Doctor's Dinner Party

As night fell, inside a small restaurant next to Xiamen University, a group of over a dozen people gathered.

Taking a bite of the cold mixed chicken on the table, Lu Jingping couldn't help but sigh, "The food at this small restaurant is still the best."

Beside him, a postdoctoral researcher in his thirties smiled and raised his beer bottle.

"Come on, let's have a toast! Junior Brother Lu is back for a visit, and he's treating us to a meal. It's not easy, so let's eat and drink well tonight!"

At this moment, everyone raised their glasses together.

After taking a sip of beer, the conversation gradually opened up.

A female postdoctoral researcher in her thirties, Zhu Yongchun, asked curiously, "How bad could the food be? Like the university cafeteria?"

Lu Jingping gave a wry smile. "I used to think the cafeteria food was bad enough, until I went to the company I'm at now.

I realized there's always someone better, or something worse. Food that bad is hard to achieve, too."

Beside him, Qiu Haowei nodded in agreement. "Yeah, yeah. Although the place we're at has good benefits, the cafeteria food is truly awful!"

Lu Jingping shuddered. "Tasting the food at this place again almost brought tears to my eyes!"

Zhu Yongchun tasted the food. The restaurant's flavor was indeed good, otherwise, it wouldn't have become their usual gathering spot.

Another senior colleague beside him asked curiously, "Is it that exaggerated? Why not just quit? Do you have any interest in becoming a postdoctoral researcher? The lab is a bit short-handed lately. The professor has an idea to recruit a postdoctoral researcher, and with your abilities, it shouldn't be a problem."

Lu Jingping quickly shook his head. "Finding a job isn't easy, and the benefits are really good. The boss is also very good to us. Apart from the food, everything else is great."

Qiu Haowei chimed in, "And according to the boss, he's already asked the HR department to recruit new chefs. Hopefully, the cafeteria will be better after we get back."

"A company that just started not long ago? It seems like not all departments are fully staffed."

A thought flashed through Lu Jingping's mind. He remembered what the boss had said on the way here: if possible, try to bring more talent like Doctors and Postdoctoral Researchers to the company!

As long as they have real skills, Jiuzhou Automobile Factory welcomes them, and the benefits will be excellent!

"Oh, right, speaking of which, our company specializes in new energy vehicles. You all know about new energy vehicles, right?

Simply put, they don't use engines and transmissions but instead use electric motors for drive and batteries for energy."

"And this also complements the government's call for energy conservation and emission reduction in recent years. New energy vehicles can achieve lower energy consumption than fuel vehicles, with zero carbon emissions.

If there are breakthroughs in battery technology, and the range is significantly increased, it can truly succeed!"

"If you're interested in this type of vehicle, you can take a closer look. It might truly become an alternative to traditional fuel vehicles.

And in the field of new energy vehicles, we are no longer a century behind.

By changing the track, abandoning engines and transmissions, and standing on the same starting line as other countries, I believe our researchers can defeat all competitors and make China's automotive industry the world's number one!"

His slightly passionate speech made many of the senior and junior colleagues around them fall into thought.

After taking a large bite of food, Qiu Haowei added, "The factory pays really well. After observing for a few months, the boss is very capable, salaries are paid on time, and there's no deduction for the six insurances and two funds.

The environment is also good, with no amateur managers giving unsolicited advice. Apart from the research equipment being just barely usable, the work there is good."

A senior postdoctoral researcher sighed, "Hearing you say that, if we can really make our own cars and forge a different path, it would be quite impressive."

"New energy vehicles, huh? That would require a lot from our electrochemistry research. If it really succeeds, at least we won't have to worry about employment in the future."

Lu Jingping seized the opportunity. "And the benefits are really good. Compared to big companies, the salary is on average 20% higher.

We have to work somewhere anyway, so why not find a place with a good research atmosphere, high salary, and a boss who's also great?"

Zhu Yongchun took a sip of beer, her eyes wide with curiosity, and asked, "Tell me more. If it's really possible, I'll take a look after my current project ends."

