On the evening of April 25, 1970, just as the Kyoto Military Hospital was closing time, Bai Yajing rushed out of the office.
She clutched the newly released special edition of the People's Daily tightly in her hand; the newspaper swayed in the wind, as if sensing her inner excitement.
"Ya Jing! Where are you running so fast?" Old Qian called out curiously from behind as he saw her run off like a whirlwind.
Bai Yajing didn't turn her head, her voice brimming with undisguised excitement: "Going home! To show my grandparents the newspaper! Our satellite has launched! My godmother is coming home!"
As she left the hospital, a spring breeze caressed her face, carrying the coolness unique to April.
I hopped on my bicycle, the chain making a cheerful click, and the trees along the roadside sprouted tender green buds that shimmered with golden light in the setting sun.
The aroma of dinner wafted through the entire residential compound. Bai Yajing returned home, parked her car, and ran straight into the house.
"Grandpa, Grandma! Grandpa! I'm home!!"
The sound of spatulas clattering came from the kitchen. Grandma was cooking. Hearing the noise, she came out wearing a floral apron and holding a spatula. "My little girl is back? Dinner's ready. Go wash your hands!"
"Grandma! This is amazing news! Such great news!" Bai Yajing finally couldn't hold back any longer and took out the special edition of the People's Daily from her pocket and held it up in front of her.
On the front page of the newspaper, a striking headline in bold boldface read: "my country's First Artificial Earth Satellite Successfully Launched."
Below the title is a diagram of a satellite, accompanied by detailed report text.
"Really?" Grandma almost dropped the shovel. She quickly wiped her hands on her apron and took the newspaper. "Oh dear! Go and call your grandpa over!"
"What do you need me for?"
Just then, my maternal grandfather and paternal grandfather came in carrying the washed vegetables.
Bai Yajing's eyes welled up with tears of excitement. "Grandpa, Grandfather, and Godmother's research was a success!! She can finally go home!"
"That's it! Dongfanghong-1! Is this what Awei and her project team are researching?"
After reading the report, Grandma's voice choked with emotion. "Yes, yes, her name is on it! The launch was successful yesterday, but the newspaper only reported it in detail today."
Grandma carefully spread the newspaper on the table.
For the couple, Xu Wei had long been considered family. Even though she couldn't marry their son, in their hearts, Xu Wei was like a daughter.
They were overjoyed that her research was successful and she could finally go home!
Grandpa and Grandpa also quickly put down their baskets and came over to read the newspaper, becoming more and more excited as they read.
"Xinjing News Agency, April 25th: my country's first artificial Earth satellite, 'Dongfanghong-1,' was successfully launched on April 24th..."
The two of them read it aloud without realizing it.
Bai Yajing rested her chin on her hands, watching the scene intently. Old Master Bai gently stroked the satellite diagram on the newspaper, his fingertips trembling slightly.
"The satellite weighs 173 kilograms, heavier than the combined weight of the first artificial satellites of Russia, Country A, Country F, and Japan..."
"Great! Okay!"
Grandma's eyes welled up with tears: "How did something so heavy fly up into the sky? Your godmother and the others are amazing!"
"You can still hear 'The East Is Red'?" Grandpa Bai jumped up. "Darling, can our radio pick it up?"
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