Chapter Sixty-Four: Encountering a Divine Being

Yang Hui had just started to withdraw his head when, unexpectedly, a discordant voice intruded.

“Stop looking already. Do you think you can decide the schedule for work trips? And you keep saying you’ll get things done quickly. What can you even accomplish? You’re just an errand boy.”

Facing Deputy Director Li seated across from him, Yang Hui felt completely speechless. This man was already set to be transferred, yet he still had so much to say—what was the point in exchanging words with him now?

Indeed, the one who had just spoken was none other than Deputy Director Li, the man who had vehemently opposed Yang Hui’s previous proposal for the model aircraft project. Now that his gilded tenure was up, he was about to be recalled to the capital, and as fate would have it, they happened to cross paths. It was truly Yang Hui’s misfortune.

Yang Hui kept his silence, but that didn’t mean Director Bai, sitting beside him, would do the same. He’d long had a distaste for this parachuted superior; now that Li was leaving, there was no need for further restraint.

“Li Jin, all he did was say a few words to his partner—don’t start accusing people for no reason. Yang Hui hasn’t done anything to you. Now that you’re leaving, let’s just part on good terms.”

Having already collected all his personnel files, Li Jin was officially no longer connected to the institute, so he hardly cared about his former superior now. Upon hearing Bai’s words, Li Jin retorted viciously.

“Hmph! The lot of you, all in cahoots, neglecting your proper duties—a bunch of parasites wasting state funds and resources. You’re classic saboteurs, undermining socialism, the very seed of capitalism. When I get back, I’ll be sure to report you all.”

Yang Hui and Director Bai both shot sidelong glances at their former colleague, their expressions betraying a sense that only now did they truly see him for who he was. After a pause, neither said another word, each returning to his own affairs, treating Li as little more than a thankless wretch—air.

But the looks on their faces, and their subsequent gestures of disdain, wounded Li Jin deeply, delivering a blow from which he could hardly recover. Unable to restrain himself, he finally burst out in profanity.

“You—You people really are scoundrels from backwater hills! Why did I ever come to such a place, working with you for years?”

Watching Li Jin continue to rant despite being ignored, Yang Hui could only marvel at his persistence.

Turning to Director Bai, Yang Hui exchanged a helpless, wry smile. Director Bai responded with a deep sigh and a shake of the head.

“Ah...”

Yang Hui could only close his eyes to rest, while Director Bai took out the book he’d borrowed from Yang Hui two days earlier and began to read intently. After glancing at it yesterday, Director Bai had been thoroughly captivated; now, with several days ahead, he would not let the opportunity slip by.

Seeing that the two remained utterly indifferent, Li Jin fell silent at last, though his inner grumbling only intensified: Still putting on airs, reading on a train—do they really think they can ignore the noise and jostling? Let’s see how long before their eyes give out.

And so, for the rest of the journey, Yang Hui and Director Bai had no idea how many silent curses their former colleague hurled at them.

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“Director, we’ve arrived in the capital. Shall we head to the guesthouse first?”

It had been many years since the director last visited the capital. Ever since he’d gone to support the Third Front in the southwest, he hadn’t returned to the north. Whenever business called for a trip to the capital, he always let the technical staff attend the conferences; this was the sole exception. This time, no technical work was required—it was simply a matter of visiting ministries.

“It’s been so long since I’ve been up north, I’ve nearly forgotten the feel of it. Let’s go, we’ll settle into the guesthouse first, and tomorrow see Chief Engineer Wu. Since it’s afternoon, why don’t you come with me to visit Director Yang later? It wasn’t easy to get all six of you from your cohort transferred. I owe Director Yang some thanks for his trust.”

Though Director Bai put it so graciously—saying he wanted to thank Director Yang—Yang Hui knew full well that the director was going to plead poverty and lay the groundwork for recruiting next year’s graduates.

Still, Yang Hui had no objection; after all, bringing new people to the institute was a blessing. With the model aircraft sales, they’d never be short of funds, and having meaningful work was far preferable to being assigned to a poorly funded research institute and spending the days drinking tea. In a way, this was a means of safeguarding talent for the aviation industry, keeping their edge sharp through the bleak years of the defense sector. Yang Hui readily agreed.

