Chapter 78: Inviting Professor Ding

As Zhong Yuxiu was about to leave, she paused at the top of the stairs and said, “Comrade Tian, get in touch with Comrade Xi Nian later. Ask if they need to import anything from abroad. If they do, please have them bring me a few pairs of snow boots, for both men and women. Sizes 36 and 42, one pair in each color, but focus on buying brown and black.”

Brown and black were versatile and wouldn’t attract undue attention in this era.

Winters in the capital were harsh, and snow boots would make a difference.

“I’ve made a note. I’ll go out and make the call in a bit.” The telephone hadn’t been installed yet, so outside contact wasn’t always possible.

“Alright, and ask them again when they’ll have my phone installed.”

Tian Shangguo nodded. “Understood.”

Having finished her instructions, Zhong Yuxiu turned and went upstairs, entered the laboratory, and closed the door. Gou Dan was crouched on the floor, soldering. A computer was taking shape before their eyes, and Zhong Yuxiu was engrossed in the manufacturing of the chip and motherboard. The chip was simple enough; using previous designs as a base, she made a few modifications and added a CPU function to complete it.

The motherboard circuitry, however, was far more complex. To save time, Zhong Yuxiu had to use her mental energy to solder the joints. It wasn’t even two hours before she felt completely drained, her face as pale as paper.

“Master, you’re exhausted. You should rest,” Gou Dan reminded her.

Zhong Yuxiu leaned back in her chair, her temples throbbing uncomfortably. “I’ll rest for a while. The motherboard circuitry is done, just a little soldering left. You keep working; I’ll check your progress when I wake up.”

The computer was nearly complete, only the motherboard remained.

“Alright, master, rest assured; leave everything to Gou Dan, I won’t let you down.”

“You’re getting cheeky. If you haven’t finished by the time I wake up, I’ll scrap you.” More and more impudent.

Gou Dan beeped twice. “Gou Dan isn’t cheeky. Gou Dan is the most obedient, your loyal little helper; please don’t scrap me, master.”

“Drama queen.”

Ignoring the machine, Zhong Yuxiu opened the lab door, closed it again, skipped her wash-up, and collapsed into bed, falling asleep as soon as she pulled the quilt over herself.

Downstairs, after tidying up, Tian Shangguo and Hao Nan left the Zhong household to carry out her instructions.

Hao Nan hurried to H University, registered with his work ID, and entered the campus. He made his way to the office; Professor Ding had just arrived and was facing away, organizing his desk.

Knock, knock, knock. “Professor Ding, good morning.”

Professor Ding turned with a textbook in hand and, seeing who it was, smiled. “It’s you, Comrade Hao. Zhong sent you, didn’t she? Come in, come in, no need to stand outside.” His towering figure blocked all the light from the doorway.

“No need, I’ll just say what I came for. Then I’ll leave.” Hao Nan paused, then added, “Comrade Zhong asked me to help her request a leave of absence. Her research project has begun, and she wanted me to tell you that you’re welcome to join her when you have time.”

“When did it start?”

The moment he heard the research had begun, he instantly knew what kind of project it was. The only thing that would prompt Zhong Yuxiu to extend such an invitation would be the computer and surveillance system.

Hao Nan replied, “It started last night. You weren’t around in the evening, so we couldn’t inform you then.”

“Last night already?” Professor Ding put the textbook down and headed for the door. “Then I’ll go back with you in a bit. Wait for me in the office; I’ll find someone to cover my classes.”

“Comrade Zhong also wanted me to let you know she’ll attend the evening self-study session as scheduled.”

Professor Ding nodded and hurried past him, heading downstairs.

Hao Nan didn’t go into the office but chose to wait outside.

“Old Zheng! Old Zheng!” Professor Ding called out as he walked briskly.

“Morning, Old Ding!” An elderly gentleman, as senior as Ding, greeted him with a smile. “Why the rush so early? Is someone chasing you?”

Professor Ding stopped to catch his breath. “It’s close enough. Old Zheng, could you cover my classes for a few days? I’ll pay you the substitute’s wages.”

“Something come up?” Otherwise, he wouldn’t ask.

“Yes, something very important.” Professor Ding nodded firmly.

Professor Zheng laughed. “Alright! How many days do you need off?”

“Five… no, seven.”

“Seven days? That’s a lot of pay you’ll be missing out on.” Professor Zheng joked amiably.

“So be it. There are things more important than money. When I’m back, I’ll treat you to a meal.”

Seeing him so resolute, Professor Zheng grew curious. “What’s so important you need a week off? Something at home?”

“No,” Professor Ding shook his head. “It’s settled, then. I’ll go ask the principal for leave. You have my schedule, so there’s no need for me to give it to you separately.”

He came and went in a hurry.

Professor Zheng raised a hand to stop him but was too late, watching as Ding passed by, helpless. “What could be so urgent?”

At their age, life revolved around classes and research; youthful vigor was a thing of the past. Yet, seeing Old Ding today, moving with such urgency, he seemed invigorated.

Unaware of Zheng’s musings, Professor Ding headed upstairs, found the principal, secured his leave, and returned to find Hao Nan waiting at the door.

“Comrade Hao, sorry to keep you waiting. Why not sit inside?”

“No need, thank you.” Hao Nan’s refusal was direct.

Professor Ding didn’t mind; he preferred straightforwardness and despised pretense. Directness made for more comfortable company. “Shall we leave now?”

“Yes.”

“Alright, let me lock up and we’ll go.” At the office door, Professor Ding locked up, pocketed the key, and said, “Let’s go.”

Hao Nan nodded, letting Professor Ding lead the way, and followed him downstairs. They left the university and headed straight to the compound.

This wasn’t Professor Ding’s first visit; familiar with the process, he signed in at the gate and was led inside by Hao Nan. Standing before the Zhong family residence again, Professor Ding felt no strangeness—rather, anticipation for the research to come made the house seem welcoming.

The front door stood wide open. As Professor Ding entered, he glanced around but saw no sign of Zhong Yuxiu.

“Where is Comrade Zhong?”

“Good morning, Professor Ding,” Tian Shangguo approached.

Hao Nan asked, “Did you take care of things?”

“All done, Comrade Xi agreed. He also said he’d have someone bring back some clothes for Comrade Zhong and wanted to know what style she prefers. When you go up, ask her and let us know her preferences so we can pass them on to Comrade Xi.”

“Alright.” Hao Nan turned. “Professor Ding, please have a seat. I’ll go inform Comrade Zhong.”

Since the guest had arrived, he couldn’t just lead him upstairs.

“Go ahead, go ahead,” Professor Ding urged, barely able to contain his excitement at the prospect of the research project.

Hao Nan nodded and went upstairs. Tian Shangguo said, “Professor Ding, please sit. I’ll make you some tea.”

“No tea for me, just a glass of warm water,” Ding waved off the offer.

He wasn’t in the mood for tea; it would be a waste.

Tian Shangguo obliged, bringing out a cup of warm water. “Please, Professor Ding.”

“Thank you.” Professor Ding downed the water in one go, handed back the cup, and said, “Thank you.”

Seeing this, Tian Shangguo’s heart skipped a beat—he could tell Professor Ding was truly in a hurry. “Of course, please wait a moment.”