Siheyuan: I eat melons while doing scientific research

Chapter 1302 The Choice of Rain (4k)

Gao Zhendong also joined in the fun.

Seeing how happy the comrades from the Ministry of Land Resources were, Gao Zhendong said, "If you get a ship or an airplane, I'll prepare some new weapons for you, the kind that are absolutely useful, hehehe."

"Really?" The colleagues from the Earth Resources Research Institute were immediately intrigued by this comrade who seemed to have no idea what he did.

Although we don't know exactly what he does, it's clear that this Commissioner Gao is capable of many things, and if he says he has new weapons, there's a high probability that he actually does. Just look at where he's sitting.

Being able to sit with the leaders of the National Defense Industry Committee indicates that they have many things to communicate directly at the meeting, and the implications of this are self-evident.

The leaders of the National Defense Industry Committee were also curious about what kind of new weapon Gao Zhendong was talking about: "Don't worry, if he says it exists, then it really exists. Hey, Comrade Zhendong, what exactly is it?"

Gao Zhendong leaned closer to the leader and said softly, "Magnetic anomaly detector and gravity gradiometer. They're still working on them, but there's progress. These two types of equipment can be used not only at sea but also on land, since they both scan from the air."

"Ah~~~~~~ These two things! I understand." The leader finally understood why Gao Zhendong had leaned over and whispered.

If the comrades from the Ministry of Land Resources couldn't obtain the ships and aircraft, then these two new weapons would be meaningless to them, because people couldn't carry them. Moreover, in this situation, these two things couldn't be revealed to them, since anything related to underwater matters is classified.

However, if the comrades in the Ministry of Land Resources could obtain ships and airplanes, things would be quite different. Even if it's a military secret, the most important thing is that the people can use steel and fuel. At worst, they can just send some bodyguards to accompany them during operations.

However, since it cannot be made public for the time being, the leaders of the National Defense Commission decided that the villain would do it himself.

He turned to the comrades from the Ministry of Land Resources and said, "Well, these two are indeed new weapons, and new weapons in the literal sense, you understand? Hehehe. So if we don't get the planes and ships, I can't tell you the more specific details, understand?"

I understand, I understand, I absolutely understand. How could the comrades in the Ministry of Land and Resources not understand? This is clearly a case of high-end technology being transferred from military to civilian use!
No wonder these leaders and comrades are all acting so mysteriously; it's impossible for these kinds of things not to be mysterious.

We absolutely must get our hands on this ship this time! It's not just about maritime operations, but also about new exploration technologies.

Seeing their eager expressions, the leaders of the National Defense Industry Committee explained, "It's not that we're unwilling to give it to you, but these technologies require specific vehicles. They can't be moved by carrying them on shoulders or by pack animals."

"Great! I'll go back and pester our department leaders until we get these things down," the colleague from the Land Resources Research Institute laughed. The department's situation is much better now than before the 60s; acquiring ships and aircraft shouldn't be a problem.
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When Gao Zhendong returned home after the meeting, he was greeted by Lou Xiao'e's smiling face and two children who were unusually well-behaved compared to usual.

Gao Zhendong found it strange; this didn't seem like the behavior of these two little brats. Normally, people would hear someone's voice before they even entered the house.

"What's wrong? You two are being so well-behaved today? Did you do something wrong? Hahaha." That was the only thing Gao Zhendong could think of. He wasn't as strict with his children as Lou Xiao'e. The fact that the two children were so quiet meant that they had misbehaved and been punished.

Toddlers who are only one or two years old are probably the type who readily admit their mistakes but never truly change them. It's not that they're unruly, but many children simply don't remember. They'll be caught again the second time and continue to admit their mistakes. They'll be much better as they grow older. Parents just need to keep up with their upbringing. Occasional mood swings aren't a big deal.

Lou Xiao'e smiled and glanced at him: "Can't you think about the good things about the children? They didn't do anything wrong. I was just thinking that things are starting to get special these days, so I wanted to keep them from making such a fuss."

The two little ones nodded eagerly in agreement with their mother, saying, "Yes, yes, yes."

Gao Zhendong asked curiously, "Huh? Has anything unusual happened during this time?"

Lou Xiao'e took the teacup from Xiao Changying's hands and handed it to Gao Zhendong while laughing, "You forgot? There's only a little over a month left until the college entrance exam, and junior high graduation is just around the corner. There are also junior and senior high school graduates in the neighborhood, so I told them not to make such a fuss."

