Chapter Forty-Nine: The Trio

The dinner that evening lasted less than an hour. It was simply a group of people eating and chatting; it felt less like a formal banquet and more akin to a leisurely tea gathering.

After the dinner ended, Zhang Mingyang returned to his dormitory, preparing to rest. As soon as he entered, his communicator rang. He glanced at it—an unfamiliar number.

“Hello, who is this?”

“Are you Mr. Zhang Mingyang?” came a deep, magnetic male voice.

“Yes, that’s me. Who is this?” Zhang Mingyang replied.

“Hello, Mr. Zhang, this is Tian Wenyuan from the Power Department. I’m calling to let you know that tomorrow morning at eight o’clock, we’ll meet at the airport.”

Ah, so it was a notice about tomorrow’s departure. Zhang Mingyang answered, “Alright, Mr. Tian. Is there anything I need to bring tomorrow—clothes or anything?”

Tian Wenyuan replied, “It’s best to bring some. We’re not sure how long we’ll be gone, so pack a few clothes just in case.”

“Alright, see you at the airport at eight tomorrow.”

“Very good.”

After hanging up, Zhang Mingyang dragged out his suitcase, packed a few clothes, and set it by the door, ready to take it with him in the morning. Once finished, he sent brief messages to his professor and Qian Zhongshu, explaining his situation—essentially asking for leave.

With everything prepared, Zhang Mingyang stepped into the bathroom for a hot shower, then climbed into bed. No sooner had he lain down than something poked him from beneath. Sitting up to check, he discovered it was the book, “Resource Game.”

He looked at the book, debating whether to bring it along. “I’ll take it with me, might as well finish it if I have the time.”

With that, he got up again and tucked the book into his suitcase. Lying back in bed, he gazed at the moon outside the window, and before long, drifted into sleep.

…

The next morning, Zhang Mingyang rose early, ate breakfast, and started toward the airport with his suitcase. Entering the tunnel, he spotted Bai Muqing standing at the opposite entrance, glancing around anxiously as if waiting for someone.

Seeing her, Zhang Mingyang quickly ducked out of sight, hiding in a corner of the tunnel and peering around to observe her movements.

“Looks like Bamboo is waiting for me. How did she know I’d be leaving today?”

Zhang Mingyang, ever imaginative, began to speculate. Soon, a young man approached Bai Muqing. Upon seeing him, her demeanor changed instantly; she greeted him with a smile.

“What’s going on here?” Zhang Mingyang wondered. He’d never heard that Bamboo had a boyfriend, but their conversation certainly resembled that between lovers.

“Mr. Zhang, is that you?” Two men with suitcases stood beside Zhang Mingyang and addressed him.

Zhang Mingyang looked at them, puzzled. “And you are?”

The leader set down his suitcase and extended his hand. “I’m Tian Wenyuan; I called you last night.”

“Oh, hello, Mr. Tian.” Zhang Mingyang hurriedly shook his hand. “What’s—?”

Tian Wenyuan eyed Zhang Mingyang, who was hiding behind a corner, and asked, “Is something the matter?”

“No, no,” Zhang Mingyang stepped out from the corner, replying awkwardly, “I dropped something earlier, just picking it up.”

“But I saw you peeking over there,” Tian Wenyuan said, pointing toward Bai Muqing.

His comment made Zhang Mingyang even more embarrassed. He quickly glanced at his watch and said, “It’s almost eight o’clock, Mr. Tian. Let’s hurry.”

With that, Zhang Mingyang led the two men toward the airport. As they passed through the tunnel, he glanced at Bai Muqing, who seemed not to notice him, continuing her conversation with the young man.

As the trio walked past Bai Muqing, Zhang Mingyang felt a strange unease. Recently, Bai Muqing had sought him out almost daily for a chat in his dorm, yet today, she must have seen him but chose not to acknowledge him.

When they had gone some distance, Zhang Mingyang stole a glance behind him. Well, with such a handsome companion, why would she bother with him?

Soon, they arrived at the airport, where the plane was already waiting. Guided by airport staff, they boarded.

Once seated, Tian Wenyuan and the other man walked over.

“Mr. Zhang, let me introduce,” Tian Wenyuan said, pointing to the man beside him. “Peng Dongli, from our base’s Second Factory, a materials scientist.”

“Mr. Peng, hello, hello.” Zhang Mingyang quickly stood to shake his hand.

“I’ve long heard there’s a remarkably young energy scientist in our base. Now I see it’s true,” Peng Dongli remarked.

Peng’s sudden compliment embarrassed Zhang Mingyang, who waved his hand. “I’m hardly an energy scientist. Compared to the experts in our department, I’m nothing—like wielding a sword before Guan Yu, not worth mentioning.”

“You’re too modest, Mr. Zhang, far too modest,” Peng Dongli replied, and the three shared a laugh.

“Let’s not stand around, sit and chat,” Tian Wenyuan said, gesturing for everyone to take a seat.

“Which school did you graduate from, Mr. Zhang?” Peng Dongli asked.

“Oh, please don’t call me ‘Mr. Zhang,’ it makes me uncomfortable. You’re older than I am—just call me Xiao Zhang.”

Peng Dongli waved his hand. “No, that won’t do. How about this: I’ll call you Brother Zhang, you call me Brother Peng. We’re all of similar age—brothers is fine.”

Zhang Mingyang and Tian Wenyuan nodded in agreement—it made sense.

Zhang Mingyang replied, “Actually, I haven’t graduated yet. I’m still a third-year student at North China United University.”

“You’re at North China United?” Tian Wenyuan looked surprised, and so did Peng Dongli.

Both said at once, “Me too.”

“What are the odds?” Zhang Mingyang exclaimed, surprised to find both men were from his university.

“Then I should call you both senior brothers.”

Peng Dongli replied, “I graduated in ’33 with a doctorate in Advanced Materials.”

Tian Wenyuan said, “I graduated in ’35 with a doctorate in Aerospace Engineering.”

Zhang Mingyang responded, “Still studying, ’40, Energy Department.”

With introductions made, it was clear they were all from the same school.

“Fate, indeed!”

Three alumni, working together—it promised good conversation. Zhang Mingyang hadn’t expected to meet two senior brothers in such a place; he was elated. North China United was founded late, and he’d always thought only he and his professor were from there.

“Brother Peng, Brother Tian, are you the only ones from your departments?”

They shook their heads. Tian Wenyuan replied, “There are a few more in the Power Department, but not as many as from other schools. Our university was founded late, after all.”

Peng Dongli nodded, “Same with our department—four in total, including myself, but most are in leadership roles.”