Chapter 864

"Old Pei, haven't you gone home yet?"

Secretary Cao led Li Luo forward and patted the education department official's shoulder with great familiarity, greeting him warmly.

The man, seeing Cao Qibin, smiled: "Since my old classmate hasn't left, I won't leave before him."

Li Luo, hearing this, suddenly understood—he hadn't expected the two to have such a connection.

Director Pei's gaze turned to Li Luo, seeing him follow Cao Secretary everywhere, assuming he was some newly promoted secretary or aide.

Secretary Cao smiled and introduced him, emphasizing Li Luo's achievements in online novels, then his musical talent, and finally mentioned "Little Joy."

This mention made Director Pei raise an eyebrow: "'Little Joy'? That show that was huge last summer?"

"Yeah, you've heard of it?" Secretary Cao asked, surprised. "I thought you never paid attention to this stuff."

"I don't care about other TV dramas, but 'Little Joy' is different." Director Pei looked at Li Luo with deep meaning. "It's on this year's latest official film and television recommendation list."

"I watched it with my kid too—it has plenty of merit and offers real insight into parental education."

"Didn't expect to meet the author today—you're so young."

"Director Pei doesn't know," Xu Rongsheng immediately jumped in, introducing him. "Li Luo is still a student at Qianjiang University."

"Oh?" Director Pei raised his eyebrow again, surprised, then nodded in understanding. "That makes sense—such an outstanding talent being a Qianjiang University graduate is perfectly normal."

"Cough… cough…" Xu Rongsheng coughed twice and quickly clarified: "Li Luo… hasn't graduated yet."

"Still in graduate school?" Director Pei asked curiously.

"He's… still a freshman," Xu Rongsheng said helplessly. "When Li Luo created 'Little Joy,' he was still a Gao Er student."

At this, Director Pei's expression turned astonished as he studied Li Luo up and down.

He'd assumed Li Luo looked young simply because he was naturally youthful.

To achieve what Secretary Cao described, he'd assumed the man must be at least twenty-five.

Now he was told this was a freshman?!

He'd seen many strange geniuses, but someone as young as Li Luo, excelling across so many fields, was truly rare.

No wonder Cao Qibin kept him by his side…

Thinking this, Director Pei's attitude toward Li Luo grew even warmer.

"Professor Xu and I are old acquaintances—what are you two discussing here?" Secretary Cao, now aware of the relationship between Li Luo and Xu Rong's daughter, clearly saw Li Luo's interest in the matter.

So he smoothly steered the conversation, trying to help a little, to make a connection.

Director Pei didn't hide anything, waving his hand: "It's not a big deal—just discussing humanities and social sciences funding projects over the past two years with Professor Xu."

Hearing this, Li Luo's eyes flickered—he recalled Xu Rong's earlier words, and his thoughts began to stir.

"Oh?" Secretary Cao had no interest in such matters—they were internal Ministry of Education affairs, unrelated to his provincial writers' association.

But he deliberately turned to Li Luo, nudging the topic to let him naturally join in: "I remember Li Luo studies a humanities and social sciences major at Qianjiang University, right?"

"Yes." Li Luo nodded with a smile. "Professor Xu is even my required course instructor."

"I've participated in his research on online novels as an online novel author myself."

"I wonder if this project you two are discussing has anything to do with that?"

Xu Rongsheng immediately picked up the thread: "There is some connection."

"The project mainly researches employment directions for humanities graduates."

"It's one of our longstanding tough problems, and online novel-related paths are one of the topics."

"Mm." Director Pei nodded slightly. "Professor Xu was just discussing this with me."

"Graduate employment issues grow more severe each year, but whether a single Research Center can yield tangible benefits still needs further discussion and research."

"This year, Qianjiang University has only one research project slot—specifically which direction to choose still requires evaluation and analysis."

Qianjiang University has a long history; even within humanities and social sciences, there are many related Research Centers.

For example, Qianjiang University has four national key research bases.

And nine provincial key research bases.

The project under discussion is Qianjiang University's tenth Research Center in humanities and social sciences.

Although the school has no strict rule tying Research Center planning to the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts' election,

whoever secures a Research Center project is almost always the strongest candidate for that generation's Dean position.

Unless someone has no interest in the Dean role, anyone who enters the race is virtually guaranteed to win.

Now, Xu Rongsheng wants to compete for the Dean position—he must secure this single Research Center slot.

His chosen direction focuses on employment, practical and grounded.

The other Vice Dean chose a topic on cultural heritage and social development.

He has long been deeply entrenched in this area and has far greater competitiveness.

So although Xu Rongsheng tried, he'd already prepared himself mentally for failure.

But at this moment, Li Luo rubbed his chin, thought for a moment, and addressed the others: "I think Professor Xu's approach has some merit."

Because of Secretary Cao and Xu Rongsheng's earlier introductions, Director Pei had a favorable impression of this young man; with no urgent matters, he smiled and said: "Go on."

"It's like this," Li Luo cleared his throat and began simply: "Because my affairs in online novels, music, and film and television are too complex, I founded a company focused on developing these areas."

"Recently, some of my friends were confused about their future paths, so I recommended a few options and encouraged them to try small experiments."

"Look."

As he spoke, Li Luo pulled out his phone and showed everyone Zhao Rongjun and Xu Yinghuan's Douyin accounts, as well as Cheng Xin and Bai Haoran's Bilibili science education account.

"These two accounts were both created by Qianjiang University freshmen."

