Chapter 66

"Professor Durarov, welcome, welcome to our Field Army base for technical guidance. You must be tired from your journey. Would you like to eat first or rest first?" Political Commissar Huang, an old comrade of Division Commander He, was in charge of receiving the technical personnel. The veteran political commissar, around fifty years old, grasped the large hand of his Russian friend with great enthusiasm.

Professor Durarov, who had clearly worked with Chinese people for a long time, spoke fluent Beijing-accented Mandarin: "Hello, hello. We're not tired yet. Let's go to the research institute to look at the data first! I can't wait."

Political Commissar Huang smiled, revealing a few wrinkles around his eyes, which made him look even more amiable: "Alright, alright. Our experts have been waiting for you. I'll take you there right away."

Durarov was a pure scientist, having devoted most of his life to the laboratory. He was a top-notch firearms expert in Russia, and this time he came mainly for the silencer. He really wanted to meet the creator of this silencer in person—a true genius.

When such a national treasure-level expert went out, he was accompanied by many guards. What caught Political Commissar Huang's attention, however, was a young man following behind Durarov, about eighteen or nineteen years old, with dazzling golden hair, a high nose and deep eyes, eyes like a blue ocean, deep and vast, with snow-white skin—a striking appearance at first glance.

Durarov also noticed Political Commissar Huang's gaze and, somewhat proudly, patted the young man's lean shoulder, introducing him proudly: "This is my student, Daniel. My friend, don't let Daniel's youth fool you. He is a true genius. He has already graduated from Moscow State University with excellent grades, won a scholarship, and entered my laboratory as my most trusted assistant."

Durarov was clearly very satisfied with this student, and his face was almost beaming with pride. Political Commissar Huang smiled in response, with undisguised admiration in his eyes for the young man. The youth, tall and handsome, seemed embarrassed by his teacher's praise, his cheeks slightly reddening as he greeted Political Commissar Huang in halting Chinese: "H-hello."

Political Commissar Huang responded warmly and led the two to the research institute at the Field Army base.

Inside the research institute, the old experts had completely changed from their usual scruffy appearance, all dressed in clean and tidy Zhongshan suits, with neatly trimmed beards and hair, and serious expressions on their faces, showing how much they valued this core technology exchange.

In a chair in the corner sat a girl, her shoulder-length black hair messily scattered, wrapped in a military coat, with a thick stack of books beside her and various papers scattered around. Yet no one disturbed her; in fact, they intentionally left a quiet space for her to study and think.

Durarov and Wan Fulin had met once before. Although they were not well acquainted, there was no awkwardness. They chatted like old friends who hadn't seen each other for a long time, then directly started flipping through materials and exchanging occasional remarks. Wan Fulin also looked through the materials Durarov had brought. One was reading Chinese characters, the other reading Russian script, and for a while, the atmosphere was quite pleasant.

Although Daniel's Chinese was mediocre, he had systematically studied Chinese culture, so he could fluently read the data from China about the silencer. The more this young man read, the more surprised he became, a look of shock flashing in his eyes. It had to be said that some of the silencer creator's ideas were truly imaginative and eye-opening. The most impressive thing was that she had actually completed it, creating an amazing finished product—truly admirable talent.

Sure enough, after browsing through the materials, Durarov spoke eagerly: "Wan, where is the creator? Where is he? Can I meet him?" Durarov was so urgent that he couldn't help using his native language. Wan Fulin smiled mysteriously and pointed to the chair in the corner, indicating that the inventor of the silencer was curled up there reading.

Durarov straightened his sleeves and solemnly patted the young inventor's shoulder. From the little bit of her neck exposed, he could tell the inventor was young. Durarov looked forward to it until Feng Xia completely turned around.

The internationally renowned firearms expert even thought Wan Fulin was joking. This delicate Eastern porcelain doll was the creator of the silencer? What the hell kind of joke was this? This little girl looked only about ten years old. How could she possibly have invented a silencer?

Durarov looked extremely shocked, with a hint of anger. He believed that these Chinese experts had deceived him.

The man turned around angrily and was about to leave when Feng Xia uttered a fluent string of Russian, precisely about the core manufacturing principle of the silencer. This sentence stopped Durarov in his tracks. He turned around with lingering anger and asked Feng Xia a very sharp question, still in Russian.

Feng Xia responded to the question with ease, answering very skillfully. By this time, Durarov truly began to believe that this petite Eastern doll was the developer of the silencer.

The two of them went back and forth, talking animatedly. When it came to scientific research, once they started talking, it was almost endless. Durarov and Feng Xia chatted for nearly an hour. During this time, the old professors also listened intently, occasionally raising questions or providing answers. Meanwhile, Daniel took out a notebook with a leather cover and wrote furiously, recording everything. Such learning opportunities were extremely rare; even if he couldn't fully absorb the knowledge, he could still record it.

At this moment, there was no trace of disregard for Feng Xia's age in the young man's eyes, only full respect—respect for a teacher who was more capable and knowledgeable than him.

After all, they were older. The old experts' energy and stamina were flagging, and Durarov was about the same, almost at his limit. Seeing their pale faces, Feng Xia simply suggested they eat first. They still had time; they could continue talking after eating.

The old experts readily agreed. The group went for dinner in high spirits. On the way, Durarov walked with Feng Xia, discussing mechanical concepts that were only fantasies given the current state of technology. The old man was like a child, his eyes shining brightly.

When they sat down to eat, they chose the largest round table. Coincidentally, Division Commander He and Political Commissar Huang also came to eat, so the two groups met and decided to share a table. Durarov sighed emotionally to Political Commissar Huang: "I used to think Daniel was a rare genius, but now that I've seen this little girl, I realize I spoke too soon. This is a once-in-a-century prodigy!"

Hearing this, Division Commander He, Wan Fulin, and the others all smiled with pride. Feng Xia also smiled, her dimples sweet and captivating. She was simply combining her own experiences to apply some future technologies to this backward era, hoping to make this country a better place.