But before the two of them could start chatting again, the sound of clanging glasses suddenly sounded. This was someone calling everyone's attention.
Naturally, everyone looked together and saw a man with a beard in his late thirties holding a microphone and starting to speak:
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Mr. Parker and Miss Jane's engagement party..."
The passage was heartwarming and touching, and it fully aroused the atmosphere of the party.
"That's Waukas, Peter's senior and also my student. He is very talented in hosting. He seems to be working in a TV station now. He will host Peter's engagement party today."
Otto explained a few words to Leo, then pointed behind Vokas,
"Look, Peter and Mary Jane are out."
Peter was wearing a white dress suit, and Mary Jane was wearing a pale pink dress. Her face was filled with happiness and she was holding Peter's arm affectionately.
On either side of them were a middle-aged lady, one was Aunt May, and the other was Mary Jane's mother.
The scene then erupted with warm applause and cheers of blessing. Leo was also smiling and applauded along with everyone.
The engagement ceremony continued, with sweet music playing. Under the organization of Waukas, Peter and Mary Jane exchanged engagement rings and put them on each other's hands.
Warm cheers came from the scene again, and the party atmosphere reached a new climax.
Some good people came forward, surrounded Peter and Mary Jane, and sang sweet songs along with the music.
The song ends and people disperse.
After the party, everyone dispersed with happy smiles on their faces.
Early the next morning, a new week begins. After two days of adequate rest, most people start busy but fulfilling work again.
Otto was no exception. In the morning, after finishing his morning meditation class and chanting sutras, he walked to his laboratory.
Although the "Neural Arm" project has determined that it can no longer move forward, Otto's habits developed over the years are still there. He is used to staying in the laboratory instead of in the park or nursing home.
I haven't been back for a few months, so I guess the laboratory needs to find a few people to do some general cleaning first.
Moreover, the low-temperature helium is gone. I will have to call someone to replenish it later...
Subconsciously thinking about the daily routine of the laboratory, Otto slowly walked to the door of the laboratory.
Suddenly, he noticed a white note taped to the closed door of the laboratory.
[Dear Dr. Octavius, if you see this note, please come to Neil Gates in the office immediately. March 6.]
Neil Gates is the president of New York University, and the date of signing was three days ago.
Otto peeled off the note and frowned.
His annual leave plus leave of absence gives him a total of about half a year's rest time. The time has not come yet. Why did the principal want to find him in this way?
With doubts, Otto didn't even enter the laboratory, but turned around and walked quickly to the principal's office.
When he arrived at the principal's office, Otto knocked on the door. After receiving the answer, he opened the door and walked in.
When a bald old man saw Otto, he immediately stood up from his seat and said with a smile:
"Dr. Octavius, you are back? How was it? Did you enjoy your trip?"
"Thank you, not bad."
Otto took out the note from his pocket, put it on the table, and asked directly,
"Principal Gates, what's going on?"
Gates suddenly stopped smiling, rubbed his hands, and looked a little embarrassed:
"Dr. Octavius, I'm sorry, you are fired."
Otto's expression changed and he frowned, a little unbelievable.
Gates lowered his head and did not dare to look at Otto's expression. Instead, he took out a pile of documents with red seals from the drawer, put them on the table, tapped them with his fingers, and said to himself:
"This is the dismissal document, which was issued by the New York City Department of Education last week, and I am now officially forwarding it to you.
The New York Department of Education has compiled an academic misconduct blacklist. Doctor, I'm sorry, you are on the list. According to their newly issued documents, you will no longer be able to continue working at universities in New York City."
Otto picked up the document. The bright red seal did not look like a forgery. He shouted in disbelief:
"Principal Gates, my professor title is a tenure-track position. It is illegal for the Education Bureau to do this. I want to appeal."
"Doctor, they have not revoked your title of tenured professor. You can still go to other states and cities to continue working, but you can't stay in New York City."
Otto's anger surged and he smashed the documents on the table:
"Who judges this so-called academic misconduct blacklist? On what basis is it judged? Why am I on the list?"
Gates understood Otto's anger, so he told everything he knew:
“It is said that it is assessed by the mayor’s office, based on the use of funds and the publication of academic results in the past two years.
As for Ph.D., you have spent all your money in the past two years, but you have not published a single academic paper, and you happened to be on vacation during the assessment period, so..."
After hearing the words "Mayor's Office", a figure suddenly appeared in Otto's mind.
But Otto didn't want to believe that the man was still targeting him, so he suppressed his anger and asked Gates as calmly as possible:
"Who else is on this academic misconduct blacklist besides me?"
Gates was silent for two seconds, then whispered:
"Only you."
"Norman!!!"
Otto suddenly slammed the document in his hand on the table, like an angry bull, roaring out the person's name.
Seeing that Otto was a little hysterical, Principal Gates hesitated several times, but he didn't know how to persuade him.
After a long time, Otto slowly calmed down, and Gates took the opportunity to say:
"Dr. Octavius, you still have one week to pack your things. After this weekend, your laboratory will be taken back by the school.
This is the decision of the New York Department of Education. I’m sorry that the school can’t help you with anything. I hope you can be more open-minded. You can go to other states to continue your development. If necessary, the school can help you provide recommendations and introductions.”
Otto was silent for a long time before speaking hoarsely:
"Thank you, Principal Gates, I will move out before the weekend."
But Otto had stayed at NYU for such a long time and had a deep affection for this campus. How could it be so easy to just leave like this?
Otto turned and left the principal's office and walked towards the laboratory.
On the way back to the laboratory, Otto's eyes showed struggle several times, and finally he seemed to have made up his mind and his steps became determined.
The week passed quickly, and it was Sunday morning in the blink of an eye.
After today, tomorrow, Monday, someone will come to take back Otto's laboratory, but at this time, Otto's laboratory is still full of things.
Not only that, Otto himself is still busy in the laboratory.
At this time, Otto was unshaven, his hair was disheveled, his bald forehead was very greasy, and his body exuded a peculiar smell. A corner of the laboratory was filled with various takeaway packaging boxes.
Otto, who originally lived a very particular life, actually did not leave the laboratory for six days in a row.
In the past six days, Otto has been busy in the laboratory, working hard on something.
Working hard for six days would definitely be unbearable for an ordinary person, let alone a man like Otto who is not young and is in poor health.
But although Otto was very tired, his eyes were extremely bright.
At this time, he was staring at what looked like a half-armor, his eyes seemed to be glowing.
Gritting his teeth, Otto dragged his tired body and got into the armor. He tightened all the buckles of the armor bit by bit and tied them directly into a dead knot.
Finally, he solemnly held a helmet with both hands and put it on his head.
After wearing the helmet for a while, Otto began to show pain and his face was ferocious, as if invisible electricity was flowing through his body.
But he gritted his teeth and persisted, his eyes full of hatred.
The next moment, the invisible electric current seemed to suddenly strengthen. Otto's body couldn't help but tremble, and his body slowly returned to calm.
But at the same time, his eyes were getting brighter and brighter, revealing a strangeness.
Bang! Bang!
Two thick mechanical arms suddenly stretched out from Otto's back and hit the floor heavily.
The mechanical arm seemed to have infinite strength, and it suddenly lifted Otto's body and armor from the ground, hanging in mid-air.
The two robotic arms began to move staggered, leading Otto's body towards the entrance of the laboratory quickly.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Two more robotic arms stretched out from Otto's back, and their sharp claws grabbed the door of the laboratory, tearing the door to pieces like tearing paper.
The four mechanical tentacles cooperated flexibly, moving Otto quickly, and rushed towards the destination.