Chapter Twelve: Yang Yue’s Own Stubbornness

All the way back home, Yang Yue wrestled with a decision in her heart.

“You’re back,” Director Yang called as he stepped out from inside.

“Mm!” Yang Yue replied distractedly, her mind elsewhere.

Noticing her demeanor, Director Yang was puzzled. What was going on with these young people now? They really were a handful.

“What’s wrong this time? Did Yang Hui bully you? Tell me and I’ll set him straight.”

“No, Grandpa… Is it true that Yang Hui is really going to Base 0011?”

At that, Director Yang immediately understood the cause of her distress. He laughed, “Ah, so that’s it. I wondered what was bothering you. Don’t worry, he didn’t lie to you this time. It all has to go through me; he couldn’t fool you even if he tried.” He spoke with the confidence of someone in control, reassuring his granddaughter.

After hearing this, Yang Yue finally understood—he really hadn’t lied to her this time.

“Sigh! That’s so far away! I’ve heard things aren’t great over there. I don’t know what he’s thinking,” Yang Yue muttered to herself, unable to make sense of it.

“It’s not quite like that,” Director Yang replied. “Base 0011 is still newly established and sorely lacking in research talent. I’ve read his papers—he’s gifted. Yang Hui might truly accomplish something there. Otherwise, I’d never let him go.”

Clearly, Director Yang had a deep understanding of Yang Hui’s work, and had analyzed the situation and reasons for his transfer.

After a moment’s thought, Yang Yue asked, “Grandpa, is it really alright over there? I’ve heard it doesn’t compare to the North in any way!”

“It’s nothing to worry about. Young people should venture out, be a little reckless while they’re still young. Otherwise, when you’re old, you’ll have too many regrets.” As he spoke, Director Yang seemed invigorated by his own words.

Yang Yue quietly pondered this—youth should be reckless just once. What about herself?

“Grandpa, isn’t there an Aircraft Research Institute at Base 0011 in GZ? And it’s close to the Engine Institute No. 2 as well.” Yang Yue suddenly looked up, as if she’d made a decision.

Director Yang’s heart skipped a beat. Suddenly, he regretted his own encouragement, a wave of helplessness washing over him. So his granddaughter was determined to follow him.

With a deep sigh, he said, “Yes, there is such an institute, and there are still plenty of research projects underway. I’ve received countless requests for more staff—they’re always short-handed. I never thought…”

He looked at Yang Yue, his expression saying he understood. Yang Yue, too, dropped any pretense.

“Alright, Grandpa, I’ve decided to go with Yang Hui to Base 0011. There’s work suitable for me there, and as you said, young people should be bold once in their lives,” Yang Yue declared crisply, showing the decisiveness of a northern woman.

As expected, Yang Yue would follow Yang Hui to the far southwestern Base 0011.

“That’s your decision. I can’t say much now—you’ll have to convince your parents. They think you’re going to Feng Tian. It’s up to you how you explain.”

Yang Yue wasn’t worried about that; she knew how to handle her parents. In truth, they seldom meddled—both were in the military, and she’d been raised by her grandparents.

“That’s no problem. I’ll persuade them easily. They probably won’t even ask. They’ve never really managed me since I was little.” Yang Yue was brimming with confidence.

“Well then, Grandpa, could you arrange my transfer as well? I haven’t even reported to Feng Tian yet, and all my documents are still with me. Just make the changes.” With that, she fetched her files from her room and then went off to do her own things.

Director Yang gathered both sets of documents to take to the office the next day. Watching Yang Yue’s departing figure, he felt a pang of reluctance.

Yang Hui, you’d better treat Xiao Yue well. If you ever wrong her, you’ll answer to me.

Director Yang stood up, lost in thought.

……

Sure enough, the next day Yang Yue easily convinced her parents. After informing Director Yang at the office, their documents were soon processed.

Handing the files to Yang Yue, Director Yang said, “Xiao Yue, this is your choice. Handle it well. By the way, find some time to deliver Yang Hui’s documents to him too.”

Turning away, Director Yang walked off to the side. After a moment’s thought, Yang Yue quickly headed out as well.

She picked up the phone on her desk. “Connect me to Chief Engineer Yu Ximing at Institute 1, Base 0011 in GZ.”

As soon as the call went through, Chief Engineer Yu Ximing’s voice rang out, “Ah, Director Yang! You’ve finally decided to call me. As I always say, we need people—young people!”

