Chapter 387 - 254: Triumphant Return

Chapter 387: Chapter 254: Triumphant Return

’Seduction is absolutely useless against him...’

’It feels like unless I play hardball, there’s no way to break through.’

「Two days later.」

A chartered Air China flight, bearing the five-star red flag, landed at Yangcheng Airport.

The captain’s voice came softly over the intercom:

"This flight has landed safely at Yangcheng Baiyun Airport."

"Dr. Jiang He, Ms. Shen Yu, welcome home. The motherland is proud of you."

Shen Yu felt a little self-conscious when she heard the captain’s announcement.

She looked out the window.

On either side of the runway, two fire trucks were waiting.

As the chartered plane taxied between them, their high-pressure water cannons activated simultaneously.

Two jets of water shot toward the sky, converging in mid-air to form a massive, spectacular water arch.

As the plane passed through the arch, a rainbow appeared in the settling spray.

Shen Yu asked in surprise, "What is this?"

Jiang He explained, "It’s a water salute. The highest honor in civil aviation, a ceremony to welcome people home."

Shen Yu was taken aback.

This was clearly something Teacher Shen had never encountered before.

But you had to admit, this was...

—Totally epic!

After the plane came to a complete stop.

The cabin door opened.

A vibrant red carpet stretched from the bottom of the airstairs far into the distance.

The sides of the red carpet were lined with people.

At the very front stood Lin Zhenhua, the director of the Provincial Health Department.

Today, he was full of vigor! In high spirits! Exhilarated and proud! An imposing figure! And the list went on!

Behind him were Teacher Yang and Professor Wang Xiaoqing.

The two were holding hands. It looked like they were officially a couple.

Further back were all the members of Jiang He’s team.

Chen Hao, Cheng Xiyao, Lu Xiaolin, Zhou Yang, Lin Yue, Yi Xiangwan...

Everyone was there.

"JIANG—HE—!"

Chen Hao couldn’t hold it in anymore and shouted loudly.

Everyone else was overcome with emotion, too.

It was a feeling of shared glory, an incredible honor.

Applause quickly broke out.

Jiang He and Shen Yu held hands and slowly walked down.

Truth be told, Jiang He really wanted to scratch his head.

In his past life, he had been honored with similar ceremonies for his achievements.

But from his past life until now, he had never gotten used to this feeling.

’It always feels so awkward. There’s no way to look cool at all...’

’It’s even more embarrassing when I look into the crowd and see my teachers and superiors...’

Teacher Shen, beside him, felt the same way.

And so, the young couple descended the stairs in a shared state of awkwardness, maintaining the most dignified smiles they could manage.

After taking a few steps, Jiang He suddenly froze.

Shen Yu noticed and asked softly, "Hm? What’s wrong?"

Jiang He’s voice was filled with surprise. "My parents are here."

Shen Yu: "!!!"

She scanned the crowd below.

Sure enough, she saw a middle-aged couple! They even looked a bit like Jiang He!

’I’m so doomed!’

This was Shen Yu’s first reaction.

Then her thoughts raced:

’I’m meeting his parents? Right now?!’

’I’m not prepared at all, I’m not dressed for this, I didn’t bring a gift!’

’What if Jiang He’s parents don’t like me because of all this?’

’What do I do, what do I do, what do I do?’

’Aaargh—!’

She suddenly recalled a bad pun Jiang He had told her a couple of days ago.

If you’re hungry, just go to the beach, because of all the sandwiches there...

It seemed that while Teacher Shen was physically present, her mind had already wandered far, far away.

In a daze, she was led by Jiang He to his parents, unsure of how she should even address them.

’Uncle, Auntie? Or... Dad, Mom? Aaaaaah! I have no experience with this! Somebody help!’

—Help me, Dou Bao! (jk)!

Jiang He drew closer.

He suddenly felt like crying.

In his past life, his father had passed away early.

Since being reborn, he hadn’t yet gone back to see him.

’Dad, it’s been so long. You look so healthy now.’

’This is so good.’

Jiang He forced back the lump in his throat and said, "Dad. Mom."

His mother, Chen Jingyu, had been crying ever since she saw Jiang He; she hadn’t stopped.

She took a step forward, grabbed Jiang He’s arm, and choked out, "You’ve lost weight. You’ve gotten so thin."

Jiang He was torn between tears and laughter. "How am I thin?"

He took his mother’s hand and comforted her gently, "With Teacher Shen here, I’ve been eating very well. Don’t worry, Mom."

His father, Jiang Hui, had red-rimmed eyes as well, but he hid his tears behind a smile and clapped Jiang He firmly on the shoulder.

"You rascal," he said. "The county magistrate himself paid a special visit to the house yesterday to commend us. If it weren’t for that, we would have had no idea you were out there doing such incredible things. Why didn’t you tell us?"

Father Jiang was an ordinary blue-collar worker, an honest man his entire life.

He knew his son had gotten into Medical University, knew he was doing well in school, had won first place in a major competition, and had even earned a lot of money.

But he never could have imagined that one day his own son would create something that could change the world, that he could bring glory to his country.

It was an immense honor.

So much honor, it felt a little unreal.

Jiang He said, "Dad, I was planning to tell you when I came home for the New Year."

Jiang Hui nodded, then turned to Shen Yu. "You’re Xiaoshen, right? I’ve heard about you."

Shen Yu: "Huh?"

Jiang Hui grinned. "Jiang He called me a while back, asking for advice on how to propose to you. So? Did he do it? Did you say yes?"

Jiang He clicked his tongue in exasperation. "Dad!"

Shen Yu was completely flustered. "He... he proposed. And I said yes... uh..."

Hearing this, Chen Jingyu immediately beamed. "Wonderful, wonderful! My son is so lucky to have such an amazing daughter-in-law..."

Hearing the words "daughter-in-law," Shen Yu’s face instantly turned beet red.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart and force a sweet, obedient smile onto her face.

"Uncle, Auntie, I’m Shen Yu! It’s a pleasure to meet you! Hello!"

Chen Jingyu wiped away her tears. "Oh, yes! Hello, dear! Hello!"

Jiang Hui was beaming. "Good, good. It must have been a long trip."

At this moment, the team members behind them also gathered around.

"Boss! You’re finally back!"

"You have no idea how hyped we were when we saw the news at the internet cafe!"

"As long as you’re back safe. You did a great job, Jiang He."

"My student, that’s my student, he’s my student~"

Yang Xu repeated this to everyone around them, until Wang Xiaoqing, finding him too childish, let go of his hand in disdain.

Director Lin Zhenhua stood with his hands on his hips, laughing heartily.

"Jiang He! You went abroad and brought glory to our nation, a true triumphant return! Go home and get some rest. We’ll all have dinner tonight, and I have some very, very good news for you!"