If possible, he really didn’t want to send people abroad. However, knowing the situation in his own department, he acknowledged that they did need to learn from the outside world.
"What about your side? Have the names been finalized?" he asked.
Such topics could be discussed openly, as long as specific names weren’t mentioned. Whether it was Mr. Xu or Xu Zongxi, they both had guards around them. If they weren’t in the compound, those guards would follow them around the clock.
"They’re out, but we aren’t sending many from our side this year. Just two or three," Mr. Mu replied.
Mr. Xu glanced outside. Those who knew, understood what he meant.
"It’s not a good time for him to go, is it?" Others might not understand, but Mr. Mu did. "His family is at a time when they need him the most. Yet he’s actually willing to leave them behind to go abroad." Mr. Mu felt a bit indignant. Still, it wasn’t his own daughter being left behind. If the man himself didn’t feel any heartache, why should he give a damn?
"It can’t be helped. It’s not like you don’t know our department," Mr. Xu said. "Apart from some of our equipment falling behind, the rest of our work really isn’t inferior to the outside world. His task this time isn’t too heavy, either; it’s mainly to see if they have more advanced tools abroad."
Their Materials Department was indeed unique. Blue Country could be said to be the most resource-rich place in the whole world. Unfortunately, their exploration tools were not as advanced as those overseas. Otherwise, they truly wouldn’t need to rely on anyone else for materials.
The Materials Department was much more comprehensive than other departments, and Mr. Mu sometimes found himself envying them.
"Speaking of which, the higher-ups are quite confident about the candidates going out this time. They estimate a ninety percent chance of them returning," Mr. Mu said. Holding a high position, he was naturally privy to the list of names going abroad.
Mr. Xu was no inferior to Mr. Mu in status; their fields were just different.
"Actually, I think it would be best for Zhijun to go, but unfortunately, this kid is too attached to his family," Mr. Xu teased.
Seeing the conversation shift to him, Gao Zhijun immediately spoke up to decline. "I can’t. I have too much to learn. I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to keep up if I went, and it would be terrible if I embarrassed the country."
He already had a place he wanted to go; the outside world really held no attraction for him.
Hearing his words, Mr. Mu was quite satisfied. It was true that this kid didn’t want to go, but he couldn’t say that to outsiders. "This kid is still lacking a bit; he hasn’t reached that level yet," Mr. Mu chimed in to support him.
How could Mr. Xu not understand what the two of them were thinking? "You two... forget it, let’s not talk about this." Since they didn’t want to bring it up, he would let it go.
"Let’s enjoy the moon. How many years has it been since we’ve peacefully looked at the moon in the sky like this?"
With the two older men changing the subject, the younger generation naturally couldn’t say anything more.
Xu Zongxi and his brother-in-law exchanged a glance, and both smiled. Born into such families, the things they witnessed growing up were different from ordinary people. They naturally hoped their country would grow stronger and stronger. But there was always a process; no one could force a baby to sprint before it could walk.
"Zhijun, you study dynamics. I wonder when you’ll have time to come visit my place?" The elders had their own topics, and the younger men naturally had their own circles.
"I’ll go when I have the chance." If his project succeeded, he would definitely have the opportunity to go. The application of dynamics was very broad. His teacher had even mentioned thrusters to him last time. Unfortunately, his foundation was still a bit thin, otherwise, that would also be a great learning opportunity.
"Keep those words in mind. Don’t forget to visit when the time comes," Xu Zongxi teased.
To Chi, listening to them was like listening to a foreign language; he didn’t understand a single word anyway. He only needed to keep a close eye on the two elderly men.
After returning to their compound from the Xu family’s home, Gao Zhijun waited for his teacher to head back to his room before he finally left for his own.
As soon as he entered, he saw his wife drying her hair. "Let me help you." He stepped forward, took the towel from her hands, and helped her dry it.
Her hair was very smooth and long. She usually kept it tied in a long braid down her back.
"Your hair is quite long. Aren’t Western hairstyles popular right now? You should go get one done when you have time," Gao Zhijun remarked, stroking her hair.
Bai Jiu shook her head. She had no desire to do that. Compared to getting her hair styled, she preferred it black, long, and straight.
"No, it’s ugly." She particularly disliked curly hair. Whether in the past or present, she never liked fussing with her hair. "It looks very old-fashioned when it’s done, and I don’t like it. My hair is fine as it is right now, though it is getting a bit long. I’ll just go get it trimmed a little when I have time."
She was probably the only one who was different from the rest, turning her nose up at those Western hairstyles.
"It is indeed a bit long. It’ll be a hassle to take care of in the winter." He supported her decision to cut it. "But don’t cut it too short. You look beautiful with long hair," Gao Zhijun praised sincerely.
Bai Jiu was amused. "It seems you’ve been paying quite a bit of attention to women’s matters lately." After saying that, she looked up at him with a smile, her eyes filled with teasing.
Their interactions were becoming increasingly harmonious.
"I haven’t. I only look at you." He truly had never paid attention to other women.
"Sweet talker."
When a man was overly attentive, it wasn’t always a good thing. Sure enough, the hands that were just messing with her hair slowly began to misbehave.
"What’s gotten into you lately? How come you’re thinking about this every day? Do you even have the energy to work during the day?" Bai Jiu didn’t refuse him, but she couldn’t help teasing him.
"I have plenty of energy. You are my best tonic."
Aside from his work, the man poured all his energy into his wife. When they were finished, Gao Zhijun held her in his arms, soaking in the afterglow.
"Were you guys talking about going abroad today?" Bai Jiu adjusted her position to sleep more comfortably.
"Yes. I’m not going; the department selected two other people." Gao Zhijun didn’t tell her who they were.
"For how long?"
"Two years, probably. If there’s an opportunity, it could be three to five years. It’s not set in stone. They might also never come back." Gao Zhijun’s tone was visibly downcast as he said the last sentence.
Never come back?
Bai Jiu didn’t react immediately, but news stories from her past life suddenly sprang into her mind. She quickly understood what he meant.
In this era, it was incredibly difficult to go abroad. She vividly remembered a piece of news about sending talents overseas, hoping they would study hard and return to serve the country. But only a tenth of them actually came back. The people the country had spent so much money and effort to cultivate ended up dedicating themselves to others.
When she saw that news back then, she had even left a comment underneath. For someone who rarely ever posted online, it was the first time she had expressed her views and her anger toward those who hadn’t returned.
"Can’t they select people who will definitely come back?" She immediately understood his disappointment.
"The human heart is hard to predict. Who can guarantee anything?" Gao Zhijun sighed.
With better environments and conditions elsewhere, who would be willing to come back and suffer? Moreover, Blue Country had just awakened, and the suffering of the previous years had been far too heavy. Some people were simply too afraid to return. Some just didn’t want to.
Of course, there were also those who were deeply loyal to their country, those who would never abandon their homeland no matter what. But the percentage was far, far too small.
"Let’s not talk about this anymore. Don’t mention it to anyone else, either. It’s still confidential right now." Gao Zhijun didn’t want to dwell on it, but he made sure to warn her.
"Don’t worry, I won’t say a word."
The Mid-Autumn Festival passed just like that, and the Lin family’s matters were finally resolved.
It was only when Bai Jiu saw Lin Po that she learned how the old woman had managed to return. It wasn’t just by compensating both families financially, but also due to Old Lin making concessions. That was the only reason she was able to come back with a clean slate.
But, it was none of her damn business.