After playing in Haishi for a few days, with some vacation days still remaining, Chu Xia and Cen Zhengnian held a map of Haishi and looked at the surrounding cities and towns.
Many people know that around Haishi, there is Suzhou Province and Jiangnan, with architectural complexes in typical Jiangnan style—blue bricks, green tiles, and small bridges over flowing water.
Although, compared to the later commercialized ancient towns, there were not as many shops at the moment, it exuded a more ancient and charming atmosphere, allowing them to experience the elegant beauty of the Jiangnan water town.
"Let's go here."
Chu Xia pointed to a famous ancient town on the map of the future. At this moment, this ancient town was probably just developed, so there wouldn't be as many tourists as in the future, and they could enjoy a leisurely stroll through the alleys.
Cen Zhengnian circled the place Chu Xia pointed to with a pen. "Good, I'll go check what we need to prepare for the visit."
With no internet access, Cen Zhengnian found a travel agency, spent money on brochures and tour routes around Haishi, and even hired a guide to learn about the area.
Cen Zhengnian didn't hire a guide because he wanted to explore the scenery slowly with Chu Xia and enjoy their time together.
While Chu Xia packed in the guesthouse, Cen Zhengnian returned with a plan for the ancient town tour, including a booked train ticket.
Cen Zhengnian booked a tourist special bus, which went directly to the ancient town, more convenient than taking a regular intercity bus between two cities.
Looking at the well-planned itinerary, Chu Xia couldn't contain her excitement. "I was just thinking about how to get there; I don't know anything about this place."
Cen Zhengnian checked the luggage, made sure nothing was missing, closed the suitcase, and said, "You just need to say where you want to go; I've got everything covered."
Unable to resist, Chu Xia threw herself at Cen Zhengnian. He caught her steadily, and she hugged his waist happily, saying, "It's so good to have you; I don't need to use my brain when we go out in the future."
Cen Zhengnian held her, lightly touched her head with a smile, and said, "You still need to, like thinking about me."
Chu Xia nodded, and Cen Zhengnian's heart became very tender. The days of traveling with Chu Xia were so wonderful that he couldn't help but immerse himself in it, already planning the next trip in his heart.
After over an hour's drive to the ancient town, Cen Zhengnian pulled two suitcases, while Chu Xia, with a bag on her back, walked beside him, reaching out to him, "Give me one."
"No need, we'll be at the guesthouse soon."
Cen Zhengnian had booked the best guesthouse in the ancient town through the travel agency. It was originally a residence turned into an inn, typical of family-run accommodations in the area.
Because he spent money, Cen Zhengnian was willing to spend more. The guesthouse recommended by the travel agency was sincere and had good clean and sanitary services. It was opened by a middle-aged couple.
After settling in, Chu Xia and Cen Zhengnian walked hand in hand through the ancient town, enjoying the slow-paced life of the water town.
The ancient town in autumn is different from spring, lacking the tender scent of spring but adding a hint of warmth. Many fruit trees along the road are now bearing fruits, and each pomegranate hangs heavily on the branches, bending them.
The road is paved with blue stone slabs, and on either side flows a small river winding through the ancient town. Occasionally, small bridges made of the same blue stone slabs can be seen on the river.
"There are boats over there!"
As they walked, Chu Xia stood on the bridge and suddenly saw several black-covered small boats moored by the water.
Excitedly, Chu Xia held Cen Zhengnian's hand and ran over to ask if they could take a boat.
The boatman, paddling with an oar, with traces of years on his face, smiled with simplicity and said, "You can! But it's not free! You can take a boat ride around our little town."
Chu Xia paid, and she and Cen Zhengnian sat at the bow of the small boat. There were low-backed chairs and small tables, with tea brewing on the bubbling stove.
The boatman chatted with them, saying that the water on the stove had just boiled, and the tea was this year's new tea—not the best, but not bad.
Chu Xia asked Cen Zhengnian, "Do you want some tea?"
Cen Zhengnian raised his hand, used hot water to warm the tea cups on the table, and then poured a small cup for both Chu Xia and himself.
Sitting on the boat, they admired the scenery on both sides, slowly sipping tea.
Indeed, as the boatman said, the tea was not bad. Chu Xia had no knowledge of tea, but she found it quite refreshing, with a lingering sweetness and no bitterness.
The boat moved slowly, ensuring that tourists could see every view along the way. If they spotted a favorite scene, they could ask the boatman to stop for a while.
