Study Monster Cultivation System-Chapter 283 - 282 What is, exactly, status?

At eight in the morning, the lights at the launch site’s coordination building finally went off.

It wasn’t because the workday had ended, but rather because the daylight had come.

After a busy night, the detailed report materials had taken their initial shape.

Next would come several rounds of review, polishing, and striving to report to the higher-ups in the afternoon.

Throughout the process, not only had no one dozed off, but no one had even taken a bite to eat.

Around eight o’clock, a man resembling a quintessential intellectual in his fifties knocked on the door and entered the conference room, carrying several large bags of coffee.

He first went to Chen Hongbing and Shen Tinglan to deliver coffee, then proceeded, with polite attentiveness, to distribute it to everyone according to their seating arrangement.

It wasn’t until he had served seven or eight people that Chen Hongbing realized and hurriedly got up to say, "Chief Engineer Liu, when did you arrive?"

"Just now, just now," the man continued enthusiastically handing out coffee.

"No, no, don’t be so polite," Chen Hongbing quickly said as he came forward, "Chen Wei, you take over."

With that, he patted the man on the back and they both left the conference room.

After Chen Wei finished distributing the coffee, he asked Jiang Ning from the maintenance group beside him, "Who’s that guy?"

"The chief engineer from the contractor," Jiang Ning typed stoically on his keyboard, "He probably fears we’d shift the blame onto them, so he hurried over overnight to gauge the situation."

As he spoke, Jiang Ning smiled bitterly, "Don’t think that we are in the clear yet, things have only just begun. Not only the contractor is on edge, but other departments are also worrying for themselves. Although Yellow 2 was developed by our division, other departments were responsible for several parts as well. Now that we’re resetting to zero, we need to pinpoint the details, and assign responsibility down to the individual."

As they were talking, Shen Tinglan, taking advantage of Chen Hongbing’s absence, looked up and said, "Okay, the maintenance and communication teams should go and rest for a while. When Director Chen comes back, you won’t dare to leave anyway."

Hearing this, the previously heavy atmosphere finally relaxed a little.

It wasn’t that Chen Hongbing wouldn’t let people rest, but anyone who even thought about stepping out would have to endure the "Soldier’s Gaze."

Those who had experienced this piercing gaze were as if cursed, invariably becoming the "special focus" of Chen Hongbing’s "point-to-point encouragement" in their future work.

"It’s fine, Teacher Shen," Jiang Ning stirred his coffee and smiled, "Time is of the essence already, we’ll help proofread the report, trying to save as much time as we can."

"Don’t worry about Teacher Chen, I’ve had enough sleep before, can stay awake for three days without batting an eyelid."

"How can I let my brothers down at such a time?"

Amid the sparse laughter, Shen Tinglan remained unfazed, her usual serene self.

"The reset is a long haul, conservatively estimated at 3 months. I’m worried you guys might end up in the hospital if you start off too hard," Shen Tinglan said with a covered smile at the corner of her mouth, "If you have to collapse, try to do it later, contribute a bit more strength, huh~"

This comment made everyone anxious again.

Following the "Soldier’s Gaze," the "Tinglan’s Sly Smile" also made its appearance.

Unlike Chen Hongbing’s steadfast and tenacious style, treating everyone equally,

Shen Tinglan was more nuanced and crafty, adept at manipulating key individuals at critical moments.

Most of the time she might seem quite lax in her management,

But as soon as that cunning smile comes out, your liver could be in trouble.

Indeed, it was the combination of these two contrasting personalities, one firm and the other flexible, that enabled them to raise the institute’s banner with a limited budget and manpower in a short time.

...

In an apartment several kilometers away, Li Zheng was the first to pack up his luggage, seizing the opportunity while Lin Yujing was dilly-dallying to do some essential homework.

He was well aware that the institute’s work for the upcoming months would be fully focused on the "Reset."

"Reset" straightforwardly means "zeroing out quality issues."

It’s a common process in industry and engineering.

In terms of methodology, there are no explicit restrictions; it might involve experiments, simulations, or calling in expert teams for analysis and quality inspection teams for spot checks.

Or it could involve all of the above.

Of course, the intensity of the "Reset" varies across different fields.

It’s hard to speak for other areas, but in aerospace, the reset is absolutely the most daunting.

In a nutshell,

It means using every possible method to uncover every potential issue.

This was a job that just thinking about it was terrifying.

Apart from the above "technology reset", the aerospace system would also simultaneously undergo a "management reset".

If the technology reset targeted hardware and design adjustments,

then the management reset was about adjusting people.

Experiment accidents were one thing, but launch accidents like the one at hand, according to relevant regulations, had to be taken seriously and individuals held accountable.

Putting the two resets together, it was the legendary double reset of terror.

It could also be said to be a dual torment of ice and fire in aerospace.

Without a doubt, such a harsh system was unquestionably for the assurance of quality.

But under such conditions, innovation was truly done at the risk of one’s life.

Li Zheng glanced at all the processes and sighed, "It’s so tough for your mom, we need to help her."

