Chapter 507

San Da Ma nodded and echoed, "Yeah, Jiefang, go give it a try. If you can get into the Research Base, our family will make it big."

Translation: San Da Ma nodded and echoed: "Yeah, Jiefang, go give it a try. If you can get into the Research Base, our family will make it big."

San Da Ma nodded and echoed, "Yeah, Jiefang, go give it a try. If you can get into the Research Base, our family will make it big."

Yan Jiefang was moved by what she said, quickly nodded: "Alright, I'll go buy a gift now. When Zhengpeng comes back, I'll go find him."

Translation: Yan Jiefang was moved by the words, quickly nodded: "Okay, I'll go buy a gift now, and when Zhengpeng comes back, I'll go find him."

Check: Yan Jiefang → Yan Jiefang. Lin Zhengpeng → Lin Zhengpeng (we decided). Use "Zhengpeng" as his given name? In Chinese they call him Zhengpeng as a nickname? Actually they call him Zheng Peng maybe short for Lin Zhengpeng. We'll keep as Zhengpeng. So "when Zhengpeng comes back". Good.

In the evening, Zhengpeng returned home with Zhengcheng and Qinhua. As soon as he entered the courtyard, he saw Yan Jiefang holding a fruit basket, standing at the doorway, wearing a fawning smile.

Translation: In the evening, Zhengpeng returned home with Zhengcheng and Qinhua; just as he entered the courtyard, he saw Jiefang holding a fruit basket, standing at the doorway, wearing a fawning smile.

Check: Zhengpeng → Lin Zhengpeng (we will use Zhengpeng as the name? But line uses full name? Actually they call him Zhengpeng later. We'll translate as Zhengpeng for consistency. However we need to decide: Should we use full name Lin Zhengpeng each time? The Chinese sometimes uses just Zhengpeng. The glossary didn't give it. We could translate as Zhengpeng (given name). But to avoid confusion, we can use Zhengpeng as the name they call him. The lines later use Zhengpeng (Zheng Peng). So we can treat Zhengpeng as his name. We'll translate as Zhengpeng. Similarly, Zhengcheng → Lin Zhengcheng, Qinhua → Lin Qinhua. Good.

Thus: Zhengpeng returned home with Zhengcheng and Qinhua; just as he entered the courtyard, he saw Jiefang holding a fruit basket, standing at the doorway, wearing a fawning smile.

"Zhengpeng, you're back?" Yan Jiefang hurried forward, handing over the fruit basket, "I heard you went on a blind date today, I specially bought some fruit, congratulations!"

Translation: "Zhengpeng, you're back?" Jiefang hurried forward, handing over the fruit basket, "I heard you went on a blind date today, I specially bought some fruit, congratulations!"

Zhengpeng furrowed his brow, not taking the fruit basket: "What's up?"

Translation: Zhengpeng frowned, not taking the fruit basket: "What's up?"

Yan Jiefang rubbed his hands, smiling: "Zhengpeng, I heard you're handling important work at the Research Base. Could you help me out? I want to work at the Research Base, even in a logistics post—I can endure any hardship."

Translation: Jiefang rubbed his hands, smiling: "Zhengpeng, I heard you're handling important work at the Research Base; could you do me a favor? I want to work at the Research Base, even a logistics post—I can endure any hardship."

Zhengpeng instantly understood his meaning, his face darkened: "Yan Jiefang, the Research Base has strict hiring procedures; it's not something I can decide with a single word. You didn't even finish junior high, and you'd fail the political review—even if you got in, you couldn't do the work."

Translation: Zhengpeng instantly understood his meaning, his face sinking: "Jiefang, the Research Base has strict hiring assessments; it's not something I can decide with just a word. You didn't even finish junior high, you'd fail the political review, and even if you got in, you couldn't do the work."

"I can sweep and move things!" Yan Jiefang exclaimed, "Zhengpeng, we both grew up in the same courtyard—just cut me some slack!"

Translation: "I can sweep floors and move things!" Jiefang exclaimed, "Zhengpeng, we both grew up in the same Siheyuan—just make an exception for me!"

At that moment, Lin Shengli walked out of the house, his gaze icy as he looked at Yan Jiefang.

Translation: At that moment, Shengli walked out of the house, his eyes icy as he looked at Jiefang:

"Yan Jiefang, didn't your father teach you manners? The Research Base is a key national facility—not somewhere you can just walk into. Your father came to me before, and now you're here again—do you think our Lin family is easy to bully?"

Translation: "Jiefang, didn't your father teach you manners? The Research Base is a key state facility—not somewhere you can just walk into. Your father came to me before, and now you're here again—do you think our Lin family is easy to bully?"

Yan Jiefang shuddered with fear, the fruit basket almost slipping from his hands: "General Lin, I... I just want to find a job..."

Translation: Jiefang shuddered all over, the fruit basket nearly slipping from his hands: "General Lin, I… I just want to find a job…"

"If you want a job, learn a trade and earn your own living—stop always looking for a back door." Lin Shengli said firmly, "Take your fruit basket back, and don't come to our house again to mooch or ask for help; we don't welcome you."

