39: Chapter 39 Attending the Beijing Conference to Plan for the Overall Situation! Policy Alignment Clarifies Direction, Chance Encounter with an Old Friend Foreshadows Future Development (2)

Soon, Li Zhe replied: "That's great! Mu Li, everyone is looking forward to seeing you! The time is set for the evening of the 15th next month at a specialty restaurant in Jing City. I'll notify everyone of the specific address in the group later."

After confirming his attendance at the class reunion, Mu Li felt much more relaxed. He opened his laptop and began organizing the materials for the review meeting, meticulously recording the modification suggestions from experts and the results of various coordination efforts, intending to convey them to his team members upon his return. Simultaneously, in line with the spirit of the meeting, he adjusted the subsequent plans for the commercial operation preparations, clarifying deadlines for technical standard revisions, the improvement of the energy output fluctuation early warning system, and the recruitment of the operations team.

On the morning of the third day, Mu Li went to the China Ministry of Finance to coordinate matters related to support policies for the new energy industry and tax incentives. The relevant official at the China Ministry of Finance introduced the country's latest support policies for the new energy industry in detail, covering project subsidies, tax reductions, credit support, and more. "The Controllable Nuclear Fusion project is a strategic emerging industry with key national support. We will provide you with the maximum possible support according to relevant policies," the official said. "The specific subsidy amounts and tax reduction ratios will be calculated based on the project's actual situation, and a detailed plan will be released as soon as possible."

Mu Li provided the official with a detailed update on the project's progress and the plans for commercial operation, expressing his gratitude for the strong support from the China Ministry of Finance. He stated, "With the support of national policies, we will certainly accelerate the project's progress to ensure that the first commercial Nuclear Fusion Power Station is completed and put into operation as soon as possible, contributing to the development of the nation's energy sector."

Upon leaving the China Ministry of Finance, Mu Li checked his watch; the hands pointed to 11:00 AM, leaving him with three hours before his return high-speed train. The early morning mist had long since dissipated, and the sunlight in Jing City had become warm and bright, spilling over the plane trees lining the streets and casting mottled shadows. Recalling the vibrant atmosphere he had felt on the streets the previous night, his yearning for a normal life resurfaced. He decided to visit the nearby Wangfujing Commercial Street to experience the city's local warmth.

This commercial street is one of the most famous pedestrian streets in Jing City, running over a thousand meters from Dongdan in the north to Changan Avenue in the south. It is lined with shops and snacks, bustling with people. Before even entering the district, he could hear the rising and falling cries of hawkers, the sounds of bargaining, and the laughter of tourists; a lively atmosphere washed over him. Mu Li slowed his pace, walking slowly along the bluestone-paved street, looking at the diverse shops—quaint time-honored brands, trendy fashion stores, cultural and creative shops filled with novelties, and snack stalls wafting tempting aromas. He felt exceptionally relaxed.

The people on the street presented a variety of scenes: stylish young couples holding hands and whispering; parents patiently picking out toys for their children, who were jumping with excitement; an elderly couple with white hair supporting each other as they strolled slowly, occasionally stopping to admire the scenery; and tourists with backpacks holding up their phones to take photos, their faces filled with novelty and excitement. Watching these vivid scenes, Mu Li's long-tensed nerves gradually relaxed, and a faint smile unconsciously touched the corners of his mouth.

He was drawn to an elegantly decorated bookstore and stepped inside. The bookstore was quiet and peaceful, a sharp contrast to the bustle outside. Warm yellow light fell on the bookshelves, and the air was filled with a faint scent of books. People were either sitting or standing, all immersed in the world of books, with the occasional rustle of turning pages providing a healing touch. This atmosphere instantly reminded him of his days spent in the library during university. Back then, he was the same, spending entire afternoons in a quiet corner with thick professional books, repeatedly studying technical problems—simple yet fulfilling.

Mu Li paced slowly along the bookshelves, his fingertips lightly brushing the spines as his gaze darted through the rows of books. Suddenly, a book titled Global New Energy Industry Development Report caught his eye. He pulled it out, found a seat by the window, and began reading it earnestly. The book analyzed the current development status, technical trends, and policy orientations of the global new energy industry in detail. The chapter on Controllable Nuclear Fusion technology even cited many international cutting-edge research data points. He was deeply absorbed, occasionally making light marks on the pages, gaining a clearer understanding and firmer conviction regarding the project he was advancing.

