The Sweetness of the Seventies
Chapter 335 - 306: Lock Up, Material M (3/6)_1

Chapter 335: Chapter 306: Lock Up, Material M (3/6)_1

Huo Yingjie chuckled, Qian Miaomiao’s concern was actually about the data, not the impending investigation that was about to follow—an indication that Qian Miaomiao was truly dedicated to scientific research.

"Don’t worry, I’m here!" Huo Yingjie reassured Qian Miaomiao. "If people are okay, it doesn’t matter if we lose the data. It’s all in our heads."

The choked-up Qian Miaomiao felt somewhat relieved upon hearing the Boss’s words.

Yes, as long as the people are safe, the data is safe!

However, the accident was too sudden; it was entirely unforeseen.

"Boss, the explosion started at Zhou Yuanchao’s end. I have no idea what sort of material he put in there to cause such an incident," Qian Miaomiao said. "But Zhou Yuanchao is usually a rough guy, he’s extremely meticulous at work and wouldn’t make a rookie mistake like grabbing the wrong materials."

Huo Yingjie nodded, saying, "Yes, I believe in Zhou Yuanchao too!"

While they were talking, Chief Engineer Sun came over. Seeing Huo Yingjie, he let out a slight sigh of relief and asked, "What about the others?"

"Tang Xinliang has already taken Zhou Yuanchao to the hospital. I’m staying here waiting for the organizational review," Huo Yingjie said. Several people followed Chief Engineer Sun, including a Director Hua.

Director Hua stepped forward and said politely, "According to the need for confidentiality, as the person in charge of this project, you must come with us to assist in the investigation."

"I obey the organization’s decision," Huo Yingjie nodded without arguing.

Huo Yingjie turned towards Chief Engineer Sun and the other staff members, bowing and saying, "Thank you all for your hard work."

"Boss..." Qian Miaomiao spoke with emotion, "This was an accident..."

"Whether it’s an accident or not, we will investigate," Director Hua stated. "It’s a rule of the research institute; no one is exempted."

Huo Yingjie soothed Qian Miaomiao with his gaze, and Chief Engineer Sun said, "You should all be aware of the discipline. Cooperate with the organization’s investigation outside, and don’t cry or wail. Trust in the organization."

"Mm!" Qian Miaomiao said, tears covering her face. Her round cheeks smeared with dark dust, two streaks cleared through the grime, "I will."

Director Hua took Huo Yingjie away, vanishing into the corridor of the laboratory.

Qian Miaomiao could not hold back anymore and burst into tears.

Chief Engineer Sun patted Qian Miaomiao’s shoulder and said, "Comrade Qian, don’t cry. The organization will make a fair judgment for Comrade Huo."

Besides him, only Director Hua understood the importance and the dangers of Huo Yingjie’s experiment.

Nobody wished for an accident to happen, yet they often occurred despite wishes to the contrary.

Qian Miaomiao wiped her tears, her face becoming dirtier, resembling a little cat with spots, and nodded, "Crying won’t help. I must assist the Boss, hoping that he comes out soon."

Chief Engineer Sun personally supervised the inspectors checking the situation inside, ensuring that no one tampered with anything.

Qian Miaomiao and Tang Xinliang were also taken to the interrogation room for questioning about the events of the day.

That evening, in the detention center, Huo Yingjie heard from Director Hua that Zhou Yuanchao had woken up and was out of danger; only then did he feel relieved.

"Comrade Huo, please don’t take it personally. We do this also to protect our comrades," Director Hua spoke personally with Huo Yingjie. "In the research institute, only you, I, and Chief Engineer Sun understand the importance of your task!"

"Yes, Chief Engineer Sun explained that to me when accepting this task. Every day I followed the experimental procedure, arranging for three assistants without any impropriety. I don’t know why there was an explosion," Huo Yingjie said frowning. He had been extra cautious.

Director Hua nodded as he too did not believe that Huo Yingjie would intentionally cause an explosion.

"There are now three possibilities: first, an operational error; second, a problem with the materials; third, which is what we least want to see, a problem with a person," Director Hua said gravely. "Chief Engineer Sun is personally overseeing the inspections, and we believe the results will be out soon."

Director Hua offered a pack of cigarettes, handing one to Huo Yingjie and saying, "Here, have one!"

Huo Yingjie shook his head. He didn’t smoke. But, after shaking his head, he reached out his hand and said, "Maybe I’ll have one then."

Director Hua tossed a box of matches to Huo Yingjie, letting him light the cigarette himself.

Huo Yingjie lit the cigarette and took a puff, but his mouth and throat couldn’t handle the irritating scent of the burning tobacco.

"Cough, cough, cough..." Huo Yingjie kept coughing, putting down the cigarette after just one puff, "Sigh, smoking won’t reduce my worry. Better not smoke at all."

Director Hua chuckled, "A man, who doesn’t smoke!"

"There are plenty of men who don’t smoke," Huo Yingjie said. "Drinking might have some benefits for the body, but smoking has none at all."

Director Hua and Huo Yingjie chatted as if they were just shooting the breeze, the atmosphere congenial.

In fact, in his younger days, the most extensive work he did was undercover, which made him highly perceptive of people’s psychologies. He used to rely on chatting with others and observing their facial expressions and actions to judge their mindset.

Now, as he chatted, Director Hua was still observing Huo Yingjie but did not notice any problems.

As a matter of public interest, this was Huo Yingjie’s work; if done well, he could leap to become the youngest scientist in the country, and as a self-taught individual, hailed as a genius!

As a private matter, Huo Yingjie hailed from the prestigious Huo Family of Yanjing, a notable name; he would never do anything to disgrace his family or hold them back!

About two hours later, around 9:30 in the evening, Chief Engineer Sun arrived.

"Chief Engineer Sun, what’s the situation on your end?" Director Hua asked, without excluding Huo Yingjie from the conversation.

Seeing that Director Hua didn’t mind, Chief Engineer Sun said, "After waking up, I personally asked Zhou Yuanchao. He said the explosion occurred when he added a material called ’M.’ That substance and the real M material had similar color and density, so he didn’t notice the discrepancy. However, once he put it into the reaction vessel, the chemical reaction differed significantly from that of the true M material. By the time he realized it, it was too late, and he was soon overcome by the fumes."

"M material?" Huo Yingjie was taken aback, sensing that Zhou Yuanchao had acted as a scapegoat!

"Yes, M material," Chief Engineer Sun confirmed. "I sent people to ask the material science department, and their comrades assured that they had provided M material. It had been checked by three people; there was no mistake. The materials were received by your team’s Qian Miaomiao. She also said that she went directly to the laboratory with the materials without anyone else being involved. At present, we are checking to see who else had visited your lab apart from your team members, and we expect to find out by tomorrow."

Huo Yingjie remained silent, his eyes slightly narrowed.

"Comrade Huo, what are you thinking about?" Director Hua noticed Huo Yingjie drifting off in thought. He glanced at Chief Engineer Sun and asked quietly.

Rubbing his face with his hands, Huo Yingjie said, "I am certain that this was a premeditated explosion targeting me!"