novelraw Chapter 137 Recruitment
Chapter 137 Recruitment
The next morning, Jiang Ran went to Professor Yan Chonghan’s office and told him about Old Tian’s situation.
Professor Yan nodded.
“Jiang Ran, I understand. To be honest, if this Old Tian is truly willing to let his daughter participate as a volunteer in the experiment, we would naturally welcome it—and we would also provide full financial support.”
“However… I’m concerned that you may not have explained everything clearly to him, especially the side effects, flaws, and possible consequences of the experiment.”
“Of course, that’s not your fault. After all, you’re just a kind intermediary. So, it’s very important for me to communicate with Old Tian in person and explain everything to him in more detail.”
“No problem.”
Jiang Ran picked up his phone and made a call.
“Then I’ll have Old Tian come over right now.”
After telling Old Tian the office location over the phone, Jiang Ran hung up.
Then—He felt a bit uneasy and looked at Professor Yan.
“Professor Yan, do you think the success rate of this experiment is high? You’ve really never conducted a single human trial before?”
Professor Yan listened, then smiled meaningfully.
“Jiang Ran, you need to understand—those of us in scientific research have principles and bottom lines.”
“In movies, they like to portray mad scientists—people who, in pursuit of breakthroughs, conduct illegal human experiments, violating ethics and laws.”
“But in reality… think about it. What is the purpose of researching this technology?”
“The purpose is to save people. To preserve life.”
“So if achieving a technology meant to [save lives] requires [harming or killing people] through illegal human experimentation, wouldn’t that be completely backward?”
“We have always needed volunteer participants—but the premise must be voluntary participation, with full awareness of the risks.”
“So you can rest assured about that. I will explain everything thoroughly to Old Tian. And if you have any concerns, you can stay and listen. In fact… I would prefer that you be present to observe and add anything necessary.”
About ten minutes later, Old Tian arrived at the office.
After a brief exchange of greetings, Professor Yan began formally introducing the project.
True to his principles, he spoke in great detail—and nearly eighty percent of his explanation focused on the dangers, flaws, and potentially fatal consequences of the experiment.
After hearing everything, Old Tian’s face was filled with worry, his expression shifting uncertainly.
“I’m sorry… I need to think about this more.”
“That’s completely fine.”
Professor Yan reassured him.
“Take your time. Think it through carefully, weigh your options. You should also consider your daughter’s specific condition and consult her attending physician.”
Then he took out a note, wrote down his phone number, and handed it over.
“This is my number. If you have any questions or need clarification, feel free to contact me anytime.”
“The same goes for your daughter’s condition. I know many renowned experts around the world—if you can provide her medical records, I can have them reviewed.”
And just like that—
Old Tian and Professor Yan were now connected.
Jiang Ran’s task was complete. He left the office.
Today, there was another important matter to attend to—
[Club Recruitment Day!]
The freshmen had finally finished their military training. The long-awaited day for all club presidents had arrived. For the entire day, all clubs were allowed to set up booths in designated areas for promotion and recruitment.
Chi Xiaoguo had already prepared everything with great enthusiasm, waiting for today to make a big push.
Jiang Ran had promised her last semester that he would help with recruitment. So after leaving Professor Yan’s office, he hurried straight to the student activity building.
“Senior! You’re here!”
The moment he pushed open the door to the Film Camera Club activity room, Chi Xiaoguo jumped up excitedly.
“Look, look! I’ve sorted everything! All the welcome gifts are here! I wonder if fifty sets will be enough!”
Jiang Ran looked toward the coffee table.
Sure enough, it was covered with carefully prepared small toys and gifts, most of them related to film cameras, film rolls, and photo frames.
Chi Xiaoguo had even thoughtfully designed a raffle box, so that every student who submitted an application could draw a prize once.
“No one leaves empty-handed~ no one leaves empty-handed~”
Hands on her hips, Chi Xiaoguo looked full of confidence.
“Our Film Camera Club has strict admission requirements! So not every applicant will be accepted—but we still need consolation prizes.” “Alright, no time to waste, Senior! Let’s quickly move the table and display boards outside!”
Right outside the Film Camera Club window was the designated booth area. Jiang Ran and Chi Xiaoguo made several trips back and forth before finally moving everything outside.
One table, two chairs, and two display boards—that was the entire setup.
The display boards had clearly been made with great care—all handcrafted by Chi Xiaoguo.
