Rejecting Tsinghua and Peking Universities: I Will Lead Harbin Institute of Technology to World Lead

Winter in this mountain city is less harsh than in the north; instead, it's damp with a touch of warmth.

The three days Lin Feng spent at home felt like a stolen moment of tranquility.

There was no data, no blueprints, and no endless deductions.

Only the mother, Su Wenqing, prepared a variety of home-cooked dishes, while the father, Lin Guodong, spoke in a loud but concerned tone.

The family sat around the hot pot, the red oil bubbling and steam rising, chatting casually.

Lin Guodong talked about his new ideas for the hot pot restaurant business, while Su Wenqing chatted about interesting things that happened at school.

Lin Feng listened quietly most of the time, occasionally interjecting a few words, his face showing a relaxed and gentle expression that he hadn't seen in a long time.

This simple yet heartwarming family happiness is a more precious comfort to him than any technological achievement.

He was almost completely immersed in this comfort.

On the afternoon of the third day, my phone vibrated gently in my pocket.

On the screen, the familiar panda icon popped up.

"Junior, have you gone back to Chongqing?"

The message came from Shen Moran, carrying her usual liveliness and tentativeness.

Lin Feng smiled slightly and tapped his finger lightly.

"Yes, I'm back."

He replied almost instantly.

"Really?! That's great!"

"There's no time like the present! Junior, are you free today? I'll treat you to hot pot! The spiciest and most authentic kind! To celebrate your safe return, and also... to keep our promise!"

The words are filled with joy and anticipation.

Lin Feng could almost picture her bright, sparkling eyes on the other side of the screen.

"Okay. Location?" he replied readily.

"Lin's Hot Pot Restaurant, main branch! I know their manager, I can book the best private room! Let's meet at the entrance at six o'clock?"

"Can."

After putting down his phone, Lin Feng said to his parents, who were watching TV, "Dad, Mom, I have dinner plans with a friend tonight, so I won't be eating at home."

"Friends?" Lin Guodong and Su Wenqing turned their heads at the same time, their faces full of surprise.

A wise child is better than his parents.

They knew all too well their son's solitary, aloof, and almost reclusive nature from childhood.

The word "friend" was almost never uttered by him.

"Yes, she was a senior from high school, and she happens to be in Chongqing too," Lin Feng explained naturally.

"Senior? Okay, okay! Go ahead, go ahead!" Lin Guodong's face lit up instantly, and he waved his hand.

"You should make more friends! Young people shouldn't always be so withdrawn!" Su Wenqing echoed, her eyes full of satisfaction.

Not only has my son returned, but it seems... things have started to feel more like home again.

As evening falls, the city lights begin to twinkle.

Lin Feng and Zhao Weiguo arrived at the grand entrance of Lin's Hot Pot's flagship store.

From afar, you can see a figure wearing a long beige down jacket, a baseball cap, and a mask, all bundled up but still unable to hide her slender figure, standing on tiptoe and peering out.

"Senior sister." Lin Feng stepped forward.

"Junior!" Shen Moran's eyes curved into crescents, and her happiness could be felt even through her mask.

"Hurry inside, it's cold outside. All the private rooms are booked!"

It was still that reserved, quiet private room.

The red oil broth boils and releases a wonderful aroma.

Zhao Weiguo tactfully stepped outside, found a seat for himself, and left the two of them alone.

Without the tension and hesitation of the last confession, the atmosphere was much more relaxed and pleasant this time.

Shen Moran enthusiastically recounted the interesting things that happened after returning to the mountain city, and complained about the warm concern of her relatives.

Lin Feng then briefly talked about some trivial daily life at school.

The two tacitly avoided those deep topics, simply enjoying the food and casual conversation of their long-awaited reunion.

Laughter occasionally drifted from the private room.

A meal that made me feel refreshed and comfortable.

When they parted, the two naturally agreed that they could explore the familiar city together during their time in the mountain town.

So, in the days leading up to the Spring Festival.

Their figures appeared in the ancient Ciqikou of the mountain city, in the bustling Jiefangbei, and on Nanbin Road under the night sky.

Like old friends reunited after a long separation, they took a walk, chatted, and sampled street food.

Shen Moran would point to a building and talk about her childhood memories.

Lin Feng would listen quietly, occasionally adding a bit about the city's historical changes.

There was no deliberate ambiguity, only a growing sense of comfort and tacit understanding.

It was as if that hotpot meal and the few days they spent together had quietly transformed their alumni relationship into that of closer friends.

On New Year's Eve, families reunite.

The two stayed home, keeping vigil with their families to welcome the New Year.

As the clock struck midnight, Lin Feng's phone vibrated.

It's a photo of Shen Mo dyeing his hair.

A sumptuous New Year's Eve dinner, family members sitting around the table, and her playful "V" sign and radiant smile for the camera.

