Chapter Sixty-Three: Academician Sun

“Senior Brother, what… what was that?”
Peng Dongli sat on the ground, clutching his stomach and laughing. “Junior Brother, don’t worry about it. Wenwen just has that kind of personality. If you two get along, it’d be great for you to pair up.”
Watching Sun Wenwen work earnestly at the bench, recalling her earlier aloof demeanor, Zhang Mingyang shivered involuntarily, silently reminding himself that this woman was not to be trifled with.
“Ah, Peng’s here.”
An elderly man in a red protective suit stepped out from the module.
Peng Dongli glanced at him, quickly scrambled to his feet, and hurried over.
“Elder Sun!”
His attitude was deeply respectful, cautiously shaking the old man’s hand.
“Good, I’m glad you’ve arrived.”
Elder Sun smiled at Peng Dongli, then turned to look at Zhang Mingyang. “Peng, who is this?”
Peng Dongli hastily pulled Zhang Mingyang over. “Elder Sun, this is Zhang Mingyang, our base’s energy engineer. He’s joining me for the factory inspection.”
Noticing Peng Dongli’s respect, Zhang Mingyang realized this elder must be extraordinary and quickly mimicked Peng’s demeanor, respectfully shaking the old man’s hand.
“Junior Brother, this is Academician Sun Wentai from the Institute of Electronics. He’s a leading figure in our country’s electronics industry. He contributed to the design of our domestic early-warning radars, satellite electronics, and the command system for the Oceanic.”
Hearing his senior’s introduction, Zhang Mingyang was startled; he hadn’t expected the old man before him to be so accomplished.
“Greetings, Academician Sun.”
Sun took Zhang Mingyang’s hand, studying his face—it reminded him of someone, though he couldn’t quite place it.
“Elder Sun, you’re over eighty. Why do you still operate everything yourself? Why not let your students handle the installation?”
Sun waved his hand. “Some precision equipment must be handled personally. This project is extraordinary. Our country has invested immense resources; I cannot allow my department to become a liability.”
“Yes… yes.”
Peng Dongli nodded in agreement. “But you must take care of your health. Wenwen’s right here, you could let her do it!”

When Sun Wenwen was mentioned, the academician laughed. “Let’s not talk about that little lazy cat. She works one day and rests two. If we followed her pace, the project would be delayed a year.”
“Huh?”
Sun looked around, not finding Wenwen, and asked, “Did either of you see Wenwen just now?”
Peng Dongli quickly replied, “Yes, she chatted with us for a bit. Right as you came out, she went inside.”
“Oh.”
“That little lazy cat has real talent in electronics, but she’s just too lazy. If I don’t keep an eye on her, who knows where she’ll run off to.”
The three of them laughed together.
“Oh, right.”
Peng Dongli suddenly remembered something. He took out his laptop, opened a program, and showed it to Sun.
“Elder Sun, this is something Academician Wang from our base wanted you to see. Here is some data from an engine experiment conducted by the Power Department. Could you check if it can be integrated with your control system?”
Sun took out his glasses, studied the data on the laptop, then called over a staff member to bring his own computer for a comparison.
He carefully examined the data from both sides, opened a simulator, and performed a control simulation. The results showed no issues.
“No problem.”
Sun removed his glasses. “Tell Old Wang that whenever there’s new experimental data, he should send it to me immediately, so I can adjust the controller electronics accordingly.”
“Certainly, Elder Sun.”
Peng Dongli packed away the laptop, glanced at the time, and saw it was nearly eleven.
“Elder Sun, it’s almost noon. Please go have lunch first—your health matters most.”
Sun checked his watch. “It’s still early. I usually eat in the afternoon. If you’re hungry, Wenwen can take you to the cafeteria; the food here is better than at my own home.”
Peng Dongli quickly waved his hand. “No need for us. We’re heading to the Mobei Base soon to check on the shell materials.”
Hearing they had more work, Sun did not insist. “Then go ahead. I’ll head back in to oversee things.”

“Alright, Elder Sun, we’ll take our leave. When the project is completed, we’ll visit you again.”
With that, Peng Dongli and Zhang Mingyang said their farewells and left the room.
As they departed, Sun thought about Zhang Mingyang—he felt a strange familiarity upon first seeing him, as if he resembled someone, though he couldn’t recall whom.
…
Leaving the core area, the two entered the changing room outside.
Sitting on a bench, Zhang Mingyang asked Peng Dongli, “Senior Brother, did Academician Sun participate in the construction of the Oceanic?”
Peng Dongli nodded. “For the current Energy spaceship project, quite a few people who worked on the Oceanic twenty years ago are involved—perhaps over a thousand.”
Zhang Mingyang continued, “How many worked with Wang Huairen?”
“With Wang Huairen?”
Peng Dongli thought for a moment. “Not many. Wang Huairen was a top-secret figure back then; hardly anyone knew of his existence. Those who worked with him include Academician Sun from the Institute of Electronics, Master Wan from the plate rolling machine, our base’s Director Wang Bowen, Minister Qian Zhongshu from the Energy Department, Minister Zhou Yifan from the Power Design Department, and Director Tian Wanli from the Space Agency. These are the people I know. As for who actually met him, I’m not sure.”
Listening to these names, Zhang Mingyang realized they were all department heads and giants in their fields. Each had worked with Wang Huairen and, influenced by him, became leaders at the forefront of science.
Seeing Zhang Mingyang lost in thought, Peng Dongli nudged him. “What’s wrong? What are you thinking so deeply about?”
Zhang Mingyang snapped out of it. “Nothing, just pondering something.”
“What’s that? Are you wondering when Sun Wenwen will contact you?”
At the mention of Sun Wenwen, Zhang Mingyang recalled earlier events, complaining, “Senior Brother, why didn’t you help me out? How can two strangers suddenly be expected to date?”
Peng Dongli laughed. “I was just introducing you two. Now you have her contact and she has yours. Just talk—every couple starts by talking before they marry.”
“But…”
Zhang Mingyang shook his head helplessly. “I feel nervous just seeing her. Did you see her aura just now? She radiates coldness.”