Chapter 921: 917. Don't even have this little bit of trust? (Seeking subscriptions and monthly votes)

After seeing the principal off, Professor Zheng was suddenly in high spirits, his mouth stretching all the way to his back teeth.

Watching his spouse's smug expression, his wife said with some annoyance, "Can't you restrain yourself a bit? You're at such an old age now."

Professor Zheng huffed and said, "Why should I restrain myself? If it weren't for the fact that I still have students working at the school, I wouldn't have given him any face just now."

As he spoke, he even started acting proud and petulant.

This was also Professor Zheng's true sentiment; he had made his decision, so there was nothing to regret, and his heart felt even more relaxed, naturally making him a bit more uninhibited.

However, he still had students remaining at the school to work, some of whom had even reached the rank of Associate Professor, and they had all been following him the whole time.

Now, it would be fine for him to just walk away; the principal would have absolutely no way to deal with him.

But his students might not be so lucky; what if the principal decided to vent his anger on them?

This was not impossible, as the principal of their institution was not exactly a broad-minded person.

"Alright, alright, you can rest easy now, right?" His wife was clearly very happy as well; Professor Zheng's state earlier had given her quite a scare.

Now that he had finally recovered, she could also heave a sigh of relief.

Professor Zheng smiled triumphantly: "That goes without saying. Not only am I fine now, but that guy who was competing with me is also about to meet a fate similar to what I faced before.

Although it won't be as miserable as mine, he basically won't have much of a chance to make a comeback within the next ten years."

Speaking of this, he couldn't help but laugh; although he had never met his competitor, ever since they started competing, they had naturally become enemies.

And what he said was all fact.

This failure had dealt a heavy blow to the other party's reputation and ability, casting doubt upon them, and once a scholar is subjected to doubt, one point becomes critical.

That is funding!

Funding being cut, or even becoming difficult to apply for; as for external donations, those would likely be even harder to come by.

And once there is no money, yet one still wants to achieve results?

That is simply like a fantasy.

"Forget it, I can't be bothered to talk to you. The way you look, like a petty person who has gained his wish, really makes one want to beat you up," his wife said with a look of disdain.

"Hahaha, let them be disdainful if they want, I don't care." Professor Zheng's mood grew even better.

Only after he finished being happy did his wife say, "When are you going to thank Zhang Ran? He really did you a huge favor this time."

Professor Zheng hurriedly said, "That goes without saying. If it weren't for Zhang Ran this time, I reckon I would have been finished."

As he spoke, he couldn't help but sigh involuntarily, "I really didn't expect Zhang Ran to have such great influence.

It's still better to be rich. Look, when you have money, you can invite a Nobel Prize winner out just like that, and you don't even need to show your face personally. It's truly great."

His wife sneered, "What are you thinking? Not to mention whether you have that ability, even if you had the ability to earn money, could you reach the level Zhang Ran is at?

And do you really think I don't understand anything? I'm a university professor too, aren't I?

Do you really think I don't know what level a Nobel Prize is? Having money doesn't necessarily make things work. Just look at the wealthy people in our country.

I won't say all of them, but I dare say eighty percent of them—if they try to donate money to others, people won't even accept it, let alone invite them to help."

His wife hadn't wanted to say much before, but she was clear about such matters.

Professor Zheng could certainly understand what she was saying, and after listening, he also sighed, "Yes, that is also the reason I decided to retire early—to take advantage of the fact that I can still move around and go help Zhang Ran.

Firstly, to repay the current favor, and secondly, to see if I can save up a little bit of goodwill for our family."

"Not to mention anything else, if we are both gone in the future and the child happens to get into some big trouble, perhaps this goodwill could save his life."

This was also Professor Zheng's thinking; at his age, the decisions he made were often not the result of a simple thought.

Of course, one couldn't say Professor Zheng's intentions were impure; it was just that he had combined his two goals into one.

According to Zhang Ran's character, if Professor Zheng could really produce some very good results in the coming years, then Zhang Ran would certainly remember this favor.

After all, Professor Zheng was not being hired by Zhang Ran with money, but had chosen to work voluntarily; of course, some appropriate remuneration would still be necessary.

It was just that this remuneration would not be something Professor Zheng would take the initiative to ask for, but something Zhang Ran would offer voluntarily.

This was the difference, and Zhang Ran didn't care about that difference.

When the time came that the couple was no longer around, if it really happened as he said, and the family encountered some trouble and truly begged Zhang Ran for help, then Zhang Ran would certainly help out of regard for the favor Professor Zheng had left behind.

This was the confidence Professor Zheng had from seeing Zhang Ran's character clearly.

"Sigh, don't overwork yourself either. Children and grandchildren have their own fortunes," his wife said with a sigh.

Although their child had already started a family and career, his personality was a bit flighty, which was the main reason the old couple worried.

"Alright, let's not talk about this. You go find some clothes; I'll take a shower and then go visit Zhang Ran's house." Professor Zheng didn't want to discuss this topic anymore.

His wife didn't say much else, only giving a word of caution, "Don't drink any more alcohol. If your old bones drink like they did last night again, you really won't be able to hold on for much longer."

Professor Zheng said sheepishly, "It's fine, don't worry. Even if I drink, I won't drink that much."

"I told you not to drink, didn't you hear me?" His wife suddenly glared at him.

Professor Zheng smiled bitterly, "I'm going to thank someone, how could I not drink?"

"Heh, I really don't believe Zhang Ran would urge an old man like you to drink. Although I haven't had much contact with him, I know he isn't that kind of person," his wife sneered.

Professor Zheng felt his scalp tingle under his wife's gaze and could only say, "Fine, fine, fine, I won't drink, is that okay?"

In truth, he really wanted to drink; although the hangover yesterday made him feel terrible, he couldn't help it because he was in such a happy mood now.

If he didn't have a little drink now, there was really no way to express the emotions in his heart.

"Forget it, I'll go with you; it will also appear more formal." When it came down to it, his wife still didn't quite trust him.

Back in the day, Professor Zheng had played many tricks on her just to sneak a little alcohol, and he could truly be said to have stopped at nothing.

"You don't even have this little bit of trust in me?" Professor Zheng said, feeling a bit unhappy.

But his wife didn't even intend to listen to him, merely letting out a cold huff to express her feelings.