Chapter Thirteen: A Chance Encounter

That evening, Director Yang returned home, set down his bag, and, seeing Yang Yue inside, immediately asked, "Xiaoyue, did you deliver the things to Xiaohui?"

He trusted Yang Yue, but still had to check, given the importance of the matter.

"Yes, I went straight there after leaving you. We've booked our train tickets and will leave a week from now," Yang Yue replied, putting down her book.

They could have waited a little longer, but it was clear that Yang Hui couldn't afford to delay any further; he needed to report to Base 0011 as soon as possible. The five-year arrangement had already begun counting down. He couldn't waste time, and the aviation industry, so desperate for revitalization, couldn't allow him to hesitate either.

"It's good to go early. They need all the manpower they can get. Your arrival will ease their burden and speed up progress," Director Yang nodded, viewing the situation from a professional standpoint and agreeing with the decision to leave soon.

"But when the time comes, it'll just be Old Li and me—just two old men—seeing you off. Your grandmother and your parents won't be able to make it back. Looks like in a few days, I'll have to finish that half-bottle of wine with Old Li," Director Yang added with a chuckle. In the end, it was Yang Hui who would benefit from Yueyue's culinary skills.

Hearing the slight note of jealousy in her grandfather's voice, Yang Yue quickly said, "Grandpa, I'll make you delicious meals every day for the next few days. After this, Yang Hui might not even get to eat as well as you!"

"Good..." Director Yang beamed like a child with candy, delighted beyond measure.

…

Days passed in a flash.

"Xiaoyue, Xiaohui, you must work hard when you get there. Support each other," Director Yang exhorted them earnestly. Watching the two young people leave, he felt a deep sense of reluctance.

"We will, and don’t worry, Grandpa Yang. I’ll take good care of Xiaoyue," Yang Hui promised, reaching behind to wrap his arm tightly around Yang Yue’s shoulders.

At this moment, Yang Yue made no effort to hide her emotions. She let Yang Hui hold her. "Grandpas, we’re off. Please take care of yourselves," she managed, tears welling up in her eyes.

The scene grew a little out of control, and the old man stepped forward and patted Yang Hui.

"Boy, you’re a grown man now. You need to show some backbone, protect Xiaoyue, and don’t let her suffer. Remember to write when you get there."

Yang Hui, who had been raised by his grandfather, felt a surge of emotion.

Tears streamed down his face. "Grandpa, I cried before I went to college and you said I was useless. Now I’m crying again. I just can’t help it! Who knows how long it’ll be before I can come back this time..."

"Go on now, and watch out for train delays. We won’t see you off any further." With that, he waved and immediately turned away, taking Old Li with him.

After walking a while,

"Hey, Old Li, why are you crying? Have some dignity! Haven’t we been through enough farewells?" Yang’s grandfather teased, pointing a finger at Old Li in mock disdain.

"Nonsense, it’s just the wind. You’re the one crying, but you turned it on me first," Old Li shot back instantly.

"I wasn’t! Like you said, it’s the wind. Got some grit in my eyes," he replied, rubbing his eyes for effect.

The two old men bantered and laughed, exchanging playful accusations. In the end, they helped each other along as they left.

"Let’s go. There’s still more than half a bottle of that wine Xiaohui brought last time. Let’s have a drink."

The two old friends continued down the road, bickering all the way...

…

They picked up their luggage, wiped away their tears.

"Yueyue, let’s go. No need to look back—they’re gone now. We’ll come back if we get the chance." Yang Yue gently picked up her little bag and followed Yang Hui toward the station.

"Come on, Yueyue, get in. It’s pretty crowded," Yang Hui said, pushing through the throng to clear a path and let Yang Yue sit by the window. This was his promise to his two grandfathers who had always believed in him; it was also a man’s duty to care for his woman.

Finally, the carriage fell quiet again. After the earlier bustle, everyone seemed exhausted.

"Yang Hui, are we really about to start a new life like this? I’m a little uneasy," Yang Yue whispered, leaning into Yang Hui. She found that, next to him, she felt safe—her worries eased.

Feeling the weight on his shoulder—Yang Yue’s head—Yang Hui was overcome by a fierce urge to protect this woman. From this moment on, it was almost settled: she was his.

"Don’t worry. When we get there, I’ll be with you. And we’ll have the people at Base 0011 who share our ideals," he said softly, comforting her as she drifted off to sleep...

