Rong Yu was summoned to the Fourth Aeronautics and Space Institute.
Wang Xiaoli was already waiting at the entrance, pulling her inside. "The mathematical simulation and scaled model verification concept is out. Come on, let's go take a look..."
Rong Yu was now staff, able to swipe her card, scan her face, use her fingerprint, and enter the core area directly.
She couldn't help but marvel at the rapid technological development of this era. From project proposal to the design phase, implementation was starting so quickly.
In the past, this would have taken at least several months.
The overall commander of this project was the director of the Fourth Aeronautics and Space Institute, while the chief designers were Rong Yu and Lin Rang.
Because Rong Yu was still a high school student, needing to attend classes and also juggle the entertainment industry, most of her designated work was handled by Lin Rang on her behalf. Therefore, Lin Rang's name was listed first, with Rong Yu's name following, both centered on the line.
Initially, everyone present was quite skeptical of this young girl, Rong Yu.
But, time and again, she pushed technical limits, kept pace with computer processing speeds, and made people see her in a new light. Everyone in the core area no longer dared to treat her as an ordinary high school student.
"No major issues, we can proceed to the next step," Rong Yu stated. "The next phase involves developing prototype materials, which requires a large amount of raw data. This part needs to be expedited..."
She stayed in the core area for over two hours before leaving.
Just as she stepped out of the core area, a middle-aged man stopped her. "You must be Assistant Rong Yu. I am Minister Li from the Publicity Department of the Fourth Aeronautics and Space Institute. Pleased to meet you."
Rong Yu smiled. "Minister Li."
"A few days ago, higher-ups assigned a task requiring the Institute to assist with publicity, showcasing our capabilities to the public to enhance national cohesion," Minister Li said, adjusting his glasses. "In the past, our Institute would simply film some of the year's achievements, focusing on display, but viewership was low. This year, I was thinking, why not try a different approach?"
Rong Yu's interest was immediately piqued.
Although seventy years later, China was already a top-tier nation, national self-confidence wasn't yet that strong.
Many people still believed that foreigners were more cultured, that the moon was rounder abroad, that toilet water overseas was drinkable... In short, anything foreign was good, anything domestic was inferior.
This mindset had persisted for generations.
It was time for a change.
The achievements in aerospace should be seen by more people.
Given that, she wouldn't refuse this task.
"Minister Li, let's go to the office to discuss this."
Minister Li was overjoyed.
Although not a researcher himself, he knew this Assistant Rong was extraordinary. At such a young age, she had already independently proposed a project that passed high-level review.
She was both a researcher.
And could also be utilized as a publicity asset.
Minister Li led Rong Yu into the publicity office.
There, Rong Yu had the opportunity to seriously learn about the development of China's aerospace industry over the past half-century. So difficult, so arduous, so full of obstacles, yet... they had persevered. Through a path strewn with thorns, they had forged a bright and smooth road...
By the time she left the Publicity Department, it was already evening.
The orange sunset cast its light, gilding everything with a golden glow. It was beautiful.
Song Huai had just entered the main gate when he saw Rong Yu walking out from inside. The sunset fell upon her, beautiful, with an ethereal, otherworldly kind of beauty.
He was momentarily stunned, watching her.
It wasn't until Rong Yu was escorted out by someone and got into a car that he snapped back to reality.
He let out a soft sigh and looked at the person who had seen her off. "Excuse me, may I ask what that young woman was doing at the Institute?"
"The female lead for the Institute's promotional video," the person replied, just a lower-level staff member unaware of more details, shaking his head. "That girl is very popular lately. The Publicity Department wants to test the star effect..."
Song Huai's brow furrowed slightly.
Could it be that Rong Yu was awarded the Special Contribution Award by the Institute because she took on the filming task for the aerospace publicity project?
He had thought it was because Professor Lin Rang had produced some research results and incidentally included his assistant Rong Yu's name. So that's what it was.
He had overestimated Rong Yu.
Still, for a celebrity to reach the point of representing a national cause was quite impressive.
In her own field, she had reached the top.
But, it was somewhat regrettable.
Because Rong Yu had good grades. With just a little more effort, she could definitely get Professor Liu to notice her as a student... Isn't dedicating oneself to a national cause better than being a celebrity?
Forget it. Since Rong Yu didn't seem to care, why should he worry?
Rong Yu had been in the car for only a few minutes when her phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID and answered. "Academician Min."
"Xiao Yu, are you free right now?" Professor Min said cheerfully. "I happen to be on a business trip to Haicheng. Come over and have a meal with me."
Last time in the capital, Min Shenyan had treated Rong Yu to a meal.
She felt she should return the hospitality as host, so she agreed immediately. At the same time, she called the Ji household, telling Old Ji not to wait for her for dinner.
The car drove to a Western restaurant by the Haicheng riverbank.
Rong Yu felt a bit strange.
Sitting in a Western restaurant with Academician Min, an older gentleman, listening to melodious violin music... wasn't that a bit inappropriate?
"Xiao Yu, over here!"
Min Shenyan beamed as soon as he saw her.
Rong Yu walked over and noticed another person sitting at the four-person booth—a very young man.
"Come, let me introduce you. This is my son, Min Jianshen. Twenty-four years old, young and promising." Min Shenyan pointed to Rong Yu. "This is Rong Yu, an exceptionally talented mathematics student, eighteen years old. You two should chat."
The strange feeling in Rong Yu's heart grew stronger.
This felt a lot like a setup for a blind date.
Min Jianshen also frowned, lowering his voice. "Dad, you said we were just meeting a friend. Why does this sound like you're introducing a potential match? And even if you are, have you lost your mind? Introducing an eighteen-year-old girl to me..."
"Don't talk nonsense," Min Shenyan said sternly. "I'm just introducing you two. It's not a blind date. Don't misinterpret it."
Getting to know each other early meant that when Rong Yu reached marriageable age, his son would have a chance, wouldn't he?
It didn't matter if Rong Yu couldn't be his student.
She could be his daughter-in-law instead.
Just thinking about this brilliant idea he'd come up with made Min Shenyan want to laugh. He really was a genius.
He chuckled. "You're both young people. Get to know each other. You two enjoy your meal slowly. I'll be going now."
He had just taken a step after standing up when he heard his son say, "Hello, little friend Rong Yu. Let me first introduce my profession. I work in archaeology, mainly excavating ancient remains, analyzing the skulls, teeth, bodies, bones of the deceased, and assigning historical significance..."
Min Shenyan stumbled, nearly falling to the ground.
That brat! He had repeatedly warned him not to mention anything about remains! The kid was doing this on purpose!