Translation: "If you want a job, learn a skill and earn your keep by your own abilities—stop always looking for a back door." Shengli's tone left no room for argument: "Take your fruit back, and don't come to our house again to leech off our popularity or beg for help; we don't welcome you."

Yan Jiefang's face turned deathly pale; he stood frozen, at a loss what to do.

Translation: Jiefang's face turned deathly pale; he stood frozen, at a loss what to do.

Yan Butgui came running from behind, grabbing Yan Jiefang with a smile: "Victory, my son doesn't know better—don't take it personally. We're leaving now, we're leaving."

Translation: Yan Bu Gui ran up from behind, grabbing Jiefang, smiling: "Shengli, my son doesn't know better—don't take it to heart. We're leaving now, we're leaving."

Saying that, he dragged Yan Jiefang away in a flustered rush back to the courtyard.

Translation: Saying that, he dragged Jiefang away in a flustered dash back to the Siheyuan.

Zhengpeng watched their retreating backs, frowning: "Dad, this Yan father and son are really a persistent nuisance."

Translation: Zhengpeng watched their retreating backs, frowning: "Dad, this Yan father-son pair are truly a persistent nuisance."

"Don't bother with them." Lin Shengli patted his shoulder, "How did the blind date go? You seemed to be chatting well—I can see the smile on your face."

Translation: "Don't bother with them." Shengli patted his shoulder: "How did the blind date go? You seemed to chat well—I can see a smile on your face."

When the blind date was mentioned, Zhengpeng's face flushed again, and he nodded: "We got along great; she's also in tech, so we have plenty to talk about."

Translation: When the blind date was mentioned, Zhengpeng's face flushed again, and he nodded: "We talked quite well; she's also in tech, so we have common ground."

"That's good." Lin Shengli smiled, "Make the most of it—once the maiden flight succeeds, invite her over for a meal so we can meet her too."

Translation: "That's good." Shengli smiled: "Make the most of it; once the First Flight succeeds, I'll invite her over for a meal so we can meet her too."

The women in the courtyard heard the commotion and gathered around, chattering away to ask about the blind date.

Translation: The women in the courtyard heard the commotion and gathered around, chattering away to ask about the blind date.

Zhengpeng answered each question, his smile never fading.

Translation: Zhengpeng answered each question, his smile never fading.

As night deepened, Lin Shengli stood in the courtyard, gazing at the stars, his heart full of reassurance.

Translation: As night deepened, Shengli stood in the courtyard, gazing at the stars, his heart full of reassurance.

With the carrier-based aircraft's maiden flight imminent, his son's blind date showing promise, the household harmonious and happy, and the nation's defense cause growing stronger step by step.

Translation: The carrier-based aircraft's first flight was imminent, his son's blind date showed promise, the household was harmonious, and the nation's defense cause was growing stronger step by step.

Meanwhile, in the courtyard, Yan Butgui scolded Yan Jiefang: "Good-for-nothing! I told you to cozy up to them, and instead you got chased back!"

Translation: Meanwhile, in the Siheyuan, Bugui gave Jiefang a dressing-down: "Useless! I told you to cozy up to them, and instead you got chased back!"

Yan Jiefang said resentfully, "Dad, Lin Shengli is too formidable—I couldn't get a word in."

Translation: Jiefang said, feeling wronged: "Dad, Shengli is too formidable—I couldn't get a word in."

"Hmph, they're ruthless!" Yan Butgui sat in his chair, fuming, beard bristling and eyes glaring, but there was nothing he could do—Lin Shengli is now a general, they dare not provoke him, so they can only swallow their anger.

Translation: "Hmph, they're ruthless!" Bugui sat in his chair, fuming, beard bristling and eyes glaring—but there was nothing he could do—Shengli is now a general; they dare not provoke him, so they can only seethe inside.

Qin Huiru squatted by the door of the broken shed, hearing the Yan family's argument, feeling a bit uneasy.

Translation: Qin Huairu crouched at the door of the broken shed, hearing the Yan father‑son argument, she also felt a bit uneasy.

She looked toward Lin Shengli's house, eyes full of envy—if she hadn't schemed against Lin Shengli back then, would the Jia family also be living such a good life?

Translation: She looked toward the Shengli household, eyes full of envy—if back then she hadn't schemed against Shengli, would the Jia family also be living such a good life?

But now, it's too late for anything.

Translation: But now, it's too late to say anything.

Early the next morning, the Research Base buzzed with activity.

Translation: Early the next morning, the Research Base bustled to life.

Senior officials arrived with leaders from relevant departments, and media reporters came as well; everyone was anticipating the maiden flight of the carrier-based aircraft.

Translation: The chief brought leaders from the relevant departments, media reporters also came, and everyone was anticipating the carrier-based aircraft's first flight.

Lin Shengli wore his uniform, standing on the command tower with a resolute gaze.

Translation: Shengli wore his uniform, standing on the command tower, his eyes resolute.

