Chapter 80 Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! (Revised)
As dusk falls, the cities of Ego appear particularly desolate after the sun sets.
Even though the scrap metal yard is less than ten kilometers from the city, it feels like being in the wilderness. There are rustling sounds coming from the waist-high grass, as if some kind of animal is passing by quickly.
He Changyi glanced at her watch, then called everyone to get in the car and head back to the city. She had booked dinner in advance at a Georgian restaurant to welcome the three people who had come from afar.
Experts Liu and Huang were reluctant to part; they looked as if they wished they could work through the night and sleep right inside the tank.
In the end, Yan Zhengchuan had to coax and deceive them, repeatedly promising to come again the next day and the day after, and to come every day until he returned to China, before he finally managed to get the two experts into the car.
It was rare to see her second brother acting like a grandson, and He Changyi smiled with a smile. Alexei glanced at her and slightly curved the corners of his mouth.
The car drove across the cracked asphalt road and stopped in front of the restaurant.
The group filed in, and after they were seated, a plump middle-aged woman began serving dishes in a continuous stream.
Georgian cuisine is known for its hearty ingredients: thick lamb chops, large skewers of meat, rich sauces, fragrant and stretchy corn and cheese pancakes, and cheese, potato, and beef buns that resemble Chinese steamed buns in appearance but have different fillings.
However, the delicious food failed to fully capture the attention of the two experts. They discussed the parameters of the T-80 tank enthusiastically and quietly in Chinese, occasionally arguing for a moment, and then each took out their notebooks and began flipping through the pages.
Yan Zhengchuan was initially listening attentively, but as the two experts' discussion deepened and their terminology became more professional, he saw two mosquito coils in his eyes. Finally, in despair, he picked up a fork and began to eat with his head down.
A bowl of stewed beef with walnuts was handed to Yan Zhengchuan. He looked up and saw He Changyi looking at him with a tolerant and loving gaze. She gently comforted him, saying, "It's normal not to understand. Your mother has told me that you've always been sleepy in class and confused during exams. You've had several zeros. She's already prepared you mentally. Even if you sweep the streets in the future, you'll still be contributing to the country."
Yan Zhengchuan almost choked to death!
"Why does Mom tell you everything!"
He Changyi said kindly, "Don't mention it, I'm just a sweet little cotton-padded jacket for my mom."
Yan Zhengchuan: ...Who can bring back his obedient, smiling little moon?
He caught a glimpse of Alexei out of the corner of his eye, and his headache worsened.
Can anyone do me a favor and launch this mixed-race kid to Mars? I refuse to believe that the Magpie Bridge can actually be built from Earth to outer space!
Alexei remained unmoved by Yan Zhengchuan's resentful gaze, eating steadily and slowly, while the food on his plate was being devoured at a visible pace.
He Changyi raised his hand to call the waiter and ordered another serving of white wine braised lamb chops and cheese-baked mushrooms, both of which were Alexei's favorites.
Alexei raised an eyebrow and gestured with his glass.
Just then, two men from Eguo at the next table were drinking a toast together, and their movements were a bit too exaggerated. All the people at the Zhongguo table turned to look. He Changyi was a little curious and watched for a bit too long, which immediately put Yan Zhengchuan on high alert.
"Come on, let's all have a drink! Being strangers in a strange land, it's fate that we can meet here from so far away. Let's toast to today's scrap metal!"
Yan Zhengchuan rambled on with a toast, not even knowing what he was saying, and then he interrupted!
He Changyi and Alexei shouldn't even think about drinking the nuptial wine in front of him!
The two experts, who had been engrossed in their academic discussion, realized that this was a welcome banquet, not a seminar. A little embarrassed, they put away their notebooks and stood up to toast their hosts.
"Look at me, I got so excited I forgot myself. Miss He, please don't take it to heart. This drink is my apology..."
He Changyi stood up, picked up his glass, and said while clinking glasses, "What are you saying? I should be thanking you for coming all this way for the future of our country. It is because of professors like you who are so dedicated that our country has the hope of catching up with developed countries step by step. Here, I toast you."
