Chapter 47: Going to Catch Fish

“If this issue isn’t resolved, the reliability simply won’t meet the design requirements!”

“We’ve already tried seven different solutions! Either the energy is excessive, causing severe recoil and drastically shortening component lifespan, or the energy is insufficient to achieve continuous automatic fire!”

“Engineer Peng, what do you think…”

The man addressed as Engineer Peng was around forty years old, yet his temples were already streaked with gray. Wearing thick glasses, his brow was deeply furrowed. He was a top military industry expert in the country and the most respected figure among the engineers.

He stared at the blueprint for a long time, eventually shaking his head helplessly.

“Within the existing structural framework, I haven’t yet thought of a perfect solution. Perhaps… we need to look at the materials or more fundamental principles…”

Gu Yanbin sat nearby, his head spinning from all the technical jargon he couldn’t understand, though he knew the problem was serious.

Watching the experts looking so troubled, he inexplicably recalled the childish words Little Tongtong had spoken last night.

Almost without thinking, he repeated what Tongtong had said yesterday.

As his words fell, the previously noisy conference room instantly fell silent.

All the engineers’ eyes turned toward Gu Yanbin.

A young engineer couldn’t help but speak up, his tone tinged with amusement.

“Division Commander Gu, who… did you hear that from? The design of this gas-operated system involves fluid mechanics, material mechanics, impact dynamics—it’s not as simple as just bending something and adding a spring…”

“Exactly, this isn’t child’s play!” someone murmured in agreement.

Gu Yanbin’s handsome face flushed red, and he too felt his suggestion was absurd.

He had actually brought a three-year-old’s words to such a serious technical meeting.

He cleared his throat awkwardly. “Ahem! I was just thinking out loud, just random thoughts. Please continue, continue…”

However, Peng Zhengbo, who had been silent all along, suddenly looked up, a sharp gleam flashing behind his glasses!

Ignoring the others’ comments, his fingers swiftly traced over the blueprint.

He muttered to himself: “Curved gas operation… optimizing airflow… buffer mechanism… dispersing impact force… reducing peak load… Yes! Why insist on direct impact? Indirect buffering!”

He abruptly stood up, not even bothering to say goodbye to Gu Yanbin, grabbed the blueprint, and rushed out the door, his steps as fast as if he were rushing to a fire.

He left behind a room full of stunned engineers and a bewildered Gu Yanbin.

“What happened to Engineer Peng?”

“Did he think of a solution?”

“Impossible… based on just those two sentences from Division Commander Gu, an outsider?”

Everyone exchanged glances, wondering if Engineer Peng had cracked under the pressure.

Gu Yanbin scratched his head, also feeling puzzled.

But Engineer Peng had already entered the research lab to begin a new round of testing.

No one dared disturb Engineer Peng when he was focused on research.

Gu Yanbin had no choice but to leave the research institute, still confused.

He didn’t dwell on the matter.

…

After moving into Dad Gu’s house, Tongtong was living a sweet little life.

But the three boys from the political commissar’s family missed her terribly.

They had finally gotten a little sister, only to have her taken away after just a couple of days of excitement.

Without that soft, sweet little dumpling who would sweetly call them “brother,” the house felt empty, and their hearts felt hollow.

The three brothers put their heads together and decided to go play with their little sister Tongtong.

In the morning, Gu Yanbin went to the canteen to fetch breakfast for the children before heading to work.

Tongtong, still drowsy-eyed, sat obediently as Muchen braided her hair.

Muchen was a bit clumsy at first but soon got the hang of it.

Today, he styled her hair into two adorable little buns.

He then pulled out a milky blue butterfly hair clip from somewhere and pinned it on.

“Wow! So pretty!”

Tongtong’s sleepiness vanished instantly. She reached up to touch it, her big eyes sparkling with delight.

“Thank you, brother!”

Muchen’s lips curved into a smile, quite pleased with his handiwork.

Not to be outdone, Gu Jingnan nudged Muchen aside with an egg in hand and beamed at Tongtong. “Little sister! Eat an egg!”

Tongtong obediently took the egg, her smiling eyes crinkling. “Thank you, Brother Jingnan!”

Gu Jingnan felt utterly satisfied.

He scratched his head, grinning like a fool.

It was wonderful—waking up now meant seeing his sweet, soft little sister Tongtong.

Gu Jingnan couldn’t help but start daydreaming again.

If only Tongtong could really become his sister, he could see her every day.

After all, Tongtong’s bad father wasn’t great… Maybe Aunt Wanqin could marry his dad?

Just as the three little ones finished breakfast, they heard Chen An’an’s boisterous voice outside.

“Tongtong, the water in the river behind the mountain isn’t cold now, and there are lots of fish! Let’s go catch some!”

Chen Kangkang chimed in right after, “We can have my mom make fish soup for you tonight!”

Catch fish?

Tongtong’s big eyes instantly lit up like stars… The System had never caught fish before!

She responded excitedly, “Okay!”

Then she tugged at Gu Jingnan and Si Muchen. “Brother Jingnan, Brother Muchen, let’s all go together!”

Gu Jingnan naturally had no objections, and Si Muchen nodded silently.

So, with five older brothers protecting one little sister, they set off in a lively procession.

Passing by Commander Liu’s house, they happened to see Liu Nianxin basking in the sun by the courtyard gate.

“Brother Xinxin!” Tongtong cheerfully ran over. “We’re going to the river to catch fish. Do you want to come?”

Seeing Tongtong, Liu Nianxin’s eyes noticeably brightened. His lips moved as if he very much wanted to agree.

But upon noticing the unfamiliar faces following behind, he immediately grew nervous again.

His small hands clenched the hem of his shirt, and he timidly shrank back.

In the end, he shook his head.

Tongtong felt a little disappointed.

But she still smiled and waved. “Then let’s play together next time, Brother Xinxin! We’re off now!”

Watching Tongtong’s retreating figure surrounded by her brothers, Liu Nianxin’s eyes filled with longing.

He wanted to go with Tongtong.

Maybe… next time he could try to overcome his shyness and go with her?

At the riverside, the boys had already let loose, taking off their shoes and socks, rolling up their pants, and jumping into the cool water.

Tongtong, holding a small bucket, carefully felt around in the shallow area.

She soon discovered that whenever she got close to Si Muchen, the fish seemed to turn stupid and became incredibly easy to catch!

Her little bucket quickly held several flapping small fish.

Her heart swelled with joy, convinced that Brother Muchen was her lucky star!

Following him meant finding money and meat, and now even catching fish went extra smoothly!

Brother Muchen must be the chosen one!

So, she shadowed Si Muchen step by step, catching fish while muttering to herself in her mind.

Her little mouth unconsciously mumbled aloud, “Fish come! Fish come! Fish from the water! Fish from all directions! Fish, fish, hurry into my arms!”

Si Muchen: “…”

He glanced expressionlessly at the little money-grubber muttering to herself beside him, silently placing the plump fish he had just caught into her small bucket.

The system in his mind buzzed with a hint of pride.

[Host! The Luck buff is continuously active! I guarantee my little patron will be rolling in riches! This time, it consumed 3 Energy value and 5 Luck value! A steal for the price!]

The children were immersed in the joy of catching fish and playing in the water.

Tongtong didn’t notice at all that, in her pursuit of a big fish, she had followed Muchen farther and farther away.

“The water here is a bit deep. Wait for me on the shore.”

After reminding Tongtong, Muchen dove headfirst into the water.