During the National Day holiday, Cen Huai An visited the 774 Factory in the capital city through Cen Zhengnian’s connections.

This was the first semiconductor factory established in the capital, and it was rare for high school students like Cen Huai An to come here.

The factory boasted advanced semiconductor research technologies and its own production department, with researchers being top talents from various universities.

Of course, the capital had more than just this semiconductor research institute; there were also the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the 878 Factory.

Cen Huai An wanted to gain an in-depth understanding of semiconductor knowledge in advance, so he was open to visiting anywhere.

Cen Zhengnian’s friend, Tong Weiji, was around the same age as Cen Zhengnian, with a square face that gave off a very upright vibe and looked older than his actual age.

When he met Cen Huai An at the entrance, he smiled, and Cen Huai An instantly felt a sense of peace and stability.

“Uncle Tong, hello. I’m Cen Huai An; thank you for your trouble.”

Tong Weiji raised his broad palm and patted Cen Huai An’s seemingly frail shoulder.

His voice was deep and powerful, like a broadcaster: “No need to be polite; it’s rare for Zhengnian to ask me for a favor.”

As they walked in, Tong Weiji explained, “I can’t take you to the core technical areas. Those are confidential, but it’s fine for you to see the other parts. We often have other manufacturers visiting for study.”

Cen Huai An understood and naturally had no objections.

Tong Weiji looked at Cen Huai An’s well-mannered demeanor and sighed again: “You really resemble your dad, especially this little adult look; it’s like you were carved from the same mold.”

Cen Huai An replied, “My mom says the same thing.”

Tong Weiji burst into a hearty laugh, “Your personality is more interesting than your dad’s. Do you know how I met your father?”

Tong Weiji reminisced about their college days.

Although they were in different majors and should have had little chance of meeting, they both loved to study and often ran into each other in the library.

One time, when someone else occupied the seat he had taken, he noticed that there was an open seat next to Cen Zhengnian and sat down.

They struck up a conversation, and due to their shared persistence, they gradually became friends.

“Back then, he went to the Northwest while I stayed in the capital. I was quite sorry about it. But now that he’s back in the capital, we’re both busy and don’t have time to meet. It’s been decades, and now our kids are going to college; we’re getting old.”

Cen Huai An looked at him and said, “Uncle, you and my dad are still in your prime; you’re not old.”

The melancholic atmosphere instantly lifted, and Tong Weiji laughed heartily again.

As they were about to enter the work area, Tong Weiji’s expression became serious. He said to Cen Huai An, “There are rules here; you must not speak loudly inside.”

Cen Huai An nodded to show he understood.

Along the way, Tong Weiji explained various research tools, research achievements, and the work researchers were doing.

As long as it didn’t involve confidential information, he would provide explanations for everything.

Cen HuaiAn had a good memory; he nodded along, retaining every word Tong Weiji said in his mind and even posed his own questions—questions that were professional and practical, not random at all.

Tong Weiji was surprised by his questions. “Have you looked up the materials beforehand?”

Cen Huaian replied, “I’ve been interested in semiconductor knowledge, so I’ve read some books.”

Tong Weiji smiled and said, “You didn’t just read a few; you must have read quite a lot! Well done!”

His expression showed delight; as someone in the field, he could tell how much knowledge was contained in Cen Huai An’s words.

“When did you start reading these books?”

“Last year.” When Jiang Zhida gifted him and others pagers, he had developed some interest, but he didn’t read much back then.

Later, when he was unsure of what to study, the extensive materials that Cen Zhengnian had sent included knowledge about semiconductors and wireless signals, which led him to input a lot of information.

Tong Weiji’s eyes revealed genuine surprise.

He asked Cen Huai’an a few fundamental questions, and he was able to respond.

Then he raised the difficulty, asking about some new knowledge.

Although Cen Huaian couldn’t answer immediately, his responses reflected his thoughtful reasoning and were substantive.

Tong Weiji’s eyes sparkled with excitement, and he patted Cen Huaian’s shoulder twice: “When you graduate from university, come work at our factory.”

With such talent, he would make a great research candidate and might even become a leader in the field!

Cen Huai’an said, “Uncle, I haven’t gotten into college yet.”

Tong Weiji was unconcerned: “With your abilities, getting into college should be easy. You can also intern at our factory during your university years; I’ll personally guide you.”

Cen Huaian replied, “I can’t guarantee that, as that’s a matter for the future.”

Tong Weiji appreciated him even more; this practical mindset was exactly what research needed.

“Once you know which university you’ll attend, let me know. Our factory may collaborate with your university.”

“Sure.” Cen Huai’an could guarantee that.

The following tour went smoothly.

Cen Huai’an even had lunch in the factory cafeteria with Tong Weiji, which was similar to the one in the research institute.

Factory 774 was large, and one day wasn’t enough to complete the visit. Cen Zhengnian and Tong Weiji had agreed to take two days for the tour, so Cen Huai’an came back the next day as well.

He brought gifts since he had troubled Tong Weiji, who was usually quite busy with work.

“You’re just like your dad, too polite. You’re making me feel embarrassed. But I have things to do today, so I’ll have one of my students show you around, okay?”

Cen Huai’an nodded. “That’s fine. Uncle, you go ahead and handle your matters.”

