Chapter 539: Passing on the Classics Under the Lamp, the Heavy Burden on Our Shoulders

When the family banquet ended, the setting sun had already sunk behind the courtyard wall, dyeing the horizon orange‑red.

Lou Xiao'e, Nan Yi, and the masters tidied up the aftermath; Qin Jingru and Zheng Juan lent a hand nearby, while a faint scent of disinfectant and lingering vegetable aroma drifted in the yard, mixing into a comforting homely atmosphere.

Lin Shengli didn't help; he leaned against the old locust tree at the hall entrance, smoking, the half‑burned cigarette ember trembling slightly in the wind.

Lin Zhengpeng walked over, handing him a cup of warm water: "Dad, take a break; they've got the rest of the work."

Lin Shengli took the water, twisted a sip, crushed the cigarette butt under his foot, scanned the busy figures in the yard, and finally settled his gaze on Lin Zhengcheng and Lin Qinhua, who had just helped move tables and chairs, and on Chen Mo, standing by Qinhua, slightly restrained yet proactively offering help.

"Zheng Cheng, Qinhua, and Chen Mo, the three of you come here." Lin Shengli waved his hand, his voice low but carrying unquestionable steadiness.

The three hurried over; Lin Qinhua gave Chen Mo's arm a gentle tug and whispered:

"Don't be nervous, my dad just wants to chat about work with us."

Chen Mo nodded, his grip on his collar loosening a bit.

Lin Shengli led them into the east wing's study, his usual office; the wall‑side bookshelf was packed with thick professional volumes and neatly bound blueprints, and on a corner of the windowsill desk sat a polished abacus shining brightly.

He pulled a tin box from the top shelf, and when he opened it, several yellowed draft sheets fell out, covered with dense lines.

"These are the first set of landing‑gear drawings I sketched when I was young." Lin Shengli lifted a draft, his fingertips lightly brushing the revision marks, "Back then conditions were harsh, no computers, every drawing had to be hand‑drawn; a single mistake meant starting over. I spent three full days and nights on this one."

The three youngsters crowded around to look; the lines on the draft were crooked, with many red‑pen corrections, revealing the youthful naivety and earnestness of the time.

Lin Zhengcheng couldn't help asking, "Dad, what was the biggest problem you faced back then?"

"Materials," Lin Shengli put down the draft, his tone tinged with recollection. "Our aviation materials lagged; the drawings could be made, but we couldn't produce the corresponding parts. I spent days with a few senior engineers, soaking in the material plant, working alongside workers to melt alloys and run tests. The water‑soaked molds broke and re‑formed repeatedly, and only after much effort did we finally raise the material strength."

He turned to Lin Qinhua and Chen Mo: "Qinhua, Chen Mo, your current material R&D enjoys far better conditions than we had, but the core principle is the same—materials are the foundation of weapons; not a single detail can be sloppy. In your upcoming coating tests, you must assess high‑temperature resistance, humidity resistance, and also simulate battlefield environments like sand dust and salt mist, all of which appear in real combat."

Chen Mo nodded earnestly, took out his pocket notebook and recorded it, the pen tip rustling on the paper.

"General Lin, rest assured, we'll incorporate all of this into the test plan and adjust with the team tomorrow."

Lin Shengli nodded with satisfaction, then looked at Lin Zhengcheng: "The variable‑cycle engine processing equipment issue you mentioned, I've already spoken with Director Wang of the Heavy Machinery Research Institute; he agreed to let us inspect next week. You'll come with me then, talk extensively with their engineers, and make our requirements clear. Remember, joint R&D isn't about them doing it for us; it's about us mastering the core technology."

"I understand, Dad." Lin Zhengcheng nodded firmly, "I've already compiled the key processing parameters for the variable‑cycle engine, so we can interface with them directly when the time comes."

Lin Zhengpeng spoke up: "Dad, Xibei Shifeichang still needs someone to oversee the J‑20 Mass Production Optimization Plan. I'd like to return tomorrow, work with the team to finalize the details. Once the variable‑cycle engine here is up and running, I'll carve out time to come back for the hand‑over."

"Fine." Lin Shengli nodded, "You have ample experience at the test field; I trust you with that side. But remember, mass‑production optimization can't chase speed alone; quality must be guaranteed. Every aircraft's safety concerns a pilot's life and the nation's security; no slip‑ups are allowed."

He paused, his tone becoming solemn: "From today onward, I'll delegate more decision‑making authority to the three of you. Zheng Peng will take charge of J‑20 mass production and post‑flight work, Zheng Cheng will handle the variable‑cycle engine and equipment R&D liaison, and Qinhua and Chen Mo will lead the extreme testing of the Stealth Coating. If an unsolvable problem arises, we'll discuss it together."

"We will certainly live up to your expectations!" the three replied in unison, their voices full of resolve.

Although Chen Mo wasn't singled out, he echoed along, his eyes brimming with vigor—working with the Lin family for the nation's defense stirred both excitement and pride within him.

Lin Shengli watched their young, determined faces, and felt the weight in his heart finally settle.

He retrieved a set of keys from the desk drawer and placed them on the table: "These are spare keys to the study; you may consult the materials inside anytime. My experience lives in these files and in my mind; ask, and I'll tell you everything I know."

At that moment, Qin Jingru entered carrying a plate of sliced fruit, saw the study's scene, and smiled:

"Finished chatting? Come try the fruit, the apples were just cut, sweet as can be."

She set the fruit plate on the table and said to Lin Shengli, "Don't keep talking work with the kids; let them rest a bit too."

"Alright, no more work talk." Lin Shengli laughed, nodded, picked up an apple and handed it to Qin Jingru, "Thanks for your effort."

Lin Qinhua took an apple and slipped it to Chen Mo: "Try it, my mom's apples are the sweetest."

Chen Mo took the apple, whispered a "Thank you," bit into it, the sweet juice spreading in his mouth, warming his heart.

When they left the study, night had fully fallen; the courtyard's red lanterns were lit, their warm yellow glow illuminating everyone's smiling faces.

Lin Zhengpeng looked at the red lanterns and said to Lin Shengli, "Dad, when the J‑20 batch is fully equipped, let's have the whole family gather again."

"Sure." Lin Shengli nodded, looking at his family, a long‑missed relaxed smile appearing, "Then we won't talk work, just enjoy a lively celebration."