Be Careful, Scum Dad! Mommy Is Back!
Chapter 351: Throwing Bait to Fish

Chapter 351: Chapter 351: Throwing Bait to Fish

The "Artificial Uterus" project is ZN Research Institute’s most important research subject of the year, and it is also the first major achievement Lu Xining has made in domestic biological research.

However, just when the experiment had finally succeeded and all promotional and partnership efforts had entered a critical phase, a lapse occurred.

Even though Lu Xining had prepared a foolproof strategy, the setback still hit her hard.

The project’s initial investment cost was as high as several billion, with subsequent additions totaling well over ten billion. If this experiment were to fail, all compensation would have to be borne by Lu Xining herself.

Money is just the smallest reason among them.

More importantly, it is about the reputation of the ZN Research Institute domestically; a significant issue arising in their first project would make it harder to attract investment for future experiments.

The female assistant asked, "Professor Lu, what do you plan to do if you find the traitor?"

After a long silence, Lu Xining finally said, "Let’s first find out the details."

Although the female assistant was not a local, her maternal grandfather was, so she could speak the local language. Communication with her hadn’t been an issue after Lu Xining transferred her to work in the domestic location.

She reminded, "Professor Lu, I know you’re distressed, but there’s a saying from your country that I think is very true: Human hearts are unfathomable."

Lu Xining: "I know."

Coldness flashed through her apricot-colored eyes as she pondered, then told her assistant, "Have someone spread the word that if the cause behind this incident cannot be determined and the traitor is not found, the entire ’Artificial Uterus’ team will be disbanded, and all benefits will be withdrawn."

The assistant was stunned for a moment, but then she understood the intention.

She was planning to bait the hook to catch the fish.

That very afternoon, the news spread among all the researchers, weighing heavily on everyone’s heart.

Each face was filled with worry; they too couldn’t understand how there could be a traitor among them, each recalling any irregularities during past experiments, eager to find the internal traitor as soon as possible.

The next morning.

As soon as Lu Xining and her assistant arrived at their office, they saw a man waiting at the door.

"Professor Lu, I have something I need to discuss with you."

The speaker was Shen Congliang, the same man who had intended to take his daughter to the seaside.

During yesterday’s meeting, he was still on a plane flying back to Yun City from the seaside and did not attend the meeting. However, as soon as he returned to the ZN Research Institute, he immediately enquired about the traitor from his colleagues after learning about it from them.

Lu Xining had her assistant go deal with other tasks and said to Shen Congliang, "Come in and talk."

After the man entered, he appeared hesitant to speak.

Lu Xining did not rush him, waiting for him to sort out his thoughts.

"Professor Lu, there’s something I don’t know whether I should mention."

Lu Xining stated bluntly, "Since you’ve chosen to come to me, isn’t it to discuss this matter?"

"Xiao Shen, if you’re not ready, you can go back first and come to me when you’ve made up your mind. I have some matters to attend to soon and won’t see you out."

She lowered her head to review the documents that her assistant had brought her that morning.

Within the quiet office, Lu Xining could hear the heavy breathing of the man across the table.

After waiting for two seconds, a resolute voice from Shen Congliang came through the other end.

Shen Congliang spoke with a grave tone, "After the experiment ended last week, I saw Teacher Sang secretly take a USB flash drive out of the lab!"

"Teacher Sang is my mentor, the one who brought me into this field. I don’t want to suspect him, but the matter at hand is too important, and I don’t want the lab to suffer any losses..."

If the cause of this incident isn’t found, then all members of the project team will be held accountable.

Shen Congliang continued, "Professor Lu, I truly cherish the opportunity to work at the ZN Research Base, but I also believe that Teacher Sang isn’t that kind of person. However, his mother and brother at home are leeching off him, I’m worried he might have been compelled to do these things under pressure."

His current annual salary and benefits are dozens of times higher than what they used to be. Lu Xining has almost solved all his life’s difficulties, and even resolved the issue of his daughter being unable to attend school due to the lack of a household registration. He truly does not wish to lose this job opportunity here.

Lu Xining lifted her head from the documents, deeply gazing at the anxious Shen Congliang opposite her, it was clear he was really worried.

She remained calm, even her voice didn’t fluctuate much, she stated, "Xiao Shen, the matter is still under investigation, and until the results are out, everyone is a suspect."

"We’ve all seen Teacher Sang’s conduct and character, and we can’t just assign blame to your teacher based on your words alone."

This seemingly righteous behavior carried a tinge of ingratitude.

Lu Xining closed the folder in her hands, speaking softly, "You may leave now. Some clues have been found in the investigation, and the results will soon be out."

He was well aware of the things she did to Chen Li and her former mother-in-law’s family in Jingzhou—decisive and without hesitation. This was the image of coldness and ruthlessness he had in his mind for her.

The moment he heard her words, he also breathed a sigh of relief, promptly saying, "Good, as long as things can be figured out."

After Shen Congliang left the office, Lu Xining fell into deep thought.

She dialed her female assistant’s number, asking her to invite Sang Yimin over to her office.

Knock, knock, knock, the sound of knocking on the door echoed.

Lu Xining said, "The door isn’t locked, come in."

"Professor Lu, you wanted to see me."

Sang Yimin’s voice was magnetically soothing, exuding a stable temperament, giving off a very trustworthy first impression.

She sat by the tea table, looking up at the man entering the door, "Yes, Teacher Sang, come in and take a seat. I would like to talk to you about the leak of experimental data."

As Sang Yimin walked towards her, Lu Xining observed his figure quietly.

A clean white shirt, simple black pants, and an outer jacket that clearly had been worn for many years.

He was in his forties with an academic look, but the roots of his hair were already greying,

His younger colleagues often joked that he should dye his hair. Every time Sang Yimin just smiled and said nothing, without any changes to his hair.

Sang Yimin, a researcher Lu Xining personally recruited from Jingzhou after three visits to his humble home.

She had heard stories about this senior during her studies—losing his father at a young age, having a sick mother, and a young brother, constantly short on money, often developing products for various companies during his university days.

Sang Yimin sat down opposite her, not initiating the conversation.

The heating in the room was adequate, but he still didn’t take off his coat, looking quite pale. However, compared to when Lu Xining first met him, his vitality seemed much improved.

"Teacher Sang, are your mother and brother settling in well in the apartment? There are still vacant rooms in the apartment, I can arrange another room for you if needed."