Chapter 5: The Commander Has Arrived?!

Early the next morning, several of them gathered in the laboratory. Before long, news of the evaluation arrived. Each advisor group was called in batches, and Professor Zhang’s group of students was the penultimate batch.

Although there was still plenty of time, none of them were in the mood for idle chatter. A series of unexpected events had weighed heavily on their minds.

If it had been their own advisors, even if their results were a bit lacking, they could at least brush it off with a laugh. But with unfamiliar examiners, it was another matter entirely. The embarrassment would not only be theirs but also that of Professor Zhang.

Soon, a clear voice rang out from outside.

“Zhao Haikuo, step outside for a moment.”

At the sound, everyone raised their eyebrows and looked toward Zhao Haikuo.

It was the voice of Guo Xueyun.

Regarded as the goddess among the many graduate students, Guo Xueyun was not only beautiful but also exceptionally diligent. She maintained a cold demeanor toward everyone.

Why would she come looking for Zhao Haikuo for no reason?

Puzzled, Zhao Haikuo nonetheless stepped outside.

At the door, he saw Guo Xueyun standing gracefully and said, “Miss Yun, what’s the matter?”

“Sister Wang asked me to pass a message to you. The three examiners this time are very strict; she told you to be extra careful.”

With that, Guo Xueyun turned to leave.

Zhao Haikuo hurriedly asked, “How did Sister Wang do?”

“Seventy-two points.”

Hearing this, Zhao Haikuo was stunned.

“What? Wang Xin only got 72 points?”

He was well aware of Wang Xin’s usual scores. If even she only managed 72, it showed how exceptionally strict this evaluation was.

“Only 72?”

Guo Xueyun’s expression darkened.

Among the seven third-year graduate students in Professor Wu’s group, only two scored above 70, and the highest was still below 75!

Just as she was about to argue, she heard Zhao Haikuo mutter to himself,

“We need to quickly inform the junior students so they know what to expect.”

The mention of the junior students immediately brought a familiar figure to Guo Xueyun’s mind. Though younger than her, he had already surpassed her in knowledge.

Since the last time Su Dingping borrowed equipment and they met briefly—a month ago—she had not seen him again. That last time, Zhao Haikuo had returned the equipment for him.

She blurted out, “Is Junior Brother Su participating too?”

“Professor Zhang specifically asked him to take part.”

Guo Xueyun’s face stiffened slightly. She was a second-year graduate student, and her scores were nearly catching up to those of senior students, yet her advisor hadn’t asked her to participate. And Professor Zhang actually asked Su Dingping, who had just entered his senior year?

Professor Zhang was truly strict with his students.

“Then remind Junior Brother Su to pay extra attention.”

As she spoke, she glanced inside just as Su Dingping looked out.

Their eyes met; Su Dingping smiled and nodded at her. Guo Xueyun’s heart skipped a beat, and she quickly turned and left.

Back in the laboratory, Zhao Haikuo recounted the situation in detail.

Everyone’s expressions changed drastically.

If Wang Xin only scored 72, then their own scores might barely reach the low 60s—or they might even fail! Failing would be a complete disgrace to Professor Zhang.

At that thought, their spirits plummeted.

Among the seven present, only Zhao Haikuo and Su Dingping could realistically outperform Wang Xin.

Everyone instinctively looked toward Su Dingping and asked,

“Junior Brother, where did you get your design inspiration from this time? Help us out, set an example.”

“Inspiration?”

Su Dingping thought for a moment and replied,

“A photograph.”

“A photograph?”

They exchanged puzzled glances. Inspiration from a photo?

Hadn’t Professor Zhang said the design needed to be practical this time? No daydreaming!

Otherwise, they would have simply brought out battleships from science fiction novels.

Zhao Haikuo quickly said,

“Junior Brother, if your inspiration really is just from a photo, you must be very careful. These examiners aren’t Professor Zhang, so it won’t be easy.”

“It would be best to prepare plenty of materials—your thought process, design philosophy, everything.”

He added with a sigh,

“I’m even thinking of bringing my design draft papers just to fill things out.”

“Is the situation really that serious?” Su Dingping asked in surprise.

“Yeah, every point counts.”

After a moment, their advisor arrived.

“Ready? Follow me.”

The seven carried their drawings and followed the advisor to the laboratory lounge.

They had just sat down when three stern-faced examiners entered.

“Students, let me introduce you,” the advisor said with a smile.

“This is Professor Huang from the National Defense Armaments Department. His department designs and produces military equipment for the navy, army, and air force. If any of you impress him, your future will be limitless.”

Their gazes fell on Professor Huang.

The National Defense Armaments Department—many doctoral candidates from top universities fought tooth and nail to get in. To be noticed by Professor Huang and enter that department was to secure a lifetime of stability and honor, bringing pride to one’s entire family for generations.

“This is Colonel Zhang from the Naval Equipment Evaluation Research Center. He will assess your designs for practicality and operability.”

At the sight of Colonel Zhang, Su Dingping felt a strong sense of familiarity.

After a moment’s thought, he realized:

Isn’t this the younger version of the Bureau Chief?

The advisor continued,

“And this is Professor Li, Vice President of the 335 Research Institute.”

Zhao Haikuo and the others felt their hearts skip a beat.

These three were heavyweights.

If not for this last-minute evaluation, they might never have the chance to meet them in their lifetimes.

Seeing their nervous expressions, Professor Li smiled and said, “Don’t be anxious, students. Professor Zhang and I are colleagues—on your side.”

Hearing this, Zhao Haikuo and the others breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Since they were colleagues of Professor Zhang, they might show some leniency.

Before the advisor could say more, Professor Huang’s stern voice interrupted,

“No time to waste, let’s begin.”

The advisor winked at Zhao Haikuo and the others, as if to say: The previous evaluations haven’t gone well; be very careful.

“First up, Huang Wei!”

“Go, Brother Huang!” they whispered.

“I’ll set the example for you all!”

With that, Huang Wei stood and strode toward the podium, clutching a thick stack of drawings.

“Three examiners, this warship design is an improved version of the ‘053K Daohu Yingtan.’ The power system remains the traditional boiler, with displacement increased to 3,200-3,900 tons. I replaced the original fire control radar with an air defense detection radar...”

As he spoke, Huang Wei distributed his drawings to the three.

The three examiners had seen improvements to the Yingtan model from other groups before.

Flipping through Huang Wei’s drawings, they found little novelty.

Professor Huang casually asked,

“Replacing it with an air defense detection radar is a good idea, but have you addressed the system integration issues among the ship’s internal subsystems?”

“Uh...”

“Also, the air defense detection radars currently in service are mostly point-defense types! Your design suggests a regional air defense system. Do you understand the complexity involved? This touches on the core challenges of modern naval technology!”

“I...”

“Looks like you don’t. Do you have any related ideas?”

Professor Huang fired several questions in rapid succession, causing Huang Wei to break out in a cold sweat.

The others watched anxiously, hearts pounding.

This was far stricter than Professor Zhang.

After some discussion, Professor Li said,

“Sixty points.”

Huang Wei’s mouth twitched sharply.

Colleagues of Professor Zhang, yet turning around and giving only sixty points?