Gu Zhongli was naturally aware of Ji Xingmi's hard work, but he couldn't offer much help. At most, when she stayed up late, he would stand guard outside and occasionally go to the mess hall to ask for a small, extra meal for her.
Finally, after two months of hard work, the water heater in Ji Xingmi's hands was completed. However, she didn't have time to test if it worked. This was because the other three projects were nearing completion, awaiting her final installation step.
Ji Xingmi handed over this task to Zhang Heng and Uncle Gu. She continued her work in the laboratory, and gradually, parts transformed into complete machines under her hands. Then, one by one, these complete machines were sent out for testing.
When Ji Xingmi finished installing the television, Zhang Heng rushed over with good news: the water was hot. She didn't have time to listen then, as she was still installing the air conditioner. Zhang Heng didn't bother her, standing by. When he finally had a chance to tell her again after she finished, Ji Xingmi handed the air conditioner over to him along with a piece of paper, instructing him to conduct tests based on its contents.
Zhang Heng had to arrange for people to move the air conditioner out and borrow a lab from a neighboring research room for testing. This commotion alerted the people in the adjacent lab, who gathered to watch Zhang Heng and his team's operations. They had already known about the research Ji Xingmi's group was conducting and had heard they were working diligently. Their own team leader had even used their efforts as a comparison point. Ji Xingmi was completely unaware of these happenings, still engrossed in her installation.
Installing the washing machine also didn't take much time, perhaps a little over two hours. The primary challenge was the complex internal wiring, which took her a long while to figure out. This had been completed earlier but had been left in the lab because she had been busy with the water heater. Once installed, Ji Xingmi found someone to carry it for testing.
When Uncle Gu arrived, he saw Ji Xingmi sitting at the entrance of the laboratory, lost in thought. Noticing her dazed expression, he gently nudged her to snap her out of it. "What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing, really. I just feel a bit tired and need to clear my head," Ji Xingmi replied blankly.
"The water heater was successful! Don't push yourself too hard. Just having that one success isn't the whole story!" Uncle Gu advised.
Ji Xingmi finally looked up at Uncle Gu and said, "I've finished them all! It's precisely because I've finished everything that I'm this tired. I'm waiting for their feedback, and then I have to write reports! After writing the reports, I plan to sleep for three days and three nights. I don't want to touch any research for a while! Lou Qiming is to blame for this!"
Whenever Ji Xingmi thought of Lou Qiming, the culprit, she felt a surge of anger. However, she couldn't even find him to vent her frustration. The next time she saw him, she was determined to give him another injection! Lou Qiming, oblivious to Ji Xingmi's thoughts, simply sneezed amidst his own busy schedule, wiped his nose, and continued working.
Good news continued to pour in, though there was a minor issue with the television. Ji Xingmi disassembled it again, re-examined it, and after troubleshooting the fault, reinstalled it. Subsequent tests showed no problems. Ji Xingmi conducted a final inspection, and once satisfied that everything was in order, she handed the device over to Zhang Heng for processing and went off to write her reports.
Uncle Gu personally supervised the dispatch of the items with his team. Ji Xingmi wasn't entirely sure where they were sent. She was still battling with her reports. By the time she finished, it was already the evening of the next day. She emerged with dark circles under her eyes and saw Uncle Gu and Zhang Heng standing at the doorway, seemingly arguing. Fortunately, Uncle Gu hadn't resorted to physical violence, as Ji Xingmi worried Zhang Heng wouldn't be able to withstand even a single punch from him.
Ji Xingmi couldn't concern herself with such matters at the moment. Leaning against the doorframe, she interrupted them, "How old are you two to be arguing? And can you even see me?" Hearing her voice, both men turned around simultaneously and saw her. Uncle Gu rushed to support her, while Zhang Heng, a step behind, could only stand by.
"Here~ I've finished all three reports! And the patent applications, you must submit them quickly!" Zhang Heng took the items from her hand and nodded. Before he could say anything, he saw Ji Xingmi suddenly go limp.
Uncle Gu had been supporting her, but the moment she collapsed, he caught her, preventing her from falling to the ground. Both men were filled with panic. Uncle Gu even gave Ji Xingmi a pill he carried with him.
When Ji Xingmi woke up, an IV drip was attached to her hand. Judging by the situation, she was in a hospital. Her mother was asleep leaning against a table nearby, while Ji Haoqi and Ye Yu were resting on the sofa. Just as she tried to sit up, someone beside her reached out and supported her. Ji Xingmi then saw Gu Jingyi on the other side, and her father and elder brother sleeping on another bed.
The whole family had come out?
Ji Xingmi was still in a daze when Gu Jingyi quietly asked, "Are you hungry? Or do you want to get up?"