Chapter 184 The Person Who Recognized Xu Zhili
Since you've made up your mind, accept this affection openly and honestly, and shoulder this responsibility.
She looked up, and the clarity and earnestness in her eyes carried more weight than any flowery confession.
"Okay, thank you, Yun Ce."
She spoke, her tone resolute and unwavering, as if declaring an important decision: "From this day forward, you are the one I, Xu Zhili, have chosen."
She paused, looking at him sharply, as if making a final confirmation.
"I'm impatient and short-tempered. Once I've made up my mind about something, nothing can change it. I will never turn back. Since we've decided to be together, I will never allow even the slightest wavering or betrayal in my mind."
Her voice wasn't loud, but every word was like a hard stone hitting solid ground—crisp, decisive, and carrying a stubborn and pure determination to either trust completely or break off entirely.
"You better remember this: in my world, Xu Zhili, sincerity is exchanged for sincerity, and honesty for honesty. If you ever dare to stray from the right path or develop feelings for someone else..."
Her eyes flashed with a sharpness, and the coldness and determination that came from the end times were inadvertently revealed. "I will never cry or make a fuss, nor will I tolerate anything, but I will make you know the price in my own way."
The stubbornness and undisguised possessiveness in these words sound somewhat unlike the reserved and gentle manner that is generally admired in this era, yet strangely they carry a heavy, unreserved sense of importance.
This straightforward honesty is more real and more impactful than any fancy promise.
"Xie Yunce, then I will be your partner. I will spend the rest of my life with you. Please take good care of me."
"Xu Zhili, I am your boyfriend. I will spend the rest of my life with you. Please take good care of me."
The two held each other's hands, their eyes meeting as if they had already said a thousand words.
The afterglow of the setting sun shone on them, casting long, intertwined shadows, just like the promise they had just made.
"Xie Yunce, it's getting dark soon. Let's go check on the decommissioned military vehicles first, then go back."
As Xu Zhili spoke, her fingers tightened slightly, grasping Xie Yunce's large hand.
Now that she had decided to be with him, she no longer wanted to worry about those rules and regulations.
His hands were warm and rough, with calluses from years of training, yet they gave her a strange sense of peace.
Xie Yunze looked down at her hand that she had taken, and his cold, hard features softened unconsciously.
"Okay, I'll take you there."
He carefully took her hand and led her toward the warehouse area of the arsenal.
When they arrived at the warehouse in the arsenal that Xu Zhili had reserved for her research projects, Director Chen of the military region's arsenal was already waiting there.
He was a middle-aged man in his forties, wearing faded work clothes, with a warm smile on his face.
"Director Chen, this is Xu Zhili, a technician from the county machinery factory and also a technical consultant for the textile factory. She is from the Xiangyang Brigade of educated youth sent to the countryside in Hunan Province."
Xie Yunze introduced it solemnly.
Then he said to Xu Zhili, "Comrade Xu Zhili, this is Director Chen of the military region's arsenal."
"Comrade Xu Zhili, I've long admired your name."
Factory Director Chen warmly extended his hand, saying, "We've all heard about your technological innovations at the machinery factory, but we didn't expect you to be so young."
Xu Zhili shook hands with him politely: "Director Chen, you flatter me. I am just doing my best to contribute to the construction of our motherland."
After exchanging pleasantries, Director Chen led them into the warehouse: "Comrade Xu Zhili, the decommissioned military vehicle you requested is ready, take a look..."
When the jeep came into view, Xu Zhili couldn't help but twitch her lips.
This vehicle is more than just "obsolete"; it's in a truly appalling state.
The roof was gone, the body was dented and the paint was peeling off so much that its original color was no longer visible, the tires were flat and limp on the ground, and the foam on the driver's seat was exposed.
"Xie Yunze, are you sure this is a decommissioned military vehicle that you applied for, and not one that you salvaged from a junkyard?"
Xu Zhili walked around the car, her brows furrowing deeper and deeper.
Xie Yunze coughed lightly, somewhat embarrassed: "This was indeed obtained through the proper procedures. Although it looks old and worn, the factory manager said the engine is not completely scrapped yet."
Xu Zhili squatted down and carefully inspected the chassis and engine area.
She reached out and wiped the dust off the hood, revealing the rusty surface underneath.
“This car has been idle for at least two years,” she said professionally. “Look at the degree of rust here, and the aging of the tires.”
She stood up, dusted off her hands, and her eyes gradually brightened: "But then again, the more dilapidated something is in my hands, the more room there is for transformation."
She had already begun to conceive of renovation plans in her mind.
Xie Yunze breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that she hadn't given up: "Then do you think it can still be used?"
"It'll be alright," Xu Zhili tilted her head and examined the vehicle. "The engine may need a major overhaul, the transmission system also needs to be checked, and the entire body needs to be re-welded and reinforced."
As she spoke, she walked to the driver's seat and tried to open the car door. The door made a harsh "creaking" sound and was barely opened halfway.
"It seems the first step is to fix the car door," she muttered to herself, completely absorbed in her technical thoughts and forgetting the two people beside her.
Factory Director Chen and Xie Yunze exchanged a smile and neither of them disturbed her.
The setting sun shone through the warehouse window, casting a golden halo on Xu Zhili's focused profile.
Xie Yunze looked at her earnest expression, his eyes softening with tenderness.
“Xie Yunce,” Xu Zhili suddenly turned her head, her eyes sparkling.
"Although this car is old, its basic structure is still intact. Give me some time, and I'm sure I can fix it."
Seeing her confident demeanor, Xie Yunze felt a surge of warmth in his heart and nodded solemnly: "I believe in you."
"That's wonderful, Comrade Xu Zhili."
Factory Director Chen's face was full of praise, and his tone was full of admiration. "The automatic spinning machine modification you did at the machinery factory has even been circulated within our military region. I really didn't expect you to be so young yet so capable. You are truly a force to be reckoned with!"
As he spoke, he pulled a pack of "Da Qianmen" cigarettes from his work jacket pocket and handed it to Xie Yunce.
Xie Yunze waved his hand to decline, so Director Chen took out a cigarette, lit it, and took a deep drag. The smile lines at the corners of his eyes relaxed in the smoke.
"Director Chen, you flatter me too much. I only did what I could. As a sent-down youth, it was my duty to contribute to rural development. These are all things I should do."
Xu Zhili spoke sincerely, her eyes filled with enthusiasm for this land, without the slightest hint of taking credit.
Xu Zhili smiled slightly, but her gaze was unconsciously drawn to the beat-up jeep. "Our country is currently in a period of construction, and everyone should do their best to make the most of their talents."
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