The Double or more Life of the Fake Heiress (Mirabella)

"What do you mean, 'might not'...?" Zane's fingers dug into his knees as he tried to process the news. It took him a moment to gather his thoughts before he could speak.

A few days ago, Mr. Calvin had come to him, proposing a joint experiment for his students. He'd used the promise of research funding as leverage, hinting he might pull out, essentially threatening to swindle the department's funds.

Wade didn't look too pleased either.

When Calvin had initially asked to use funds from Zane's department, Wade had flat-out refused and even warned Calvin against it. But Calvin had gone ahead and discussed it with Mr. Belcher anyway.

In reality, a million-plus in research funds wasn't much-it wouldn't even cover the cost of a standard piece of research equipment. And when you consider the billions invested annually in scientific research nationwide, it was a drop in the bucket.

Wade took a deep breath before saying, "The college has decided not to allocate those funds to your department for now. If it's absolutely necessary, you can apply directly to the administration."

Zane's knuckles turned white before he managed to calm himself. "So, our department won't get the research grant for this quarter either?"

Wade rubbed his temples and looked up at Zane, "I'm really sorry."

Wade was the top professor in the Biology Department and a senior researcher at the National Institute of Life Sciences. Besides his research, he didn't usually take on students or deal with the college's financial matters.

Having interacted with Zane a few times, he knew how tough things were for the Department of Informatics, which was why he brought it up today.

Zane forced a wry smile and shook his head. He should've seen Mr. Calvin's antics coming.

"I've got a research project that needs in-depth sequencing data analysis. You're more than capable of handling it. There's even a chance to expand it, developing new pathways for big data," Wade said, shifting the conversation to more pressing matters.

Zane momentarily set aside his funding worries and asked, somewhat dazed, "Develop new pathways for big data?"

"Bioinformatics is widely used. Abroad, big data is the mainstream, and

biomimetic technology is both cutting-edge and a major research trend," Wade explained.

Zane looked up at him in surprise.

Wade stood up from his chair, grabbed a prepared document, and handed it to Zane. "Take this back with you and see if it sparks any ideas."

Zane's gaze fell on the document. After a brief pause, he reached out to take it.

He had only glanced at the first page when he looked up sharply at Wade, "You..." Wade met his gaze calmly, "Your department has been quiet for too long. It needs a fresh project to drive it."

Once a project is initiated, funding becomes the priority... Zane suddenly understood why Wade had called him over today, especially mentioning the department's lack of funds.noveldrama

Zane gripped the document tightly, then stood up and bowed to Wade, "Wade, thank you."

For a top-tier professor who usually stayed out of departmental minutiae, whether one department had funding or not was generally inconsequential.

Wade simply waved his hand, smiling, "Do your best."

Zane hummed in acknowledgment, his eyes returning to the document in his hands.

His department had indeed been too quiet for too long, to the point where others thought they could be easily pushed around.

Wade asked Zane to sit down again and then remembered something, "Oh, by the way, your department has a new student this year named Mirabella, the literary valedictorian. Do you know her?"