The little star from the Gobi Desert, handed over to the state, is hailed as a national treasure.

The crowd fell silent.

All eyes were focused on the blueprint that bore such a heavy responsibility, and their hearts were filled with turmoil.

They almost simultaneously recalled the resounding promise that Qian Xuesen had once made to the top leader—

Could the people of Daxia build their own missiles?

--able!

—It definitely can!

"Let's go back and recalculate." The designers put away their drawings and drafts, and no one raised any objections. Instead, a glimmer of faith ignited in their eyes.

Even if work has been reduced to square one, the goals are clearer, more determined, and more inspiring than ever before.

When it comes to Professor Qian's requirements, everyone has only one ironclad rule in mind—absolutely agree, resolutely comply, spare no expense, and carry it out to the end!

They had just left when another group arrived before Professor Qian with a new design…

Sweetie sat on a small stool, observing everything with a mixture of understanding and confusion. No one explained the principles to her, nor did anyone tell her the specific topics. She was like a little spectator, her mind full of questions, trying her best to listen to the adults' discussion.

However, unlike other children, she didn't get sleepy or try to sneak off to play in the unfamiliar and boring environment.

Throughout, her young face was filled with a focus beyond her years, as if she were participating in this important work in her own way.

Amidst his busy schedule, Chief Designer Wang glanced back at her several times, only to see her bright, sparkling eyes moving in sync with the rhythm of the discussion, without a trace of weariness or impatience.

It seems that the little girl's confident declaration yesterday that she wanted to learn how to build missiles was not just a childish joke.

Commander Liu and Chief Designer Wang exchanged a glance, both showing the same surprise and admiration.

The intensive discussions of the morning came to a temporary halt. The researchers gradually stopped their work, tidied up the drawings and tools on their tables, and got up to stretch.

They stopped as they passed by Tian Tian, ​​their faces showing gentle smiles as they greeted the little girl warmly.

Several female researchers, feeling sorry for her sitting for so long, have privately discussed sewing a soft little cushion for Tian Tian when they have some free time.

Professor Qian was the last to put down his pen. He looked at Tian Tian, ​​who still had a serious expression on her face, and reached out to pat her head: "Sweetie, are you tired after sitting for so long?"

"Not tired!"

Sweetie finally got a chance to speak. Before, she had always felt that Grandpa Qian had a very strong aura, which made her dare not slack off in the slightest, let alone slip away. But now that Grandpa smiled, the familiar, kind Grandpa had returned.

"Well done." Professor Qian didn't ask her what she had understood that morning, but just smiled and lifted her off the chair. "Come on, Grandpa will show you a 'reward'."

Upon hearing this, Tian Tian became excited again. Children are the least afraid of getting tired, and she had long forgotten the boring morning she had spent sitting. She clapped her little hands and cheered, "Yes, yes! Grandpa, take me there quickly!"

Professor Qian smiled and agreed. Chief Designer Wang and Commander Liu also came over and asked the young girl if she was alright. As soon as the group walked out of the research room, they saw Liang Zhe standing outside the door, who had been standing there for who knows how long.

"Mr. Qian!" Upon seeing them emerge, Liang Zhe hurried forward, his gaze fixed on his daughter with concern. "Did Tian Tian disturb everyone's work?"

"No, our Tian Tian is very well-behaved and a qualified student." Professor Qian smiled kindly. "Now, I'm going to take her to see a 'little surprise'."

"Daddy, Grandpa Qian didn't scold Tian Tian at all. Tian Tian is the best girl!" Tian Tian proudly raised her little face when she saw her father.

One sentence made all the bigwigs laugh heartily, and the atmosphere instantly changed from serious and tense to warm and pleasant.

"Mr. Qian, you've been busy all morning, why don't you have lunch first?"

"No rush, it's on the way, let our little girl relax a bit."

With that, Professor Qian picked up Tian Tian and headed towards the cooking squad.

Between the cookhouse and the mill was an open space where a makeshift shack had been built using wooden branches and old canvas. Before we even got close, we could hear a series of childish "quack quack quack" sounds.

"It's a little duck!" The little girl was particularly sensitive to sounds and immediately began to wriggle excitedly in Professor Qian's arms.

The wild duck eggs brought back from the sea buckthorn forest have finally hatched, giving rise to eight fluffy, pale yellow ducklings. They are huddled together in their hay-lined hut, chirping happily with their little beaks open.

Children are naturally drawn to small creatures. As soon as Tian Tian was put down, she excitedly ran to the duck shed. The ducklings weren't shy at all; they waddled out in a line, quacking around her.

"Little ducklings! Great! We have little ducklings!" She jumped for joy, carefully picking one up and gently pressing her face against its soft down. "Hello, I'm Sweetie! Welcome here!"

The ducklings waddled, their tender yellow beaks gently pecking at her fingers, as if in response.

"Oh no..." Sweetie suddenly remembered something, her little mouth pouting slightly, her voice lowering, "Sweetie has to 'go to school' now, to learn how to build big missiles... I won't be able to come and play with you guys every day anymore, what am I going to do..."

"Sweetie," Professor Qian said gently from behind her, "These little ducklings are adorable and need friends. Would you like to spend more time playing with them? You can take your time with your studies."

This put Sweetie in a dilemma. Of course she loved these fluffy little creatures and wanted to spend every day with them! But... if she spent too much time with the ducklings, she wouldn't be able to learn how to build missiles!

No way! She promised Aunt Shen, and she has to keep her promise!

My mother always said that a person should keep their word and try their best to do what they promise. Giving up halfway is not the mark of a good child.

She lowered her head with some hesitation, fidgeting with her fingers and wrinkling her little nose.

Commander Liu and Chief Designer Wang exchanged a glance, understanding each other perfectly: Professor Qian was using the child's innocent nature to conduct a gentle test.

He wanted to know whether Tian Tian was just more childlike and playful, or whether she truly possessed a composure beyond her years, capable of enduring tedious and arduous learning for the sake of a promise.

Of course, whatever choice she makes, no one will be disappointed, and they will give her more understanding and tolerance.

After all, she was only three years old.

Liang Zhe watched his daughter's retreating figure, his heart filled with tenderness. She was still so young, so adorable, and should have been playing carefree under her parents' care, instead of imposing strict demands on herself, prematurely losing her innocence, and bearing the weight of promises.

There's still a long time ahead of her; she can grow up and learn at her own pace.

The adults stood silently by, waiting for Tian Tian's decision. The ducklings' quacking was crisp and melodious, full of childlike allure, enough to soften any child's heart.

After a few seconds of silence, Sweetie suddenly raised her head, her two pigtails swaying as she puffed out her little chest.

She stretched out her little hand, pointing towards the test field under the blue sky, her tone childish yet full of spirit.

"No! Sweetie needs to study hard now! She needs to build missiles with Grandpa Qian, the uncles and aunts, she can't always play with you!"

But then she squatted down again, reluctantly stroking each of the ducklings' fluffy heads. "But you're all Sweetie's good friends. I promise you, Sweetie will come to see you whenever I have time! Pinky promise!"

After saying that, she seemed to have made a major decision, let out a long sigh of relief, turned around and ran back to Professor Qian's side, taking his hand proactively. "Grandpa Qian, I've finished talking to the ducklings. Let's go eat! After dinner, Tian Tian will learn how to build missiles with Grandpa!"