21st Century Necromancer

Jounouchi Hiromi's report of the 4.9 million yen expense for the purchase of experimental animals made Chen Yu's third aunt feel somewhat embarrassed.

After all, she worked at a medical college; how could she not know that a mere one million yen in research funding could hardly accomplish anything? Not to mention carrying out project research, it was even a stretch to maintain the daily operation of the laboratory.

But this condition was set forth by the leadership. Although Chen Yu's third aunt had argued her case before coming, the only terms the school could offer were limited to this, leaving her without hope for convincing Chen Yu to return to his country and teach.

"Anyway, it's all Vice Principal Zhao has offered. Whether you go back or not is up to you, I've revealed the bottom line to you," Chen Yu's third aunt shrugged, showing an indifferent expression, "You were also involved in the Chromatograph Analyzer purchase incident back then, so you know what the school is really like, Ah-Yu.

These years, if it weren't for the old principal going shamelessly begging to the higher-ups for money, and Vice Principal Zhao getting sponsorships everywhere... Anyway, if you're not satisfied with these terms, we can negotiate on administrative rank and treatment, but as for project funding..."

Just as Chen Yu's third aunt got to this point, the waiter happened to bring the dishes in, interrupting her.

"You don't need to explain, third aunt; I understand the situation. Back then, they were reluctant to buy a single imported Chromatograph Analyzer costing over a million, and now they can suddenly come up with so much funding; Official Zhao is really not being stingy this time. It's just..." Chen Yu said, shaking his head helplessly without finishing his sentence.

Some things were clear to everyone, and saying them out loud would only hurt feelings.

"Well, if that's the case, then I won't say more. Anyway, I've said everything I had to, think about it. Even if you want to refuse, wait a couple of days, won't you?

Your aunt came to Japan for the first time on public funds; you have to let me enjoy myself for a couple of days, right?" Chen Yu's third aunt naturally did not wish to continue the topic, so she changed the subject, "Speaking of which, Ah-Yu, you're quite something! You found a girlfriend in Japan silently, and she's so pretty. When did you two meet? Tell me, who pursued whom?

You're such a blockhead when it comes to this, surely Miss Jounouchi made the first move, right? Hahaha!"

The words of Chen Yu's third aunt made both Jounouchi Hiromi and Chen Yu feel a bit awkward and shy, but deep down, Hiromi couldn't help feeling some sweetness, quietly grateful for her own decisive confession back then.

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After the meal, Chen Yu sent his third aunt back to the hotel, and then he walked home with Jounouchi Hiromi.

"Mr. Chen Yu, will you consider your aunt's suggestion of returning to teach in your country?" Jounouchi Hiromi asked, staring inquisitively at him, her bright eyes filled with worry and fear.

Chen Yu naturally noticed his girlfriend's mood and raised his hand to touch her cheek, smiling and comforting her, "Hiromi, what are you thinking? How could I possibly agree to return to teach under those conditions? The full name of Eastern University Affiliated Hospital is Tokyo University Medical School Hospital.

Why would I give up an associate professorship at a world-leading university to teach at a second-rate local university in the Celestial Empire, where annual research funding isn't even one hundred million yen? What would I go back for? To teach those students how to hold a scalpel? Or to be so busy in the hospital that I'd perform eight surgeries a day, running off my feet?"

"But... but Mr. Chen Yu, you have to go back eventually, right? That's your homeland, after all, where your parents and relatives are..." Jounouchi Hiromi's expression turned somewhat sorrowful as she stood before Chen Yu, her face downturned, "And you told me you would return, didn't you?"

"Haha, you fool!" Chen Yu cradled Jounouchi Hiromi's cheeks, laughing heartily at her, "Even if I were to return to my home country, I would at least choose a top-notch medical university that offers conditions worthy of me before I'd consider going back, right?

And when I told you I would go back, I was just an ordinary thoracic surgeon at the time, not the associate professor at Eastern University Affiliated Hospital that I am now!

Besides, even if I went back, how could I possibly go without taking you with me, Hiromi? Didn't you say you were willing to go back with me? What, are you thinking of backing out now? Don't worry, Hiromi, even if I return home, I won't leave you!"

Upon hearing Chen Yu say this, Jounouchi Hiromi suddenly wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in his chest, "No matter where you go, I'll follow you."

"That's a given, isn't it?" Holding his girlfriend, gently patting her back, Chen Yu then said to her, "Alright, this is a public street, how long are you going to hold me like this?"

With that said by Chen Yu, Jounouchi Hiromi shyly lifted her head from his embrace but still clung tightly to one of his arms.

"By the way, Mr. Chen Yu, what was that discussion about the Chromatograph Analyzer you had with your third aunt?" With the weight off her mind, Jounouchi Hiromi continued walking with Chen Yu but became suddenly curious about the topic he had mentioned to his third aunt previously.

Chen Yu was momentarily taken aback by Jounouchi Hiromi's question, then he laughed as he realized what she was referring to, "That thing? That's ancient history."

"Back when I was studying at a university in China, our school was considered a second-tier college," Chen Yu began to recount the gossip from a long time ago to his girlfriend, "As a secondary institution, even though it specialized in medical studies, the conditions weren't particularly good, either in academics or clinical healing. The laboratories at the school were no different.

At that time, one of the laboratory's Chromatographs broke down and needed to be replaced... oh, I hadn't mentioned that the lab was managed and utilized by one of my teachers at the time, who wanted to buy a more advanced Chromatograph, because the old one was indeed not very user-friendly."

My cousin's husband just happened to sell them, and my teacher knew this. He entrusted me to approach my cousin's husband in the hope of acquiring a more advanced Chromatograph Analyzer. My cousin's husband recommended a Japanese-made Shimadzu Chromatograph Analyzer and quoted my teacher a price of 150,000 US Dollars, double what a domestic product would cost at the time.

"My teacher insisted on the imported one because its performance was indeed superior to the domestic ones, but the school was adamant about using a domestic one because the import was too expensive. My teacher and the Vice Principal Zhao in charge of this matter... that's the same Vice Principal Zhao who sent my third aunt to ask me to return to my country, ended up having a huge fight over it.

The whole situation blew up into a big controversy, but in the end, they opted for the cheaper domestic product."
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"All for less than 80,000 US Dollars?" Jounouchi Hiromi was incredibly surprised.

Chen Yu nodded, "All for 80,000 US Dollars."