Based on the current project progress, she might be out of a job in about six months.

Although her professor had already told her that with her abilities, she could stay on as a lecturer, having another option to explore might be better!

Lu Jingping said happily, "If you come, Senior Sister, the boss will be very happy. He's truly eager for talent.

Oh, and I'll tell you, our boss is also a handsome guy, only twenty-four years old, and a super rich second generation!

Senior Sister, you don't have a boyfriend right now. If you can win him over, you can do whatever experiments you want!"

Zhu Yongchun smiled faintly and took another sip of wine. "Men? How can they be as interesting as experiments? I've seen through the mundane world!"

This Zhu Yongchun loved drinking and research. She was a genius in scientific research, surpassing some doctoral supervisors in certain aspects. She had also taught Lu Jingping a lot.

Coincidentally, she was also skilled in battery research. If she had joined earlier, perhaps the current problem wouldn't have occurred, or at least it wouldn't have held them up for so long without a solution!

Just as everyone was chatting, a hearty laugh came from outside the door. "What, Lu Jingping, you've been away for a few months and you're already eyeing my students?"

A kind-looking old man in his sixties walked into the small restaurant.

Numerous doctoral and postdoctoral students stood up together. "Haha, Professor, you're here!"

Lu Jingping and Qiu Haowei stood up and waved hello. "Professor, long time no see."

The old man sat down, poured himself a glass of beer, and said to everyone, "The food here is still good. Although it's not a large establishment, the dishes are tastier than most big hotels."

This was the renowned Professor Tian, a national academician, and the doctoral supervisor of Lu Jingping and Qiu Haowei.

With the addition of the prominent figure, the conversation shifted more towards reminiscing. They were senior and junior colleagues who had lived together for several years, and under the boss's leadership, they had developed a very good relationship and had plenty to talk about.

Recent experimental-related issues, encountered problems, how a certain material surprisingly reacted with another unrelated material, a senior colleague's recent marriage, and so on.

Time flew by during their reunion. After several rounds of drinks and dishes, Lu Jingping and Qiu Haowei exchanged glances and finally revealed the purpose of their return to everyone.

"Teacher, to be frank, we've come back this time asking for help."

"Our project has hit a bottleneck. If we can't overcome it, we won't be able to proceed with any further research."

Taking a gentle sip of wine, the old man asked curiously, "Oh? What's the problem? Tell me about it."

Lu Jingping briefly explained, "Regarding the LFP material, the resistance to lithium-ion extraction is significant, and the electronic conductivity is poor. Additionally, the power performance and low-temperature performance are lacking..."

Qiu Haowei also said with a wry smile, "We've tried all sorts of methods, and consulted domestic and international papers and data, yet we still have no solution."

The old man thought for a moment, "This is indeed quite difficult, and it's no wonder you can't solve it. Even if I organized a research group, we might not be able to overcome it."

After offering some comfort, the old man asked again, "Did you bring back the experimental data and materials?"

Lu Jingping quickly replied, "Yes, we did, we did!"

He took out some documents from the suitcase beside him and handed them to the old man to review. Lu Jingping then continued.

"Oh, right. Regarding overcoming this difficulty, our boss has approved five million in R&D funds. This will be used to rent the school's laboratory and as compensation for our senior brothers and sisters who help out."

Looking at the students around him who were clearly showing some interest, the academician closed the experimental report in his hands and smiled at the students, "Anyone who's interested can take some time to earn some money. Well, as long as it doesn't delay the progress of my own research."

He then said to the two students who had returned to visit, "I'll speak with the school administration tomorrow about the laboratory. I'll try to get you a low price."

After speaking, he turned to the many students beside him whose faces clearly showed anticipation and said, "If you encounter any problems you don't understand, you can come discuss them with me."

A burst of enthusiastic cheers erupted from the surrounding crowd.

"Old Teacher is the best!"

"Old Teacher is mighty and awesome!"

"Money, money, money! Speaking of which, the boss of this company is pretty good, willing to spend money!"

"Maybe I'll consider it after graduation."