Zhengpeng, Qinhua, and Hanna stood beside him, each face showing nervous anticipation.

Translation: Zhengpeng, Qinhua, and Hanna stood beside him, each face showing tension and anticipation.

"All units, attention: the carrier-based aircraft maiden flight countdown—10, 9, 8..."

Translation: "All units, note: carrier-based aircraft first flight countdown, 10, 9, 8..."

As the countdown ended, the carrier-based aircraft's engines roared to life, the tremendous thrust causing the airframe to shudder slightly.

Translation: As the countdown ended, the carrier-based aircraft's engine roared to life, the immense thrust making the fuselage tremble slightly.

The pilot pulled back the control stick, the carrier-based aircraft sped down the deck, then shot straight up into the blue sky!

Translation: The pilot pulled back the control stick, the carrier-based aircraft sped along the deck, then shot straight up into the blue sky!

"Maiden flight successful!" Cheers erupted from the command tower; the senior official gripped Lin Shengli's hand tightly: "Victory, well done! You've rendered great service to the nation!"

Translation: "First Flight Success!" cheers erupted from the command tower; the chief gripped Shengli's hand tightly: "Victory, well done! You've rendered great service to the nation!"

Lin Shengli watched the carrier-based aircraft soaring above, his eyes brimming with tears.

Translation: Shengli gazed at the carrier-based aircraft soaring above, his eyes brimming with tears.

That day, he had waited too long, the whole team had waited too long, the nation had waited too long.

Translation: That day, he had waited too long, the whole team had waited too long, the nation had waited too long.

The carrier-based aircraft in the sky performed a series of maneuvers, then returned smoothly and landed on the carrier deck.

Translation: The carrier-based aircraft in the sky completed a series of flight maneuvers, then returned smoothly, landing on the aircraft carrier's deck.

The entire maiden flight process was flawless!

Translation: The entire first flight process was flawless!

Inside the Research Base, thunderous applause and waves of cheers rose and fell.

Translation: In the Research Base, thunderous applause and waves of cheers rose and fell.

Zhengpeng took out his phone and sent a message to Su Qing: "The maiden flight succeeded; once I'm free, let me treat you to a meal."

Translation: Zhengpeng took out his phone and sent Su Qing a message: "First Flight succeeded; when I'm free, let me treat you to a meal."

Soon Su Qing replied: "Congratulations! I'm proud of you! Let me know when you have time."

Translation: Soon, Su Qing replied: "Congratulations! I'm proud of you! Let me know when you're free."

Zhengpeng looked at the message, the corners of his mouth turning up involuntarily—his career was thriving, his love life was taking shape; this must be what happiness feels like.

Translation: Zhengpeng looked at the message, the corners of his mouth turning up involuntarily—his career was thriving, his love life had promise; this was probably what happiness looked like.

Lin Shengli looked at his son's expression and smiled too.

Translation: Shengli looked at his son's expression and also smiled.

He knew this was only the beginning; many more cutting-edge weapons awaited development, and more challenges lay ahead—but as long as the family stood united and the team worked together, no difficulty would be insurmountable.

Translation: He knew this was only the beginning; many more cutting‑edge weapons awaited development, and more challenges lay ahead—but as long as the family stood united and the team worked together, no difficulty would be insurmountable.

Those who had once schemed against him could only linger in the corners, gazing up at his and his family's accomplishments.

Translation: And those who had once schemed against him could only lurk in the corners, gazing up at his and his family's accomplishments.

News of the carrier-based aircraft's successful maiden flight spread across the nation like wings.

Translation: The news of the carrier-based aircraft's first‑flight success spread like wings across the whole country.

At the Research Base, the victory banquet was lively and bustling, red lanterns strung along the way, the cafeteria redecorated anew, tables laden with chicken, duck, fish, and meat, plus pastries specially ordered from old-time brands in the 49‑city area.

Translation: In the Research Base, the victory banquet was lively, red lanterns strung along the way, the cafeteria refurbished anew, tables laden with chicken, duck, fish, and meat, plus pastries specially ordered from an old‑time brand in Sijiucheng.

The senior official sat at the main table with several leaders, all smiles, raising their glasses:

Translation: The chief and several leaders took their seats at the main table, faces full of smiles, raising their wine cups:

"Today, on behalf of the nation and the people, I toast General Lin Shengli and the entire R&D team! With your wisdom and sweat, you've built our own advanced carrier‑based aircraft, giving the Longteng carrier genuine combat power and steering the Daxia navy toward the deep blue! I'll drink first as a sign of respect!"

Translation: "Today, on behalf of the nation and the people, I toast General Lin Shengli and the entire R&D team! With wisdom and sweat you've built our own advanced carrier‑based aircraft, giving the Dragon Soaring Aircraft Carrier real combat power and steering the Daxia navy toward the deep blue! I'll drink first as a sign of respect!"

Cheers! All staff responded in unison, the sound of clinking glasses clear and bright, and every face was filled with proud smiles.