“All right, we’ll follow your lead. After we drop our things at the guesthouse, we’ll visit Director Yang. Since we’re all in the same system, it’ll be convenient.”

It was still the 1980s, and the administrative systems in the capital hadn’t yet undergone significant reform. Guesthouses for internal staff were common, serving those on business from within the system. After arranging for the director to settle in, Yang Hui accompanied him to Director Yang’s office.

When he reached the entrance to the office building, Yang Hui was momentarily taken aback. What was this—“National Defense Science and Technology Industrial Committee of the People’s Liberation Army”? The name was unfamiliar. Then he remembered: Director Yang had mentioned that the Military Commission’s Science and Equipment Committee was being merged. Apparently, this was the newly formed entity.

After several rounds of renaming, this ministry would eventually become known as the National Defense Science and Technology Industry Commission. The merger had begun in ’82, but due to its size, it wasn’t finalized until ’83.

Now, Yang Hui had no idea where to find Director Yang. Inquiries here would lead nowhere; the only option was to consult the old man at home and adjust their plans accordingly.

“Director, Director Yang’s unit has merged, and we can’t find him at the moment. We’ll have to visit Chief Engineer Wu first, and tonight I’ll ask my family for information.”

Director Bai, seeing the unfamiliar name above the door, agreed to the change of plans, and they headed to the Ministry of Aviation Industry.

In the capital, such bureaucratic complexity was unavoidable. Still, it wasn’t entirely a bad thing; overlapping responsibilities among ministries ensured that no one department could wield too much power. If not for this, Yang Hui would never have so easily persuaded Director Yang to change his work assignment—the overlap made it possible.

The Ministry of Aerospace was easier to navigate; it had simply been renamed from the Third Ministry of Machinery, with little else changed, and the two men soon found Chief Engineer Wu’s office: “Office of the Standing Committee of the Science and Technology Commission, Ministry of Aviation.”

This was Wu’s main position after his transfer back to the capital. Yang Hui knocked, and from within came a robust, familiar voice he’d last heard months ago—full of vigor.

“Come in.”

Yang Hui ushered the director in first. Though Director Bai was not a stickler for formalities, this was not his turf, so it was best to follow protocol. He smiled at Yang Hui, increasingly pleased by the young man’s thoughtfulness, then stepped inside.

Seeing a middle-aged stranger enter, Chief Engineer Wu greeted them in a businesslike manner.

“Hello, and you are—wait, Yang Hui? Why are you back? Weren’t you stationed in the southwest?”

Wu had barely finished speaking when he caught sight of Yang Hui following behind, and his tone turned to one of surprise.

He hadn’t expected that, despite having lost the sight in one eye during the Revolution, Wu’s remaining eye was still so sharp—he recognized Yang Hui at once. Yang Hui stepped forward and explained, in brief, the reason for their trip to the capital.

Before Yang Hui finished, having only introduced Director Bai, Wu’s gaze fixed on the director, scrutinizing him before finally confirming his identity.

“So it’s you, Bai! After all these years, I hardly recognized you.”

Hearing the familiar address, Director Bai was moved almost to tears.

“Chief Wu, you still remember me? Back at Institute 0606, you always called me that—it brings back memories.”

Wu’s reputation as “the father of the Republic’s jet engines” was well-earned, not only for his early and pivotal work in engine development but also for his nurturing of younger talent. Many who later advanced the field of jet engines across the country had, in some way, studied under him.

Knowing the two had come for official business, Wu set aside reminiscences for later.

“Alright, have a seat. Let’s get down to business now—there’ll be time to catch up after hours. I have all the time in the world.”

With the conversation turning to business, the director produced a project proposal from his bag and handed it over to Wu, signaling for Yang Hui to do the same.

Opening his own bag, Yang Hui carefully took out a metal object and placed it on Wu’s desk with the utmost care.

Wu, still reading the project documents, heard the object set down and looked over. Years of experience told him at a glance what it was, and he asked in astonishment,

“Is this a turbojet engine?”