A nation's industrial development begins with junior engineers.

Chapter 734 I, Li Huaide, have been reborn!

Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang.

The dull thud of the train wheels hitting the rails was like heavy hammers shattering the night. The headlights of the train cut two silver blades of light ahead, inch by inch slicing through the thick, impenetrable darkness. The withered grass by the roadside and the telephone poles in the distance were all pulled by this forward momentum, turning from blurry shadows into clear outlines, and then being thrown back into the darkness behind them.

A cold wind howled through the empty, makeshift station. During a brief stop, a gaunt figure, supported by two badged soldiers, scrambled and stumbled onto the connecting area between the carriages. The man carried several bulging bags and bundles on his back and in his hands, making his steps falter.

"Slow down! Be gentle... Ouch! My stuff! Don't bump it!" The figure was being pushed uphill by the soldier while nervously protecting the package in his arms, muttering to himself.

The car door slammed shut, shutting out the cold wind. The figure straightened up, wiped away sweat, and revealed a face utterly reshaped by the frontier's winds, sand, and scorching sun.

Dark and rough, like rocks on the Gobi Desert, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes were as deep as if carved by a knife, and they were still embedded with sand that could not be washed away...

He was wearing a faded work jacket, its original color almost unrecognizable, with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing his muscular forearms covered in crisscrossing scars, some new and reddish, others faded to pale white.

Only after all the bags were loaded into the carriage did the man breathe a sigh of relief. He vigorously wiped the grit from the corner of his eye with his sleeve, looked around the carriage, and said in a slightly hoarse voice, "Wow... so empty?"

Before he could finish speaking, Yang Youning leaned out of his seat. Upon seeing the newcomer, the enamel mug in his hand clattered onto the table. His voice suddenly rose, filled with disbelief, astonishment, and trembling:

"Li Huaide?! You old codger! Why did you come back without saying goodbye?!"

Li Huaide had just stood still in the aisle when he looked up and saw Yang Youning striding over upon hearing the sound.

When their eyes met, Yang Youning was stunned for a moment, then his eyes twitched slightly, and his usually tightly pursed lips seemed to curve upwards almost imperceptibly, but were immediately covered by an even stronger sense of "disdain".

"Tsk, I wondered who was making such a big fuss, it's just you, you old codger!" Yang Youning crossed his arms, his voice as stern as ever, "You've been eating sand in the border region for a while, and you haven't become any more composed. You're still such a scatterbrain when you get on the bus! You've finished supporting the construction of the border factory area? And now you're running back to slack off?"

Li Huaide, panting heavily, carefully gathered the burlap sack in his arms and the bundle on the ground. Only then did he straighten up, wipe the sweat that slid down his sunburnt nose, and grin at Yang Youning, revealing two rows of teeth that were somewhat yellowed by the northwest winds and sand:

"Hey! Old Yang! Missed me? Supporting the frontier? That's the organization's trust in us! Achievements at this stage? That's a must! Look, our little Jiang said there's a big operation here and they need manpower, so I, Old Li, rushed back day and night! It was a special approval from the organization!"

"Special approval? I think you just want to come back and relax!" Yang Youning retorted sharply, but his eyes betrayed his excitement at seeing his old partner and a hint of disdain. "Look at you, you look like you've fled a famine! And you've brought so much junk! Aren't you ashamed!"

"Junk?" Li Huaide's eyes widened, and he carefully protected the package on the ground like a precious treasure. "Yang Erlengzi! Your mouth is still as foul as ever! This is good stuff! It's specially brought for Xiao Jiang!"

The two, who hadn't seen each other for a long time, exchanged a few words. Just as Li Huaide was about to slap Yang Erlengzi's face with the phrase "birdsong and fragrant flowers" that he had learned in the frontier, Yang Youning took a few steps forward, came up to him, and grabbed Li Huaide's arm without saying a word.

Li Huaide was a little confused.

But Yang Youning's gaze swept over Li Huaide like a knife, from his dark, thin face to the scars revealed beneath his rolled-up sleeves. He suddenly stepped forward, grabbing Li Huaide's forearm without a word, his fingers lingering on the most prominent scar, his voice rising abruptly:

"Where did you get that injury?! You son of a bitch! You got bullied?! Once we're done here, I'll take you to settle the score with those guys over there! You've gotten so thin! You've really gotten so thin! You look like a monkey!"

