the suona as he walked. He had been playing it frequently lately and had regained the mastery of his peak days. He could pick up a tune and play it flawlessly on the spot, as long as it wasn’t too complicated.

Unfortunately, there weren’t many who could appreciate his unique talent. Rong Ziyin felt he needed someone who could recognize his potential.

But after scrolling through his contacts, he realized there wasn’t anyone who could truly appreciate his special skill.

He still hadn’t played “The Funeral Hall” yet!

Just then, he spotted the number of the loan shark from before, and Rong Ziyin suddenly remembered that he hadn’t “harvested” anything in a while. Surely, by now, it must have grown quite lush.

So, to the system’s utter shock, he proactively dialed the loan shark’s number and, the moment the call connected, played one of his classic pieces, “The Funeral Hall.”

The mournful, piercing, and unforgettable melody was so powerful that within just one minute, by the time the loan shark managed to recover from the shock and hang up, Rong Ziyin had already harvested a whopping 20,000 emotion points.

Rong Ziyin: See? Dealing with people who are true to their emotions is truly satisfying.

The system, meanwhile, was at a loss for words. It couldn’t even recall where the image of a healthy, optimistic, and stable young man it had originally associated with Rong Ziyin had gone.

No, in fact, it never existed. Rong Ziyin had always been this cunning from the start. The system was just too naive back then, too blind to see the hardships of the world, and its filter for Rong Ziyin was far too thick. Only now had it seen through Rong Ziyin’s true nature.

At the same time, the loan shark was feeling the same way as the system.

Because recently, Rong Ziyin hadn’t made any transfers or bullied him, so he had been living quite happily, even chatting with a girl who shared similar interests.

Today was May 20th, a popular day for confessions, and he had planned to take the girl to a Western restaurant and make a heartfelt confession.

However, just when the atmosphere was perfect, Rong Ziyin’s phone call ruined everything.

The loan shark’s phone had its volume set quite high, and combined with the natural loudness of the suona, it instantly drowned out even the sound of the violin playing in the restaurant. In a flash, he became the center of attention in the entire restaurant.

In the end, due to the overwhelming embarrassment, he and the girl had to part ways unhappily. His resentment toward Rong Ziyin deepened even further, but he didn’t dare to call back and confront him.

It was already terrifying enough now, and if Rong Ziyin were to harass him from time to time, he feared he would die of anger every two years.

Forget it, as long as the rich young master above him didn’t force him to stir up trouble, he would pretend he never knew this jinx, Rong Ziyin.

Whimpering, he thought about how he had planned to get out of being single today, even changing his hairstyle, but in the end, he was still just a single dog.

Standing on the street, the loan shark was so angry that he started crying.

Meanwhile, Rong Ziyin was thoroughly enjoying the emotional points he was harvesting from the loan shark, feeling satisfied as he headed to the small forest to practice with the guys from his class.

At eleven o’clock, Rong Ziyin returned to the dormitory on time, contemplating whether to play a game of Honor of Kings.

The northeastern guy from the class monitor’s dorm had mentioned that a professional jungler was going to help carry them to victory.

So, Rong Ziyin went next door and knocked on the class monitor’s dorm room door.

There were four people in the class monitor’s dorm, and with Rong Ziyin, they made a perfect five-man team.

As soon as the familiar “timi” sound played, the class monitor’s phone suddenly rang with a ringtone.

It was from the class monitor’s girlfriend.

“Shh!” Everyone in the dorm held their breath and signaled Rong Ziyin to stay quiet.

It wasn’t for any other reason; the class monitor’s girlfriend was a bit formidable, and they were all somewhat afraid of this tough young lady. Even the class monitor himself was strictly under her control.

Sure enough, the first thing the girl said when the call connected was, “Where are you?”

“I’m in the dorm!” the class monitor replied weakly.

“Hmph, in the dorm… why do I feel like there are more than four people in your room?”

“What the hell! How did you know?” The class monitor panicked, instantly thinking that his girlfriend had installed surveillance in the dorm.

“I know you too well! Graduation is coming up, and you’re planning to ditch me and find someone new, aren’t you!”

“I’m not, my dear, don’t misunderstand.” The class monitor hurriedly explained, “These are just my brothers, right? I can’t just watch them stay stuck in Bronze rank, so I’m helping them rank up.”

“Brothers?” The girl on the other end sneered, “Tell me, what kind of ‘brother’ would make you mobilize the entire dorm to help her rank up?”

“You’ve barely reached Gold after three days, and with a name like that?”

“This is the first time I’ve learned that you have a thing for such a ‘cutesy’ style.”

What name? The class monitor was confused. For the past three days, they had only helped Rong Ziyin, no one else! The northeastern jungler quickly checked the game and took a look at Rong Ziyin’s ID name, and then fell into a deep silence.

Rong Ziyin’s ID was—”Isn’t Yaoyao Cute?”

Yaoyao, the most famous soft-support character in Honor of Kings, is widely known as the go-to character for girls. It’s common knowledge that out of ten players who pick Yaoyao, six are cute girls, two are green tea types, one is a professional support girl, and the last one… is a man pretending to be a girl.

🍉🫐🍇🍒🥝