Chapter 503: Xu Damao: General Shengli, I

Lin Qinhua also said, "Mom, Aunt, we're not in a hurry either; the research task is heavy now, let's finish the work first."

Han Chunyan laughed and smoothed things over: "All right, all right, Sister Juan, don't push the kids too hard. But Pengzi, Chengzi, and you, Flower Girl, don't just focus on work—if you meet someone suitable, get together, don't delay things."

Lin Shengli took a sip of wine, set down his cup, and spoke in a gentle tone that brooked no refusal:

"What they said is right—career must be pursued, family must be built. I won't pressure you, but when you have time go meet someone; they're all introductions from acquaintances, reliable. You sixteen, not a single one is dating—we're constantly hoping to hold our grandsons and granddaughters."

The kids looked at each other and laughed.

Lin Zhengpeng nodded: "Sure, Dad. After the carrier aircraft's First Flight, I'll go meet them."

"That's right." Zheng Juan smiled, and gave the kids more food; the courtyard was filled with warm laughter.

After the meal, the women cleared the dishes, while the kids either discussed research problems in the courtyard or read books indoors.

Lin Shengli remembered Zheng Juan's pickled radish strips, said he'd take some to the base for colleagues to try, picked up the jar, and walked toward the Siheyuan—his home wasn't far from it, so he detoured to have a look.

Just as he entered the Siheyuan, he heard noisy arguing coming from the Zhongyuan.

Shazhu was holding a lunch box, shouting at Xu Damao, while Xu Damao's tricycle blocked Shazhu's doorway, taking up most of the space.

"Xu Damao! You're doing this on purpose, right? Move that broken tricycle!" Shazhu rolled up his sleeves, his face flushed with anger.

Xu Damao squatted on the ground, smoking, and slowly lifted his head:

"This doorway is public property; I can put my vehicle wherever I like—what business is it of yours? If you're able, go ahead and throw my tricycle away."

Qin Huairu stood at the door of the shabby shed nearby, eyes fixed on Shazhu's lunch box, and feigned mediation:

"Shazhu, Damao, we're all neighbors—stop fighting, it hurts harmony."

She was scheming inside, sure that Shazhu's lunch box contained meat buns from the work canteen, and if the two started arguing she might manage to snag a couple.

Lin Shengli walked over, his steps halted at the Zhongyuan entrance, and he gave a cold glance.

Seeing him, Shazhu instantly restrained his aggression, lowering his rolled-up sleeves.

Xu Damao was even more startled, jerking and dropping his cigarette to the ground; Qin Huairu's smile froze instantly, and she hurriedly stepped back two paces.

"What's the fuss?" Lin Shengli's voice wasn't loud, but it carried authority.

Xu Damao hastily scrambled to his feet, rubbing his hands together, and said: "Shengli… General Shengli, I was just joking around with Shazhu—I'll move the tricycle right away, I'll move it."

Saying that, he hurried to push the tricycle, afraid of being even a moment late.

Shazhu didn't dare speak, grabbed his lunch box, and headed for the house.

Qin Huairu, unwilling to give up, tried to edge over to make conversation: "General Lin, you're back?"

Lin Shengli's eyes turned cold as he glanced at her: "Don't come near me; your family's affairs are yours to handle. If you dare to eye others' things to mooch off, or dare to stir up trouble among the neighbors again, don't blame me for being rude."

Qin Huairu's face went pale, her lips moved but she said nothing, head down as she ran back to her shabby shed.

Liu Haizhong happened to come out of the house to take out the trash, saw this, hurriedly lowered his head, tossed the trash and headed back, not daring to breathe.

After his previous detention, he had long feared Lin Shengli and would no longer dare to stir up trouble lightly.

Yan Bu Gui hid at his own doorway, peeking out secretly; seeing Lin Shengli's gaze sweep over, he hastily shut the door, inwardly relieved: glad he hadn't gone out to join the crowd—this Lin Shengli is truly becoming someone you can't afford to provoke.

Lin Shengli paid no more attention to the people in the courtyard, grabbed the pickled radish, turned, and headed for the Research Base.

Those beasts in the Siheyuan could hardly stir up any trouble anymore; he saw no point wasting time on them.

Back at the Research Base, the engine installation work was proceeding smoothly.

Lin Shengli walked over to the assembly bench, watched the engine securely fixed to the airframe, and nodded in satisfaction.

Hanna walked over and handed him a document: "Lin, the avionics integration plan is ready—take a look. Also, the latest intel on the US military exercise has arrived; their F-14 carrier aircraft are participating, and they've conducted live-fire shooting, apparently trying to intimidate us."

Lin Shengli took the document, flipped through it quickly, and his eyes darkened: "Intimidation won't work. Pass the word—speed up progress; we must finish assembling the carrier aircraft prototype before the US military exercise ends. Producing the real thing will be far more effective than anything else."

"Understood!" Hanna nodded.

In the workshop, the machines' hum rose again, buzzing with energy.

Lin Shengli watched the busy figures before him, recalled the laughter and chatter from his family's courtyard, and a faint smile touched his lips.

On one side, day-and-night rushes to forge national heavy equipment; on the other, a whole family's warm companionship; plus the petty scheming of those clowns in the Siheyuan.

His days pass in this solid busyness and warmth, step by step moving forward.

Research must be pursued, the children's marriages must be looked after, and anyone who dares to provoke will find no leniency.