Chapter 92

Chapter 92

The start of the experiment meant the beginning of a busy period. Feng Xia and several students essentially lived in the lab. Only Professor Huang, due to his advanced age, couldn't keep up, yet even he stayed there almost every minute during the day.

Their project progressed quickly, but the current forging techniques were immature. The furnaces providing high-temperature and high-pressure equipment were shared between two projects. Feng Xia often had to wait until the other project finished before she could use them, which gradually delayed the experiment's progress.

Li Hua was one of the lucky ones selected. He had the best spoken Beautiful Country language skills in their department, while Li Ningning had the highest exam scores in Beautiful Country language. As soon as they arrived, Feng Xia assigned them tasks: handling procurement and coordination.

The various materials they needed to procure were mostly imported. Fortunately, both were also proficient in Bear Country language, otherwise it wouldn't have gone so smoothly. For materials that couldn't be bought, they had to find other channels. In less than a month, they were making overseas calls, asking leaders for purchasing channels, and running around the market, losing at least ten jin.

Especially Li Ningning, who transformed from a delicate and beautiful young woman into a researcher with messy short hair—a change brought about by countless experiments.

But Feng Xia finally secured the raw materials she needed. She estimated that the higher-ups in Flower Kingdom had also intervened, otherwise it wouldn't have been this smooth.

Ti, titanium, a metallic element, corrosion-resistant with a high melting point—this was Feng Xia's main material for the new composite ceramics. Over the past month, she had been researching how to extract large quantities of titanium, and now she had succeeded!

Moreover, the purity she achieved through her own method was even higher than what Li Ningning and the others had brought back. The production process wasn't as difficult as imagined. With the main material in hand, the success of the composite ceramic material was inevitable.

By the end of November, the weather in Jingdu was so cold that water froze into ice, and every household had switched to cotton-padded clothes. Professor Zhu Guangya went to the post office to pick up a package addressed to Feng Xia. It was a large, bulging package, likely filled mostly with winter clothes.

In fact, Zhu Guangya and Chen Yue had already bought Feng Xia plenty of winter clothing, but family couldn't help worrying about her being away from home. Professor Zhu Guangya understood their feelings, though he realized he hadn't seen Feng Xia in a long time.

Since she started working on the new composite ceramic material, she had been practically living in the lab. Returning home late at night, she would leave before dawn most days, making the house feel as empty as it had been before. The elderly lady had mentioned it several times, missing Feng Xia dearly.

Professor Zhu walked while pondering, thinking about making some dumplings for her. Feng Xia could cook them anytime she got home hungry at night, enjoying a hot meal before sleeping in the winter.

Deep in thought, he didn't notice someone suddenly darting out from ahead, grabbing his hand and pulling him along. Professor Zhu nearly stumbled. He took a closer look and recognized the person—it was Old Huang from Feng Xia's lab. He shouted, "Old Huang, why are you dragging me? Slow down, slow down!"

Professor Huang, despite his age, was agile. Normally, delivering messages wasn't his job, but the younger staff didn't know Professor Zhu's whereabouts, so he had to do it himself. He went to Professor Zhu's home but found he had already left to pick up the package, so he hurried to the post office and finally caught up with him on the way.

Professor Huang said in a low voice, "We've made it. I specifically came to get you to see it. Hurry up, everyone's waiting."

Zhu Guangya stopped in his tracks. The package in his hand fell to the ground with a slap. "We made it?! We really made it?!" His eyes widened like a tiger's, staring at Old Huang as if he might eat him.

Old Huang couldn't help showing a hint of pride. "Yes, we made it. We even produced a finished piece. It's beautiful. You need to see it right away."

Zhu Guangya's soul flew to the lab at that moment. His legs moved like wind-driven wheels as he strode briskly, package in hand, leaving Old Huang behind. He couldn't wait to see that treasure.

Inside the lab, a beautiful blue-and-white porcelain watch lay on the operating table.

The watchband was as white as jade, adorned with blue ribbon-like patterns. The dial was elegant, with the hands moving quietly, making no sound at all. It was a watch that no one at that time could resist—it was simply too beautiful.

Zhu Guangya stared at the watch with near fascination. Feng Xia introduced it to him, "The entire watch is made of the new composite ceramic material. It's corrosion-resistant, acid-resistant, and wear-resistant. Due to the material's properties, it's incredibly accurate and has some water resistance. We tested it—it can withstand submersion for twenty minutes. As for the internal parts, they were all made by us beginners. If we had a master watchmaker or specialized equipment, it would probably be even better."

She sounded a bit dissatisfied, but Zhu Guangya was already overwhelmed by the joyous news. Holy cow! Corrosion-resistant and waterproof—this damn thing could even be used in high-precision weapons! Tanks could use it, and guns could surely be tested too! This was creating a new chapter in the industry single-handedly!

In that moment, Zhu Guangya felt he would personally thank those two troublemaking Beautiful Country guys if he saw them again. Feng Xia was excellent in every way except for being a bit lazy. If not for them, who knew when this composite ceramic material would have been invented.

Professor Zhu Guangya immediately had a guard bring over a password-protected briefcase. He carefully placed the watch inside and took Feng Xia to the Ministry of Science and Technology to report.

The Minister of Science and Technology examined the treasure closely, his face beaming with a brilliant smile—such an expression from a usually composed man drew many sidelong glances from staff. The Minister, still delighted, took Feng Xia and got into a car, heading straight for Nanhai.

"Truly beautiful! Truly beautiful."

The top leader praised it endlessly, reaching out to touch it. The watch felt cool to the touch, as smooth as ceramic ware. Under the light, it appeared as white as jade, paired with that beautiful blue, truly like a blue-and-white porcelain piece, mesmerizing.

The top leader patted Feng Xia on the shoulder approvingly and laughed heartily, "Haha, indeed, young people achieve great things! Comrade Feng Xia, this watch is extraordinarily beautiful. You've earned another great achievement!"

Feng Xia pursed her lips, revealing a small smile with a deep dimple at the corner of her mouth. At that moment, she looked a bit childish, unlike the cold and strict demeanor she had in the lab.

Her voice was clear and crisp, and with her chubby baby face puffed up a bit, she spoke to the top leader with a mix of anger and spirit,

"Mainly, I can't stand those Beautiful Country folks. Why should they come to our country, make money off us, and still expect us to bow and scrape? Top leader, can we use this to make a good profit off them? Let's earn a ton of foreign currency!"

The top leader readily agreed, "Good, good! Let's really soak them for foreign currency! That'll bring in revenue!"