Chapter 53 Chen Xueming Joins

Three days later.

Lin Mo was staring at the data on his computer in the laboratory when his phone suddenly vibrated.

He glanced at the caller ID—Chen Xueming.

It had been three days. After parting in the small town that night, Chen Xueming hadn't called or sent any messages. Lin Mo hadn't rushed him either. He knew that such things took time.

He picked up the phone. "Dr. Chen."

There was silence on the other end for two seconds, and then Chen Xueming's voice came through:

"Teacher Lin, I'm in."

Just five short words, yet they brought a smile to Lin Mo's lips.

"Good," he said. "When can you come?"

"I can come right now." Chen Xueming's voice carried a sense of relief and ease. "I'm already at the base entrance."

Lin Mo was stunned for a moment, then smiled. "Wait there, I'll come get you."

He hung up the phone and stood up.

Li Xiao looked up. "Teacher Lin, who is it?"

"Chen Xueming," Lin Mo said. "He's joined."

"Wow!" Li Xiao's eyes lit up. "Really? That's great!"

She jumped up and was about to rush out. "I'll go welcome him!"

"Sit down." Lin Mo looked at her with amusement. "He's here to work, not for a tour. Get back to what you were doing."

Li Xiao sat back down resentfully, but the excitement on her face couldn't be hidden. "Then I should at least say hello, right? I've even finished cooking the porridge!"

Lin Mo shook his head and walked out of the laboratory.

Zhao Gang was on the phone in the hallway. Seeing Lin Mo come out, he nodded at him and continued into the phone, "...Right, update the staff list. A new Electrochemical Expert is joining... name's Chen Xueming... okay, that's all."

He hung up and looked at Lin Mo. "Chen Xueming?"

"Yeah, he's at the entrance."

Zhao Gang was silent for two seconds, then said, "I'll go with you."

The two walked side by side toward the base entrance. On the way, Zhao Gang remained silent, but Lin Mo could feel that something was hidden within his silence.

When they reached the entrance, they indeed saw Chen Xueming.

He was still wearing that dark gray jacket, carrying a backpack, and holding that suitcase. Standing by the Registration Desk, he nodded slightly when he saw Lin Mo and Zhao Gang.

"Dr. Chen," Lin Mo walked over. "Welcome."

Chen Xueming looked at him and said seriously, "Teacher Lin, I've thought it through. It's not a momentary impulse; I've really made up my mind."

Lin Mo nodded. "I know."

After finishing the registration procedures, the three of them walked inside. Chen Xueming's steps were much firmer than the last time he came, and his eyes no longer wandered around, instead looking at the road ahead.

As they reached the Experimental Building, Zhao Gang suddenly spoke:

"Dr. Chen, I have a question."

Chen Xueming stopped and looked at him.

Zhao Gang's expression was calm, but his eyes held a hint of scrutiny. "Three days ago, you were pointing at Lin Mo's nose and questioning him at the Review Meeting. Three days later, you say you're joining just like that. How do I know if you're joining sincerely or if you have ulterior motives?"

The question was very direct, even a bit harsh.

Lin Mo didn't say anything, just stood aside and watched.

Chen Xueming looked at Zhao Gang, neither getting angry nor making excuses. He was just silent for a few seconds and then said:

"Captain Zhao, I understand your concern."

He paused and continued:

"Three days ago, I questioned Teacher Lin because I didn't believe anyone in the country could do it. It wasn't directed at him; it was directed at everyone—including myself. Because I couldn't do it myself, I didn't believe others could."

Zhao Gang stared at him, waiting for him to continue.

"But over these three days, I checked all the available information," Chen Xueming's voice was calm. "Every published paper, every progress report, every piece of data—I've looked at them all. The more I looked, the more I realized how terribly wrong I was."

He looked at Lin Mo, his gaze unwavering:

"You didn't just get lucky; you really built this step by step. Those records of failure, those corrections in direction, those repeated verifications—they can't be faked. Anyone who has done scientific research can tell at a glance that this was achieved through hard work."

Zhao Gang's expression softened slightly.

"So I came," Chen Xueming turned back to look at Zhao Gang. "Not to leech off the results, but to do the work. I, Chen Xueming, have never been one for pretty words, but I mean what I say."

