Chapter 58: Walking Together

After seeing off the students who had come to visit, Principal Guo calmed his swirling thoughts and finished reading five papers; two of them formed a series, with sensors, chips, and robots as one group, while sensors, chips, a modified engine, and the electric scooter made up another.

"Excellent, excellent!" Principal Guo slapped the table and laughed heartily. All five papers had yielded tangible results; none were just theoretical with no practical achievements. The nation’s strength was within reach.

No, he had to seek out Old Ding. Such important papers required the utmost caution.

Cradling the papers as though they were treasures, Principal Guo made his way to Professor Ding’s office. "Old Ding!"

"Principal Guo, you’re here." Professor Ding had been speaking with Zhong Yuxiu; the two had only just returned, and were startled by the interruption. "You finished reading so quickly?"

"Indeed." Principal Guo handed the papers to Zhong Yuxiu. "Comrade Zhong, your papers are outstanding. Have you considered submitting them to the authorities for secure archiving?"

Zhong Yuxiu looked bewildered. "Submitting them for secure archiving?"

"Precisely. The value of your papers is incomparable. Our school may be strict, but it’s not without loopholes." If leaked, the heartache would be unimaginable.

"Didn’t I already apply for patents?"

Principal Guo was momentarily stunned, then burst into hearty laughter. "So you did. The authorities applied for patents for you?"

"Yes."

"That’s good. Once the patents are granted, other countries will have no way to steal them." When it comes to research achievements, whoever registers first gets the rights. The real fear is theft.

Professor Ding spoke up, "Principal Guo, the authorities have far broader channels for patent matters than we do. If you get a chance, ask when the electric scooter will be available; I’m itching with anticipation."

Principal Guo glanced at Zhong Yuxiu, noting her calm expression, as if unaware. "It’s really hard to ask about that. It’s only been a little over a month, even working overtime couldn’t produce much. The main issue is raw materials, and for now, the primary sales target is abroad."

Let them profit first; the domestic market can wait.

"Old Guo, we’ve been friends for so many years. When it comes out, can you get me one? I’ll pay." Before, he’d only heard people praise the electric scooter and could still resist the temptation. But after reading the papers, he was desperate—he couldn’t hold back!

Professor Ding was quite determined for the sake of a vehicle.

"It’s not about money." Principal Guo shook his head. He himself might not be able to secure one. "Let’s wait for its release; for now, everything is uncertain."

The word was that foreign buyers would get priority, while the domestic market would lag behind.

Professor Ding looked rather disappointed. "When it’s released, it’ll be even harder to get one."

"There’s nothing to be done!" Principal Guo’s face was full of helplessness. "Comrade Zhong, you’re the inventor..." He trailed off, chuckling awkwardly, his gaze full of inquiry.

Zhong Yuxiu smiled, "Actually, I do have one at home. Since it hasn’t been sold yet, it’s considered a confidential achievement, so I haven’t ridden it outside. Principal Guo, Professor Ding, if you’d like to see it, you can come to my house."

"That’s wonderful." Professor Ding clapped his hands and laughed. "Why didn’t I think you might have one? This brain of mine! Old age, I forget things so often now."

Principal Guo’s eyes crinkled with laughter. "Comrade Zhong, whenever you’re free, Old Ding and I would like to visit your home."

"How about this afternoon? You can have lunch at my place and meet my Goudan."

The robot should also be shown to these two.

"Alright! We’ll take you up on that." Principal Guo readily agreed, while Professor Ding’s curiosity was piqued elsewhere. "Who’s Goudan?"

Zhong Yuxiu pressed her lips in a smile, saying nothing. "You’ll know when you see."

By midday, Zhong Yuxiu finished her work, Professor Ding returned from teaching, and the two found Principal Guo to leave the campus together.

"Yuxiu."

Zhong Yuxiu turned at the sound, her eyes curving in a smile. "Brother Yan, weren’t you busy? What brings you here?"

After skipping grades, Yan Rushan hadn’t chosen to stay at the school, but ventured outside, mixing in the black market. He had connections, ability, and a sharp eye for the future, with unique insights into business, thriving in the black market.

All he lacked was an opportunity to soar.

"I’m almost done; the remaining tasks don’t require my personal attention." As he spoke, Yan Rushan’s gaze softened. "Are you heading home?"

"Yes, just about to." Spotting Principal Guo and Professor Ding smiling at them, Zhong Yuxiu felt uncharacteristically awkward, quickly changing the topic. "Brother Yan, let me introduce you; this is Principal Guo from our physics department, and this is Professor Ding, who leads our class. Both have looked after me a great deal."

Yan Rushan nodded, his demeanor steady. "Principal Guo, Professor Ding, pleasure to meet you. I’m Yuxiu’s partner, Yan Rushan. Thank you for caring for her—her mind is always on research, she doesn’t pay much attention to other matters, so I hope you’ll continue to look after her in future."

"Of course, of course. Comrade Zhong is an excellent colleague; her research has even inspired us old-timers." Principal Guo nodded repeatedly, his smile broad and genuine. Even silent, his contentment was apparent. "Really, we should thank Comrade Zhong; her work has opened a new path for many researchers."

New thinking, new paths, new development.

All things in short supply these days.

"Principal Guo flatters me." Zhong Yuxiu’s lips curved in a smile, her eyes lifting slightly as she glanced sideways at the man beside her.

Yan Rushan lowered his head, lips gently pressed together, a faint smile flickering.

Professor Ding and Principal Guo turned away, backs to them; they felt oddly full, as if they’d eaten enough to skip lunch—almost stuffed.

"Ahem." Zhong Yuxiu coughed lightly. "Let’s head back, Goudan should have finished cooking."

"Yes, when I came by earlier, Goudan was stir-frying." Yan Rushan’s words drew another glance from Professor Ding and Principal Guo—were they living together?

Zhong Yuxiu nodded slightly, her gaze shifting. "Principal Guo, Professor Ding, shall we go?"

"Let’s." Principal Guo waved, and he and Professor Ding followed behind Zhong Yuxiu and Yan Rushan toward the compound.

At the entrance, they were stopped by a young soldier on duty.

Zhong Yuxiu quickly produced her credentials and handed them over. "Comrade, these two are my guests. Please register them; we’ll leave before two this afternoon."

"Certainly, Comrade Zhong. Please follow me." The young soldier led the two to the checkpoint for registration.

Afterwards, Principal Guo and Professor Ding returned to Zhong Yuxiu. "This compound is truly secure—you’re very safe living here."

Zhong Yuxiu laughed softly. "Please, Principal Guo, Professor Ding."

"After you." Principal Guo tried to be courteous, but ultimately couldn’t outdo Professor Ding, and ended up leading.

Laughing and chatting, they arrived at the Zhong family’s two-story house—a top-tier residence in this era. It was the first time Professor Ding and Principal Guo had visited, and seeing the comfort of her home, they could tell how highly the authorities valued Zhong Yuxiu.

None of them enjoyed such privileges; Comrade Zhong had earned hers early on through her own abilities.

Such talent made them both embarrassed and full of admiration.