Ai Chi Gan Shao Hong Yu de Xie Ding

Chapter 162 Decision

Old Hua's courtyard was already bustling early in the morning when Ji Xingmi returned. Old Hua was pleased to see her back, though he didn't show it, merely asking in a subdued tone, "You're back? Where did you go gallivanting?"

"Mm, I went climbing the Great Wall with my brothers!"

"Why didn't you stay a few more days? Didn't you leave medicine for ten days?"

"Mm~ I saw the scenery and came back. I missed you a little, so I had Uncle Mantis bring me over."

"Hmph! At least you have a conscience!"

"Alright, if you don't listen to this old man's nonsense, he started missing you the moment you left. He even said it's a bit unusual not having you bothering him around here." Old Hua hadn't expected his own wife to contradict him. He glanced at the mischievous girl stifling a laugh beside him and ignored her, leading Secretary Sun directly into the study.

Deng Caiyun winked at Ji Xingmi. Ji Xingmi smiled and nodded, first preparing the items, chatted with Deng Caiyun for a while, and then went about her own business.

Seeing Ji Xingmi back, Deng Caiyun decided to go buy some groceries. As it happened, Ji Xingmi had also asked her to buy some potent liquor. She took someone along and headed out.

After finishing her own tasks, Ji Xingmi went to the study to find Old Hua. As she entered, she bumped into Mantis coming out. She knew then that Old Hua must be aware of whatever she had been up to. However, she didn't mind. She trusted Old Hua wouldn't tell on her. Indeed, when Old Hua saw her enter, he merely glanced at her, saying nothing. It was she who, with something she wanted his help with, slowly shuffled closer to him.

Did Old Hua not notice? Of course he did. Not only did he notice, but Secretary Sun also did, even making space for her.

"Speak, what is it?"

"Hehe, Grandpa Hua, I want to see your design blueprints for that airplane that day, and the failure reports! I also want information on the current development of our country's machinery factories and the current development data for the steel plants."

Upon hearing this, Old Hua put down what he was holding and glanced at Secretary Sun. Secretary Sun nodded and went out, closing the study door behind him.

"What do you need these for?"

"I want to understand!"

"Just to understand? Tell me the truth! You were moping a few days ago, and now you suddenly want these things. What are you planning to do?"

Seeing Old Hua's demeanor, Ji Xingmi realized it wasn't an inquiry from someone in authority, but the concern of an elder for their child.

"Before, I just wanted to live a stable life, earn a little money, and then buy a courtyard house. But the more people I meet, the more I think, and the more I have to consider."

"Is this why you were troubled before?"

"Partly! I overheard you talking the other day, and I wondered if it's right or wrong to keep myself confined to a comfort zone. I once read a quote: 'We were born under the red flag, we grew up in the spring breeze. The people have faith, the country has strength, the nation has hope. Everywhere we look is China, and the five stars shining are our faith. To create prosperity, we must not fail prosperity! May our youth defend the prosperity of China!' I've started wanting to add a brick and a tile to this era of prosperity!"

"May our youth defend the prosperity of China! Good, very good!" Old Hua gently stroked Ji Xingmi's head as she squatted beside him, his eyes reddened. This was what he had longed to see, what he had strived for.

Ji Xingmi also noticed Old Hua's emotional state and added, "I want to try and see if I can draw better airplane blueprints, airplanes that belong to us."

Old Hua was deeply moved, but he managed to compose himself and asked, "So you don't want a stable life anymore?" This was your thought before coming home, wasn't it? Your absentmindedness then was because of this, wasn't it?

"I do, that's why I came to you for a solution," Ji Xingmi said playfully. "Can I just draw the blueprints and not participate in the research? I don't want to do experiments!"

"What do you mean, not do them? Then your own work, you won't oversee it yourself?"

"Experiments are so tiring, and they require leaving for a long time. Can you bear to part with me? Besides, if I've drawn the blueprints, surely they can build it, right?"