Gao Zhendong took the tea, which he had deliberately let cool slightly, and took a sip with relish. He then patted Changying's little head contentedly: "Ah, right, right, I almost forgot about it if you hadn't mentioned it. But it can't be that serious, can it? The courtyard and alley are so big, it can't have gotten too big of a fuss."

These days, let alone human voices, even the crowing of chickens and barking of dogs in courtyards and alleys are no big deal.

Lou Xiao'e shook her head: "I mainly thought about how I felt when I found out I could go to university. Putting myself in their shoes, it wouldn't hurt to keep them quiet."

Gao Zhendong thought about it and agreed with Xiao'e. He nodded and said, "Yes, you're very thoughtful. I just don't know how many college or vocational school graduates will come out of the courtyard this year."

Lou Xiao'e laughed: "You wish! A few? In this courtyard and the whole alley, you can't find many junior or senior high school graduates."

Gao Zhendong wasn't as familiar with this matter as Lou Xiao'e. After all, he only selectively got involved in things happening in the courtyard, and he knew even less about things happening in the alley.

The couple were chatting and laughing when there was a knock on the door.

"Zhendong, it's me!" Sha Zhu's slightly rough voice rang out from outside.

Xiao Changhe ran over excitedly and opened the door, greeting him sweetly with "Hello, Uncle He," which made Sha Zhu extremely happy.

He was accompanied by another person, He Yushui.

"Oh, Yushui's here too. Sit down and let's talk." It was Lou Xiao'e's job to greet He Yushui, so she quickly got up and pulled He Yushui up.

The two siblings sat down, and He Yushui lowered her head and didn't say anything.

Sha Zhu glanced at her, then chuckled in exasperation: "Speak up! Didn't you say you had something to ask Brother Zhendong and Sister-in-law Xiao'e? Why are you acting like a quail? I've never seen you like this before."

Hmm? You have something to ask us?

Gao Zhendong and his wife exchanged a glance. Lou Xiao'e walked over and sat down next to He Yushui, smiling as she said, "Yushui, what's the matter? Tell us, why are you being shy here?"

He Yushui is not usually like this. Although she is polite, she would never be this shy.

"Sister Xiao'e, I want to...I want to...go to university! Do you think I'm good enough?" So that's what it was. She probably felt a little shy about wanting to go to university in front of two intellectuals, and felt like she was showing off her limited skills in front of an expert.

Gao Zhendong and Lou Xiao'e exchanged a glance and both laughed. So that's what it was about!
Gao Zhendong knew about He Yushui. She graduated from high school in 1965 and started working. He guessed that her start of schooling was influenced by the social environment before and after the founding of the People's Republic of China, and she was already in her early twenties when she graduated from high school. Now, he guessed that her thinking had changed due to the stimulation of various environmental changes.

"Ah, you want to go to university? That's great! So why are you shy? I thought you wanted to get married, hahaha." Lou Xiao'e couldn't help but laugh out loud, and made a joke.

"Sister Xiao'e~~~~~~" It would have been better if she hadn't said it, because saying it made He Yushui even more shy.

Sha Zhu took a glass of water from Xiao Changhe, took a sip, and laughed, "That's just how she is. I told her, if you want to study, then study. It's not like I can't afford to support you. But she just feels uncertain and wants to hear your ideas."

Gao Zhendong somewhat understood He Yushui's thoughts. He guessed that her original academic performance was just so-so, otherwise she wouldn't have been able to start working right after graduating from high school.

Although graduating from high school is considered a relatively high level of education these days, children in the heart of Beijing who can continue their studies at university are less likely to go straight into the workforce.

However, Gao Zhendong didn't say anything. With Xiao'e around, he didn't need to get involved in these matters; he could just lend a hand when necessary.

"What idea do you want to hear? Speak up, don't be afraid, speak boldly. We're all family here, don't be shy." Lou Xiao'e at this moment was very different from the silly and cheerful Lou Xiao'e that Gao Zhendong remembered. People all grow up.

It seems that Xiao'e is maturing even in places she can't see.

This is because Gao Zhendong and the Lou family took such good care of Lou Xiao'e that they always thought she was a silly, carefree girl, always laughing and joking. You have to understand, outside, Lou Xiao'e was a March 8th Red Banner Pacesetter, an outstanding young medical worker with numerous achievements and publications.

At home, everyone calls me silly girl and I don't mind. But outside the home, what should you call me?
"I'm...I'm...Sister Xiao'e, do you think I can get into university?" He Yushui was still lacking confidence. It was already a great achievement for her brother to raise her; as for her studies, Sha Zhu couldn't help her at all.