Tong Weiji introduced the student standing next to him to Cen Huai’an, saying this was the new intern assigned to Factory 774 this year.

“By the way, Ning Rong is from Jinghua. If you’re interested in Jinghua’s semiconductor system, feel free to ask him a lot of questions.”

Cen Huai’an had this in mind as well.

While following Ning Rong around the factory, he asked him a lot about what he studied during university, which helped him gain a clearer idea of his future direction.

The National Day holiday lasted only three days, and on the third day, he went with Chuxia and Cen Zhengnian to visit Grandfather Jiang, as this day was also the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Every year during the Mid-Autumn Festival, Chuxia’s family would go to Grandfather Jiang’s house to celebrate with the Jiang family.

Jiang Shengnan and Cen Father had already arrived early and were helping Aunt Li prepare the lunch with the family of Uncle Jiang, who had also arrived.

Chuxia and Cen Zhengnian were supposed to help too, but Jiang Shengnan chased them out, saying, “The kitchen is so small; too many people can’t fit. You younger ones shouldn’t cause chaos. Go play outside.”

Since they had a car, Hei Zi, Huang Zi, Ban Dian, and Jiang Weixi’s dog all came along.

Jiang Weixi was especially happy; she loved dogs the most.

The family’s pet dogs, Hei Zi and Huang Zi, were now very gentle, and Spot was quite intelligent, so no matter how much Jiang Weixi played with them, they would obediently lie on the ground without moving.

Of course, Jiang Weixi never mistreated the dogs; she just loved to dress them up.

For example, she would tie little braids or groom their fur.

She not only played by herself but also called her favorite older brother An’an and older sister Lu Lu to join her in playing house.

Cen Huai’an and Zhang Lu were very patient with Jiang Weixi, sitting on the carpet to accompany her.

“An’an, the pomegranates in Grandpa’s yard have ripened! The jujubes and persimmons in your courtyard should be ready to pick too, right?”

Seeing the pomegranate tree in Grandfather Jiang’s yard, laden with bursting red fruits, Zhang Lu couldn’t help but think of the delicious jujubes and persimmons in the courtyard.

“Yep. My mom said we’d go pick them next week.”

Zhang Lu quickly raised her hand. “Take me along! I’ll help you guys! I can climb trees.”

Weixi also raised her hand. “Brother, I want to go too!”

Cen Huai’an, holding a hair tie in one hand and a comb in the other, played the role of a toolman and said, “Okay, I’ll call you when the time comes.”

While they needed to wait for the jujubes and persimmons, there was no need to wait for the pomegranates in Grandfather Jiang’s yard.

Jiang Weixi hesitated for a second between picking pomegranates and dressing up the dogs, then stood up and immediately ran over. “I’ll help Brother pick pomegranates too!”

The pomegranates were fully red, and the bursting skins revealed the glistening, translucent seeds within, making one’s mouth water just by looking at them.

Zhang Lu couldn’t wait to pick one, breaking it open and sharing pieces with Cen Huai’an and Jiang Weixi.

The four of them first ate a pomegranate before starting their work.

However, they also picked while eating, and by the time they finished picking the pomegranates from the lower branches,

Cen Huai’an and the others had eaten their fill.

Zhang Lu and Cen Huai’an carried a basket full of pomegranates into the house.

She looked up with a radiant smile at the adults in the room. “Great-grandpa! Grandma and Grandpa… We’re eating pomegranates! I picked them with An’an, Weixi, and Weixian; they’re super sweet! Great-grandpa, let me peel one for you.”

Zhang Lu picked up a pomegranate and took a fruit plate from the table, peeling the seeds and placing them inside.

Cen Huai’an quietly picked up a pomegranate and did the same, putting the seeds inside.

Jiang Weixi quickly grabbed one too and started peeling along with them.

Bai Han tapped Jiang Weixian and whispered, “You should peel one for your great-grandpa too.”

This son of hers really didn’t have much awareness.

Jiang Weixian looked at the three sitting on the sofa—Cen Huai’an, Zhang Lu, and Jiang Weixi—before running over.

“You see, my mom just loves to make me learn from you guys.”

Cen Huai’an said, “Showing filial piety to great-grandpa doesn’t need to be learned.”

Jiang Weixian replied, “I know. I’m usually very respectful to great-grandpa. I don’t need my mom to remind me.”

The plate filled with red pomegranate seeds was presented by Zhang Lu in front of Grandfather Jiang. “Great-grandpa, we peeled these specially for you.”

Since Grandfather Jiang got sick, his spirit had been quite low, and he spoke much less.

Before Jiang Weixi came over, his gaze seemed distant, lost in thought.

Upon seeing the grandchildren’s filial actions, he smiled happily, reaching out to touch the heads of the kids. “Good, you all are great. You don’t need to peel anymore; go play.”

Jiang Weixi still hugged the few dogs and thought for a moment before running up to the sofa, grabbing her backpack, and then “thumping” back to the dogs.

“Xiaohua, Hei Zi, you all have to behave so I can dress you up nicely.”

Jiang Weixi didn’t call Zhang Lu and Cen Huai’an; they just sat next to Grandfather Jiang, keeping him company.

Chuxia looked at the kids, and an involuntary smile appeared on her face. “Weixi is so cute.”

She said to Luo Peng, who was sitting beside her.