Chapter 217

Chapter 217

Yin Xu

She slept dreamlessly. Early the next morning, while Lin Nannan was still helping with household chores, the overnight team arrived to take over.

Since they couldn't reach Lu Hang, they had the village chief lead them straight to the Lu household. Understanding why they'd come, Lin Nannan didn't refuse and immediately led them up the mountain.

She just wanted to get this business settled quickly so she could study the things she'd picked up...

Lu Hang had already begun searching at dawn with his team. When Lin Nannan arrived with the newcomers, his face was smeared with dirt—stained by plant juices—looking pretty rough.

The leader Lin Nannan brought stepped forward to introduce himself: "Hello, I'm Yin Xu, here to assist with this research."

Standing aside, Lin Nannan sensed something odd. She asked, "You said you're here for research, not to take the fragments—does that mean you'll stay?"

Yin Xu nodded. "Since the search here isn't complete and we don't know how long this will take, we'll decide after evaluating the fragments' significance."

"What decision?" Lin Nannan pressed.

"If they're useful, we won't move them. We'll turn the current research area into a proper facility and set up camp here just in case," Yin Xu explained, aware of Lin Nannan's eventual involvement.

The decision surprised both Lin Nannan and Lu Hang, but she recognized its wisdom. Moving the fragments would draw unwanted attention and cause major problems.

Lin Nannan liked Yin Xu's manner—down-to-earth and open with answers. He seemed easy to work with.

After some small talk, Yin Xu wanted to begin work, and Lu Hang led him further into the area...

Seeing this, Lin Nannan turned and headed down the mountain without a second thought.

She already knew everything about the mountain. If curious, she could ask Lu Hang later. She went straight home.

When Lu Hang learned she'd returned, he didn't inquire further. Instead, he showed Yin Xu the fragments...

Truthfully, Yin Xu hadn't cared much about this assignment initially, thinking it was overblown. The world's most advanced materials were out of their league, so he'd been somewhat doubtful.

But when his team saw the unusual fragments, they all got serious.

As a professional researcher, Yin Xu knew this was serious. He told his team to start recording, then asked Lu Hang, "Is this all you've found?"

Lu Hang nodded. "Just these two—one large, one small. The smaller was dug up, while my wife found the larger piece in a treetop. She was covered in insects, so I had her bring it back just to be safe."

"Brought it back?" Yin Xu caught on to something but didn't press. Instead he said, "These materials are extremely valuable. Have someone go retrieve the fragment from your home."

"What exactly are these?" Lu Hang asked.

He knew they were valuable but couldn't determine their nature.

Yin Xu shook his head. "We don't know yet, but they're not from our country."

Not from their country—meaning rare. Even if they couldn't decipher them, they couldn't let others obtain them, especially on their own land.

When it came to technology, they didn't play fair!

This was what Lin Nannan later heard from Lu Hang—confirming her feeling that Yin Xu was someone she could work with.

Here’s the refined translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

Speaking the toughest words in the softest voice—that shows solid values.

Lin Nannan rarely praised anyone. She respected Old Hu but seldom complimented him, so Yin Xu became the first person she openly praised, which put Lu Hang off a bit.

“He’s that good?” Lu Hang asked his wife with a serious look.

The question came out of left field, making Lin Nannan study him again. Seeing his earnest expression, she paused mid-nod and tactfully replied, “How would I know if he’s good? I just think his research attitude is impressive.”

This soothed Lu Hang, who grumbled, “Obviously. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been assigned here.”

If he wasn’t mistaken, Yin Xu would likely take charge here—Lin Nannan had no patience for nitty-gritty details.

Besides, even if she volunteered, who’d dare let her? When she goes full tiger mode, the fallout isn’t something just anyone can handle.

True to Lu Hang’s prediction, Yin Xu took over. The research institute expanded, and a formal camp was established—so conspicuously that it broadcasted their message: this place was discovered and now guarded, making interference impossible.

Working at the institute meant Lin Nannan had to collaborate with Yin Xu. Before its completion, their frequent discussions kept her so busy she was hardly ever home.

Lu Hang had rejoined his team, handling local operations, leaving the couple little time together. The Lu family began wondering when they’d finally cradle a cute little grandbaby...

One day, while Lin Nannan consulted Old Hu in the fields, Yin Xu and Lu Hang arrived together—an unusual sight that immediately smelled trouble.

“What’s wrong?” she demanded.

Yin Xu glanced at Lu Hang, deferring to him. Without hesitation, Lu Hang led her aside and said gravely, “We got the debrief. They found this place because of your display at the train station—especially the smart wheelchair. They wanted its creator, but the village barred outsiders, matching what we knew...”

“But in the mountains, they stumbled on fragments. Some recognized their rarity and reported them, triggering a full-blown investigation. They assumed someone had planted these valuable pieces here. Combined with your unusual skills—and the modified guns in our yard—they zeroed in on you.”

Lin Nannan now understood their concern. She’d become a person of interest. “Your name’s definitely out there,” Yin Xu added. “This location’s unfit for an institute—we’ve even stationed troops here. It’s a public declaration of your significance. From now on, you’ll need someone with you outdoors.” His tone underscored the gravity.