He Changyi swiftly finished his glass of red wine, and following Zhong Guo's habit, showed the bottom of his glass. The two experts also hurriedly finished their drinks, beaming with joy.
Alexei glanced at He Changyi with some curiosity and reached out to refill her wine glass.
However, this time there was only half a cup.
Slightly tipsy, He Changyi wasn't sitting as upright anymore, and turned his head to whisper:
"What, are you afraid I'll steal your drink?"
Alexei looked down at her and said in a low voice, "I didn't know you could drink alcohol like water."
He Changyi smiled slightly, with a hint of slyness and smugness.
"Now you know."
Alexei had little expression, which inexplicably gave people a gentle impression.
"No, I can't be sure, it's just a glass of red wine."
He Changyi reached out to take the bottle, "Then why don't we try it and see who gets drunk in the end?"
Alexei seemed to be smiling.
"If you get drunk, don't worry, I'll make sure you wake up tomorrow in a warm, cozy bedroom, not on the street."
He Changyi said thoughtfully, "If you get drunk, I'll make sure you're not dragged away by gay men."
Alexei glared at her, and He Changyi offered a half-hearted consolation: "Don't be embarrassed. These days, men also need protection, especially someone as muscular and pretty as you. There are plenty of perverts who would want to suck your toes."
Alexei said expressionlessly, "Do I need to thank you?"
He Changyi said generously, "Don't mention it, I've always been this kind."
Yan Zhengchuan's alarm bells rang again!
Although he couldn't hear what the two were saying, the atmosphere was definitely off!
"Cough cough!"
Yan Zhengchuan coughed forcefully, drawing everyone's attention at the table, and then said gently to He Changyi:
"It's not easy for professors to come all this way. Besides the one parked in the yard, are there any other vehicles we can visit?"
He spoke vaguely, but everyone present understood him.
The two experts stared intently at He Changyi. If only they could see more tank models, even a weakened version of the T-72, they could at least compare it with the T-80 to understand which technologies were classified as top secret and which were not, allowing for targeted research and analysis.
He Changyi actually thought about it.
"There is indeed such a place, but I can't guarantee you'll be able to get in."
The two experts were even more excited!
If foreigners can't just enter a place, wouldn't that mean there are even more military secrets there?!
But they said nothing, even though they were itching inside as if feathers were tickling them.
Professor Huang even said to He Changyi, "If you can't go, you can't go. We came here to investigate the 80, and it's already a great success. The rest is just icing on the cake. It's nothing. Don't make things difficult for us."
Professor Liu said, "You have already helped us a lot. To be honest, one should not be too greedy. I am very satisfied now."
Yan Zhengchuan also realized that it was somewhat inappropriate to bring up this topic as a way to divert attention.
Which country in the world would allow its military equipment to be open to the public for tours? Not even its own citizens, let alone these foreigners.
I'm so angry at that brat.
Yan Zhengchuan raised his glass to apologize to He Changyi, "I didn't think before I spoke, don't take it to heart, we'll still go to the storage yard tomorrow as usual."
Seeing Yan Zhengchuan's regretful expression, He Changyi pressed down on his cup and said with a smile:
"Come on, it's not that serious. Save your breath. Just tell me honestly, are you trying to trick me into drinking?"
Before Yan Zhengchuan could speak, she added to the two experts, "It's not that we can't go, but—"
He Changyi drew out the last syllable, and under the expectant gazes across from her, she slowly said, "Would you two mind wearing a wig before going out?"
Professors Liu and Huang were overjoyed!
"Just wearing a wig? Isn't that a bit much? How about I also wear sunglasses and a hat? That way, my face will be completely covered!"
The two experts even began to have a heated discussion about which pair of sunglasses could best conceal one's appearance.
He Changyi: ...Wait, aren't you guys getting a little too excited?
Yan Zhengchuan pondered cautiously for a moment.
"It's not quite working."
He Changyi looked expectantly at the only two sober people present.
"A wig and sunglasses alone are not enough; someone might notice the flaws."
Yan Zhengchuan made up his mind, "I'll wear a skirt."
He Changyi: ...
So what exactly is she expecting?!
