Chapter 534

Lin Qinhua and Chen Mo chatted on and off like that, from work to family, from childhood anecdotes to future plans, and before they knew it, more than two hours had passed.

The sunlight gradually slanted westward, dyeing the lake surface gold.

Lin Qinhua glanced at the sky, stood up, and said, "It's getting late; I should head home, otherwise Mom will get worried."

"All right, I'll see you home." Chen Mo quickly rose, took her handbag proactively, and carried it carefully.

The two walked side by side out of the park toward the Lin Family Courtyard.

This time Chen Mo wasn't nervous anymore; he would occasionally turn his head to glance at Lin Qinhua, and the tenderness in his eyes could not be hidden.

When Lin Qinhua noticed his gaze, she would slightly lower her head, the corners of her mouth betraying an uncontainable smile.

When they reached the lane entrance of the Lin Family Courtyard, Lin Qinhua stopped and said, "Just drop me off here, thanks for seeing me home."

"Of course." Chen Mo handed her the handbag, his eyes filled with reluctance, "Then… I'll wait for you at the research institute tomorrow? We can discuss the silicon carbide fiber experiment plan together."

"Okay." Lin Qinhua nodded, her cheeks slightly flushed, "I'll go inside first."

"Mm, be careful on the way." Chen Mo watched her retreating figure until she entered the lane and disappeared from sight, then turned and left, his face still wearing an irrepressible smile.

Lin Qinhua entered the courtyard and immediately saw Qin Jingru standing at the gate, looking out.

Seeing her return, Qin Jingru hurried over: "Qinhua, you're finally back! How was it? Did your chat with Teacher Li go well?"

Lin Qinhua walked up to her mother, a sweet smile on her face: "Mom, I didn't go to the blind date."

Qin Jingru froze for a moment, the anticipation on her face instantly turning to anxiety: "Why didn't you go? Did something happen? Or did you change your mind again?"

"It's not that I changed my mind." Lin Qinhua took her mother's hand, led her to sit in the main hall, and smilingly recounted Chen Mo's confession in full: "Mom, I've known Chen Mo for several years; he's reliable and hardworking, and we plan to get to know each other better first."

The more Qin Jingru listened, the more delighted she became, her eyes lighting up:

"Chen Mo? The colleague you often mention? I know this kid—I saw him on TV during the research institute's last commendation! He looks spirited, is knowledgeable, and is a good match for you!"

She grabbed Lin Qinhua's hand, unable to contain her excitement: "Wonderful! He's far more reliable than Teacher Li! Get along well, Mom supports you!"

"Mom, you're not upset I didn't go on the blind date?" Lin Qinhua asked with a laugh.

"What's there to be angry about?" Qin Jingru patted her hand, "As long as you find someone suitable, I'll be happy. Besides, I take a liking to this Chen Mo kid. Next time, let him come over for a meal—I'll cook a few dishes myself."

Lin Qinhua nodded, her heart warm.

He Yushui heard the commotion and came out of the room: "What's making you so happy?"

Qin Jingru quickly told her what had happened, and He Yushui also smiled and said:

"This is truly great news! Qinhua is blessed, and Chen Mo really is a fine young man. Our family is about to have another happy event."

The setting sun streamed through the window lattice into the main hall, falling on the smiling faces of mother and daughter.

Lin Qinhua looked at everything before her, her heart filled with peace.

She knew she had not only found a partner to work alongside in research, but also someone who could accompany her for life.

Half a month later.

Just as dawn was breaking, crowds had already gathered in front of the Ministry of Industry's grand auditorium.

Research personnel and soldiers in various uniforms stood in neat rows, their chest insignia gleaming in the morning light, their faces betraying an undisguisable solemnity and anticipation.

Today, a special commendation ceremony will be held here—to award the Lin Shengli team for successfully completing the J-20 test flight mission; this is not only an affirmation of a research team, but also a boost to Daxia Guo's national defense research endeavors.

Lin Shengli and his son Lin Zhengpeng stood shoulder to shoulder at the front of the formation, both wearing crisp dark-gray military research uniforms, the star insignia on their shoulder patches especially conspicuous.

Lin Shengli had just rushed back from the Xibei test field; though his eyes still bore faint red veins from staying up late organizing data, his vigor could not be concealed, his spine ramrod straight like a poplar on the Gebi Tan.

Beside him, Lin Zhengpeng's gaze was sharp and resolute; after being tempered by this test flight, he had gained several measures of steadiness and maturity, completely lacking the youthful inexperience of before.

"Dad, I didn't expect this commendation to be so grand." Lin Zhengpeng turned his head, lowered his voice to Lin Shengli, his eyes sweeping over the orderly ranks around them and the media reporters who had come from afar, "It seems the ministry values the J-20's results even more than we anticipated."

Lin Shengli gave a slight nod, his voice low and powerful: "The J-20 is more than just a fighter jet; it broke the United States' monopoly in the stealth aircraft domain, adding a hard barrier to Daxia's air defense. The ministry attaches importance to it because it concerns national security and the confidence of the entire defense industry."

Having said that, he paused, patted his son's shoulder, and said, "When we receive the award later, steady your mind—this honor is not for us father and son alone, but for the entire research team."

Lin Zhengpeng nodded heavily: "I understand, Dad."

At nine o'clock sharp in the morning, the commendation ceremony officially began.

Minister of Industry Zhao Jianguo strode onto the podium with steady steps, took the microphone, and his resonant voice rang through the hall via the sound system:

"Comrades! Today we have gathered here to hold a grand commendation ceremony for the J-20 stealth fighter's research and test-flight team! Not long ago, at the Xibei test field, our J-20 completed all test-flight items and achieved complete success!"

No sooner had his words fallen than thunderous applause erupted in the hall, lasting without cease.

Lin Zhengpeng looked at the white-haired veteran engineers beside him, at the young comrades who had fought shoulder to shoulder with him, his eye sockets slightly warming—over the years, countless days and nights of perseverance, numerous failed experiments, many tough problems solved, all found their best response in this applause.

Minister Zhao raised his hand to signal everyone to quiet down, then continued:

"The success of the J-20 marks that our country's aviation industry has entered the world's advanced ranks, and signifies a qualitative leap in our national defense research capabilities! Behind this, it is inseparable from the painstaking efforts of the research team led by Comrade Lin Shengli, and from the day-and-night struggle of every scientific worker! With their wisdom and sweat, they have forged for the nation a solid aerial shield!"

"Now, proceed to the award presentation!" the host's voice rang out, "Please invite Lin Shengli, Lin Zhengpeng and their father-son pair, along with the core members of the research team, to come on stage to receive the awards!"