Zhao Gang stared at him for several seconds, then nodded.

"Fine. Remember what you said today."

After saying that, he turned to leave, but stopped after two steps and said without looking back:

"The dormitory is still the same one. The keys are with the guard. Breakfast at the Canteen starts at 6:30; after 7:30, there won't be anything hot left."

Chen Xueming was stunned for a moment, then the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.

Lin Mo watched from the side and smiled.

"Let's go," he patted Chen Xueming on the shoulder. "I'll take you to drop off your things first, then to the laboratory. Li Xiao cooked some porridge for you."

Hearing the word "porridge," the expression on Chen Xueming's face softened further.

After dropping off the things, the two of them came to the laboratory.

Opening the door, Li Xiao was the first to rush over. "Dr. Chen! Welcome, welcome!"

She was holding a thermos, the one with the little bear on it. "Here, I cooked preserved egg and lean meat porridge today! There's also soy milk! Have some first!"

Chen Xueming took the thermos, looked at the smiling little bear, and couldn't help but laugh. "Thank you, Li Xiao."

"You're welcome, you're welcome!" Li Xiao waved her hand. "Drink it quickly while it's hot!"

Zhang Zhe also walked over, nodded at him, and handed over a folder. "These are the experimental data from the last three days. It's regarding Electrolytes; take a look."

Chen Xueming took the folder, opened it, glanced at it, and was stunned.

Densely packed data tables, detailed experimental records, and Zhang Zhe's handwritten notes—'This part might be suitable for adding XX type additives,' 'The viscosity of this ratio is abnormal, needs further analysis.'

"This..." He looked up at Zhang Zhe. "You did this in three days?"

Zhang Zhe said calmly, "Now that you're here, you need something to do. Get familiar with it first."

Chen Xueming held the folder, not knowing what to say.

Just then, the door was pushed open again.

Zhao Gang walked in, holding a bunch of keys, and handed them to Chen Xueming. "The keys to the laboratory, the keys to the hallway, and a secondary card for the Base Pass. Don't lose them; it's a hassle to get them replaced."

Chen Xueming took the keys; it was a heavy bunch.

Looking at these people—Lin Mo's composure, Li Xiao's enthusiasm, Zhang Zhe's practicality, and Zhao Gang's directness—he suddenly felt a lump in his throat.

"I..." He opened his mouth. "I don't know what to say."

"Then don't say anything." Lin Mo walked over. "Come, let me show you your Workstation."

He led Chen Xueming to the spot by the window. A computer was already set up on the desk, with a stack of professional books next to it, along with a new notebook and several pens.

The label stuck to the corner of the desk was still there:

Chen Xueming

Chen Xueming stared at that label for a long time.

Three days ago, when he first saw it, his heart was full of complex emotions. There was expectation, unease, and a hint of doubt.

Seeing it again today, only a sense of steadfastness remained.

He put down his backpack and sat in the chair.

The sunlight shone through the window, landing right on the desktop, feeling warm.

Li Xiao leaned over. "Dr. Chen, look through the materials first. Call me anytime if you need anything! I'm right over there!"

She pointed to her own Workstation and added, "By the way, give me a shout when it's time for lunch. I'll take you to the Canteen to show you the way!"

Chen Xueming nodded. "Okay."

Li Xiao went back, satisfied.

Chen Xueming opened the folder Zhang Zhe had given him and began to read page by page.

These data, these records, these notes—the more he looked, the more he felt he hadn't made a mistake in coming.

This wasn't the kind of polished data prepared just for publishing papers, but a real, raw, and detail-filled experimental process. Every failure was recorded clearly, and every anomaly was marked explicitly.

In all his years of scientific research, it was the first time he had seen such experimental records.

They weren't for others to see; they were for oneself.

As he was reading, he suddenly looked up toward Lin Mo's office.

Lin Mo was facing the computer, writing something unknown. Sunlight shone through the window, gilding his profile in gold.

Chen Xueming looked for a few seconds, then withdrew his gaze and continued reading the materials.

At noon, Li Xiao ran over right on time. "Dr. Chen, it's time to eat!"

