Getting Back on Track

In Yu Lei's office, Yu Lei made tea and poured water. "Brother, why did you come all the way here in person? You didn't even tell me beforehand."

"You've been Associate Professor in the Mathematics Department at Tsinghua University for a few months now. Are you settling in well?" Shen Qi looked around Yu Lei's office. It was clean, tidy, and bright—not bad at all.

Yu Lei smiled wryly, "The pressure is immense. There's always work to do and meetings to attend. Sigh, yesterday I looked in the mirror and found a gray hair."

Shen Qi picked up his teacup and took a sip. "There's definitely pressure, but without pressure, there's no motivation. I mainly came to see you today, and also to ask you about someone. There's a researcher at your Qiu Chengtong Mathematical Research Center named Ma Chaofan. What's his academic level like? What do his superiors and colleagues say about him?"

Yu Lei said, "Him? He's an American returnee, a PhD from Brown University. He's incredibly arrogant, always looking down on everyone, and loves to criticize people, especially his superiors. As for his academic level, I don't know, since I've only been on SMTH for a few months."

"Your focus is interesting. You're only concerned with how he criticizes the leader, not his academic level. Ambitious beyond measure? I didn't see that coming from him. He's very humble in front of me," Shen Qi said with some skepticism.

"Of course Ma Dapao is being modest in front of you. Who are you, bro?" Yu Lei poured tea for Shen Qi and asked, "Have you met Ma Dapao?"

"I just saw him. He came to apply for a research position on my side. Yu Lei, since you think so badly of Ma Chaofan, why don't you recommend some well-regarded and outstanding talents from Tsinghua University? I need talents in mathematics and physics." Shen Qi came to Tsinghua University today for three reasons: first, to show concern for the students; second, to indirectly learn about Ma Chaofan's situation; and third, to recruit more research staff.

Yu Lei the way, how about I come to your place? You know me best, I should be able to help."

"No, you should stay at Shuimu. We need you more here." Shen Qi chatted with Yu Lei for a few more minutes before leaving.

Back at Yenching University, Shen Qi gave Ma Chaofan's resume to the personnel department, deciding to hire this mathematics PhD from Tsinghua University.

Ma Chaofan and Shen Qi reached a private agreement that Ma Chaofan would complete his resignation procedures as soon as possible and then report to the Shen Qi Mathematical and Physical Research Center at Yenching University.

Shen Qi personally handled the recruitment and interviewing of researchers, who were front-line scientific researchers. He refused to accept connections or favors from higher-ups. It was also difficult for higher-ups to place researchers through connections, since this type of work relied on academic merit.

The staff of an academic research department will not consist entirely of PhDs who are directly involved in scientific research; there will always be a few support staff.

Every department has finance and human resources positions. Shen Qi doesn't have high requirements for these support staff: a bachelor's degree from a key university, more than two years of work experience, female, good-looking, and able to speak pleasantly.

Shen Qi could foresee that the vast majority of his Mathematical Research and physical researchers would be male.

Shen Qi is in charge of a research institution that prioritizes academics, not a Buddhist temple.

The balance of Yin and Yang, and the pairing of men and women, are essential.

"I need a few female employees who are gentle in nature and have a dignified appearance. Does Principal Lu have any suitable candidates to recommend?" Shen Qi asked the principal directly.

This was no big deal for Principal Lu: "Yes, absolutely! Wait here, I'll have my secretary arrange it immediately."

Principal Lu's secretary was very efficient; she submitted ten resumes to Shen Qi that same day, and all the job seekers were young women.

These girls are all exceptionally qualified, graduating from prestigious universities, with most majoring in finance, human resources, or law.

Next came the interviews. Ten girls took turns coming to Shen Qi's office, each displaying their unique talents.

"Li Tingting, please introduce yourself." Shen Qi smiled at the girl in front of him.

This young woman is 25 years old. She graduated from Zhongnan University of Economics and Law and worked in accounting at a state-owned enterprise in the capital for three years.

The young woman was dignified in appearance and spoke and behaved appropriately, performing very well in front of Shen Qi.

