Ji Xingmi eventually went to see Lou Qiming. Upon seeing her, Lou Qiming first lectured her for a long time, then handed her a stack of documents and told her to look through them. It took Ji Xingmi two days to finish reading the disorganized material, and she also helped sort and organize it.
When Lou Qiming saw her appear in the research lab, he dug himself out of a pile of trash and eagerly asked her for her thoughts.
"Thoughts? None, I think what you've done is quite good? Is the reason you asked me to come just to help you look at this?"
"Yes, because I thought this was just wishful thinking before. But after you upgraded the computer, I felt there was something to it. Until I saw the program you wrote, I realized my ideas could completely be realized. So, are you interested?"
"Then why are you looking for me? You could just do it yourself!"
"I want you to help me write it. I feel like I can't finish all these codes alone, and mainly, writing it alone is too slow. I still need to build a base station outside, and then I'll need to see if both sides can run simultaneously. If you're here, I won't have to run back and forth!"
"No, there are so many people here! You have to find me?" Ji Xingmi was helpless. Weren't the other people in the research lab alive? What about Zhang Heng! Was he the director in name only?
"I feel like you're on the same wavelength as me. Do you understand what I mean? It's difficult for them to understand what I'm saying, and communicating with you isn't as tiring! I only need to say one sentence to you, but not with them!"
Ji Xingmi hadn't expected this to be the reason. Seeing his unshaven face, with only his eyes full of light, she found it hard to refuse.
"How long do you plan to spend on this?"
"With your help, about a year! Of course, if things don't go smoothly, it's hard to say."
"Alright, then you start preparing. I'll go home and report to my parents, and then I'll come back. At most two days!"
"Okay, you said two days, right? I'll wait for you!" With that, he didn't bother with Ji Xingmi and buried himself back in the pile of trash. But it wasn't just him anymore; almost everyone in the office was in this state!
Ji Xingmi said goodbye to Zhang Heng and took Mogou back. She first returned to the Ji family's home, asked her mother to pack some clothes for her, all seasons, as she was going on a long trip. Then she went to find Ji Mingyi, gave her a jade bracelet, something she had found in the scrap yard before. She also gave her a bottle of life-saving pills, explained their use, and said this was her dowry!
She put a lot of medicine and medicinal materials in her own pharmacy and handed the key to Mother Ji, telling her to take whatever she needed from there. After saying this, she went with Father Ji into the study. No one in the family knew what the father and daughter discussed. When Ji Xingmi came out, she didn't stay home for long and went directly to Elder Hua's place.
Elder Hua was surprised to see her arrive so quickly and asked, "They let you come back so easily?"
"Of course not, I've been conscripted. I'm leaving tomorrow! I came to tell you where I'm going before I leave!" After speaking, Ji Xingmi took Elder Hua's pulse. With a clear understanding of his condition, she went to get a small box. These were pills she had refined at home when she had nothing else to do. She hadn't expected them to be used so soon.
"These are your pills, specially made. Don't give them away lightly, or I won't have anything as good to make for you later! The bottles are all labeled with their uses, so check them yourself!" The growth and refinement of these medicinal ingredients all used spiritual spring water. She had tested it, and the effect was better. She wouldn't easily take these out.
"If something comes up, come find me. I'm going to help this time, so don't let me come back and not see you!" Her biggest concern was Elder Hua's health, as he often didn't take his own well-being seriously.
Elder Hua looked at Ji Xingmi, feeling a bit angry, but mostly touched. This girl was reluctant to leave him!
"You used to be away for two or three months at a time. Take care of yourself, eat well, rest well, and don't learn from them." Elder Hua also gave her a few words of advice.
For the remaining time, Ji Xingmi went to see Gu Jingyi. Gu Jingyi was now handling affairs himself and was thus exceptionally busy, especially since Feng Xiang had been causing trouble for them lately. She had to wait until very late for Gu Jingyi to return to Elder Hua's place.
"Xing'er? Why are you here?" Gu Jingyi was first surprised to see Ji Xingmi there, then worried if something had happened.
"I was waiting for you, I have something to tell you!"
"Hmm?"
"I'm going on a long trip. If everything goes smoothly, it will take about a year." Ji Xingmi didn't know what else to say.
Gu Jingyi's body stiffened when he heard this. After a while, he slowly relaxed and pulled her into his arms. Ji Xingmi didn't struggle and returned his embrace.
"No matter where you go, you must protect yourself. I won't ask for anything else. The only request is, wherever you go, remember there's someone waiting for you at home, and that person is Gu Jingyi!"