Li Huaide's arm ached from Yang Youning's grip, and he instinctively tried to break free, but when he saw the other's reddened eyes and furrowed brows, his heart warmed, and his urge to retaliate instantly vanished.

He wanted to punch Yang Erlengzi, but instead of raising his hand, he patted him hard on the shoulder: "It's nothing! It's all over now! The border patrol soldiers over there were even more anxious than you! They've already avenged me! It's good to be thinner, you'll be more efficient at work!"

"Tch! So skinny, you must be a picky eater. What, is cornbread from the border region really that bad?"

"Pah! The stewed mutton and potatoes over there smell so good it could steal your soul, but..." Li Huaide paused, "it's just a bit too greasy. I miss the strong tea you brew in your old enamel mug."

Yang Youning snorted, turned and walked towards the tea room. After taking two steps, he turned back and raised his voice again: "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and move your pile of junk to the side, it's blocking the way!"

Before he finished speaking, he had already rummaged through the cabinet and pulled out a new enamel mug, a pinch of tea, and a stream of hot water. He handed it to Li Huaide, saying, "Just brewed this, to help you cut through the grease!"

The two bickered back and forth like two sulking teenagers, but the warmth and concern in their eyes were impossible to hide.

Upon hearing the news, Jiang Xia stepped forward with a smile, placing herself perfectly between the two, her gaze involuntarily falling on Li Huaide.

The Li Huaide before me was completely different from the somewhat portly deputy director I remembered from my time at the machinery factory! The wind and sand and the hardships of the frontier had transformed him from a "fat man" into the lean, dark-skinned man before me!

The scars on his arms, the wrinkles etched by wind and sand, and the faded old shirt all tell the story of his real, hard-working dedication on the frontier!

"Alright, alright, Director Yang was looking forward to your arrival, and he's happy to see you, but things just got a bit awkward between us. Director Li, you must be tired from your journey, please sit down and rest."

The moment Li Huaide saw Jiang Xia, his eyes lit up, and the tension from their earlier "argument" instantly transformed into boundless enthusiasm. He was especially overjoyed to hear the little boy call him Factory Director Li.

He grabbed Jiang Xia's hand and shook it excitedly, "Little Jiang! Oh, I'm so glad to see you! Did you miss Uncle Li? What's the trouble? It's nothing! I brought you some good stuff!"

Li Huaide pointed to the several large packages carefully placed on the ground as if presenting treasures, "These are all specially brought for you! Treasures from the frontier!"

Jiang Xia looked curiously at the things that were wrapped up tightly.

Li Huaide rubbed his hands together and carefully unwrapped the layers of soft cloth, revealing several round, yellowish-green melons. A sweet, fruity aroma immediately filled the air.

"A melon?" Jiang Xia was taken aback, picked one up and weighed it in his hand; it was heavy.

Li Huaide smiled smugly, "The comrades on the frontier said that this melon is unique to the Gobi Desert, with a skin thinner than paper and so sweet it sticks to your teeth. It's just too precious; it has to be wrapped in cotton wool all the way, as it's easy to crack if it's jostled!"

Yang Youning also came over, sniffing hard. The sweet aroma made him swallow hard, but he still said with disdain, "Hmph! It smells earthy! How can it taste good?"

Even as he said that, his hand deftly drew a knife from his waist, and with a "click," the blade popped out. "What are you standing there for? Cut it open and have a taste! I want to see what kind of gold nugget it is!"

Li Huaide glared at him, but still carefully picked out the best-looking melon and handed it to Yang Youning. Yang Youning's movements were swift and skillful; with a flash of the knife, the melon split open!

The golden flesh, like the finest amber, was plump and juicy, shimmering with an alluring luster under the carriage lights! The abundant juice instantly flowed out, and its sweet and rich aroma exploded, filling the entire space!

"Wow!" Even Company Commander Tang, who was standing next to Jiangxia, couldn't help but let out a low exclamation, his Adam's apple bobbing.

"Come on, come on! Try it while it's fresh!" Li Huaide greeted them warmly, his face beaming with pride.

Old man melon!

This unique aroma immediately evoked memories of Jiangxia.

Deep in the memory of the internet, there seems to be a saying: If you care about him, then bring him old man melons from the frontier!

This thing was extremely precious in later generations due to the extreme difficulty of transportation, let alone in this era.

Li Huaide, you really did bring a small gift but a big sentiment...