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[The Inner Eye] [EP21]

I've been to the institute a few times.

Haven't seen that professor at all.

So,

I can't figure out

her real thoughts

on the student's suicide,

or her current stance.

Based on what we know,

we can only prove that

Professor Wu

had a certain level of control

over her student.

What's reasonable

and what crosses the line

of normal work boundaries

is hard to define.

Her management style is typical

psychological manipulation.

Especially "Ten Rules of the Wu School."

It's pure psychological control.

Boss, I've been thinking.

If you treated me like that,

I'd crack too.

Reign in the empathy a little.

Cui Jie's situation

is truly tragic.

But,

we also need to find relatively

objective findings

to help the family with their

reasonable requests. Got it?

"Psychological manipulation"

is a quite complex term.

Between family members, it can

be considered abuse.

In the workplace,

it depends on labor laws

and related regulations.

If a supervisor's actions

objectively

involve inducement, deception,

instigation, or assistance,

enough to influence a victim

to self-harm or suicide,

it could constitute

intentional assault

or even intentional homicide.

The last scenario

is usually very difficult

to prove in court.

Right.

So now

we need to figure out

her subjective intent.

What was she really thinking?

What if

there's another possibility?

Like,

Cui Jie had her own issues?

In her mind,

the professor

was unshakable.

She idolized her.

She hoped to become

just like her one day.

But at the same time,

she suffered for years

under this psychological bondage.

So deep inside,

a resistance mechanism developed.

She wanted to vent, to lash out,

to release those emotions.

These two conflicting emotions,

contradict each other.

I almost forgot

your professional expertise

in psychology.

Yes, psychology.

In psychology,

it is called

the "gaslight effect."

It means

gradually undermining someone's

self-perception and judgment,

all to gain control.

You can call it psychological control

or psychological abuse.

Professors hold absolute authority

in academia.

Students rely on

their guidance and resources.

That unequal dynamic

creates the conditions for control.

Exactly.

Also,

Xu Fei said

when he first met Cui Jie,

was the day she was first notified

about her delayed graduation...

So,

this professor uses

thesis and graduation

to coerce students,

forcing them to comply with

her rules.

Rules are just one tool.

In teaching and collaboration,

some advisors use mixed messages

to confuse students.

Praise, then criticize.

Makes them unable to judge

their own performance.

Creates a judgment breakdown.

Then, constant

negative feedback or harsh criticism,

making students doubt

their own abilities.

Lose their sense of security.

All to make them more

dependent on their advisor's approval.

So, what is Wu Lan's

real goal here?

To make her students focus solely

on research,

with no thoughts of their own.

Just obey her arrangements,

follow her lead,

and become

emotionless machines.

It suddenly reminds me of a professor

from my time studying abroad.

Very well-known.

He was just like Professor Wu,

extremely harsh on students.

He even regulated

the temperature of the office A/C

and subordinates' bathroom breaks.

At first,

we thought he

was a complete lunatic,

who enjoyed exploiting students.

But later, I realized

he treated

them that way because

he himself

was that kind of person.

He strictly followed

a daily schedule

down to the second.

He didn't deliberately

try to control anyone.

But simply placed scholarship

above everything else.

And didn't allow anyone

or anything to interfere.

So perhaps

Wu Lan is the same.

But that only proves,

in academia,

such student-teacher relationships

and tragedies like Cui Jie's,

are common.

But we can't assume

that makes it right.

You saw Cui Jie's photos

at Xu Fei's place.

I did.

Cui Jie used to be a very

outgoing, cheerful girl.

Ambitious too.

Bold and willing to challenge.

Faced with

Professor Wu's pressure and control,

she tried to resist.

But she failed.

That's why she ended up

the way she is.

I'm not trying

to defend Wu Lan.

I'm saying,

if we want to find evidence

proving Cui Jie was subjected

to psychologically control,

the key

lies with Professor Wu herself.

So, next,

it's your turn to act.

Contact

Cui Jie's roommate.

See if you can find out

Professor Wu's schedule.

Okay.

You're going straight to her?

How else will we

find the truth?

Okay.

You handle the inquiries.

I'll take care of the rest.

Okay.

[Signing Ceremony]

Thank you.

Pleasure working with you.

Goodbye.

Likewise.

Goodbye.

Professor Wu.

Do we know each other?

We do now.

Tang Yingying, an attorney.

I'm here representing Cui Jie's family.

Would you mind talking with me?

I never expected

something like this to happen.

Cui Jie was a student

I held in high regard.

When I heard of her incident,

it felt like losing an arm.

Heart-wrenching.

How is she now?

Still in the hospital.

In a coma.

