94: From Technological Warfare to Space Empire

Lin Yu pondered for a moment, but instead of going into the core details, he simply summarized it in plain language:

"It's just that I changed the material to make the stool. The book uses wood, but I used bamboo. There's nothing to brag about."

He deliberately spoke vaguely, neither revealing his research direction nor completely discouraging Yang Jia's interest.

He could never say under what circumstances the hardness and flexibility of specially made aluminum alloys could match those of low-carbon steel, a crucial factor.

Sure enough, after hearing this, Yang Jia's gaze became even more probing:

"That sounds impressive. I've heard that Europe and America are all developing slat wings, but they're not going down this path. Mr. Lin, do you think we can pull it off domestically?"

"Why not?"

Lin Yu raised his eyes, his gaze sharp:

"Scientific research is about finding the right direction, not blindly following trends. The success of Europe and America is because they chose the right path, but that doesn't mean there's only one path."

"Has Mr. Lin found the right direction?"

As soon as Lin Yu finished speaking, Yang Jia quickly followed up with more questions.

Xu Haoxiang, oblivious to the underlying meaning, even chimed in from the side:

"Of course! Lin Yu is the smartest person in our department, he'll definitely find a way!"

Lin Yu smiled, but instead of responding directly, he changed the subject:

"I heard Miss Yang helped Haoxiang pay off his gambling debts? Haoxiang is so lucky to have met you."

Yang Jia's smile froze for a moment, then returned to normal:

"Haoxiang and I are truly in love, so it's only right that I help him out."

"Since you truly love each other, Miss Yang must also hope that Haoxiang can become a better person, right?"

Lin Yu looked at her and spoke frankly:

"Haoxiang is very interested in the aerospace field, but his basic knowledge is a bit lacking. I can teach him more in the future."

"However, I have recently shifted my main research focus to artificial intelligence, so I'm afraid I won't be researching rockets and satellites for the time being."

"Even artificial intelligence research lacks hardware. For example, Intel's Pentium 75 CPU is simply unavailable. Not only is it expensive, but you also need specific tickets to buy it."

"I'm pausing my research now, and I'm planning to go work for a company in a few days."

He deliberately brought up the CPU issue, partly because he genuinely needed it, and partly to see Yang Jia's reaction when he heard that he wasn't researching rockets and satellites.

He himself was poor, but he didn't mind spending the spy's money to get some good stuff.

Upon hearing this, Yang Jia didn't hesitate or pretend he hadn't heard of it before, and immediately replied:

"A Besturn 75? I know someone who can get his hands on one, and the receipts aren't a problem."

Seeing that Lin Yu had made his request, Yang Jia showed no displeasure whatsoever. He seemed to be thinking something, and then said:

"As long as Mr. Lin is willing to teach Haoxiang properly, I'll help you get him."

"Research can't be paused; working for a company won't allow you to serve your country!"

Lin Yu's heart sank. This woman did care whether he did research or not, but she didn't care much about rockets and satellites. So what was her real purpose?

They even said they could get him the CPU, which would cost at least 6,000 yuan! You know, Xu Haoxiang, that deadbeat simp, only offered 3000 yuan.

Lin Yu remained expressionless:

"Thank you very much, Miss Yang. However, this thing is quite expensive, so I can't just take it for free. If there's a chance in the future, I can explain the basic applications of artificial intelligence to you."

"Thank you in advance, Mr. Lin."

Yang Jia smiled, her eyes crinkling, picked up her wine glass, stood up and bowed, seemingly forgetting to cover her chest with her hands. She held the glass with both hands, revealing a patch of white skin, and bowed to toast Lin Yu.

At the dinner table, Xu Haoxiang was so engrossed in whispering to Yang Jia that he completely failed to notice the undercurrents between them.

While dealing with Yang Jia's various probing attempts, Lin Yu also kept an eye on his surroundings.

He noticed that the two men at the next table kept looking in his direction, and their gazes would become particularly focused whenever Yang Jia asked a question, as if they were eavesdropping.

Halfway through the conversation, Lin Yu excused himself to go to the restroom and got up to leave the room.

