Chapter 5: The Chief is Here?!

Early the next morning, the group gathered at the laboratory.

Before long, news of the evaluation arrived. Each mentor’s group would go up in batches, and Professor Zhang’s students were in the second-to-last group.

Although they had plenty of time, none of them were in the mood for idle chatter.

A series of unexpected changes had put them under immense pressure.

If it had been their own mentor, even if their grades were a bit poor, they could at least laugh it off. But with unfamiliar examiners, it was hard to say. It wouldn't just be their own faces they’d be losing, but Professor Zhang’s as well.

Not long after, a crisp voice rang out from outside.

"Zhao Haikuo, come out for a second."

Hearing this, the group’s brows shot up, and they all looked at Zhao Haikuo.

It was Guo Xueyun’s voice.

As the goddess in the hearts of many master’s students, Guo Xueyun was not only beautiful but also academically brilliant, though she always maintained a cold demeanor toward everyone.

Why would she be looking for Zhao Haikuo?

Zhao Haikuo was also puzzled, but he walked out anyway.

He reached the door and saw Guo Xueyun standing there, looking lovely. "Yun-ya tou, what’s the matter?"

"Sister Wang asked me to pass a message to you. The three examiners this time are very strict. She wants you to be careful."

Having said that, Guo Xueyun turned to leave.

Zhao Haikuo quickly asked, "How is Sister Wang doing?"

"72 points."

Hearing this, Zhao Haikuo was stunned.

"What? Wang Xin only got 72?"

He knew exactly what Wang Xin’s grades were like. If even she only got 72, it showed just how exceptionally strict this evaluation was.

*Only?*

Guo Xueyun’s expression turned cold.

Out of the seven third-year master’s students in Professor Wu’s group, only two scored above 70, and the highest didn't even reach 75!

She was about to argue, but heard Zhao Haikuo muttering to himself.

"I need to tell the junior brother and the others about this quickly so they can be prepared."

Upon hearing "junior brother," a familiar figure immediately appeared in Guo Xueyun’s mind. Someone clearly younger than her, yet already surpassing her in knowledge.

Since the last time Su Dingping came to borrow equipment, she hadn't seen him once in over a month; even that time, it was Zhao Haikuo who returned the equipment.

She blurted out, "Junior Brother Su is participating too?"

"Professor Zhang specifically named him to participate."

Guo Xueyun’s expression stiffened slightly. She was a second-year master’s student whose grades were almost catching up to the seniors, yet her mentor hadn't let her participate. Professor Zhang actually let Su Dingping, who had just entered his senior year, participate?

Professor Zhang was truly strict with his students.

"Then you should remind Junior Brother Su to be extra careful."

As she spoke, she glanced inside and happened to see Su Dingping looking out.

Their eyes met, and Su Dingping nodded at her with a smile. Guo Xueyun’s heart skipped a beat, and she quickly turned and ran off.

Back in the lab, Zhao Haikuo relayed the situation.

The group’s expressions changed drastically.

If Wang Xin only got 72, wouldn't they be in the low 60s? They might even fail! If they really failed, they would completely disgrace Professor Zhang.

Thinking of this, their hearts sank to the bottom.

Of the seven present, the only ones who could potentially outperform Wang Xin were Zhao Haikuo and Su Dingping.

The group subconsciously looked at Su Dingping and asked, "Junior brother, where did you get the inspiration for your design this time? Let’s brainstorm and set a baseline."

Inspiration?

Su Dingping thought for a moment and said, "A photograph."

"A photograph?"

They looked at each other in confusion. Getting inspiration from a photograph?

Didn't Professor Zhang say the design had to be practical and not a fantasy?

Otherwise, they would have already brought out the warships from science fiction novels.

Zhao Haikuo quickly said, "Junior brother, if it really is just inspiration from a photo, you must be careful. The examiner this time isn't Professor Zhang; I’m afraid they won't be easy to talk to."

"It’s best to prepare more materials—bring all your thought processes, design concepts, and so on."

He then added, "I’m even planning to bring out my design drafts just to pad the numbers."

"Is the situation that serious?" Su Dingping asked, surprised.

"Sigh, every point counts."

A moment later, the instructor arrived.

"Are you all ready? Come with me."

The seven of them, carrying their respective blueprints, followed the instructor to the laboratory lounge.

As soon as they sat down, the three stern-faced examiners walked in.

"Students, let me introduce you," the instructor said with a quick smile.

"This is Professor Huang from the National Defense Armament Department! Professor Huang’s department is responsible for the design and production of armaments serving the Navy, Army, and Air Force. If any of you catch his eye, your future will be limitless."

The group’s eyes landed on Professor Huang.

The National Defense Armament Department—a place where countless doctoral students from top universities couldn't get into even if they broke their heads trying. If they were truly favored by Professor Huang and entered the department, not only would they be set for life, but their ancestors would be honored, and matchmakers from ten miles around would wear down their doorsteps.

"This is Senior Colonel Zhang from the Naval Equipment Demonstration and Research Center. He will be responsible for evaluating your designs based on practicality, operability, and other aspects."

The moment he saw Senior Colonel Zhang, Su Dingping had a sudden feeling of familiarity.

After thinking for a long time, he suddenly realized.

Isn't this a younger version of "Bureau Chief"?

The instructor continued, "And this is Professor Li, Vice Dean of the 335 Research Institute."

Zhao Haikuo and the others felt their hearts thumping.

These three were all heavyweights.

If it weren't for this last-minute change in the evaluation panel, they might not have had a chance to meet them in their entire lives.

Seeing the group’s nervous expressions, Professor Li smiled and said, "Students, don't be nervous. Professor Zhang and I are colleagues; we’re all on the same side."

Hearing this, Zhao Haikuo and the others breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Since they were Professor Zhang’s colleagues, they should at least be a bit lenient.

The instructor was about to say something else, but Professor Huang, standing to the side, said sternly, "Let’s not waste time. Let’s start."

The instructor quickly winked at Zhao Haikuo and the others, as if to say: The previous sessions haven't gone well, you must be very careful.

"First one, Huang Wei!"

"Huang Wei (Senior Brother), good luck!" the others whispered.

"I’ll set a baseline for you brothers!"

With that, Huang Wei stood up, clutching a thick stack of blueprints, and strode toward the podium.

"Three examiners, the warship I designed is an improved version of the '053K Guided Missile Frigate Yantang.' The propulsion system remains the traditional boiler, and the displacement has been increased to 3,200–3,900 tons. I’ve replaced the original fire-control radar with an air-search radar..."

As he spoke, Huang Wei handed the blueprints to the three men.

Professor Huang and the others had already seen improvements to the Yantang-class in other groups.

Flipping through Huang Wei’s blueprints, they didn't see much innovation.

Professor Huang asked casually, "Replacing it with an air-search radar is a nice idea, but have you solved the systemic integration issues between the various systems inside the warship?"

"Uh..."

"Also, the air-search radar currently in our service is mainly for point defense! I see you’re talking big here—area defense! Do you know the difficulty involved in this? This involves the core technical challenges of modernizing a warship!"

"I..."

"It seems you don't know. Do you have any relevant ideas, then?"

Professor Huang asked several questions in a row, making sweat bead on Huang Wei’s forehead.

The others below watched with their hearts in their throats.

This was far stricter than Professor Zhang.

After the three conferred, Professor Li said, "60 points."

Huang Wei’s mouth twitched violently.

So much for being Professor Zhang’s colleagues—they turned around and gave him a 60?