Chapter 844: Chapter 88: To Those Bestowed with Dreams and a Future (3)
After a simple handshake, Mr. Ofi quickly followed the director into the research institute.
“Where is he?” Mr. Ofi was quite direct, perhaps because he had been in a high position for a long time, he straightforwardly ignored the senior relationship he had with the director.
“Arranged in a conference room, I’ve had someone forting Ferenc.” The director shook his head, “What exactly happened to Ferenc?”
“Actually…” Mr. Ofi couldn’t help but briefly recount what had happened in the morning and then said, “I later consulted several doctors, and they initially judged that it was excessive stimulation causing memory disorder… It needs time, to untie the knot.”
The director sighed, he certainly knew what Dr. Ferenc’s heart knot was… and he knew what the heart knot between Ofi and his father Ferenc was.
In front of the conference room door, however, the director stopped, “You go in yourself.”
Mr. Ofi was not a pretentious person, upon hearing this, he simply nodded slightly. But just as he was about to push the door open and enter, the door opened ahead of him.
A man in a white coat stepped out, about thirty years old. Mr. Ofi speculated that this man was probably arranged by the director to fort his father, so he just nodded and quickly said, “Thank you for your hard work.”
This researcher certainly recognized the big figure Mr. Ofi, but at this moment, facing Mr. Ofi’s thanks, he hurriedly shook his head, looking somewhat anxious, and spoke rapidly, “Director… Maybe, you really should see what Dr. Ferenc wrote down… I-I don’t know how to say… But, but it’s incredible! Dr. Ferenc is simply a genius! A great genius!”
Looking at the excited researcher, Mr. Ofi and the director glanced at each other in shock, Mr. Ofi instinctively pushed the door open.
Pushing it gently, like a child pushing a heavy door — inside the conference room, Dr. Ferenc was standing at the edge of the wall. Exactly as Mr. Ofi had seen in the home study room, at this moment the walls were already filled with dense formulas written by Dr. Ferenc with a water pen.
They walked slowly into the conference room, their footsteps extremely light, the director at this time looked up at what Dr. Ferenc had written down, instinctively adjusted his glasses, his lips parted slightly, gradually being surprised — until the end, the director suddenly showed a dramatic change in expression.
“Paper! Pen!” The director simply said two words, and the researcher hurriedly found a stack of A4 paper from the corner cabinet beside the conference room, then took the ballpoint pen from his clothes and handed it to the director.
At this point, the director directly sat down, sometimes looking at what Dr. Ferenc had written on the wall and copying it down, sometimes focused on drawing on the formulas he had copied, “My God… It’s solved like this… This is a new algorithm! How did he do it! How did he do it…”
The director repeatedly exclaimed, as if Columbus had discovered a new continent, and at this moment, the researcher himself also took paper and pen, imitating the director’s behavior, also copying down and analyzing and calculating, and in his excitement, he directly said: “Look, if we push with this kinetic energy, the initial calculation suggests that the power output can be increased by 4.5%!”
They enthusiastically discussed, losing themselves… like Dr. Ferenc who was writing things on the wall.
Mr. Ofi suddenly felt that he did not belong to this place — he quietly watched Dr. Ferenc’s back, but what he recalled was the events of many years ago… when he was young.
No matter whether at home or in the research institute, he always saw such a back, immersed in his own world.
Ignoring families, ignoring everything.
He opened his mouth, intending to wake everyone in the conference room, but several times when he was about to speak, for some reason swallowed it back.
Mr. Ofi wasn’t difficult to judge that at this moment his father was writing something very important to the entire research institute — so much so that the director and this researcher were so disposed.
Mr. Ofi silently retreated two steps and then sat down on a chair close to the wall.
Not sure how this spread, maybe a passing researcher saw this scene, curiously stepped in, then found the director, like a student, watching Dr. Ferenc’s back, and also amazed at the knowledge on the wall, finally silently took paper, and sat at the conference table.
Gradually, one, two, three… the once empty conference table didn’t know when it was already full of people, some young, some middle-aged, even those of the same age as the director.
And then beside the conference table, one, two… People gradually increased, the conference room also unknowingly became crowded.
There were many voices of discussion, but unexpectedly maintained at a very low decibel level, they seemed to be all afraid that the sound was too loud and would disturb Dr. Ferenc, and his pen that was writing out a large number of new knowledge.
The process for researchers to absorb knowledge is one that is selfless and frantic.
They are even more devout than the believers heading to the church for worship… A female researcher with glasses was looking down at her notebook at this time and walked past Mr. Ofi.
The female researcher’s shoe even stepped on Mr. Ofi’s foot, but she was pletely unaware, and then came back and walked again… stepped on once again.
Mr. Ofi was a bit upset, and lightly coughed, intending to gently remind the female researcher to pay a little attention. However, unexpectedly, she glared back at him and made a gesture to silence him.