Attorney Tang,

to be honest,

as a woman

leading a team,

overcoming obstacles,

developing technology,

securing investment deals...

It's been a hard road.

Not easy at all.

Indeed, it isn't.

First of all,

congratulations on the deal.

Of course, you've earned it

through your hard work.

But some of that

must be Cui Jie's work too.

Of course.

I know that some professors

take credit for students'

research.

But I never deny

their contributions.

I've seen the rules you set

for your research group.

The "Ten Rules of the Wu School."

Attorney Tang,

to be honest,

each rule

that seems

unreasonable

has a reason behind it.

Some

stem from very painful lessons.

Let me share with you

an incident that

occurred in our lab.

The lab clearly stipulates

that only black

or blue pens can record data.

Do you know

why we regulate

the pen color?

There was a researcher before

who was used to using red pen

for notes and marks.

Another researcher then

mistook the notes in red

for warning signs.

This caused the experiment

to be interrupted mistakenly,

causing a safety incident.

And the rule against

student relationships,

is also because

of a past incident?

That's right.

Take Cui Jie, for example.

Last National Day, we had another

important data release.

The whole team couldn't reach her.

Until evening,

she called back, saying

she'd fallen asleep

and phone died,

so she couldn't answer.

But the next day,

someone sent me screenshots

of her deleted posts.

At a music festival with her boyfriend.

National Day is a national

statutory holiday, right?

For a research team,

we only have project start

and project end dates.

Cui Jie…

Will she ever wake up?

If you were

truly concerned about Cui,

then

why have you never visited her?

As you saw,

today's signing ceremony

is very crucial

for our institute's

future development.

When she had the incident,

we were at a critical stage

of our project's R&D.

Missing her data,

I had to lead

the researchers to redo

experiments and verification.

Last week,

we worked several all-nighters

to make up for

the losses because of her absence.

By your logic,

Cui Jie should thank you.

My achievements

don't need anyone's gratitude.

I simply don't want

our collective effort

to be wasted

because of her personal issues.

Attorney Tang,

society is impatient now.

Cui Jie

chose to come here

to pursue this degree,

she must be worthy of

the purest spirit of scholarship.

A scholar's meaning

isn't just in achievements,

but in dedicating oneself

with the most devout spirit

to this endeavor.

This spirit is devout

and serene.

Don't you think

that's what today's society

lacks the most?

Since they're here,

they must set aside all distractions

to pursue in the field

they claim to love.

Not turn a degree into

a shortcut

to fame and fortune.

Only then will their youth

have value.

You know,

young people these days

don't understand gratitude

and lack grit.

From day one, she was given

national-level projects.

After graduation,

for any university

or any institute,

she would be highly sought-after.

Not like my generation.

We started with menial tasks.

Cleaning,

disposing of experimental waste.

Only then

could we barely

get a chance to

participate in an experiment.

We even saved from our

stipends

to upgrade the lab equipment.

Do you know

when the institute was the most stressed

where I'd go?

The children's playground.

I would go there for a walk,

sit down, and calm my mind.

Watch those children

and their parents.

Observe their lives,

their days…

Being alone,

devoted to scholarship…

Do you ever regret?

Everyone gets tired.

I also wish that among the myriad lights,

one was left on for me.

But then I think,

those women

who seem so happy by the window

the next day will face

endless chores.

A mess of petty affairs.

But I'm different.

I'm not like them.

I have

more meaningful things to do.

The significance

relates to the progress of human.

A colleague at the law firm

mentioned cases like yours.

It seems

they truly exist.

Professor Wu,

for your determination and dedication,

I really admire.

But your students

should have

their own values.

Beyond being your followers

and subordinates,

shouldn't they also have

the freedom and the right to

choose their own lifestyles?

Attorney Tang,

do you know

the meaning of "mentor and disciple"?

For my students,

what I impart to them

is not just knowledge,

nor simply job skills.

I want my spirit

to inspire them.

I want my pure pursuit

of this work

to influence them.

A qualified guide

should aim to have students

become her followers.

I am their role model,

what they should become

in the future.

What if some don't want that?

Then it's merely

a mutual regret.

Cui Jie has paid

such a heavy price today.

And it's just "a regret" to you.

Right?

If she never wakes up,

won't you feel any

guilt or remorse?

Why should I feel guilty?

Are you saying

that Cui Jie's current condition

is my responsibility?

I didn't say that.

It's just a hypothetical.

That's exactly what you mean.

Professor Wu,

Cui Jie ending up

like this…

It is hard to say that you bear

no responsibility at all.

Of course,

I'm not the police.

As a lawyer, I'm just

gathering information.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Let's end here for today.

