Shudu Aircraft Research Institute, Family Compound.
Dean Shen Lingfei, getting on in years, had held a meeting at the institute the previous day and stayed up late reviewing documents. So, when he woke up that morning, he still felt a slight headache.
Eating a bowl of millet porridge prepared by the nanny, paired with some pickled vegetables, he was mulling over yesterday’s documents when his phone rang nearby.
“Hm?”
Shen Lingfei looked up sharply, noticing the ringtone was different. It was the secure phone’s ringtone.
As the dean of the Shudu Aircraft Research Institute, he naturally had two phones: one for daily contact with friends and family, and one for work communications.
The one ringing now was the secure work phone.
Taking the phone from the nanny, Shen Lingfei answered without checking the number.
“Hello! This is Shen Lingfei!”
On the other side, the nanny, who had passed the security clearance, tactfully left the room, closing the door behind her.
“Dean! Something big happened! Someone sent a huge thing to our institute!”
“What? A huge thing?” Shen Lingfei frowned. “Old Liu, when did you start talking so vaguely? What are you on about?”
“Heh heh!”
On the other end was Liu Zhenhua, the deputy dean, usually a reserved man who rarely smiled. But now, even over the phone, Shen Lingfei could picture his grin.
“Come quick. Someone sent us an F35.”
“What did you say?” Shen Lingfei was utterly baffled.
“Just come, you’ll see. I’m just letting you know to hurry up.”
Before Shen Lingfei could respond, the call ended with Liu Zhenhua’s laughter echoing.
Shen Lingfei: ???
“What’s Old Liu up to?”
Shen Lingfei was completely confused, unable to make sense of Liu Zhenhua’s words.
A huge thing!
Someone sent it!
An F35!
Someone sent the Shudu Aircraft Research Institute a Lighthouse Nation F35 fighter jet?
Hahaha!
What a great joke!
Shen Lingfei shook his head, chuckling, thinking perhaps some department had obtained F35 schematics.
That was the only explanation.
He wasn’t in a rush. China had long achieved military self-reliance. F35 technology was nice to reference, but not essential.
Unhurriedly, he sipped another bowl of millet porridge and ate a red bean bun before gathering last night’s documents and calculations. He called his driver and headed to the institute.
“Hm?”
Just past the gate, sitting in the back of the car, Shen Lingfei adjusted his glasses, puzzled. “Why are there so many soldiers?”
The driver shook his head. “No idea. Is a leader coming to inspect today?”
“No notice about that,” Shen Lingfei said, frowning in displeasure. “What’s going on? Why wasn’t I informed?”
As the dean, how could he not know about so many people showing up at the institute that morning?
The car stopped at the main building. As Shen Lingfei got out, Liu Zhenhua hurried over.
“Old Liu! What’s the situation?” Shen Lingfei demanded.
“Why are you so late? Come with me!” Liu Zhenhua grabbed him, heading to the back courtyard.
“What’s this about?” Shen Lingfei said as they walked. “After yesterday’s meeting, I had new ideas, stayed up half the night reviewing documents and doing calculations, planning to continue this morning. Where are you taking me?”
“The back courtyard basketball court!”
“What are you playing basketball for this early? And since when do you even play… My heavens, what is that?”
Liu Zhenhua rolled his eyes. “An F35! Didn’t I tell you on the phone?”
Shen Lingfei snapped, “You said nonsense! How was I supposed to understand? Where did this come from?”
“How would I know? The cleaning staff found it first thing this morning!”
Without waiting for Liu Zhenhua to say more, Shen Lingfei excitedly jogged to the fighter jet.
“It’s not even complete? Was it cut by a laser? Who has the skill to get one of these and bring it back? They even included a few missiles. How thoughtful!”
Shen Lingfei circled it, muttering, then froze, letting out a roar. “Who’s the blasted fool who cut right through the avionics system? This is an absolute crime!”
…
“Achoo!”
Lu Zheng sneezed. “What’s that? Someone cursing me behind my back?”
As a cultivator, Lu Zheng was immune to illness and evil. Only one thing could make him sneeze: someone cursing him!
Lu Zheng sniffed.
“Ugh, too bad. I wanted to try Shudu’s hotpot and see the pandas. But alone, it’s no fun. I’ll come with Lin Wan next month for National Day.”
His thoughts turned to the plane.
Lu Zheng smiled with satisfaction. “They’ll definitely thank me… Achoo!”
…
Haicheng.
Lu Zheng returned, still carrying Liu Qingyan’s fragrance.
Stretching comfortably, he changed out of his ancient attire, took a bath, and slipped into modern clothes.
“Hey!”
Lin Wan’s slightly excited voice came through the phone. “Lu Zheng! You’re back?”
“Back. Where are you?” Lu Zheng asked.
“On my way to work.”
Lu Zheng blinked, remembering it wasn’t the weekend. “Alright, I just got home. You busy lately? Lunch together?”
“Probably not. A foreign colleague is coming this morning, likely lunch too.”
“Oh? Another case?”
“Yeah,” Lin Wan said. “But this time, the suspect’s in Haicheng, so no travel.”
“Tsk tsk, financial case again?”
“How’d you know?”
“What else would it be in Haicheng? Counterfeit goods?”
“Hee hee, something like that,” Lin Wan laughed. “Gotta go, I’m at the office.”
“Alright.”
Lu Zheng hung up, stepped outside, and his phone pinged with a WeChat message.
“Mr. Lu, got a moment for a call?”
It was Du Lin, the owner of Wanren Ancient Sword Hall.
Lu Zheng called back.
“Hey, Mr. Du?”
“Morning, Mr. Lu!” Du Lin greeted. “You free today? Lunch together?”
“Something up, Mr. Du?”
“Nothing major. There’s an event in the circle, a full-armour combat match with some Japanese folks,” Du Lin said.
“Full-armour combat?”
“Yeah. Mr. Lu, you’re a fan of ancient weapons, and Mr. Zhao says you wield them with flair, a real expert. He asked me to see if you’re interested in joining. Even if you don’t fight, you can watch.”
Lu Zheng blinked, suddenly intrigued.
