Fu Ling watched him struggle and then sigh.
"I'm sorry, I was listening in on your conversation. Is it— are you serious?"
Fu Ling shook his head
"The fact that you're asking this means you already have an answer in your mind right?"
Fu Yongle took a deep breath
"Thank you. I'll go talk to Xiu Jing"
Fu Ling watched his back as he walked off. He seems to have aged a bit more. Fu Ling knew that thus method was a bit cruel bit it had to be done.
He knew that although it seemed Fu Yongle had let go, he actually still had some feels for Fu Haoming. After all that was the child he raised with his wife.
Fu Ling went to his room and washed up. He made an appointment with a programmer to meet for lunch. In the book, that young man had an extensive research on artificial intelligence but didn't have the investment to continue.
Further in the book, it was mentioned that Fu Haoming developed the first batch of intelligent robots and he was held in high regard by the country but this man's name wasn't mentioned anywhere so Fu Ling decided to intercept him.
Before leaving, he left a note saying he would be back before dinner and took a taxi to the restaurant.
The restaurant was a quiet little corner spot tucked between an old bookstore and a pottery gallery—quaint, modest, and far from the glitz that accompanied the usual business meetings of the upper class. That was precisely why Fu Ling chose it. He had a feeling the man he was meeting wasn't someone who would feel comfortable in luxury. Not yet, at least.
He arrived five minutes early. The hostess recognized him immediately and guided him to a booth by the window. He ordered a pot of green tea and waited, idly stirring the cup as his eyes wandered to the street. He licked the spoon and scrunched up his face every so lightly. He liked the smell of green tea—the taste, not so much.
The bell above the door chimed softly.
Fu Ling looked up.
A lanky young man with thick glasses stepped inside, his clothes plain but neatly pressed. He looked around nervously before spotting Fu Ling and hesitantly made his way over.
"Mr. Fu?" he asked.
Fu Ling smiled and gestured to the seat across from him. "You must be Wen Jingshi. Please, sit."
Wen Jingshi bowed slightly and sat down, his eyes scanning the room like someone who wasn't sure if he'd just stepped into a trap. "Thank you for inviting me. I—I wasn't sure if this was a scam."
Fu Ling chuckled. "I'm aware I reached out rather suddenly. But I've read your published thesis from two years ago. The one on predictive adaptive cognition frameworks."
Wen Jingshi blinked in surprise. "That was rejected by every major journal."
"Yes," Fu Ling said, pouring tea into his cup. "And then quietly scrubbed off multiple digital platforms. Which I found… suspicious, to say the least. Your work was ahead of its time."
The young man stared at him, lips parting slowly. "You really read it."
"I read all one hundred and twenty-nine pages," Fu Ling replied, lifting his cup. "And it gave me some ideas. Which is why I'd like to fund your research. Under one condition."
Wen Jingshi stiffened. "There's always a condition."
Fu Ling smiled, but his gaze was steady. "Your name must be attached to everything you create. I will not allow anyone to take credit for your work."
Wen Jingshi chuckled nervously. "…You make it sound as though someone is trying to take over my—" The words came to an abrupt halt as he noticed Fu Ling's serious expression.
Fu Ling sighed. "Don't concern yourself with these things. For now, just focus on doing your research and taking care of your health"
Wen Jingshi hesitated for a second. He had nothing left to loose. "How can I be sure you're not just joking?"
Fu Ling didn't answer. He simply reached into his bag and handed over a file—ten pages, neat and concise. A proposal, with his own notes and suggestions scribbled in the margins. "Look it over. You'll find that I've already secured the lab space, equipment, and a preliminary grant. All I need is your signature."
Wen Jingshi flipped through it with shaking fingers. "This—this is real?"
"As real as the regret you'll feel if you miss this opportunity. If you feel the need to, you can have a lawyer look at it before signing. It was my oversight I should have prepared one for the meeting today"
Wen Jingshi shook his head
"The terms are very clear and are explained concisely I understand it very well."
They sat in silence for a moment as the tension slowly ebbed out of Wen Jingshi's shoulders. The tea had gone cold by the time he finally said, "Alright. I'll do it. But only if I can work independently."
Fu Ling nodded. "Agreed. I'll only step in when you need support."
Wen Jingshi finally smiled, shy and genuine. "Then I'll prove you right. I won't let you down, Mr. Fu."
Fu Ling smiled faintly. "You already haven't."
He signed the contract and Fu Ling took a copy for himself.
"You can make a photocopy and send it to the designated lawyer of your choice."
They both stood up and shook hands across the table and walked out together. Fu Ling watched the young man take a taxi and was contemplating on giving Gu Yunnain a surprise visit when surprised voice sounded behind him.
"Brother Fu?"
He turned around and saw a girl hand in hand with Fu Haoming. She immediately removed her hand and took a step forward to which Fu Ling blinked and took two steps back.
The girl paused in her actions at his obvious rejection
"Brother Fu?"
Fu Ling didn't know her so he turned his attention to Fu Haoming who was shooting daggers at him with his eyes
"Fu Ling do you have to go against me at every turn? Now you've even resorted to stalking?"
He was very dissatisfied when the attack failed and now he had to face Fu Ling who seemed even more handsome than before. He felt very unbalanced in his heart.
Fu Ling shook his head
"Which one of your eyes did you use to see me following you? Fu Haoming, someone here has criminal tendencies and it definitely isn't me."
Fu Haoming froze and Fu Ling made his choice. He had to see Gu Yunnain to cleanse his eyes.
He took a taxi and left the scene without looking back.