Chapter 108 The Timid Him (The End) I'm Proud to Have My Motherland by My Side...

As Song Ce's research work progressed further, the organization, for security reasons, increased the number of security personnel assigned to him.

Early in the morning, Zhao Mingjun awkwardly entered Song Ce's research room with his travel request in hand. He said somewhat embarrassedly, "Brother Ce, oh no, Academician Song, I... need to apply for a trip out today."

Song Ce slowly lifted his gaze from the documents in his hand, glanced at Zhao Mingjun, and asked calmly, "Including this time, you've submitted four applications to go out this month. Tell me, why are you going out so frequently?"

Zhao Mingjun scratched his head sheepishly, chuckled, and explained, "Brother Ce, do you still remember Chen Yao, our classmate from the second year of high school?"

Song Ce was slightly taken aback, then nodded and said, "Of course I remember."

"I didn't find out until the second semester of my freshman year that she was also studying in Beijing! At Beijing Medical University, which is right next to Beijing University of Science and Technology! Since we were both from Shanghai, we started hanging out a few times. And then... well... anyway, in my junior year, she became my girlfriend! Hehe!"

Seeing Zhao Mingjun's excited yet shy expression, Song Ce couldn't help but laugh, "Looks like you two have a good relationship!"

"Of course! Brother Ce, Yao Yao was saying last time that if there's a chance, all of us old classmates should get together! How about you come out with me today and we have a meal together?" Zhao Mingjun suggested expectantly.

"Wouldn't it be inappropriate for me to just suddenly go there like this?" Song Ce asked with a smile.

"What's wrong with that? We've been brothers for so many years!" Zhao Mingjun patted his chest and said confidently, "Don't worry about it, Brother Ce!"

"Okay." Song Ce pondered for a moment, then finally nodded in agreement.

At six o'clock in the evening, Zhao Mingjun and Song Ce arrived at a private restaurant with a distinctive Beijing style. Ten minutes later, Chen Yao arrived in a hurry, running all the way.

Standing at the restaurant entrance, she first took a comb from her bag and carefully combed her slightly messy hair. After making sure she was dressed appropriately and without any impropriety, Chen Yao took a deep breath and walked down the corridor to the 606 private room that Zhao Mingjun had reserved in advance.

Inside the private room, upon hearing the noise at the door, the two people inside simultaneously turned to look.

Upon seeing Zhao Mingjun, Chen Yao smiled gently and said, "Mingjun, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting!"

Immediately afterward, Chen Yao's gaze shifted to Song Ce standing to the side. Her eyes paused slightly, as if a complex emotion flashed across them.

The image of Song Ce, the naive young man in her memory, gradually overlapped and separated from the gentle young man before her... However, Chen Yao quickly composed herself, a warm smile appearing on her face, and took the initiative to greet him: "Song Ce, long time no see! Ming Jun mentioned you to me on the phone just now. I didn't expect you to arrive before me."

Song Ce stood up, smiled, and said, "Long time no see, Chen Yao."

Zhao Mingjun, watching the two of them, scratched his head and said cheerfully, "Yaoyao, come and sit down. I'm starving. Today we have to try this restaurant's signature dish."

After the three took their seats, Zhao Mingjun launched into a long, animated tale, recounting all sorts of amusing anecdotes from his school days, including how Song Ce would push him to study. His vivid descriptions of those mundane memories kept Chen Yao laughing, unable to contain her amusement. Song Ce occasionally chimed in, adding details, further enhancing the relaxed and harmonious atmosphere in the private room.

While waiting for the waiter to serve the food, Chen Yao glanced at Song Ce unintentionally.

She noticed that Song Ce hadn't changed much in appearance compared to when he was in high school. It was just that with the passage of time, he had gained a mature and composed air about him when she saw him again... which made her momentarily lost in thought.

"Yaoyao, Yaoyao? What's wrong?" Zhao Mingjun's voice pulled Chen Yao back to reality from her thoughts. She was slightly taken aback and explained somewhat embarrassedly, "Nothing, nothing, it's just that I haven't seen Song Ce for too long, and I suddenly remembered some things from high school."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Mingjun immediately became interested and asked with a smile, "Hey? What's up? You two don't usually talk much in class, I thought you weren't very familiar with each other!"

Chen Yao hesitated for a moment, then looked tenderly at her lover's face and smiled as she recalled, "It's nothing, it's just that I remembered when Song Ce went to my sister's internet cafe to study, he happened to run into some troublemakers. He chased them away in no time, and all the customers in the internet cafe were stunned by his nimble skills. At that time, I thought Song Ce was... really amazing."

Hearing this, Song Ce smiled slightly and asked with concern, "I wonder how Sister Chen Chen is doing these days? Is she alright?"

Chen Yao nodded, her tone full of relief: "My sister and brother-in-law got married four years ago, and now they have a lovely little daughter named Qiaoqiao. The three of them are living a very happy life."

"Yes, that's nice," Song Ce replied softly.

"Let's stop chatting and eat quickly." Zhao Mingjun said, picking up a piece of beef for Chen Yao and gently saying, "Yaoyao, try this. Their secret-recipe beef is amazing." Chen Yao smiled and took it, her eyes full of tenderness and dependence as she looked at Zhao Mingjun.

