Facing William's deliberately obvious question.
Meng Hao rolled his eyes, not intending to answer.
"Haha."
"Just kidding."
"Brother Hao, you're the impressive one. The girls can't move when they see you."
"Speaking of which, girls love talent… Look at you, a national talent of this caliber, any girl would be unable to resist you."
Fine.
It seemed William had partied a bit too hard last night… Judging by his dark eye circles and unsteady gait, he had clearly been up all night.
And now, he was still in high spirits, which obviously meant he was high on something.
This guy.
He dabbled in gambling, womanizing, and drugs.
It wasn't just a joke anymore.
"So envious?"
"How about you move into my laboratory starting tomorrow?"
"I'll personally impart scientific knowledge to you."
The two had a good personal relationship.
Seeing William making fun of him, Meng Hao naturally wouldn't back down and immediately retorted.
As expected.
When it came to studies and research,
William immediately cowered.
"Alright, alright."
"Brother Hao, please spare me."
"Ever since I was little, I've gotten headaches looking at ABCs, characters, and lines… I'm more suited for enjoying life… Big tasks like saving the world and scientific innovation should be left to scientific geniuses like yourselves."
The two bantered and wrestled playfully for a while longer.
Meng Hao temporarily forgot his melancholy about parting.
He ambled toward the research base.
Unsurprisingly.
Those two were definitely going back to catch up on sleep.
That all-night battle.
Was truly exhausting.
...
Meng Hao slept until the afternoon.
He showed no signs of the discipline and regular schedule expected of a researcher.
He yawned.
And went to the mess hall for a meal.
Meng Hao's spirits were revived.
He returned to the workshop.
The research and manufacturing of the Danggui were entering the second phase.
With the perfection of the hull's strength.
Meng Hao began contemplating how to assemble the hulls of several electric-powered submarines that resembled new energy vehicles.
Having partied all night.
His mind had achieved an unprecedented clarity.
It seemed.
The wellness experts were right.
Exercise was the best way to clear one's mind.
...
Work and rest should be balanced.
After a night of indulgence on the cruise ship, Meng Hao had been working continuously for over a week without causing trouble with William again.
A craftsman must first sharpen his tools to do his work well.
Since the American personnel and equipment couldn't be trusted.
Meng Hao decided to craft many of the construction tools himself.
Looking at the conveyor belts and robotic arms filling the entire workshop, Meng Hao felt a sense of accomplishment.
Although it looked messy here, it was actually a newly established production line.
As Meng Hao was debugging the various parameters, he suddenly heard a long-unheard, annoying voice.
"Long time no see, my dear Meng."
"Quite busy, aren't you."
The speaker.
Was indeed Charles… This former sub-division head of the US intelligence agency had now officially joined the military, with a star on his shoulder… Clearly, he had made a great contribution in outsmarting Meng Hao, and had been awarded the rank of Major General in the military.
Charles, not yet forty years old, had become a Major General with real power.
This was extremely rare in the entire US military, which indirectly highlighted the importance the US placed on Meng Hao.
"Oh."
"Charles, is it."
"It seems I must congratulate you on being promoted to Major General so quickly."
Facing Meng Hao's sarcasm.
Charles seemed quite unfazed.
After all.
Having climbed to the rank of Major General on Meng Hao's shoulders, a few jibes wouldn't hurt him.
"Look at you."
"I heard that after you helped Marschek's Test develop the latest car, you'll officially be joining the military… and likely be directly appointed Lieutenant General, which is an extremely rare event in the history of the entire US military… or rather, an unprecedented event."
"In the future, I'll have to rely on you a lot, so don't make things difficult for me."
Facing Charles's flattery.
Meng Hao rolled his eyes.
He continued his work, constantly debugging the parameters.
Despite receiving a setback, Charles still appeared nonchalant.
He familiarly pulled up a small stool and sat beside Meng Hao, watching him work with great interest.
"I've also heard about the technical blueprints you previously submitted to the US military."
"It is said that the data parameters for many critical components have surpassed and subverted our design concepts."
"My dear Meng, you are truly a genius."
It seemed.
If he didn't talk to Charles, this annoying fellow would just buzz around his ears like a fly.
"Is that so?"
"I don't think a distinguished Major General like yourself would fly all the way from the US mainland just to flatter me a few words."
Meng Hao responded coldly and casually.
Seeing that Meng Hao was finally talking to him.
Charles immediately opened up.
"Oh, dear."
"My dear Meng, don't be so distant and indifferent."
"If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have been able to join us in the US so quickly!"
"Speaking of which, I'm somewhat of your guide."
Meng Hao was almost laughing internally.
However, he maintained a cold demeanor on the surface, showing no emotional fluctuations.
"So, I should thank you then?"
"According to you, I seem to owe you a favor?"
This Charles was truly thick-skinned.
Despite Meng Hao's obviously sarcastic words, his expression remained unchanged.
"Owing me a favor is a bit of a stretch."
"However, it's true that we should be closer in the future."
"By the way, I was actually asked to come on this trip."
Oh?
Meng Hao tilted his head, indicating he was listening.
"Bruce, you know him, right?"
"Lieutenant General Tommy's eldest nephew."
Oh, really?
It seemed Charles was here to plead on Bruce's behalf.
"Hmm?"
"What about it?"
"That guy is such a nuisance!"
Meng Hao did not hide his disgust for Bruce.
Moreover.
Given the importance the US military and Charles placed on Meng Hao, let alone disliking Bruce, even if Meng Hao requested to have this guy transferred back to US headquarters, it would probably be a simple matter.
"And then?"
Meng Hao continued to ask.
"Lieutenant General Tommy asked me to convey his apologies and say that the kid was a bit clueless."
"For Lieutenant General Tommy's sake, he hopes you can mentor this kid a bit."
Oh, really?
It seemed.
Lieutenant General Tommy was quite concerned about Bruce's future… and this concern seemed excessively strong.
"So, bringing in a bunch of escorts to give me massages was also Lieutenant General Tommy's idea."
Charles finally showed a hint of embarrassment on his face.
For an absolute straight man, facing a group of escorts was an unbearable disgust.