"Happy New Year, junior! Wishing you and your aunt and uncle a healthy and prosperous New Year!"

Looking at her warm smile in the photo, Lin Feng felt a slight stirring in his heart.

Reply: "Happy New Year. The same goes for you."

During the Spring Festival, people visit relatives and friends, and everyone is busy.

The fervor for exchanging New Year's greetings subsided slightly by the fifth day of the Lunar New Year.

"Hey junior, I finally have some free time today! The weather's so nice, wanna go for a walk? I heard the plum blossoms at the Garden Expo Park are in bloom."

Shen Moran's message arrived again.

"Okay. See you at the east gate of the Garden Expo Park in an hour," Lin Feng replied.

In the afternoon, the Garden Expo Park was bathed in warm sunshine and filled with subtle fragrances.

Deep within the plum grove, tourists thronged.

Shen Moran took off her heavy down jacket and wore a light pink sweater, which made her skin look even whiter than snow.

She stopped in front of a wintersweet tree in full bloom, tilted her head slightly, closed her eyes, and gently inhaled its fragrance.

Sunlight filtered through the flower branches, casting dappled shadows on her delicate profile.

It's as beautiful as a painting.

Lin Feng stood a few steps away, watching quietly.

A sense of peace settled in my heart.

Perhaps, experiencing this kind of life occasionally wouldn't be bad.

However, this tranquility did not last long.

Just as Shen Moran turned around, smiled and waved at him, preparing to say something.

The other encrypted phone in Lin Feng's pocket emitted a low, rapid vibration.

This is a specific frequency that only rings in the most urgent situations.

Lin Feng's expression changed slightly. He quickly walked to a quieter spot and answered the phone.

"Xiao Feng, this is Liao Zhenguo." On the other end of the phone, Old Liao's voice was unusually serious, even carrying a rare hint of urgency.

"During the first full-system integration test of the Longyuan prototype, the main rotor transmission system experienced abnormal vibrations, with data fluctuations exceeding the safety threshold!"

"Initial investigations failed to pinpoint the root cause, and the opinions of several expert groups differed significantly. Without resolving the problem, all subsequent testing cannot be conducted, and there is even a risk to the overall structural integrity!"

"We need you back immediately!"

Lin Feng's eyes instantly turned sharp as knives, and all the ease and warmth vanished.

"Understood, Elder Liao. I'll set off immediately."

After hanging up the phone, he took a deep breath and turned to walk towards Shen Moran, who looked puzzled.

"Senior, I'm sorry." His voice returned to its usual calmness, but with an undeniable urgency.

"I have an urgent matter to attend to and must leave immediately."

Shen Moran's smile froze, and a hint of surprise and disappointment flashed in her eyes, but it was quickly replaced by understanding and concern.

Although she didn't know the specifics of what happened, anything that could make Lin Feng change his expression so quickly must be extraordinary.

"Is it urgent? Are you leaving now?" she asked softly.

"Okay, now." Lin Feng nodded. "The helicopter will pick me up at the nearest landing point."

"Okay, then go ahead. Be careful." Shen Moran didn't ask any more questions or try to stop you, she just gave you these words of advice.

"Thank you for your understanding, senior. I'll come to Beijing to see you after this is all sorted out," Lin Feng said, looking at her.

"I'll wait for you." Shen Moran nodded vigorously, her eyes full of trust.

Lin Feng didn't delay any longer and gestured to Zhao Weiguo, who was not far away.

The two quickly left Merlin and walked briskly towards the park exit.

At the same time, Lin Feng dialed his home phone.

"Dad, Mom, there's an urgent mission at school, I have to go back right away. I might not be able to spend the Lantern Festival with you."

On the other end of the phone, Lin Guodong and Su Wenqing were silent for a second.

"Son, go. Work is important! Be careful and eat on time!" Lin Guodong's voice was deep and firm.

"Xiaofeng, take good care of yourself. Your parents are waiting for you to come back next time." Su Wenqing's voice was filled with reluctance, but even more so with support.

"I will, Dad, Mom, take care."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Feng and Zhao Weiguo got into the car.

The car sped towards the temporary helicopter landing pad on the roof of a high-rise building in the city.

Outside the car window, the street scenes of the mountain city rushed past, but the festive atmosphere remained strong.

Inside the car, Lin Feng's gaze was calm, his thoughts already rapidly shifting to the northwestern desert.

Ten minutes later, the wind howled on the rooftop.

The rotor of a dark green military helicopter had begun to spin rapidly, creating a violent airflow.

Lin Feng took one last look at the warm city lights gradually coming on below, and then glanced at his phone screen at the message Shen Moran had just sent: "Have a safe journey, waiting for your return."

Then, he bent down, braving the strong wind, and boarded the helicopter without hesitation.

The hatch closed.

The helicopter took off, climbed rapidly, adjusted its direction, and headed northwest, disappearing into the deepening twilight.