Chapter 550: I Miss You So Much

The snow piled on both sides of the alley hadn't been cleared, and the narrow path in the middle was compacted by pedestrians; a bicycle riding over it creaked—creaked.

The branches that poked out from the iron fences on either side were pressed even lower by the snow.

Lu Cheng stopped in front of a small western‑style house, grabbed a clump of snow, and hurled it at the second‑floor bedroom window.

The window opened quickly, a head stuck out, eyes curved like a crescent.

Two minutes later, Lu Cheng was struck squarely in the chest, and the girl's faint fragrance, carried by the biting air, rushed into his nose.

"Lu San'er, I miss you so much."

Lu Cheng, one hand on the bicycle and the other around the girl's shoulder, said, "You dare hug me at the doorstep, aren't you afraid the neighbors will see?"

Perhaps because of the cold, there were no pedestrians in the alley.

Yang Yin, curled up in her coat, hugged again forcefully.

"I'm not afraid, I don't care what others say; I just miss you, want to keep holding you like this."

Yang Yin's passion made Lu Cheng feel as if he were holding a little sun; the chill from cycling turned warm at that moment.

"Is your father at home?"

A moment later Yang Yin twisted his waist hard: "What are you up to? Planning to do something indecent while my family's away?"

Lu Cheng loosened Yang Yin, smiled and said, "I'm here about your father."

Yang Yin pouted, "I thought you came just for me, but looks like I was being sentimental."

Lu Cheng glanced left and right in the alley, confirmed no one was around, then pulled Yang Yin close and kissed her.

Yang Yin's body went rigid instantly; she thought she was already bold, yet Lu Cheng was bolder.

She liked Lu Cheng's boldness, but since it was at the doorstep and neighbors could appear at any moment, she quickly pushed him away.

"You bad person, I just applied lipstick."

"Mmm, I said sweet," Lu Cheng pursed his lips, then Yang Yin slapped him.

"Rascal… come in, my father's home."

Yang Yin walked ahead: "What business do you have with my dad?"

Lu Cheng secured the bicycle: "Adult matters, kids shouldn't eavesdrop."

Yang Yin turned, said angrily: "Fine, as you said, if my dad doesn't help you later, I won't speak kindly for you."

Lu Cheng laughed, thinking this temperament just needed to be tamed; one day when her family's away, a good beating on the bed would set her straight.

Inside the house, Yang Kaiming was sitting on a single armchair reading the Newspaper.

"Dad, Lu Cheng is here."

"Professor Yang…"

Yang Kaiming looked up, saw Lu Cheng, and greeted warmly: "Lu Cheng, come in, sit down, you haven't been home in a long time."

Hearing that, Lu Cheng didn't dare meet Yang Kaiming's eyes.

The truth was Yang Kaiming didn't know that when he was away, Lu Cheng often came and tangled with his daughter in the second‑floor bedroom.

The two young bodies seemed endless, each time having to kiss until breathless before releasing, then gasping at the ceiling.

As if knowing what Lu Cheng was thinking, Yang Yin, standing nearby, gave him a silent twist.

Lu Cheng finally reacted: "Oh, Professor Yang, indeed it's been a long time; I'll visit more often from now on."

Yang Kaiming smiled and nodded: "Yin Yin, we have guests, why are you just standing there? Go fetch a glass of water."

Yang Yin lazily replied: "Dad, he's not a guest; if he's thirsty he'll pour it himself."

Seeing his daughter so rude, Yang Kaiming set a stern face, and Yang Yin had to lazily ask Lu Cheng: "Classmate Lu Cheng, are you thirsty?"

Lu Cheng nodded: "Actually a bit thirsty, add some more tea leaves, please, Xiao Yang."

Yang Yin glared, then turned to get water.

In the kitchen, while looking for a cup, she muttered: "Thirsty, huh? Just trying to make me serve you, huh, damn Lu San'er…"

Yang Yin opened the tea‑leaf box, grabbed a handful and tossed it in: "Hmph, bitter for you!"

After adding hot water, she was about to carry it out when she saw the salt jar and immediately showed a sly smile.

On the sofa outside, Yang Kaiming, after hearing Lu Cheng's purpose, thought seriously.

"Hmm, calculating the project data is indeed a long process; you're still using hand‑cranked calculators, slide rules, abacuses—these tools are too outdated."

"Yes, Professor Yang, that's why I'm thinking of adding more manpower; many hands make strong work."

Yang Kaiming nodded slightly: "More hands indeed increase power, but an internal‑combustion engine is a complex project; to rely solely on manpower, the core computing force would need dozens, the peripheral computing force even hundreds, to meet your few‑month timeline."

Lu Cheng was surprised, hadn't expected so many people.

And Yang Kaiming, an authority in engineering, would not speak carelessly; his words were the result of careful analysis.

"Professor Yang, my purpose here is to ask you for a favor: could you introduce some calculation talent for this, rest assured I won't let them work for nothing; I can apply for subsidies from the Railway Institute."

When students need help, as a teacher, Yang Kaiming is happy to provide it.

"Introducing a few people is no problem, but as I said, a handful won't make a big impact…"

"I understand, but any reduction of a day is still a day."

Seeing Lu Cheng so persistent about shortening time, Yang Kaiming was somewhat puzzled.

"Can you tell me why you need to shorten it? Even with current manpower it would only take a year; cutting it to a few months seems of little significance."

Professor Yang was right; for most people, even for the whole Railway's development, shaving a few months isn't much, but Lu Cheng knew it mattered greatly for Captain Lei.

After he mentioned Captain Lei's illness, Yang Kaiming fell silent.

It turned out he was a man of strong loyalty.

"How about this: I have a method that can cut the time down to a few months."

Lu Cheng's face brightened instantly; just as he was about to ask the method, Yang Yin suddenly came over with a cup.

"Thank you, Xiao Yang."

You're welcome, drink up.

Yang Yin's smiling, squinty look—if it were before, Lu Cheng would definitely have sensed something off.

But now his mind was full of the good method Professor Yang had mentioned, and he was waiting to ask about it; he had originally wanted to set the cup on the table, but seeing Yang Yin's gaze fixed on him, he could only take a symbolic sip.

Just one sip, Lu Cheng let out an 'Ugh' and quickly spat it back into the cup.

I don't know what Yang Yin put in it, but my mouth is both bitter and salty.

Seeing Yang Yin giggling to the side, Lu Cheng knew this little brat was behind it, but with Professor Yang present, he couldn't spank her; otherwise he would have.

"What's wrong, Lu Cheng? Doesn't it taste good?"

"It's good, good, just a bit hot." Lu Cheng also didn't want to kick up a fuss, so he put the cup aside.

"Go upstairs quickly, I need to talk with your dad about something."

Yang Yin reluctantly sat on the nearby sofa: "No, I also want to listen."