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

The return to Beijing was thus arranged. Commander Liu personally dispatched a special plane. Zheng Hong prepared ore samples, meticulously took photographs, and drew a map of the ore veins, packing everything into his toolbox.

At everyone's repeated requests, Professor Qian changed into a white shirt that he almost never wore, with a half-new Lenin suit over it, and his hair was neatly combed.

Having shed the dust and sand of the Gobi Desert, he appeared elegant, refined, and composed. It was as if the top professor who once spoke eloquently and brilliantly at the world's highest scientific research forums had returned.

Sweetie was given a makeover by the aunties at the base. They found some fabric they had hidden away and quickly made her a pretty little dress with a cardigan over it.

Considering that it was early summer in the capital, they even found leather and made her a pair of small sandals with buckles.

In addition, everyone used silk flowers to braid her hair and sewed pretty little bows on her collar and cuffs. Upon closer inspection, she looked no different from the girls in the city.

"Sweetie is so pretty!" the aunties exclaimed sincerely.

Aunt Li Guihua took out a clean canvas bag, which was already filled with all sorts of snacks that everyone had brought. Liang Zhe reached in and found a thick stack of grain coupons and money tucked away in the crevice.

"Sister Li, I can't accept this." He quickly declined.

"This is just a small token of everyone's appreciation," Li Guihua said with a smile, declining the offer. "Everyone knows Tiantian is going to the capital, so we have to give her a proper send-off. The city is much bigger than the town, and things are more expensive there."

"Aunt Li, Tian Tian will bring you a gift!" Tian Tian said sensibly.

Li Guihua was even happier. "My dear baby, Auntie doesn't need your gift. Your fun is Auntie's greatest gift."

The people who came to see her off all smiled and nodded.

Professor Qian shook hands with Commander Liu, Chief Designer Wang, and others, still preoccupied with the research project. Chief Designer Wang sighed, "Professor Qian, you'll only be gone for a few days. There won't be any problems at home. Trust me."

This finally persuaded Professor Qian to board the plane.

Holding Liang Zhe, Tian Tian saw a majestic large aircraft parked on the tarmac in the distance as soon as they stepped out of the base gate.

The helicopter the little girl had seen before spewed terrifying flames and crashed into a pile of scrap metal. This private jet was the first time she had ever seen one.

She asked excitedly, "Daddy, is Sweetie going to ride in a big airplane?"

"Yes, let's go together and fly to Beijing."

"Wow! That's amazing! Sweetie has never been on an airplane before!"

The little girl danced with joy, her eyes sparkling. Seeing his daughter so happy, Liang Zhe was also very happy.

But suddenly, a feeling of sorrow and parting welled up in his heart. If only his wife could see this scene, or if he could take his daughter and go back to visit his family like Professor Qian, how wonderful that would be...

But under the watchful eyes of his daughter and those around him, he couldn't show the sadness in his heart. He composed himself, waved to everyone, and carried Tian Tian onto the plane.

The last to board was Song Dazhuang. He was responsible for protecting Qian Lao's safety and also for escorting everyone. Therefore, he was the only one with a serious expression. He secretly touched the weapon he was carrying in his pocket before bidding farewell to everyone.

The plane began to glide on the makeshift runway, and with a pull-up, it plunged into the clouds.

For the first time in her life, Tian Tian watched the white clouds drift by and felt as if she were flying among them.

The high-altitude air pressure didn't give the little girl a headache or ringing in her ears; on the contrary, she was very excited and full of energy throughout, feeling both thrilled and happy.

However, there was one thing she did exceptionally well: she noticed that Grandpa Qian remained seated, his notebook open, intently calculating something. Sweetie swallowed back all her questions, afraid of disturbing Grandpa Qian.

Zheng Hong is also conducting his own research. Both of these top scientists in academia are highly self-disciplined, diligent, and hardworking, never missing any opportunity to learn and delve into their fields.

Gradually, Tian Tian was also influenced by her two elders. She stopped chirping like a happy little bird and instead pressed herself against the porthole, tracing the shapes of white clouds with her little fingers and recalling the math problems that Aunt Zhang Zhixiu had taught her.