“My dear Chief Engineer Yu, how is the JJ-7 coming along? I’ve already arranged the young talents you requested,” replied Director Yang expansively. He was exhausted by these demands. With the recent restoration of the national college entrance exam, there was an immense need for university graduates everywhere. Base 0011 was no exception, constantly calling for more personnel.

“Really? Oh, Director Yang, I can’t thank you enough. Next time, drinks are on me. This is wonderful!” Director Yang could hear his delight even through the phone.

He thought for a moment and said, “Chief Yu, you know it’s hard to get people there for various reasons. But I’ll be frank—it’s because you haven’t made it attractive enough. You need to work on that. This time, I’m sending my granddaughter, who just graduated from Southern Aeronautical University, to your institute. You must achieve some results. I’m making a huge commitment here.”

Hearing this, Chief Engineer Yu, who knew Director Yang well, could barely contain himself. Though already in his fifties, he leapt to his feet, exclaiming, “Director Yang, don’t worry. Since you’re giving me such support, I will do my utmost to succeed. If I fail, you can have me removed.”

Such determination from a man in his fifties was truly moving.

“Good, that’s settled. I’ll be waiting for your good news,” Director Yang replied before hanging up.

……

Knock, knock, knock. “Yang Hui, open up, I brought your—”

Click.

Before she could finish, the door swung open and Yang Hui appeared.

“Oh, Yang Yue, you’re here. Come in!” Yang Hui welcomed her inside.

“Grandpa’s out playing chess today. Have some water,” he said, pouring her a glass.

“Thank you.” Yang Yue took the glass and drank. It seemed she really was thirsty after the day.

“I’m here to bring your documents. I don’t really know what it’s like over there. Anyway, I’ve spoken to Grandpa and I’m transferring too,” Yang Yue said, blushing as she cupped the glass.

“Yang Yue, are you sure you want to—”

“Are you still calling me Yang Yue?” She looked up, her cheeks flushed.

Yang Hui was moved. To have a woman like this—what more could he want? In his previous life, Yang Hui had gone on to graduate studies, and when he returned to Beijing in 1985, Yang Yue was already in Shenyang. He’d never known there was a woman waiting for him.

“Alright… Xiao Yue,” he said, summoning his courage.

“No, Xiao Yue is what Grandpa and the others call me. You’re not the same as them. Try something else.”

“Then… how about Yueyue?”

“Good. From now on, only you can call me that—unique and special,” Yang Yue said tenderly.

“Yueyue, if you’re not going to Shenyang and are coming with me to the southwest, where will you be assigned?” Yang Hui, snapping out of their little world, asked the question that concerned him most.

Hearing this, Yang Yue felt a flash of annoyance. He was so dense—always thinking of work.

Still, she answered, “I’ll be at Institute 1 of Base 0011. They’re working on the JJ-7, and I’ll be joining the project. You know, you tricked me into studying aeronautics, after all.”

After all, Southern Aeronautical University was mostly focused on aerospace. That was simply how assignments worked in those days. Nevertheless, Yang Yue had excelled at her studies—maybe not the very top, but certainly an outstanding student.

“But Grandpa said there’s still some distance between there and your Institute 2!” Yang Yue’s worries surfaced again. It seemed her intelligence had dropped a notch. Of course, no one had yet identified this phenomenon as a rule in those days.

After a long silence, Yang Hui replied, “Our engine plant is set up to supply your aircraft factory. There’ll be lots of business between us, so don’t worry. We’ll see each other often.”

Reassured by this, Yang Yue relaxed.

“So, when do we leave? Let’s go buy our tickets,” she said, already making plans for their journey to the southwest.

“Let’s stay a few more days. We’ll have to wait for tickets anyway,” Yang Hui said, standing up to put away the documents before heading out to book the tickets.

After locking the door, they walked out together. Yang Hui hesitated—after all that, maybe he should hold her hand? As they reached the main street, he made up his mind and reached for her hand.

“Yang Hui, what are you doing? There are so many people! You may have thick skin, but I don’t,” she said, pulling her hand away, cheeks flushed.

Only then did Yang Hui remember—he’d gotten ahead of himself. In those days, men and women were careful to keep their distance. Holding hands in public was quite daring.

“Oh, Yueyue, I was just—”

She cut him off, “I know what you mean. I’m just not used to it in public.” Her face reddened again as she spoke, and she turned away, marching on in silence.