"Old Wu! You're just bragging! Just because someone writes so well doesn't mean they're your student. You're really something else!"
"Exactly, even you, Lao Wu, might not be able to write a report like this."
"..."
Hearing his colleagues' comments, and knowing they meant no harm, Professor Wu couldn't help but retort.
"I'm bragging? Humph! I've been supervising this student since his junior year, and for the last six months or so, he practically never left my lab. I even approved his early graduation!"
"Old Wu, since there's no evidence, whatever you say goes! We'll all believe you, okay?"
"Hahaha……!"
Seeing that no one believed him, Professor Wu pulled out his trump card.
"You don't believe me? Fine, you want evidence, right? My student's father is right here at our base. You all know him, right? He's Sun Dajiang, an 8th-level electrician. I'll just sit here and not move. Go ask him yourselves."
Everyone knows Sun Dajiang, even though he's only been here a few days, he's already quite well-known at this base.
Although there are many electrical engineers at this base, Sun Dajiang is the best among them when it comes to practical skills.
Since his arrival, the power supply problem at the entire base has been greatly improved.
“It’s true! Sun Dajiang often comes to visit. I can vouch for him; his son is indeed Lao Wu’s student.”
Engineer Chen's testimony further confirms that Professor Wu was not lying; this must be his student.
"Oh, congratulations! Old Wu, your student may surpass you in the future."
“You’re wrong. There’s no need to wait for the future. I think in another three to five years, this child will definitely achieve great things.”
"..."
Hearing his colleagues' praise, Professor Wu felt gratified, thinking that they were indeed his most valued students.
"Alright, since everyone has no objections to this report, let's sign it and then send it back to Beijing."
Everyone was quite informal, signing their names at the end of the report and noting minor shortcomings for Sun Zhengguo to refer back to.
Professor Wu wrote the most, not only stating that the base had not been exposed, but also writing many messages to reassure everyone that they were safe.
"Old Wu! This is a one-time thing, don't do it again. You should know that it's very difficult to pass the review this time."
"Thank you, Chief Engineer Li."
"By the way, Chief Engineer Li, I have another question. I remember I arranged for that student to work in the Ministry of Metallurgy, so how did he end up working in the Ministry of Machinery?"
Chief Engineer Li didn't know much about the question Professor Wu asked, so he could only say helplessly.
"I really didn't know that, but you don't need to worry. Your student works in the Ministry of Machinery and is the deputy section chief, so he should be doing quite well. With this report, I believe he will be even better off in the future, so you don't need to worry."
After Chief Engineer Li finished speaking, he took the signed report and left.
After checking the time, everyone decided not to rest and instead began studying the centrifuge at the base, trying to increase its speed.
They worked until it was completely dark before dragging their exhausted bodies to the canteen.
Today's meals were the same as usual: each person got two cornbread buns with a little bit of shredded potatoes that weren't very oily, plus a small bowl of vegetable soup.
This was supposedly a special approval from the leadership; the soldiers at the base ate even worse.
However, none of these experts complained. Some time ago, an expert fainted from hunger, but no one offered a single opinion.
After Professor Wu finished getting his food, he returned to the barracks, which was actually just a small single tent – and that was the treatment he was entitled to as an expert.
I had just returned to the barracks and hadn't even started eating when I heard Sun Dajiang's voice from outside.
"Old Wu! I knew you just got back, let's team up!"
"The river is here! Come in quickly, it's very windy and dusty outside."
Professor Wu quickly called out from inside the tent.
Professor Wu and Sun Dajiang were strangers to each other, but they came from the same place, took the same train, and were in the same carriage.
The two were seated not far apart when Professor Wu accidentally saw Sun Dajiang. If it weren't for the age difference, he would have thought he saw Sun Zhengguo, as the two looked so alike.
After a long journey, the two gradually got to know each other, and only after asking did they learn about their relationship.
Although there is a significant age difference between the two, they hit it off immediately and have maintained a close relationship like brothers ever since.
"Dajiang, even if you don't come to see me, I'll come to see you later. I have some good news to tell you."
As soon as Sun Dajiang entered the room, Professor Wu said excitedly.
"Oh! There's good news here too. Could it be that there's been progress on your centrifuge upgrade?"
Because of the strong winds and sandstorms, Sun Dajiang said as he took out a lunchbox he had hidden in his pocket.
As soon as the lunchbox was opened, a rich aroma of meat wafted out, making Professor Wu's mouth water.
"Dajiang, where did you get the meat?"
"Hey! This is a piece of salted meat that my mother and daughter secretly put in when they helped me pack my clothes last time. I didn't do anything with it, I just cut a few pieces. Let's have a taste, it'll be a nice change of pace."
Indeed, there were only a few slices of salted meat in the lunchbox, and Sun Dajiang didn't cut them all off. He planned to take it slow and make it last, since the salted meat wouldn't spoil anyway.
"Old Wu, my son brought a few packets of tea, and I brought you one too."
As he spoke, Sun Dajiang took a small packet of tea out of his pocket and handed it to Professor Wu.
Professor Wu was surprised to find that in addition to the few slices of salted meat, there was also tea.
"Dajiang, then I won't stand on ceremony! But I won't let you suffer today; I'll tell you some good news later."
"Alright! Let's eat and talk."
Without further ado, the two placed their lunchboxes on the small table and sat down. Professor Wu first tasted a piece of salted meat, and his mouth was immediately filled with the aroma of meat, without any discomfort.
"It smells so good! This meat should be considered raw, right? How can it smell so good?"
Seeing Professor Wu's performance, Sun Dajiang also tried a piece, and it was indeed very delicious.
I never imagined that even a piece of raw salted meat would taste so delicious after only being away from home for a little over half a month.
It really does prove Zhou Shuren's old saying: "If you haven't tasted meat for three years, even salted pork becomes as beautiful as Diao Chan."
After finishing a steamed bun and all the meat in his lunchbox, Professor Wu slowly began to talk about what happened at noon.
"Really? Old Wu, you're not kidding me. My son's report has been sent to the base, and all the experts are very optimistic about it."
Sun Dajiang was very excited after listening to Professor Wu's story.
Although no letter from home was received, this message was worth more than a thousand pieces of gold.
"It's absolutely true. I've already confirmed it with Chief Engineer Li. Zheng Guo has now joined the Ministry of Machinery and has even become a deputy section chief. You can finally focus on your work!"
"Didn't my son get a job at the Ministry of Metallurgy? How come he went to the Ministry of Machinery and even became a deputy section chief? What's going on?"
Professor Wu shook his head when asked about Sun Dajiang's question, indicating that he was unaware of the matter.
However, to avoid giving Sun Dajiang too much of a reason, Professor Wu still provided an explanation.
"Actually, Zheng Guo is more suitable for the Ministry of Machinery. My last job in the Ministry of Metallurgy was also for my own selfish reasons. Perhaps the leaders above felt that it was a waste of talent, so they transferred him back to the Ministry of Machinery."
After hearing Professor Wu's guess, Sun Dajiang felt a little relieved.
The two finished their dinner in silence, chatted for a while, and then Sun Dajiang said goodbye and returned to the camp.
As he entered the tent and heard his colleague's soft snoring, Sun Dajiang lay on the bed, thinking about what had happened that night, and found it difficult to fall asleep for a long time!
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