88: Chapter 88: Has the Lingxi instruction set been applied to national projects?

Laboratory.

One after another, fervent gazes watched the equipment that was emitting a roaring sound. As the data on the equipment's display fluctuated, the atmosphere grew increasingly tense.

"If this first verification experiment passes, it will prove that the direction proposed by Engineer Zhou is correct, and the subsequent research and development direction can be finalized!"

Wei Zhicheng was also watching the operation of the experimental equipment at this time. Although he already had a certain judgment in his heart, he still maintained his rigor before the preliminary test results came out.

"I hope this direction is right!" Mei Honghui, standing aside, couldn't help but feel a surge of nervousness, his expression even more serious than Wei Zhicheng's.

Having been stuck on the problem for so long, even after the project team's rigorous discussion concluded that there were issues with the metal composite direction, he really didn't dare to have a too optimistic attitude.

It wasn't that he didn't trust Zhou Fan, but rather that he had failed too many times. The stronger the desire for success, the more complex his mood became. He didn't dare to hold too much hope when there was no certainty, because once hope was dashed, it would take even more time to adjust.

As time passed, the atmosphere in the laboratory became increasingly heavy. Wei Zhicheng couldn't help but glance at Zhou Fan, who was observing various data points not far away.

"Engineer Zhou is still the one who can keep his composure!"

Seeing Zhou Fan's calm and indifferent expression, he couldn't help but feel admiration in his heart.

After spending the last few days with Zhou Fan, he had marveled countless times that Zhou Fan's professional demeanor in the laboratory didn't look like something a young person should have at all.

For instance, right now, even he and Mei Honghui couldn't help but feel a bit nervous, yet Zhou Fan remained as if nothing were happening, as calm as an old scholar.

That composed and calm appearance made him involuntarily think of the Chief Engineer of this rocket project, who was also Chang Hongsheng's superior, Academician Zhao.

That kind of steady mindset was definitely something that needed to be slowly cultivated through countless national-level projects, yet Zhou Fan, a young man...

He couldn't figure out for the life of him how such a mindset could be forged!

"The results are out!"

Suddenly, Mei Honghui's voice reached his ears.

Wei Zhicheng's heart jolted, and he hurriedly looked toward the equipment display.

He saw that the roaring of the machine had gradually ceased. The material sample inside the machine, which had just undergone testing, was glowing red from the high-temperature tempering, but as it cooled, it quickly returned to its original appearance.

As streams of data popped up one after another, the entire laboratory suddenly fell silent.

Immediately following that, a voice suppressing excitement instantly rang out.

"It's a success!! This parameter is already very close to the limit value required for the core components. We've found the right direction!!!"

"Great!! I didn't expect to get such good results from just one experiment. All the late nights we've pulled lately were worth it!!!"

"It's simply unbelievable. With a clear direction, the subsequent R&D path is even clearer!!"

"The project's progress can finally start accelerating!!!"

"..."

Voice after voice rang out, filled with uncontrollable excitement. The problem that had troubled the project team for so long finally had a solution. The researchers could not suppress their emotions, their expressions full of excitement.

Subsequently, everyone's eyes involuntarily converged on Zhou Fan.

In their eyes were disbelief and shock, but even more so, admiration!

Wei Zhicheng was equally excited, but he stepped forward quickly with a serious expression and confirmed the experimental data once more. Then, a smile finally broke across his face.

He and Mei Honghui exchanged a glance, both seeing the excitement in each other's eyes.

Then, their gazes also turned toward Zhou Fan.

"Engineer Zhou, thank you!"

Wei Zhicheng walked up to Zhou Fan and spoke solemnly.

He and Mei Honghui knew very well that if Zhou Fan hadn't corrected their research direction, they wouldn't have known how much more time would have been wasted following the original plan.

But now, Zhou Fan had helped them find the right direction.

This meant that the project was truly on the right track. As long as there were no more deviations, delivery within the specified time would definitely be no problem. For a moment, he didn't even know what to say to express his feelings.

