Chapter 205: Mechanical Lesson Exhibition Adventure: Crystal Guide Emerges

Zhao Jianguo stood at the platform edge, holding a canvas bag that contained the 3D‑printed exhibition blueprints and a small projector. The train had just pulled in, and wind from the tracks lifted the hem of his coat.

He didn't move, waiting for the crowd to thin before stepping forward. Jia Dongxu followed, shouldering the aluminum tubes of the display stand, muttering, "Why do they have to hold this expo out of town, what's the point? Beijing isn't short of venues."

"The higher‑ups decided," Zhao Jianguo smiled, "we're just going to show off a bit and see if there's any new stuff we can bring back."

Jia Dongxu hummed, "I think you shouldn't just watch others; your stir‑fry machine thing isn't finished yet. That guy from yesterday—did he really leave?"

"He left," Zhao Jianguo nodded, "but I remembered how he held the notebook—not just copying, but recording each parameter line by line, even writing down the 'stroke frequency.'"

The two boarded the train and found a hard‑seat carriage. Sitting by the window, Zhao Jianguo shoved the bag under the seat, leaned his back against the seat back and exhaled. The trip wasn't far, but his mind stayed taut like a stretched string.

Arriving at the exhibition hall, a long queue formed at the check‑in desk. Zhao Jianguo took out his ID and handed it over; the staff lowered his head and stamped a seal. In that instant, a "ding" rang in his mind.

【Check-in Successful】

【Reward Obtained: Micro Crystal Manufacturing Guide (Electronic Version)】

He blinked, his fingers fidgeted in his trouser pocket, and the encrypted USB drive he carried automatically received the file. He had built that thing himself; when plugged into a computer it wouldn't pop up any windows, and outsiders wouldn't know there was anything inside.

"What are you daydreaming about?" Jia Dongxu patted his shoulder, "It's our turn to set up the exhibit."

The exhibition hall wasn't large, but it was crowded. Their booth was in a corner, displaying three 3D‑printed models, one of which was the core Gear Set of the stir‑fry machine. Next to it stood a board that read "Siheyuan Technological Innovation Achievements Exhibition."

Just after finishing the setup, a man in a gray Zhongshan suit walked over. He stopped in front of the display board, stared at the Gear Set diagram for over ten seconds, his lips moving slightly, and said something.

Zhao Jianguo, being close with keen ears, caught half a sentence: "…not that different from ours."

He remained expressionless, slipped his hand into his coat pocket, and activated his phone's covert recording mode. The camera faced outward, aimed at the other person's profile.

The man sensed he was being watched, looked up with a quick glance, his eyes sharp. His chest badge read "Northern Precision Mechanical Research Institute," followed by a string of numbers; the format didn't match any current organization.

Jia Dongxu stepped closer, his voice loud, "Comrade, are you interested in our design?"

"Just taking a look," the man withdrew his gaze, "It's not easy for civilians to work on technology."

"It's not just tinkering; it's actually usable," Jia Dongxu said, pointing at the blueprints, "The Gear Set's meshing precision has an error of less than two microns; it can't be achieved by hand, we calculated it with software."

The other party gave no reply, turned and walked away, his steps steady, like someone from the troops.

Zhao Jianguo put away his phone and whispered, "He's not here to learn."

"Then what is he here for?"

"To verify," Zhao Jianguo rolled up the blueprints, "to see whether we've produced something they want but haven't managed to create yet."

At lunch, he found a quiet spot in the cafeteria corner, opened his laptop, and connected the USB drive. An encrypted document popped up on the Screen, titled "Micro Crystal Basic Manufacturing Process."

He read it line by line. Photolithography, etching, packaging… the steps were clear, material requirements modest, some even doable in an ordinary workshop.

"If Sha Zhu saw this, he'd have to dismantle the stir‑fry machine and try it," he muttered to himself.

Jia Dongxu pinched some vegetable dish into his bowl, "Take it easy. The train leaves at six tonight; you need to keep an eye on that bag, don't let anyone swipe it."

"I know," Zhao Jianguo closed his laptop, "Besides, if anyone really dares to act, I'm not without preparation."

At dusk they packed up and boarded the return green‑painted carriage. The carriage was crowded, smells mingled—sweat and the sour steam of instant noodles. They were lucky, still getting their original seats.

Zhao Jianguo placed the bag on his lap, covered by his Coat. Half an hour after departure, the lights dimmed a bit, and passengers gradually closed their eyes to rest.

He was squinting when he suddenly sensed something odd on the outside of his backpack.

It was as if a flash of light flickered.

He kept his eyes closed, his finger slowly slipped into the seam of the bag, rotated his phone, pointing the front camera at the inner compartment. Then he gently pressed the record button.

Seconds later, the footage showed a hand wearing a gray sleeve guard, a tiny metal object hidden at the cuff, photographing his backpack's inner pocket. The camera captured one second each time, pausing five seconds between shots, in a steady rhythm.

He slowly opened his eyes, using the reflection in the opposite window, and saw the man beside him hunched, his hand hidden under a newspaper, operating that device.

Zhao Jianguo stayed still, and when the other man took his third shot, he suddenly tucked the bag into his chest and lifted his head.

The man was startled, and the newspaper nearly fell.

Zhao Jianguo smiled at him, "Comrade, what are you looking at?"

"Nothing," the man's voice was flat, "It's too stuffy on the train, just taking some casual scenery shots."

"Oh?" Zhao Jianguo pointed outside, "It's dark out there, what's worth photographing?"

"Just a habit," the man said, pulling back the sleeve guard, slipping the small device into his coat pocket, standing up, changing seats, and walking to the carriage junction.

Zhao Jianguo didn't chase; after the man walked away, he retrieved the recorded video. Zooming in, he saw a corner of the man's badge—

【s Technology Institute】

He stared at those five characters, his heart beating half a beat faster.

This organization doesn't exist now. Yet the numbering format matches future research institutes exactly, even the font.

He saved the video onto the USB drive, then wrote this line on the first page of his notebook:

**s Technology Institute**

After writing, he closed the notebook, looked up at the window. The tracks stretched into the night, with scattered lights in the distance.

The train slowed, and the announcement rang: "Approaching station, Beijing West."

He clutched the bag tightly to his chest, his fingers catching the zipper pull.

Jia Dongxu rubbed his eyes and sat up straight, "Arrived?"

"Almost," Zhao Jianguo said, "From now on, don't bring the blueprints to exhibitions."

"Why?"

"Someone knows better than us what the next step should be."

The train entered the station, lights illuminating the carriage. Zhao Jianguo was the last to stand; as his foot touched the floor, he saw a silhouette in dark gray clothing on the platform, walking toward the exit.

He didn't shout or chase, just unplugged the USB drive from the computer and slipped it into his close pocket.

The man left the platform and turned into a narrow alley.

Zhao Jianguo stood still until the figure vanished completely.