Looking at these veteran scientists who had dedicated their lives to the country's scientific and technological cause, Lin Huowang was also filled with emotion.
He knew that having these machines alone was not enough.
Talent is the most valuable asset of the 21st century and the core competitiveness for China's rise.
"Mr. Wang, please don't be so polite."
Lin Huowang helped the elderly academician up, and then said very solemnly, "We have the machines, but we still need people. I have already set up a special fund in Zhongguancun, allocating 200 million US dollars every year specifically to support the research and development of lithography machines and chip manufacturing processes!"
"In addition, I have also made arrangements in the Netherlands. We can send young engineers there in batches for 'exchange and learning'."
"Calling it 'learning' is really just about mastering their techniques thoroughly and then bringing them back!"
"Our generation is meant to be paving stones. We need to pave this road so that future generations can run on it!"
...
After finishing the lithography machine layout in Shanghai, it was already late at night when Lin Huowang took a private plane back to Beijing.
Pushing open the gate of my family's courtyard house, I found the yard eerily quiet.
Peaceful and serene!
This is happiness.
The children are already asleep.
Only the lights in the main room were still on.
Liu Rumeng was wearing a coat and sitting under the lamp, flipping through a thick photo album.
Hearing the familiar footsteps, she immediately looked up and saw Lin Huowang, who looked travel-worn. A gentle smile, like a river of spring water flowing eastward, appeared on her face.
"Awang, you're back? There's some hot porridge in the pot that you like."
"Um."
Lin Huowang took off his coat, washed his face, picked up the porridge and took a sip. He immediately felt his fatigue dissipate.
Life, life...
It wasn't about living in luxury or being extremely wealthy.
It doesn't necessarily have to be about the ups and downs of the business world, or the struggles and waves of life and death.
The most precious and accessible aspect of life is actually like this: after a long day of work, you come home to find loved ones by your side, who will leave the light on for you and heat up your meal. Your heart feels warm, comfortable, and worthwhile.
"What are you looking at?"
While drinking his porridge, Lin Huowang leaned over and asked.
"Look at the children's photos!"
Liu Rumeng smiled and pointed to a group photo in the album.
That was a group photo of dozens of family members in the courtyard during last year's Spring Festival.
In the photo, the children are all smiling brightly, and the adults all look happy.
“Awang, look.”
Liu Rumeng pointed to her eldest son, Lin Anbang, who was standing at the front, and said, "This child looks more and more like you. He's also very smart; he's only a few years old, but he can already recite hundreds of Tang poems."
"That's right, they're my children, of course they all look like me!"
Huo Wang smiled smugly.
"but……"
Liu Rumeng closed the photo album, looked at Lin Huowang, and her eyes showed a hint of worry:
“These past few years, you’ve been traveling all over the place. Japan, Europe, the United States, and even closer places in China like Shenzhen, Northeast China, and Shanghai… These kids at home are almost forgetting who their father is.”
"We've made enough money, and we've done our part for the country. We've even gotten that lithography machine you've been longing for. Shouldn't you... take a break?"
Upon hearing this, Lin Huowang remained silent for a moment.
He gently put down the bowl, took Liu Rumeng's hand, sighed, and said:
“Mengmeng, I want to rest too. I want to stay home with you every day and watch the children grow up.”
"But...time waits for no one! Ten thousand years is too long, we must seize the day!"
He turned his head and looked out the window, his gaze seemingly piercing through the darkness, seeing the coming 1990s, a time of even greater upheaval and the emergence of business heroes from all walks of life.
"In a few years, that behemoth in the north will probably collapse. That will be a major upheaval of the century."
"That was also our last chance to 'snag a bargain.' It was also a crucial juncture for our country to truly break through the blockade and move towards rejuvenation."
"After we finish this job..."
Lin Huowang looked into his wife's eyes and made a very serious promise:
"We'll bring back all the assets that the monster left behind—aircraft carriers, large aircraft, engine experts... to our country."
"I'm retiring completely!"
"Then I'll stay home every day, cook for you, take care of the grandson, and be a lazy old man who just wants to live a life of leisure, okay?"
Liu Rumeng looked at him, her eyes slightly reddening, but she finally nodded gently and said:
"Okay. Ah Wang, I believe you."
"No matter what you do, no matter how late you come home, this light will always be on for you."
Lin Huowang felt a warmth in his heart and embraced his wife.
Outside the window, the night was so deep.
But in the distant east, a faint glimmer of dawn is quietly appearing.
That dawn, more glorious than any other in the course of history, that belongs to China, is about to arrive.
...
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