Getting off the boat, Chu Xia realized that it was already approaching noon. Even though it felt like they hadn't done much, time had passed quickly.
Chu Xia rubbed her stomach; no wonder she felt hungry.
They found a small restaurant on the street, selling the town's specialty dishes, mostly pork trotters and river fresh seafood.
Chu Xia ordered Braised Pork Trotters, Steamed Eel Tube with Salted Pork, Snail-stuffed Meat, and Osmanthus-scented Cooked Lotus Root. Additionally, they ordered two small bowls of rice and a bowl of soup.
The local cuisine here tends to be on the sweeter side, and the randomly chosen restaurant had good flavors according to Chu Xia and Cen Zhengnian.
The Braised Pork Trotters were fragrant and glutinous, with a balanced combination of sweet and salty. The pig's trotters were extremely tender, melting in the mouth. Paired with white rice, Chu Xia felt she could finish the entire plate.
The Steamed Eel Tube with Salted Pork was very fresh, with a taste of saltiness and sweetness. The eel meat was firm, and the salted pork flavor fell between fresh meat and preserved meat, not greasy at all. The combination of the two made the dish delightfully refreshing, making one's taste buds dance.
The meat stuffed in the Snail-stuffed Meat consists of alternating layers of lean and fatty meat, combining with the firm and fragrant snail meat, resulting in an extremely delicious texture.
The lotus root slices in the Osmanthus-scented Cooked Lotus Root are filled with glutinous rice, appearing in a purplish-brown color. Paired with osmanthus syrup, they are sweet, soft, and delectable. The slices are also connected, adding a unique flavor to the dish.
Chu Xia ate very satisfactorily, but she only ate until 90% full. On the other hand, Cen Zhengnian, because he enjoyed the taste of the dishes, finished everything.
Chu Xia propped up her chin, looking at his stomach with a playful smile, "Eating so much, are you not feeling stuffed?"
Cen Zhengnian shook his head, leisurely sipping the soup, and said, "It's just a variety of dishes; actually, each plate isn't that much."
This is also a characteristic of southern cuisine—small and exquisite portions.
After the meal, the outside sun was warmly shining. Chu Xia suddenly felt like taking a nap.
They returned to the guest house, borrowed a lounge chair from the owner, and Chu Xia lay down under the big locust tree in the courtyard. The sunlight filtered through the leaves, and she had a sweet sleep.
When she woke up, Chu Xia's mood was still very good, even though she couldn't remember what she dreamt about, only recalling that the scenes in the dream were very beautiful.
Cen Zhengnian sat at a stone table not far away, slowly sipping tea. There was a Go board on the table, and he was playing against himself.
Chu Xia got up from the lounge chair, and the blanket fell onto her lap. She placed the blanket back on the lounge chair and sat next to Cen Zhengnian, leaning on his shoulder.
"Since An'an started university, I rarely see him play Go."
Go requires concentration, patience, and time. An'an's busy university life left him with no time for playing Go.
Cen Zhengnian made a move with the Gopiece in his hand and said, "That's his choice."
Chu Xia said, "I wonder how he's doing at school now."
Previously, Chu Xia had sternly instructed An'an to take care of himself and rest well. He was obedient, and when she visited the school again, she found that he had put on some weight and the dark circles under his eyes had faded.
After all, he was young, and if he wanted to improve his health, he could recover quickly. Besides, with Chu Xia frequently sending him well-prepared and nutritious meals, it was normal for him to gain weight.
Chu Xia and Cen Zhengnian had been traveling for many days. Apart from phone calls, she hadn't seen An'an in person, and she couldn't help but feel concerned.
She always feared that if she wasn't watching, An'an would once again neglect his health.
Cen Zhengnian stopped playing Go, embraced Chu Xia in his arms, and lowered his head to tidy her hair, saying, "If you're really worried, we can return to the capital now."
Chu Xia shook her head, "Let's enjoy ourselves while we're out. An An is already an adult. I need to learn to let go; otherwise, interfering in everything will affect the mother-son relationship."
Cen Zhengnian felt that An An's personality wouldn't mind these things, and he hoped Chu Xia would take care of him more.
However, he didn't say anything; Chu Xia's mindset was correct.
In the evening, Chu Xia and Cen Zhengnian took a stroll after dinner. Every household in the ancient town had various beautiful lanterns hanging at their doors.
At night, the town was truly aglow with lights. From one end of the street to the other, the brilliance of the lights made it seem like being in the midst of a galaxy.
