“Oh, Qin Nancheng, huh.”
Lin Xiwei couldn’t help pursing her lips. She turned and shouted loudly:
“Grandpa, a call from Phoenix Island!”
In the past, whenever Qin Nancheng had questions or needed consultation, he either called, wrote letters, or sent telegrams. Whoever at Lin Mansion picked up the phone would always report, “A call from Phoenix Island.”
That’s why Lin Xiwei had envelopes with Qin Nancheng’s signature—they were from previous correspondence.
However, they were all just consultation letters.
For example, if a new model of fighter jet had just been imported, the related materials needed translation.
Or, if a precision machine had just arrived from Germany, the on-site installation instructions needed translating.
Or, if some large confidential equipment was about to be put into production, the related materials also required precise translation.
And so on.
Qin Nancheng would secretly hire Lin Weixin as a consultant because of his high accuracy.
This kind of translation couldn’t afford mistakes—even one wrongly installed part could force the entire production line to be reviewed from scratch.
Without strong professional knowledge, there was no way to handle translations in these niche fields.
Lin Xiwei, having grown up alongside her grandfather, had practiced translating these materials since she was a child.
In recent years, although the letters from Qin Nancheng were signed by Lin Weixin, in reality, Lin Xiwei had done all the work.
Today, she happened to pass by the phone, happened to pick it up, and happened to get Qin Nancheng on the line.
“Xiwei, I’m calling you, not your grandfather.”
Qin Nancheng’s voice was deep and resonant, flowing through the receiver like a cello melody, tinged with unexpected tenderness:
“I’ve been attending special training here, and I heard from your Second Uncle that your father passed away unexpectedly. I’m sorry I couldn’t be there by your side.”
Lin Xiwei froze. Second Uncle? Which one? She had no memory of him.
There had been too many guests at the funeral, and as the eldest daughter in mourning attire, Lin Xiwei had been bowing all day—she hadn’t distinguished who was who.
Qin Nancheng had gone to the trouble of calling just to say this? Oh, that was unnecessary!
“It’s fine, your duties are important.” Lin Xiwei replied with utmost gentleness and understanding.
There was a brief silence on the other end before he continued: “From now on, this might become routine. My schedule is completely confidential.”
In short, Qin Nancheng came and went as he pleased and couldn’t, and wouldn’t, disclose mission details to his wife.
“I understand, completely. Don’t worry, I’m very broad-minded and prepared for this.”
Lin Xiwei thought, I’ll have my own work in the future; I won’t keep all my attention on you.
Qin Nancheng chuckled softly from the other end—a surprisingly pleasant sound: “Mm, you really are broad-minded.”
The next second, a hurried report came through the line: “Report! It crashed! Another [H-6] crashed…”
Slap!
Qin Nancheng hung up.
Lin Xiwei didn’t blame him. In this era, it was top secret.
The [H-6] had been continuously upgraded and modified since the day “Sixth Master” (the plane) was introduced.
During the late ’70s and early ’80s, every modified version of the Sixth Master took multiple test flights—and multiple crashes. Some didn’t even reach the runway before going down.
During this period, the brave pilots who perished for their country were memorialized with row upon row of tombstones.
…
Lin Xiwei went to the basement darkroom to develop the photos she had taken, her mind repeatedly returning to the words: “It crashed! Another one crashed…”
“Qin Nancheng went to lead a test flight?” She bit her lip anxiously.
“Tsk, I hope nothing goes wrong… In my previous life, he died young, giving his life for the country.”
Lin Xiwei had suffered until she was 84 in her last life; she couldn’t clearly recall exactly when Qin Nancheng had died.
The more she thought about it, the more worried she became. She murmured: “You absolutely cannot have any accidents. Since we’re already engaged, I really don’t want to be widowed.”
At that moment, Qin Nancheng was at a secret base somewhere in the northwest desert, leading a test flight of the new [H-6 Modification].
Even at nine o’clock in the evening, the area was as bright as daytime.
Engineers around the runway held notebooks, craning their necks in anticipation.
The runway was cleared by the maintenance vehicles.
The striking lemon-yellow test plane slowly taxied, then lifted its nose wheel after some distance, accelerating steadily into the sunset glow.
