Chapter 207 Chen Xueming Asks for Leave

Guangdong, Yangjiang.

The seaside in November was still sweltering. Chen Xueming stood on the construction site of the Nuclear Fusion power plant, drenched in sweat. Before him was a massive foundation pit where hundreds of excavators were operating, like a swarm of steel ants devouring the earth.

This was his fourth month in Guangdong.

In those four months, he had hardly ever left the site. Site selection, exploration, design, bidding—he personally oversaw every step. The construction workers secretly called him "Yama Chen," saying he was too strict, making them redo everything if even a single screw wasn't tightened properly.

He didn't mind. He knew what this power plant meant—China's first batch of commercial Nuclear Fusion power plants, world-leading technology, and a power supply guarantee for tens of millions of people. Not a single mistake could be allowed.

His phone rang.

He glanced at the screen—home.

He picked up: "Mom?"

On the other end, his mother's voice was a bit choked up: "Xueming, your father has been hospitalized."

Chen Xueming's heart skipped a beat: "What happened?"

"The old problem, emphysema. We thought it was fine, but it suddenly got worse this time. The doctor says he needs surgery."

Chen Xueming was silent for two seconds: "Is it serious?"

His mother didn't answer directly, only saying: "Can you... come back for a visit?"

Chen Xueming opened his mouth but couldn't find the words.

He looked up at the construction site—the foundation pit was only halfway dug, and concrete pouring was scheduled for next month. At such a critical juncture, he couldn't leave.

"Mom," he started with difficulty, "right now I..."

"I know you're busy," his mother interrupted. "If it's really impossible, then forget it. Your father said not to let it interfere with your work."

Chen Xueming's heart felt as if it had been violently wrenched.

After hanging up, he stood there, motionless.

In the evening, Chen Xueming returned to his dormitory.

He sat on the edge of the bed, staring at his phone for a long time. On the screen was a ticket booking app—a high-speed train from Guangzhou to his hometown, four hours, the earliest train tomorrow morning.

His finger hovered over "Confirm Payment," hesitating to press it.

The project was in a critical phase. The foundation inspection was next week, and concrete pouring was next month; every step required someone on-site. If he left, who would oversee it?

But his father...

He remembered the last time he went home was three years ago. Back then, his father could still work in the fields, standing on the ridge to see him off, saying, "Work hard, don't keep worrying about home." It had been three years, and he hadn't returned once.

Phone calls, video chats, WeChat—they had never lost contact, but he hadn't physically been back.

Now his father was sick and needed surgery.

He should go back.

But how could he leave?

His finger hovered over the screen, trembling slightly.

The phone rang again. This time it was Lin Mo.

"Xueming," Lin Mo's voice came through the receiver, "is your father sick?"

Chen Xueming was stunned: "How did you know?"

"Li Xiao told me," Lin Mo said. "Your mother called her and asked if she could convince you to come back."

Chen Xueming fell silent.

Lin Mo waited a few seconds and then said:

"Xueming, listen to me."

"Old Lin—"

"Let me finish." Lin Mo's voice was calm, but it carried an unquestionable power. "Go book the ticket now and head back first thing tomorrow morning. Leave the project to me."

Chen Xueming grew anxious: "Old Lin, things are at a critical point here—"

"I know," Lin Mo interrupted. "But family is more important."

Chen Xueming opened his mouth but couldn't speak.

Lin Mo continued: "Xueming, let me ask you a question."

"Go ahead."

"Why are you doing this project?"

Chen Xueming was stunned.

Lin Mo said: "It's to let more people live a better life. But isn't your father one of those 'more people'?"

Chen Xueming remained silent.

"Your father raised you, supported your studies, and sent you to university. Now he's sick, lying in the hospital. If you don't go back for the sake of the project, can you ever be at peace for the rest of your life?"

Chen Xueming's eyes reddened.

Lin Mo's voice softened:

"Xueming, I've got the project. Don't worry. Stay for a few days, stay with your father until the surgery is done, and come back once he's stable. There's no rush."

Chen Xueming took a deep breath, his voice trembling slightly:

"Old Lin..."

"Say no more," Lin Mo said. "Go book the ticket. Message me when you arrive. If your father needs anything, just say the word."

Chen Xueming nodded vigorously, then remembering Lin Mo couldn't see him, gave a forceful "Mhm."

After hanging up, he stared at the booking app on the screen and finally pressed down.

"Confirm Payment"

Early the next morning, Chen Xueming stood at the construction site entrance waiting for a car.

People from the construction unit came to see him off—the Project Manager, the Chief Engineer, and several key members. Over the past four months, these people had been scolded by him countless times, yet they all stood here now.

"Director Chen," the Project Manager handed over a bag. "This is something the brothers put together, just a small token. Buy some supplements for the old man."