"It's so beautiful!" Chu Xia reached out her hand, as if she could touch the starlight.
As she raised her eyes, Cen Zhengnian was illuminated by the lanterns, appearing like a deity descending to the mortal realm. Despite no longer being in his twenties, he still captivated hearts.
Unable to resist, Chu Xia ran over, jumped into his arms, and hugged him, laughing happily. "Zhen Nian, do you know what I'm thinking right now?"
"What?" Cen Zhengnian asked along with her words.
"I'm thinking how happy I am! To be in love with you, to have An An as such an outstanding and filial son, it feels like life is truly complete."
Cen Zhengnian lowered his head to rest against her forehead. "Me too."
His voice was deep, and his eyes seemed to hold a galaxy, so profound that Chu Xia willingly immersed herself in it, reluctant to leave.
The joy of touring the ancient town was too overwhelming for Chu Xia. She even started to consider settling down here and not returning.
"I really love the environment here. Being in this place makes me feel like I've become a part of a story. Moreover, this slow-paced life is so leisurely. Waking up naturally every day, going out for walks and enjoying food and drinks, and then chatting with you—such a day couldn't be more wonderful."
Cen Zhengnian embraced her, "Then let's stay here."
Chu Xia used her hand to tap on his chest, laughing as she leaned backward. "You're making jokes again with a serious face. You clearly know that we can't settle down here."
"It's possible," Cen Zhengnian adjusted her body, lowered his head, and kissed her lips. "As long as you're willing, nothing is impossible."
Cen Zhengnian wasn't joking or playing around with Chu Xia. If she truly wanted to settle down here, he would find a way.
Although it would be difficult, it wouldn't be impossible.
Understanding Cen Zhengnian's intent, Chu Xia shook her head. "No. It's beautiful here, and coming to play once a year is enough. It's still more comfortable at our own home."
The two of them later visited Jiangnan, then on the last day of the vacation, they took a plane back to the capital.
Chu Xia felt particularly fulfilled on this journey, and she and Cen Zhengnian took many photos at each location.
Some cities had distinctive features, and Chu Xia and Cen Zhengnian would change into clothes that matched the local style, then ask someone to take photos for them.
Chu Xia said they were touring while dressed as if for a wedding. It felt like they had experienced a new wedding, albeit without a ceremony or family and friends—just the two of them, joyfully exploring, taking photos, and creating a collection of happy memories.
Back home, Chu Xia sat on the sofa, flipping through the developed photos. The more she looked, the bigger the smile on her face.
"Zhengnian, look at this one. We both have the same smile. And this one, our eye contact in the ancient town has such an atmosphere."
Chu Xia also took many photos in a cheongsam, while Cen Zhengnian dressed up as a refined and cultured young gentleman of that era. One was graceful and beautiful, the other exuded exceptional temperament. The atmosphere in the photos was extraordinary, and Chu Xia especially liked this set of pictures.
She couldn't bear to discard any of the travel photos. They were all developed, and she even went to a photo studio to have a few favorite pictures made into large prints, framed, and hung in the living room and bedroom.
The day after returning home, Chu Xia went to Jinghua University to visit Cen Huai'an. He had taken good care of himself and didn't sacrifice his health for research.
Chu Xia asked him if he was busy.
Cen Huai'an nodded, "Busy, but still within the limits I can handle."
"It's getting colder. Remember to wear warm clothes and avoid catching a cold. Eat more meat, don't worry about spending money. You're younger than your classmates, and you're still growing."
Cen Huai'an only nodded in response. When seeing Chu Xia off at the school gate, he felt extremely reluctant, but he didn't show anything on his face.
Chu Xia hugged him and gave him an album, saying, "These are the places your dad and I visited. Although you didn't go, looking at these photos can give you a glimpse of the landscapes we saw. Go back, take care of yourself."
Cen Huai'an held the album tightly. "Mom, I'll find time to come home."
"Okay."
In the lab, everyone was busy, so Cen Huai'an put the album away first.
When he returned to the dormitory, Cen Huai'an sat down and placed the album on the table, flipping through it page by page.
These were carefully selected photos by Chu Xia, including every scenery she and Cen Zhengnian had seen.
Of course, there were also many pictures of her and Cen Zhengnian together.
As Cen Huai'an flipped through the album, a small curve involuntarily appeared at the corner of his mouth, and the expression in his eyes softened.