Around the runway, the engineers clenched their teeth, eyes fixed on the Sixth Master’s heroic flight, terrified of another crash.
Time passed second by second. After completing the test maneuvers, Sixth Master slowly flew back, preparing to land.
Everyone’s hearts were lifted straight to their throats!
The previous aircraft hadn’t even made it onto the runway before crashing.
The rescue personnel sent out earlier still hadn’t returned…
Now, the aircraft led by Qin Nancheng reached the most difficult stage once again—landing.
As the saying goes, takeoff is easy, landing is hard.
Especially for a test aircraft.
Under countless anxious gazes, the lemon-yellow test plane lowered its altitude steadily—
5,000… 3,000… 1,000…
The rear landing gear deployed smoothly, but the front landing gear suddenly jammed!
With no other choice, Qin Nancheng commanded the crew:
“Go around!”
In the observation area around the runway, engineers grabbed their hair in frustration:
“Why won’t the landing gear come down?! It’s just the landing gear, not some high-end technical problem—how can it refuse to deploy?!”
Someone beside him hurried to comfort him: “It’s a test aircraft—normal, normal. Any accident is normal.”
The engineer still stomped his feet angrily: “This problem isn’t high-end at all, not scientific at all—hmph!”
…
Fortunately.
After going around once more, Sixth Master landed successfully!
The entire crowd around the runway erupted, waving their red-star caps and shouting at the top of their lungs:
“It worked! It finally worked!”
Ground crew members grabbed their equipment and sprinted over.
The cabin door opened, and Qin Nancheng led the crew out.
In the thin dusk light, the six crew members led by Qin Nancheng became the only heroes in nearly three months to land safely and successfully!
Everyone who had worked on the H-6 modification rushed toward one another in shared triumph.
An engineer excitedly shouted instructions: “Where’s the banner? Hurry and hang up the banner! And flowers—get some flowers for Captain Qin too!”
After countless days and nights of grinding effort, they had finally achieved a successful test flight.
The data preserved from this aircraft would be milestone-level material for the researchers.
Every test flight produced data that became critical parameters for the next one.
Today, Qin Nancheng’s team had obtained nearly a full set of parameters—an outstanding contribution to scientific research.
The senior leader was also thrilled and stepped forward, pounding Qin Nancheng’s solid chest hard:
“Excellent! A young hero indeed! This collective first-class merit must be reported for you!”
Baturu, standing nearby, couldn’t resist mouthing off: “Young hero? He’s almost thirty already!”
Qin Nancheng kicked him: “Get lost!”
A group of rough men laughed and horsed around, the tension completely dissipating.
The military reporter was equally excited and called out: “Hold up the banner—let’s take a big group photo!”
Qin Nancheng and the others immediately pulled out dark sunglasses and put them on, then casually donned cotton masks as well—special identities, confidentiality required.
Even with his handsome face completely covered, Qin Nancheng still stood out in the crowd, his bearing unmistakably striking.
…
Lin Xiwei stayed up until midnight and finally finished developing the entire stack of photos.
She slept in until the afternoon to make up for it.
What was bound to come finally arrived!
Lin Haojie came swaggering to the Lin residence with Fu Cuilian and Lin Juying.
Two comrades from the Public Security Bureau followed behind them—old acquaintances as well.
“Where’s Lin Xiwei? Tell her to get out here!” Fu Cuilian’s voice was shrill. When she saw Lin Xiwei coming down the stairs, tears instantly poured out:
“My Yulan’s face was smashed to pieces—was it you?!”
Lin Xiwei yawned as she slowly descended the stairs, still a bit sleepy:
“Lin Yulan is dead. What does that have to do with me?”
“Hmph, it must have been you who harmed my Yulan!” Fu Cuilian pointed at Lin Xiwei with absolute certainty and scolded,
“Don’t think you can fool me. The treasures from Haojie’s basement—you and Aunt Wang moved them together! My Yulan was the witness. You killed her to silence her, didn’t you?!”
She suddenly turned her head toward the two officers and began crying, making a scene and threatening suicide:
“Cuff Lin Xiwei! You must cuff her and sentence her to death! Otherwise—otherwise I’ll smash my head against this pillar and die!”