Year: I planted trees in Saihanba

Chapter 310 The Death of Engineer Chen

Summer stood in the laboratory, a trace of unease still lingering on her face.

The embarrassing scene from just now was still lingering in his mind.

He nodded slightly, trying to calm himself down, and then changed the subject.

"Well, Comrade Xuemei, I'm here today to..."

Xia Tian recounted to Qin Xuemei everything she had just discussed with Meng Yue outside.

His tone carried his usual composure and competence.

"You two discuss this first, and then come up with a plan for me!"

After saying this, he left the laboratory without waiting for a response from the two of them.

The atmosphere here is just too awkward.

He was afraid that if he didn't leave soon, he would dig a three-bedroom apartment out of the lab with his toes.

In the laboratory, Meng Yue and Qin Xuemei stared at each other, their eyes wide with disbelief.

Meng Yue broke the silence first. She reached out and took Qin Xuemei's hand, shook it gently, and asked with a hint of anxiety.

"Xuemei, what should we do?"

"What do you mean?"

Qin Xuemei was momentarily confused, completely bewildered by Meng Yue's seemingly nonsensical question.

"Just now, Engineer Xia saw the two of us fooling around."

Meng Yue lowered her voice unconsciously, her eyes revealing worry.

"What if he misunderstands something?"

Upon hearing this, Qin Xuemei began to ponder the matter.

She stared at Meng Yue for a moment, then suddenly a hint of suspicion flashed in her eyes as she stared intently at Meng Yue and asked.

"Meng Yue, you don't actually like Xia Gong, do you?"

Upon hearing this question, Meng Yue did not hesitate at all and readily admitted it.

"Yes, I just like Engineer Xia!"

That's always been her personality—she's passionate and decisive in love and hate.

She had been dumped by a jerk before, but she just thought he was unlucky.

"No way, Meng Yue?"

Qin Xuemei stared in astonishment, her face filled with disbelief.

"When did this happen?"

"Xuemei, I'm only telling you this, you absolutely can't tell anyone else!"

Meng Yue looked serious and tightened her grip on Qin Xuemei's hand.

"I've actually liked Xia Gong for a long time."

"But I had a boyfriend before. I struggled with the decision for a long time and weighed it carefully before deciding to let go of Xia Gong."

"However, that scumbag abandoned me and chose someone else."

"I'm actually quite glad now, thankfully I've broken up with that scumbag."

"Otherwise, I might not have had the chance to be Xia Gong's revolutionary partner!"

After listening to Meng Yue's words, Qin Xuemei couldn't help but admire her frankness and courage.

"However, Xuemei, you still have to keep this a secret for me."

Seeing Qin Xuemei's surprised expression, Meng Yue gave her another special instruction.

"You're not allowed to tell anyone before I become Xia Gong's revolutionary partner!"

"Don't worry, this matter is known only to heaven, earth, you, and me!"

Summer was naturally unaware of the conversation between Meng Yue and Qin Xuemei.

He had already returned to the technical department office.

I just sat down in my seat, ready to get into the swing of things and get to work.

Just then, Yu Zhenglai walked in quickly, looking grief-stricken.

"Xiao Xia!"

Yu Zhenglai's voice carried a heavy and sorrowful tone.

"What's wrong, Uncle Yu?"

As Xia Tian watched Yu Zheng enter, a bad feeling welled up inside her.

"Engineer Chen is gone!"

Yu Zheng looked at Xia Tian and slowly revealed this shocking news.

"Oh, where did Engineer Chen go?"

Upon hearing this, Xia Tian's brain didn't quite process it at first, and she blurted it out instinctively.

But he quickly realized that his words were wrong, and his expression froze instantly.

"What? Engineer Chen is gone?"

After her brain had fully processed the news, Xia Tian's first reaction was disbelief.

His eyes were wide open as he stared straight at Yu Zhenglai.

"Uncle Yu, when did this happen?"

Summer's voice rose unconsciously, filled with anxiety and shock.

“I just received a call from Lao Qu, who told me about Engineer Chen’s passing.”

Yu Zhenglai's eyes revealed endless regret.

"Uncle Yu, I need to ask for a few days off!"

Xia Tian looked at Yu Zheng and said with a serious and firm expression.

Upon hearing Xia Tian's request, Yu Zhenglai agreed without hesitation.

Summer immediately set off at full speed to the dam.

Along the way, the fierce winds of Saihanba howled across his face, but could not dispel the grief and memories that filled his heart.

The scene of working with Engineer Chen when he first came to Saihanba kept flashing through his mind.

He also thought of how Engineer Chen, even with lung disease, still stayed at his post.

Soon, Xia Tian appeared at the doorstep of Chen Gong's house in Weichang County.

The sight before him made him stop abruptly; the area in front of Mr. Chen's house was draped in white mourning clothes.

The white funeral banners fluttered gently in the wind, as if telling of endless sorrow.

Xia Tian didn't want to cry; he tried his best to control his emotions.

But the moment he saw Mr. Chen's wife, all his strength crumbled instantly, and tears streamed down his face uncontrollably.

"Aunt Chen, please accept my condolences!"

Xia Tian looked at Aunt Chen, her voice slightly choked with tears, each word seeming to carry a thousand pounds of weight.

"Xia, good girl, Old Chen must be very happy that you came to see him off on his final journey!"

Aunt Chen held Xia Tian's hand, her eyes filled with emotion, and her voice trembled slightly.

"Xia, actually I should thank you!"

"If it weren't for you, Old Chen would have passed away a few years ago!"

"You let him live a few more years and enjoy a few more years of family life!"

"Old Chen has finally passed away peacefully at the age of 18!"

After hearing Aunt Chen's words, Xia Tian felt a little comforted.

But he still had doubts and couldn't help but ask.

"Auntie, why is Engineer Chen acting so suddenly?"

Hearing Xia Tian's words, Aunt Chen composed herself and slowly spoke.

"Everything was fine a few days ago in Chengde."

"After picking up his grandson that day, Old Chen said he wanted to go back to Weichang."

"Although I don't understand why, my eldest brother took his family back to Weichang over the weekend while the kids were having fun."

"Old Chen left on the very night he returned, which was last night."

After listening to Aunt Chen's words, Xia Tian fell into deep thought.

"Auntie, don't be too sad. Can I go see Engineer Chen?"

Summer offered a word of comfort to Aunt Chen.

"Good boy, go!"

Aunt Chen looked at Xia Tian and patted his hand again.

Summer walked heavily toward the coffin placed in the main hall.

Mr. Chen's body lay there quietly.

If you don't look closely, it looks as if Engineer Chen is asleep.

Xia Tian walked up to the coffin and took a deep look at Chen Gong's face.

He then solemnly bowed three times before the altar.

……