Initially, Cen Huai'an's dormitory mates didn't pay attention to what he was looking at.
It wasn't until one of his roommates saw Cen Huai'an smiling, exclaimed in shock, and quickly called other roommates to take a look.
The roommates immediately rushed to Cen Huai'an, eager to see what made him smile. Before Cen Huai'an could react, they saw the album.
"Wow! Cen Huai'an, are these your parents? They look just like you! The photos are really beautiful!"
"Is this a real scene? Doesn't look like it's in the capital."
"This scenery is from my hometown, Haishi. I often go there when I'm at home."
This roommate's family was from Haishi.
Cen Huai'an closed the album and said, "Yes, it's a real scene. My parents took these photos while traveling."
Everyone exclaimed in amazement once again.
One roommate timidly asked, "Cen Huai'an, didn't your parents take you with them when they went on vacation?"
Cen Huai'an replied, "I was at school."
He didn't mind, but the gazes of sympathy from his roommates made it seem like he was a poor soul abandoned by his parents.
In reality, Cen Huai'an hadn't wanted to go with them. He didn't want to be a third wheel between his parents.
***
Zhang Lu finally entered her third year, and she could start the initial training on the fighter jet.
Before entering the cockpit, everyone was rigorously required to memorize the pre-flight instructions. These were crucial instructions for pilots to remember, as any lapse in attention could lead to a crash.
Zhang Lu was the quickest to memorize everything. She not only swiftly remembered all the operational procedures for the aircraft but also mastered the instruments on the dashboard.
As a result, she was the first to undergo the initial training on the fighter jet. The instructor, Captain Wang, demonstrated the operations on the aircraft, allowing Zhang Lu to observe.
After the aircraft came to a stop, Captain Wang asked her, "Did you remember everything I just did?"
Confidently, Zhang Lu shouted, "Report, Captain Wang, I remembered everything."
"Good! Now it's your turn. Remember, don't be afraid. Even if you're scared, there's no need to panic—I'm right here, and I guarantee nothing will go wrong."
Captain Wang's words were meant to encourage the trainee, as he knew that if something went wrong with the aircraft, he could only help if it was due to operational mistakes; he couldn't do much about other mechanical issues.
Of course, everyone could parachute out, but not every location was ideal for parachute landings. Sometimes, there were many tree branches, making it risky.
Suppressing her excitement, Zhang Lu walked with measured steps to the front of the fighter jet, boarded, and took her seat in the pilot's position. She even felt her hands trembling slightly.
But this was normal; she was trembling with excitement.
Captain Wang sat in the co-pilot's seat, watching her as she eagerly touched the various instrument panels on the aircraft. His face showed a smile, reminiscing about his own youthful days when he first boarded a plane.
"Ready?" Captain Wang asked when he saw that Zhang Lu had taken the time to familiarize herself with the aircraft.
"Reporting to Captain Wang, ready!"
"Good, now get ready for takeoff!"
Following the procedures she had learned for operating a fighter jet, Zhang Lu steadily executed each step. Her speed was neither too fast nor too slow, and the entire process appeared incredibly proficient, not at all like a trainee on her first flight.
Captain Wang could see that she was putting on a brave front, but her ability to maintain composure under pressure showcased Zhang Lu's natural talent.
A satisfied smile appeared on Captain Wang's face.
Following the operational instructions, the fighter jet completed its flight in the air, and Zhang Lu smoothly landed it.
Once the fighter jet came to a complete stop, Zhang Lu removed her helmet, exhaled deeply, and felt her legs go a bit weak. However, the joy within her was about to overflow.
"How does it feel?" Captain Wang asked with a smile.
Zhang Lu vigorously nodded, joy shining in her eyes as she said, "It feels fantastic! I want to do it again!"
"That's not possible; it's the next student's turn," Captain Wang replied.
While Zhang Lu's initial training went smoothly, it wasn't the case for all students. Some couldn't adapt to flying, no matter how hard they tried.
One student, with a pained expression, begged Captain Wang for another chance, unwilling to give up. Those who managed to secure a spot at the National Defense University, especially in the aviation branch, were considered elite and genuinely passionate about flying.
Otherwise, with their high scores in the college entrance examination, they could have attended any other university.
However, reality could be harsh, and sometimes despite repeated attempts, the results were not positive. The disappointed student had to accept this outcome and wait to transfer to another major.
Zhang Lu had forgotten about the possibility of not adapting to flying since her last discussion with her roommate.