"As if you’re of any help, if you don’t make trouble, that would be enough," Lin Yujing zipped up her suitcase, wiped her forehead, and took one last look at the desolate launch tower, "Let’s go."

"Let’s go," Li Zheng turned off the computer screen, revealing a document, "I’ve sent our resumes to the academy, August 31st for the written test, results on-site then the interview. There are many specialties to choose from, which one do you prefer?"

Lin Yujing leaned over with her suitcase and took a quick look, choosing the most appealing option, "Just go with physics, then."

"I’ll go for something different, energy engineering and engineering thermophysics."

"Do you even know it?"

"I’ll learn," Li Zheng said as he packed up the computer, "I’ve also been in touch with Ji University, arranged for us to get temporary student IDs so we can access the library."

"Why did you apply for me too? I didn’t agree to go with you~" Lin Yujing hummed.

"No worries, you can go whenever you want, it isn’t mandatory." Li Zheng stuffed the computer into his shoulder bag, "Doing experiments with you is indeed very efficient, but it impacts my studies a lot, I actually prefer studying on my own."

"!!!"

Seeing that he had taken a wrong turn, Li Zheng hurriedly added, "Of course, if you really want to go together, I can’t exactly kick you out."

"Then you can take the train to Qiongkou on your own," Lin Yujing grabbed the car keys and ran off.

"No, no, this car was rented from Aunt Shen," he protested.

"Not renting it anymore!"

"Your anger is illogical; I never said you couldn’t go, you can if you want to."

"I don’t want to!"

"Then if you don’t want to go, why are you angry?"

...

Li Zheng stood alone in front of the apartment door, dragging countless suitcases, watching the car turn a corner and disappear.

At this moment, he finally realized a fact.

You shouldn’t reason with an angry woman.

Reasoning only makes them angrier.

Fortunately, Lin Yujing hadn’t really driven away; the car came back after circling around.

"Haha," Li Zheng chuckled, opening the trunk to start loading the luggage, "I’ve reflected a bit and think I understand why you’re angry."

He squinted at Lin Yujing in the driver’s seat, cautiously saying,

"Look, after what happened last night."

"I was thinking... maybe, your expectations of me have changed."

"From classmates, to some other relationship."

"But I haven’t changed here."

"So when I said I preferred to be alone, you got angry."

"Regarding this matter, if you feel there’s been a change, just tell me."

"I’m not someone who can’t accept change."

By the end, Li Zheng couldn’t stop grinning.

"Oh, just speak frankly, there’s nothing to it."

In the driver’s seat, Lin Yujing, after several tremors, suddenly snapped back to reality and said with wide, twinkling eyes, "What are you talking about? I don’t understand what you’re saying?"

"It’s just... yesterday... up on the mountain..." Li Zheng avoided eye contact and scratched his head.

Lin Yujing’s twinkling eyes seemed even more innocent, "Was there? Did we go to the mountain yesterday?"

"Hey... it’s no fun if you do that..."

"I don’t remember anything."

"..."

Lin Yujing looked at Li Zheng with genuine naivety, "Or is it that you have some ideas? Just say them openly, there’s nothing to it."

Li Zheng’s face contorted, and he slammed the trunk shut.

Impossible, how could it be possible for me to speak up?

The status of Old Li’s family was clear in my mind.

For a bright future, one must not be impetuous.

Thus, Li Zheng sat down in the passenger seat with a stiff expression.

"Since you’ve forgotten, then I might as well forget it too," Li Zheng gazed aimlessly out of the window, "I’m not in a hurry anyway, I don’t care."

"Heh," Lin Yujing shrugged and smiled, pressing down on the accelerator, "Just to let you know in advance, the written exam at the First Institute is really tough."

"No need to tell me that."

"But I’m worried," Lin Yujing said with a shake of her head and a smile, "What if you don’t pass? Would you come to me, begging for a solution? You’d probably be in a pretty big hurry by then, right?"

"Ha, ha, ha," Li Zheng laughed heartily, "What I’m afraid of is that you might only know half of what’s necessary and embarrass Aunt Shen. Then when I’m the only one who gets in, you’re probably going to get mad again."

"Scum Chap may not be good at other things, but he sure knows how to throw out trash talk," Lin Yujing said with a light chuckle, holding the steering wheel, "At that time, if one of us gets into the First Institute, and the other still has to audit classes at the university, the gap after a year will probably be quite significant."

"Yeah, so big they can’t even lift their head up," Li Zheng muttered, rubbing his cheek, "It’s probably about time for you to face reality."

"The reality is, the one who doesn’t get in will have to take good care of the logistics," Lin Yujing counterattacked, "Buying books, making purchases, running school errands, delivering late-night snacks and such. Remember to include fish and chips."

"Makes sense," Li Zheng nodded in agreement, "Indeed, the person who gets into the First Institute will be very busy, so it’s necessary for the other side to do some supportive work. But forget about late-night snacks, a shoulder massage could be possible."

"In your dreams! I’m not letting you massage me."

"It’s not me massaging you, it’s you massaging me, massaging myself."

"Either way, it’s you who wins out, Scum Chap!"

...

