The Sweetness of the Seventies
Chapter 725 - 694 Satisfaction, Curiosity_1

Chapter 725: Chapter 694 Satisfaction, Curiosity_1

Huo Yingjie felt touched by Chief Engineer Sun’s expectations.

"Alright, I’ll do my best," Huo Yingjie said, turning his head towards the kitchen, "Chief Engineer Sun, I’ll go and greet Aunt Li."

"Go ahead, your Aunt Li often mentions you." Chief Engineer Sun chuckled. Now that Huo Yingjie had arrived, what kind of change would he bring to the Technology Research Institute?

Chief Engineer Sun looked forward to it.

Chief Engineer Sun knew that he was close to retirement age. His hope for Huo Yingjie’s return was not solely for the sake of scientific research but also because he wanted Huo Yingjie to take over his position as chief engineer.

The Nan City Research Institute was the life’s work of Chief Engineer Sun, and he did not feel at ease handing it over to someone else.

Although Zhou Yuanchao was not bad, he lacked a certain foundation and could not lead the Nan City Research Institute ever onward; he could only serve as Huo Yingjie’s right-hand man.

Huo Yingjie stood up and walked to the kitchen doorway, smiling, "Hello, Aunt Li!"

"Hello, hello!" Aunt Li said with a smile while stir-frying, "It’s smoky inside, hurry and go to the living room for some tea. Wang Ying and I will be done soon."

"You’ve worked hard," Huo Yingjie smiled, "then I won’t get in the way here. I’ll wait to eat when it’s ready."

"Sure, off you go." Aunt Li shooed him out since the kitchen was a bit small with no extra space.

Huo Yingjie came out and poured tea for Chief Engineer Sun.

"Aunt Li’s cooking is really good, and the dishes smell especially delicious," Huo Yingjie praised, "Chief Engineer Sun, you can eat a bit more today!"

"Seeing you guys allows me to eat a bit more," Chief Engineer Sun laughed, knowing that Huo Yingjie had delayed his return to the institute for so long because of his family. Since he had come, they couldn’t avoid the topic, "Yingjie, isn’t your wife and child coming over with you?"

"Tiantian is in college and will graduate in a year, and the kid is still young; perhaps it’s better for them in Nan City. Besides, Tiantian has some business at home and can’t leave," Huo Yingjie replied with a tinge of wistfulness in his tone.

Zhou Yuanchao felt incredibly fortunate upon seeing his boss like this, as his wife had given up such a good job to accompany him.

"Oh, they won’t come over in the future either?" Chief Engineer Sun asked with concern, noting that their workplace was different from others. Once they accepted a project, they couldn’t leave until it was complete.

Even if they did leave, they would be under protection.

In the end, it was actually surveillance.

"I don’t know, we’ll see when the time comes," Huo Yingjie replied with a wry smile, "If they don’t come, then I’ll wait until the project is completed and I get vacation time to go back."

"Then that’s the only way, when the time comes I’ll grant you more vacation time," Chief Engineer Sun nodded, "Don’t worry, there are always more solutions than problems."

"Hmm," Huo Yingjie could only comfort himself like this, "By the way, Chief Engineer Sun, do you know why the ’urgent’ first-level transfer order was issued, what project it’s for?"

Chief Engineer Sun smiled, "Although this is at home, it’s still not good to talk about. Today we’re just catching up on old times, we can talk about work tomorrow at the office."

"Heh, Chief Engineer Sun’s principle is still so strong," Huo Yingjie praised, noting that it was easy to maintain one’s principles for a week, a month, or a year, but very difficult for a lifetime.

Yet, Chief Engineer Sun had managed it.

"Just be careful in general, then there won’t be any problems," Chief Engineer Sun said, "Anyway, whatever the task, I believe it will be a breeze for a genius like you, don’t disappoint us!"

"I’ll do my best," Huo Yingjie smiled, feeling the care of his leaders and colleagues, as well as the satisfaction in his career.

This, too, was a form of happiness, different from the happiness of family.

For a man, love is not everything in life; if one’s career could also soar to great heights, then that would be even more perfect.

At that moment, the sense of loss in Huo Yingjie’s heart lessened a great deal.

Aunt Li and Wang Ying finished cooking and brought the dishes out to the table.

Huo Yingjie had also brought two bottles of fine wine for Chief Engineer Sun. Today, Chief Engineer Sun was happy, so of course, he wanted to share a few drinks with his two prized subordinates.

Aunt Li, seeing Chief Engineer Sun so joyful, did not stand in their way for once!

Fortunately, both Huo Yingjie and Zhou Yuanchao knew that Chief Engineer Sun should not drink too much. They each just had a few sips to taste.

Chief Engineer Sun’s alcohol tolerance wasn’t great; he felt tipsy after just a couple of glasses, ate a bit, and then Aunt Li helped him into the room to rest.

"You two keep drinking," Aunt Li said with a laugh, not wanting to restrain the younger generation because of the old man.

Huo Yingjie and Zhou Yuanchao couldn’t be so insensitive, and they promptly refused, "Aunt Li’s cooking is so delicious, I haven’t enjoyed it for so long. We can drink another time; now, let’s eat properly."

"All right, I made plenty of dishes today, you guys eat more," Aunt Li said with a smile, clearly delighted.

As the national economic situation improved and material wealth increased, the Nan City Technology Research Institute also received more supplies. As the person in charge there, Chief Engineer Sun’s provisions had also increased significantly.

As just an elderly couple, they couldn’t finish everything, so they often invited Zhou Yuanchao and Wang Ying to join them for meals.

The younger generation loved her cooking, which made Aunt Li very happy.

After eating their fill, Huo Yingjie, Zhou Yuanchao, and Wang Ying helped to wash the pots and dishes before saying their goodbyes and leaving.

It was already 9:30 pm.

The moon and stars were sparse, casting three long shadows on the ground.

"Boss, it’s really great that you could come back," Yuan Chao said in a melancholic tone, "I really hope I can be assigned to your team tomorrow, so we can research together."

Huo Yingjie smiled and said, "You’re already leading a team independently; you shouldn’t be in my way anymore."

"I want to be in your way," Yuan Chao replied irritably, "After all, I’m the next best genius after you. With me as your right-hand man, you still think I’m in the way?"

"Not at all, let’s listen to the organization’s arrangements," Huo Yingjie smiled, "I wonder what tomorrow’s project will be!"

"Heh, if it were for anyone else, it would definitely be an ordinary project. But they used a first-level transfer order to recall you, so it’s definitely not an ordinary project," Yuan Chao said excitedly, which was also the reason he wanted to be in Huo Yingjie’s project team.

Hearing this, Huo Yingjie’s face showed a bitter smile as he sighed, "Important projects usually take a long time; my return home seems indefinitely postponed!"

"Boss, you’ve just arrived today and already you’re thinking of going home?" Yuan Chao was surprised and somewhat puzzled.

"Ah, I had already thought it through. After graduating from university, I wanted to transfer to a civilian research institute, but..." In front of his good brother, Huo Yingjie did not hide his inner thoughts.

"What?" Yuan Chao was taken aback, "Boss, you’re a genius, a genius! How could you bury your talents in a place like that?"

Seeing her husband raise his voice, which caught the attention of the guards on duty nearby, Wang Ying quickly pulled on Yuan Chao, reminding him, "Alright, the boss has his own considerations, no need for you to make such a fuss. Anyway, isn’t Big Brother Huo here with us now!"