Looking at the loving couple in front of him, Song Ce felt a warmth rise in his heart.

When they had almost finished eating, Song Ce took a simple box out of his bag and handed it to Zhao Mingjun, smiling as he said, "Mingjun, this is a gift I prepared for you. I hope you will like it."

Zhao Mingjun's eyes lit up upon hearing this. He grinned, eagerly took the box, and opened it immediately.

Inside the box lay a pair of exquisitely designed silver-gray bracelets.

"Brother Ce, what's this?" Zhao Mingjun asked in confusion.

"This is my latest SA energy shield, which has undergone multiple tests and its performance has been significantly improved compared to the X1 and X3 series," Song Ce explained with a smile.

Chen Yao took the silver-gray women's bracelet from Zhao Mingjun, her heart filled with mixed emotions. The boy who once shone brightly on campus had now grown into a figure revered by countless researchers throughout China.

"That's great! Yao Yao! If you encounter any emergencies in the hospital in the future, this SA energy shield will definitely come in very handy." Zhao Mingjun said as he put the bracelet on Chen Yao's wrist.

Looking at the thin, translucent blue-purple light shield flowing around Zhao Mingjun after he activated his bracelet, Chen Yao exclaimed in genuine amazement, "Mingjun, Song Ce... this is like a treasure taken straight from a science fiction movie."

"Right? With this, my sense of security is instantly boosted!" Zhao Mingjun chimed in with a smile.

After the three finished their meal, they chatted for a while. Just then, Song Ce's internal phone rang. He quickly answered it and listened to what Old He was saying on the other end of the line. Song Ce nodded, indicating that he would be back immediately.

"What's wrong, Brother Ce?" Zhao Mingjun asked, his voice tinged with anxiety.

"It's nothing, Mingjun. It's just that a few data points from the new project have slight anomalies, and I need to go back to the research institute to handle them. You two enjoy your time together, and remember to be at work on time tomorrow," Song Ce said with a smile.

“No, Brother Ce, I’ll go back with you.” Zhao Mingjun said, and stood up as well.

"No need, it's not a big problem. Besides, Junzhou is already waiting for me, he's right outside the door. Chen Yao, I'll be going now, let's find another opportunity to get together next time," Song Ce said.

Chen Yao quickly nodded and said, "Okay, no problem. Thank you so much for today, and for giving us such a precious gift. You... please be careful on your way."

Song Ce stood up, his face still bearing a gentle smile: "You're welcome, Chen Yao. Seeing you and Mingjun so happy makes me truly happy."

After Song Ce left, Chen Yao gently raised her wrist. Looking at the silver-gray bracelet, she sighed softly, "Mingjun, Song Ce is really different from before. He's become so amazing!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Mingjun grasped Chen Yao's hand and laughed, "Yes! Brother Ce has always been outstanding. It's my blessing to have such a good brother as him. Moreover, now that I have you by my side, I have no regrets in this life."

Chen Yao smiled, her eyes crinkling as she leaned against her lover's strong shoulder. She felt very happy to be with him.

...

"Old man, what do you think of the young man Qingqing brought back today?" Mrs. Wei asked in a low voice as she sat on a low stool, fiddling with the vegetables in front of her and stirring the eggs beside her.

“In my opinion, Xiao Lu is a pretty good kid. He’s tall and looks energetic; he has a good temperament, steady and reliable, not impulsive at all; besides, Xiao Lu’s career is also excellent, a secure job!” Mr. Wei stopped what he was doing, put the porcelain bowl aside, and started peeling garlic again.

“I didn’t think Xiao Lu was bad either, it’s just… I thought Qingqing liked Xiao Song!” Mother Wei slowed down her movements and sighed softly.

Mr. Wei rubbed his slightly sore back and sighed, "That Song girl is truly outstanding. He'll probably dedicate his whole life to the cause of our country... We only have one precious daughter. As long as she's willing, we, the old couple, will just go along with her."

"Hey, why isn't it Xiao Song?" Mother Wei felt inexplicably disappointed, after all, Xiao Song was the son-in-law she had chosen from the beginning.

"Let me tell you something, don't gossip about these things at home anymore. The two kids are completely innocent, just friends. A few years ago when you were sick, Qingqing was too busy with work to come, and Xiao Song came all the way to take care of you. He made it very clear that he treated our Qingqing like a little sister. If Xiao Lu overhears this, he might start having doubts," Mr. Wei said seriously.

"It's just the two of us at home, isn't it? I was just chatting with you. As long as Qingqing can be happy in the future, I'll be content," said Wei's mother with a sense of relief.

At 7 p.m., Wei Yunqing returned home. By then, her father had already prepared dinner, and her mother was setting the table.

"Qingqing, go wash your hands, it's time to eat," said Mrs. Wei with a smile.

"Okay, Mom," Wei Yunqing replied, turning and heading towards the bathroom.

After Wei Yunqing washed her hands and returned to the restaurant, her mother poured her a glass of warm water and quietly asked, "Qingqing, when are you and Xiao Lu planning to get married?"

