Chapter 274: Chapter 274: Choosing Between Family and Career

Lin Qi was stunned for a moment: “Yes.”

She did not expect Zhou Xiaoying to have discovered that she had once been the top science student.

After all, she did not include this in her resume.

She had originally been admitted to the number one prestigious university in Beijing, Jinghua University, but her resume stated that she had “dropped out.”

Zhou Xiaoying probably deduced her birth date and found out her college entrance examination scores and that she was admitted to Jinghua University, claiming the only spot offered by Professor Cheng.

Zhou Xiaoying said, “Professor Cheng is a top scientist in the quantum field. Why did you give up on a direct path from master’s to PhD, and drop out of university?”

Lin Qi pursed her lips: “Because… my father forced me to interrupt my studies. Initially, I truly could have studied under Professor Cheng, but… I failed him.”

Zhou Xiaoying did not inquire further.

But one thing was clear to her, given Professor Cheng’s stringent admission criteria, anyone accepted as his student must be a physics genius.

Zhou Xiaoying said, “Lin Qi, you only know that I am in charge of the financial blockchain project, but this is only a public claim. Do you know what my team is actually working on?”

Lin Qi, puzzled: “What?”

Zhou Xiaoying said, “What I am truly in charge of is the Huace Group’s core project team, Guodun Quantum.”

Guodun Quantum!

Lin Qi said, “I know that in the financial sector, quantum computing and encryption are widely researched and utilized. But I did not realize Guodun Quantum belongs to Huace.”

Guodun Quantum made a spectacular entrance that year, emerging as a leading technology finance stock with a market value of 50 billion, prominently applying quantum secure communication technology to ensure bank information security.

Initially, Huo Tingdong established a private bank “UBN” in Zurich, Switzerland, which was fully owned by Huace Group.

Wealthy individuals around the world mostly store their assets in Swiss Banks.

The rich favor Swiss banks partly because Switzerland is a neutral country, unaligned with any powers.

On the other hand, Swiss banks are globally recognized for their privacy and security.

In Switzerland, there are many large and small private banks, and with its robust financial strength, UBN saw rapid development.

Over the years, besides the local private banks, UBN has acquired 15% of the market share in Swiss banking.

Lin Qi did not expect that the independently listed Guodun Quantum turned out to be a core project team of Huace.

Zhou Xiaoying asked, “Lin Qi, I believe that since Professor Cheng was willing to recruit you as his student back then, you must be an exceptional talent. Would you like to join our team?”

Lin Qi said, “I will think about it carefully.”

Zhou Xiaoying said, “Hmm, I will give you time to consider. However, I hope you keep this confidential. Currently, no one in the entire project team, including President Qi, knows about the true project I am in charge of.”

Lin Qi asked, “Was this project directly assigned to you by Mr. Huo?”

Zhou Xiaoying said, “Yes. After all, being a core project, whoever takes it over is responsible. There are confidentiality clauses for core projects, and I can’t reveal much to you before you join our team. Even President Qi is not privy to it.”

Lin Qi nodded: “Okay, I understand.”

Lin Qi returned to her office, feeling somewhat excited.

Originally, if Lin Cheng had not forced her to interrupt her studies, her dream was to join Jing Science Academy under Professor Cheng.

She did not expect Zhou Xiaoying to extend an olive branch to her; after all, being part of Huace Group’s core team, the compensation must be quite substantial!

Guodun Quantum was a field she was very interested in and skilled at; joining Zhou Xiaoying’s team would give her the opportunity to showcase her abilities!

To her, this was a rare opportunity.

However…

Lin Qi’s only dilemma was, if she joined Zhou Xiaoying’s team, what would happen with her pregnancy?

For women seeking status and high income in society, more sacrifices are required than for men.

But childbirth is also a physically draining endeavor.

Ten months of pregnancy, postpartum confinement, followed by a lengthy nursing period.

Many career women end up sacrificing their family lives to a certain extent for their careers.

After all, there is only so much energy to go around; one cannot have it both ways.

In the evening.

Lin Qi was preparing to clock out when Han Na suddenly came over and said, “Lin Qi, let’s go to the restaurant together after work!”

Lin Qi, puzzled: “Restaurant?”

Han Na, confused: “Did you forget? There’s a dinner tonight, the project team is hosting it to welcome you at Purple Fortune Restaurant. President Qi has booked a large private room with 7 tables, everyone is going!”

Lin Qi had completely forgotten about it.

“Oh… then, let’s go together!”

Han Na nodded.

Lin Qi suddenly remembered a previous incident and thanked her: “Han Na, I haven’t had the chance to thank you for last time.”

Han Na, puzzled: “What are you referring to?”

Lin Qi said, “You passed me the note warning me that someone was rummaging through my bag.”

“Shh…” Han Na said, “Do you know? Maeve is my team leader, I work under her. She called me outside today and scolded me asking if I had betrayed her, but I adamantly denied it. Make sure you don’t slip up!”

Lin Qi could tell that Han Na was a timid and fearful person, but even such a person was willing to risk being disadvantaged by her superiors to secretly help her.

Han Na said, “I just can’t stand seeing Ms. Mia always targeting and ostracizing you. I was also a newcomer and experienced the same treatment.”

Lin Qi, puzzled: “Why is she targeting me? I have no quarrels with her.”

Han Na said, “Because she likes President Qi. She thinks you are close to President Qi and suspect that you got your position through him.”

Lin Qi: “…”

It seemed Maeve was convinced she was a relation parachuted into the team.

But she was only half right.

While she did enter through connections, it wasn’t through the connection with Qi Lichuan.

Lin Qi asked, “Han Na, what do you think about team leader Zhou Xiaoying?”

Han Na thought for a moment: “I haven’t worked directly with her, so I’m not sure, but she seems nice. Apparently, she manages many projects and generally gets along well with her colleagues, except for Ms. Mia; they are at odds. Their respective teams also don’t interact much.”

Lin Qi said, “I thought everyone in the project team got along harmoniously at first.”

Han Na said, “How could that be possible? Although everyone is in the same team, the income disparity is huge. Some earn 10,000 a month, while others earn hundreds of thousands in bonuses and dividends. On the surface, it seems harmonious, but there are plenty of people playing double games. Be careful.”