24: Attendant: The youngest national model!

The next day.

Early in the morning, the three of them met again in front of the department store.

Then they visited famous historical sites such as the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, and the Great Wall.

Although it was nominally Zhu Lin and Wang Xia showing Peng Lin around Yanjing,

in reality, Peng Lin ended up explaining the historical origins of each building.

And girls of this era were also very sensitive to national affairs.

So when they passed by various foreign embassies and Peng Lin talked about the customs and international situations of other countries, the two girls found it extremely interesting.

After a day of sightseeing, there was no longer any initial awkwardness between Peng Lin and Zhu Lin.

Whether Zhu Lin talked about history, literature, or the Hong Kong and Taiwan music and films that were just starting to become popular in the mainland, Peng Lin could speak about them all like a connoisseur.

They even seemed like good friends who had known each other for a long time and could talk about anything.

Zhu Lin's companion, Wang Xia, also keenly sensed the romantic tension between Peng Lin and Zhu Lin.

As the saying goes, 'take someone's hand and your hand is short, eat someone's food and your mouth is soft.' Coupled with Peng Lin's exceptionally handsome appearance and eloquent speech, Wang Xia began to subtly try to set the two of them up.

When Peng Lin suggested watching a movie in the evening, Wang Xia simply found an excuse to go home.

Giving the two an opportunity to be alone!

Subsequently, for several consecutive days,

Peng Lin would arrive early on Zhu Lin's way home from work to wait for her.

In this era, without electronic products, collective activities were particularly abundant.

In the evenings, both cinemas and dance parties where young people gathered were crowded.

Thus, the activities for the two of them wouldn't be too boring... On the fourth day of Peng Lin's arrival in Yanjing,

He invited Zhu Lin to Shichahai Park to take a boat ride on the lake.

As the small boat drifted to the center of the lake, Peng Lin tentatively took Zhu Lin's slender fingers in his hand.

Feeling Peng Lin's burning gaze, Zhu Lin's body trembled slightly and she avoided his eyes, but her arm did not pull away.

This era advocated free love, and coupled with her genuine fondness for Peng Lin, she implicitly accepted their relationship.

The boat continued to drift on the lake.

Although there was no grand confession between them, it was a natural progression for two hearts filled with joy.

"Tomorrow I'm going to attend an awards ceremony. Do you want to come with me?"

"And there's a banquet afterward!"

Peng Lin asked.

After the awards ceremony, Peng Lin would stay in Yanjing for at most one or two more days before returning to Changhe Factory.

Since they had just confirmed their relationship, he still hoped to spend more time with Zhu Lin.

"So, you came to Yanjing for a meeting to attend an awards ceremony?"

"Can I bring Wang Xia with me?"

"If there's a banquet, she'll definitely be very happy."

Zhu Lin blinked her eyes, looking at Peng Lin as she asked.

She knew Peng Lin worked in a military factory and was concerned about confidentiality regulations, so she hadn't asked him in detail about the specific reason for his visit to Yanjing.

Now that they were officially boyfriend and girlfriend, she naturally planned to share this good news with her friend Wang Xia.

"Of course, you're allowed to bring two family members."

"I'll pick you up then."

Peng Lin agreed without hesitation... The next day, early morning.

Peng Lin got into the special car prepared for him by the Jingxi Guesthouse, then picked up Zhu Lin and Wang Xia before heading to the Great Hall of the People.

There were no private cars in this era.

So Zhu Lin and Wang Xia were very curious about riding in a special car.

Amidst their conversation, the car arrived at the Great Hall of the People.

"Comrade Peng Lin, we've arrived."

"You can attend the meeting by following the guidance of the usher."

The driver said, turning his head after stopping the car.

"Okay, thank you."

Peng Lin opened the car door and thanked him.

"Here?"

"To attend an awards ceremony and a banquet?"

Wang Xia looked at the large characters of the Great Hall of the People, then looked at Zhu Lin in shock and asked.

But at this moment, Zhu Lin was also clearly very surprised.

She had originally thought Peng Lin was going to attend an awards ceremony at some ministerial-level unit.

But who knew he would bring her directly to the Great Hall of the People.

"Let's go, let's go in!"

Peng Lin said with a smile.

Then, he presented his invitation letter at the reception desk.

And received a brand new blue enamel badge.

This was his identification as a National Advanced Science and Technology Worker.

This time, a total of thirty-three National Advanced Science and Technology Workers were nominated nationwide, and Peng Lin ranked ninth.

Ahead of him were all older generation scientists who had participated in national key projects such as atomic bombs, hydrogen bombs, and satellite launches.

"March towards scientific and technological modernization!"

Upon entering the Great Hall of the People, Peng Lin immediately saw the giant banner hanging above.

It was precisely because of this goal that these thirty-three exemplary figures were selected nationwide.

After entering the auditorium, Zhu Lin and Wang Xia were arranged by the staff in the audience seating.

As a National Advanced Model, Peng Lin sat in a dark red soft chair in the third row from the front.

The dome of the Great Hall of the People descended like an inverted galaxy, with gilded five-pointed star light fixtures gradually converging within the red caisson ceiling.

Wang Xia found all of this very novel.

She had originally only intended to tag along with Zhu Lin for the banquet, never expecting to actually attend a meeting in the Great Hall of the People.

"This seems to be the National Advanced Science and Technology Worker awards ceremony."

"What level of cadre is Peng Lin to be able to attend this kind of meeting?"

Wang Xia secretly nudged Zhu Lin's shoulder and asked in a low voice.

"I didn't ask."

Zhu Lin shook her head and replied.

"Ah?"

"You two are dating now, and you don't even know what level of cadre he is?"

Wang Xia covered her forehead, saying somewhat helplessly.

"We're dating because of him as a person, not because of any other messy reasons."

Zhu Lin looked towards Peng Lin's position in front, her eyes firm as she spoke.

She felt that their encounter in such a special way at the department store, followed by love at first sight,

was exactly the kind of love she had always fantasized about.

As for whether Peng Lin was a worker or a cadre, she didn't really care.

"My dear, I really give up on you."

Wang Xia turned her head away, not expecting Zhu Lin to be so swept up in love.

Whether at work or out shopping, Zhu Lin's beauty was always the most eye-catching wherever she went.

So many people pursued her normally, but she never agreed.

And now, in just a few short days, Zhu Lin had confirmed her relationship with Peng Lin.

Wang Xia had thought Zhu Lin already knew a lot about Peng Lin's work and family situation.

But who knew, Zhu Lin was completely ignorant of these things?

As the two of them secretly conversed back and forth, the awards ceremony had already been underway for some time.

"Next, please welcome, Comrade Peng Lin, military industry expert from Changhe Factory!"

The moment the emcee called out his name, Peng Lin stood on the stage in front.

As the spotlight shone on Peng Lin, everyone in the hall involuntarily focused their gaze on him.

Because Peng Lin was too young!

The previous National Advanced Science and Technology Worker models were almost all older generation scientists in their sixties or seventies.

No one expected that when it was the ninth person's turn to go on stage to receive an award, it would be a young man in his twenties!

At this moment, in the distant audience seats, Wang Xia was also stunned.

"Peng Lin is actually a National Advanced Science and Technology Worker Model!"

She suddenly gripped Zhu Lin's arm, signaling her good friend to quickly look forward!