Chapter 39: An Unexpected Encounter

Where should Dingping be taken for fun?

Back in his room, Sun Yongguo was troubled. Although he had been to Qingdao many times before, he had never really explored the area and had no idea which places were worth visiting.

“Comrade Gongnong, why don’t you handle this? After all, Dingping is your student,” Sun Yongguo said, looking at Zhang Gongnong.

“Director, I’m fine doing research, but taking Dingping out for fun—I can’t exactly take him to the Navy Museum, can I?” Zhang Gongnong replied. “The chief has given me a tough task.”

The two stared at each other, falling into silence. They were more than willing to tackle core technologies no matter how hard or exhausting, but this matter was clearly outside their expertise. The key was that they didn’t trust outsiders to handle it.

Zhang Gongnong stepped out briefly and returned. “I just checked the forecast; it might snow tomorrow.”

“A timely snow foretells a bountiful year. It’s the perfect chance to take Dingping out. Comrade Gongnong, this important task is yours,” Sun Yongguo said firmly, patting Zhang on the shoulder.

“Director!”

“No arguments!”

Early the next morning, Zhang Gongnong, dark circles under his eyes after a night spent planning, knocked on Su Dingping’s door.

“Dingping, time to go.”

When the door opened, Su Dingping was startled to see Zhang carrying a huge backpack.

“Professor Zhang, are we really going?”

“The chief ordered it, so I have to follow through!” Without waiting for an answer, Zhang led Su Dingping out of the base.

On the way, Zhang excitedly explained, “I researched all night. We’re heading to Mount Laoshan first! The forecast says snow today; maybe we’ll catch the first snowfall. I found out you young people like romantic things.”

“Watching snow? Why?” Su Dingping was taken aback. Watching snow with a burly man felt strange; such moments seemed more fitting with a girl.

“Isn’t watching snow quite romantic?” Zhang asked.

Su Dingping immediately countered, “Doesn’t Harbin get snow all the time?”

Zhang was momentarily stunned before realizing Su was right. Snow was common in Harbin; he had seen plenty already. Embarrassed, he scratched his head. For a moment, the air was thick with awkwardness.

“No worries; I’ve never seen snow in Qingdao,” Su Dingping added, bringing a smile to Zhang’s face.

“Exactly, snow feels different in every place. When we saw snow in Harbin, we weren’t in the right mood. Now it’s different—the 956E project is nearing its final stage, and our spirits are high. A timely snow brings good fortune.”

“In the new millennium, our navy will surely be reborn!”

Two hours later, Zhang and Su arrived at the bustling Mount Laoshan scenic area. A sea of people had come to witness the millennium’s first snow, exchanging lifelong promises.

As the tickets were checked, Zhang’s embarrassment grew. Everywhere he looked were couples, families, or groups of friends. Only the two of them stood out awkwardly.

“Tickets checked. Let’s go.”

Just as Zhang led Su inside, someone called out.

“Professor Zhang? Junior Brother Su?”

They turned to see Wang Xin waving nearby. Beside her, Guo Xueyun also looked over, her face flushed with excitement despite not calling out.

“It really is Professor Zhang,” Wang Xin said, hurrying over with Guo Xueyun.

“Professor Zhang, Junior Brother Su, when did you arrive in Qingdao?”

“Just yesterday,” Su replied.

“If we’d known you were coming, we would have met up yesterday. By the way, Junior Brother Su,” Wang Xin said, “what have you been up to? We’ve been looking for you everywhere.”

“Busy with experiments,” Zhang quickly explained.

Su nodded.

“I thought so,” Wang Xin went on. “Sister Xueyun here was sure you were busy with experiments. Now that we’ve met, we can relax.”

Su was momentarily stunned, and Guo’s cheeks flushed.

“Sis, what are you saying?” Guo whispered.

“Why don’t we all hang out together?” Wang Xin suggested.

The four walked inside.

Zhang finally breathed a sigh of relief. At least the trip wouldn’t be awkward anymore.

Along the way, Su and Zhang learned why the others had come. Guo was a Qingdao native, and Wang Xin had originally planned to meet Zhao Haikuo, who had to go home, so she accompanied Guo instead.

An hour later, Wang Xin slowed her pace and gently nudged Zhang.

Zhang glanced at her and caught on, slowing down as well.

After putting some distance, Zhang quietly asked, “What’s going on?”

“I’m not sure. They haven’t met that many times,” Wang Xin replied helplessly. “But lately, Sister Xueyun seems distracted.”

Zhang’s gaze fell on the two ahead. The more he looked, the more he thought they made a good pair—talented man, beautiful woman.

“Only met a few times? That’s enough. I only met once and…”

After a moment of silence, Wang Xin asked, “Professor Zhang, Junior Brother Su hasn’t dated anyone before, right?”

Zhang thought seriously. “I don’t think so.”

“Neither has Sister Xueyun,” Wang Xin said anxiously. “This is bad—two people who’ve never dated, how will they even talk?”

Meanwhile, at the North Fleet headquarters.

Xu Dongguo carefully placed a file and a medal into a box, along with a naval uniform.

Closing the box, his expression relaxed considerably. After all the procedures, it was finally complete.

Once these items were handed to Su Dingping, he would officially become part of the navy.

“Guard, contact Sun Yongguo and have him come over.”

“Yes, chief!”

Soon, Sun Yongguo hurried in.

Upon entering the office, he immediately saw the box on the desk and knew its contents were important.

“Chief, you called for me?”

“Comrade Yongguo, everything is ready,” Xu Dongguo said, patting the box.

“Is everything inside?”

Xu nodded.

“Remember, these items must be delivered to Comrade Su Dingping personally. The location and personnel must remain confidential!”

“What about you?”

Xu shook his head, his face serious. “We recently caught several spies, likely from the Bear Nation. My movements might cause unnecessary trouble for Comrade Su Dingping. He’s a treasure of our navy; the secrecy must be maintained. Understood?”

“Yes, chief!”

“The situation is delicate now. We must ask Comrade Su Dingping to endure this. But one day, their names will be known to the world.”