Chapter 68: Becoming a Godfather

Chapter 68: Chapter 68: Becoming a Godfather

Lu Zhengchuan was a master at masking his true feelings. He raised his handsome eyebrows, his voice light and cheerful. "Zhang Qiao, you must come over when you have time. I’ll cook for you myself to thank you."

"I also have some chocolates I bought in Shanghai. You have to take them."

There was a hidden meaning in his words, spoken with the possessiveness of Su Wan’s husband. For a moment, the light in Zhang Qiao’s eyes dimmed, but it quickly returned to normal.

"Old Lu, you’re too kind. But since you’re offering, I won’t stand on ceremony," Zhang Qiao said, accepting with a smile.

Lu Zhengchuan clapped him on the shoulder. "Brother, I’m truly grateful. When my child is born, I’ll make you the godfather."

Zhang Qiao was speechless for a moment. But after thinking about it, he found he couldn’t bring himself to refuse.

’I have to admit, I’m actually quite curious what Su Wan’s child will be like.’

"...Alright," Zhang Qiao agreed.

Lu Zhengchuan was satisfied with his response, but it also made him acutely aware of just how popular Su Wan was. A wave of pressure and anxiety washed over him.

"Dean Xu, let’s conduct the test right here," Master Ji ordered, stopping in his tracks.

Dean Xu straightened his back and nodded, his expression full of unconcealed pride and arrogance.

"Little Shen, you may begin."

"Yes, Dean!"

After the men assigned by Master Ji buried the new test landmines, several researchers took their detectors and began sweeping the test area, unaware of the mines’ locations.

Lu Zhengchuan straightened up, his attention completely focused on the test area.

His gaze was fixed intently on the detectors.

When the researchers located several landmines much faster than was possible with the old models, the soldiers present were pleasantly surprised.

"This thing really works."

"Does this mean we’ll all be using these new detectors from now on? It would save so much time."

"Is this difference because of an improved detection range underground?"

Hearing these comments, Master Ji turned to Dean Xu with a laugh. "Old Xu, stop holding back. Get to the main event."

"I know, I know, Old Ji. Don’t be so impatient. I just wanted to show you all the specific improvements of the new model." If Dean Xu hadn’t been smirking, that statement might have been believable.

Master Ji knew him too well. He laughed and chided, "You old fox. Keeping us in suspense at a time like this."

"Alright, alright! I’ll get on with it before you all jump up and beat me," Dean Xu said smugly.

He gave an order to the researchers. After the test mines had just been dug up, one of them announced, "We will now continue with a practical demonstration of detecting non-metallic landmines."

"What? Non-metallic landmines?"

The assisting soldiers’ eyes widened in surprise.

"That’s right. The most crucial technology in our new detector is its ability to find non-metallic landmines and lower the false alarm rate," Shen Qing explained to the soldiers.

Hearing this, the soldiers exchanged a look, their eyes lighting up.

"Comrade Shen, hurry and give it a try."

Several of the soldiers recalled that they had, in fact, just buried some non-metallic mines.

They hadn’t understood their orders at first, but it all made sense now.

Shen Qing nodded. Taking the detector, she walked forward step-by-step, making sure not to miss a single spot. When the detector’s indicator beeped, she stopped. "Here. Dig carefully."

"Got it."

The soldiers immediately grabbed their tools and started digging. When the mine was unearthed, one of them exclaimed in delight, "It really is a non-metallic mine!"

"Everyone, come look!"

"It really is."

Lu Zhengchuan strode over. Realizing the nature of the experiment, his thoughts instantly flew to He Rong, who was still at the border, and to the vast, uncleared danger zones there.

"May I try this detector?" Lu Zhengchuan asked.

Shen Qing looked up and recognized Lu Zhengchuan. "Battalion Commander Lu, of course. Actually, Comrade Su Wan made a significant contribution to the research and development of this new detector."

"Su Wan?" Lu Zhengchuan realized he knew astonishingly little about her.

’I thought the news that she had saved my life was shocking enough, but I never expected another surprise like this.’

’Except...’ Lu Zhengchuan suddenly recalled that Su Wan had tried to tell him about this before.

’What was my reply?’

’I remember I said it was impossible.’

Now, he had been well and truly proven wrong.

"Yes, Battalion Commander Lu, you operate it like this..." Shen Qing didn’t delay, handing the device to him and offering a few pointers. Lu Zhengchuan himself was already very experienced with mine detectors.

He learned how to operate the new model almost instantly.

The BEEP BEEP BEEP of the detector sounded only a few times.

This successful test made all the officers in the unit realize that missions to clear dangerous areas were about to be revolutionized. While this great news meant a reduction in casualties from such tasks, it also meant that the opportunity to earn military honors from them would decrease.

"Xiao Lu, you previously mentioned wanting to transfer to an administrative role. What are your thoughts now?" Master Ji asked him in his office.

Lu Zhengchuan nodded, holding firm. "My thoughts on the matter haven’t changed."

"You’re a lucky kid. Before this, leaving this assignment would have had a huge impact on your career."

"But with the new detector, the problem has been largely solved. That means we no longer need to waste so much high-level talent on this front," Master Ji said, patting Lu Zhengchuan on the shoulder.

"As it happens, Comrade Su Wan was involved in this project, and she’s your wife. I will mention this to the other leaders and arrange for you to go to the Capital Military District to report on this matter."

Lu Zhengchuan immediately saluted. "Yes, sir!"

"You kid..." Master Ji couldn’t help but laugh at his eagerness.

’How could I not see his little scheme? He’s afraid I’ll go back on my word.’

’Oh well. He is, after all, a capable officer that I promoted myself.’

"Alright, get going. And be good to Comrade Su Wan. You have no idea how many people envy you for having such a wonderful wife."

Previously, Master Ji had thought Su Wan was just an ordinary girl from the village, unlikely to be of much help to Lu Zhengchuan’s future.

But since it was Lu Zhengchuan’s own choice, he, as his superior, naturally wouldn’t interfere.

Who would have thought that Su Wan would turn out to be even more outstanding than he had ever imagined.

"You kid... don’t tell me you knew all along how outstanding Comrade Su Wan was?"

"How else to explain why you were never tempted when so many people in the unit tried to set you up?"

"Sir, I’ll take that as a compliment on my good taste," Lu Zhengchuan said without a shred of modesty.

Master Ji waved his hand in mock disgust. "Go on, get out of here. I’ve given the notice, so you’d better do a good job. This is a chance to make a name for yourself at the Capital Military District. Whether or not the higher-ups take a liking to you is all on you now."

"Yes, sir!"

Lu Zhengchuan understood perfectly. With Su Wan’s talents, she would be studying in the Capital for a long time. If he remained in the Southwest Military Region, they might not see each other even once a year.