After a flight of more than three hours, the plane made a stop to refuel and then took off again, finally landing at a military airport in the western suburbs of Beijing at 10:30 a.m.

Vehicles were already waiting at the airport. A lieutenant colonel in his forties quickly approached Professor Qian and saluted: "Professor Qian, you must be tired from your journey. I am Zhao Zhifeng from the Headquarters Security Bureau, responsible for your security during your stay in Beijing."

Professor Qian and Zheng Hong are both important talents of the country, especially Professor Qian. Even if he is visiting relatives privately, his safety must not be compromised in any way.

Professor Qian understood, and returned the greeting, saying, "Thank you for your trouble."

"Of course." Zhao Zhifeng turned to Zheng Hong. "Professor Zheng, the Geological Research Institute's vehicle is waiting for you over there. As per your request, the laboratory is ready and can begin testing at any time."

Zheng Hong refused his assistant's offer to help him carry the sample boxes and said to Zhao Zhifeng, "Let's go now, the sooner the better."

"Isn't Grandpa Zheng going to play with us?" Tian Tian asked, looking up.

Zheng Hong smiled and squatted down, affectionately patting Tian Tian's head: "Sweetie, Grandpa Zheng has important work to do. After I finish, I'll take you to eat Peking duck in Beijing."

Just as the group was about to get into their cars, Zhao Zhifeng's walkie-talkie rang. After answering, his expression changed slightly, and he quickly walked to Professor Qian's side, lowering his voice to say, "Professor Qian, I'm sorry, I just received a notice from my superiors that the leader requests your presence at Xihua Hall."

Xihua Hall was the meeting place for national dignitaries. Professor Qian, not expecting to be summoned so soon after returning to Beijing, asked, "What did the leader say?"

"To be honest, Professor Anlip from the United States led a small delegation to visit us to discuss defense cooperation between the two countries, hoping that we will purchase their missile technology. It just so happens that you are back in Beijing, and the leader hopes that you can attend."

Professor Enlip was a world-renowned expert in rockets and aerodynamics, and also Professor Qian's mentor during his studies in the United States. Later, due to Professor Qian's outstanding talent and his independent completion of many cutting-edge projects, the two gradually developed a collaborative relationship that was both teacher and friend.

After completing his studies, Professor Qian was eager to return to his motherland, but he was forcibly detained by the United States. Thanks to Professor Anlip's mediation and secret assistance, the two formed a deep friendship.

However, both sides had their bottom lines that were non-negotiable from a national perspective. Enlip hoped Professor Qian would stay and serve in the United States, while Professor Qian, with a patriotic heart, was determined to return to his country and serve it, willing to forgo the generous offers from the United States. This led to a heated argument between the two, ultimately ending in a bitter parting.

Unexpectedly, years later, Anlip personally led a team to visit. On the surface, it was to sell technology, but in reality, it was another form of technology extortion—demanding exorbitant fees without teaching the core technology. If Great Xia refused to compromise, the Eagle Kingdom might take extreme measures.

Professor Qian was fully aware of this, but he hadn't expected the timing to be so coincidental—he ran into Anlip as soon as he returned to Beijing. He also knew that, in terms of technical skills and expertise, no one in the country was more suitable to take the lead than him.

He immediately nodded: "Okay, let's go to Xihua Hall first."

Because of this incident, Liang Zhe lost interest in taking Tian Tian shopping and decided to find a guesthouse to settle down first.

Zhao Zhifeng said, "Commander Liang, a guesthouse near Xihua Hall has been arranged. The conditions there are quite good. Here is my contact information. Call me anytime if you need anything. Also..." He handed over an envelope, "Special approval from headquarters for the child's expenses in Beijing."

Liang Zhe opened it and found a stack of national grain coupons and cash inside, a considerable sum. He wanted to refuse, but Zhao Zhifeng waved his hand: "This is what the commander told me to give to the children. You've worked hard on the front lines; now that you're back in the rear, the children should have a better life."

Liang Zhe couldn't refuse, so he had to accept it. Everyone got into their cars. Zheng Hong headed straight for the Geological Research Institute, while Professor Qian and Song Dazhuang's cars drove towards Xihua Hall.