Chapter 120 Director Zhang Makes His Appearance
When that black sedan drove into the base, the swirling yellow sand obscured half the sky.
Lin Mo stood at the entrance of the Prefabricated Building, squinting as he watched the car approach. Chen Xueming stood beside him, holding a thermos cup, his face expressionless. Li Xiao and Zhang Zhe hid in the back, peeking out.
The car stopped.
The door opened, and a young man appearing to be a secretary stepped out first, wearing gold-rimmed glasses and carrying a briefcase. He hurried around to the back door and respectfully opened it.
A foot in a black leather shoe stepped out, followed by the rest of the body—a man in his fifties, bald, with a round belly, and a habitual smile on his face.
He stood straight, looked around, and frowned slightly.
"Is this the base?"
His voice was loud, carrying a thick bureaucratic tone.
The secretary hurried forward: "Director Zhang, this is the temporary base for the Nuclear Fusion project. Comrade Lin Mo and the others are working here."
Director Zhang nodded and walked toward Lin Mo and his team.
"Oh, Comrade Xiao Lin!" He extended his hand from afar, with enthusiasm that was slightly exaggerated, "I've heard so much about you! A great hero of the nation!"
Lin Mo shook his hand, feeling that the hand was soft and warm.
"Director Zhang, you are too kind. Please, come inside."
Director Zhang waved his hand: "No rush, no rush, let me take a look first, let me take a look." He looked around, "I heard you've achieved quite a lot here? Lithium Extraction from Seawater? Tritium Extraction? Incredible, simply incredible."
As he spoke, he walked toward that set of equipment.
Chen Xueming followed behind, with a strange expression on his face. Li Xiao leaned over to Lin Mo's ear and whispered: "Teacher Lin, who is this person?"
Lin Mo said in a low voice: "An administrative leader, responsible for coordinating resources."
Li Xiao nodded and didn't ask further.
Director Zhang walked to the side of the equipment and pointed at those pipes and devices.
"Is this the device for Lithium Extraction from Seawater?"
Lin Mo nodded.
"Yes. It has been running stably for almost a year."
Director Zhang nodded and walked around the equipment. He walked very slowly, as if visiting some historical site, stopping occasionally to look, but it was obvious from his eyes that he didn't understand a thing.
After finishing the circle, he returned to Lin Mo and patted him on the shoulder.
"Xiao Linzi."
Lin Mo froze for a moment.
The thermos cup in Chen Xueming's hand almost fell to the ground.
Li Xiao covered her mouth, trying hard not to laugh out loud.
Director Zhang, completely oblivious, continued: "The state has invested so much money, twenty-six billion, you must produce results quickly."
Lin Mo looked at him and was silent for a second.
Then he nodded.
"Director Zhang, rest assured, we are proceeding according to the plan."
Director Zhang smiled with satisfaction.
"Good, good. Young people have ambition." He patted Lin Mo's shoulder again, "Come, take me to see your blueprints. Although I don't understand the technology, I can still control the overall situation."
Inside the Prefabricated Building, Director Zhang sat in Lin Mo's seat, with several blueprints spread out in front of him.
He looked at them for a few moments, nodded, and then shook his head.
"This... this... is quite complicated."
Chen Xueming snorted from the side but didn't speak.
Li Xiao lowered her head, pretending to record something, her shoulders shaking slightly.
Director Zhang looked up at Lin Mo.
"Xiao Linzi, when can you guys finish this Nuclear Fusion project?"
Lin Mo thought for a moment.
"According to the plan, about ten years."
Director Zhang frowned.
"Ten years? That's too long. Can it be any faster?"
Chen Xueming finally couldn't help it.
"Director Zhang, Nuclear Fusion isn't farming crops; it can't be rushed just because you want it to be. Materials need to be tested, equipment needs to be verified; everything must follow scientific laws."
Director Zhang glanced at him, still smiling, but his eyes were a bit different.
"And who is this..."
"Chen Xueming, a core member of the project."
Director Zhang nodded.
"Professor Chen, I understand the difficulties of your scientific research. But the state has invested so much money, and the higher-ups are watching. It's too slow, and it's hard to justify."
Chen Xueming wanted to say something else, but Lin Mo gently pressed his arm.
"Director Zhang, we will do our best. But no one can change the laws of science."
Director Zhang looked at him and was silent for a few seconds.
Then he smiled.
"Good, good. Comrade Xiao Linzi has principles." He stood up, "Alright, I'll just take a look, I won't interfere with you. If you need anything, just talk to my secretary."
He walked to the door and looked back one more time.
"That... the conditions in this place are too harsh. I'll approve some money later to improve your living conditions. We cannot mistreat the nation's heroes."
After speaking, he got into the sedan and drove away.
The yellow sand kicked up again, obscuring the black car.
Li Xiao finally couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"Xiao Linzi... hahahaha..."
Chen Xueming laughed too, but his smile was a bit helpless.
"This person doesn't understand anything."
Lin Mo shook his head.
"He doesn't need to understand. He is responsible for coordinating resources, and we are responsible for the technology. Everyone performs their own duties."
Chen Xueming looked at him.
"Aren't you angry?"
Lin Mo thought for a moment.
"A little. But he was right about one thing—the state has invested so much money, we really need to produce results sooner."
He turned around and looked at the device in the distance.
"So, we need to be faster."
Chen Xueming froze for a moment, then nodded.
"Alright."
Li Xiao stopped smiling and became serious as well.
"Teacher Lin, then I'll go back and continue optimizing the platform."
Lin Mo nodded.
The few of them dispersed.
The wind of the Gobi Desert blew over, whipping up a cloud of yellow sand.
Lin Mo stood there, watching the direction where the car disappeared, not moving for a long time.
Then he turned around and walked into the Prefabricated Building.
The blueprints were still spread out on the table, waiting for him.