With Wen Changqing's promise secured, a great weight was finally lifted from Qin Chuan's mind.
After Wen Changqing left, he immediately pulled out his phone and called Li Chunsheng and Xu Ronghua separately, asking about the results of their contact with other universities.
"Boss, I'm pulling strings, having my friend come over to introduce me to their school leaders!" Xu Ronghua said.
Li Chunsheng also indicated that he was relying on an old classmate to arrange a meeting with the school leaders there.
"You two don't need to bother anymore. Come to Qingbei University quickly. I've already reached an agreement here, and there's no need to recruit from other universities for now!" Qin Chuan recalled his two key people. The smooth outcome of this trip to Qingbei University far exceeded his expectations.
Originally, in his plan, at most two or three mentors and three or four elite students would be enough.
But seeing Wen Changqing's excited departure, and the crucial word "team" he uttered before leaving, Qin Chuan felt that this number might have to be doubled.
If that were the case, there would be no need to keep Li Chunsheng and Xu Ronghua busy elsewhere. Relying on connections and asking for help was a big deal and consumed a lot of favors.
Furthermore, having mentors and students from multiple universities gathered together might create conflicts and add to the burden. Having Qingbei University, such a top-tier institution, was enough!
Qin Chuan believed that with Wen Changqing personally organizing it, this "team" would definitely not be bad.
Xu Ronghua and Li Chunsheng arrived quickly. A little over an hour later, Qin Chuan, Liu Dongqiang, and Shang Honglian met them on the campus of Qingbei University.
Qin Chuan recounted the details of his meeting with Wen Changqing that morning to the two, who were both greatly excited upon hearing it.
Soon, time flew by to noon, and students began to leave school in succession.
Long lines of students poured out of the teaching buildings, countless numbers of them, like a flock of sheep being herded. Every face exuded youthful vigor and vibrant beauty.
Qin Chuan, among the businessmen outside, was often considered very young, but here, he appeared very mature, out of sync with the atmosphere.
As for the others, it was even more so. Among the group, only Shang Honglian matched the atmosphere here the best.
"Honglian, I always forgot to ask you, after you graduated from university and entered society, did you ever miss your school days?" Qin Chuan suddenly asked Shang Honglian beside him.
"Of course, how could I not!" Shang Honglian looked at the youthful faces passing by her, a hint of memory and emotion appearing on her face.
"Especially when I first left school, I dreamt of being back in school!"
"Every day, seeing classmates carrying their schoolbags, I would even feel envious," Shang Honglian said with a smile.
"But now, I've gotten used to the life of striving in society. After all, people can't stay in school forever, they have to enter society sooner or later."
Qin Chuan couldn't help but reach out and pat Shang Honglian's head, teasing, "It seems my Honglian has really matured a lot!"
As soon as he spoke, Qin Chuan's actions suddenly stiffened, and he wished he could chop off his own arm.
He had intended to cool down his relationship with Shang Honglian, to make the girl give up, but he hadn't expected to instinctively make a habitual gesture from the past.
Looking at Shang Honglian standing beside him, her beautiful eyes filled with joy and excitement, Qin Chuan, feeling embarrassed, quickly withdrew his arm: "Why hasn't Director Wen come out yet? It's been so long!"
"No rush, let's wait a bit longer!" Liu Dongqiang said, and then took out cigarettes and offered one to each person. The group waited until all the students had disappeared from the teaching buildings.
Finally, they saw Wen Changqing's figure in one of the teaching buildings.
Beside Wen Changqing were several other people, both male and female, all looking like scholars, five in total.
Wen Changqing waved when he saw Qin Chuan and his group.
"Let's go to the cafeteria, we can talk while we eat."
As Qin Chuan and the others approached, Wen Changqing said. The others looked on curiously, some with scrutiny in their eyes.
"Okay!" Qin Chuan agreed without hesitation, not suggesting they go out for a meal elsewhere.
The group arrived at the Qingbei University cafeteria, and it was another eye-opener.
The spacious cafeteria was filled with a dense crowd of people. On the first, second, and third floors, students flowed endlessly, creating a shocking scene. Tens of thousands of people were dining, and the air was filled with the aroma of food.
Eating in such an environment, even those without an appetite would instantly gain one, due to the atmosphere.
"Boss Qin, you haven't tried the food at Qingbei University yet, have you? Today, I'll let you have a taste." Wen Changqing took out his meal card while queuing.
"I'll pay for this meal today!"
"All of you just wait to get your food."
His words made everyone laugh.
"Then thank you, Director Wen. We country bumpkins are ignorant. We've heard that even a grain of rice at Qingbei University contains wisdom. We'll have to eat our fill this time and go home with our bellies full!" The group joked back and forth. Not long after, it was their turn.
Wen Changqing stood to the side, holding his meal card, and swiped it for each person.
Qin Chuan, holding his tray, ordered braised pork ribs, fermented black bean carp, shredded pork with garlic sauce, a plate of cold dishes, a bowl of beef consommé, a typical four-dish, one-soup meal, plus a portion of rice.
After entering a private room, they sat down at a large table. The atmosphere was lively, and they got to know each other while eating.
As expected of China's top university, Qingbei University, the mentors present were all from distinguished backgrounds. They came from the University of California, Oxford University, Yale University, Columbia University, and Stanford University. Each of these schools was a world-class institution, and many had received various awards and were well-known in their respective fields.
Compared to them, Qin Chuan's group seemed rather humble. Except for Li Chunsheng, who could represent the Chinese Academy of Sciences, no one else was particularly noteworthy. Xu Ronghua, Shang Honglian, and Liu Dongqiang were not qualified. And Qin Chuan, the big boss, was even less so, with only a junior high school education, a typical illiterate.
"Qin Chuan, these five mentors are the elites I've carefully selected," Wen Changqing said.
"In the afternoon, I will have each of them select two elite students, forming a team of fifteen. They will visit your laboratory tomorrow."
"Don't disappoint all of us!"
Qin Chuan heard this and forcefully suppressed the excitement and emotion in his heart, patting his chest and promising, "Director Wen, you can rest assured!"
"I promise not to disappoint anyone!"