Chapter 267 So the air force can be used too!

During the video call. Liu Jianguo spread his hands and asked back in a matter-of-fact tone: "I asked him to research fishing rods; even the Air Force can use them, right?"

Hearing Liu Jianguo's words, "even the Air Force can use fishing rods," Elder Qian was stunned for a moment.

His gray eyebrows twitched. Through the screen, he looked at Liu Jianguo with the gaze one would reserve for an idiot.

He couldn't help but curse inwardly: 'This fat-headed, big-eared guy—are these two types of Air Force the same thing?'

The Air Force he was referring to was the aerial force that pilots advanced fighter jets, soaring through the nine heavens to defend the country.

But the Air Force Liu Jianguo was talking about was clearly those anglers who carry their fishing gear, sit by the river all day, and end up going home with nothing but two bottles of mineral water!

How the hell could these be the same thing? Yet, this old rascal insisted on conflating the two and spoke with such self-righteousness.

Elder Qian felt his blood pressure rising again. "This is simply absurd!" Elder Qian huffed, his beard twitching in anger.

However, he immediately couldn't be bothered to bicker with him over this meaningless topic. After all, he felt that discussing this with him was no different than playing the lute to a cow.

He adjusted his mood and turned to ask about another matter that concerned him more and weighed heavily on his mind: "Alright, alright, let's not talk about this."

"Little Liu, help me ask that kid, why can't I add him?"

"Is it because he doesn't know who I am?"

Elder Qian looked perplexed, even carrying a hint of grievance: "I already said in the verification message that I am Qian Zhengming, and the second time I even specifically said I am Elder Qian."

"I figured that since I went to his place last time because of the sky rocket, we had a pretty good chat."

"At that time, we discussed technology and design; it could be said we talked very happily."

"He even bowed to me and said he admired me."

"How come he won't even add me as a friend now?"

Listening to Elder Qian's complaints, and looking at the confused and hurt old scientist on the screen, the muscles in Liu Jianguo's mouth began to twitch involuntarily.

He wanted to laugh, but he had to force himself to hold it in, causing his facial nerves to lose some control.

As the person who dealt with Li Jiajun the most, had been screwed over the worst by him, and understood that kid's nature the best, he instantly understood the whole story.

What "doesn't know who you are"? What "thinks you're a scammer"? That's all nonsense!

'He thought to himself, that kid probably only refuses to add you because he knows exactly who you are.'

Liu Jianguo was as clear as a mirror in his heart. That kid, Li Jiajun, is now like a bird startled by the mere twang of a bowstring.

That kid's life motto is probably: Cherish life, stay away from officialdom, especially stay away from top-tier bigwigs like Elder Qian, who, once you get involved with them, definitely spells trouble.

Last time at the factory, there was no choice; people were already on-site, so they had to talk. Now, separated by the internet, wouldn't he immediately block you and hide far away?

After all, if he adds you, what if you make him research some toy again, and it ends up being requisitioned by the state?

That kid is now dead set on creating absolutely civilian, absolutely safe products.

Thinking of this, Liu Jianguo even felt a bit of sympathy for Elder Qian. This esteemed authority figure, revered by thousands outside, was probably just a huge nuisance to be avoided at all costs in Li Jiajun's eyes.

Although he thought this way, he definitely couldn't say it aloud.

If he told the truth and told Elder Qian that "the kid just dislikes you" or "the kid just doesn't want to bother with you," at Elder Qian's age, his heart might not be able to take that shock.

Besides, that would also make him, the middleman, look like he didn't know how to handle people.

Therefore, Liu Jianguo could only vaguely laugh it off, wearing a hypocritical smile, and said:

"Oh, Elder Qian, you're overthinking it."

"How could that kid dare not add you?"

"Maybe it's..."

"Maybe it's just that young people have their own ideas and are afraid of disturbing your rest."

"It's also possible that this kid has been busy researching fishing rods lately and hasn't been checking his phone, so he hasn't seen your verification message yet."

"Yes, he definitely hasn't seen it!"

Liu Jianguo spouted nonsense with a straight face.

"Don't worry, once he replies to my message, I will definitely ask him for you."

"I will definitely make him add you voluntarily and apologize to you."

Hearing Liu Jianguo say this, Elder Qian's expression finally looked a little better.

"Alright then."

Elder Qian nodded, seemingly accepting this explanation.

"Then keep it in mind, and help me ask him soon."

"I'm still waiting to discuss things with him."

After finishing this matter, Elder Qian's expression became somewhat lonely and exhausted again.

He sighed, took off his glasses, and rubbed the corners of his eyes.

"Sigh..."

"Little Liu, you also know that our project has now reached a critical moment of tackling key problems."

"It's difficult."

Elder Qian didn't treat Liu Jianguo as an outsider and casually mentioned a few of the difficulties they were currently facing with carbon fiber composite materials.

Of course, these were not core secrets. After all, everyone knows where the difficulties lie in developing high-performance carbon fiber composite materials.

"In the past few days, our test data has not been ideal."

"The main issue is that the modulus won't go up."

"Wanting to achieve both high strength and high modulus is a contradiction in itself."

"The current T800 level, although it has enough strength, is still lacking a bit in deformation control under extreme overload."

"And there's that issue with the high-temperature resistant coating..."

Elder Qian rambled on, as if he were confiding in someone, and also as if he were organizing his thoughts.

Liu Jianguo listened from the side. Although he wasn't in materials science, being in the military-industrial system and having heard it so often, he could understand a little bit.

He knew that Elder Qian was truly anxious.

Otherwise, given Elder Qian's status, he wouldn't have spoken so many specific details to a layman like him.

But he couldn't help with anything. He could only nod while echoing with a few polite phrases like "You've worked hard" and "Take care of your health."

After listening to Elder Qian speak for a few sentences, Liu Jianguo glanced at the time, feeling that if they continued chatting, he would start feeling anxious too.

Therefore, he found an excuse and said:

"Um, Elder Qian, I suddenly have some urgent matters to handle here."

"I have noted the situation you reported."

"I will definitely contact that kid as soon as possible and let you know once there is news."

"Shall we leave it at that for now?"

Elder Qian also knew that Liu Jianguo was busy, so he didn't say more and waved his hand:

"Alright, go ahead and get busy."

"Hanging up."

After speaking, the video call ended. The screen went black.

Liu Jianguo threw his phone on the table, and his whole body slumped in the chair like a deflated ball.

"Whew..."

He let out a long sigh and rubbed his slightly throbbing temples.

He felt a bit mentally exhausted again.

What kind of situation is this?

On one side is Li Jiajun, who guards against officialdom like he's guarding against a thief, and on the other side is Elder Qian, who is thirsting for talent and even acting a bit desperate.

He was stuck in the middle, having to coax and deceive both sides.

This job as a middleman is truly not meant for humans.

"Forget it, I won't think about it anymore."

"Anyway, that kid has gone off to make fishing rods now; as long as he doesn't pull any weird stunts, I'll be grateful to the heavens."

Liu Jianguo shook his head, deciding to temporarily put these troublesome matters to the back of his mind.

He now urgently needed some spiritual comfort.

In order to relax and regain a little bit of the joy of life, he skillfully grasped the mouse and clicked on the QQ icon on his computer desktop.

There, he had a very active fishing enthusiast group he had recently joined.

There was also a soulmate he had just met recently who he chatted very congenially with.

Only there could he take off the mask of Director Liu and be a pure, happy Seasoned Old Angler.