2: Chapter 2 First Encounter with the Big Shot

The next day, the weekend.

Chu Ge was wandering the streets and somehow ended up at Panjiayuan. This was City Y's CBD, home to almost all the city's major corporations. Those working here were either white-collar workers or elites.

Yu Le was here too. She studied finance and worked here after graduation, seemingly as an administrative secretary???

Yu Le rarely mentioned work to him, but her salary must be quite high. Chu Ge remembered that the cosmetics on her vanity seemed to be all imported...

*Ding.* The phone in his pocket vibrated, and Chu Ge answered it absentmindedly.

"What's up?"

"Hello, young man. Are you Chu Ge?"

"Oh, oh, hello, sir. I thought you were a colleague of mine."

"No worries. Are you in City Y? I am Chen Hua from the Ordnance Research Institute. I've made a special trip to City Y regarding the 'Naval Gun Upgrade Proposal' you mailed us..."

Chu Ge was ecstatic; it seemed his gamble had paid off.

"Hello, Elder Chen. I'm here. Um... I'm at Panjiayuan right now, by the plaza fountain. I'm the most handsome one wearing black clothes."

Hanging up the phone, Chu Ge was in a great mood. He whistled as he looked at a building covered in glass curtain walls.

Near the revolving doors downstairs, Yu Le was chatting and laughing with a colleague. As she stepped out, she spotted the conspicuous Chu Ge by the fountain. Her brow furrowed, and after a moment's hesitation, she said to her colleague,

"Xiao Min, you go ahead. I have something to take care of."

"Okay."

Meanwhile, Chu Ge was looking up at City Y's tallest building, daydreaming.

"Chu Ge, what are you doing here?"

"Yu Le? You gave me a fright."

"Don't give me that cheeky grin. Didn't we make things clear? What, a grown man can't let go?"

"Stop, stop right there. I, Chu Ge, didn't come here for you. Just go about your business."

Chu Ge knew Yu Le didn't want to see him right now, and he hadn't run into her on purpose.

"Hmph, you're just being stubborn."

"You!!!" Chu Ge was momentarily speechless.

"You won't believe anything I say anyway. Talking to you is a waste of breath!"

With that, Chu Ge turned and walked away.

In a Western restaurant upstairs, Yu Le smiled and greeted Xiao Min before sitting down. The two were there for lunch. Qu Min was Yu Le's colleague and best friend; Yu Le had moved in with her after moving out of Chu Ge's place.

"That's Chu Ge, right? He looks quite handsome and tall!"

"Yeah, that's his only merit. Otherwise, would I have been blind enough to fall for him back in school?"

"True, good looks don't put food on the table. If you ask me, Lele, you did the right thing. Cut the knot quickly while you're young; wasting your youth on someone like that is just a shame."

"Let's not talk about him. Let's eat," Yu Le muttered. She really didn't want to mention Chu Ge in front of her colleague; it was embarrassing!

By the fountain, Chu Ge wasn't affected. Some things were in the past. He didn't blame Yu Le; everyone has their own ambitions. Besides, his ambitions no longer involved her!

*Screech.* A military jeep came to a steady stop in front of Chu Ge. A grey-haired but energetic old man stepped out.

"Careful. You must be Grandpa Chen!" Chu Ge hurried forward to support him.

"No need, young man. I'm not so old and decrepit that I can't get out of a car!"

"Haha, of course. You look very robust."

Chen Hua sized up Chu Ge after getting out of the car and nodded with a smile.

"Hmm, a handsome lad! At least you weren't bragging!"

"Ah? Haha," Chu Ge scratched his head.

Passersby occasionally looked back. A military vehicle in a busy downtown area was indeed conspicuous, and the sight of an energetic old man in military uniform drew even more curious gazes.

Yu Le, who was eating upstairs, saw it too. She was puzzled. Chu Ge wasn't a local; he had come here for school, and she had never heard of him knowing anyone in the military...

"Little Chu, let's talk in the car!"

"Okay."

After the two got in, the olive-drab jeep made a sharp U-turn and quickly disappeared from everyone's sight.

In the car, the old man and the youth conversed happily.

"Little Chu, I'm quite impressed by the depth of your knowledge. Although that report hasn't been verified yet, based on my experience, there are no logical issues."

"There shouldn't be any problems..."

"Yes, so I've come specifically to invite you to Yanjing. For one, you drafted this report, so more details need your oversight. Secondly, I wanted to see you in person and size you up."