Chen Xueming looked up and realized it was already twelve-thirty. He had actually been reading for over two hours straight without even noticing the time.

"Okay." He stood up and followed Li Xiao out.

As they reached the entrance of the Canteen, they happened to run into Zhao Gang coming out with a meal tray.

Seeing him, Zhao Gang nodded. "Settling in?"

Chen Xueming nodded back. "Quite well."

"That's good," Zhao Gang said before starting to walk away. After a couple of steps, he turned back. "Come by my place tonight if you're free, Room 205 on the second floor. I have some things to go over with you."

Chen Xueming paused for a moment. "Alright."

Li Xiao whispered beside him, "Uncle Zhao is just like that. He looks fierce, but he's actually a good person. He probably wants to chat and get to know your situation better."

Chen Xueming nodded and followed her into the Canteen.

The Canteen was fairly crowded, with most people wearing the base's work uniform, sitting together in small groups and eating. Li Xiao led him to get food and found a seat by the window.

"Dr. Chen," Li Xiao asked while eating, "which unit were you with before?"

Chen Xueming paused before saying, "I was within the Chinese Academy of Sciences system."

"Oh!" Li Xiao nodded. "Then what made you think of coming here?"

Chen Xueming was silent for a few seconds before saying, "Because what you guys are making is the real deal."

Li Xiao blinked, not quite understanding that answer.

Chen Xueming didn't explain, simply lowering his head to eat.

Li Xiao didn't press him further and started chattering about the team—how amazing Teacher Lin was, how quiet Teacher Zhang was, how Uncle Zhao was fierce but actually soft-hearted, and how much she loved writing code.

Chen Xueming listened, nodding from time to time.

Sunlight streamed through the window and fell on him, feeling warm and cozy.

He suddenly felt that this meal tasted better than any he'd had in the past four years.

In the afternoon, Chen Xueming continued reviewing the materials.

Around four o'clock, Lin Mo came out of his office and walked over to his Workstation.

"How's the reading going?"

Chen Xueming looked up. "I've finished. The direction of these experiments you're doing is correct. Regarding the Electrolyte, there are a few areas that can be optimized."

Lin Mo's eyes lit up. "Tell me more."

Chen Xueming stood up, walked to the whiteboard, and picked up a marker.

"The Electrolyte you're currently using has a lithium salt concentration of 1.2M with a DOL/DME solvent system; this configuration is fine. However, there's room for optimization in the additives." He drew several structural formulas on the whiteboard. "I've researched several new types of additives that can theoretically suppress the polysulfide shuttle effect without affecting ionic conductivity."

He became more and more engrossed as he spoke, completely forgetting he was talking to Lin Mo, as if he were lecturing his own students.

Lin Mo listened intently, nodding occasionally.

Li Xiao also leaned in, her eyes shining as she looked at the structural formulas on the whiteboard.

Zhang Zhe also set aside his work and walked over to listen in.

Zhao Gang had also entered at some point, leaning against the doorframe; though he didn't understand, he didn't leave.

Chen Xueming spoke for over ten minutes, finally concluding, "If you let me try these directions, I'm confident I can increase the cycle life by at least 30% within a month."

After he finished, he suddenly realized everyone was staring at him.

"Did I... did I say too much again?" He felt a bit uneasy.

Lin Mo smiled. "No. You said it very well."

He turned to Zhang Zhe. "Teacher Zhang, what do you think?"

Zhang Zhe nodded. "I've seen those additives he mentioned when I was checking the literature before; they indeed have potential."

Lin Mo then looked at Li Xiao. "Can you check the supply channels for these additives?"

Li Xiao nodded immediately. "I can! I'll go check right away!"

She ran back to her Workstation and started tapping away at the keyboard.

Lin Mo turned back to look at Chen Xueming. "Dr. Chen, whatever equipment, materials, or support you need, make a list. Whatever we can resolve, we will do our best to resolve it."

Chen Xueming was stunned for a few seconds, then said, "Teacher Lin, aren't you afraid I'll mess it up?"

Lin Mo looked at him and said seriously, "If it's messed up, we analyze the reasons and start over. What scientific research ever succeeds on the first try?"