Now, seeing the despondent expression of a fellow classmate who seemed to think the world had turned dark, Zhang Lu felt a bit uncomfortable and averted her gaze.
She empathized with the student, understanding that if she couldn't fly, she would be even more devastated than him and find it difficult to accept.
As they left the initial training field for the fighter jet, the mood of the entire fighter jet class was affected.
While their first experience on the aircraft was exciting, saying goodbye to a comrade left them feeling uneasy.
However, life had to move forward. After the departure of the affected student, everyone continued their training as usual, and the lingering melancholy gradually dissipated.
In the various exercises during the initial training, Zhang Lu and her peers spent a considerable amount of time on takeoffs and landings. These activities were interspersed with physical training, parachute drills, and specialized flight exercises.
Throughout these training sessions, Zhang Lu became well-known throughout the school, standing out as a female pilot even more skilled than some of her male counterparts.
Some newcomers considered her a role model and set her as their target to catch up to.
***
Cen Huai'an graduated a year earlier than Zhang Lu because he skipped a grade in university.
Now, his former classmates from his freshman year are in their junior year, while those from his junior and senior years, whom he wasn't very familiar with, have either graduated or are still completing their studies. Since Cen Huai'an has already been admitted to a postgraduate program and plans to continue his studies at Jinghua University after graduation, his farewell sentiment at graduation is not particularly strong.
Friends like Bangzi and Hu Pandeng, however, value this graduation moment for Cen Huai'an. On the day of his graduation ceremony, a group of male friends purposely brought flowers to celebrate his achievement.
Chu Xia and Cen Zhengnian, of course, wouldn't miss his university graduation. The couple arrived with a camera and a graduation gift.
Tao Tao and Jiang Zhida also attended, holding their less-than-one-year-old son and pushing a stroller.
While waiting for Cen Huai'an and his classmates to take the group graduation photo, Chu Xia played with Tao Tao and Jiang Zhida's son.
"Beibei, give us a smile, a big smile."
Chu Xia made various funny faces, and Beibei giggled without any shyness.
He had just started learning to speak, unable to pronounce many words clearly. Occasionally, he would suddenly blurt out "mom" or "dad," even though he didn't understand the meaning.
"In a blink of an eye, An'an has graduated. Looking at him now, he still reminds me of the way he looked when he first came to the capital," Jiang Zhida sighed.
It was a rare moment of reflection from Jiang Zhida.
Cen Zhengnian looked at Cen Huai'an, holding the camera to capture moments and said, "Time does pass quickly."
He also felt the swift passage of time.
After Cen Huai'an's class photo, Bangzi and others immediately went over, holding flowers. Their smiles were even broader than Cen Huai'an's. They congratulated him, saying, "Congratulations on your graduation!"
"Congratulations, congratulations. You're the youngest, but you're the first to graduate," Hu Pandeng patted Cen Huai'an on the shoulder.
Xiao He looked at Cen Huai'an and sighed, "I've compared myself to you for so many years, and now I need to admit that you're better than me. I can't compete with you."
Xiao He acknowledged that he couldn't graduate from university early and get admitted to a postgraduate program like Cen Huai'an.
Because each of his brothers gave him flowers, Cen Huai'an was overwhelmed with a heap of flowers in his arms, completely engulfing him, and his face was nowhere to be seen.
The surrounding classmates all looked at him, surprised by the grand gesture of presenting flowers, especially with so many and all from male classmates.
Due to Cen Huai'an's usual mature demeanor, his classmates rarely saw him looking so bewildered and astonished. They stood by, watching him with amusement, and one by one, they couldn't help but laugh.
Chu Xia laughed the loudest, holding a camera, and took several pictures of Cen Huai'an.
In the end, everyone realized the extravagance of the situation and decided to share some of the flowers Cen Huai'an received, lightening his burden and making it easier for him to move.
Cen Huai'an himself didn't have strong feelings about graduating. However, when he saw his family and friends celebrating him so solemnly, a faint ripple of significance welled up in his heart, as if he suddenly felt the meaning of graduation.
Cen Huai'an wasn't particularly interested in taking photos. If it weren't for Chu Xia dragging him into a few shots, he might not have taken a single one.
On the other hand, Hu Pandeng and Bangzi insisted on taking pictures with Cen Huai'an, having even more fun than Cen Huai'an himself. Chu Xia and Cen Zhengnian also enjoyed capturing those moments.