I won't disturb further.

Professor Wu,

we will meet again.

As a researcher, I don't really

[Exclusive Interview with Prof. Wu Lan] belong on a stage like this.

Today,

I won't lecture you.

Just want to share with you

some personal thoughts.

Many people enjoy the noise,

but please allow me to enjoy the quiet,

Many like to chase the limelight,

but please allow me

to work silently in the lab.

Receiving this honor today,

I claim no greatness.

Perhaps in this era,

we need more people like us.

I will cherish this quiet.

And hope that more friends

can join us on this path.

Boss, I found

Cui Jie has a alt account online.

Thought you should take a look at what's on it.

This platform

is really big

with young people now.

It's got

all sorts of groups.

In one called "Mental Health Support",

she posted a lot

under the name

"Academic Slave Cui".

See, she talks about

what happened with Professor Wu.

Look.

"Academic Slave Cui".

I'm sorry, Professor.

Jie.

Get out.

I was here earlier.

I had to run back

for my laptop,

that's why I'm late.

If you want to be a star,

leave the institute.

You can dye your hair

any color you want.

But here,

you need to look the part,

like a researcher.

Either dye it back,

or get out of my lab.

But Professor,

there's nothing in the rules

against coloring my hair.

I'm not a kid.

What I do with my hair

is my business.

Fair enough.

You're free to choose.

And I'm free

to have my opinion.

From day one

here,

I've been your advisor.

Whether you're fit

for research

is my call.

And in my lab,

no researcher

would ever

act so disrespectfully.

So stop wasting

everyone's time.

Get out.

Is this okay?

Meeting.

After that,

Professor Wu

just treated me differently.

For the next few days,

if my data was even a little off,

she'd

call me out in front of everyone.

Said I was wasting resources.

But my design

was solid,

the analysis was precise.

There's no way it didn't meet the bar.

But She

just refused to see my value.

Isn't that just

blatant retaliation?

I think Wu Lan

was just using

her position

to bully Cui Jie.

But from our talk,

she's someone

who guards her reputation

above all.

There's no clear flaw

to point to.

I don't think

she'd risk her reputation

to do that.

But these posts

aren't they evidence?

What if

that's just

what she says?

Let's look again.

Who's in charge of this?

It's me.

How many times was it checked?

For the third set,

the standardized difference is way off.

The value fluctuation

is outside the acceptable range.

And set four's replicates

line up

perfectly.

Too perfect.

No variation at all.

In biological research,

that's impossible.

For the fifth set, the p-value

between the control and experimental groups

is less than

0.001.

But the sample size

was only three.

A mistake this obvious,

how

did nobody catch it?

This isn't carelessness.

This is a complete

disregard for scientific integrity.

Effective immediately,

all group experiments are void.

You will recollect every single data point.

Cui Jie.

As the team leader,

you bear responsibility

as well.

From today,

An Ning will take over as lead.

Do you

have something to say?

Professor Wu,

I admit

we should have checked the data.

That was our mistake.

But

a lot of our earlier work

was still valuable.

Why does it all

have to be thrown out?

Wiping out all our effort

just creates more busy work.

I don't see the point.

Cui Jie.

Research is serious.

If you can't handle that,

you're welcome to leave.

Start over?

So,

is she

just being strict,

or is she

crossing the line?

Look, I still say

she's deliberately

picking on Cui Jie.

Will you please sit down?

I'm telling you,

she's targeting her,

even if it takes the whole team down with her.

Remember what Director Kang said?

Always criticizing someone

like that

will make

students doubt themselves.

And that

just makes them cling tighter to their advisor.

Look.

You know exactly

how good this paper is,

probably

better than I do.

How much effort

you put in

shows in every single word.

If this paper

doesn't hold up

in blind review,

you won't

be the only one

facing the consequences.

It'll damage the reputation

of this entire institute

and our admissions.

Is that a responsibility

you're willing to take?

But,

I've already delayed graduation for a year.

Can't you help me this once?

How?

Do you think

I'm holding you back on purpose?

Do you even understand

what an academic paper is?

Would this report

hold up in clinical trials?

But

I've tried my hardest.

Please,

give me another chance.

I can't

delay again.

Graduation isn't something you beg for.

You earn it,

with your work.

You know

you can't

walk into a lab

unprepared.

It's the same here.

You wouldn't

stand before the committee

with your work

still this rough around the edges,

would you?

We're done here.

Think it over.

How's the paper

holding up for clinical review?

The symposium is just around the corner.

This event

is a big deal

for the whole institute.

It's all on you now.

We'll talk again

after that.

[Nuowen Biotechnology Research Institute]

In real life,

I couldn't fight back.

