Chapter 697: Feeling uneasy Lu Qingyang, as the key party, was asked to cooperate in making detailed records and explanations, and was told to keep it confidential.

The entire process took a long time, during which communication was inconvenient and he was unable to contact his family.

Only after all matters were dealt with did he manage to escape. He bought a ticket for the next train bound for Beijing and rushed back exhausted after traveling all the way.

"…This is roughly what happened."

Lu Qingyang omitted the key to rebirth and attributed everything to the foreign information he read when he was studying machinery.

"I wasn't able to report the news to my family in time. There were so many people handling the matter over there, and the phone was not easy to use. I made Mom and Xiaomo worried."

Shen Mo and Ding Panyun were stunned when they heard this, and waves of fear surged over them.

"Fortunately, you didn't get on that plane. None of us got on it." Ding Panyun didn't want his son, whom he had lost and found again, to make any mistakes.

"Oh, I won't fly anymore from now on. It's scary."

"Mom, this is just a very rare occurrence."

When Lu Qingyang said this, he was also doubting in his heart, obviously plane crashes rarely happen, why did the plane carrying these scientific researchers happen to crash.

It is hard not to be suspicious of the doubts involved.

Lu Qingyang went to see the sleeping Xiaotou and Xiaoyuer, and still felt that it was great to be alive.

I really can't do anything by myself anymore.

Aunt Liu made him a cup of malted milk and said, "Qingyang, drink this quickly to calm your nerves. Everyone has been so worried these past few days since you came back that they haven't gotten any sleep."

There were indeed dark circles under Shen Mo's eyes, and it looked like she hadn't had a good rest.

"I'm back now, so you don't have to worry about me. Just take a good rest."

Shen Mo pulled at the corner of Lu Qingyang's clothes, still looking sad.

"Do you know how I've been spending the past few days?"

"Okay, okay, don't be afraid anymore. Look, I'm back, aren't I?"

Fang Zhongwen, who got the news, also rushed back overnight. Seeing that his son was unharmed, he finally felt relieved.

When Lu Qingyang saw his father coming back, he said that he had something to discuss with him in the study.

The light in Fang Zhongwen's office was dim, and there were a few sheets of manuscript paper and a pen on the table.

Fang Zhongwen took off his military cap and rubbed his brow, his face showing the fatigue of a long journey. As he listened to Lu Qingyang's detailed account, his brow furrowed tighter and tighter.

"...Dad, here's what happened. I've been thinking over and over again. While the Il-62 isn't the newest model, such obvious cracks in its hydraulic system shouldn't require routine maintenance. Furthermore, the timing of this happening on a plane carrying so many key experts is incredibly coincidental. It's unnerving."

Fang Zhongwen smoked silently, his face looking extremely solemn in the smoke.

"Your suspicion is not without reason. Although things may appear calm on the surface, the struggle behind the scenes has never ceased. Some people are unwilling to see us grow stronger and want to sabotage our scientific research efforts, especially in a place like this where top talents from multiple fields gather. This is the cheapest and most effective means."

"What should I do then?" Lu Qingyang's heart tightened.

Fang Zhongwen warned in a serious tone: "Don't mention this matter to anyone else, including Xiaomo and your mother. The less they know, the safer they will be. I will immediately report your suspicions and the details of the scene to the relevant departments through confidential channels.

This matter must be secretly investigated by a more professional department with higher authority. If it is indeed sabotage by enemy spies, then this is a major clue. We must follow the clues and dig out the insects hiding in the dark!

He stood up and patted Lu Qingyang on the shoulder. "You've done a tremendous deed this time. Not only did you save someone, you might have also poked open a potentially large hornet's nest. Recently, you've been extra careful about your own safety. Try not to go to remote places alone. If you find anything unusual, tell me immediately."

Lu Qingyang nodded solemnly: "I understand, Dad, don't worry."

…

On the first day Lu Qingyang returned to school, he was called to the department office by the counselor.

The counselor, wearing black-framed glasses and with a serious expression, pushed a document in front of him.

"Student Lu Qingyang, regarding your unexcused absence from class for three days, although your family called to explain the situation, according to school regulations, personal leave must have a sufficient and legitimate reason and supporting documentation. The statement 'family emergency' is not specific enough and cannot be used as grounds for exemption from punishment."

The instructor pushed his glasses up, his tone stern and formal, "Beijing University is a place to cultivate the pillars of the nation. Discipline is the foundation for ensuring learning outcomes. You cannot arbitrarily disrupt the teaching order for personal reasons."

After discussion within the department, we have decided to punish you: First, you will be criticized and circulated throughout the department; second, you will be ordered to participate in campus public welfare work this weekend, cleaning the unsanitary corner behind the Philosophy Building. We hope you will deeply understand your mistake and not repeat it again.

Criticism and public service were relatively common forms of punishment in universities in the early 1980s. They didn't cause any serious injury, but were enough to make the arrogant "prodigies" feel ashamed and serve as a warning.

Lu Qingyang was mentally prepared and knew that the school's rules had their reasons. He really could not provide a "legitimate" reason - plane malfunction, suspected sabotage by spies, and involvement in confidential projects, none of these could be disclosed to the public.

He calmly accepted the punishment: "Okay, teacher, I accept the criticism and will participate in labor on time on weekends."

The news quickly spread within the department.

Some classmates expressed their understanding, saying that everyone has urgent matters at home;

However, there were also some disapproving voices, who felt that Lu Qingyang was seeking special treatment and violating discipline.

On weekends, Lu Qingyang came to the back of the laboratory building on time with a broom and a shovel.

There were some dead branches, fallen leaves and other debris piled here, and it was indeed a place that took a lot of effort to clean up.

Before I was ready to do anything, I found that several classmates were coming behind me, including Zhou Zhe, Zhao Rui and others.

Zhao Rui said lightly: "The weather is nice today, I'm going to stretch my muscles."

Zhou Zhe just picked up the broom and started to fight.

Lu Qingyang also knew that he could not drive the two away, so he accepted their kindness with peace of mind.

Just as everyone was about to finish sweeping and prepare to go home, several figures walked out of the side door of the laboratory building.

The leader was an energetic old man, Professor Wu Zhenhua, whom I had met once at the airport a while ago.

He was accompanied by several school leaders, who seemed to be touring the campus or engaging in academic exchanges.

While listening to the school leaders' introduction, Professor Wu casually glanced at the surrounding environment.

Suddenly, his eyes fixed on the young figure who was bending over and working hard to clean up the garbage.