Chapter 59: Something’s Wrong Tonight

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

The next night, after finishing his dinner and changing into his sportswear, Tang Rui initiated a video call.

“Are you done with your work?” Li Shuyao asked as she picked up the video call, observing Tang Rui in his sportswear.

“It’s almost done. The remaining tasks are not my concern. I’ll just wait for updates at home,” Tang Rui replied nonchalantly. He had completed his tasks and was now awaiting further information.

Academician Yu had assured him the day before that he would help devise a solution to the parts issue, allowing Tang Rui to focus solely on research and development.

“Okay, then wait for me. I’ll go change my clothes,” Li Shuyao said.

“Alright,” Tang Rui agreed. He placed his phone on a stand and began to stretch his body. He hadn’t had time to exercise over the past couple of busy days.

Before long, Li Shuyao returned to the camera after changing her clothes, sporting yoga pants. This caught Tang Rui’s attention.

“What are you looking at?” Li Shuyao asked.

“Your shoelaces are untied,” Tang Rui responded.

Li Shuyao checked her shoelaces, but her line of sight was obstructed, and she didn’t see any issue. Tang Rui bent down to take a look and confirmed that her shoelaces were indeed untied.

By the time Li Shuyao finished tying her shoelaces and stood up, Tang Rui had resumed his exercise routine, avoiding any sideways glances.

With nothing else to comment on, Tang Rui diligently exercised alongside Li Shuyao through the video call, his gaze fixed on the screen.

An hour later, the video call concluded, and Tang Rui headed straight for the bathroom to take a shower. He had worked up a sweat and needed to freshen up.

Forty minutes later, Tang Rui emerged from the bathroom and settled onto the sofa, his gaze deep and composed.

In this moment, the electromagnetic signals in his brain were operating 20% faster than usual, significantly enhancing his logical thinking capacity by 80%.

His focus was on a serious question: What kind of equipment could be assembled using silica gel, a vibration motor, a heater, and a thermos flask shell?

After a while, Tang Rui snapped out of this intense epiphany and returned to his normal state. He changed back into his work clothes and headed to the basement, where he began dismantling a laser 3D printer.

Equipped with a 3D scanning device, Tang Rui scanned each part after removal, ensuring even screws weren’t overlooked. Despite the tediousness, this meticulous approach was essential to ensure smooth assembly and prevent any issues down the line.

Although laborious, this process was necessary. Missing even a single screw during assembly could result in significant setbacks. Tang Rui continued this painstaking work, recording every detail about the equipment’s structure and assembly.

The more intricate the equipment, the greater the demand for precision during assembly. Sometimes, even with blueprints and components, the assembly process could be challenging, as certain critical details might not be outlined.

While foreign enterprises often struggled with these complexities, Tang Rui pressed on undeterred.

Working until 11 o’clock that night, he had managed to dismantle one-third of the equipment. The remaining components posed more challenges, prompting him to defer their handling until the following morning.

With his subconscious learning device in place, Tang Rui retired to bed.

Over the subsequent days, Tang Rui continued his routine of daytime work at the company and nighttime equipment disassembly and assembly in his basement. His evenings were dedicated to exercise and studying during sleep. The tranquil rhythm of his days remained unbroken.

However, beneath this placid exterior, undercurrents of change were at play.

In military airfields across the central region and coastal areas, nightly takeoffs and landings of early warning aircraft were a common occurrence.

These were accompanied by J-16D electronic warfare aircraft, hinting at significant shifts underway.

On a particular night, after Tang Rui’s exercise and shower, an urge to step outside and stroll struck him. Bringing along a drone, he ventured to a nearby hill to fly it.

Ever since upgrading the drone, he hadn’t flown it. Tonight presented a chance to test its capabilities, especially with the enhanced engine structure and variable circulation system.

Seated on an observation deck chair, Tang Rui engaged the drone’s throttle. The engine roared to life, propelling the drone skyward with a trail of flames and a Mach ring.

“This feels distinctly different,” Tang Rui mused, guiding the drone through the sky while experimenting with various maneuvers. Notably, the thrust felt significantly improved after the engine enhancement.

As he flew the drone, Tang Rui’s gaze caught the night sky. Early warning aircraft accompanied by J-16D electronic warfare planes took off in formation from central and coastal airfields.

Perplexed by this unusual arrangement, Tang Rui adjusted his drone’s flight path for an optical scan of the sky. Although his radar couldn’t detect certain aircraft, the optical system might fare better.

After a five-minute scan, nothing unusual emerged. It appeared that the current flying formation consisted solely of early warning aircraft and electronic warfare planes.

“Perhaps it’s a drill,” Tang Rui speculated, deciding to continue flying his drone over the sea. With the upgraded engine’s improved fuel efficiency and thrust-to-weight ratio, he contemplated testing its limits around an island in the East China Sea.

Activating the radar wave interference system, Tang Rui set the drone on an autonomous cruise mode. The system, acquired through a previous upgrade, bolstered the drone’s stealth capabilities considerably.

Unperturbed by any radar scans, the drone remained nearly invisible to detection—except through optical means.

Back at his observation post, Tang Rui settled into his chair, snacking on melon seeds. The drone’s flight wasn’t particularly engaging, so he had brought along a variety of foods to pass the time.

Not long after, a warning sounded on the drone’s screen, capturing Tang Rui’s attention. Curious, he examined the warning.

“What’s happening now?” he murmured as he tapped the screen to view the alert target.

An early warning aircraft flanked by four electronic warfare planes were flying at an altitude of 13,000 meters. Tang Rui scratched his head, puzzled by this development.

Adjusting his drone’s flight, he initiated an optical scan toward the sky. While he suspected J-20 fighter jets might be present but undetectable by radar, the optical system might prove more effective.

The optical scan lasted five minutes, revealing nothing unusual in the sky. It seemed the flying formation indeed comprised an early warning aircraft and electronic warfare planes—no hidden fighter jets.

“Perhaps it’s just a routine exercise,” Tang Rui muttered, dismissing the situation. He refocused on flying his drone over the sea, keen to test its improved capabilities.

He soon returned his attention to the drone’s screen, munching on melon seeds and sipping a drink. While drone-watching could be dull, Tang Rui’s prepared snacks added some enjoyment to the experience.

Unexpectedly, another warning appeared on the screen within ten minutes. Tang Rui groaned as he inspected the new alert.

“What’s going on tonight?” he grumbled to himself, clicking the mouse to examine the details.

Upon seeing the flying formation displayed on the screen, Tang Rui was left dumbfounded.

Another early warning aircraft and four more electronic warfare planes.

“This is getting crazy,” he exclaimed, puzzled by the unprecedented situation.

His drone’s location was in the East China Sea, not far from the Yellow Sea..