Reborn in 2011, I am the chief designer of aerospace.

As the only all-around research institute in the Dongyu Group, the Eighth Academy integrates four major fields: missiles, rockets, satellites, and spacecraft, making it a veritable "independent kingdom" in the industry.

In short, I can build what others can build, and I can build what others can't build. As long as I have the blueprints, I dare to build!

With the strong resources of the Yangtze River Delta industrial zone and Shanghai, the Eighth Academy can be said to have both strength and money. From a single screw to an engine, and then to a complete satellite and rocket, the entire industrial chain is self-sufficient and does not need to rely on others.

With a strong backbone, one naturally has more confidence in R&D and dares to try unconventional approaches that established research institutes dare not touch.

Of course, as the group's "concubine" and so versatile, she inevitably competes with the main wife for jobs, and even steals the missile business from the neighboring Dongfang Group, which has drawn criticism from the other departments.

The wife mocks the concubine for being "unorthodox and unconventional," while the concubine mocks the wife for being "expensive and old-fashioned."

However, due to its excessive pursuit of progress in all aspects, the East China Institute of Technology is indeed slightly less competitive than those established research institutes that specialize in certain large-scale individual projects.

Song Xingye rested his head on his arm, staring at the ceiling, already planning in his mind which projects would be suitable for incubation at the Eighth Academy.

Just then, his gaze inadvertently swept over the bed opposite his, and he suddenly remembered something. He quickly rolled out of bed. "Wait... Lao Qin, you and Li Manwen just now wouldn't have..."

Qin Rui immediately understood, rolled his eyes, and said:

"Don't worry, I didn't ruin your bed. Your bedding hasn't been aired out all summer, it must smell damp. Just take it out to air it tomorrow."

Song Xingye then said "Oh," and turned around to see Qin Rui furtively stuffing a large paper pad into the garbage bag.

He feigned suspicion and asked, "Why would a guy like you buy a large-sized diaper pad?"

Qin Rui winked mischievously. "Kid, don't pry into adult matters. Go play!"

Song Xingye curled his lips. This guy really thinks he's a twenty-year-old young man?

He ignored it, went to the bathroom to wash up quickly, pulled back the covers and fell asleep, soon snoring.

……

The next morning.

Song Xingye got up early, carried his bedding downstairs, and hung it on the rope set up by the dormitory supervisor to dry in the sun.

I also washed the duvet cover and sheets, and the whole room smelled of lavender.

Qin Rui woke up groggily, sniffed the air, and exclaimed, "Oh, you've changed the laundry detergent?"

While shaking out the damp sheets, Song Xingye replied, "I bought them in Jingzhou. I didn't finish using them, so I brought them back with me."

"You know what, this flavor is actually pretty addictive, hehe!"

Having lived with Qin Rui for several years, Song Xingye knew him all too well.

You can tell what kind of mess someone is going to make just by looking at them; this bag of laundry detergent is definitely going to be wasted again.

After tidying up their belongings, the two parted ways at the fork in the road leading to the cafeteria.

Qin Rui was going to find Li Manwen, but Song Xingye wasn't about to be a third wheel, so he simply rode off on his bike.

After leaving the second dining hall, he headed straight for the Sky Tower.

The research group's lab has a few new faces; they look like newly recruited first-year graduate students.

When the other junior brothers and sisters saw their senior brother return, they all showed their surprise and delight, and immediately came over to greet him, chattering and asking him all sorts of questions.

Song Xingye smiled and responded to each question, flipping through the lab reports on the table, and casually asked:

"What have you been busy with lately? This is the first time I've seen everyone here. Almost everyone's back at work, right?"

A familiar junior disciple immediately chimed in, complaining:

"Not only are all the people here, but we also borrowed a few undergraduates to help run the data. Everyone is so busy they barely have time to breathe..."

"Looks like Professor Xu has landed a big job?"

Upon hearing this, Song Xingye knew that the topic was not simple.

Unexpectedly, the junior students all looked gloomy. One junior student hung her head and said dejectedly, "It's not a good job. We're asked to investigate the source of the Long March 2C launch failure."

"Chang'erbing?"

Song Xingye raised an eyebrow. This thing is supposed to be a divine arrow, rarely losing. Has it recently suffered a setback?

He couldn't remember clearly, but after his junior sister explained, he realized that it happened last month.

At that time, everyone was busy with the assessment of the Starry Sky Summer Camp. Song Xingye seemed to have heard someone mention this news.

Yes, Li Ang!