One introduced the history of the club and the unique charm of film cameras.
The other showcased award-winning works from previous club members.
At the same time, several antique film cameras were placed on the long table for freshmen to admire and handle.
“My camera… isn’t here?”
Jiang Ran glanced over the table but didn’t see the massive camera Nan Xiuxiu had given him.
There was no way he could miss it.
The Fujifilm camera Nan Xiuxiu had given him was far larger and heavier than ordinary film cameras—on any shelf, it would stand out like a crane among chickens.
“Your Fujifilm GW690 is too valuable! Of course we didn’t dare bring it out!”
Chi Xiaoguo said.
“And… no matter what, that camera is your personal property. We have to protect it.”
“I remember you said there’s a photo inside that you want me to develop this semester.”
Jiang Ran nodded.
He had indeed said that.
That camera had been a gift from Nan Xiuxiu for his nineteenth birthday. At the birthday gathering, he had used it to take a photo of her.
Nan Xiuxiu had said she wanted him to develop it and give it to her.
But now…
Given the current situation, the two of them had essentially broken up.
Did that photo still need to exist?
But—
That was the drawback of film cameras.
Once a photo was captured on film, it couldn’t be undone, deleted, or altered. It was like a mark etched into spacetime itself—permanent, unerasable.
There was no way to remove that negative.
“But don’t you have to finish the whole roll before developing it?”
Jiang Ran said helplessly.
“I don’t even know what to shoot, and I don’t want to waste film casually. Who knows how long it’ll take to finish it.”
“It’ll be quick!”
Chi Xiaoguo explained:
“Your GW690 is a medium-format camera, using 120 film, so it can only take eight photos total.” This was new to Jiang Ran.
“You’re saying a whole roll only takes eight shots? That’s way too few.”
“It can’t be helped—medium format is just like that.”
As she spoke, Chi Xiaoguo picked up a regular film camera from the table.
“Cameras like this use 135 film, which can take 24 or 36 shots. Of course, the image quality can’t compare to yours.” “So once we start club activities, your camera will fill up very quickly! Then we can apply for funding, buy chemicals and reagents, and develop it in the darkroom!”
Jiang Ran said nothing.
He wasn’t thinking that far ahead.
He only hoped today’s recruitment would go smoothly.
Hopefully…
It wouldn’t disappoint this enthusiastic little club president.
In the morning, freshmen passed by one after another. Most of them only glanced at the Film Camera Club booth before turning toward the bigger clubs—badminton, basketball, film, anime…
Chi Xiaoguo sat there like she was on pins and needles, picking at her nails, staring intensely at each passing student.
“Relax, relax.”
Jiang Ran reassured her.
“Everyone’s still in class right now. Wait until lunchtime—when everyone heads to the cafeteria, that’s when the crowd will come. That’s the peak period.”
“Mm!”
Chi Xiaoguo nodded vigorously.
She believed that too.
“I—I’ll go hand out flyers!”
The little club president couldn’t sit still any longer.
If the mountain wouldn’t come to her, she would go to the mountain!
If they wouldn’t take flyers, she would put them directly into their hands!
So—
With her little bun hairstyle, the girl darted around like a busy little bee, stopping every passerby and trying to hand them a flyer.
Unfortunately…
The moment people saw “Film Camera Club” and the outdated-looking cameras on the flyers, they would curl their lips, push the flyer back, and politely refuse.
The little bee bounced around all morning, only managing to hand out a dozen or so flyers.
As for applications…
Not a single one.
“Ah… what’s going on!”
Chi Xiaoguo was so anxious that sweat beaded on her forehead.
She couldn’t help but look enviously at the anime club booth, where several pretty seniors in cosplay outfits were handing out flyers. In fact, they didn’t even need to—groups of boys flocked there on their own.
Some took photos, some rushed to join the club group chat—their booth was by far the most popular.
“Envy! Jealousy! Hatred!”
Chi Xiaoguo squatted nearby, grinding her teeth.
Then she glanced down at her own modest figure, wondering what character she could possibly cosplay.
“I can’t exactly cosplay Nezha, can I?” she muttered self-deprecatingly.
“Better not.”
Jiang Ran rested his chin on his hand and said dryly:
“We already have one demon child here. If we add another, something bad’s bound to happen.”
