A nation's industrial development begins with junior engineers.

Teacher Xu Hua grew increasingly angry, her voice rising several decibels: "Do you think you can keep it a secret? Don't forget, based on our earlier speculation, the higher-ups may have already shown him the blueprint! What does that mean? It means the higher-ups are aware of his contributions! You want to erase it? No way! This is a matter of principle!"

"Oh my dear Xu! Keep your voice down! What are you thinking?!" Teacher Lu realized the misunderstanding was serious and almost jumped up in panic. He hurriedly stepped forward, practically covering Teacher Xu's mouth, and said in a low voice, "Am I that kind of person?! I, Lu, just want to protect him! Use your brain!"

Teacher Xu Hua's mouth was covered by him, and she made "mmm" sounds, but the anger in her eyes had not subsided, clearly saying: You better give me a reasonable explanation!

Teacher Shi Lu released his grip, his tone unusually serious: "Think about it, why did this kid secretly slip the drawings to me in this way? Instead of taking them out during a formal presentation or technical discussion? I suspect he probably just doesn't want to be completely tied down by this project!"

He glanced in the direction of the dormitory: "You forgot? Ever since we joined this project team and signed the confidentiality agreement, the research lab has become our home, and our home has become our hotel. When was the last time you went home to see your wife and kids?"

My wife sent me a letter last time, and she included a photo she took at the beach. I stared at the photo for a long time before I dared to confirm that the smiling woman was really my wife!

This kid… he's got ambition, and he's got a knack for everything. Look at him, doing repairs, modifications, even those… uh, international 'exchanges'—he's thriving in every one of them. The higher-ups are using him as a jack-of-all-trades; there's definitely a bigger plan behind it.”

He patted Professor Xu Hua on the shoulder: "With his drawing, we have a new direction and research focus, which is a great thing. But when we hold a meeting to discuss this, it's an internal effort, and we don't necessarily have to make the matter of 'Jiang Xia providing the initial ideas' public."

This way, we can fully incorporate his ideas while avoiding formally and publicly involving him in the core of the project, leaving him the space and freedom to continue playing a greater role externally. Some contributions shouldn't be recorded immediately, nor should they be.

After listening, the anger on Teacher Xuhua's face gradually subsided, replaced by deep thought.

He slowly lowered his head, remaining silent for a long while. Yes, joining this project meant a life of isolation and dedication, where even the faces of loved ones were slowly fading from memory. Jiang Xia was still so young…

"Then...his contributions..." Teacher Xu Hua's voice lowered, still somewhat resentful.

"No one will erase it!" Professor Shi Lu assured. "We'll keep it in mind and boldly use the ideas that are appropriate. If there are any key points we don't understand, or if we need to verify the feasibility of his 'radical ideas,' we'll break them down privately and 'consult' him separately, ostensibly to have him give our technicians a lesson or talk about cutting-edge ideas. Wouldn't that solve the problem?"

This way, his intellect can be utilized without leaving a record in his official file that would require him to be permanently tied to the records. After all…

"This kid seems to be playing a bigger role outside. You see..."

He changed the subject, gesturing with his chin towards the path on the other side of the dormitory building.

Teacher Xu Hua looked in the direction he pointed and saw a middle-aged military officer wearing a tattered sailor shirt, with a tall and straight posture, but whose legs were obviously not very nimble. He had a well-worn wooden crutch under his arm and was trying to quicken his pace toward the dormitory area.

The rhythmic, clear tapping of his cane on the ground, combined with the eagerness and excitement on his face, made him take large strides, as if trying to temporarily overcome the limitations of his injured leg.

"Team leader? You know this person?"

"Yes," Teacher Shi Lu nodded, a hint of respect flashing in his eyes, "Heroic submarine captain, Liu Huaqing. The one who got a ball thrown at him by a US nuclear submarine in the South China Sea two months ago."

Teacher Xu Hua immediately understood.

It seems impossible to get Jiang Xia to settle down and "sink" into the nuclear submarine project. The wider world outside seems to need him, this "pebble" that can always stir up trouble.

The two exchanged a glance, said nothing more, clutched the blueprints in their arms, and turned to walk quickly toward the technology building.

……

As Teacher Xuhua and Teacher Shilu walked away, the sounds of their discussion became barely audible.

At this moment, on the side of the dormitory building, Old Wang cautiously peeked out from the top of a window on the first floor, looking around.

Once he was sure the two "mobile confidentiality clause" figures were far away, he pulled his neck back, let out a long sigh of relief, and grinned smugly.

"Hey, as long as I run fast enough, the 'secrecy regulations' can't catch me!"

Having spent so much time with Jiang Xia, this "troublemaker," Old Wang may not be good at much else, but his ability to "slip away when things look bad," especially his skill in avoiding all sorts of tech gurus who might lead him into the abyss of memorizing confidentiality regulations, is definitely maxed out.

Old Wang's principle is: if you have the strength, you can work your ass off; if you need to use your brain, then just slip away.

Before he could even catch his breath, he received a solid, not-too-light, but-heavy, blow to the back of his head.

"Ouch!"

Old Wang covered his head and shrank back, about to curse, but upon seeing who it was, he swallowed back the words he was about to say, and his face instantly broke into a surprised yet slightly timid smile:

"Platoon leader! How...how did you find your way here? And...and you even brought your 'weapons'?" He glanced at the cane in Liu Huaqing's hand.

Liu Huaqing tapped his cane on the ground, glared at him irritably, but his eyes were full of laughter: "Wang Kui! You little rascal, I knew that back view looked familiar, climbing through the window like a thief! What, now that you're so capable, instead of rushing over to help the old platoon leader, you climbed onto the roof to scout?"

"How could that be, Platoon Leader!" Old Wang quickly stepped forward, wanting to help but feeling a bit helpless. In the end, he just scratched his head and chuckled awkwardly, "I'm just... uh, actively responding to the call to strengthen my physical exercise!"

Your leg... We all heard about what happened two months ago, it was so damn satisfying!

"That bald eagle's iron coffin got a ball on its head! The brothers down there are all talking about it like crazy, saying that you, Platoon Leader Liu... oh no, Captain Liu, oh no, Dean Liu, are ours!" He gave a strong thumbs up.

Upon hearing "two months ago" and "headed a ball," Liu Huaqing's smile faded slightly. He sighed softly, patted his injured leg, and gazed at the distant horizon where the sea met the sky. His voice lowered.

"It's satisfying, but in the end... I still suffered because of my short legs. Our old buddy, though he's got a tiny place to live, he's got guts, but he can't withstand big storms. If... we had a bigger, sturdier 'home' back then, maybe we wouldn't have been in such a sorry state, maybe... we could have..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but Old Wang clearly saw the hint of resentment and longing that flashed in his eyes.

Old Wang's eyes darted around, then he suddenly chuckled, nudged Liu Huaqing with his elbow, and winked, lowering his voice: "Old Platoon Leader, don't be in such a hurry! Good things come to those who wait! Look—"

He gestured towards Jiangxia's still quiet dormitory, his smile carrying a hint of smug satisfaction, as if he were asking for praise from an adult.

"I'm beating this drum really hard! I'm just waiting for that 'sleeping immortal' inside to wake up. Maybe then this 'stage' will be able to be built even more spacious and sturdier!"

"He promised me he'd go see that weird-looking guy!"