The topic was on the great state of affairs between Yujing and Zheng.

Together for long must part, parted long must come together.

After a brief cooperation based on a mutual interest in rockets, overnight, they entered a stage of arms race.

The swimming activity that was promised to Jiang Qinghua was also broken.

Jiang Qinghua had no choice but to play on the water slides alone at the water park.

Despite being the height of the scorching summer in August, the solitude he felt as he slid through the spiral water slides made it feel somewhat cold.

As Jiang Qinghua trembled rising from the water, with an unwilling heart, he headed towards the changing room.

I shouldn’t have been so insistent...

It would have been better to have invited Du Shitong.

Meanwhile, Li Zheng was sitting in Ji University Library, speedily studying Mr. Qian’s "Lectures on Physical Mechanics."

Beside him were "Introduction to Interstellar Navigation," "Engineering Control Theory," and "On System Engineering."

Even after more than half a century, these textbooks still hadn’t become outdated.

This was a reflection of Mr. Qian’s greatness.

On the other hand, it also highlighted the inaction of later generations.

Of course, one can’t blame the subsequent generations, as making further breakthroughs was indeed very difficult.

However, what he was studying was not part of the entrance examination requirements and was not a mandatory textbook for the related specialty.

Li Zheng studied these things simply because he wanted to macroscopically construct a knowledge framework and adapt to the knowledge model in the aerospace field.

At the same time, he struggled with whether to enter the specialized study stage ahead of schedule.

Doing so should benefit his current studies, but it also meant giving up many tasks from the foundational learning stage.

Among them, the "Path of Magical Infusion," which was about increasing the Demonization Level, would always be there across stages, so there was no need to worry.

However, the "Five Subjects Scholar" and "Practitioner" were tasks of the foundational stage and could very well be phased out.

He really wanted to contribute his modest efforts to help Yellow 2 successfully launch into space.

But that was just a scoop of water from the vast ocean of science.

In the long run, he decided to hold back.

Just endure it.

...

Unlike Li Zheng’s profound troubles,

Li Yi was very excited.

Especially when lying in bed at night.

"Hey, Li Zheng didn’t come home again today." Li Yi hugged An Ning like a big baby, "Where do you think he went?"

"Hand." An Ning said coldly, looking at her phone.

"..." Li Yi swallowed and withdrew his hand, "Isn’t it just a massage for you since you seem tired?"

"Better save your energy for chopping vegetables or something." An Ning said casually, "Where could he go? He probably stayed at a graduate dormitory."

"Could he be tricking someone?" Li Yi rubbed his hands and said, "This kid has been quite mischievous lately."

"If he were staying with someone else, he would definitely tell us," An Ning huffed, "It’s you who’s always wearing tinted glasses, always telling me how great Lin Yujing is."

"But she really is great." Li Yi sat up and gestured, "You know, it’s that kind of greatness you recognize at a glance, like shouting ’This is my future daughter-in-law’ kind of great."

"Wasn’t that said by Cao Cao?"

"...Ah? Was it, I don’t quite understand Cao Cao’s preference." Li Yi hurriedly lay back down, "By the way, how is Lin Yujing’s mother doing now? I’m afraid to ask."

"Can’t say much else for sure, just that she’s twice as busy as me," An Ning also put down her phone, lay flat and rubbed her eyes, "Shoulder."

"Here I am, here I am." Li Yi then got up to give a shoulder massage, "What’s the worst that could happen?"

"The worst outcome… would probably be another failure," An Ning said relaxedly, "Even if the aerospace system doesn’t deal with her, she wouldn’t have the face to stay."

Updat𝒆d fr𝑜m freewebnøvel.com.

"That would be bad…" Li Yi exclaimed, "She wouldn’t go to NASA or something, would she? It would be troublesome if she left the country."

"No, at her level, she shouldn’t count on passing through customs in this lifetime. Although, it’s possible she might move to a private aerospace company. Regardless of failure, her expertise is still there," An Ning casually chuckled, "But if she becomes disheartened, it might be a different story with sending off your future daughter-in-law abroad. When I checked, Lin Yujing’s father also had restrictions due to his position, he wasn’t supposed to leave the country either, but somehow he was specially approved to attend a conference abroad and then never returned."

"What the hell? Sent abroad by the government and didn’t come back?"

"It has been many years, there’s a story behind it."

"..."

An Ning chuckled, "What, now you think your future daughter-in-law isn’t ’red’ enough?"

"It’s not that." Li Yi frowned, "You see, Lin Yujing’s mother also never remarried. If she really… fails again… could she use a similar method to go abroad to join her ex-husband?"

"That would be quite serious, let’s not worry about that. We’ve finally gotten the kid into university; let’s take some rest if we can," An Ning lifted her chin, "Temples."

"Mhmm." Li Yi raised his eyebrows, "You see, when Li Zheng was here, we weren’t that free…"

"Temples first."

"Understood!"

...

People’s understanding of things always comes from what they hear and see.

So, sometimes, it wasn’t that Li Zheng was overly sensitive about "status."

It was just that no one understood it better than him.

What "status" truly meant.