Frankly, after Xianyu saw that piece of academic trash with Zandar listed as the second author, he was already willing to believe him.
Any scholar who cared about his reputation would never allow his name to appear in a third-rate journal.
Zandar had already shown enough sincerity to earn Xianyu's trust.
What reason did he have not to believe him?
Of course, that trust did not mean he would believe every word Zandar said. He had merely set aside some of his concerns and was willing to listen selectively.
Xianyu was not surprised when he guessed that Zandar was hiding something from him.
Even partners who adored each other had secrets they were unwilling to share, let alone anyone else.
Xianyu and Zandar had begun cooperating many loops ago. He had no idea what Zandar had experienced, much less what history the two of them shared.
It was perfectly normal for Zandar to have secrets he did not want to tell Xianyu.
What Xianyu had not expected was for him to be so candid about it.
Originally, Xianyu had only wanted to get under Zandar's skin with that academic trash.
Now it seemed he would have to write a few more papers and use the opportunity to uncover whatever Zandar had admitted to hiding from him.
Xianyu typed a reply.
[No Replies Outside Work Hours: You're my teacher. Of course I trust you.] [Zandar: Since my student trusts me, turn that non-recyclable trash into recyclable trash.]
Xianyu took a deep breath.
No big deal. It was just revising the Thesis, right?
He swallowed his humiliation and began revising it from the start, following Zandar's suggestions.
A week later, Xianyu sent Zandar the Thesis he had revised during work hours.
The next day, Xianyu received a reply at the