When Jiang Tian’s appointment notice was posted on the official website of Jinling Pharmaceutical University, the entire school erupted in excitement.
Countless people were talking about this newly arrived adjunct professor.
“Did you hear? The College of Traditional Chinese Medicine has a new young adjunct professor. I think he’s only 25.”
“No way. To be an adjunct professor, you either need a very high standing in society or exceptional academic achievements. Otherwise, it’s absolutely impossible. What qualifies a 25-year-old?”
“It’s true. I even saw his photo. He really is very young. Could he be some rich second-generation kid just trying to gild his resume? If that’s the case, I might just go to his class. Maybe I could land myself a wealthy husband.”
“Yeah, I’m planning to take this course too. Even though it’s an elective, it offers a lot of credits, which makes it easier to graduate.”
“Really? Then I’ll sign up for it too.”
And so, even before the first class began, the entire university already knew his name.
…
These days, Lin Monong had been having a rough time.
She had earned her doctorate and secured the qualification to teach at the university. She was about to become a lecturer.
However, her advisor, who was also a vice dean, had been transferred to the Medical School of Yanjing University and couldn’t take her along.
As a result, she now faced suppression from Dean Luo Wen, who had a grudge against her advisor. In the end, she was only given the title of teaching assistant.
“What should I do? Should I resign?” Lin Monong furrowed her delicate brows, her beautiful face filled with bitterness.
“Monong, don’t worry! Every cloud has a silver lining!”
Immediately, several young male teachers looked over, offering gentle comfort.
Among the female teachers at the university, Lin Monong was considered the greatest beauty. She was the dream girl of countless unmarried male teachers. Even some senior professors couldn’t help but steal a few glances.
“Teacher Lin, did you know that Jiang Tian is coming to our college as an adjunct professor?”
Suddenly, Ding Jiabi hurried into the teaching office of the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine. She found Lin Monong, took her hand, and spoke with a face full of indignation.
Ding Jiabi was in the same cohort as Jiang Tian. She was also Huang Ling’er’s best friend and the daughter of a professor at the university.
Of course, Ding Jiabi excelled academically. She wasn’t a student of Rende College, which Jiang Tian attended, but a genuine top student from the main campus of the Pharmaceutical University.
After completing her undergraduate studies, Ding Jiabi pursued a master’s degree. Now, having graduated, she had stayed on at the university to handle some administrative work.
“I know. I’m looking at it right now.”
Lin Monong was also looking at the course assignment notice on the university’s official website, finding it hard to believe.
What was Jiang Tian up to? Coming to the university as an adjunct professor?
“How can someone like him, a piece of trash, become our adjunct professor? Isn’t this college being completely irresponsible?”
Ding Jiabi immediately started complaining.
She knew exactly how Jiang Tian had toyed with and abandoned Huang Ling’er back then. Not only did she harbor a deep hatred for him, but she also felt a sense of worry.
What was he coming to be a professor for? Could it be that he wanted to create a prestigious image for himself just to deceive and toy with Huang Ling’er again? That would be despicable!
“Xiao Ding, what’s going on? What’s this about an adjunct professor?”
With her outburst, everyone in the office started asking her questions and opening the webpage.
“Isn’t this Jiang Tian? Back in university, his grades were terrible. And he attended Rende College, which is under Jinling Pharmaceutical University.”
An associate professor in his forties stroked his chin, frowning. “He was quite unruly back then. He slept in class every day!”
Rende College was essentially a private institution, located behind the main campus of Jinling Medical University. It was a secondary college.
As long as applicants could pay the high tuition fees, they could enroll. The students there were mostly unskilled rich kids and children of officials, creating a terrible learning environment.
Rende College and Jinling Medical University shared the same teaching staff.
So most of these lecturers and professors had taught Jiang Tian at some point and knew him inside out.
“So the welcome ceremony Dean Luo Wen mentioned was actually for Jiang Tian? That’s just absurd…” someone said, feeling quite frustrated.
“He didn’t pursue a master’s or a doctorate afterward either. A third-tier undergraduate graduate is coming to teach at our Jinling Pharmaceutical University?”
Another teacher looked at Jiang Tian’s resume on the official website and was also dumbfounded.
Luo Wen was being quite malicious, posting Jiang Tian’s unremarkable academic history online without any courtesy.
“And Dean Luo Wen specifically arranged for all of us to skip classes today to welcome someone like him?”
Everyone was speechless, utterly speechless.
A student who had failed numerous courses, cut class constantly, gotten into fights, cheated, and even insulted and confronted his teachers—and now, just like that, he was suddenly transformed into an adjunct professor at the university.
Was there no justice anymore?!
“An adjunct professor is the highest academic title at our university!”
Someone exclaimed, looking around at the others, waiting for their reactions.
And just as expected, after that outburst, everyone erupted. Their faces turned pale with anger.
“Hmph, we’ve studied diligently for over twenty years, through graduate school and doctoral programs. We fight tooth and nail for associate professor and full professor positions. But look at him!”
A young associate professor said sourly.
“What were the college leaders thinking, just casually handing out an adjunct professor position like that?”
