Chapter 48: A New Research Project
Haruki Murakami once wrote in “Norwegian Wood,” “University is boring, and going to university is to train oneself to endure boredom.”
Although Lu Yibei thinks that academic courses at school are very important, this statement from a Waseda University graduate is somewhat misleading.
However, the feeling of excitement and fear, mixed with a sense of longing when skipping class for the first time, is truly exhilarating!
When the class bell rang, he felt like a wild dog let loose, and as he walked out the main entrance of the teaching building, it felt like he was about to take flight.
Then, he was stopped by Professor Ma, who happened to be passing by.
“Lu Yibei, right?”
“…” Lu Yibei hesitated for a moment about whether to tell this imposing old man that he had mistaken someone. Then he weakly said, “Yes, that’s me.”
“Skipping class?”
“Yes, yes…”
A smile appeared on Professor Ma’s face, and his kind gaze fixed on Lu Yibei, making him feel a bit unnerved.
“Professor, let me explain, I actually wanted to…”
Before Lu Yibei could finish his sentence, Professor Ma patted him on the shoulder and interrupted, “I understand, I understand. College students are different, and breaking free from the constraints of the classroom allows for diverse choices!”
“Isn’t science developed through a series of different choices? This is not a bad thing.”
Upon hearing this, Lu Yibei relaxed a little, nodding his head like a chick pecking at rice. “Mm-mm, I think what you said makes a lot of sense. You’re indeed a leader in the academic world and a giant in the literary field; your words are high-level and impressive, making me deeply admire you!”
However, I’m not promoting scientific development; you might not believe it, but I’m rushing back to study superstition right now, Lu Yibei thought secretly.
“Just want to run away? Haha! Relax, this class isn’t mine; I won’t do anything to you. But…” As if seeing through Lu Yibei’s little thoughts, Professor Ma chuckled.
In the midst of speaking, he suddenly turned serious, “You cannot skip my class. If you leave early three times, I’ll deduct your grades.”
Lu Yibei, “…”
d*mn double standard!
After cursing inwardly, Lu Yibei hurriedly said, “I absolutely won’t, absolutely won’t. I wish I could attend your class every day; how could I skip your class? That would mean I…”
“Alright, go on!” Professor Ma waved his hand cheerfully to Lu Yibei. “I have my own matters to attend to.”
“Yes, yes, you go about your business; don’t mind me.” Lu Yibei felt like he had been granted a reprieve and swiftly ran out of the teaching building.
As soon as he stepped out of the teaching building and hadn’t walked far, at that moment, a young man who looked to be around twenty-seven or twenty-eight brushed past him.
As Lu Yibei passed the man, the rich aroma of cedar wafted from the pure wood suitcase the man was carrying, catching his attention.
It was an oddly crafted suitcase with a slightly shiny surface showing signs of age, and the brass handle had a bit of verdigris, with cloud patterns engraved on it, clearly an antique.
As Lu Yibei gazed at the suitcase, he felt a strange sensation.
It felt like when you diligently reviewed before an exam, memorizing “Ma Dongmei,” but then open the test paper to find “Sun Honglei” written boldly instead.
His mind went momentarily blank.
When he snapped back to reality, the man had already walked far away, and as he collected himself, he suddenly realized that the man was actually having a conversation with Professor Ma in front of the teaching building.
The two hugged and exchanged pleasantries, laughing a bit. Then the man patted the suitcase in his hand and leaned in to whisper something into Professor Ma’s ear. Professor Ma’s expression became slightly solemn as he made a gesture inviting the man deeper into the building.
It looked quite mysterious, like an underground party meeting, Lu Yibei thought.
What could be inside that suitcase?
The suitcase looked quite valuable, and whatever was inside it was probably not simple either.
But…
What does that have to do with me? Lu Yibei shrugged. Even if it were a treasure, would I go and k*ll someone for it?
After all, I am just a salted fish trying to survive in this world full of urban legends.
…
Professor Ma’s full name is Ma Zhen. Aside from teaching ancient literary theory, he has long been engaged in research on ancient special characters in Southwest China, with remarkable achievements.
The young man who met Professor Ma today is a descendant of a prominent scholarly family in Huacheng, who has come specifically to fulfill a vow made by his late grandfather—returning the items in the wooden box to Ma Zhen.
Inside the wooden box is an unnamed bamboo slip, a thin scroll with thousands of ancient minority special characters inscribed on it.
Two years ago, Professor Ma discovered the existence of this bamboo slip in a remote ancient village. He initially planned to buy it personally to take back to the laboratory for research, but the slip had already been purchased by an elderly man who had not yet taken it away.
After a series of twists and turns, Professor Ma found the elderly man who bought the slip, and after multiple negotiations, the old man finally agreed to lend the bamboo slip to Professor Ma for research, albeit with one condition: he would be allowed three years to read and study it on his own.
But little did anyone know that before the three-year agreement was up, the old man passed away after a severe illness.
Upon learning of the prior agreement between the old man and Professor Ma, the old man’s son took the initiative to bring the bamboo slip to Professor Ma, presenting it to him to fulfill his father’s wish.
…
At Huacheng University, in the Science and Liberal Arts Building, in an ordinary office, the clean glass window reveals the cherry blossom avenue bathed in afternoon sunlight.
At this moment, Professor Ma, who is slightly plump and serious-looking, sits in an office chair behind his desk, frowning as he looks at the wooden box on his desk, his eyes flickering with barely concealed excitement.
The young man sitting across the desk noticed Professor Ma’s unusual demeanor and pointed at the box, smiling, “Uncle Ma, do you want to open it now to check?”
“No, no, now is not the time.” Professor Ma waved his hand. “There are no protective measures in my office; if I open it like this, it might damage it. You should know, the sweat on your hands can affect these ancient texts…”
Realizing he had somewhat lost his composure, Professor Ma chuckled awkwardly, “Sorry, I got a bit too excited; the characters on it are incredibly rare.”
“Haha, Uncle Ma, you’re being too polite. I remember when my grandfather first got this bamboo slip, he was even more excited than you, spending all day in his study researching it, forgetting to eat or sleep, almost like he was possessed.”
After the young man said this, seeing Professor Ma staring at the wooden box in a daze, he stood up and slightly bowed to him.
“Uncle, since I’ve delivered the things, I’ll take my leave.”
“Uh, you came all this way, and you’re not going to stay a bit longer? You’re just leaving like this?” Professor Ma asked.
“No.” The young man smiled and self-deprecatingly said, “Although I was born into such a family, I have no interest in literature at all. Staying here would only disturb your research, so it’s better for me to be wise and head back sooner, to avoid annoying you. Haha!”
“This…” Professor Ma hesitated, then sighed and shook his head, “Alright then, after I get this, I want to start research immediately, so I won’t see you off.”
“It’s okay, don’t mind me.” The young man said, and after exchanging farewells with Professor Ma, he left the office.
After the young man left, Professor Ma stared at the wooden box on the desk for a long time, and the first thing he did when coming back to his senses was to send an email to his graduate students, asking them to pause their current research projects and come to the laboratory as quickly as possible for a small meeting.
Now…
A new research project is about to begin preparations.
