Chapter 3: The Fox Borrows the Tiger's Might

  Looking at Zeng Huishan's dispirited appearance, Cheng Xiaodong thought to himself: "Compared to ordinary people, famous people really do have a different kind of intimidating power!"

  Cheng Xiaodong is indeed a student of Qin Yu, but there are so many students like Cheng Xiaodong that Qin Yu has taught in his lifetime. It's actually Cheng Xiaodong who knows Qin Yu, and when Old Man Qin sees him, he can't even remember his name...

  Cheng Xiaodong was exceptionally intelligent from a young age, and despite enrolling in school late, he skipped grades all the way from elementary to high school. As a result, after four years of undergraduate studies, Cheng Xiaodong was only twenty years old. Unfortunately, he wasn't cut out for diligent research. During his four years at the Agricultural College, his grades were just average because he spent most of his time reading books unrelated to agriculture. This kind of student didn't leave a deep impression on Professor Qin.

  I am just an ordinary student. Although my father has some money and connections in Zuojiang, in the vast provincial city, I am still like a drop of dew, unable to stir up any waves.

  Zeng Huai Sha, on the other hand, was a somewhat well-known journalist and editor. Although the article was plagiarized from him, it had undergone some rewriting and editing. If he were to swallow his pride and not acknowledge it, Cheng Xiao Dong didn't think pursuing the matter would bring any benefits. For now, the only thing he could do was take advantage of Zeng Huai Sha's remaining conscience, his guilt towards himself, and Professor Qin's reputation - see what kind of compensation he could get.

  Zeng Huishan was deep in thought, and Cheng Xiaodong's mind was also turning a thousand times. The room suddenly fell silent, until a sudden ring of the phone startled the two people in the house.

  "Dad, it's a phone call from Uncle Min!" The two people in the house didn't move, but the little rain outside answered the phone and shouted into the house.

  "Brother Zeng, you'd better answer the phone first!" Cheng Xiaodong said with his mouth, thinking in his heart: "Surnamed Min? That must be Min Fang. Who is this Min Fang? Zeng Huisha was willing to give him most of the right to sign his name on plagiarized and stolen articles."

  "Min Fang is the deputy editor-in-chief of the newspaper, the son of Provincial Committee Organization Department Minister Min", as if seeing through Cheng Xiaodong's mind, Zeng Huisha stood up to answer the phone while explaining to Cheng Xiaodong. Cheng Xiaodong thought: "Not only do I want to borrow power and plot, but what about Zeng Huisha, doesn't he also want to use the tiger's might?"

  There was a connected phone in the room, and Zeng Huisha picked up the receiver. He looked at Cheng Xiaodong, who didn't seem to want to leave, and sighed silently: "Editor-in-Chief Min? This is Zeng Huisha."

  "What's with the editor-in-chief or not, we two are in the same pot stirring the horse whip, can't you even call me brother? Zeng Ge, come to my place for a bit, that article is highly valued by the provincial party committee leadership, after reading it, Governor Qu wants to have a meeting with us two, scheduled for tomorrow." The volume of the phone receiver was not small, and it wasn't far away either, Cheng Xiaodong heard it very clearly.

  "Zeng Ge, this is an opportunity, you must grasp it firmly. Although we two did the research together, I only took charge of the overall direction and meaning, while the specific things are still more understood by you. When Governor Qi comes to see us, he will definitely want a detailed understanding of our research, so I think it's better for us two to go see him together, and also complement each other on the details."

  On the phone, Min Fang's voice was loud and clear, but Cheng Xiaodong snorted: "It seems that this one is also a profiteer who only grasps the general direction without understanding the details. The so-called investigation is probably just sightseeing."

  "Is that so...... Chief Editor Min, what time tomorrow?" Zeng Huisha had already made up her mind and her thoughts gradually calmed down as she asked into the receiver.

  "Tomorrow at 10 am, Zeng Ge, you'd better sort out the materials in your hands, don't miss anything when the time comes. Alright, that's it, I'm hanging up." Min Fang said on the other end of the line.

  "Chief Editor Min, wait..." Zeng Huisha hastily said.

  "What's wrong?" Min Fang asked with some confusion from the other end.

  "It's like this, Chief Editor Min, our article... actually... Chief Editor Min"... Zeng Huisha carefully chose his words, and Chief Editor Min had already sensed something was off, asking a question: "Brother Zeng, what's wrong with the article?"?

  "Chief Editor Min, actually this article has another person's contribution. Yes, it is my younger brother who is right here and is a proud student of Professor Qin Yu from the Agricultural College. The data, examples and some viewpoints above are all from this young professional...". Zeng Huisha said here, his emotions became tense again, but was interrupted by Min on the other end, "Qin Yu's student? Is that the Qin Yu who is the father of hybrid species?"

  "Yes, it's Academician Qin!" Zeng Huisha hastily added another stroke to Qin Yu's name.

  "Zeng Ge, I understand. You really are... Alright, I'll rush over right now. Wait for me at home!" As soon as the words were spoken, there was a click, and the phone hung up.

  This is a sharp and decisive person, not the kind of prodigal son he imagined. With just a few words, Cheng Xiaodong has repositioned this Mr. Min.

  "Ah!" Zeng Huisha let out a breath as soon as the words left his mouth, his neck stretched out, waiting to see if he would be chopped or patted. He put down the burden on his mind and turned to Cheng Xiaodong, saying: "Xiaodong, big brother handled this matter poorly, hurting the four years of brotherly love between us. However, big brother will give you an explanation."

  "Brother Zeng, actually you should have told me in advance, even if it's for use, it's not impossible. In the past four years, Brother Zeng has helped me a lot and I'm grateful. Moreover, you also polished that article of mine, which is also your credit. It's just... if Teacher hadn't known about this article clearly, I wouldn't have been in such a hurry with you." Cheng Xiaodong said with difficulty.

  "Xiao Dong, don't say anymore, big brother understands and appreciates it. Mian Fang will come over right away. This person is very decisive and righteous, and won't let his brothers down. It's just that with Professor Qin's side..."

  "Brother Zeng, I'll go explain to the teacher, but with his temper, getting scolded is a certainty! Cheng Xiaodong smiled wryly, "It's just that when the time comes, how should we say it? Brother Zeng, you have rich social experience, can you think of a suitable excuse for me?"

  Looking at Cheng Xiaodong, Zeng Huisha nodded and said: "Later, Ming Fang will come over, let's see what he says first. Brother, I really feel guilty, using your article and making you deceive your teacher."

  "I'm afraid... you can't fool me!" Cheng Xiaodong said with a wry smile.

  "I've already got some ideas, and Mingfang is also a very understanding person, don't worry, the two of us will come up with a suitable excuse for you." Zeng Huisha solemnly promised.

  Chapter 3: The Fox Borrows the Tiger's Might