Mr. Ofi stood up helplessly and squeezed his way out of the meeting room through the crowd. Only then did he realize that the corridor was also packed with people, pressed against the glass of the meeting room, their eyes focused.
There were even quite a few people sitting on the floor. Someone squeezed out of the meeting room, spread out what they had copied on the floor, and immediately someone else moved over to take a look.
Mr. Ofi shook his head. In this situation, he was afraid there was no way he could take Dr. Ferenc away, otherwise, even with the title of Minister of National Defence, he would probably be besieged by these researchers.
Feeling somewhat helpless, Mr. Ofi went to the tea room by himself only to find a security personnel present there.
The security officer, upon seeing someone walk in, glanced over, recognized Mr. Ofi instantly, and stood up straight, giving Mr. Ofi a perfect salute.
Mr. Ofi shook his head with a hint of self-deprecation: “After work, I’m no different from you guys, no need to be so tense. For instance, they can pletely disregard me, can’t they?”
“They’re all big figures in high science, different.” The security personnel could probably imagine what Mr. Ofi had encountered… Yet, even so, he didn’t dare to be too ‘casual’ in front of Mr. Ofi and remained cautious at all times, “Sir, the water heater is broken; it’s working intermittently, only cold water now.”
Mr. Ofi was stunned, “After so many years, is this water heater still broken? Hasn’t it been replaced?”
“It’s never been repaired, and there’s hot water available elsewhere,” the security personnel replied, “It’s also said to save some budget. The director often plains about the decreasing government funding, or something like that… Did you just say, so many years?”
He looked at Mr. Ofi in surprise.
Seeing Mr. Ofi say nothing, he rolled up his sleeves and went to the back of the water heater. Under the astonished gaze of the security personnel, he easily removed the back cover and started tinkering.
In just a moment, the water heater actually started working again, leaving the security personnel marveling with admiration, “Oh… sir, you’re really incredible.”
“My wife often says the same thing,” Mr. Ofi shook his head, “Even though the only thing I know how to do is tinker with stuff like this… I used to study electromechanical engineering, so I can handle simple repairs.”
The security personnel paused, suddenly recalling some gossip from the research institute… This high-ranking officer seems to have a wife who worked here, and she was quite a high-level researcher.
“Oh, right.”
As if remembering something, Mr. Ofi looked at the security personnel and said, “Call some people to bring some water to those guys in the meeting room, otherwise they might die of thirst. Judging by their looks, it’s hard to tell what they might drink.”
Though it’s unlikely they’ll drink just anything due to thirst… Nonetheless, the security personnel nodded.
Mr. Ofi, carrying a water cup, walked out of the tea room but suddenly stopped and turned to ask, “By the way, who occupies the office in Room 118 on the fifth floor now?”
The security personnel hesitated for a moment, then quickly replied, “That office has been unoccupied. It was requested to be vacant by Dr. Ferenc… oh, that’s your father.”
“I see…” Mr. Ofi mused and then walked away, “Do your job, don’t mind me, I’ll just wander around.”
It wasn’t until Mr. Ofi pletely left his sight that the security personnel breathed a sigh of relief; when Mr. Ofi was present, he didn’t even dare to breathe heavily.
…
In front of the door marked with the number 118, Mr. Ofi had been standing quietly for several minutes. Right now, many researchers were concentrated in the meeting room downstairs, so it was very quiet here, with no one to disturb him—even though Mr. Ofi appeared peculiar standing there.
He not only stood in front of the door but also held a cellphone to his ear without speaking—faintly, a woman’s voice could be heard from the phone.
Voicemail box.
——Really, is Louis’s birthday next week? Oh, dear, I’m such a failed mother.
——Beep.
——Ofi, once this experiment succeeds, I definitely want to take a leave from the teacher. It’s been so long since we’ve traveled together, you’ll have time, won’t you?
——Beep.
——Mr. Ofi, is work tiring?
——Beep.
——Sorry, I was so tired I fell asleep and missed your call… You should be asleep at this hour, right? Did you have a glass of milk before bed… Love you.
——Beep.
——Tired? Not at all, because this is my ideal too…
——Beep.
In the end, Mr. Ofi put down the phone and gently touched the doorplate number in front of him, saying softly, “Madam Maggie… I’m doing great, please don’t worry.”
“Mr. Ofi, there you are! Dr. Ferenc fainted, please hurry over and take a look!” From afar, the voice of the security personnel he met in the break room came through.
“I’ll be right over…” Mr. Ofi quickly stepped out, asking seriously, “Did you call an ambulance?”
“It’s already on the way.”
…
…
It was already night. ‘Arno’ looked at the closed bathroom door of dorm room 403, then quickly took a bag out of the drawer and tucked it into his backpack.