"Especially the latter—those two, as humanities and social sciences students, spend entire days in the library just to produce well-researched, detailed, yet accessible science videos."

"They now have over eighty thousand followers—the economic returns from their account already support them both."

"I think, under today's internet development wave, this could become a major career path for humanities graduates after graduation." Director Pei examined the two accounts Li Luo recommended with interest, forming a rough judgment: "That's an interesting point, but such accounts succeed mostly by chance."

I don't think this path can be integrated with the university's Research Center—it's quite difficult.

Of course, what you said has some merit; it still holds some reference value.

Li Luo knew this alone was far from enough, but he said no more, merely nodding humbly to agree with Director Pei.

After further exchanges, the group parted ways at the entrance of the hall.

……

After returning home, Xu Rongsheng drove following Li Luo's car back to Sky Ridge Elegant Residence, where they had dinner.

At the dinner table, the two resumed their earlier topic, and Xu Rongsheng asked, "Are those two accounts you showed Director Pei today the ones you helped build behind the scenes?"

"I only lent a small hand," Li Luo shook his head. "I gave some direction; the actual content was all done by them."

"I see," Xu Rongsheng pondered for a moment, then continued, "I find your ideas interesting—if you were to actually pursue this, what would your view be?"

"Well," Li Luo thought for a moment, "I believe internet thinking is extremely important in this era."

"If we launch relevant electives starting in freshman year, by junior and senior year, students could choose autonomously whether to pursue advanced study at the Research Center."

"The future market in this area is vast; the internet's rise has destroyed countless old jobs, yet it must also give birth to countless new professions."

"Isn't it better to let students recognize this early and join the tide of the times, rather than suffocate in the old era?"

"Society constantly criticizes online influencers, calling them uneducated and low-class."

"If that's the case, why can't outstanding university graduates—the next generation of society—participate in it?"

"I believe those who get into university aren't less creative than others."

At this point, Xu Rongsheng fell into deep thought.

After finishing the meal, as Xu Rongsheng was leaving, he said to Li Luo, "When I get back, I'll draft another proposal—then I'll show it to you, and we can discuss further?"

"Of course," Li Luo smiled as he saw Xu Rongsheng off. "If Uncle Xu becomes Dean, I'll have a lot more confidence when asking for leave."

"You little rascal," Xu Rongsheng chuckled from the driver's seat, pointing at Li Luo. "Don't get too carried away—there are still years before the Dean's term ends. Even if you get the position, you'll be graduating soon."

"What about this funding project? When will the results come out?" Li Luo asked curiously.

"This is just about getting noticed, making sure the project leaves an impression on Director Pei—actual implementation is still far off," Xu Rongsheng shook his head. "I'll first apply for a university-level Research Center project."

"If the Research Center's results turn out well, perhaps we might actually secure provincial funding support."

"It'll take another one or two years before the results come out."

"Such a long evaluation period…" Li Luo sighed deeply, feeling this whole thing was truly exhausting.

Still, to please his beloved future father-in-law, Li Luo poured all his energy into it.

"Uncle Xu, if you have any questions, just come find me anytime—I'll help if I can."

"Heh, I won't be polite with you," Xu Rongsheng gave Li Luo a meaningful glance, then waved goodbye. "I'm off."

After watching Xu Rongsheng drive away, Li Luo returned to the second-floor study.

At that moment, Xu Youyu was already seated before the computer, pondering deeply over today's writing content.

Seeing Li Luo enter, she asked curiously, "You talked with my dad for so long? Can you really help him with anything?"

"Do your best, leave the rest to fate," Li Luo smiled. "If I can help, I will. If it actually works, won't I be the son-in-law of the Dean of Qian Da Literature College? That's quite a face-saver."

"Get lost," Xu Youyu rolled her eyes and kicked him. "You talk so lightly, but when are you going to tell my parents? Be careful—they might come after you with knives."

"That's so heartless of you to say," Li Luo grabbed her ankle. "Won't you protect me when the time comes?"

"Why would I?" Xu Youyu smiled faintly. "When you're dead, Xixi and Zhusheng won't want you anymore—then your corpse will be mine."

Li Luo: "... Can you not be so creepy?"

"I didn't want to write my old book, so just now I tried designing new content," Xu Youyu blinked.

"Does your new book have such eerie content?"

"Yes, a haunted house," Xu Youyu said. "Or maybe a large-scale escape room? Either way, it's about the same."

"Don't take inspiration from that—it's creepy," Li Luo rubbed his arms, where goosebumps had risen. "It gives me the creeps."

"Haha~ Now you're scared?" Xu Youyu burst out laughing. "When you were trying to juggle three girls, why weren't you scared then?"

"Cough… I'm scared, sure, but not as horrifying as you make it sound."

"Hmph~" Xu Youyu shoved her other foot into Li Luo's lap for warmth. "So have you figured out how to tell my parents yet?"

"I have."

"... Huh?" Xu Youyu froze, clearly stunned.

She had expected him to say he hadn't thought of it yet—so she could tease him some more.

But instead, she got this decisive answer—and it threw her into slight panic.

"Y-You're sure?"

"Sure," Li Luo nodded. "Might as well tell them sooner rather than later."

"This..." Xu Youyu blinked rapidly, her left hand instinctively gripping her right. "P-Please tell me exactly—don't scare me to death."

"You want to know? I won't tell you."

"No way!" Xu Youyu panicked, tugging at Li Luo. "Tell me, please~"

"That depends on someone's sincerity."

"... You're such a scoundrel."