Chapter 533: An Unexpected Confession

"Because... because I like you!" Chen Mo finally blurted out those words, his voice trembling from nervousness yet unusually clear. "From three years ago, when you first arrived at the research institute and we first discussed the stealth coating material, I've liked you. I like the way you work seriously, I like your perseverance when facing difficulties, I like your gentle personality."

He grew more excited as he spoke, his eyes full of sincerity: "I know I shouldn't say this now, interrupting your blind date. But whenever I think you might end up with someone else, I feel panicked. I'm afraid that if I don't say it now, I'll never have another chance. Qinhua, I've liked you for a long time—could you... could you consider me? I know I may not be outstanding yet, but I'll work hard, I'll treat you well, and support your scientific career."

Lin Qinhua was completely dumbfounded, standing still, her cheeks instantly flushing red.

She never imagined that Chen Mo actually liked her.

Usually at the research institute, Chen Mo indeed took good care of her, but she only saw it as mutual help between colleagues, never thinking of anything else.

Watching Chen Mo's nervous sweaty palms and eyes full of anticipation and unease, Lin Qinhua's heart also involuntarily quickened.

She fell silent for a moment, and scenes of her everyday interactions with Chen Mo flashed in her mind: the hot coffee he quietly handed her during overtime, his patient analysis when experiments hit a bottleneck, his sincere congratulations when they achieved results…

Seeing her not speak, Chen Mo grew increasingly panicked, and his voice lowered:

"Sorry, Qinhua, did I scare you? If you don't like me, it's fine—I won't bother you anymore, we can still be colleagues…"

"No." Lin Qinhua finally spoke, her voice soft: "I don't dislike you—I'm just… just a little surprised."

She lifted her head, looked at Chen Mo, a hint of shyness in her eyes: "Chen Mo, I never thought about this. We usually get along well, and I think you're very reliable and outstanding."

Chen Mo's eyes lit up, he gazed at her excitedly: "Then… then would you be willing to consider me?"

Lin Qinhua gently nodded, her cheeks still flushed: "I'm willing to get to know you first. As for the blind date, I think I don't need to go."

Hearing her words, Chen Mo was instantly so excited he couldn't speak, his face breaking into a brilliant smile, his eyes even a little red.

He nodded firmly and handed over the paper bag: "This… this is the red bean cake you like that I specially bought this morning, intending to give you when the chance arose—I didn't expect to use it today."

Lin Qinhua took the paper bag, felt its warmth, and her heart warmed.

She smiled and said: "Thank you, I really like it."

"As long as you like it, as long as you like it." Chen Mo scratched his head, still a bit embarrassed: "So… where should we go now? Want to take a walk in the nearby park?"

"Sure." Lin Qinhua nodded, and they walked side by side toward the not‑far‑away park.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the plane tree leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground; their shadows were stretched long and leaned close together.

Lin Qinhua glanced sideways at Chen Mo beside her; he was still a bit nervous, his steps somewhat stiff, and she couldn't help laughing.

Hearing her laughter, Chen Mo turned his head to look at her, his eyes gentle: "What are you laughing at?"

"Nothing." Lin Qinhua shook her head, a sweet smile tugging at her lips: "I just feel that today's sunshine is wonderful."

At this moment, she had completely lost the reluctance and anxiety she felt about the blind date; her heart was filled with a gentle joy.

She thought, perhaps her mother's urging wasn't such a bad thing after all.

And look—someone who likes her has just confessed his feelings right away.

Meanwhile, Lin Shengli, far away at the Northwest Test Flight Field, would surely be delighted if he knew his daughter's lifelong matter had been settled.

Along the park's little path, roses were planted in abundance; pink and red petals unfurled in the sunlight, and a gentle breeze carried a faint floral fragrance.

Chen Mo gradually relaxed, no longer as stiff as before, and he initiated a topic:

"Did the data come out for the high‑temperature resistance test of the new stealth coating you mentioned yesterday?"

As soon as work came up, Lin Qinhua's eyes brightened a bit, and her tone became much more natural:

"They're out, and even better than expected—at 1800 °C, the stealth performance degradation rate is still under 5%. However, there's a minor issue: the coating's adhesion under extreme conditions still has room for improvement; I plan to tweak the formula next week."

"I actually have an idea." Chen Mo stopped walking, looked at her seriously: "In a previous similar experiment, I added a small amount of silicon carbide fiber, which significantly boosted the coating's adhesion—you could try that direction."

Lin Qinhua's eyes lit up: "Great idea! Why didn't I think of that? I'll organize the silicon carbide fiber parameters later, and we can run a comparative experiment together."

"Sure." Chen Mo nodded with a smile, his eyes gentle: "Actually, discussing experiments with you is my happiest thing. Before, I always feared bothering you, so I dared not talk to you more."

Lin Qinhua's cheeks tinged red, she lowered her gaze to the stone‑paved path beneath her feet, and spoke softly:

"Before, I was wholly focused on work and didn't notice these things. Now I feel that discussing work with you is indeed enjoyable."

The two walked side by side to a bench by the lake and sat down; the lake surface shimmered with ripples, a few ducks swam leisurely, leaving trails of water marks.

Chen Mo took a piece of red bean cake from the paper bag and handed it to Lin Qinhua:

"Try it—this shop's red bean cake is a time‑honored brand; I used to come here with my mom when I was little."

Lin Qinhua took the red bean cake, bit a small piece; it was sweet but not cloying, the aroma of the red bean filling spreading in her mouth.

She smiled and said: "It's really delicious, more authentic than anything I've eaten before."

"As long as you like it." Chen Mo also picked up a piece and began eating, then slowly talked about his family: "My parents are ordinary workers; they just want me to live a stable life. They know I'm engaged in defense research, though they don't understand the specifics, but they always tell me to work hard and contribute to the country."

Lin Qinhua listened attentively, nodded, and said: "My parents are the same, especially my dad, who always teaches us to combine our personal careers with the nation's needs."

She paused, then voluntarily spoke about her family: "I also have an older brother and a second brother, both doing scientific research with my dad; our family has many siblings, and it's always lively."

Chen Mo listened attentively, occasionally nodding in response, his eyes full of longing:

"It sounds really warm; I've always envied the atmosphere of a big family."