"Yueyue, wake up, time to eat," Yang Hui said, putting down his book and gently rousing her.

"Oh! I slept so long. Let’s eat," Yang Yue replied, sitting up with a lazy stretch.

They began their meal. After all, in those days, taking the train from the capital to the deep southwest was a long journey—a real endurance test.

"Are you two newlyweds?" came a question from across the compartment.

Yang Hui looked up to see a middle-aged man with a scholarly air, gazing at them with a knowing smile. In an instant, he understood.

"Yes, we are," Yang Hui answered. Even as he confirmed it, he eyed the man warily. The man seemed oddly familiar, though—where had he seen him before?

"Ah, don’t mind me. Let me introduce myself," the man said.

"No need to look at me like that. I was just interested because of the book you were reading. My name is Xue Chishou, I’m also in aviation, so I was curious," he added with a good-natured smile.

No wonder Yang Hui found him familiar—it was Xue Chishou, from Chengdu Aircraft Company, though back then it wasn’t called that yet. He was the chief engineer of Project Ten. That explained it.

In his previous life, Yang Hui had worked at the Test Flight Institute and hadn’t interacted much with Chief Engineer Xue—just glimpsed him a few times during factory test flights in Chengdu. That’s why he remembered him.

"Oh, that explains it. I was puzzled why someone I didn’t know would suddenly strike up a conversation. Sorry, Mr. Xue, I hope you don’t mind," Yang Hui replied cautiously. And why wouldn’t he be cautious? The man had worked in the field for years and his later achievements were well-earned. Yang Hui might accomplish much in this life, but at this moment he was just a fresh university graduate.

At this point, Yang Yue had finished eating and looked up to study the middle-aged man across from them, having caught only that his surname was Xue.

"Hello, Mr. Xue," she said politely.

"Ah, sorry for being a bit forward just now. I hope you won’t take offense," Chief Engineer Xue apologized.

"Let me introduce myself as well. My name is Yang Hui, and as you guessed, I studied aviation, graduated from Northwestern Polytechnical University. This is my girlfriend, Yang Yue, she graduated from Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, also in aviation," Yang Hui explained, realizing he hadn’t introduced them yet.

Chief Engineer Xue smiled broadly. Fellow professionals—and one from his own alma mater, no less! What a coincidence.

"Ha! So both of you are in aviation. This is what they call: birds of a feather flock together, even on a train. And this young man is my fellow alumnus! You’re so diligent, studying even on the train—I’m sure you’ll go far," he praised generously. And it was well-deserved. In ’77 and ’78, the college entrance exam had only just been reinstated, with more applicants than ever and a much higher degree of difficulty. The age gap among students was wide, and most had endured great hardship, making them strong in every sense. University spots were scarce, so those who made it were truly capable. Later generations would say that the most valuable university graduates in China were those from the first twenty years after the founding of the country and those who entered right after the exam was reinstated.

"Oh, I didn’t expect we’d meet a senior today. I majored in aircraft design, and my boyfriend studied aerodynamics, though he also studied engines," Yang Yue explained, since Yang Hui had already introduced her.

"Both are excellent fields, but in the end, it comes down to your own efforts and the direction you choose. When I studied, there weren’t so many specializations—we learned in great breadth, and then focused depending on the needs of our work," Chief Engineer Xue shared. Meeting young colleagues on the train, he naturally wanted to offer some guidance and advice—after all, it was a pleasure to help the next generation and pass the time. Otherwise, what kind of senior would he be, even if he felt a bit unworthy of the title?

"I agree. For example, I studied aerodynamics, but I also studied aircraft engines and have a real passion for it. That’s why I’ve been assigned to the Engine Institute at Base 0011," Yang Hui replied, using himself as an example to illustrate his agreement.

"Ah, so you’ve learned quite a lot! That’ll make job placement easy," Chief Engineer Xue laughed.

…

The three of them chatted cheerfully throughout the journey, until the train finally arrived in Chengdu.

"Oh, we’re in Chengdu already. This is the first time the train has felt fast," Yang Yue remarked.

"It is. This is my stop. When you get to Base 0011, work hard. At first, I thought you were headed to Institute 0611 here in Chengdu, and I was thrilled for a while! Well, I won’t keep you—do your best. We’ll surely meet again," Chief Engineer Xue said, waving as he stepped off the train.

With the composure of a great engineer, he waved goodbye—leaving not even a wisp of cloud behind.