Under the expectant gazes of everyone!
A tall, handsome young man with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, and a face full of masculine energy, stepped onto the lecture hall's platform with his hands in his pockets, composed and calm!
The corners of his mouth curled up slightly, forming an attractive arc!
Giving off an air of rebellious defiance!
As if he wasn't here for a self-criticism session, but for a performance!
This was a very handsome young man!
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him the campus heartthrob of the Traditional Chinese Medicine department!
However!
This fellow had a cigarette dangling from his lips!
Those seated below felt their scalps tingle!
Was he crazy?
Daring to have a cigarette while giving a self-criticism?
"Chen Nan, please mind your words and actions. Throw away that cigarette!" Li Muya said with a cold tone, her eyes containing undeniable anger!
Yang Mingyu and the others also looked disappointed!
They hadn't expected Chen Nan to be smoking during his self-criticism!
This clearly showed he hadn't realized his mistake!
Nor had he taken the school rules to heart!
And he clearly didn't hold anyone present in high regard!
Even though he was a special recruit admitted through recommendation, this act was far too arrogant!
To their astonishment!
Chen Nan actually took out a lighter!
*Snap!*
He lit the cigarette and, under everyone's disbelieving eyes, took a deeply satisfying drag!
His act of smoking publicly during a self-criticism had already made him a legend at Tsinghua.
But no one had expected that he would light a cigarette on the podium before his self-criticism…
"Enough!"
Li Muya stood up in anger: "Chen Nan, I don't know what special talent got you recommended to Tsinghua, but if you disregard school rules like this, our Traditional Chinese Medicine department cannot accommodate a Buddha like you!"
"I will report your behavior to the school leadership. You can find somewhere else to go!"
Others were shocked to hear this!
"Expelled on the first day of enrollment, this guy has really broken Tsinghua's record!"
"It's all his fault for being too arrogant!"
"Exactly. It was already a public self-criticism, and instead of showing remorse, he's smoking in the lecture hall in front of the entire department!"
"Arrogance comes with a price!"
Many looked at Chen Nan with schadenfreude in their eyes!
Just because he's a special recruit, does that mean he can disregard school rules?
Look!
You're about to pay the price!
Chen Nan had an innocent expression: "Dean Li, as the saying goes, everything has a cause. Don't you want to know why I'm smoking publicly?"
"Giving me a chance to explain isn't too much to ask, is it?"
"If you kick me out of the Traditional Chinese Medicine department without understanding the situation, aren't you afraid the school leadership will have a problem?"
"You have one minute to explain what you've done!" Li Muya sat back down, impatient!
Although she disliked Chen Nan, she knew he couldn't have become a special recruit without the school leadership's approval.
Even if she wanted to use this opportunity to expel him, she needed solid evidence!
Only then could she silence the school leadership.
Chen Nan, smoking, smiled and said, "Actually, I smoke simply to relieve inner tension and anxiety!"
"After all, as a freshman, I should have acted low-key and humble on my first day."
"Being too attention-seeking isn't good."
"But now, I have no choice!"
Li Muya said coldly, "This is a self-criticism session, not a talk show!"
Chen Nan cleared his throat and said, "I don't have a strong smoking habit!"
"Sometimes I don't even smoke a single cigarette a day."
"And sometimes, when the atmosphere is right, I can't help but light one to ease my emotions."
"Although I know smoking is harmful,"
"Sometimes lighting a cigarette can help us find a moment of peace in this fast-paced life, study, and work."
"Enough!" Li Muya showed no attempt to hide her disgust for Chen Nan: "This is a self-criticism meeting, not..."
Yang Mingyu smiled and interrupted Li Muya: "Dean Li, I feel this guy has a profound understanding of cigarettes. Why don't we hear what he has to say?"
Li Muya shot Chen Nan a cold glare!
Chen Nan smiled and nodded at Yang Mingyu, acknowledging him, and then continued, "As everyone knows, tobacco contains a large amount of nicotine."
"This component stimulates the sympathetic nervous system and promotes dopamine secretion, making people feel very excited and relaxed."
"But this is also why quitting smoking becomes extremely difficult!"
"Because our nerves have become dependent on the pleasure nicotine provides!"
Hearing this!
A sharp glint flashed in Li Muya's eyes!
What Chen Nan was saying was exactly the same as the content of her proposal two years ago!
Because of this, she had applied for a large sum of funding to research smoking cessation drugs.
"Therefore, quitting smoking isn't just about stopping, but ultimately about severing the brain's dependence on nicotine!"
"And the reason I smoke is to understand just how strong the brain's dependence on nicotine is!"
"So that I can find a way to completely break this dependence!"
Li Muya sneered: "From what you're saying, the reason you're doing all this is to test poisons on yourself?"
"But don't you think what you're saying is ridiculous and unconvincing?"
Chen Nan retorted: "In ancient times, Shen Nong tasted all herbs to identify their medicinal properties. Why can't I test poisons on myself to find a way to quit smoking?"
"As long as it's for scientific research, what is there to fear in testing poisons on oneself?"
"In my life, I don't admire celebrities in the entertainment industry the most, but the scientists who have contributed to the strength of our country!"
"They worked diligently in that difficult era, day after day for ten years, developing powerful weapons!"
"Developing spacecraft for lunar missions!"
"Developing various vaccines!"
"They are the guiding lights that illuminate my path forward!"
"Although I, Chen Nan, am just an ordinary person, I also want to learn from them!"
"Is there anything wrong with that?"
Others showed surprise in their eyes!
Holy crap!
Is this guy shameless?
He's using scientific research as an excuse!
If he insists that he smokes for research, even Li Muya can't expel him!
As expected, Li Muya's face turned green!
The excuse Chen Nan came up with left her unable to refute, and even citing school rules wouldn't allow her to expel him!
After all, who could expel a researcher dedicated to the people?
Who could deny the hard work of a researcher dedicated to the people?
Looking at Yang Mingyu and the others, faint smiles appeared on their faces.
He wasn't bad, this guy was quite sharp.
He turned a passive situation into an active one, and with a few simple words, he left Li Muya speechless!
Just this quick-wittedness alone made people look at him with admiration!
Indeed!
If he didn't have some ability, how could he have been recommended to Tsinghua?
Li Muya suppressed her anger and said, "Armchair strategizing is ultimately just empty talk. I want to know, when will your research bear fruit?"
Chen Nan revealed a shy smile: "You might not believe it when I say it, but I have already developed a smoking cessation drug!"