Just as I reached the corner of the corridor, I saw a man in a black coat following me.

Lin Yu didn't stop walking. After turning into the restroom, he didn't use the toilet and deliberately lingered there for several minutes, taking far longer than the average person would need to use the restroom.

After coming out, Lin Yu stood by the sink and slowly washed his hands. Just then, the man emerged from the stall in the private bathroom, rubbed his stomach, and smiled and nodded at Lin Yu.

Lin Yu sneered inwardly. What a coincidence that you came out just as I came out. You were also spacing out in the cubicle?

After returning to the dinner table, Lin Yu did not discuss technical topics with Yang Jia again.

Every time Yang Jia opened his mouth, Lin Yu would laugh it off and brush it off.

Gradually, all the dishes we ordered were served.

The restaurant served a full range of famous dishes, including Zilong's Robe Removal, Braised Pork Tendon in Milk Broth, the restaurant's signature dish - Spicy and Sour Pork Tripe Tips with Wheat Ear Flower Knife, Dong'an Chicken from the Founding Fathers' Banquet, and Steamed Assorted Cured Meats.

While eating, Lin Yu observed that Yang Jia had an excellent appetite, but he didn't eat a single bite of the Dong'an chicken and the steamed preserved meat.

Lin Yu, who was already somewhat suspicious, became even more so. Not eating chicken could be explained by taste, but with twelve dishes on the table, why didn't you eat two of the dishes from the Yuanxun Banquet?

A spy...a spy...who could it be?

Only by finding the source of the spies can we find the right solution.

After a couple more bites of food, Lin Yu had an idea. He cleared his throat and spoke:

"Let's not talk about those dry, boring things while we're eating. Let's talk about something else."

"None of us are religious, right?"

Xu Haoxiang tore off a chicken leg and put it in Yang Jia's bowl. Yang Jia then turned his chopsticks upside down and put the chicken leg back into Xu Haoxiang's bowl.

When Lin Yu asked the question, both of them shook their heads.

Europe, America, and Russia are all religious countries. Since Yang Jia claims he is not religious, let's start with a hellish joke:

"Once upon a time, a white thief complained to a priest that he had wished God for a new bicycle, but the Lord did not grant his wish. How could the Lord be omnipotent?"

"Guess what the priest said?"

Xu Haoxiang happily ate the chicken leg that Yang Jia had placed on his plate, while Yang Jia pondered deeply and wiped his chopsticks with a tissue.

"Would the priest say it was because he wasn't devout enough?"

Lin Yu smiled and shook his head:

"No."

The priest said: "You did it wrong. You should steal a bicycle, then pray that the Lord will forgive you and that Jesus will atone for your sins."

After speaking, Lin Yu carefully observed Yang Jia's expression. Her beautiful face did not furrow her brows or show any dissatisfaction; instead, she smiled without any hesitation.

"Hahaha, you're so funny."

Yang Jia smiled and wiped away her tears, not seeming to have any grudges.

Hmm...it seems he's definitely not a believer, Lin Yu thought to himself.

At that time, the European and American people were still devout Christians, and even if the spies of these two countries could restrain their dissatisfaction, they would not be laughing like this.

However, we cannot completely rule out the possibility that Yang Jia was sent by Europe or America. What if Yang Jia is the kind of person who does not believe in religion?

However, thanks to the information explosion of later generations, Lin Yu has a lot of hellish jokes in reserve. Even if he can't come up with religious jokes, he has other ways to try slowly.

Lin Yu raised his glass and clinked it with Yang Jia's. Yang Jia didn't have much wine in his glass, so he tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp, but a few drops still slid down the corner of his mouth and dripped onto his chest.

Seeing Lin Yu looking at her, Yang Jia looked shy and timid, but did not avoid him. She took a tissue and wiped her chest, drawing Lin Yu's gaze in that direction.

Xu Haoxiang was still serving up the milk soup with tendons and didn't notice Yang Jia's actions.

...

Lin Yu was speechless at Yang Jia's actions.

She has a high fever. Which country could she be in with such a high fever?