When these photos were developed, Chu Xia flipped through them and noticed that Cen Huai'an's smiles were indeed scarce. Every photo seemed forced, while others appeared genuinely happy. This observation amused Chu Xia greatly.
***
In Cen Huai'an's third year of graduate school, when he was also about to graduate, Professor Liu's laboratory finally achieved some research results.
After years of hard work and dedication, when the actual achievements became visible, everyone in the laboratory was excited, cheering and celebrating with each other.
Cen Huai'an appeared relatively calm, but there was an unmistakable joy on his face.
Professor Liu, with a grand gesture, said, "Let's go, today the teacher will treat you all to a big meal."
One student jokingly asked him, "Professor, are we going to eat at the school cafeteria again?"
Many times before, when Professor Liu treated the lab members to a meal, they always went to the cafeteria. Everyone had become accustomed to Professor Liu's habit of going to the cafeteria whenever he said he would treat them.
"No! We're going to eat outside, at the best restaurant we can find!"
The students cheered even louder, and some even took off their jackets and ran around the laboratory in excitement.
Of course, no one actually intended to take advantage of Professor Liu, as they knew he had spent his own money for the laboratory research, and he didn't have much to spare.
They chose a restaurant near the school with good food and reasonable prices. The group reserved a large private room and enjoyed a delightful, free meal.
After leaving the restaurant, Professor Liu was extremely happy and had a bit too much to drink. He grabbed Cen Huai'an's arm, discussing ideals with him as if they were close friends.
Cen Huai'an responded occasionally, helping support Professor Liu to prevent him from stumbling, while Li Shi supported him from the other side.
When they escorted Professor Liu back to his dormitory on campus, he suddenly ran to a trash can, vomited vigorously, and then sobered up a bit. He said to Cen Huai'an and Li Shi, "I've lived for most of my life, and there haven't been many happy events. Today is a significant and very happy occasion, something unforgettable for a lifetime! I want to sing, I want to praise our motherland!"
Then Professor Liu began singing the national anthem, singing with great passion. However, the performance was interrupted by other people in the dormitory opening the window and shouting that he was crazy, asking why he was making noise in the middle of the night.
Professor Liu's impromptu national anthem concert was thus abruptly halted.
***
After achieving results, Cen Huai'an finally took a breath and had plenty of time to focus on his own matters.
Cen Huai'an, who hadn't been home for a long time, decided to visit his family first.
As it was during working hours, neither Chu Xia nor Cen Zhengnian was at home.
Cen Huai'an went to the bathroom for a quick shower. When Chu Xia came in, Cen Huai'an had just finished drying his hair. He had fully grown into an adult, devoid of the youthful innocence he had before. His strong arms gave off a sense of responsibility.
A happy smile immediately appeared on Chu Xia's lips. She was pleasantly surprised by Cen Huai'an's unexpected return.
As the weather was getting warmer, Chu Xia felt a bit hot on her way back. She poured a glass of hot water, added a bit of room temperature water, and asked Cen Huai'an while sipping, "Why did you suddenly come back?"
Cen Huai'an replied, "Our laboratory has achieved results."
Chu Xia's eyes widened in surprise. Putting down her cup, she showed even more joy on her face. "That's really great! We should celebrate properly."
Feeling excited, Chu Xia rummaged through the refrigerator, took out some frozen ribs and seafood, and, with Cen Huai'an's help, prepared a hearty dinner.
When Cen Zhengnian returned home, he was greeted with a table full of dishes. Cen Huai'an and Chu Xia were sitting at the table, waiting for him.
After washing his hands, Cen Zhengnian sat down at the dining table. Seeing the smiles in Cen Huai'an's eyes, he asked, "Is the school laboratory still busy?"
Cen Huai'an shook his head and explained why he had time to come home.
Cen Zhengnian looked at the table full of food, and his smile grew even wider. "I was wondering what good thing happened today. How come there's so much food? So, it's because of this."
Chu Xia nodded, "Exactly! After all these busy years, the laboratory has finally achieved results. Isn't this the most significant thing to celebrate?"
Cen Zhengnian smiled gently, "You're right."
***
Cen Huai'an planned to take a good rest at home for a few days. His graduate thesis was already completed, and he had contributed to the achievements in his advisor's research. Graduating from the master's program posed no problem at all.
Now, the only thing left was whether his written thesis could be published in a top-tier academic journal. If nothing unexpected happened, it shouldn't be a problem, as he had already published several papers before.
