Civil Engineering in the Mortal World: Ten Years Without Knowing Today's Events

Around 9 a.m., the third-party assessment team arrived. There were two people: one was in his forties, surnamed Zheng, wearing glasses and speaking slowly and deliberately; the other was younger, carrying an instrument case, and followed behind without saying a word.

Engineer Zheng walked up and down the slope twice, squatted next to the crack for a long time, climbed to the top of the slope and walked back and forth several times, and finally stood by the foundation pit, took out his notebook and wrote a few pages.

"Engineer Chen," he closed his notebook, "this slope of yours, the problem isn't too big, but it's not small either."

"What do you mean?"

"The geological conditions themselves are fine; the problem is mainly the water. The water pipes are leaking, the soil is soaked, and the parameters have changed." He adjusted his glasses. "Let me put it this way: the slope is stable now, but uneven. If it's not dealt with, another heavy rain, or if something is piled up on the top of the slope, it could slide at any time."

"How long will it take to process?"

"The design will take one week, construction will take one week, and it will be completed in two weeks."

Two weeks. I did the math in my head. Two weeks of work stoppage, plus the few days already stopped before, it's been almost three weeks.

"Engineer Zheng, can you expedite the process of developing the solution?"

"Five days at the fastest." He glanced at me, "but I can't guarantee the quality. You tell me to hurry, so I'll show you quickly. If there are any problems, don't blame me."

I understand what he means. Problems have already arisen, and if the reinforcement process is handled carelessly again, someone will have to take responsibility if something goes wrong.

I didn't urge them anymore.

After they left, I stood at the bottom of the slope, looking at the crack. The warning tape fluttered in the wind, the red ribbons snapping loudly. The workers watched from afar, but no one came over. Old Wang squatted on the steel bars in the east section, holding a binding wire in his hand, not twisting it, just squatting there.

My phone vibrated. It was a message from Lao Hu.

"Has the assessment team arrived yet?"

"It's here. It should be ready in two weeks."

"Two weeks," Old Hu replied with two words, and then said nothing more.

I know what he's thinking. Two weeks of work stoppage, a two-week delay in the project, gives the client even more reason to replace him. The bidding results aren't out yet, but the outcome is actually predictable.

I put my phone in my pocket and walked back to my office. Xiao Liu was organizing documents; she looked up when she saw me come in.

"Brother Chen, how long will it take for the slope to heal?"

"Two weeks."

"Can we keep going until then?"

"have no idea."

Xiao Liu lowered his head and continued organizing the documents. His fingers typed slowly on the keyboard, as if he had to think long and hard for each word.

In the afternoon, I received a phone call. It was from an unknown number, a local number.

"Hello, is this Chen Mu?"

"Yes, that's me. And who are you?"

"I am Lu Hui's mother. This is the phone number Aunt Wang gave me."

I was taken aback. It was Xiaohui's mother. "Hello, Auntie."

"Chen Mu, I'd like to meet with you, is that convenient?"

"Convenient. When?"

Are you free this afternoon?

"have."

After hanging up the phone, I told Xiao Liu and rode my electric bike to the county town.

There is a small park downstairs from Xiaohui's house, with a few stone benches and a few trees.

When I arrived, a woman in her fifties was already sitting on the stone bench. She had short hair, dressed simply, and was carrying a cloth bag. Xiao Hui looked like her; her face shape and eyes were similar, but her eyes weren't empty; they held an indescribable weariness.

"Aunt."

She stood up and looked at me. "Chen Mu? Sit down."

I sat down. She sat opposite me, with the cloth bag on her lap and her hands resting on it.

"Chen Mu, I won't beat around the bush with you." She looked me in the eyes. "What are your thoughts on Xiao Hui's matter?"

I opened my mouth, but didn't know what to say.

"You've seen her a few times, and you've even taken her home to meet your parents. If you don't think it's right, just say so. We won't hold you back. If you do think it's right, give us a straight answer." Her voice was calm, but her fingers were clenched tightly on the cloth bag.

"Auntie, I think Xiaohui is pretty good."

"That's good, so is it okay or not?"

"OK."

She looked at me for a few seconds, then slowly loosened her grip.

"So when do you plan to do it?"

"Auntie, something happened at the construction site, so work has to stop. I'll wait until I'm done with this..."

"How long until you finish this busy period?" she interrupted me. "Chen Mu, I'm not rushing you. I'm Xiao Hui's mother, and she's my only daughter. She's not very bright, but she's my flesh and blood. I'm afraid she'll be wronged, and I'm afraid she'll be deceived. You're an honest man, I can tell. But if you haven't thought it through, don't hold her back."

"Auntie, I won't hold her back."

"Then give me a specific date."

I paused for a few seconds. The provincial capital project was scheduled to start on October 8th. I estimated the time it would take to settle in, "Mid-October. Is that alright?"

She looked into my eyes for a long time. "Okay. I'll wait for your news."

She stood up and slung the cloth bag over her arm. "Chen Mu, let me tell you the truth. Xiao Hui's father isn't in good health either. We're both afraid that one day he'll pass away, and Xiao Hui will be all alone. We're not trying to pressure you, we just can't afford to wait."

"Auntie, I know." Actually, my dad is in the same situation. Sigh, I can only sigh silently to myself.

She nodded, turned, and walked away. After a few steps, she turned back. "Xiao Hui has been talking about you a lot these past few days, saying that Brother Chen is too busy to come see her. If you're really busy, just give her a call or a message. She's been waiting for you."

I stood there, watching her figure disappear into the doorway of the stairwell.

My phone vibrated. It was a voice message from Xiaohui.

I clicked on it.

"Brother Chen, the strawberries aren't sweet today."

The voice was still soft, but it carried a hint of grievance.

I pressed the voice button and said, "I'll buy you something sweet next time."

Send it out.

My eyes started to sting for no reason. It was probably because I hadn't had enough rest these past few days. So I got on my electric scooter and headed to the construction site.

When I returned to the construction site, the sun was already setting. I went into my office, sat down, opened the slope improvement plan, and continued writing.

I was halfway through writing when my phone vibrated again. It was a message from Lao Hu.

"The bidding results are in."

I stared at those four words, my hand hovering above the keyboard, for five seconds.

Did you win?

"Did not win."

Two words. I read it twice. As expected, no miracle happened.

I put my phone on the table, leaned back in my chair in silence, my mind blank, and my body felt inexplicably tired. It seemed I needed to rest, but where would I find the time to rest?

Outside the window, the tower crane was still turning. The boom moved from east to west, a bundle of steel pipes hanging from the wire rope, moving slowly, like someone who didn't know where they were going.

I picked up my phone and sent a message to Lao Hu.

"understood."

Send it out.

Then I continued writing the rectification plan.

My fingers tapped on the keyboard, typing each word one by one.

We can only rush to resolve the support issue now, otherwise, if it drags on for too long, Lao Hu's provincial capital project won't wait for anyone.