After browsing for about half an hour, Mu Li closed the book, returned it to its place, and walked out of the bookstore. Just as he reached the street corner, he smelled a sweet and sour aroma. Following the scent, he saw a crowd gathered around a snack stall where the vendor was skillfully making Tanghulu. Bright red hawthorn berries were skewered and coated in a crystal-clear sugar glaze, sparkling in the sun and making one's mouth water. Mu Li stepped forward and queued up to buy one. Taking a bite, the sweet and sour flavor spread in his mouth; the crispiness of the sugar glaze blended perfectly with the soft hawthorn. Childhood memories were instantly awakened—whenever it was the New Year during his childhood, his father would always buy him a stick of Tanghulu. That sweet and sour taste was the most unforgettable flavor of his youth.

He continued walking while eating the Tanghulu. The snack stalls were lined up one after another, with the aroma of grilled squid, the spicy fragrance of tripe, and the sweet scent of Lvdagun intertwining, whetting the appetite. He bought a serving of Lvdagun; the soft glutinous rice wrapped in sweet bean flour and bean paste melted in his mouth, full of Jing City's characteristic flavor. He was in no hurry, just walking leisurely, occasionally stopping to watch the vendors' skillful operations and listen to the laughter of the people around him, savoring this long-lost sense of ease and joy.

After wandering the commercial street for over an hour, Mu Li reached the intersection of Changan Avenue at the southern end of the district. He stopped and watched the traffic and pedestrians passing by, his heart filled with emotion. He realized that occasionally detaching himself from busy work, unloading his burdens, and experiencing the life of an ordinary person could not only relax his mind and dispel the fatigue of recent days but also help him understand the meaning of his work more clearly. He fought day and night, overcoming one technical difficulty after another to advance the Controllable Nuclear Fusion project—wasn't it precisely to provide such ordinary lives with more stable and cleaner energy support? Wasn't it so that these ordinary people could live and work in peace, and so that this city could continue to radiate vitality?

At 12:30 PM, Mu Li found an inconspicuous Jing-style restaurant and ordered a bowl of Zhajiangmian and a plate of Jingjiang Rousi. The simple meal tasted exceptionally delicious. After lunch, he walked slowly along the street toward the subway station to head to Beijing West Railway Station.

At 2:00 PM, Mu Li boarded his return high-speed train on time. He found his seat and sat down, leaning against the window to watch the scenery slowly recede. Jing City's silhouette gradually faded, and the skyscrapers and street traffic slowly turned into suburban fields and trees. The carriage was quiet and comfortable; passengers were either resting with their eyes closed, talking softly, or looking at their phones. Mu Li gazed out the window, his heart filled with a sense of achievement and responsibility.

This trip to Jing City had been very fruitful. Not only had he successfully completed the work related to the Controllable Nuclear Fusion technical standard review meeting and coordinated policy support and capital subsidies with departments like the China Energy Administration and the China Ministry of Finance, but he had also finalized the core details of the energy transmission connection with the North China Power Grid. Moreover, he had unexpectedly reunited with his old classmate Chen Feng, confirmed his intention to attend next month's class reunion, and revisited the warmth of his youth. He even found time to wander the commercial street, feel the vibrant atmosphere of ordinary life, and recalibrate his original intention and the meaning of his work. These experiences, like trickling streams, converged into a powerful force driving him to advance the project, giving him more confidence to face future challenges and more faith in the project's implementation.

He took out his phone and opened the university class group chat, where people were still discussing the details of the reunion. Someone suggested making a commemorative album, someone else mentioned organizing a basketball game, and others were tallying the number of attendees. Mu Li looked at the messages, a warm smile spreading across his face. His fingers tapped lightly on the screen as he sent a message: "Everyone, I've confirmed my attendance. See you then!"

As the high-speed train traveled smoothly, Mu Li opened his laptop and began syncing the details of the Jing City trip with his team members. He posted the modification suggestions for technical standards, the results of policy coordination, and the progress of the power grid cooperation onto the team's collaborative R&D platform in detail and arranged subsequent tasks: "Lin Wei will take the lead in organizing the R&D team to complete the revision of the technical standards based on the experts' suggestions and submit the revised draft within a week; Zhao Kai will continue to advance the improvement of the energy output fluctuation early warning system, maintaining close communication with the North China Power Grid to ensure the plan meets requirements; Zhang Hongyuan will be responsible for the recruitment of the operations team, prioritizing professional talents with experience in operating new energy projects."

The team members quickly replied to the messages, indicating they would proceed with the work as arranged. Lin Wei also synchronized the preliminary division of labor for the technical standard revision, while Zhao Kai reported on the subsequent coordination plan with the North China Power Grid's technical staff. Seeing his team members being so efficient and dedicated, Mu Li felt deeply gratified.

At 7:00 PM, the high-speed train arrived at the Jisheng High-speed Railway Station. Zhang Hongyuan was already waiting at the exit. Seeing Mu Li, he immediately stepped forward to help with the luggage: "Engineer Mu, was the trip to Jing City successful?"

