Chapter 519

Lin Zhengpeng picked up his chopsticks, took a piece of braised pork and put it in his mouth, his brows and eyes relaxed: "Delicious, and your cooking still smells fragrant."

He said, also picking up a piece and putting it into Su Qing's mouth: "You eat too."

Su Qing laughed while chewing, watching him wolf down his food, feeling distressed she said: "Don't always be busy with work, you also need to eat on time, otherwise your health will break down."

"I know." Lin Zhengpeng nodded, "Once the Fire Control System is optimized, I'll accompany you to have a good meal at home. By the way, Dad just said, Hanna Auntie's stealth coating test has made progress; after a while, our J-20 can enter the test flight stage."

"Really?" Su Qing's eyes lit up, "That's great! All your hard work over this time hasn't been in vain."

The two sat at the table, slowly eating, chatting about family matters; the icy atmosphere of the lab seemed to be diluted somewhat by the aroma of this food.

At dusk, Lin Shengli got off work and returned home.

Just entered the courtyard, I saw Zheng Juan, Qin Jingru, and Su Qing picking vegetables in the small vegetable garden; Lin Zhengpeng was helping at the side, holding a small basket, from time to time handing Su Qing a small stool; Qin Jingru was helping Zheng Juan pick vegetables, her movements practiced, her brows and eyes full of gentleness.

The setting sun fell upon them, gilding them with a golden halo, especially warm.

"Dad, you're back." Lin Zhengpeng saw him, smiling as he greeted.

Qin Jingru also stood up, quickly walked forward, took Lin Shengli's briefcase and coat from his hands, and said softly:

"Are you tired? I've brewed tea for you, it's cooling in the room."

"Hmm." Lin Shengli nodded, patted her hand, then walked over and picked up a small shovel, helping to turn the soil: "How are things going in the lab?"

"Going pretty well, the compatibility between the Fire Control System and the Stealth Coating keeps improving." Lin Zhengpeng said, "Hanna Auntie said she'll do another comprehensive test tomorrow; it should meet the standard."

Zheng Juan wiped her hands, smiling: "Stop talking about work, the food is almost ready; Jingru bought pork belly and stewed the potato and meat dish you love; hurry up and wash your hands to eat."

The family walked into the house; the table was set with four dishes and a soup, all home-style sides, yet exuding a full warmth.

And in the Siheyuan, cooking smoke was now rising as well.

Qin Huairu crouched by the stove, looking at the thin porridge in the pot, her face full of worry.

Bang Geng is in prison; Jia Zhangshi was sent back to her hometown by her; Xiao Dang, feeling embarrassed, found a man over twenty years older than herself and married him.

She now lives alone; the money she earns from scavenging isn't enough for food and clothing; with winter approaching, she doesn't even have a thick coat, let alone to send warm clothes to Bang Geng.

Just thinking of Qin Jingru's refusal of her, and the Lin family's prosperity, she feels both angry and resentful, yet has no recourse, only able to crouch by the stove and shed tears.

Xu Damao sat in the house, drinking low-quality liquor, still pondering how to cause trouble for the Lin family.

He thought back and forth, recalling that near the Research Base there was a scrap yard; perhaps he could scavenge something there, even a piece of waste paper might fetch a good price.

Shazhu, meanwhile, was at the Ya gang chang gate gambling with a few coworkers; after losing money, he muttered curses, and thinking of the Lin family's good life, his jealousy grew stronger; he considered going to the Lin family residence gate another day to cause a disturbance, so that Lin Shengli would also be unhappy, but upon reconsidering Lin Shengli's status, he quietly backed down, only able to silently curse in his heart to vent.

Only Yan Bu Gui's household exuded stability. San Da Ma was cooking in the kitchen, while Yan Bu Gui sat in the courtyard, polishing his wood plane, humming a little tune.

Night gradually fell, moonlight sprinkled over the Siheyuan, making the windows of each household glimmer faintly.

Some wore worried faces, some were scheming, some enjoyed peace and stability, while the lights in the Lin family residence remained warm and bright, reflecting the family's laughter and joy, as well as the original intention and perseverance of forging national heavy weapons.

The Research Base in the early morning had a bit more lively atmosphere than usual.

In the lab, Hanna held the final test report, quickly walking up to Lin Shengli and Lin Zhengpeng, her fatigue replaced by barely concealed joy:

"Lin, Zhengpeng, we've fully met the standard! The ratio of 15% titanium alloy micro-particles plus 2% carbon fiber strands, after twelve high-low temperature cycles and three supersonic simulation tests, the radar cross-section remains stable at 0.009 square meters, and the coating's toughness also fully meets the standard, with no cracks appearing!"

Lin Zhengpeng took the report, his eyes swiftly scanning the data column, his tense lips finally relaxing, his voice tinged with uncontrollable excitement:

"Great! This way, the Fire Control System and the Stealth Coating can be perfectly matched, and the preparations for the J-20's test flight can be fully advanced!"

Lin Shengli took the report, his fingertips lightly stroking the dense data, his face showing a relieved expression, he instructed:

"Zhengpeng, lead your team to re-check the compatibility data of the Fire Control System and the coating, ensuring every parameter has zero error. Hanna, you are responsible for organizing all test reports, sending them to the Military Industry Department in the morning, and simultaneously applying for test flight approval. Remember, the more critical the moment, the less room for carelessness."

"Understood!" The two responded in unison, turned and each went about their business.

Sunlight streamed through the window, falling on Lin Shengli's shoulders; he gazed at the lab staff, each fulfilling their duties, full of vigor, his heart filled with resolve—each breakthrough in data brings us a step closer to the goal of safeguarding home and country.

And in the old Siheyuan of South Luogu Lane, Qin Huairu had not given up.

At dawn, she clutched a tattered cloth bag and made her way to the back gate of the Lin family's grand Siheyuan.

She didn't dare go to the front gate, fearing to run into Lin Shengli and also dreading being stopped by the guards; instead, she thought of crouching at the back gate, waiting for Su Qing to go out, looking for a chance to waylay Su Qing—in her view, Su Qing had just married in not long ago, her temperament gentle, and she would surely be easier to talk to than anyone else.

She crouched at the base of the back gate's wall, shrinking her neck, staring toward the courtyard gate; her bag held a few pieces of washed‑white old clothing, intending to say they were for Bang Geng, to ask Su Qing for help delivering them to the prison, and then perhaps borrow some money.

The deep autumn wind scraped her face like a knife, but she gritted her teeth and stayed squatting for over half an hour in order to gain some advantage.

Not long after, Su Qing slung a cloth bag over her shoulder and came out from the back gate—she was heading to the Research Base to deliver some change of clothes to Lin Zhengpeng, and also to bring some homemade snacks.

She was wearing a light‑gray coat, her hair simply tied up, her face bearing a gentle smile; just as she reached the lane entrance, Qin Huairu intercepted her.

"Miss Su! Miss Su, wait a moment!" Qin Huairu hurried forward, putting on a pleading smile, and pushed the cloth bag toward Su Qing's face: "I've been waiting for you a long time; these are a few pieces of old clothing I found for Bang Geng—could you help me send them to the prison? I know you're kind-hearted, so please pity me, this mother."

Su Qing stopped in her tracks, looking at the tattered cloth bag in Qin Huairu's hand, then at the deliberately feigned pitiful expression on her face, her tone gentle yet firm:

"Aunt Qin, the prison has uniform clothing distribution and set visitation procedures; I cannot help you send these things."