A nation's industrial development begins with junior engineers.

"Tsk..."

They really are fireflies in the dark!

It's not surprising that Jiang Xia spotted Lin Wenxuan at a glance.

After all, on the streets of this era, a young man with obvious guards and an extraordinary demeanor was like a camel in a flock of sheep, hard to go unnoticed.

Of course, what impressed Jiang Xia the most was Lin Wenxuan's thick eyebrows, which were very characteristic of his family. Now, under the bright sunlight, Jiang Xia could see more clearly that Lin Wenxuan's face still had a bit of youthful immaturity, and he guessed that he was probably a little younger than himself, at most eighteen or nineteen years old.

This discovery stirred up a complex emotion in Jiang Xia's heart.

Is it fair to use our knowledge of a future "history" that has not yet happened and the actions of certain figures within it to preemptively examine or even despise this specific, young, and perhaps not yet fully formed individual in front of us?

Is this also another form of "labeling"?

Old Wang slightly turned to the side, half-blocking Jiang Xia's oblique front, silently chewing on the grilled squid, but the relaxation in his eyes was gone, like an old leopard that seemed lazy but was actually vigilant.

What he feared was not Lin Wenxuan himself, but the towering, winged "mountain" behind the young man. That invisible pressure was something even he was unwilling to easily confront head-on.

However, if Jiang Xia decides to take a chance, he will not hesitate to step in. He has handed the initiative to Jiang Xia.

A tiger-slaying hero?

I deserve it!

Thinking of this, Old Wang chewed hard again, the squid bursting in his mouth and juices running down the corners of his mouth in a rather ferocious manner.

Just as Lao Wang was glaring angrily, Lin Wenxuan across the street also felt a little awkward.

The conflict on the night of the Lantern Festival was less about anger and more about the bewilderment and discomfort that followed the unexpected challenge to a certain sense of superiority.

Afterwards, he naturally used his own channels to learn about this "Jiang Xia".

The feedback he received was limited, but enough to alarm him: the subtle connection to the highest levels of government, the miraculous breakthroughs in certain thorny naval projects, and the suddenly emerging "digital platform" concept that had attracted the attention of several scientific giants...

Each one was far removed from his initial impression of a "naive young man with some connections."

His father's private reminder was even more meaningful: "Some people may seem insignificant, but they are actually quite cunning. Wenxuan, when dealing with people, you need to have a long-term vision and a more open mind."

Open space? Lin Wenxuan pondered the word.

It's not that he doesn't understand reason; it's just that his long-standing environment has led him to habitually categorize people into "those who need to be looked up to," "those who can be looked at at eye level," and "those who don't need to be cared about."

Jiang Xia had been hastily categorized into the second or even third category, but now he suddenly realized that the other party might be standing in a position where he had to strain his neck to see clearly.

This subversion of perception does not bring admiration, but rather a sharp discomfort concerning one's own judgment and self-esteem.

A simple greeting and a few pleasantries are the most appropriate and cost-effective way to test the waters and ease tensions right now.

He quickly adjusted his breathing and expression, erasing his usual reserve and replacing it with a more sincere and slightly surprised look...

Don't be too enthusiastic, lest it seem deliberate; nor be too indifferent, lest it go against your original intention.

He cleared his throat, his left foot already slightly raised, ready to casually step across the distance as if he had "accidentally seen" it. The words "Comrade Jiang Xia, what a coincidence" were already on his lips...

However, a deep, powerful roar of a motorcycle tore through the air, violently filling the entire street before any of his movements or sounds could be heard!

A military-green Changjiang 750 sidecar motorcycle, like a steel cheetah that has caught the scent of its target, roared as it turned from the street corner, creating a small gust of air, and came to a precise stop beside Jiangxia.

Before the dust kicked up by the wheels had even settled, the chilling aura emanating from the cold machinery had instantly shattered the "chance encounter" atmosphere that Lin Wenxuan had tried to create.

Lin Wenxuan's raised foot froze in mid-air, eventually falling silently back to its original position as he silently looked at the opposite side.

Just as the guards in the truck were about to get off, the man in the truck bed, who was even more agile than the young man, jumped out of the truck bed in a flash.

An elderly man in a crisp naval summer uniform jumped down. The stars on his epaulets were simple yet weighty, and his face was deeply etched with the marks of the sea and the years, but his eyes shone brightly.

However, unlike the usual imposing presence that could stir up a storm, this time his gaze was fixed on Jiang Xia with an almost burning, pure joy and admiration.

