Over the next few days, Li Qiwei became a celebrity at Cambridge University.
Wherever he went, people pointed and whispered.
The upside was that fewer people tried to pick a fight with him. No one dared make an issue of his identity without thinking twice.
Come on, this guy had even dared to beat up the prime minister's grandson. Everyone was afraid to go anywhere near him.
All things considered, Li Qiwei was quite satisfied.
After classes each day, he headed to the Cavendish Laboratory to continue learning.
He wanted to fully integrate into this era and understand its scientific research practices.
Li Qiwei also studied how to use all kinds of instruments and familiarized himself with the conventions for writing academic papers.
Only after taking part in building scientific instruments from scratch did he understand how hard the pioneers had worked.
Behind every great breakthrough in physics lay the efforts of countless people.
At that moment, inside the Cavendish Laboratory, Wilson was enthusiastically explaining his invention to Li Qiwei:
"Bruce, look. This is an instrument I designed. I've named it the Particle Observer."
"The principle is to use water vapor to form droplets of mist."
"Each droplet of mist needs a speck of dust as its nucleus."
"So if a microscopic particle enters this area of water vapor, it acts like a speck of dust, and droplets form around it."
"By tracking the droplets, we can determine the particle's path."
Li Qiwei was astonished. In later generations, this kind of instrument had long since become obsolete, replaced by more advanced devices for observing microscopic particles.
But more than a century ago, coming up with such an ingenious method—using nothing but water vapor to observe particles—
was absolutely a stroke of genius.
"That's a brilliant idea, Dr. Wilson. You're incredible," Li Qiwei praised him sincerely.
Wilson grinned, clearly pleased.
But then he said, troubled, "There's a problem I've run into."
"What problem?" Li Qiwei asked.
"My method can only track the paths of electrons. It can't track the paths of atoms."
"I don't know why."
"Even Professor Thomson couldn't give me an answer."
Li Qiwei knew exactly what the problem was.
So he ventured, "Could it be because of electric charge?"
"Water vapor needs a charged nucleus to form droplets."
"Atoms are electrically neutral; they have no charge. Electrons, on the other hand, are charged."
"That could be why you're seeing what you described."
As he spoke, Li Qiwei cautiously watched Wilson's expression. Sure enough, the other man was stunned.
"Charge? Right! How did I not think of that?"
"I can test this idea with an experiment."
"Wow, Bruce, you were born for physics!"
Wilson was visibly excited. At last, the problem that had been bothering him had been solved.
Unless you'd done experimental research yourself, it was impossible to imagine how he felt.
And now that this problem was solved, his mentor's atomic model could move forward.
Wilson stared at Li Qiwei with shining eyes, making the latter break out in goose bumps.
Li Qiwei hurriedly cut off Wilson's [philosophical] assault.
"By the way, Dr. Wilson, I don't think Particle Observer is a very good name."
"How about calling it a 'Cloud Chamber'?"
Wilson murmured to himself, "Cloud Chamber? Cloud Chamber!"
"Good name. Very fitting."
"It perfectly captures what this instrument does. Bruce, you've really got a knack for this."
With no time for further chatter, Wilson grabbed Li Qiwei and hurried off to find Thomson.
He couldn't wait to share the good news with his mentor.
Inside the office of Professor Thomson, director of the laboratory,
Wilson excitedly reported the news to Thomson.
He kept praising Li Qiwei, saying that he'd found a solution only thanks to Li Qiwei's guidance.
Thomson listened and smiled at him, his mind full of thoughts.
Just moments ago, the chairman of the university's board of trustees had come to ask him about Li Qiwei.
Though he hadn't said anything more, Thomson knew it was still about the brawl that night.
Wilson had already told him the whole story, from beginning to end.
What he hadn't expected was that the board of trustees would actually get involved.
It made him furious!
It was normal for young people to have hot tempers, and Cecil was the one in the wrong.
And now the university wanted him to expel Li Qiwei and kick him out of the Cavendish Laboratory?
What a joke! Since when did a bunch of administrators get to meddle in academic affairs?
Thomson had flatly rejected them, saying he didn't know the details and giving them no courtesy whatsoever.
At Cavendish, what Thomson said went!
That was what made Cambridge unique. That was its charm.
The Cavendish Laboratory was an independent college, outside the jurisdiction of the university's board of trustees.
In later generations, Cambridge University was even on equal footing with the British government; the government had no authority over the university.
Without Thomson's approval, no one could do anything to a student here.
Not even the prime minister!
Besides, not only was the young man Bruce highly valued by Professor Planck,
he had just solved a problem for one of Thomson's own students.
No matter how you looked at it, Thomson had to stand by him.
Li Qiwei had no idea what was going through Thomson's mind. He could only wave his hands and say he'd just made an offhand suggestion.
Wilson had already done most of the work.
But Professor Thomson was a T3-level heavyweight. How could he fail to recognize Li Qiwei's importance?
Sometimes, a simple remark was all it took to inspire a physicist.
So he said with a smile:
"Bruce, I know modesty is a habit of you Easterners."
"But here, I don't care about anyone's status. Credit goes to whoever did the work."
"So there's no need to refuse it. We can learn from each other."
Li Qiwei was deeply impressed. No wonder Thomson had taken charge of the Cavendish at the age of just twenty-eight.
Whatever his background, that kind of magnanimity was beyond the reach of ordinary people.
So Li Qiwei stopped holding back and said frankly:
"Don't worry, Professor. I'll help Dr. Wilson complete the tests and verification that come next."
Thomson said, "Bruce, just focus on your studies. Don't feel any pressure."
"If you run into any problems, come to me anytime."
Li Qiwei understood at once. It seemed Cecil had already made his move.
He also realized that Professor Thomson wanted to protect him; otherwise, he wouldn't have said those things.
He replied sincerely, "Thank you, Professor. I'll do everything I can."
With that, he left the office with Wilson.
From then on, Li Qiwei attended classes and conducted experiments, all while waiting for news from Professor Planck.
He didn't know how much pressure from the outside Thomson could withstand.
He would earn other people's respect himself and weather every crisis.
He had to keep his fate firmly in his own hands!
At the same time, a conspiracy against him was secretly unfolding.
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