Chapter 888: Chapter 761: Circumstances Prevail

In an office within the campus courtyard, renowned scholar Professor Wei meticulously reviewed the materials in his hands.

In front of the desk, Zhou Jiao shuffled her feet and sat down on the sofa. She realized that if she didn’t initiate the conversation, she’d probably have to wait until he finished reading before she could rest.

Before this, with Zhang Guoqing’s help, Zhou Jiao finally managed to organize all the materials before returning to school. Afterward, she handed everything to her father, Zhou Xiaozheng, and casually shared her plans. The three of them discussed strategies in the study, and her father took the lead on the next steps. From there, Zhou Jiao no longer had anything to worry about.

As soon as the semester started, before Professor Wei could speak, Zhou Jiao handed in a report on wind turbines to him.

During her trip to the South, besides visiting various coal, gasoline, and diesel generators, she noticed some research units experimenting with small 50-100W wind turbines.

Renewable energy, this eternal topic, suddenly brought to Zhou Jiao’s mind the Darrieus wind turbine.

This was the earliest lift-type vertical axis wind turbine in the world. It was invented by an engineer, Darrieus, from abroad and patented in 1931.

For some reasons, it wasn’t given much attention until the late 1960s when laboratories in Canada and the United States began systematic research. Only then did the Darrieus wind turbine gain practical value.

In a short time afterward, the φ-shaped vertical axis wind turbine was developed on this foundation and put into practical use. Among all vertical axis wind turbines, it has the highest wind energy utilization coefficient. All future lift-type vertical axis wind turbines are derived from it.

Zhou Jiao calculatingly considered the time; if Professor Wei supported the research, it might precede others to publicize the results, guided subtly by her cheat-like hints.

After a long time, Professor Wei took off his glasses, pinched his nose bridge, put his glasses back on, exhaled, and looked keenly at his student in front.

Seeing this, Zhou Jiao’s heart sank; she had been too optimistic.

As expected...

"Your report is excellent. Uh, also well-documented. You are mindful of the nation and did not disgrace the nation’s investment in your education. The plan is good, but currently, the conditions aren’t mature."

Zhou Jiao listened disappointedly to his dry few words. If not knowing Professor Wei’s succinct nature, she’d be infuriated enough to laugh—it’s filled with her effort, and it was refuted just like that.

"Besides experimental funding, the most critical point is the lack of other research members. See, you mentioned these points, the suitable materials for the blades, pitch-variable wind rotor, low-speed direct-drive permanent magnet generator. Not to mention, these require specialists in aerodynamics, materials mechanics, electronics, low-speed generators, and more."

Zhou Jiao silently lowered her head.

"Currently, many research units outside are studying and trial-producing small 50-100W wind turbines. Compared to our department’s independent research, these materials released would be more appropriate."

Zhou Jiao was startled by his words, quickly raising her head to look at him. Right, she neither cared for fame nor benefit, wouldn’t handing the materials off be better?

Opposite, Professor Wei clearly misunderstood, gesturing for her to listen to his words before giving opinions: "Zhou Jiao, I know your efforts are in this. But really, for project research, firstly, it needs to pass a school-wide meeting approval and then apply upwards. Currently, except for a few major researches, these may not be approved, ultimately because our country isn’t wealthy. Also, even if approved, talent is hard to find."

Zhou Jiao saw his troubled face, and chuckled lightly: "Professor, you wouldn’t think I can’t bear to part ways, would you? The experienced are wiser; I decided to listen to your opinion. Please help send them to places in need. If convenient, please do not disclose my name."

Professor Wei looked at his student in surprise. Others may not know, but he already saw possible solutions from the material; if there were enough funding and materials, success was not hopeless.

"Professor, then it’s settled, I’ll return to deliver the rest of the materials to you. Confidentiality, please!"

"Wait." Professor Wei saw her rushing to leave and quickly called out, "Where’s the hurry?"

Zhou Jiao paused, smiling softly while waiting for his instructions. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

"It’s clear here, but do not forget last year’s experimental tasks. This semester, our department’s experimental direction is still advancing towards high-parameter, large-capacity units. This is of utmost importance."

"Aye, I know."

Zhang Guoqing exited the student union meeting, parting ways with others.

After a stretch, Yi Jiefang whispered behind him when alone: "Xiao Wu, you truly irritate me to death; they each vie for power and gain while you comfortably act as hands-off manager."

Zhang Guoqing, aware of some upcoming situations, considered his college life merely the beginning. Being kind to others is more beneficial than confrontation, as he... was long over this youthful fever.

Some words weren’t fit to speak, but a good brother must be shielded, "Haha... or what? Should us two brothers consider them our juniors? You should understand why they are confrontational—their aim, right? But do we need any of that? Our starting point differs from theirs."

Yi Jiefang sighed helplessly, gazing into the distance, "Indeed, we have my misfortunes, they have theirs too."

Zhang Guoqing’s brows twitched hearing this. The melancholic image wasn’t suitable for this guy; what’s with the baseless lamentation? Misfortune? Really, too many good days have been lived!

"This lousy school’s unbearable; those juniors assume we’re taking advantage as seniors, forgetting five-year versus six-year studies are heavier. Sigh, it’s better to graduate early and leave."

Zhang Guoqing rolled his eyes at him and quickened his pace toward the dorm. How’s his wife’s meeting with Professor Wei today? If it didn’t work out, he’d need to find ways to comfort her.

What kind of fate was this? With such a wife and such brothers. They purely are restless after having their fill! Wanting to graduate early? Entering the workforce will just be more painstaking.

"Slow down, wait for me." Yi Jiefang hurried to catch up, putting his arm around his shoulder while glancing about, "We might as well let them stir it up, or..."

Zhang Guoqing paused, sternly advising, "Da Yi, listen to a brother’s advice. In life, thirty years east, thirty years west, no one knows what the future holds. Maybe one day we might need each other. Leave room today for goodwill meetups in the future."

Zhang Guoqing finished, noticing his casual demeanor, feeling somewhat dispirited, eyes fixed intensely upon him.

Under his worried gaze, Yi Jiefang was pressured to nod resignedly, "Fine, I know you consider me a brother, I’ll listen to you, okay? If something gets uncomfortable later, I’ll walk away."

"Good brother!" Zhang Guoqing punched him playfully, "Hurry up, my wife should be impatiently waiting."

Yi Jiefang was nearly tripped, pulled along by him. Just called him a good brother, but now, is it true friendship’s end? Could they not play nicely anymore? This guy truly prioritizes romance over friendship!

Upon reaching the dormitory building, the two parted ways and Zhang Guoqing entered the room, seeing Zhou Jiao copying materials; he approached curiously, "Approved?"

"No."

"Then why copy? Save it for when we start our factory someday."

Zhou Jiao glanced up at him, smiling and shaking her head, "Your hope is crushed, Professor Wei suggested I send it away to research institutions for them to tinker. Meanwhile, I’m copying one as a commemorative backup."

Zhang Guoqing teased, "Well done, true to a soldier’s daughter!"