"Very successful," Mu Li said with a smile. "The technical standard review meeting was completed successfully, and we've made phased progress in policy coordination and power grid cooperation. Let's talk more in the car."

In the car, Mu Li gave Zhang Hongyuan a detailed update on the trip to Jing City, including the modification suggestions for the technical standards, the specific content of the policy support, and the experience of reuniting with his old classmate. After hearing this, Zhang Hongyuan said excitedly, "That's great! With the support of national policies, the preparations for the project's commercial operation will surely go more smoothly. By the way, about that pedestrian street you mentioned—this weekend happens to be a break. How about I accompany you for a stroll? It'll help you relax."

Mu Li's heart stirred, remembering the vibrant atmosphere he had felt on the Jing City commercial street. He nodded and said, "Alright! Let's go for a stroll this weekend. Everyone has worked hard lately; we should let the team members rest properly too. Only by balancing work and rest can we better advance our tasks."

Upon returning to the temporary dormitory at the construction site, despite his fatigue, Mu Li first went to the Main Control Room to check the latest progress of the project preparations. Lin Wei and Zhao Kai were leading the team members in modifying the technical standards and improving the energy output fluctuation early warning system according to the spirit of the Jing City meeting; the workers at the construction site were also methodically performing maintenance on the core equipment. Seeing the project preparations proceeding in an orderly fashion, Mu Li felt exceptionally reassured.

That night, Mu Li worked late in his temporary office, organizing the materials from the Jing City trip and formulating subsequent work plans. He opened his phone and checked the messages in the university class group chat again. His classmates were still heatedly discussing the reunion details; someone suggested wearing their university uniforms, and another suggested a basketball game to relive their youth. Mu Li looked at the messages, a smile unconsciously spreading across his face. He knew that as the project for the first commercial Nuclear Fusion Power Station progressed, his life would become even busier, but those yearnings for a normal life and the ties to his youth would also become a warm driving force on his journey forward.

Just then, the system's voice sounded in Mu Li's mind: [Detected that the host has successfully completed the work related to the Jing City technical standard review meeting, successfully coordinated policy support and power grid cooperation, deepened life perception and class reunion foreshadowing, and pushed the commercial operation preparations into a new stage. Completed the "Jing City Breakthrough · Global Planning" plot challenge. Reward: 150,000 system points. Current remaining points: 997,000 + 150,000 = 1,147,000 points.]

[Unlocked new function: Policy Dynamic Tracking System. This can monitor the latest dynamics of national and local new energy industry policies in real-time, providing early warnings for policy changes and offering policy support for project operations.]

[Obtained reward: New Energy Industry Talent Matching Platform. This can precisely connect with professional talents in the new energy field both domestically and internationally, assisting in the formation of the operations team and the research and development of core technologies.]

Mu Li was delighted. The 1,147,000 system points, the newly unlocked function, and the reward would provide strong support for the project's commercial operation preparations. He immediately sent the information about the New Energy Industry Talent Matching Platform to Zhang Hongyuan, telling him to combine it with the operations team's recruitment plan and make full use of the platform's resources to select outstanding professional talents.

As the night deepened, Mu Li packed up and walked out of the temporary office. The cold wind brushed his face, but he didn't feel cold at all. The gains from the Jing City trip, the efficient collaboration of the team, and his expectations for the future all filled him with strength. He looked up at the starry sky and silently made a resolution: he must accelerate the project's progress to ensure that the first commercial Nuclear Fusion Power Station is completed and put into operation as soon as possible, living up to the country's support and the team's trust. At the same time, he also looked forward to the walk on the pedestrian street this weekend, the class reunion next month, and experiencing more of the warmth and beauty of ordinary life amidst his busy work.

Returning to the temporary dormitory, Mu Li washed up and lay in bed, soon falling into a deep sleep. In his dream, he saw the first commercial Nuclear Fusion Power Station successfully put into operation, with a continuous stream of clean energy being delivered to thousands of households; he saw his classmates laughing and talking at the reunion, revisiting their youth; he saw himself on the bustling pedestrian street, feeling the thick, vibrant atmosphere of life... These beautiful images motivated him to continue moving forward in the wave of the new energy revolution, writing even more brilliant chapters.

Early the next morning, Mu Li woke up early and went to the Main Control Room to hold a team meeting, conveying the spirit of the Jing City trip and arranging subsequent tasks. After hearing Mu Li's report, the team members were all greatly encouraged and expressed their full commitment to advancing the project preparations. In the meeting room, everyone was high-spirited and full of confidence. Mu Li knew that with the team's collective efforts, the completion and operation of the first commercial Nuclear Fusion Power Station was just around the corner. And the things he looked forward to—the walk on the pedestrian street this weekend and the class reunion next month—would also be realized one by one in the near future.