"Now is not the time to celebrate. Let's get back to work!" Zhou Fan smiled, his tone indifferent.

Wei Zhicheng and Mei Honghui looked at each other, unable to help but feel even more admiration.

Not arrogant or impulsive—this steady mindset made both of them completely convinced.

"Engineer Zhou is right. The Long March of ten thousand li has only just taken its first step. Everyone must keep their nerves taut and face the upcoming R&D tasks!!"

Wei Zhicheng turned to look at the group of researchers and said in a deep voice.

"Yes!!!"

Voices suppressing excitement echoed throughout the laboratory.

Then, without needing to be urged, everyone plunged back into their intense work.

...

Research base.

Chang Hongsheng was leading an elderly man, conversing as they walked toward the Core Component Materials Group.

The old man's gray-white short hair was as fluffy as snow. His temperament was steady with a strong academic air, and his wise eyes could not be hidden even by his glasses.

It was clear that Chang Hongsheng treated the old man with great respect, using honorifics throughout their conversation.

"Your progress lately has been good. Not just the Thermal Protection System; I heard there's also been progress on the materials for core components?"

Zhao Chengping was clearly in a good mood. As the Chief Engineer of the rocket project, he naturally knew about the progress of the thermal protection materials, which had far exceeded expectations, and he couldn't help but ask with a chuckle.

"That's right, we've found the direction. We are now conducting composite experiments with Graphene and Carbon Fiber Matrix Materials with all our might to find the optimal ratio. According to the current progress, in three months... no, within two months, there should be a breakthrough!"

Chang Hongsheng also had a smile on his face as he explained further.

"Not bad. It seems Wei Zhicheng has put in a lot of hard work. If results can be produced before the project delivery, he must be well rewarded!" The smile on Zhao Chengping's face became even more apparent, and his tone became much lighter as he spoke.

Hearing this, Chang Hongsheng shook his head with a smile.

"Old Wei and the others have indeed worked very hard, but the main reason for this key breakthrough isn't actually Old Wei. It's thanks to another young man..."

"A young man?" Zhao Chengping was a bit surprised and immediately became interested.

"Exactly!" Chang Hongsheng nodded.

Then, he introduced Zhou Fan's identity and some important circumstances to Zhao Chengping. He didn't exaggerate; he just told the truth.

But even so, after Chang Hongsheng finished speaking, a hint of surprise still appeared on Zhao Chengping's face.

"Zhou Fan? Fanmi Technology..."

Zhao Chengping naturally couldn't know Zhou Fan, but the name Fanmi Technology sounded a bit familiar, as if he had heard someone mention it.

Then, he remembered and asked, "Is this Fanmi Technology that private company that developed the first fully self-developed mobile operating system in the country?"

"That's right! Zhou Fan is exactly the chief technology officer of this company!" Chang Hongsheng nodded with a smile.

"No wonder. This young man is quite extraordinary. You actually managed to find him?"

Zhao Chengping was suddenly a bit moved, and a hint of contemplation appeared in his eyes.

"Speaking of which, we are also currently carrying out localization improvements on the Rocket Launch System using the open-source Lingxi Instruction Set from Fanmi Technology. I didn't expect to meet the developer of that instruction set here!"

"Localization improvements for the system?" Chang Hongsheng was a bit puzzled. "Isn't our operating system fully self-developed?"

"Of course, but it's unavoidable to use some foreign patented technologies. As our rocket manufacturing technology advances, the attitude of Western countries is starting to change, so we must speed up full localization!"

"Then Fanmi Technology's Lingxi Instruction Set came out just at the right time!"

Chang Hongsheng's heart stirred. He hadn't expected that the technology developed by Fanmi Technology had already begun to be applied to national-level projects!

But then again, weren't they currently using the materials Zhou Fan had come up with?

"Yeah! Who knows, in the field of systems engineering, we might even need to trouble this young man again in the future. Come, let's go meet him!"

Zhao Chengping couldn't help but sigh with emotion again, then quickened his pace.

"Yes!"

Chang Hongsheng hurriedly followed.