After packing his things, ‘Arno’ walked to the bathroom door and knocked a few times. Inside, the sound of water stopped, “Is there something you need?”
‘Arno’ said, “I’m heading to the Library, might be back a bit late.”
Caroline pulled aside the curtain, frowned briefly, then quickly responded, “Alright, I’ll wait for you to e back. Be careful.”
‘Arno’ smiled, patted the door lightly, and said casually, “No worries, it’ll be fine.”
He soon opened the door, locked it, but didn’t leave immediately… ‘Arno’ hesitated for a moment, then finally took out a small thread and placed it in the door gap.
He left the boys’ dormitory with his backpack—certainly not to review at the Library.
As ‘Arno’ passed a convenience store not far below, he suddenly stopped. He walked directly in, bought a pack of condoms at the counter, then left.
But he hadn’t walked a few steps before someone patted him on the shoulder from behind, and a voice called out his real name, “Harry, where are you going?”
‘Arno’… Harry’s eyes widened instantly, only feeling the hand on his shoulder was neither strong nor weak, but it made him feel a powerless softness throughout his body.
This was… Boston’s voice.
Harry subtly gulped and turned around, to see Boston leisurely watching him, “I… I made an appointment with some students, planning to sell them some stuff.”
“Oh, really, what a coincidence.” Boston shrugged.
Harry said calmly, “You… why are you here suddenly? I’m not slacking off, rest assured.”
Boston shrugged, laughing disdainfully, “Would you dare? Don’t overthink it, I’m not here to monitor you. I came to drop off Boss Arno.”
“Arno…” Harry’s face instantly changed slightly, “He… He came, why…”
“There’s an exam tomorrow, did you forget?”
From the shadows beside, Arno slowly stepped out. He scrutinized Harry briefly, then said indifferently, “Time to switch back. Why, is there something troubling you? Your expression looks odd.”
Harry hurriedly said, “I was just about to deliver goods, if we switch now… how about, later?”
Arno gave Harry a suspicious look, frowning slightly, “No need, let Boston acpany you to deliver, after that you can leave in Boston’s car. Once I return to the dorm, I won’t e out again… why, any other problems?”
“No, none.” Harry lowered his head.
Boston walked over, hung an arm around Harry’s shoulder, and said playfully, “No problem, then let’s go! Deliver the goods quickly, so we can have some fun later! Harry, don’t say I don’t look out for you, a new nightclub just opened, it’s quite nice!”
“Is… is it?” Harry only felt his steps growing weak.
What to do—he had kept Caroline a secret from Arno, if Arno went back to the dorm and saw Caroline…
What to do…
He was worrying secretly, but at this moment, Arno suddenly called to him, “Wait, don’t leave yet.”
Harry’s pupils shrank sharply, but Boston obediently turned him around by the shoulder, “Boss, any other instructions, just say it!”
Arno said indifferently, “Harry, you forgot to give me the dorm key.”
“Key… oh, right, right.”
Harry quickly put down his backpack, started rummaging through it, but after searching for a while, he turned over his pockets finally, sighing helplessly, “I think I forgot to bring the key, I must have rushed too much when ing out… you know, these students are pretty impatient, specifying deliveries and all.”
“Why be so flustered? I didn’t say anything.” Arno shook his head, “If you forgot the key, it’s fine, I’ll just find the admin, you guys go then.”
“Alrighty, boss!” Boston readily replied.
Harry dared not say more, letting Boston push him as they left with long strides.
Arno squinted, watching Harry leave, then quietly hid in the shadows. He kept along the shadows till he reached the front of the dorm building, waited for a moment until no one was passing by, then quickly went in.
He soon arrived in the administrator’s room, the administrator, seeing him e in, instinctively asked, “Something else? You just left, didn’t you?”
“Has anyone suspicious e by lately?” Arno asked calmly.
The administrator was stunned, then stood up respectfully, “Boss.”
Saying so, the administrator pulled Arno in, closed the door, and said, “No suspicious people have e by, boss, rest assured.”
Arno nodded, then took out a wad of cash, placed it on the table, “This month’s wage, make sure to count it.”
“Hehe, thank you, boss.” The administrator chuckled, licking his fingers and started counting the cash.
Arno suddenly asked coldly, “Harry hasn’t been acting strange, has he?”
The administrator said casually, “Nothing weird, just ing and going… oh, by the way, he brought a woman back, she’s been staying a few days.”
“A woman? What woman?” Arno frowned.
The administrator said, “A rather unfamiliar face, hadn’t seen her before, but she’s pretty… boss, she should still be in the dorm, maybe you could… heh heh.”
“Do your job well.” Arno said calmly, “Give me the key.”
After leaving the administrator’s room, Arno sent a text to Boston from his phone: Keep a close eye on Harry.
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