Chapter 28: The Turmoil on the Bus

Hearing Liang Hongjun’s question, Zhao Guoyang scratched his head and explained, “It’s actually nothing special. I majored in mechanical design at university—that’s the strongest program at our school.”

“Minister Liang, Minister Wang, you’re both experts in the field, so you must have heard of Dean Mao Tiansheng from the School of Mechanical Engineering at Jinling University of Technology? I’m one of his students. I often got foreign journals from him to read, so I picked up quite a bit…”

“Ah, Dean Mao Tiansheng! That explains it,” Liang Hongjun said in realization when he heard the name.

“Dean Mao is a nationally renowned expert in the field of mechanical engineering. Last year, there was already a strong push for him to be inducted into the national academies. I’d wager his name is sure to be added to today’s list of new members. Little Zhao is Dean Mao’s student—it’s no wonder he’s so knowledgeable!”

Seeing that the two had bought his story, Zhao Guoyang finally let out a silent sigh of relief.

The truth was, neither the underbone frame technology nor the disc-spoke wheel technique had anything to do with Dean Mao; both were memories Zhao Guoyang brought with him from his previous life. But there was no other way—he could only use Dean Mao as a shield, or else they’d never stop pressing him with questions.

If he ever revealed his greatest secret, Zhao Guoyang was certain there would only be one outcome—being dissected and studied.

The meal lasted nearly two hours.

The three leaders of Sanyang Group didn’t drink much, since they had work in the afternoon—just about half a catty each. But Ma Jian and Zhao Guoyang drank quite a bit more. Especially Ma Jian, who not only toasted but also downed ten cups for the sake of sealing the order—altogether more than two catties.

Though he could really hold his liquor, even Ma Jian was reeling after all that. By the end of the banquet, he was barely able to stand.

Seeing his state, Liang Hongjun quickly had a word with the hotel staff and directly arranged rooms for both Ma Jian and Zhao Guoyang to rest. He also had someone fetch their luggage from the gatehouse.

Zhao Guoyang thanked them profusely before helping Ma Jian into the elevator.

Watching Zhao Guoyang’s retreating figure, a fleeting look of regret passed over Liang Hongjun’s face.

To him, it was a real pity not to have recruited a talent like Zhao Guoyang. But everyone has their ambitions, and Liang Hongjun knew some things just can’t be forced.

At the very least, with someone as capable as Xiao Zhao at Hongda Machinery, communications and technical coordination between the two sides would go much more smoothly.

...

The Sanyang Group’s internal hotel was quite impressive—no less grand than the Fuchun Hotel, the finest in Ninghai.

After they checked in, Zhao Guoyang and Ma Jian followed a staff member to their rooms. They had barely sat down before two young men delivered their luggage.

After drinking two large glasses of water, Zhao Guoyang was sobering up. Ma Jian, on the other hand, had drunk so much that he was already nodding off. He lay down and fell into a thunderous sleep almost immediately—no chance he’d be up before evening.

Once Zhao Guoyang had settled Ma Jian, he decided to take advantage of the free time to go for a walk.

He grabbed his keys and told the front desk staff, asking them for Liang Hongjun’s phone number before heading out.

At the factory gate, Zhao Guoyang ran into the same guard who had welcomed them earlier.

The guard recognized him and, seeing the boozy state he was in, gave a hearty laugh. “Young man, looks like our Sanyang Group folks really put you under the table at lunch, eh?”

Zhao Guoyang smiled wryly and nodded. “Yeah, I drank a fair bit. Couldn’t sleep, so I thought I’d get some fresh air.”

“This your first time in Yangcheng? Let me tell you some good places to check out—nothing like a bath to clear your head!” the guard grinned.

“No need for a bath—the hotel’s got that covered. But could you recommend a good shopping district? It’s not often I travel, so I’d like to bring back a few gifts for my younger siblings.”

“That’s easy—go to Zhongdan Mall!” the guard replied enthusiastically.

“Just take the No. 9 bus and get off at Zhongdan Station. It’s a famous commercial area here in Yangcheng. Not only do domestic tourists love it, but lots of foreigners come to shop there too.”

Grateful for the tip, Zhao Guoyang thanked him repeatedly.

Although he’d visited Yangcheng a few times before his rebirth, it was always for conferences or lectures, and he’d never had a chance to stroll the city’s commercial streets.

Now, in the early 1990s, Zhao Guoyang was determined to make up for that previous regret and truly experience this bustling metropolis.

...

Boarding the No. 9 bus, Zhao Guoyang found it mostly empty. He chose a seat at the very back and opened the window, letting the cool breeze wash over his face.

Though it was late autumn, there was no hint of chill in the southern city of Yangcheng. The wind on his face felt indescribably pleasant.

After a while, the fresh air cleared the last traces of alcohol from Zhao Guoyang’s mind and left him feeling refreshed.

“Next stop, Zhongdan Station! Passengers getting off, please be ready!” the conductor announced loudly in awkward Mandarin.

Hearing the name “Zhongdan,” Zhao Guoyang perked up at once. He quickly stood and made his way toward the door.

He had only taken a couple of steps, not yet reaching the door, when a woman’s shrill scream rang out: “Ah! Thief! He stole my wallet—it’s him!”

Following her pointing finger, Zhao Guoyang saw a short, shifty-looking man dashing toward the door.

The bus had just stopped and the door was open. In this era before surveillance cameras, if the thief got off the bus, he would vanish into the crowd and be almost impossible to catch.

The whole thing happened so fast and there weren’t many passengers. Before anyone could react, the thief had already grabbed the handrail by the door and was about to leap out.

But he was just a beat too slow. A large hand landed on his shoulder with a smack, holding him firmly in place.

“Hand over what you stole before you leave,” Zhao Guoyang said coldly, glaring at the thief.

“Damn it, let me go! Mind your own damn business!” the thief snarled, trying to shake him off.

But Zhao Guoyang’s grip was strong—the thief couldn’t break free and fear crept onto his face.

By then, the young woman whose wallet was stolen had run over and snatched it back from the thief’s hand.

Seeing that the matter was resolved, Zhao Guoyang didn’t pursue it further. He let go, allowing the thief to leave—otherwise, he’d end up wasting his whole afternoon on the incident.