Chu Ge readily agreed. He didn't linger and followed Academician Chen straight to the airport for a flight to Yanjing.

"Little Chu, how did you research those theories?" Academician Chen couldn't help but ask while looking at Chu Ge.

"My major is Mechanical Engineering, so I've always dealt with these things. My father is a mechanical technician, so I've been influenced by him since I was a child." Chu Ge had prepared his excuse long ago; he couldn't sell out his 'System Father.'

"Oh, no wonder!"

"Compared to you, my grandson is far behind. He's about your age, but all he does every day is ask girls out!" After saying this, a look of loneliness flickered in Academician Chen's eyes.

"Then he's better than me."

"You kid, you certainly have a silver tongue!"

...

Actually, Chu Ge wanted to say: Grandpa Chen, I'm not lying. Your grandson really is better than me. I've just been dumped; it's still fresh!

Yanjing, the capital of Huaxia, is a city with a long history. Outside the brand-new airport terminal, a military jeep sped toward the Ordnance Research Institute...

Chu Ge was a bit stunned when he saw Wang Yun. He hadn't expected the Research Institute to have such a young and beautiful girl; he had imagined everyone would look like Elder Chen.

"Oh, Wang Yun, let me introduce you. This is Chu Ge!"

"Hello!" Chu Ge took the initiative to extend his right hand.

"Hello!"

Wang Yun was somewhat shocked. She had just handled that report yesterday and knew it was written by the young man before her. She had thought he would be a scholar or a teacher, but she hadn't expected...

After a brief rest, Chu Ge followed Dean Chen to the conference room.

They were desperate to verify a few things...

The Research Institute's conference room was large and already packed with people. After entering, Chu Ge found a corner and sat down. Dean Chen didn't stop him and walked toward the podium with a smile.

Below the stage, Wang Yun was distributing materials—it was none other than Chu Ge's research report.

"Before we begin, a few points of clarification. Today's meeting is confidential. The materials in your hands are for reading only; no photos are allowed, and they cannot be taken out of the conference room." Academician Chen's expression was serious.

"Alright, this material is about an upgrade plan for the naval gun system. You are all experts in related systems. After reading it, tell me your thoughts."

"In half an hour."

"Yes, sir."

Everyone responded and began to read the materials carefully. During the process, many people exchanged glances, their surprise evident.

Chu Ge looked around idly; that report was already etched into his mind...

Wang Yun was pouring water for the scholars and experts, not forgetting to pour a cup for Chu Ge. Her valiant and heroic figure swayed back and forth in front of him...

After a long time, a middle-aged man who looked like a scholar looked up and asked Academician Chen in surprise,

"Elder Chen, which Academician wrote this report? The mechanical foundation is very solid, and there are some unique innovations! I believe the feasibility is very high."

"Everyone, what are your opinions?"

"Agreed."

"Agreed."

Everyone spoke in unison.

"Good!"

Elder Chen smiled and beckoned to Chu Ge, who hurried over.

"Chu Ge, let's introduce you. The research report in your hands was written by him!"

"Hello, uncles and grandpas!" Chu Ge was quite familiar with them.

"This..."

"You're not joking, right?"

"Did he use a ghostwriter?"

"This kid looks like he's only twenty?"

"Incredible, incredible. Our Huaxia truly produces talent after talent!" Everyone discussed animatedly; for a moment, the conference room was as noisy as a wet market!

"Silence. Since everyone approves of this report, fine. I announce the immediate establishment of the New Naval Gun System Research Group. I will temporarily serve as the group leader, with Chu Ge as the deputy leader. The members are as follows..."

Since Academician Chen had decided, everyone cooperated and agreed.

After the meeting, as they passed by Chu Ge, they all looked at him like curious babies—some with curiosity, some with doubt, but most with praise and encouragement!

After everyone had left, an old man walked up to Academician Chen.

"Old Chen, is it decided just like that? Isn't it a bit fast?"

"Elder Huang, do you still doubt my judgment? The boy himself is fine. As for his background, I've already arranged for an investigation."

"That's good then."

...

The Research Institute had dormitories. Academician Chen gave Chu Ge the highest level of treatment and even arranged a banquet for him that evening. Soon, rumors spread throughout the institute that a powerful figure had arrived.

"Is my spring finally coming?"

"Not yet. I can't get ahead of myself. At least not until the experimental verification is solid!"

Tossing and turning on his bed, Chu Ge didn't know that the entire Research Institute was now a hive of activity—arranging for the research group to move in, coordinating experimental sites, stationing security...