Chen Xueming took it, his eyes stinging: "Thank you."

"Don't thank us," the Project Manager patted his shoulder. "Go back and spend time with the old man. We've got things covered here, don't you worry."

Chen Xueming nodded, wanting to say something but unable to find the words.

The car arrived.

He opened the car door and looked back at the site.

The massive foundation pit glowed earthy yellow in the morning light, with hundreds of machines parked quietly like a pack of sleeping behemoths.

"Let's go." He got into the car.

The car started and drove into the distance.

At 4 PM, Chen Xueming arrived at the hospital in his hometown.

His mother was waiting for him at the ward door; the moment she saw him, her tears fell.

"Mom," Chen Xueming walked over and hugged her. "It's okay, I'm back."

His mother cried too hard to speak, only holding him tightly.

The ward door was pushed open, and Chen Xueming walked in.

His father lay on the hospital bed, much thinner than he remembered. His face was sallow, his cheekbones protruded, and an IV needle was in his hand.

"Dad," he called out.

His father opened his eyes, saw him, and was stunned.

Then his eyes reddened.

"Why are you back?" His father's voice was hoarse and weak. "Aren't you busy?"

Chen Xueming walked to the bedside, sat down, and held his father's hand:

"I'm finished with work. I'm back to stay with you."

His father looked at him for a long time.

Then he smiled—a very faint smile, but there was light in his eyes:

"Good, good."

That night, Chen Xueming sat and talked with his father.

His father asked about his work, if it was hot there, and if he was eating well. He answered each question, trying to keep the topics light.

As they talked, his father suddenly asked:

"Is that project of yours important?"

Chen Xueming paused, then said: "It's important."

His father nodded. "Then does your coming back interfere with things?"

Chen Xueming shook his head. "It doesn't. There are people watching over things there."

His father looked at him, his gaze filled with complex emotions:

"Xueming, in all the years you've been growing up, I've never asked anything of you. Just one thing—live your life with a clear conscience."

Chen Xueming nodded.

His father continued: "That thing you're working on, I heard it can let many people use cheap electricity. That's a good thing, a very good thing. Although I don't understand it, I support you."

He held Chen Xueming's hand:

"This time, just stay with me for a few days. Once the surgery is over, go back. Don't delay for too long."

Chen Xueming's eyes reddened:

"Dad, I'll stay with you for a few more days."

His father shook his head: "No need. You have your important matters. I have a minor illness, I have doctors, and I have your mother. That's enough."

Chen Xueming was speechless.

His father patted his hand:

"Go to sleep. The surgery is tomorrow."

Three days later, the surgery was successful.

Chen Xueming stayed in the ward, watching his father wake from anesthesia and seeing the color slowly return to his face. His mother was nearby, making porridge and stewing soup, busy with everything.

On the fourth day, Lin Mo called:

"Xueming, how is your father?"

"The surgery was a success, and he's recovering," Chen Xueming said. "Old Lin, thank you."

"Don't mention it," Lin Mo said. "Stay a few more days, don't rush back."

Chen Xueming hesitated. "Over there..."

"I've got things covered here," Lin Mo interrupted. "Come back after your father is better. There's no rush."

Chen Xueming was silent for a few seconds, then said:

"Old Lin, I owe you one."

Lin Mo laughed: "Owe? Between us, don't talk like that."

After hanging up, Chen Xueming stood by the ward window, looking at the sky outside.

In the small town of his home, the sky was very blue and the clouds were very white.

He remembered what Lin Mo had said:

"Why are you doing this project?"

For what?

To let more people live a better life.

And his father was one of those "more people."

He turned around and looked at his father on the hospital bed.

His father was asleep, and his complexion looked much better than a few days ago.

He walked over and gently tucked in the corners of his father's blanket.

A week later, Chen Xueming returned to Guangdong.

Everything at the construction site was normal. The Project Manager told him the foundation inspection had passed, and concrete pouring would proceed as planned next month.

Chen Xueming nodded and said nothing.

That night, he called Lin Mo:

"Old Lin, I'm back."

Lin Mo's voice came from the other end. "Is your father better?"

"He's better. He's been discharged."

"That's good," Lin Mo said. "Work hard."

Chen Xueming was silent for two seconds, then said:

"Old Lin, thank you."

Lin Mo laughed: "You already thanked me."

"Once more."

"Alright, I've received it. Go get some work done."

After hanging up, Chen Xueming stood at the construction site entrance, looking at the massive foundation pit before him.

Under the moonlight, it looked like a sleeping eye.

He remembered what his father had said:

"You have your important matters."

Yes.

This was his important matter.

To let more people live a better life.

To let ordinary people like his father use cheap electricity and live a better life.

He took a deep breath and walked into the construction site.

Behind him, the moonlight flooded the earth.