"The success of the project depends on your efforts. I am sorry to cause you more trouble by leaving the front line temporarily. I am relieved to leave it to you!" Wu Tong expressed his gratitude solemnly before boarding the plane.
When Chu Hengyuan suggested Wu Tong go home to reunite with his family on New Year's Eve, he had already arranged for a helicopter to fly to Beijing. While not the fastest, it had the easiest takeoff and landing requirements. They could land directly on the roof of their R&D base. Wu Tong's journey home was just a matter of going downstairs, a mere ten minutes!
"Mr. Wu, please don't shiver us. This is what we should do. Thank you for your trust in us and for giving us the opportunity to perform!" Controlled nuclear fusion is a major challenge, and they have not been able to shoulder any of the burdens. If they can't do this little auxiliary work well, they will be too ashamed to face anyone!
As we saw them off to the plane, the longer we delayed, the later it got. To cut to the chase, Academicians He and Wan urged us on. "Mr. Wu, Mr. Lu, Mr. Cheng, please board the plane quickly. Leave early so we can celebrate New Year's Eve with the whole group. Happy New Year in advance! Start your rest tomorrow, and we won't bother you any more!"
They were all too far away from home and couldn't rush back. Ordinary R&D personnel were not allowed to leave the experimental base before the confidentiality project was completed. This time, they also took advantage of the higher-ups' sympathy and concern for Mr. Wu's welfare, and Mr. Cheng and Mr. Lu, who were also involved in the support work, accompanied them back to Beijing.
Both of them are veteran comrades who have stood the test of trust. They have the authority to temporarily leave the base.
Hebei Province is located near Beijing, so a normal flight to Beijing, including waiting time, takes only two to three hours. A special mission aircraft offers direct point-to-point flights, and the journey from the Shijin Wufan Pile Base to the rooftop of the R&D building in the adjacent research area of Beijing University takes only an hour.
"Teacher, let me take you home first!" Wu Tong suggested as they stepped out of the R&D building. Respecting teachers is a given. Professor Cheng also lived near Peking University, just not in the Yanyuan complex.
"No, no, Mr. Lu and I are going the same way. I'll just ask Mr. Lu to give you a ride. Wu Tong, hurry up and get in the car and go home. Your family is probably waiting for you!" Elder Cheng waved his hand. He and the Wu family's Yanyuan were not in the same direction, so there was no need for Wu Tong to make an extra trip. Wu Tong was currently under too much pressure, with so many people watching him!
It is safer for her to travel along a planned route.
"No problem, Mr. Wu, don't worry, I will personally take Mr. Cheng home to write you a reply!" Lu Xiao opened the back door and asked Mr. Cheng to get in first. They also had personal security protection on their trip.
"Okay, teacher, Happy New Year, wait for me to wish you a happy new year!" Wu Tong did not insist too much. Everything is based on convenience. It's the New Year, so he won't cause trouble for the security department!
He personally saw Mr. Cheng off to the car, waved goodbye to Mr. Cheng and Lu Xiao, and Wu Tong got in the car afterwards. Ten minutes later, the car stopped steadily in the basement of Yanyuan. Wu Tong took two minutes to go upstairs and knock on the door of his home.
Since the change of location and the shift of the focus of hair care to the Jinwu Demonstration Pile Experimental Factory, Wu Tong has not set foot at home again. For a whole few months, at this moment, standing at the door of his home, Wu Tong felt a rare sense of timidity.
The family had officially learned of Wu Tong's return before he arrived, and from the moment they heard the news, the whole family was filled with joy. They had seen the news at 7 a.m. that Wu Tong had led a team to successfully ignite a controlled nuclear fusion demonstration reactor, and had assumed that Wu Tong would be confined to the base for the year and couldn't leave.
Although they cannot celebrate the New Year with their child, they know that their child is doing great things that will benefit the country and the people and will be passed down through the ages. The good news of his success has spread, which makes them proud of their child and happy for Tongtong at the same time. The longing they have for him these days can't help but be diluted a lot.
However, no amount of comfort could compare to the good news of Tongtong's return. Having received the news, they began to look forward to it, wanting time to pass faster so they could see Tongtong sooner, but also wanting it to go slower so Tongtong wouldn't be in a hurry, to avoid any danger. Safety was paramount.
The tangle of contradictions is actually all concerns, concerns that cannot be released or let go.
As soon as the knock on the door came, the three men in the house slid to the door and opened it. "Tongtong, welcome home, come in!"
"Dad, uncle, brother!" Seeing her family, Wu Tong's suppressed longing suddenly burst forth like a surging river. Before she saw her family, she could still manage a bit of restraint. But when she finally met them, letting go of everything, Wu Tong truly felt the avalanche of longing. The background music of the Spring Festival Gala suddenly seemed distant.
"Mom, Grandpa, Grandma, Auntie!" Wu Tong hurried into the house, hugged each family member one by one, and finally snuggled up to her grandmother, enjoying her loving caress. At this moment, she was no longer the glamorous Chief Designer Wu who stood at the top of the domestic scientific research community and ignited the entire scientific research community. She was just a child in her family's eyes.
"Come on, Tongtong, choose your dumplings first. What filling would you like to try first?" From the moment Wu Tong arrived home and warmly embraced everyone, the family's attention shifted to him. The family had several different fillings for dumplings, and having a New Year's Eve dinner with Tongtong was perfect for a late-night snack.
Jin Xin, who had received similar treatment back home before, wasn't the least bit jealous. He was one of them. Aside from his birthday, he and Tongtong hadn't seen each other in six months. However, he understood better than anyone else in the family the weight of responsibility Tongtong shouldered this year, and he was constantly worried about her.
It’s not that I don’t believe in Tongtong’s ability, but the difficulty of controlled nuclear fusion is really too extraordinary!
"Three Fresh Shrimp!" This is a casual conversation combination that Wu Tong likes very much. It has the elasticity and crispness of fresh shrimp, the sweetness of corn, and the crispness of water chestnuts. It is very fresh and sweet.
"Okay, I'll cook some more mutton, celery and beef. Try them all. Tongtong, eat more later!"
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In addition to the traditional celebratory speeches, tonight's Spring Festival Gala also features a series of expectations and encouragements for the future. The successful breakthrough in controlled nuclear fusion technology has become the main theme of tonight's Spring Festival Gala. A rich and strong country and a strong people, as well as prosperity, are within their grasp. Whether it is the hosts on the stage or the national audience in front of the TV, the national pride surging in their chests is the most unforgettable excitement tonight!
This night is unforgettable, it is really unforgettable. This night will be one of the most unforgettable and exciting New Year’s Eves for all Chinese people from top to bottom!