“Everyone has a chance to get in, don’t worry. You’re only in your second year of high school, you still have a year before graduation. Even if your foundation is weak, you’re still very confident that you can get into university if you work hard for a year.” Lou Xiao’e comforted He Yushui based on her own experience.

Gao Zhendong's face twitched as he listened. That might not be true, but he certainly wouldn't say it out loud and spoil the mood.

However, Lou Xiao'e's words had a very good effect on He Yushui. In He Yushui's eyes, Sister Xiao'e was a role model!
It is said that the power of role models is boundless, and this is perfectly exemplified in He Yushui's case.

"Is it really enough time?"

"There's still time. Think about it, you know my situation is special, right? From the time I found out I could go to university to the exam, the time was shorter than yours. And you've been in school the whole time, while I've put my textbooks down for a while. If I can get in, you definitely can!"

Lou Xiao'e's words were not a lie; they were all the truth.

Therefore, He Yushui's words were extremely persuasive, and with such excellent examples before her, they were a great encouragement to her.

Gao Zhendong didn't say anything. Anyway, for He Yushui, failing the exam would just be following the same old path as in the drama, which was acceptable. It was a sure-fire deal.

"Okay, okay, I understand. Thank you, Sister Xiao'e. Brother, I'll continue my studies. Will my sister-in-law have any objections?"

This is also a problem He Yushui needs to consider. If she continues her studies, then Da Tou will still have to rely on Sha Zhu to support her. If Sha Zhu is still single, then it doesn't matter. But now that Sha Zhu and Qin Huairu even have a child, she can't ignore her sister-in-law's opinion.

"It's alright, don't worry. What could she say, Grandma!" Sha Zhu boasted again.

Gao Zhendong reached out and patted Sha Zhu on the head: "Grandma! What nonsense are you spouting? We still need to follow the proper procedures. Go back and discuss it with Sister Qin."

Sha Zhu chuckled awkwardly, "Hehe, I just made the promise to Yu Shui in advance to put her mind at ease. As for Huai Ru, there won't be any problems. I'll discuss it with her when I get back."

He knew that Gao Zhendong was doing this for his own good, reminding him of something.

Gao Zhendong and his wife didn't say anything more. Qin Huairu should be fine in this regard; she knows what's important and what's not.

"Rain, I'll give you all my old study materials in a bit. Take them home and review them carefully. If you don't understand anything, you can ask me." Lou Xiao'e was very enthusiastic, taking over the role of tutor directly.

As for asking Gao Zhendong, forget it. He's too high-ranking, and we probably wouldn't need to use him. Besides, it would be harder for He Yushui to find Gao Zhendong than to find herself.

"Mmm, thank you, Sister Xiao'e!" He Yushui was overjoyed. Sister Xiao'e had used her college entrance exam materials. Putting aside the content, just getting them to share in her good fortune was a great honor.

"So... what do you want to learn?" Gao Zhendong asked casually.

Unexpectedly, He Yushui became a little shy after asking the question: "Brother Zhendong, Sister Xiao'e, please don't laugh at me when I tell you this."

"What's so funny? Go ahead and tell me, it's okay." Sha Zhu was very easygoing, and Gao Zhendong had more or less guessed what she wanted to learn.

"I want to... I want to study medicine!" Her eyes shone brightly when she talked about studying medicine.

As expected, Gao Zhendong laughed: "Studying medicine is good!" Decades later, there was a joke that went, "If you persuade someone to study medicine, you'll be struck by lightning." But jokes are just jokes. In the 60s, studying medicine was a very good path.

However, He Yushui's desire to study medicine wasn't entirely about career prospects; she was genuinely moved by something: "Yeah, I think it's great too. Sister Xiao'e, you don't know, ever since you saved my sister-in-law's pigsty, I've felt that being a doctor is truly amazing."

Logically speaking, that incident wasn't really related to anything great; the word was a bit of an exaggeration. However, it perfectly reflected He Yushui's thoughts; that was truly what she thought in her simple mind.

"Then you'd better think it through. Studying medicine... is a bit tough." Lou Xiao'e recalled how she looked after her first anatomy class.

"I'm not afraid!" He Yushui's eyes lit up again.

Lou Xiao'e nodded. Now, when she looked at He Yushui, she was starting to look at her with the air of a senior looking at a junior. It was interesting how everyone liked to study medicine.

(End of this chapter)