“Who’s there?” Wang Yu instinctively ducked in front of Wu Lingling.
Before them stood a burly man, none other than Andre from Ice Bear Country, whom they had met earlier while he was drunk.
Judging by his appearance, he reeked of alcohol. With a unshaven face, it was clear he had been drinking quite a lot again.
“You, it’s you! I’ve finally found you all!” Andre roared at Wang Yu, lunging forward.
His momentum was like a mountain falling!
Wang Yu quickly sidestepped, narrowly avoiding him. The strong smell of alcohol and his body odor assaulted Wang Yu’s nostrils, making him feel dizzy.
Why did the smell seem even stronger than before?
“Excuse me, sir… what brings you here?” Wang Yu asked calmly, observing Andre’s excited demeanor.
“Did you, did you alter my formulas and notes?” Andre pointed his radish-like fingers at Wang Yu, speaking with great agitation.
“How did you know about my concept for an automated mechanical production line?”
“Heh, you mean that,” Wang Yu said, a light of understanding dawning on him. He shrugged casually, his gaze shifting to Wu Lingling.
“Perhaps you should go back and get some rest. I and this… gentleman…”
“Andre!” Andre declared his name in a gruff voice.
“Well, Andre and I might need to have a rather in-depth conversation.”
As Wang Yu finished speaking, Wu Lingling pouted, “As if anyone wants to hear you two talk. I’m exhausted today and need to get to bed early.”
She then covered her nose, blocking out the strong odor emanating from beside her. “Hey, remember to take a good shower later!”
“Alright, got it,” Wang Yu replied with a smile, then turned his attention back to Andre. “Yes, I did modify your formulas and drafts. But should we be discussing this right here at the entrance?”
As he spoke, Wang Yu glanced around the surroundings.
“Come to my room, if you don’t mind.”
Andre led Wang Yu to his room, located in a corner on the first floor. Throughout the walk, his eyes never left Wang Yu, as if he feared Wang Yu might suddenly bolt.
It was evident that Andre’s room had been converted from a former storage room or utility closet. Compared to the presidential suite on the third floor where Wang Yu and the others were staying, the difference was considerable.
The entire room was filled with a messy, unkempt aura. Laundry, numerous wine bottles scattered on the floor, and manuscripts and documents lay strewn about.
However, Andre clearly paid no mind to his surroundings. He walked directly to a chair, haphazardly clearing a space. “Come, come, sit down. Have some water.”
As he spoke, Andre produced a bottle of Erguotou, more than half full.
“…”
You call this water? Wang Yu was speechless and could only politely decline his offer. He then watched as Andre gulped down a large mouthful, as if he were drinking plain boiled water.
This made Wang Yu’s eyelids twitch. Too intense! Are you trying to reenact a movie scene?
“There’s no one else here now. Tell me, how did you plagiarize my design concept and then alter my formulas and notes?”
Andre spoke to Wang Yu in a gruff, almost menacing tone. Coupled with his disheveled appearance, he was quite intimidating.
“Don’t deny it. This automated mechanical production line concept is my unique research. Hurry up and tell me, where did you learn about it?”
Wang Yu did not seem angered by Andre’s accusations. He simply smiled faintly.
“Don’t put it so harshly. What do you mean by plagiarizing your design concept? I merely made deductions based on your manuscript.”
Before Wang Yu could finish, Andre let out another roar.
“Nonsense! If you didn’t plagiarize my concept, how could you possibly deduce it? Such advanced formulas require knowing the ‘why’ as well as the ‘how’. Do you think this is like a child’s multiplication table?”
“Heh, don’t get agitated,” Wang Yu said, reaching out to placate Andre.
“Firstly, I did indeed make deductions based on your manuscript, that is undeniable. Secondly, I also inferred and modified your ideas, adjusting your formulas.”
Wang Yu was unhurried. “Secondly, the concept of an automated mechanical production line is not solely your creation. It can only be said that you coincidentally had a similar idea. Flashes of genius are often similar; naturally, others may have the same thoughts as you.”
“Hogwash!” Andre retorted angrily. “I’ve spent over ten years researching this, even offending many people in the country for it. How could anyone else have the same idea as me?”
Wang Yu could only shrug. He then directly picked up a discarded piece of paper from the table and began sketching and writing rapidly with a pencil.
“You! You say something! I… I…” Andre’s words caught in his throat. He stared at Wang Yu’s drawings and calculations on the paper, his large, ox-like eyes widening in disbelief. He was speechless for a long time.
The reason was simple: the paper contained a completely different concept and structure for an automated mechanical production line!
And with his seasoned experience, he could immediately tell that although this plan was somewhat similar to his own idea, it was fundamentally different. Yet, it was also a mature and feasible solution!
“You… this…” Andre was momentarily stunned. Then, he saw Wang Yu pick up another sheet of paper and continue sketching.
This time, it was yet another new concept!
Divergent from his own plan, yet achieving the same result through a different approach!
“I…”
Before Andre could finish his astonishment, Wang Yu moved again.
The third one!
Subsequently, the fourth, fifth, sixth… Wang Yu only stopped when there were no more blank pages. He put down the worn-out pencil and rubbed his sore wrist.
He then looked steadily at Andre.
“What do you think? Do you still say all these are your ideas and creations? Or do you still believe I’m plagiarizing you? Or perhaps you’d like me to present two more solutions?”
Wang Yu’s voice was soft, but it struck Andre like lightning from a clear sky.
“Compared to these, your ideas and creations can only be considered average, and there are still many issues with them. That is why I modified your formulas.”
“This… this… This is almost half a lifetime of my research! To think it’s just such common, ordinary stuff! Then what’s the point of my persistence?”
Andre suddenly collapsed onto the floor, bursting into tears!