Chen Xueming fell silent.

After a long while, he said, "Teacher Lin, I finally know why you guys were able to pull this off."

"Why?"

"Because you aren't afraid of failure," Chen Xueming said. "In recent years, I've been terrified of failure. Afraid the project would be cut, afraid the funding would be severed, afraid others would say I'm no good. The more afraid I was, the less I could produce results."

He looked at Lin Mo, a complex emotion in his eyes that was hard to describe.

"You guys are different. You record every failure, analyze the reasons, and then keep trying. A team like this couldn't possibly fail to produce results."

Lin Mo smiled. "Then let's do it together."

Chen Xueming nodded. "Let's do it together."

At seven o'clock in the evening, Chen Xueming knocked on Zhao Gang's door.

Zhao Gang opened the door and ushered him in. The room wasn't large but was very tidy, with a bed, a desk, a wardrobe, and a floor plan of the base hanging on the wall.

"Sit." Zhao Gang pointed to a chair.

Chen Xueming sat down.

Zhao Gang poured him a glass of water and sat on the edge of the bed.

After a few seconds of silence, Zhao Gang spoke:

"Dr. Chen, that question I asked you earlier today wasn't targeted at you personally."

Chen Xueming nodded. "I know."

"Lin Mo," Zhao Gang said, "I value him more than anyone. When he first arrived, I didn't respect him; I thought, what does a young kid know? Later, I found out he really has ability, and he truly treats people like human beings."

He looked at Chen Xueming with a candid gaze:

"So if anyone tries to stir up trouble behind his back, I'll be the first to refuse to stand for it."

Chen Xueming met his gaze without flinching:

"Captain Zhao, I'm not here to stir up trouble."

Zhao Gang stared at him for a few seconds, then nodded:

"Fine. I'll believe you this once."

He stood up, took a folder out of a drawer, and handed it to Chen Xueming:

"These are the base's security regulations; take a look. Some places might be different from where you've stayed before. Memorize them well, and don't cross the line."

Chen Xueming took the folder and flipped it open to see pages of dense regulations.

"Go back and read it slowly," Zhao Gang said. "Ask me anytime if you have questions."

Chen Xueming nodded and stood up. "Then I'll head back now."

"Wait," Zhao Gang called out to him.

Chen Xueming turned back.

Zhao Gang looked at him and gave a rare, somewhat unnatural smile:

"Welcome aboard."

Chen Xueming was stunned for a second, then smiled:

"Thank you."

He walked out the door; the hallway was very quiet. The lights of the laboratory building in the distance were still on, and people could be seen moving around inside through the windows.

Holding the folder, he walked slowly back to his dormitory.

He pushed open the door, turned on the light, and sat down at the desk.

On the desk sat the thermos Li Xiao had brought that morning; he had finished the porridge inside, and the cup was washed clean and placed back in its original spot. Beside it were Zhang Zhe's notes, the materials Lin Mo had given him, and the folder Zhao Gang had just handed over.

Looking at these things, an indescribable warmth welled up in his heart.

It had been three years.

In those three years, he had been at universities, enterprises, and research institutes. But never had any place made him feel as grounded as he did today.

It wasn't because the equipment was good or the benefits were high.

It was because of those people.

Those people didn't look at him as a troublemaker, a nuisance, or an expendable side character.

They saw him as someone they could do work with together.

Chen Xueming sat for a long time, then picked up a pen and began to list the equipment and materials needed for the experiment.

Outside the window, the night was deep. The lights of the distant base were scattered like pearls across the Gobi Desert.

Halfway through writing, his phone vibrated.

It was a message from Li Xiao:

"Dr. Chen, what do you want for breakfast tomorrow? I'm going to stock up on some ingredients~"

Chen Xueming looked at the message, the smile on his face deepening.

He replied with a few words:

"Anything's fine, whatever you cook is good."

Li Xiao replied instantly:

"Got it! Then tomorrow it's preserved egg and lean meat porridge + soy milk + fried dough sticks! Goodnight!"

Chen Xueming put down his phone and continued writing the list.

The lights outside the window remained bright.

The lamp in his heart had also been lit.