Chapter 85: Xi Nian Returns Again

“Goudan, your skills have improved again.” The steamed buns were soft and fragrant, and Zhong Yuxiu sincerely praised him.

“Beep beep,” Goudan standing at her side responded.

Hao Nan and Tian Shangguo glanced up curiously, then lowered their heads and continued eating; they pretended not to hear. Goudan was certainly not as simple as he appeared—one compliment, one response. Sometimes, even after several remarks, they might not get any reply.

After the meal, Zhong Yuxiu sighed contentedly, “Now that I’ve eaten and drunk my fill, it’s time to get to work.”

“Comrade Zhong, you go ahead. We’ll be downstairs. Just call if you need anything,” Hao Nan looked up and said.

Tian Shangguo nodded and started cleaning up.

“Today I’m just working on the thesis. Later, call Comrade Xi Nian and ask him to come over, and bring a few more people.”

“Understood, I’ll handle it right away.” Hao Nan stood and said, “Comrade Tian, I’m leaving the dishes and kitchen to you.”

Tian Shangguo was indifferent.

“Carry on, then. Goudan, you stay downstairs and help out as well. Remember to cook lunch, and make an extra vegetarian dish.” With that, she headed upstairs.

Once Zhong Yuxiu left, Hao Nan followed her out of the building, leaving Tian Shangguo alone to tidy the table and wash the dishes.

On the second floor, Zhong Yuxiu entered the laboratory, turned on her computer, created a new document, and began writing her thesis. Typing was faster than handwriting, and since the thesis on computers and surveillance was relatively complex, using the computer would allow her to draft a first version before noon.

More than half an hour later, Hao Nan returned and found Tian Shangguo in the kitchen, helping with the meal.

“Comrade Tian, I’ve already called Comrade Xi.”

“What did Comrade Xi Nian say?” Tian Shangguo turned to ask.

Hao Nan replied, “Comrade Xi Nian will be here soon. He’ll personally ask Comrade Zhong about her preferences for clothes.” Xi Nian had never received a response before and kept the matter in mind.

“That’s good. Comrade Zhong is busy, so we haven’t had a chance to ask. It’s better for Comrade Xi to come and inquire in person.” Discussing things face-to-face was always easier and avoided any miscommunication.

“I’ll go make some tea.” It would be convenient to serve tea when the guests arrived.

The two went about their tasks, and when the time seemed right, waited outside for their guests.

Xi Nian arrived with eight plainclothes security officers behind him. “Comrades, thank you for waiting.”

“It’s our duty, Comrade Xi. Please, come in,” Hao Nan stepped aside and explained, “Comrade Zhong is still busy. Please have a seat, and I’ll go invite her downstairs.”

“Thank you,” Xi Nian nodded graciously.

The group entered the living room, where Tian Shangguo took charge of hospitality, while Hao Nan went upstairs to Zhong Yuxiu’s room and knocked on the door.

Zhong Yuxiu finished her last note, got up from the laboratory, and opened the door to her bedroom.

“Comrade Hao.”

“Comrade Zhong, sorry to disturb you. Comrade Xi Nian is here and waiting downstairs,” Hao Nan said with a smile.

Zhong Yuxiu was about to go downstairs, but paused. “Comrade Hao, please go downstairs and ask Goudan to come up. Also, apologize to Comrade Xi Nian for me; tell him I’ll be down shortly and will bring the research results with me.”

“Of course.”

After watching Hao Nan turn and leave, Zhong Yuxiu returned to the laboratory. She wasn’t planning to hand over the computer; instead, she packed up the surveillance equipment.

Goudan arrived from downstairs, closed the door, and entered the laboratory. “Honored master, Goudan is at your service.”

“Enough banter, come and help.” Without turning her head, Zhong Yuxiu organized all the research data from the computer and surveillance equipment, rolling up the blueprints as well.

“Yes, master.” Goudan stepped forward and took the drawings and data from her hands. “Master, giving these to others isn’t safe.”

Zhong Yuxiu nodded, unconcerned. “It’s fine. Let them research it. Otherwise, I’d have to hand over the computer we finished, and I can’t bear to part with it. Finally, I have a computer that works smoothly. No need to rely solely on mental calculation. I’d like to work a bit more comfortably.”

“I see.” Goudan cradled the data, obeyed her instructions, picked up the bag containing the surveillance equipment, and said nothing more.

Zhong Yuxiu checked twice, confirmed nothing was missing, and then went downstairs with Goudan.

“Comrade Xi Nian, sorry to keep you waiting.”

Xi Nian smiled slightly. “I just arrived myself. Have you finished your work, Comrade Zhong?”

“Almost.” Just a final review of the thesis left. She sat on the sofa opposite Xi Nian, and Goudan stood behind her. “Comrade Xi, I asked you here specially to hand over the research data. Goudan, give the data to Comrade Xi Nian.”

“Beep beep beep.”

Goudan stepped forward and handed the items to Xi Nian.

Xi Nian couldn’t help but glance at Goudan several times, and finally thanked her, “Thank you.”

Goudan played mute and returned to Zhong Yuxiu’s side; Xi Nian’s gratitude registered only as a data entry—his master was all that mattered to him.

“Comrade Zhong, may I ask what project these research results pertain to?” Xi Nian inquired.

“A while ago, I asked Elder Yan to make some parts—you know about that.” Settling comfortably into the sofa, Zhong Yuxiu spoke slowly, “In the past couple of days, Professor Ding from the physics department at Huada and I improved a computer using those parts. The finished computer is small enough for a person to carry, faster, with massive storage, and the screen has been upgraded for clear display.”

“This computer was adapted from an old model, but its technology surpasses what’s available abroad. The bag beside you contains surveillance equipment, which works with the computer. Once connected, it can monitor a location’s activity around the clock, feeding the results directly to the computer.”

She gave a brief explanation, with no intention of elaborating. Seeing this, Xi Nian asked no further questions, but opened the cloth bag to inspect the equipment. The wall-mounted surveillance device was quite large, and he couldn’t discern much else. He looked over the data and was thoroughly impressed.

In his line of work, one didn’t have to be an expert in research, but needed to fully grasp all professional matters. Thus, he had no trouble reading the data.

“Comrade Zhong, if the results truly match the data, this is a remarkable achievement. May I see the computer? Or perhaps test the computer and surveillance equipment in operation?” Xi Nian hesitated for a moment, then added, “I’ll take the data back and let them set their research direction, but without seeing the actual product, it’s hard to explain things when I return.”

Implied: If you won’t let me take it, at least let me see it.

Zhong Yuxiu smiled. “Naturally, that’s possible. Goudan, go upstairs and bring down the computer.”

“Beep beep.” Goudan turned and went upstairs, and Xi Nian’s gaze unconsciously followed toward the second floor.

A short while later, Goudan carried the computer tower down and placed it on the tea table, then returned upstairs to fetch the screen and all connection cables.

Xi Nian bent down and ran his hand over the tower and screen—it was dramatically smaller than any computer he’d seen before. He wondered how it operated.

“Can you turn it on?” he asked.

“Yes.” Zhong Yuxiu nodded gently, raising her chin, “Goudan, move the computer to the table on the left, plug it in, and show Comrade Xi how it works.”

There was a power supply over there.