Because of the launch failure of the Long March 2C, Dongyu Group first conducted a strict internal self-examination, and then reviewed the upstream and downstream supply chains.

Unfortunately, Xingkai Group's batch of special metal materials ran into the crackdown and were used as a case study for rectification.

With his hands behind his back, Song Xingye asked, "Have you found the source of the problem?"

The junior students shook their heads with worried expressions. "No, and we're only responsible for investigating the servo mechanism of the second-stage rocket. Maybe the problem isn't there at all. But until the other groups reach a definitive conclusion, none of us dare to let our guard down."

A junior student wanted to ask his senior for guidance, but found that Professor Xu was already standing at the laboratory door.

He was carrying a briefcase, as if he had just locked his office and was about to leave.

Upon seeing Song Xingye, his tired brows immediately relaxed, and he said loudly:

"Little Song is back?"

Song Xingye handed the report back to his junior colleague and immediately jogged over to greet him. "Yes, Professor Xu. I stayed home a little longer than usual. If I had known the lab was busy with the Chang 2C project, I would have rushed back to help. You didn't even let me know."

Professor Xu chuckled and waved, and Song Xingye took the briefcase from his teacher and quickly followed beside him.

"The matter of Chang Erbing can't be investigated in a short time. You haven't been home for more than half a year, you've been staying in the lab the whole time, and now you finally have summer vacation and you're going to participate in summer camp. If I, as your teacher, don't even let you celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, people will talk behind your back!"

"Look at what you're saying! Who would dare to criticize Professor Xu, the pillar of our Department of Aerospace Engineering at Jiaotong University and a renowned Yangtze River Scholar?"

Song Xingye made a witty remark with a grin.

Professor Xu didn't pick up on that topic, but changed the subject:

"I've heard about your achievements at the Starry Sky Summer Camp from Engineer Chen. You did a great job, you didn't embarrass Jiaotong University or me, well done!"

"Teacher, do you know Engineer Chen too?"

"Hehe, we've crossed paths a few times, you could say we're nodding acquaintances."

As they spoke, the two had already reached the foot of the Sky Tower.

Professor Xu turned around and tossed him a car key.

Song Xingye caught it steadily, skillfully opened the door of an old Accord parked downstairs, and then got into the driver's seat.

This is a little unspoken understanding between the master and his disciple: whenever Professor Xu takes his eldest disciple out, the disciple always drives.

After Professor Xu fastened his seatbelt in the passenger seat, Song Xingye asked, "Should we still go to the Eighth Hospital?"

"Yeah, I'm going to a meeting. I'll take you along to sit in on it."

"Me? I'm just a nobody in my fifth year of doctoral studies, how could I possibly attend the department's meetings?"

Song Xingye just started his fifth year of doctoral studies this semester. In the past, when he accompanied Professor Xu on trips, he never had the opportunity to attend various meetings.

However, Professor Xu changed his attitude today, saying, "Your tripartite agreement, household registration acceptance letter, and job placement intention letter have already been sent to the school. You are already practically a member of Dongyu Group, so it's fine for you to sit in on the class."

After a pause, Professor Xu said earnestly:

"Besides, you're a management trainee in the Star Project, a promising talent. As your teacher, this is all the influence I have. I'll shamelessly take you to get to know the big shots in the department, just to pave the way for you. I can't help you with anything else; you'll have to walk your own path from now on..."

Song Xingye hummed in agreement and sincerely thanked him, saying, "Thank you, teacher!"

With the clutch released and the accelerator pressed, the old Accord made a smooth turn and slowly drove away from Jiaotong University.

The distance to the Eighth Hospital is not far, only ten kilometers.

Song Xingye had been there several times and knew the way well, so he quickly and smoothly arrived at an administrative building inside.

After parking the car, the two of them, carrying Professor Xu's briefcase, took the elevator directly to the top floor and opened the door to a conference room.

The conference room was filled with smoke, and there were dozens of people in attendance, each with an ashtray overflowing with cigarette butts.

The faces hidden behind the smoke were all solemn, with furrowed brows and anxious expressions.

Clearly, the technical discussion had reached a stalemate, and with no clear direction, the only way to relieve the tension was by smoking heavily.

Upon seeing the two people enter, Dean Lu, who was sitting at the head of the table, nodded slightly to Professor Xu, then pointed to the cigarette box next to him, indicating that he would take a cigarette.

When he saw Song Xingye behind him, his eyes lit up. He brought the almost burnt-out cigarette to his lips, took a drag, and then stubbed it out hard in the ashtray.

"Oh, Xiao Song is here too?"