A nation's industrial development begins with junior engineers.

Jiang Xia didn't answer directly, but patted his arm and quickened her pace: "Let's talk when we get back. I think I smell... mmm, it smells so good!"

As the two approached the secluded little building, before they even entered, a rich, fresh aroma, mixed with the slight saltiness of the sea breeze, wafted out from the crack in the door and wafted straight into their noses.

Pushing open the door, a warm feeling rushed out. Under the dim yellow light of the electric lamp, a small kerosene stove burned with a steady blue flame, and on the stove sat a deep enamel basin, a common sight in military units, which was now playing a cheerful "bubbling" melody.

The shellfish opened their hard shells, revealing the trembling, tender flesh inside. Several thick, dark green pieces of kelp undulated with the bubbling milky white broth. Small pieces of "sea cucumber" twisted their strange shapes, while several "mantis shrimp" arched their spiky backs, displaying an enticingly ripe red color.

A few golden specks of oil and emerald green scallions adorn the surface of the broth, creating a vibrant and fragrant picture of the flavors of the Bohai Bay.

"Wow!" Jiang Xia was genuinely surprised. As she took off her coat, which was covered in the smell of the workshop, she looked at Lao Wang and said, "Brother Wang, your logistics management is impressive! I just greeted you at the workshop entrance, and you've already prepared hot pots, stoves, and fresh seafood? This efficiency is like preparing for a battle."

Old Wang chuckled, already ladled a large bowl full of soup and ingredients for Jiang Xia. "Hey, it's all thanks to the comrades' support!" he waved his hand dismissively, then placed the bowl in front of Jiang Xia, ladled one for himself, and pointed to the report on the table, his voice unconsciously rising, his face beaming with undisguised pride.

"I'm just so happy! I can't feel this good without something nice to cheer myself up! You didn't see it with your own eyes, but just looking at these words, I wish I could have been there and cheered for Dongdong!"

Good heavens! In foreign territory, they climbed that tall, bare pole in no time! They gave those swindlers a resounding slap in the face! They really made us look good!

As her uncle, I have to treat her brother to a good meal!

Ah!

Jiang Dong did a really good job in this matter, on a grand scale.

Jiang Xia nodded in deep agreement.

Ok?

Something just doesn't feel right.

Before Jiang Xia could react, Lao Wang chuckled and quickly ladled soup for him.

“You tell me, you were all raised by Grandma Jiang, so how come you’re so weak? Xiao Dong can climb such a tall flagpole in no time. If I were to climb it, my legs would go weak.”

……

If you had a deadly scanner, you'd probably be in a worse situation than me!

Jiang Xia took two sips of soup in a depressed mood, and then exclaimed, "Hey, it's delicious!"

"That brat is just showing off. She tried to climb the flagpole by climbing a telephone pole. It's only because she's small that she can't wobble that thin pole, otherwise she would have definitely gotten hurt!"

Old Wang was peeling mantis shrimp for Jiang Xia when he heard this and paused, looking puzzled: "Isn't that right? I've seen the comrades from the power bureau use ropes to secure themselves when they climb utility poles!"

Jiang Xia shook his head, his tone becoming more serious: "Climbing a utility pole and climbing a thin metal flagpole are completely different things. Utility poles are thick, and the poles have pre-set climbing spikes. The rope loops are for auxiliary fixation, and the main points of force are the feet and hands; but that flagpole is only thirty centimeters thick, and it's smooth with no points of leverage. You have to rely entirely on the rope loops to tighten your body and generate force. Once the rope loops loosen, or the force on the pole is uneven, it's easy to slip and fall."

What Jiang Xia didn't say was that, within the future safety production system he knew, this kind of operation was a major hidden danger that was strictly prohibited. Many bloody lessons had been learned to establish those inviolable regulations.

Jiang Dong was just lucky, and because she was light-footed, she didn't have any accidents.

Old Wang was peeling mantis shrimp for Jiang Xia when he heard this, and his hands paused, his brows furrowing as usual. He didn't directly refute it, but instead muttered thoughtfully, as if quickly searching his mind for something:

“Tsk, now that you mention it… something does seem off. In the past two years of intensive training, our reconnaissance soldiers have been using the ‘Guo Xingfu teaching method,’ where climbing buildings and walls, and scaling eaves are basic courses. I’ve seen top performers climb utility poles, but that requires hard skills like wrapping their calves around the pole and using both hands and feet. They mainly rely on leg strength and waist strength. The rope is just a safety measure to prevent falls, and they only use it as a last resort.”