Alexei maintained a straight face, but anyone could see the undisguised schadenfreude on his face.
He Changyi glared at him fiercely!
Alexei cleared his throat and raised his glass to Yan Zhengchuan.
"I deeply admire the sacrifices you have made for the country."
Yan Zhengchuan absentmindedly clinked glasses with him, then, as if remembering something, suddenly turned to He Changyi and said:
"By the way, can I borrow your cosmetics? I remember you have lipstick, right?"
...He still wants to wear lipstick?
...I also want to apply lipstick with two highly respected experts who are over fifty years old?
He Changyi stared at her second brother with disbelief.
Was he just pretending, or was he satisfying his cross-dressing desires with her?!
Alexei finally couldn't hold back and burst into laughter.
After the meal, the car took everyone to He Changyi's rented residence in Vladimir.
This place is spacious, has many rooms, and most importantly, it's safe enough, much better than the mixed bag of local hotels.
The two-story house houses employees and bodyguards on the first floor, and He Changyi's bedroom and office, as well as several vacant guest rooms on the second floor.
He Changyi first arranged for the two experts to stay in guest rooms. Just as he was about to arrange accommodations for Yan Zhengchuan, Yan Zhengchuan preemptively said, "I'll share a room with this kid!"
Alexei glanced at Yan Zhengchuan.
“No,” he said curtly.
He Changyi was overjoyed and said to Alexei in Ethnic language at lightning speed, "Don't worry, I guarantee he won't lick your feet in the middle of the night."
Alexei: "...Ha."
Yan Zhengchuan didn't understand what He Changyi said, but that didn't stop him from realizing from their reactions that it wasn't a compliment.
"Either he sleeps in the same room as me tonight, or nobody sleeps at all, and I'll sleep on the floor outside your bedroom door."
...Sometimes she really couldn't understand what Yan Zhengchuan was trying to guard against.
...If anyone should be on guard, it should be Alexei who is.
...At least his muscles are truly captivating.
He Changyi called out the black dog, which had now grown into a giant dog. Gone was the innocent and cute dog it once was; its sharp, white teeth were terrifying, making it look like a one-headed hellhound.
"You're late. The night watch is already taken by the dog. Why don't you talk to it and see if you can have another colleague for the night shift?"
The black dog was unfamiliar with Yan Zhengchuan, and instinctively, it stepped aside to block He Changyi from view of this strange male, wrinkling its nose and baring its teeth at Yan Zhengchuan, making a threatening growl in its throat.
If He Changyi hadn't tightened the loose fur around its neck, it probably would have pounced on it and started biting it.
Caucasian Shepherds, large and aggressive breeds, are like slow-witted idiots when they are puppies. They don't recognize people and will let anyone hold them. But once they grow up, they are like a completely different person. They only recognize their owners and are extremely aggressive towards strangers. They even have an excessive protective instinct, which is more extreme than the domineering CEOs in melodramatic novels who say things like "If you dare to touch her, I'll cut off your hand." After all, they are the ones who bite.
The black dog lowered its front paws and made a series of preparatory movements for a bite. Yan Zhengchuan was forced to retreat until he was outside the dog's perceived safety line.
But there's a problem here.
Alexei remained in his original position.
The black dog seemed a little disgusted with him, but it just swung its tail and used its body to separate Alexei from He Changyi without pouncing on him.
Yan Zhengchuan: ? ? ?
Seriously, is this dog crazy?! Everyone says a dog doesn't bite its own family, so who exactly is its family?!
He Changyi shrugged and said to Yan Zhengchuan with a smile, "Looks like your dog of a colleague isn't very welcoming."
Yan Zhengchuan: "...You come here right now!"
Alexei didn't speak, but everyone present clearly heard him let out a sneer from his nose.
Yan Zhengchuan: !!!
Before he could completely erupt, Alexei opened the door and entered the guest room. He paused at the doorway and turned to look at Yan Zhengchuan.
“If you snore,” he said seriously, “I’ll throw you out the window.”
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Author's note: Happy Mid-Autumn Festival to everyone! May you all be happy to hug and spin around with every little angel!
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