Someone slammed the table and shouted angrily.
“Decadent! This is truly decadent!”
Even Professor Lin Fengmian, the senior-most, most experienced, and most academically accomplished professor in the college, shook his head and sighed.
Just then, accompanied by Luo Wen, Jiang Tian walked into the office.
Luo Wen clapped his hands, his face beaming with a flattering smile. “Everyone, this is our new adjunct professor, Jiang Tian! Let’s give him a round of applause!”
He started clapping, but only a few joined in. Lin Monong was the only one who actually applauded.
“So young. What’s his background? Our college has become a place for rich second-generation kids to gild their resumes!”
“His academic record was so poor back then, he failed all the time. Does he even know how to write a prescription? Does he understand anything about pharmaceutical preparation?”
Everyone whispered among themselves, their gazes toward Jiang Tian filled with disdain.
Jiang Tian, however, remained very relaxed. He smiled and said, “From now on, we’re colleagues. I hope we can exchange ideas often.”
“Dean Luo, I have a class to teach. I’ll be leaving first.”
Immediately, a professor stood up and left with a cold expression.
“Oh, I have an academic conference to attend. I’ll be off as well.”
Another lecturer left, not forgetting to glare at Jiang Tian.
A person like this—worth me wasting my time? What’s the point of a welcome ceremony?
“I have to go too. My child is sick…”
“Sorry, but…”
Some teachers, unable to think of a proper excuse, even resorted to saying their house was on fire.
“This is utter nonsense!”
Finally, even Lin Fengmian couldn’t tolerate it any longer. He slammed his stainless steel teacup onto the table, creating a loud bang.
He stood up and headed for the door, saying coldly, “I’ll have to ask the university president someday what qualifies some people to be our adjunct professor!”
In an instant, most of the lecturers and professors in the office had left. The few remaining looked at each other awkwardly. The atmosphere had turned decidedly chilly.
Seeing this, Luo Wen was secretly pleased and smug, though his face showed feigned embarrassment. He rubbed his hands together and said, “Professor Jiang, I’m sorry. You know how these intellectuals tend to be rather self-important…”
“Dean Luo, it’s no problem.”
Jiang Tian said with a lazy smile, “Once I start teaching, they will all worship me.”
Upon hearing this, Luo Wen and the remaining staff nearly twisted their noses in anger.
Kid, have you not seen everyone’s reaction? Could you have a little shame?
Could you have a little self-awareness?
“Excellent. I’m really looking forward to it. When the time comes, I’ll gather everyone together to attend Professor Jiang’s wonderful lectures!”
Suppressing his disgust and annoyance, Luo Wen patted Jiang Tian on the shoulder. Then he turned to Lin Monong and said in a stern tone, “Monong, from now on, you’ll be Professor Jiang’s teaching assistant. I hope you cherish this rare learning opportunity!”
“Luo Wen is trying to ruin her. That’s ruthless!”
Several young scholars exchanged glances and sighed.
Lin Monong, working under such an incompetent poser, what kind of academic achievements could she possibly produce? Her future looked bleak.
Unexpectedly, Lin Monong nodded with a delighted expression. “Great, great! I’ll definitely cooperate well with Professor Jiang!”
Several male teachers were momentarily stunned, but then their hearts sank.
This guy might be a rich second-generation kid, maybe he’s loaded. Could Lin Monong have taken a liking to him?
After Luo Wen left, Lin Monong immediately gave a charming smile, her eyes sparkling, and said, “Professor Jiang, let me show you to your office!”
She strongly suspected that the Jiang the Master she had met at Poyang Lake was Jiang Tian.
Right now, she couldn’t help but think smugly, This time, I’m going to catch you. Let’s see how long you can hide.
Jiang Tian readily agreed.
After the two of them left, several young male teachers began beating their chests and stomping their feet, lamenting dramatically:
“It’s over! This guy is probably going to snatch Teacher Lin away!”
“Yeah, an undergraduate becoming an adjunct professor—his family must be incredibly influential. Definitely a rich second-generation kid. Teacher Lin definitely won’t be able to resist his charm. Well, the charm of his money, rather.”
“Sigh, I didn’t expect Teacher Lin to fall for the allure of money either!”
At that moment, Ding Jiabi looked at a handsome young man and said in a coquettish tone, “Li Linxuan, you’re in danger!”
Li Linxuan had graduated from Huaxia Medical University and had even received guidance from a doctor from the Red Wall. His academic level was very high. During his doctoral studies, he had published several highly significant papers. He had now been promoted to associate professor and had hopes of becoming a full professor before turning thirty.
In the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, he and Lin Monong were considered a golden couple, a perfect match.
But now that Lin Monong was so enthusiastic toward Jiang Tian, Ding Jiabi immediately grew worried for him.
“He’s nothing. I won’t let him stay at this university.”
Li Linxuan’s expression darkened, a deep, venomous look emanating from his eyes. He then left without another word, his demeanor arrogant.
Ding Jiabi smiled triumphantly. She punched the air behind his back with her little fist and said in a sweet voice, “Professor Li, go get him! I’m waiting for you to show off your academic skills and wipe the floor with him!”