Wei Yunqing blushed and said reproachfully, "Mom, Wenbin and I have only been dating for a year. I was thinking... to wait a little longer."

Mother Wei smiled, patted Wei Yunqing's hand, and said, "I was just asking casually. Seeing how well you two match and how good your relationship is, I'm genuinely happy for you."

As Wei's mother moved, the silver-gray bracelet on her wrist slipped off unintentionally. Wei Yunqing looked at the bracelet, her heart skipped a beat, and she paused in her action of setting out the chopsticks.

Thinking of the person who gave her mother the bracelet, Wei Yunqing's thoughts drifted back to three years ago. At that time, her mother was sick and hospitalized. After finishing overtime work, she rushed to the hospital. At the door of the ward, she heard her mother say weakly, "We're old and useless. I don't know what will happen to Qingqing if she's left alone."

After a long silence, she finally heard the person's gentle voice: "Auntie, please don't say that. In my heart, Qingqing is like my little sister. I promise I will never let her suffer the slightest grievance. If anyone dares to bully her, I will be the first to object!"

Wei Yunqing's face darkened slightly outside the door. In his heart, was she... just a younger sister?

"Qingqing? Qingqing? Your dad has called you several times already." Mother Wei waved her hand in front of her daughter's eyes.

"Huh? It's nothing, Mom. I was just thinking about work. Dad, what's wrong?" Wei Yunqing snapped out of her thoughts, got up, and quickly went to the kitchen.

Looking at her daughter's figure in the kitchen, Wei's mother sighed softly.

It's not that their Qingqing isn't good enough; it's just that the child's life is destined to be dedicated entirely to the cause he pursues.

Ultimately, we were not meant to be.

...

Forty years later.

In the second-floor ward of the Beijing Military Region Hospital, a faint smell of disinfectant permeated the air, creating a stuffy and oppressive atmosphere.

Song Mingyuan lay on the hospital bed, his eyelids trembling slightly. He struggled to slowly open his eyes. He looked at his only son, who had entered middle age, beside the bed. He opened his mouth, and a few weak sounds came from his throat, as if he wanted to say something.

Seeing this, Song Ce quickly leaned down and approached Song Mingyuan, putting his ear close to his mouth.

Song Mingyuan seemed to use all his strength to tightly grasp his son's hand and said to him, "Xiao Ce...you...you are...Dad's...pride...in this...life..."

After saying this, Song Mingyuan suddenly loosened his grip, a satisfied smile on his face, and left forever.

A month after Song Mingyuan left, Chen Mei lay on the hospital bed in the orphanage where Song Mingyuan had once stayed, and slowly stopped breathing.

A trace of resentment seemed to linger on her aged face. After her release from prison, she was determined to find her son and beg for his forgiveness. But despite her inquiries everywhere, she could not find even a trace of Song Ce.

It wasn't until the government publicly announced Song Ce's enormous contributions to the country that Chen Mei felt like she had grasped a lifeline. She hurriedly contacted the city's media and took them to the coffee shop where she had met Song Ce years ago, hoping with all her heart that she could reunite with her son.

Chen Mei secretly vowed in her heart that when Xiao Ce came, she would apologize to him properly. From then on, she would stay by Xiao Ce's side, fulfill her responsibilities as a mother, and love him well.

However, she waited and waited, for a whole day, until the coffee shop closed, but Song Ce did not appear.

Chen Mei broke down.

Overwhelmed with emotion, she cried out in front of the media cameras, accusing Song Ce of being heartless and cruel. However, her outburst lasted only a dozen minutes before she was taken away by the relevant authorities. Considering that Chen Mei's actions did not have a particularly serious impact on Song Ce, the organization decided to send her back to her hometown and stipulated that she would never set foot in Beijing again.

Upon learning of Chen Mei's passing, Song Ce sighed deeply. He did not attend Chen Mei's funeral, but as he sensed his impending departure, he had a bunch of wild chrysanthemums placed at Chen Mei's grave.

One day in 3XX5, the familiar voice of 702 rang out in Song Ce's mind at just the right moment: "Ding—Congratulations to the host for completing the mission."

At that time, television stations across the country were broadcasting the same news: at 6:15 PM Beijing time, Comrade Song Ce passed away in Beijing due to illness at the age of 100. Comrade Song was a selfless contributor, a senior academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and a renowned scientist both at home and abroad. On his deathbed, Comrade Song specifically instructed that his funeral be kept simple. Comrade Song Ce never married, dedicating his entire life's work to China without reservation. With extraordinary wisdom and perseverance, he made outstanding contributions to the advancement of science in China and the world. His spirit will forever inspire us to bravely move forward on the path of pursuing our dreams.

Many ordinary people from all over China, despite having no prior connection with Song Ce, spontaneously gathered in the capital after hearing the news of his death, just to bid him farewell.

Song Ce's life was one of struggle and patriotism. He was the pride of China and a legend of the nation.

-----------------------

Author's Note: Hooray! The next story is set in ancient times [Let me see!] I finally have some drafts saved up (proudly hands on hips).