Chapter 70: Brainstorms in the Cafeteria and the Unforeseen Alert

After the Longyin Research Institute got on track, one of the biggest changes was that the newly built cafeteria became a true information hub.

Newly transferred technical officers, civilian staff, and members of the support squad.

And Feng Yan and his group of veterans naturally sat together.

On the long dining table, beside the braised pork gravy, a half‑drawn circuit diagram might be spread out.

The aroma of steamed fish mingles with a debate about material strength.

At noon that day, Wang Hao carried his tray and plopped down next to Chen Guang, frowning as he poked at his rice:

"Guangzi, I'm so worried! The guidance head of the Hunting Falcon still lacks anti‑interference capability; in a slightly more complex environment it easily loses the target."

"If this were in actual combat, it'd be like fighting blind!"

He said it loudly enough that people at several nearby tables perked up their ears.

This is a common scene inside Dragon Chant; complaints often signal a real problem and may point to a new solution.

Chen Guang was sipping his soup in small sips; hearing that, he set his spoon down.

He pushed his glasses back, didn't look at Wang Hao, and silently pulled out the tablet he always carried.

After a few finger swipes, he opened a document and slid it over to Wang Hao.

"What's this…" Wang Hao leaned over, and his eyes instantly widened:

"'A Brief Analysis of Laser Semi‑Active Illumination for Target Indication and Anti‑Interference Technology'?"

"Damn! Guangzi! You're like a brother to me! When did you make this?"

"When we were working on Bee Sting earlier, I also did the theoretical derivations and some basic simulations," Chen Guang said evenly.

"Laser‑coded illumination, passive seeking, can theoretically counter most electronic interference effectively."

"But it demands high stability of the illumination platform and sophisticated background‑light filtering algorithms."

Wang Hao felt he had struck gold and could no longer bother eating his meal.

Grabbing the tablet, he began to devour the document, muttering under his breath:

"Laser‑coded… passive seeking…"

"Awesome! This approach works! Later I'll have everyone in the team take a look!"

Not far away, Li Yang was discussing the battery endurance of the Chengshan system with two newly arrived structural engineers.

"…If we can introduce a more efficient kinetic‑recovery mechanism into the gait, theoretically we could extend endurance by ten to fifteen percent," one engineer suggested.

Li Yang mused, "Structurally we'd need to add an energy‑recovery conversion mechanism, which would increase weight and complexity."

"A detailed weight‑to‑benefit assessment is required."

The technical officer in charge of the energy system, who happened to sit at the adjacent table, turned around and joined the discussion:

"We've just received test data for a batch of new‑type capacitors."

"Their power density is considerably higher than existing products; they might replace part of the battery function."

"They're designed for rapid storage and release of reclaimed energy, easing the main battery's load."

A few of them immediately clustered together, waving chopsticks on the table, engrossed in lively discussion.

Feng Yan and Zhao Gong sat at a slightly farther table, watching the bustling scene.

The cafeteria was noisy with clamor.

But listening closely, most of the conversation revolved around terms like "tolerance," "algorithm," "energy density," and "structural optimization."

Zhao Gong leisurely picked up a piece of fish, glancing at the young man on the other side who was flushing red over a parameter dispute.

He also glanced at the group on the other side celebrating with high‑fives after finding a solution.

The corner of his mouth twitched imperceptibly, and he uttered a few words: "It's starting to look like a proper research institute."

Feng Yan heard that, a genuine smile spreading across his face, his inner monologue:

"This is exactly the effect we wanted!"

"Technical barriers shattered at the dining table, inspiration colliding amid the scent of food—that's the atmosphere a top‑tier team should have!"

He lifted his soup bowl and lightly clinked it against Zhao Gong's teacup; everything was understood without words.

Night, the lounge beside the Insect Workshop.

No one knew who had again habitually prepared a few buckets of instant noodles, and the familiar aroma spread once more.

A handful of core members sat or stood, holding their noodle buckets.

Enjoying this moment of tranquility.

After this period of focused breakthroughs and team integration, the institute's demeanor truly transformed.

The early roughness and haste faded, replaced by greater composure and order.

Yet that boundless creativity and relentless tenacity remained undiminished.

On the contrary, the solid foundation made it even more vigorous.

Feng Yan looked at the workshop, dense with equipment.

Then he glanced at the companions beside him, bright‑eyed despite clutching noodle buckets, and sighed:

"Our ragtag troupe, cobbled together, stumbling all the way, has finally… started to look a bit like a national team."

Wang Hao slurped the noodles, replying vaguely:

"That's a given! We now have people, we have equipment, we have energy!"

"Who knows, maybe we'll build some earth‑shaking behemoth in the future!"

Li Yang silently nodded, gazing at his heavily iterated Iron Wolf prototype, his eyes profound.

Chen Guang took small sips of soup, the faint glow of the computer screen reflecting on his lenses, perhaps calculating some new formula.

At that moment, the internal communicator Feng Yan had placed on the nearby workbench had its indicator light suddenly shift from green to red.

It began to flash rapidly and silently.

That frequency and color represent a high-priority message from the superior department.

It usually means there is an urgent matter or important notice.

Everyone's movements paused slightly, and their gazes involuntarily focused on the continuously flashing indicator light.

The relaxed atmosphere in the lounge seemed to solidify instantly, replaced by a silence tinged with tension and anticipation.

Wang Hao forgot to chew his food, his eyes widening:

"I swear… what the hell is this? Another big job?"

Feng Yan set down his instant noodle cup, the relaxed expression on his face fading as he stood up.

He strode toward the communicator that seemed to exude an invisible pressure.

He took a deep breath and pressed the answer key.

"I am Feng Yan."

From the other end of the line came the clear, hurried voice of the superior liaison, with some background noise:

"Section Chief Feng, emergency situation!"

"Received a report from the National Emergency Management Department: a massive forest fire has broken out in the neighboring province's Cuiyun Mountain Range, spreading extremely rapidly."

"Local rescue forces are severely lacking; urgent need for special equipment and technical support!"

"Superior orders your unit to immediately carry the relevant rescue equipment, especially the 'Chengshan' exoskeleton and the 'Xiao Bai' platform."

"And all equipment usable for mountain reconnaissance and special operations, rush to the designated assembly point to report in!"

"Detailed coordinates and contact information will be sent to your encrypted channel right away!"

"The situation is urgent; please act immediately!"

Feng Yan's heart jumped— a forest fire!

He responded immediately, his voice steady and strong:

"Understood! Dragon Chant Project Division has received the order!"

"Activate the emergency response plan immediately, organize personnel and equipment, and depart as fast as possible!"

After ending the call, he turned sharply.

In the lounge, everyone had already risen to their feet.

The instant noodles were casually tossed aside, and all eyes locked onto him.

Feng Yan scanned the group of comrades who had instantly shifted into combat readiness, and spoke concisely:

"Brothers, the peaceful days are over."

"Cuiyun Mountain, a massive fire."

"The superiors have specifically ordered us to bring our gear and provide support."

He paused, then spoke with unequivocal resolve:

"Pack the equipment, especially the 'Chengshan' exoskeleton, the 'Xiao Bai' platform, all 'insect' units, and the laser scanning system!"

In one hour, assemble at the parking lot! We… we're heading to the fire scene!