Not even a little.

This was just a fantasy

in my head.

I hate the endless experiments.

I hate the paper that never passes.

Am I sick?

I ask myself that all the time.

What am I

even doing this for?

I came

all this way

to get a degree,

but now my life

feels like an endless tunnel,

no light, no way out.

I just want out of all of this.

Like Director Kang said

when you're trapped

like that for so long,

you look for a way out.

It's a natural reaction.

And this post went up

right before what happened.

She'd just been told

she might not graduate on time again,

and

she and Xu Fei had broken up.

She must have been in a really bad place.

Hello?

Okay, I'm on my way.

What's up?

It's Xu Fei.

Cui Jie's awake.

Let's go.

[Shenzhen Xinhua Hospital]

Mr. Cui,

Cheng Feng and Attorney Tang

are here.

Jie, it's okay.

They're good people,

here to help.

Is she able to talk?

Cui Jie.

Xu Fei.

That flash drive

is the one

she couldn't find before the symposium?

She always wore it

on her lanyard.

The day it happened,

she had it on her.

In emergency care,

the hospital cut off

her clothes

and belongings.

We only found it

a few days ago

when we were going through her things.

I think

she was so overwhelmed

by the symposium.

So, she missed

what was right there.

Has she been like this

since she woke up?

The doctor said

she went through severe traumatic stress

before the incident.

Waking up is one thing,

but the psychological trauma

is still there.

She'll need to be transferred

to psychiatric care for treatment and observation.

Modern medicine can help her.

We all hope she recovers soon.

She's only twenty-nine.

This shouldn't be how her story goes.

Does Professor Wu know Cui Jie's awake?

I messaged An Ning

to pass it on.

Still haven't

heard back.

She's awake now,

but her recovery

will take time.

It could be a long road ahead.

What are

the next steps?

I'll need to discuss it

with her father first.

Professor Wu,

we meet again.

Give her a moment.

Hello, Mr. Cui.

I came to see Cui Jie.

I remember

teaching you.

You peel an orange along the grain,

right?

Just like

separating nerve bundles in the lab.

Cui Jie,

I'm glad

you're awake.

Don't be afraid.

I'll take care of you.

You can ask me for anything.

What goes through your head

every day?

If there's no data,

why even have a symposium?

Tell me.

Find a way.

I need to see that data

by the time we start.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

It's okay, it's okay.

- It's okay. - I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

What have you done

to my daughter?

I'm sorry.

It's okay, Dad's here.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm here.

You still don't think

you did anything wrong?

Are you even human?

Mr. Cui,

we should talk about something.

About Professor Wu,

what are you asking for?

An apology!

She has to say sorry to my daughter!

And

there's also the cost of

her long-term recovery.

Whether we go after Professor Wu

or the institute,

we'll

figure that out

once you decide.

Don't worry

about the money.

I'll handle it.

Mr. Cui,

what's done

is done.

Asking for compensation is fair.

What if

Professor Wu

refuses to apologize?

Then we sue.

Got it.

Understood.

I'll let them know.

Thank you, Attorney Tang.

Thanks.

Have a seat.

Do you

really think

I've been too hard on you?

You can be honest.

I've always believed

your guidance

comes from your dedication

to research.

We understand

where you're coming from.

But what happened to Cui Jie

right before the symposium?

Jie,

you're still checking the materials?

It can't be wrong.

It just can't.

Jie.

You scared me.

What?

It's late.

You should get some sleep.

Big day

tomorrow.

The symposium.

Right.

It's really important.

The professor is counting on me.

I can't mess up.

I can do this.

I will do this.

Get some sleep.

Go inside and rest.

Go on.

Looking back, she wasn't herself

from that day on.

She was terrified,

scared of failing again.

Professor,

if even someone

as capable as her

couldn't meet your standards,

what are the rest of us

supposed to do?

So you think

I was too hard on her too?

Yes.

People

are different.

Your way of teaching,

it works for some,

but not for others.

But,

we all respect you.

Some

dream of becoming a scholar

like you.

Some know

they'll never get there.

And others,

maybe they just want to be themselves.

I admire

your dedication.

But

your students

have their own worth.

Beyond

being your followers,

don't they

have the right

to choose their own path?

So,

was I wrong?

Cui Jie.

It's okay.

It's okay.

Cui Jie.

I told you

to peel an orange along the grain.

But now

I see...

I was wrong.

Some things

aren't meant to be torn apart.

Jie,

can you

forgive me?

The best way to nurture

isn't to prune every branch,

but to let every leaf

turn toward the sun.

Now I understand

the passions and freedoms

I dismissed

as distractions,

they're

what make us alive.