Chapter 6: Junior Brother, Senior Brother Can't Hold On Anymore!

Huang Weiren stood where he was, completely numb.

He could have at least given him a 61; that would have sounded a bit better.

A 60—no matter how you looked at it, there was clearly some "pity" in that score.

Seeing Huang Wei standing there motionless for a long time, Zhao Haikuo and the others felt a heavy weight in their hearts.

Now they understood even more profoundly why Wang Xin had made Guo Xueyun make a special trip.

These three examiners were truly strict.

If you were even slightly off, it was a failing grade!

"This Professor Li looks all smiles on the surface, but he doesn't hold back at all when it comes to grading," Zhao Haikuo whispered to Su Dingping.

Su Dingping nodded.

To make it to the position of Deputy Dean of a research institute, one certainly wasn't a simple character.

Huang Wei walked back, looking dejected; he had sat down, but half his soul seemed to have been left behind.

At this moment, Professor Huang said, "I don't think we need to call names anymore. You all can just come up yourselves."

It was clear that he no longer had any expectations for this group.

He wanted to finish this evaluation early; there was still a pile of work waiting for him at the National Defense Armament Department.

Senior Colonel Zhang and Professor Li nodded one after another.

The instructor walked over and whispered, "Next, who’s going? Send someone with a higher level of skill."

Everyone’s gaze immediately fell upon Zhao Haikuo and Su Dingping.

Before either could speak, the instructor said directly, "You go."

He saw that Zhao Haikuo looked more mature, so he assumed his level must be higher than that young student.

"Senior Brother Zhao, good luck!" Su Dingping said.

"Right!"

Zhao Haikuo nodded with a grave expression, then carried a box and strode over.

Seeing the box piled high with design blueprints, the three professors raised their eyebrows and exchanged glances, feeling that there might be an unexpected harvest this time.

"Three examiners, the warship I designed is an improved version of the 'Luda-class.' While keeping the propulsion system unchanged, the tonnage has been increased to 4,200–5,100 tons. It uses a point-defense air-sensing radar, equipped with... a missile launch system, changing the original external missile launchers to vertical launchers."

"These are my design blueprints."

Just hearing him say this, the three of them became interested.

"Quick, let us see," Professor Li urged.

Zhao Haikuo took the blueprints out of the box and handed them to the three one by one.

"Because the power provided by the boilers is limited, the speed of the 'Luda-class' has been reduced to 20–23 knots!"

"This part is the radar design blueprint..."

"This part is..."

The three professors picked up the design blueprints in front of them and examined them carefully, nodding and shaking their heads from time to time, which made Zhao Haikuo’s heart pound wildly.

The instructor on the side saw this scene and felt a slight sense of relief.

This time, it definitely wouldn't be a sixty.

If they all got scores in the low sixties, he wouldn't have the face to see Professor Zhang in the future.

Huang Wei and the others below also breathed a sigh of relief.

"Haikuo should be able to get a pretty good score this time!" Huang Wei said.

The others nodded in succession.

The three professors studied them for a long time and exchanged views. Finally, Senior Colonel Zhang spoke up.

"You considered the drop in speed caused by the increase in displacement, and I saw the calculations above..."

"As for the radar improvements, I can only say it's passable. At least you didn't get greedy and jump straight to a regional air defense system..."

"As for the vertical launchers, the idea is good, but I don't see much feasibility here! You know, vertical launch systems are a difficult challenge that all parties are currently tackling! This is no longer just core technology for modern warships; it’s beyond the scope! If you changed this to an inclined launch system, I think it would be more appropriate."

After a pause, Senior Colonel Zhang summarized.

"Passable, 74 points."

Professor Huang and Professor Li had no objections to this score.

The muscles on Zhao Haikuo’s face twitched.

74 points—this score was quite a bit lower than his expectations.

He had thought he might be able to scrape an 80.

The instructor wasn't surprised by the score, but the expressions of Huang Wei and the others changed repeatedly, countless thoughts racing through their minds.

Does bringing more design blueprints really help your score?

If even Haikuo is like this, what are we supposed to do?

