Chapter 59: Visiting the Zhong Family

"Principal Guo, Professor Ding, you’ve arrived; please, come inside and rest for a while."
As she led them into the main hall, Hao Nan and Tian Shangguo instinctively headed toward the kitchen to help, while Yan Rushan turned to make tea and brought it over. "Yuxiu, here’s the tea."

"Thank you." Zhong Yuxiu accepted it and immediately offered it to the two elderly gentlemen seated on the sofa. "Please, have some tea."

"Thank you for your trouble." Principal Guo took the tea with both hands, set it down on the coffee table, and sipped it lightly. "Now that I’ve had tea, where’s your little vehicle?"

Professor Ding nudged him. "What’s the rush? We can look at it after lunch."

"Don’t pretend you’re not eager."

Professor Ding: …Eager, of course!

Zhong Yuxiu smiled gently. "Please wait a moment, I’ll send Goudan upstairs to bring the little car down."

"I’ll go," Yan Rushan volunteered, having seen it in the laboratory before.

"That works too. Thank you, Brother Yan, for making the trip."

Yan Rushan smiled softly and headed upstairs. Moments later, he returned carrying a contraption resembling a bicycle. Principal Guo and Professor Ding both stood up and crowded around him, their eyes fixed intently on the small electric scooter perched on Yan Rushan’s shoulder, as if gazing at a beloved treasure. They longed to touch it but hesitated, their hands rubbing together in anticipation.

It was almost comical.

Zhong Yuxiu couldn’t bear to look directly. "Brother Yan, please set the vehicle down—it must be heavy to carry."

Although the scooter had been modified to be lighter, it still held some weight.

"Alright." Yan Rushan placed the scooter on the floor. Its silver exterior gleamed, with subtle patterns etched along the handlebars and crossbars. It was a flashy design even by future standards, and at present, quite rare. "This little vehicle is best suited for women."

"It was designed according to my preferences," Zhong Yuxiu admitted. Naturally, it was meant for her.

Yan Rushan nodded. "I understand. The one you submitted was this color too, and the design is nearly identical."

"Yes, but other designs are possible—it depends on individual preference. The size can also be adjusted. The main components are the chip and sensors, with the engine providing power, so the exterior is easily customizable."

"Exactly." Yan Rushan’s lips twitched into a smile, but before he could finish, Professor Ding gently pushed him aside. Yan Rushan had been standing directly in front of the vehicle, blocking the view; his broad frame made it difficult for Professor Ding to get close.

Zhong Yuxiu shook her head with amusement and pulled Yan Rushan aside to talk. "What’s happening with those above? It’s been over a month, and there’s still no sign of it being sold."

"It’ll be soon," Yan Rushan replied, unable to elaborate further.

"And the patent?" That was her greatest concern.

"It’s almost through; they’re expediting the process."

Zhong Yuxiu understood. Even though Yan Rushan hadn’t spelled it out, she could guess the situation. In a weak nation, diplomacy is fraught, and getting a patent approved requires maneuvering. No wonder it had taken so long without any news.

"Comrade Zhong, is it easy to use? Could we try it?" Principal Guo turned to her, his interest obvious.

Professor Ding looked over, his eyes filled with anticipation. Zhong Yuxiu smiled and nodded, "Of course, but the room is too small—we’d have to go outside."

"Aren’t you worried about being seen?" Principal Guo hesitated. The compound was safe, but there were many people.

"Comrade Zhong, Principal Guo, Professor Ding, lunch is ready," Hao Nan announced, carrying bowls and chopsticks from the kitchen.

"We know," replied Zhong Yuxiu, then turned to the two men, "It’s fine to ride outside as long as we don’t leave the compound. Shall we eat first or try the vehicle?"

Principal Guo glanced at Hao Nan, then at the small car in his hands. He made up his mind. "Let’s eat first—it won’t run away."

As guests, proper etiquette must not be neglected.

Zhong Yuxiu smiled, "Let’s serve the dishes then. We can talk while we eat. I’ll help bring out the food—I wonder what delicious things Goudan has prepared."

"I’ll help, too. You two can wash your hands and take a seat," Yan Rushan said, following Zhong Yuxiu toward the kitchen.

Hao Nan pointed to a small corridor off the hall. "Principal Guo, Professor Ding, the bathroom is over there; you’ll see it as soon as you enter."

"We know, go on with your business," Principal Guo waved him off, then, seeing Professor Ding still cautiously inspecting the little vehicle, hurried over to pull him away. "Wash your hands and eat first. After lunch, let Comrade Zhong teach us how to use it."

Faced with this new invention, these old gentlemen couldn’t let the younger generation outdo them.

After washing their hands, Principal Guo and Professor Ding returned, and Zhong Yuxiu and the others had already finished serving the dishes. The group gathered at the table; with the addition of Principal Guo and Professor Ding, there were six people dining today, making the meal livelier than usual.

"Principal Guo, Professor Ding, please feel free to help yourselves. Once we’re full, we’ll try the scooter," Zhong Yuxiu invited.

Principal Guo grinned, "With such good food, we certainly won’t be shy."

"That’s how it should be. You know whether you’re full or not; all that formality is pointless." She recalled attending gatherings of noble ladies in the past, and she’d never enjoyed them—everyone moved and behaved as if measured by a ruler, every gesture and smile meticulously controlled.

Facing their standard 'lady-like' smiles, she found it more tedious each time.

"Alright then, we won’t stand on ceremony," Professor Ding said, smiling, and began to eat.

With the elders starting, Zhong Yuxiu and the others followed suit.

Principal Guo sampled every dish, finding each one pleasing. "Comrade Zhong, who cooked these? I haven’t seen the chef."

Zhong Yuxiu grinned. "Let me introduce you."

"Please do," Principal Guo set down his chopsticks, and Professor Ding paused as well, holding his chopsticks midair.

Hao Nan and Tian Shangguo exchanged glances and continued eating.

Yan Rushan’s eyes gleamed with amusement as he served Zhong Yuxiu’s plate.

"Goudan, come out for a moment." With the two elders waiting, Zhong Yuxiu did not resume eating but sat back, awaiting Goudan.

"Beep beep beep."

Responding to the call, Goudan walked out from the kitchen, its mechanical legs moving nimbly, its gait resembling a human’s, albeit lacking a certain fluidity—there was a subtle stiffness in its movements.

Zhong Yuxiu nodded in satisfaction. "This is Goudan, my assistant robot. He also cooks and does housework; nowadays, most of the chores at my home are handled by him. Just tell him what needs to be done, and his chip will execute the task."

Professor Ding suddenly stood up, his chair scraping noisily across the floor; Principal Guo did the same, both approaching the robot. Goudan was about their height, but standing before them, appeared even sturdier.

"Goudan, serve rice to our two guests."

"Beep beep." Goudan promptly responded, moving to Principal Guo and Professor Ding’s places, picking up their bowls and heading to the kitchen.

Both men watched the kitchen intently. When Goudan returned, their bowls were filled to the brim. They watched as Goudan personally placed the bowls back in front of them, then walked over to stand quietly beside Zhong Yuxiu.