At home, Cen Huai'an played Go, cooked, and took care of his elderly dogs, Huangzi and Heizi, giving them baths and getting them checked by the vet.
Regarding Huangzi and Heizi, Cen Huai'an had mentally prepared himself. Both dogs were quite old, equivalent to the late years of a human's life. He felt reluctant, but the cycle of life and death was beyond human intervention.
While enjoying the leisurely life at home, Bangzi drove over to Cen Huai'an's place.
After graduating from college, Bangzi didn't pursue further education but continued to run his business. He had more than one shop in the university town, and many female students from various schools made his store a must-visit whenever they wanted to buy something.
During his college days, Bangzi bought a house—a traditional quadrangle courtyard—not far from the university town. He brought his grandmother to live with him. In the university town, Bangzi's grandmother sometimes even attended university classes, making her much happier than staying in Liangzhou.
Cen Huai'an poured a cup of tea for Bangzi, sat across from him, and continued playing chess.
Because he was not playing against others, it didn't matter that Cen Huaian was multitasking. He didn't devote all his attention to Go, he just wanted to relax and have fun.
"Brother Bang, what brings you here?"
Cen Huai'an understood that if Bangzi didn't have a genuine reason to see him, he wouldn't have come to his house directly.
Seeing Bangzi's relaxed expression, Cen Huai'an also remained calm.
Setting down the cup, Bangzi crossed his hands, looked at Cen Huai'an, and still carried a hint of arrogance on his face, a trait that was ingrained in his personality.
"Huai'an, I have a business proposition for you."
Cen Huai'an, who was about to move a white Go piece, put the piece back into the basket. His attitude became more serious. "What kind of business?"
"Semiconductor business. Let's collaborate. I'll set up the company, and you handle the research. I believe the two of us can make a mark in the semiconductor communication industry."
Bangzi was very confident, but Cen Huai'an did not directly agree. Instead, he asked, "If we start from scratch, we need to invest money in this industry."
Bangzi nodded, "I know. I've researched the market and predicted the prospects. Huai'an, the future will definitely belong to semiconductors and communication information. Look at today's phones—from the initial BB machines and mobile phones to the current smartphones—the development is too rapid. Moreover, I've been abroad and seen that they are far ahead of us in this field."
Cen Huai'an, being involved in research, naturally understood the gap between the two sides. He could also see the prospects Bangzi mentioned.
After contemplating for a few seconds, he looked at Bangzi and made up his mind, "Alright. But besides me, the company will need to recruit other research talents."
Working on scientific research without team collaboration is not as efficient as working with a well-coordinated research team. A good research team is a crucial asset for any company.
After making the decision, Cen Huai'an began preparing for the future research directions. He already had a rough idea, and now he just needed to articulate them on paper and calculate the feasibility of the research.
Bangzi acted swiftly. Without making Cen Huai'an wait too long, the company was registered successfully, and the initial funds were already in place.
Slapping Cen Huai'an on the shoulder, Bangzi took him to see the company's location and the prepared laboratory.
"I've hired the people you need. Take a look and see if they meet your requirements. If not, I'll hire more."
There are always people willing to work for money.
Cen Huai'an also invested funds and technology in the company. In other words, if the company succeeds, both of them benefit; if it fails, they both lose.
With everything in place, Cen Huai'an didn't care how Bangzi managed the company; he focused on leading his team to start the research.
When Cen Huai'an was about to leave Professor Liu's laboratory, Professor Liu tried his best to retain him. After all, Cen Huai'an was a student he had personally guided. It would be strange if he was willing to let go.
Cen Huai'an said, "Professor, after achieving results in this project, I feel that I've fulfilled my own value. Now, I want to explore more possibilities."
Professor Liu asked, "Is there really no possibility of coming back?"
Cen Huai'an, with a guilty look in his eyes, lowered his head and said, "Teacher, I'm sorry."
Professor Liu waved his hand, "There's nothing to be sorry about. As long as you don't give up our field, you don't need to apologize for anything. Our goal is to contribute to the country."
Leaving the laboratory, Cen Huai'an's departure tugged at Li Shi's heart. He gritted his teeth and chased after him.
"Junior, wait!"
Cen Huai'an stopped and looked at Li Shi, "Senior?"
"Junior, will you come back to the laboratory in the future?"
Cen Huai'an replied, "I will come back to visit the professor, but I won't enter the laboratory again."