Shen Qi maintained his smile, "Your education, major, and work experience all meet the requirements. Li Tingting, your qualifications are excellent. Tell me, through which leader did you submit your resume?"

Li Tingting seemed somewhat surprised. She stammered, "My uncle works in the Yanjing University Party Affairs Office."

"There's nothing to be embarrassed about. You can go back now. We'll let you know when we hear from you." Shen Qi saw Li Tingting off and then went to greet the next interviewee.

These girls who came for interviews had several things in common: they graduated from prestigious universities, had relevant majors, were good-looking, and were related to royalty.

Shen Qi is struggling to choose; all ten girls are amazing and have impressive backgrounds.

Ideally, you'd want to recruit all ten girls, but you won't need that many support staff in the early stages.

After careful consideration and taking into account various factors, Shen Qi selected three of the most outstanding female job seekers—these are the three girls.

A week later, the Shen Qi Mathematical and Physical Research Center welcomed its first employee.

"Professor Shen, I'm here!" A petite girl skipped and hopped into Shen Qi's office, lively, cheerful, and full of youthful energy.

Her name is Cui Xiaoyi. She graduated from Hunan University with a degree in Human Resources and worked as a clerk in a public institution in the capital for two years.

Cui Xiaoyi is actually 23 years old. She has a face like a junior high school girl, good skin, is cute, and has a large bust.

Shen Qi showed Cui Xiaoyi around the office environment of the Shen Qi Mathematical and Physical Research Center: "This is the Director's Office, which is also my office. This is the Mathematics Room, and this is the Physics Room. There are no researchers in these two offices yet, but they will soon be thriving. This is the general affairs office, Xiaoyi, you will work here. Initially, our center will temporarily borrow offices from the School of the Big Mathematics Department. In a few years, we will have our own independent, brand-new Mathematical Research Center building."

"This general affairs office is so lifeless and oppressive; it's not conducive to our work," Cui Xiaoyi commented as soon as she arrived.

Shen Qi gave the instructions. "Then go and buy some new office furniture, stationery, plants, and decorations. Make sure the office environment is lively and vibrant yet sophisticated. You can pay for it in advance, and I'll reimburse you when you get back."

"Oh my god, on my first official day at work, I have to pay for everything myself?" Cui Xiaoyi took out her phone to check her WeChat and Alipay balances. After looking at them, she frowned and said, "My total savings are only 368 yuan, and I still owe 3600 yuan on Huabei. After paying off the minimum amount of 360 yuan, I only have 8 yuan left. Professor Shen, I'm almost at the point where I can't even afford dirt. Tell me, what can I buy with 8 yuan?"

"You worked in a public institution for two years, how did you end up like this?" Shen Qi transferred 50,000 yuan to Cui Xiaoyi via WeChat, saying, "Make sure you get a refund for any overpayment and the additional payment for any underpayment. Buy the necessary items from reputable stores, and remember to get an invoice."

"Wow, Professor Shen, you're so rich!" After receiving the money, Cui Xiaoyi skipped off to go shopping.

For ordinary returnees who engage in basic theoretical research, the research start-up funding can range from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of yuan.

Shen Qi's research start-up funding is in the seven figures. The 50,000 yuan he just transferred to Cui Xiaoyi was from research funding.

Soon after, the Shen Qi Mathematical and Physical Research Center hired two more female employees, one in charge of accounting and the other in charge of internal and external coordination.

Ma Chaofan said he would arrive in a few days. Under Shen Qi's leadership, the three female employees of the Shen Qi Mathematical and Physical Research Center carried out substantive work in an orderly manner, and the center entered the trial operation phase.

Ou Ye, who also worked in the math building, noticed the problem. After returning home, she asked Shen Qi, "Is your center entirely staffed with women?"

Shen Qi explained, "How could that be? There are only those three female employees. Male researchers will be arriving later, bringing the total number to nearly thirty."

Ou Ye said casually, "Your three female employees are all beauties."

Shen Qi had his reasons. "A department full of nerds is bound to cause problems, you know?"