Chapter 543: Chapter 250: The Academician’s Final Step (Part 4)

Upon arriving in the Provincial Capital, Yang Qi took a taxi to the Handong University faculty housing.

He easily found his way to Song Chunfang’s villa and rang the doorbell.

Before long, the door opened.

A young woman with fair skin and delicate features answered.

Upon seeing Yang Qi, she lowered her head shyly. "Happy New Year, Junior Uncle. Please, come in."

"He Yuan, Happy New Year," Yang Qi said with a smiling nod as he stepped inside.

The house was pleasantly warm, its decor elegant and cozy, filled with a scholarly air.

Several people were already seated on the living room sofa, chatting and laughing merrily.

"Xiaoqi is here."

Fang Rong, dressed in a tasteful cashmere sweater, smiled and waved at Yang Qi.

"Senior Sister Fang, Happy New Year." Yang Qi smiled and walked over.

"Junior Brother, we’ve been eagerly awaiting your arrival!"

Yang Fan greeted him as well.

"Brother Yang, Happy New Year," Yang Qi responded.

"Our Junior Brother gets more handsome every time I see him!" the vivacious Xia Xiaomin exclaimed, patting Yang Qi on the shoulder.

Yang Qi greeted each of his senior brothers and sisters in turn, wishing them a happy new year. His gaze then shifted to the head of the living room.

Professor Song Chunfang was sitting in a wicker rocking chair with a blanket over her lap. "Xiaoqi, you’re here. It must have been a long trip. Quick, sit down and have some hot tea. He Yuan, pour a cup of tea."

"It wasn’t a difficult trip, Professor."

Yang Qi sat down in a nearby armchair.

He Yuan quickly brought over a steaming cup of fragrant tea.

"Come, Xiaoqi, let me formally introduce you."

Fang Rong smiled, gesturing toward a man in his late fifties sitting on Professor Song Chunfang’s other side. He had been watching them exchange pleasantries with a smile.

"This is our Eldest Brother."

Yang Qi looked in the direction she was pointing.

The man’s hair was impeccably combed, with a touch of silver at his temples. His face was lean, and his scholarly demeanor was underpinned by a quiet, steady authority.

He wasn’t deliberately trying to project anything, yet he naturally possessed an undeniable presence.

As Yang Qi got a clear look at his Eldest Brother’s face, he started.

’I’ve seen that face before!’

’On the TV news, at important provincial meetings.’

’I thought Second Brother Wei Zongting held the highest position among us, but I never imagined the Eldest Brother’s rank was even higher.’

’No wonder the professor and my senior brothers and sisters have always been so tight-lipped about him, never bringing him up on their own.’

’A person of his status shouldn’t be spoken of casually.’

Although his mind was reeling, Yang Qi’s Cultivation was at the Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer. With his nascent Divine Sense, his mental fortitude was far beyond what it once was.

After a brief moment of shock, he quickly composed himself. His expression settled into a perfect blend of respect and dawning recognition as he stood and took a few steps forward.

"Eldest Brother, Happy New Year."

"Heh, no need for formalities, Junior Brother. Please, sit." The Eldest Brother replied with a smile. His voice was gentle, carrying the warmth of an elder. The aura of authority that came from years in a high position was well-reined in, replaced by the refined air of a scholar.

He had been a scholar at Handong University himself before being transferred to a government position years ago.

"The professor and the others have told me a lot about you," the Eldest Brother said, his tone warm and appreciative. "They said our little family has produced a remarkable Junior Brother—not only are your professional foundations solid, but you’re also brave and discerning, with a record of incredible achievements. Now that I’ve met you, I see you truly are an exceptional young man."

"You’re too kind, Eldest Brother. It’s all thanks to the professor’s guidance. I still have much to learn." Yang Qi replied with poised modesty, then sat back down.

His calm and composed demeanor earned a flicker of subtle admiration in the Eldest Brother’s eyes.

’Most young people would be nervous or flustered upon suddenly learning my identity. But this Junior Brother’s gaze is clear and calm, and his responses are poised. His temperament is truly impressive.’

They all went back to drinking their tea and chatting.

The conversation drifted from New Year’s pleasantries to updates on their personal lives and developments within their field.

Yang Qi gave a brief update on the progress of Xianlai, mentioning that they had taken in some birds involved in a legal case and had also unexpectedly rescued a red panda. This sparked a wave of astonished discussion among his senior brothers and sisters.

As the conversation went on, the topic somehow shifted to Professor Song Chunfang.

Fang Rong said with a touch of regret, "Sigh. You know, when you think about our professor—her academic achievements, her contributions to the field, her seniority, her character—she should have been named an academician long ago. But she’s always just one step away..."

"That’s right."

Yang Fan nodded in agreement. "The professor’s research on biodiversity conservation and flagship species in the South China and East China regions was all groundbreaking. The problem is the lack of empirical evidence."

"It’s mainly because of the Wild South China Tiger."

Xia Xiaomin lowered her voice. "Her theory about a possible remnant population of South China Tigers in the wild is highly controversial, both at home and internationally. If she could produce irrefutable proof that Wild South China Tigers still exist—even just trace evidence that holds up to scrutiny—the academician title would be a sure thing."

At the mention of the "South China Tiger," the atmosphere in the living room grew a little heavy.

It was one of the cornerstones of Song Chunfang’s life’s work, as well as the greatest regret and obsession of her academic career.

Yang Qi listened quietly as understanding dawned on him.

’I knew the professor was only one step away from becoming an academician, but I never knew the specific reason.’

’So this is the crux of the issue.’

Song Chunfang herself seemed to have made peace with it. She rocked gently in her chair and smiled. "Academic debates are perfectly normal. The question of whether any South China Tigers still survive in the wild is a worldwide enigma. My theories and the clues I’ve presented are based on years of fieldwork and data analysis, but it’s true that I lack direct, irrefutable proof."

"Not becoming an academician isn’t the end of the world. As long as I can leave behind what I’ve learned and theorized for future generations to build upon, that’s enough for me."

Her tone was tranquil, filled with a scholar’s magnanimity.

Yang Qi fell silent.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.