Old Wang finally realized what was happening, his eyes widening instantly. He slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "Good heavens! It was so dangerous! This little girl is incredibly brave, daring to risk her life to protect the national flag. She's amazing!"

He changed the subject abruptly, his tone becoming very firm, "No, such a huge risk can't just be patted on the head and praised a couple of times and that's it! We have to give our little Dongdong a formal award so everyone knows about this girl's contribution!"

He drew his own conclusion, then, as if having made an important decision, his expression softened. He picked up the spoon again and continued his unfinished "feeding" work, piling the best food from the basin into Jiangxia's bowl, muttering to himself:

“But you’re right, safety is a big deal. When the girl comes back, we need to say nice things to her, and we also need to give her some serious advice. But that doesn’t conflict with the award she deserves! Merits are merits, demerits… cough, not demerits, but things that need attention, things that need attention! Two separate things!”

Hey, Lao Wang, this transition is a bit abrupt. I thought you were going to say something like "strengthen ideology" in the tone of that naval deputy commander from yesterday.

However, I'm very pleased that you're so protective of your own!

Jiang Xia looked at the small mountain piled up in the bowl, shook his head, but felt a warmth in his heart.

With the fifth sister's stubborn mind, it's not bad to have more people protecting her...

The fresh seafood and rich broth seem to have taken on a different flavor at this moment.

……

Outside the window, the night was deep, with only the signal lights of the distant port and the scattered lights of fishing boats on the sea reflecting against the starry sky.

Jiang Xia finished eating, wiped his hands and mouth with a towel, and got up to walk to his drawing table. He took out the sketch of the dried fruit drying equipment he had drawn earlier from the metal cabinet and began to work on it again.

He didn't turn on the main light, but only switched on the green desk lamp on the corner of the table, the soft light enveloping a quiet work corner.

Ah, that's the taste!

The atmosphere of working late into the night surrounded by darkness made Jiang Xia feel exceptionally safe.

On the other side, Old Wang finished his bowl of soup in a few gulps and wiped his mouth haphazardly. His mind was clearly no longer on the food. He quietly cleaned up the dishes and wiped the small kerosene stove, then eagerly returned to the small desk by the window and picked up the heavy printed document again.

By the dim but sufficient light of the room, he turned to the page detailing Jiang Dong's perilous climb of the flagpole. The paper rustled softly as it passed, and his gaze followed the vivid, flowing prose, a blend of classical and vernacular Chinese, drawing him back into the turbulent world of distant Europe—

"...As the national flag was raised, a sense of righteousness arose. Our personnel felt a slight relief, but they all knew that this was only the prelude."

After the opening ceremony, representatives from various countries entered the main conference hall in order.

The hall has a high, wide dome, and the lamps are like stars. Long tables are arranged in a circle, with clear seating arrangements. Compared to the square, the atmosphere has an added sense of intangible solemnity and restraint.

Our delegation took our seats according to the corrected nameplates. Although our positions were still not at the very front, they were an improvement over yesterday.

After a brief welcome address by the conference chairman, the first day's keynote speeches began.

According to the agenda, the first speaker on the first day will be Jin Zhen, the technical speaker of our delegation, who will give a presentation entitled "New Thinking on High-Level Programming Language Design: Taking Logic Simplification as the Path".

Jin Zhen steadily ascended the stage, still dressed in his crisp Zhongshan suit, his expression solemn. He stood before the microphone, his gaze sweeping over the representatives from various countries below the stage, observing some with curiosity, some with scrutiny, and some with indifference.

However, he remained unhurried, beginning with clear and steady English, first briefly outlining the development of computer languages ​​and their current limitations, before shifting his focus:

"What I am about to discuss is not merely a standard for a single tool or object, but an exploration of a new language that may reshape the foundation of human-computer dialogue. For now, I will call it the C language. This 'C' is not just a single letter; it embodies multiple meanings: China, Clarity, and Concise. Its core logic is deeply rooted in the semantic tradition and concise philosophy of the Chinese language."

These words caused a slight commotion in the audience. Jin Zhen seemed not to hear them and continued his discourse.

……