Chapter 40: This time, I am here representing the Navy

If the Chief cannot appear, then who should be brought in to hold the floor?

Back at the barracks, Sun Yongguo paced back and forth in his room.

He, Zhang Gongnong, and Li Mingrui were all Senior Colonels, but they were all in technical positions; having them preside would be against protocol.

"Captain Zhou?"

Thinking of Zhou Qinglei, he immediately shook his head.

Zhou Qinglei was only a Colonel; he lacked a bit of the necessary presence.

After pondering for a long while, he went through everyone in the base in his mind, but still could not find a suitable candidate.

Suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind.

Almost without hesitation, he dialed a phone number.

Meanwhile, Su Dingping, who was watching the sea view at Laoshan, had no idea that Sun Yongguo was getting a massive headache over his business.

The two stood by the cliff, watching the rolling azure waves before them, neither saying a word.

Behind them, Wang Xin was stamping her feet in anxiety.

"It's been over ten minutes! They haven't said a single word to each other. What are they doing? Playing musical statues to see who speaks first?"

"You young people are such a hassle. It wasn't like me back in the day; I decided on the first glance. A woman three years older is like holding a gold brick—it's wonderful!" Zhang Gongnong suggested to Wang Xin, "Why don't you go over and help them out?"

Having experienced the awkwardness earlier, he didn't dare act recklessly now.

It would be trouble if he said the wrong thing.

As someone with more experience, Wang Xin felt Zhang Gongnong's suggestion made a lot of sense, and her foot, which had just stepped forward, froze mid-air.

"When are you and Professor Zhang planning to leave?" Guo Xueyun asked out of the blue.

"Sister Xueyun, what's wrong?"

Seeing the two in front of her make a move, Wang Xin quietly withdrew her foot.

Guo Xueyun said, "As a native of Qingdao, since you've come here to visit, it is only right that I take you around to see the sights."

Su Dingping turned his head to look at Guo Xueyun.

Guo Xueyun quickly added, "It's just the hospitality of a host."

After a moment's thought, Su Dingping said, "We're leaving this afternoon."

"Leaving this afternoon? So soon?"

Guo Xueyun slightly averted her eyes from Su Dingping's gaze, feeling a slight sense of disappointment in her heart. She couldn't quite figure out what her own feelings were.

It was just that during this period of time, a certain figure frequently appeared in her mind.

Back then, when Su Dingping spoke to her about the "Chinese Dream," saying that "every generation has its own Long March, every generation has its own mission; when the baton of the era is passed into our hands, we are the sparks that build China"—that moment had been deeply etched into her heart.

Handsome, high-achieving, and possessing grand ambitions—a person like that shines brilliantly wherever they go.

"Time is tight and the mission is heavy. I have no choice," Su Dingping explained.

"But you're only a senior in college, you..." Halfway through her sentence, Guo Xueyun paused for a long time before changing her tone, "Why don't you leave tonight instead? This afternoon, I'll take you and Professor Zhang on a proper tour of Qingdao."

"It would also be a good way to fulfill my duties as a host."

As she spoke, Guo Xueyun raised her head and looked directly into Su Dingping's eyes.

The sea breeze blew, sending Guo Xueyun's hair fluttering.

Standing there prettily in her snow-white down jacket, looking up at him, Su Dingping felt his heart thumping wildly at that moment.

Just then, someone shouted in the distance.

"It's snowing! Look, it's snowing!"

In an instant, the surroundings became boisterous with voices, and couples embraced one another.

"I hope I can be with... forever!"

"I hope... to be healthy and happy for a lifetime."

The surrounding noise drowned out Su Dingping's voice, but when Guo Xueyun turned her head, a faint smile appeared on her face.

...

Inside the Northern Sea Area Military Base.

Sun Yongguo waited anxiously.

"It's already afternoon, why aren't they back yet?"

"Could Zhang Gongnong have gotten lost?"

Checking the time, he grew even more anxious.

It was already past five, and there had been no word from them.

"Director, what's wrong? Should I contact Old Zhang and ask them to come back earlier?" Li Mingrui said hurriedly.

"No, no, no, don't rush them!"

Sun Yongguo waved his hands dismissively.

He forced himself to calm down.

"It's fine. If they're late, they're late. No rush."

Two more hours passed before Zhang Gongnong returned.

As soon as he saw him, Sun Yongguo said urgently, "Comrade Gongnong, where is Dingping?"

"Dingping... *cough cough*... ran into some matters. I came back first; he'll be back shortly."

Hearing this, Sun Yongguo grew frantic.

"Comrade Gongnong, you're being foolish! What did I instruct you before? You were supposed to bring Dingping back safely! Instead, you came back all by yourself! If something happens to Dingping, I don't know how you'll answer to the Chief!"

"We did indeed encounter some matters. It was quite complicated, but don't worry, Dingping's safety is not an issue. I left the driver with him; I came back on my own," Zhang Gongnong explained quickly.

"Really?"

"Absolutely!"

Zhang Gongnong's tone was firm, leaving Sun Yongguo with nothing to do but worry.

However, with a driver there, even if they ran into trouble, it wouldn't be a major problem.

Zhang Gongnong didn't stand on ceremony and poured himself a glass of water.

A moment later, someone from the base walked over.

"Professor Zhang, the information you requested has been found."

Zhang Gongnong took the documents and glanced through them, feeling a secret shock.

"That girl Guo Xueyun is actually from a military compound, and she's in the Army. It seems she's no trouble."

"Comrade Gongnong, what is it?" Sun Yongguo looked at him with surprise.

"Nothing, just checked on someone. They're fine."

Seeing Zhang Gongnong being evasive, Sun Yongguo didn't press for details.

"By the way, Comrade Gongnong, there is something we need to take responsibility for in a moment. Comrade Mingrui, you come listen as well."

Sun Yongguo then gave a brief explanation of the matter.

Upon hearing it, Zhang Gongnong and Li Mingrui were both surprised and delighted.

"Director, don't worry, I guarantee this will be handled properly! I'll go wait at Dingping's door right now. As soon as he arrives, I'll drag him over here!"

Zhang Gongnong promised, patting his chest.

As soon as he left, Li Mingrui followed, "Wait for me, I'm going too."

The two waited at the entrance for a moment before finally seeing Su Dingping walking toward them, carrying bags of gifts.

"Professor Zhang, Professor Li, what are you two doing?"

"Nothing, just waiting for you."

With that, Zhang Gongnong and Li Mingrui stepped forward, took the gifts from Su Dingping's hands, and followed him inside.

After putting the things away, Zhang Gongnong pulled Su Dingping aside.

"Dingping, come here for a second."

"Huh? Are we starting work tonight? I'm ready."

"No, you'll see once you get here!"

With that, the two flanked Su Dingping and marched toward Sun Yongguo's room.

With a *thud*, the door closed.

Looking at the three men with serious expressions in the room, Su Dingping was completely bewildered.

"Director, what's wrong? Is there a problem with the 956E key research project? That shouldn't be right; I was only gone for a day."

"Dingping, come here."

It was then that Su Dingping noticed a black briefcase sitting on the table.

"Senior Colonel Zhang, it's your turn!"

Abruptly, the door opened, and Zhang Zhaoxin, dressed in military uniform, walked in.

Just as Su Dingping was about to speak, he heard Zhang Zhaoxin say, "Comrade Su Dingping, I am here representing the Navy."

(End of Chapter)