Zhejiang University, one of the nation’s top C9 Universities.
Its biology-related programs weren’t as famous as its computer science department.
But in the eyes of insiders, Zhejiang University’s life sciences, especially in the field of plant genetics and crop breeding, were second to none in the country.
Sun Xiang’s mentor, Professor Zhang Minfang, was a top scholar in this very field.
He was not only a lead scientist in the national industrial technology system for melons and watermelons, but he also held enviable amounts of horizontal and vertical research funding.
He had also published two heavyweight papers in Nature Genetics as the corresponding author.
What did being published in Nature Genetics mean?
As one of the core subsidiary journals of Nature, its impact factor was consistently high, making it the holy grail for all genetics and molecular biology researchers worldwide.
Publishing just one first-author paper in it was enough to let you walk with your head held high at any "Double First-Class" university in the country.
In addition, Professor Zhang had also published papers in other top international journals like Nature Communications and Molecular Plant. Over his career, he had accumulated over two hundred high-level SCI-indexed papers.
On top of that, the man had a bit of a temper. To be honest, Sun Xiang was terrified of him.
The day before leaving for Hangzhou, Sun Xiang had been having second thoughts back in his office at Sixth Middle School.
"Li Dong, how about... you just buy a high-speed rail ticket and go to Zhejiang University yourself? I’ve already given my mentor a heads-up."
Sun Xiang said, grasping for an excuse.
"Look, the curriculum for our honors class at Sixth Middle School is so tight. The biology class can’t function without me. If I leave, the students..."
However, before Sun Xiang could finish, the office door was pushed open.
A biology teacher who looked incredibly capable walked in, holding a lesson plan.
"Xiaosun, don’t you worry. Just go..."
Sun Xiang: "..."
At Zhejiang University’s Zijingang Campus, the wind was a bit chilly.
Sun Xiang led Li Dong, navigating with ease to the School of Life Sciences’ laboratory building.
"Li Dong, when we go in later, don’t talk out of turn..."
Standing before a private office with a plaque that read "Director of the Key Laboratory," Sun Xiang swallowed nervously.
Li Dong was confused. ’What does he mean, "don’t talk out of turn"? I don’t even know the man. It’s not like he’s going to start yelling at me the moment we walk in...’
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK. Sun Xiang rapped on the door.
"Come in," a voice called from inside.
Sun Xiang pushed the door open, led Li Dong inside, and then called out respectfully.
"Teacher."
Li Dong, following behind, saw the person behind the desk.
He was about fifty years old, with a neat buzz cut and a pair of black-framed glasses perched on his nose.
Professor Zhang was still looking at the triple-monitor setup in front of him. He glanced up slightly at the sound.
He rolled his eyes when he saw it was Sun Xiang, then gave a nod.
"Sit."
As if granted amnesty, Sun Xiang quickly pulled Li Dong down to sit on the sofa.
He was just about to make the introduction.
"Teacher, this is my stu—"
"Are you married?"
Professor Zhang Minfang suddenly spoke up, asking a question that had absolutely nothing to do with academics.
Li Dong froze.
’What’s going on? I’m not even of legal age to marry! Is this some kind of metaphor?’
Just as Li Dong was about to force himself to answer, "I’m only a high school senior," he realized Professor Zhang wasn’t looking at him at all, but at Sun Xiang.
It was only then that Li Dong realized the question was for Teacher Sun.
He couldn’t help but turn his head, looking at his thirty-something biology teacher with a hint of gossip in his eyes.
Sun Xiang was clearly caught off guard by the sudden question. He nodded, a little dazed.
"Y-Yes, I am."
After hearing this, Professor Zhang Minfang was silent for a long moment before asking another question.
"Do you still want to come back and continue doing research?"
After he said this, Li Dong clearly felt Sun Xiang’s shoulders tremble.
Seeing Sun Xiang unable to squeeze out a word, Professor Zhang frowned and said,
"If you want to, say so. If you don’t, say so!"
"The biggest taboo in research is being indecisive, acting like a little woman! Spit it out!"
That reprimand seemed to transport Sun Xiang back to the night his mentor had furiously chewed him out for a mistake he made running a gel electrophoresis.
But he smiled.
"I do! Teacher, I still want to!"
Professor Zhang looked at this once-talented disciple of his and nodded.
"Since you want to, then stop wasting your life away at that high school. Finish teaching this year’s senior class. See your current post through to the end."
"Your senior, Liu Dong, has an opening for an assistant in his research group."
"Next year, after you’ve sorted out your employment paperwork, come over and start as a research assistant."
Hearing this, Sun Xiang almost burst into tears.
How could he not know how precious a research assistant position in a key laboratory at Zhejiang University was?
He nodded profusely.
"Thank you, Teacher!"
After knocking his disciple into shape, Professor Zhang Minfang finally turned his attention to Li Dong.
"So this is the student you mentioned?"
Sun Xiang quickly composed himself.
"Yes, yes, Teacher. His name is Li Dong."
"Li Dong, this is my mentor, Professor Zhang Minfang."
Li Dong immediately stood up.
"Professor Zhang, it’s an honor to meet you."
Professor Zhang gave a slight nod. Without any pleasantries, he simply held out his hand.
"Let me see your research proposal."
"Of course."
Li Dong quickly took the research proposal out of his backpack and handed it over with both hands.
Zhang Minfang took the proposal, put on his glasses, and began to read.
The office fell silent, with only the sound of rustling paper.
At first, Professor Zhang’s expression was calm, but as he continued to read, his brow slowly began to furrow.
After about ten minutes, Zhang Minfang closed the proposal and placed it on the desk.
He took off his glasses and looked at Li Dong.
"This proposal of yours... the premise is very ambitious."
"The conceptualization of the academic closed loop is also quite elegant."
"However..."
His tone shifted.
"I’d really like to know what you plan to do if you choose the wrong target."
"You have to understand, the genome of Asteraceae plants is highly complex, full of polyploidization and vast, redundant repetitive sequences."
"You’re trying to fish out this crucial ’switch’ from a vast sea of data via transcriptome sequencing, without a reference genome."
"I think that will be extremely difficult. Even with the PpPAR Gene discovered in Hairy Mountain Willow Chrysanthemum by the team from the Netherlands to use as a probe, I’m still not optimistic about your chances..."
Professor Zhang sighed and just stared at Li Dong.
"So, tell me. What makes you think you can find this switch?"
Faced with his teacher’s skepticism, Sun Xiang worried for Li Dong in his heart.
He knew his mentor was right. This was the biggest pitfall in gene function validation for non-model plants.
But Li Dong, standing his ground, was completely unfazed.
’On what basis?’
Li Dong thought to himself.
’On the basis that I have the [Life Analysis (Basic Edition)] halo personally bestowed by Mendel! To me, the underlying genetic codes and metabolic pathways are as clear as reading an instruction manual. How could I possibly choose the wrong one?’
Of course, he couldn’t say anything about his cheat-like ability.
Li Dong met Professor Zhang’s gaze, his expression free of panic, his eyes pure and resolute.
"Professor Zhang, in the uncharted territory of science, it’s true I’m not one hundred percent certain I can find the right target."
"But..." Li Dong’s voice was firm and resonant.
"I just want to do it."

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