Chapter 49: A Once-in-a-Century Scientific Genius

An orderly immediately stepped forward and, ignoring Shen Wei’s cries and struggles, took her away along with Lin Jiaojiao, who had just vomited water and regained consciousness.

With the farce over, Gu Yanbin awkwardly turned to the bewildered Engineer Peng. “Engineer Peng, my apologies for that embarrassing scene.”

Engineer Peng shook his head and followed Gu Yanbin back to his home.

Once the door was closed, Gu Yanbin stepped forward, holding Tongtong in his arms.

“This is my goddaughter, Tongtong—the one who suggested the modifications.”

Engineer Peng adjusted his glasses, looking incredulously at the little girl who barely reached his knees, her hair tied in two small buns, her eyes clear and lively.

“Commander Gu, you can’t be serious? The one who proposed improvements to the gas-operated system and buffer mechanism… is this child?”

Tongtong blinked her big eyes, tilting her head to look at this strange uncle.

Gu Yanbin braced himself. “Yes, it was just her talking nonsense.”

Whether it was nonsense or not, Engineer Peng knew best!

Such precise and sharp solutions couldn’t possibly be the result of random guessing.

Engineer Peng excitedly crouched down, trying to speak as gently as possible. “Little one, tell me, how did you come up with those ideas?”

Tongtong bit her finger, her little brain working rapidly.

Then, in her childish voice, she selectively shared some of the theoretical knowledge she knew, keeping it simple.

The more Engineer Peng listened, the more fervent his gaze became.

He even couldn’t resist pulling out his small notebook and began earnestly taking notes.

Everyone around them was left baffled.

Especially Gu Yanbin and Commander Liu.

They knew Engineer Peng’s capabilities better than anyone, yet here they were, watching the nation’s foremost expert in nuclear bomb research humbly learning from and seeking advice from a toddler.

It felt as if the world had gone mad.

For a moment, they wondered if they were losing their minds.

Engineer Peng paid no attention to what anyone else thought. He diligently recorded everything Tongtong said, then asked excitedly, “Little one… oh! No! Engineer Lin, who taught you all this?”

Tongtong’s mouth felt dry from talking. She took the cool water Muchen handed her and gulped it down.

Then, letting out a long sigh, she spoke in a serious, childish tone, “I learned it from the grandpa in the village cowshed who was always muttering to himself and drawing circles on the ground!”

“He used to make these kinds of ‘toys,’ but unfortunately, he fell ill and passed away last year…”

As she spoke, she tried her best to put on a sad expression.

She remembered her mother mentioning that an old professor had once been sent to Kaoshan Tun, someone who studied physics and had long since passed away.

He was the perfect scapegoat—dead and unable to refute anything!

Upon hearing this, Engineer Peng first sighed with regret, then grew even more excited.

Even if someone had taught her the basic principles, how could a child so young understand, digest, and even flexibly apply this knowledge?

She was nothing short of a genius!

A once-in-a-century scientific genius!

His eyes instantly blazed with intensity as he grabbed Gu Yanbin’s arm. “Commander Gu! This child is a treasure! Let her come with me! To the research institute! I’ll take her as my final disciple! I’ll teach her everything I know!”

Gu Yanbin was startled and quickly shielded Tongtong behind him. “Engineer Peng! That won’t do! Tongtong is only three and a half—she can’t be separated from her mother, and that’s no place for a child!”

Tongtong also shook her little head like a rattle drum. “Tongtong doesn’t want to leave Mommy and Godfather. Tongtong doesn’t want to do research… Tongtong wants to play!”

Engineer Peng grew anxious: “Little one, do you know how many people want to apprentice under me? If you learn from me, you’ll be able to make the most amazing… toys in the future!”

He could already envision what a formidable presence this child would become in the scientific research community!

This was the hope for the rise of the Chinese nation!

Even someone like him, who had never taken on a disciple, felt tempted to poach this talent.

“No!” Tongtong refused firmly, hiding behind Gu Yanbin’s legs. “Tongtong wants Mommy!”

Seeing the resolute little one and the protective Gu Yanbin, Engineer Peng knew he couldn’t force the matter.

He could only let out a deeply disappointed sigh.

He asked one more time: “Are you really unwilling?”

Tongtong still shook her head.

The light in Engineer Peng’s eyes visibly dimmed. He declined Gu Yanbin’s polite attempts to keep him, his expression full of regret as he muttered: “What a pity… such a pity… such promising talent…”

After seeing off the reluctant Engineer Peng, Gu Yanbin and Liu Zhenjun exchanged a glance, both seeing disbelief and a hint of pride in each other’s eyes.

This little girl of theirs… seemed… a bit too extraordinary?

Gu Yanbin picked up Tongtong and gave her cheek a big kiss: “Tonight, Godfather will make you braised pork to help you recover from the shock!”

Tongtong wrapped her arms around her godfather’s neck, tilted her head thoughtfully, and softly suggested: “Daddy… maybe we should go to Aunt Lan’s house to eat fish instead?”

She hadn’t forgotten how her godfather nearly set the house on fire on her first day moving in.

Gu Yanbin remembered that incident too, scratching his nose awkwardly.

“…Alright then.”

The children had caught quite a few fish today.

Especially Muchen, who contributed a whole large bucket.

When they brought it to Political Commissar Chen’s house, Liu Lan felt a bit embarrassed.

With so many fish, her family was getting quite the bargain.

She decided to prepare all the fish, making half into soup and the other half into spicy fish.

She invited both Gu Yanbin’s and Commander Liu’s families to join.

Xinxin was amazed to learn that Tongtong and the others had caught so many fish.

He regretted even more not having gone with them.

Next time… next time he would definitely go with Tongtong!

In the evening, the large group enjoyed a lively meal together.

Tongtong rubbed her round little belly as she held her godfather’s hand, walking home.

In the quiet of the night, Tongtong’s small longing for her mother surfaced like bamboo shoots after a spring rain.

Even though her godfather and brothers took good care of her, and Aunt Lan’s cooking was delicious… she still missed her mom.

She gently tugged her godfather’s hand.

“Daddy…” She looked up with her big eyes shimmering with unshed tears, making a soft request: “Tongtong wants to call Mommy and tell her about all the fish I caught today. Can I?”

Gu Yanbin looked down at the little girl’s drooping, slightly pitiful expression, and his heart instantly melted.

He scooped her up and ruffled her hair: “Of course! Come on, Daddy will take you to the communications room!”

In the military district communications room.

Gu Yanbin helped her get through to the military district hospital training department, explained the situation to the person on duty, and after some effort, managed to transfer the call to Yu Wanqin’s dormitory.

The wait felt long. Tongtong sat on a high stool, her small hands tightly gripping the receiver, her little feet swinging restlessly.

Finally, a gentle yet slightly urgent voice came from the other end: “Hello? Is that Tongtong?”

It’s Mommy!

Tongtong’s big eyes instantly lit up, as if filled with stars, her little milky voice ringing out loud and clear.

“Mom! It’s Tongtong! Mom, I missed you so much!”