Can our little junior brother carry the banner?

Their minds were in chaos, and they didn't notice that Su Dingping had already left.

"Next," Professor Huang said.

A slightly disappointed Zhao Haikuo returned to his seat and hurriedly said, "Quick, quick, let the little junior brother go! If the little junior brother can't do it, then our group is completely finished. Eh? Where is the little junior brother?"

"Little junior brother? He was just here." Huang Wei looked around and was stunned. "Eh? Where did he go? Did you guys see him?"

"No idea, I just saw him here a moment ago."

"He didn't get scared off, did he?"

"Impossible! He probably went to the restroom," Zhao Haikuo shook his head repeatedly.

Just as they were discussing this, Professor Li on the podium suddenly smiled and said to the other two.

"A while ago, Old Zhang was bragging to me that he had recruited a student with great talent! He’s been making many third-year graduate students feel inferior. Su something... I can't remember the name."

"Professor Zhang’s prized student? We have to see him!" Professor Huang said.

Senior Colonel Zhang also said, "I agree!"

Professor Li looked at the group: "Is there a student named Su? We'll take him."

Zhao Haikuo and the others felt their hearts sink.

We're done for. The examiner specifically asked to see the little junior brother, but now he’s nowhere to be found!

"No one? Did I remember wrong? Is his surname not Su?" After a moment of hesitation, Professor Li said.

Zhao Haikuo hurriedly replied, "Professor Li, there is such a person, but he isn't here right now. He seems to be feeling unwell and went to the restroom."

Professor Li realized.

If he’s unwell, they’d see him later.

"Let's just call the roll," Professor Huang took out the roster and glanced at it casually. His eyes were immediately drawn to the number '19'.

Only 19? And already participating in the third-year graduate thesis evaluation?

This is the University of Technology, not some ordinary college!

He looked at the name and immediately said.

"Professor Li, is the person you mentioned named Su Dingping?"

"Yes, yes, that's him!"

"But this Su Dingping is only 19 years old."

"What? 19! Old Zhang didn't mention that!"

He took the roster and looked from beginning to end, finding only one person with the surname Su, and he was indeed only 19. Furthermore, there was a note: Senior.

"What is Old Zhang playing at?"

Everyone else was 24 or 25; suddenly, a 19-year-old appeared, and the three of them were momentarily confused.

In the other professor groups, the youngest was at least 22. Starting college at 18, finishing undergraduate studies in two years, and master's studies in two years—that would take at least 22 years. And that was already very outstanding.

19 years old—they couldn't quite wrap their heads around it.

"Should we wait for him?"

"Wait for him! I want to see what kind of medicine Old Zhang is selling in his gourd!"

The three quickly reached a consensus.

Just then, a voice sounded from outside the door.

"Senior Brother, quick, come help me move these."

As soon as Zhao Haikuo heard Su Dingping’s voice, he rushed out.

Seeing the scene before him, he was instantly stunned.

He saw Su Dingping holding two large boxes, his feet still kicking three more boxes in front of him.

It looked like they were stuffed full of design blueprints.

"Senior Brother, hurry."

Zhao Haikuo rushed over to pick up two boxes, anxious: "My little junior brother. I told you to bring a few more blueprints so you might get an extra point or two if you were lucky, but why did you bring everything?"

"I was just saying you should bring the design drafts—I was just talking! How did you take it seriously?"

"Quick, quick, put down the drafts and whatever else. The three examiners are very strict; no amount of smoke bombs can hide flaws in the design!"

Zhao Haikuo was truly anxious.

Who knew if the three examiners would be so angry at seeing those casually drawn drafts that they’d give him a low score? Isn't this just fooling around?

Su Dingping was about to explain, but saw Professor Li standing at the door saying: "You are Su Dingping? The prized student Professor Zhang mentioned?"

"This is quite a setup; it must weigh at least two hundred pounds!" Professor Huang on the side said. "Everyone, come over and help move these."

Zhao Haikuo looked at Su Dingping in despair.

"Little junior brother, you’ve gone too far!"