Chapter 544

The teacups in the main hall weren't cleared yet; Lin Zhengpeng grabbed the preliminary proposal, turned to the test‑flight section, his finger sliding quickly over the pages as he muttered:

"Prototype test flights must consider high‑altitude low‑temperature conditions; the test field should prepare the corresponding support equipment in advance." He looked up at Lin Zhengcheng, his tone urgent and earnest: "Zhengcheng, engine compatibility is key—your side's equipment optimization progress needs to keep up; if core parts lag, the test flight plan will have to be delayed."

Lin Zhengcheng was noting contact information in his notebook; hearing this, he lifted his head and nodded heavily.

"Don't worry, I'll call Engineer Li right now and send over the bomber engine compatibility parameters. We can set the joint task force's liaison time before noon, aiming to have the team stationed there this week."

Saying that, he rose and walked toward the telephone booth in the corner of the courtyard, his steps light, showing his enthusiasm.

Lin Qinhua and Chen Mo leaned over the table together, placing the coating test data and the preliminary proposal side by side for comparison.

Lin Qinhua circled the bomber's flight parameters on the proposal with a red pen: "Look, the bomber's range exceeds that of the J‑20, its high‑altitude cruise time is longer, so the coating's long‑term fatigue resistance needs focused testing. Our previous limit tests only did short‑term high heat; we need to add a 72‑hour sustained high‑temperature test item."

Chen Mo nodded, pulled out a small, polished notebook from his pocket, and while quickly jotting notes, he said:

"I'll apply this afternoon to extend the lab's equipment use time and prepare a new batch of test specimens. By the way, for selecting the fuselage composite material, shouldn't we first ask a few material suppliers for samples? The carbon‑fiber factory we worked with before has decent technology."

"Mm, I'll call them this afternoon." Lin Qinhua closed the folder, looked up and met Lin Shengli's gaze, couldn't help smiling: "Dad, our preliminary plan is just like this; please remind us if we've missed anything."

Lin Shengli leaned against the doorframe, holding a cup of hot tea, his face full of satisfaction:

"You've thought it through thoroughly; I don't need to worry. Remember, if you encounter a problem you can't solve, discuss it within the team first, and only come to me if it's really impossible. Gain more experience, and later you'll be able to stand on your own."

At that moment Qin Jingru walked out of the kitchen, flour still on her apron, calling out with a smile:

"Don't just stand there, dinner's almost ready! Zhengpeng just got back—eat first, then get back to work; Zhengcheng, after your call come over quickly to help set the bowls and chopsticks; Qinhua, Chen Mo, don't huddle at the table—take a break first."

"Got it!" Lin Zhengcheng responded, hung up the phone and strode over, notebook in hand: "All set! Engineer Li said he'll organize a team meeting this afternoon to study our compatibility needs, and wants me to send him the detailed parameters."

At the lunch table, the atmosphere was much more relaxed than during the meeting earlier.

Qin Jingru kept piling food onto Lin Zhengpeng's plate, murmuring:

"You definitely won't eat well in the Northwest, so eat more meat to keep up your strength. This time when you go back, you'll have to oversee the J‑20 production while preparing the bomber test flight—don't overwork yourself; if you're swamped, tell your family and have your dad send someone to help."

"Mom, no need—the test‑field team is very capable." Lin Zhengpeng swallowed a bite, smiling: "Besides, this is a chance to train myself; I can handle it."

He looked at Lin Shengli: "Dad, I placed the latest J‑20 production report in your study; it marks several points that need attention—please have a look when you have time."

"Fine, I'll look at it this afternoon." Lin Shengli nodded, gave Chen Mo a spoonful of greens, and said: "Chen Mo, when you work on R&D with Qinhua from now on, be more tolerant of her little temper. She works too hard—remind her to rest more."

Chen Mo's cheeks flushed slightly, and he quickly nodded: "General Lin, you can count on me."

Lin Qinhua gave him a light kick on the side, smiling, which made everyone laugh.

After lunch, everyone went back to their own tasks.

Lin Zhengpeng quickly packed his bag, gave Lin Zhengcheng and Lin Qinhua a few reminders, then prepared to head to the train station to return to the Northwest.

Lin Shengli saw him to the lane's entrance and handed him a vacuum flask:

"This is Aunt Zheng's chicken soup—drink it on the road. When you reach the test field, let the family know you're safe."

"Got it, Dad." Lin Zhengpeng took the flask and gave Lin Shengli a firm hug: "You also look after your health; don't keep worrying about us."

Having said that, he turned and strode quickly toward the lane's mouth, his back straight and resolute.

Lin Zhengcheng returned to the study, began organizing the detailed parameters for equipment optimization, preparing to send them to Engineer Li this afternoon.

He leaned over the desk, his pen flying across the paper, occasionally pausing to look up earlier survey notes; when uncertain, he rose to fetch relevant professional books from the shelf, so focused that he didn't notice Lin Shengli walk in.

"What are you looking at? So focused." Lin Shengli walked over and lightly tapped his shoulder.

"Dad, I'm organizing the machining parameters for the variable‑cycle engine's core components." Lin Zhengcheng lifted his head, eyes full of excitement: "Engineer Li said that if the parameters are correct, they can specifically optimize the equipment. I have to double‑check everything—no room for error."

Lin Shengli leaned in to look, pointing at one set of data: "This tolerance range can be tightened a bit more—the bomber's engine demands are higher than the J‑20's; we can't leave any hidden risks."

"Okay, I'll revise it right away." Lin Zhengcheng immediately picked up his pen and adjusted the parameters per Lin Shengli's suggestion.

But just after he finished, his brow suddenly furrowed; his fingertip moved back and forth between the two sets of data, muttering under his breath:

"No… if the tolerance is reduced to this range, the existing tool material simply can't withstand it—chipping will definitely occur during machining."

His pen hovered over the paper, his face darkening—he had been focused solely on meeting the engine's precision demands, overlooking the match between tool and parameters, a crucial omission.

Lin Zhengcheng hurriedly pulled out the tool‑material data he had previously exchanged with Engineer Li, also took out the aerospace materials handbook, and examined page after page carefully.

Sunlight streamed through the window lattice onto the page, reflecting his furrowed brow; his finger repeatedly rubbed the page titled "High‑Temperature Alloy Cutting‑Tool Compatibility Parameters," but the more he looked, the more anxious he became—no matter how he adjusted, the reduced tolerance clashed with the current tool material, either sacrificing precision or overloading the tool.

He stood up, paced back and forth in the study, his mind racing: Should we lower the precision requirement? No—Father specifically warned that the bomber's engine must have no hidden flaws. Or should we change the tool material? But the tool formula we discussed with Chen Mo and Qinhua is already the best option available; switching would lengthen the development cycle and greatly increase costs.