“Don’t get discouraged! Trust me! When school ends at noon and the crowds come, people will definitely stop by!” “Besides, the anime club only looks popular because of the cosplayers.”
“And once people join, they’ll realize that university anime clubs are basically just Genshin clubs. The real anime fans are actually in the computer science clubs.”
“Huh—?”
Chi Xiaoguo was stunned by this unexpected fact.
“Why? And how do you know this?”
“Heh.”
Jiang Ran just smiled without answering.
On Worldline 0, he had been a computer science major—he knew exactly how concentrated the “anime energy” was among his classmates.
Almost every student who represented the school in national competitions had an anime avatar.
It was said that at programming contests, seeing an anime-girl avatar could intimidate opponents—selfies didn’t mean much, but anime avatars almost always belonged to experts.
Finally—
The bell rang.
Lunchtime.
Crowds poured out from all directions like swarming ants, instantly filling the main path to the cafeteria.
The result—
The anime club got even more crowded.
The film club, basketball club, badminton club, cycling club, rollerblading club—all packed with people.
Meanwhile, the Film Camera Club…
Not a single person.
Not even someone who paused briefly.
At this moment—
Chi Xiaoguo was truly heartbroken.
She stared blankly at the carefully prepared gifts and raffle box on the table, saying nothing.
Jiang Ran hadn’t expected things to turn out this bleak either.
Donghai University was huge. There were so many freshmen. Could it really be that not a single person was interested in film photography?
Well…
It was niche. Outdated.
But still—
Jiang Ran glanced at Chi Xiaoguo.
The sadness overflowing from her made his chest tighten.
He knew how much she had looked forward to this day.
Since last semester, she had been imagining a group of like-minded people gathering together—holding activities, chatting, capturing moments on film.
In the past few days, she had spent all her time in the activity room, making posters, display boards, gifts—humming songs, swaying her little bun, completely immersed in happiness.
Even though her family wasn’t well-off, she had still bought many gifts online for applicants.
And yet—
Not a single one had been given away.
All her careful preparations now sat ignored.
Anyone would feel disappointed.
“It’s okay. There’s still the afternoon.”
Jiang Ran picked up an application form, filled in his information, and handed it to her.
“Every beginning is hard. Let mine be the first.”
Chi Xiaoguo took the form and grinned.
“Alright, that counts as our first recruit. Now our Film Camera Club has two members!”
“Hm? Jiang Ran?”
Hearing a familiar voice—
Jiang Ran looked up.
It was Cheng Mengxue, standing at the booth, tilting her head at him.
“What are you doing here?”
She glanced at the display boards and suddenly understood.
“Oh—Jiang Ran, so you’re in the Film Camera Club? I didn’t know you had this kind of hobby! You—”
She was about to continue—
When she noticed a small girl beside her, staring with wide, sparkling eyes full of expectation.
“Excuse me! Are you interested in film photography?!”
Chi Xiaoguo practically leaned in.
Cheng Mengxue took a step back.
“Um… I don’t really understand it…”
“You’re the first person today to come to our booth!”
Chi Xiaoguo looked at her like she was some kind of savior.
“You must love film photography! Please join our club!”
“I—I’m not…”
Cheng Mengxue waved her hands, about to refuse—
Then suddenly!
Her gaze landed on Chi Xiaoguo’s keychain. Her eyes widened.
“Eh?”
At the same time, Chi Xiaoguo noticed Cheng Mengxue’s phone charm.
“Hm?”
“Hm?”
“Ah!”
“Eh!”
“Wah!”
“Wedding Rhine Cat!” “Spacetime-Particle Rhine Cat!”
The two girls blurted out at the same time, gasping.
Clap!
Four small hands clasped together instantly—kindred spirits meeting, both Rhine Cat fanatics, eyes brimming with emotion!
“Please join the Film Camera Club!” “Please let me join the Film Camera Club!”
The bond of Rhine Cat fans was formed in an instant.
Jiang Ran watched this dramatic scene unfold and shook his head.
Chi Xiaoguo had truly spoken it into existence…
The two of them, both obsessed with Rhine Cat, had instantly become best friends.
Well—
No matter what, that made one more member.
The club had now reached an unprecedented size of three people.
But according to university regulations, a club needed at least five members.
They were still two short.
“Is there still hope?”
Jiang Ran couldn’t help but feel concerned.
“The final two crucial members of the Film Camera Club…”
“Who will they be?”