Surprisingly, after getting out of the car, this naval leader didn't head straight to the point. Instead, like an old friend who had just received a new toy, he deliberately stopped in front of Jiang Xia, even with a touch of childish pride, and raised his hand to straighten the collar of his brand-new military uniform, letting the crisp fabric shimmer slightly in the sunlight.

"Hey kid, take a look!" He spun around smugly, tugging at the strap of his sleeve. "This old man has a brand new outfit! How about it, don't you think it looks smart?"

"The material is nice, but the color... sigh, the old navy blue is still the most comfortable to wear. This new style just feels too tight!" He said, tugging uncomfortably at his brand-new, neatly trimmed collar.

This boastful and critical attitude, reminiscent of an "old child," was completely different from his usual thunderous and authoritative way of scolding people. His bodyguard, who was following closely behind, couldn't help but twitch at the corner of his mouth and quickly lowered his head to hide his surprise.

This almost "showy" friendliness is something that probably only appears in the presence of this young man in the entire army.

"How about it, kid? Are you envious? Aren't you jealous?"

"Uh……"

Jiang Xia pouted: The way you ask it makes it sound like I'll get new clothes just because I'm envious...

"Ha ha ha ha……"

After getting the answer he wanted, the naval leader went back to his sidecar motorcycle and started fiddling with it.

Jiangxia then saw the old child take out a square package bound with kraft paper and thin rope from the side of the container.

"You've been so busy showing off mine! Here, take this! This is... cough cough, it's specially made for you according to the latest standards! It's brand new inside and out, try it out when you get back!"

No... there really is!

Jiang Xia was somewhat bewildered as she held the package.

The naval leader didn't mention that the old man had paid for it himself to make for the kid. There were too many people around, and some sentiments didn't need to be explained. It was better to discover them gradually later.

"Hey! You little rascal, this is the kind of food you eat here? I'll get you something you can't usually get!"

Jiang Xia took the package; it felt heavy in his hand. The naval leader had already turned to the food stall and called out to the stall owner, an older woman, "Sister-in-law, the most fitting thing for the occasion, give our young brother a serving! Locust flower pancakes! Extra oil, fry them until crispy!"

The old woman responded and deftly took a small handful of slightly yellow, somewhat chewy pieces of locust flowers from a basket covered with a damp cloth beside her.

These are not fresh flowers in season, but rather half-open locust flower buds picked in late spring, blanched, and carefully dried in the shade to preserve them, encapsulating the last sweetness of spring.

On the streets at the end of June, the pancakes made with this batter have a crispy outer layer and a soft, chewy interior, with a unique elasticity and a lingering floral fragrance. They are a testament to the wisdom of ordinary people in cherishing nature, and a small comfort that can still be found even after the season has passed.

The boss stuffed a steaming hot locust flower pancake, golden brown on both sides, into Jiang Xia's hands, then picked up a bowl of braised meat for himself and pulled Jiang Xia to sit down on a small stool in a quiet spot next to the stall.

The surrounding noise was naturally kept at bay by the guards.

"Let's chat while we eat." The big boss slurped up a mouthful of braised pork, seemingly casually, but his eyes had already become focused. "I've carefully read Liu Huaqing's report. Your idea of ​​a 'universal digital platform' is excellent! Not just excellent, it's outstanding!"

He caught a glimpse of surprise in Jiang Xia's eyes and chuckled, "What? You think I'm just a roughneck who only knows how to operate cannons and fire guns, and can't understand your intricacies?"

"I'm a top student! I've studied abroad twice!"

"The first time I met him, I even met the top boss from the Russian side!"

"Uh, I've never seen him before, but I lit two cigarettes for him..."

As Jiang Xia munched on a pancake, he suddenly remembered that after offering a cigarette to that mentor, his unfilial descendants had indeed not caused any trouble with the air fryer project.

hiss……

Should we light another one for him? That way, the Russians won't cause us any trouble at the IEC conference either?

If you want to do it, do it!

With a biscuit in his mouth and his fingers scribbling randomly on the ground, Jiang Xia began to build a makeshift altar for his "Russian mentor," his ahoge swaying gently with the movement.

The naval leader ignored the young punk's attempt to pile up sand and continued speaking:

"I know it's difficult—hardware, software, standards, people—each hurdle is hard to overcome. But if the direction is right, it's worth putting in all our effort!"

Going forward, for anything related to this platform that helps to quickly develop tangible capabilities and requires coordination or support, have Liu Huaqing report it, or...

Just have that 'Big Yellow' send me a message! This old man will lend a hand and give you a shout-out!

No sooner had he finished speaking than a dirty paw that had been gesturing in the sand stretched out in front of him.

With palms outstretched, the meaning is clear.