A nation's industrial development begins with junior engineers.

Chapter 1024 Welcome home

Emily's almost reflexive obedience was buzzing in her mind, her tongue was already against her gums, and a clear, decisive "Дa" was about to burst out.

However, this time, the order encountered unprecedented resistance.

That resistance did not stem from an assessment of the mission's risks, but from a more primal and turbulent current deep within the soul.

Do not!

This time is different!

What lies before us is not a cold, impersonal target, nor an adversary force that needs to be infiltrated.

They are Chinese, the people who hummed the nursery rhymes of her childhood, and the compatriots who share the same bloodline as those blurry yet warm faces in her memory!

Her parents, her relatives and friends, they all gave everything for this country, including her, their daughter.

How could she now use what she had stolen from the people they had fought so hard to protect to exchange for scraps of survival from the "masters" who had transformed her into a cold weapon, in order to perpetuate the "value" of this body that no longer belonged to her?

no way!

“…Дa…” The standard affirmative word rolled on the tip of his tongue, about to take shape.

But just before the syllable burst forth, an even stronger torrent, mixed with homesickness, guilt, resentment, and a faint yet stubborn sense of belonging, suddenly breached the dam built by training.

A completely different syllable, carrying an unexpected air of resistance, leaked from her slightly parted lips:

“he…”

The syllable was soft and brief, almost drowned out by the noise of the corridor and the lingering sound of the car engine. But the formulaic smile on Minister Ivan's face froze for a mere tenth of a second.

His gaze behind his glasses instantly locked onto Emily.

In Russian, "yes" is "Дa" [da], pronounced short and affirmatively. "No" is "het" [nyet], pronounced with a slight pause in breath.

Oops!

Mulan moved almost the instant Ivan's gaze turned cold.

She took a half step forward, getting closer to Minister Ivan than Emily did, and her body partially blocked Ivan's scrutinizing gaze from Emily.

"Minister Ivan, please rest assured, we will make Comrade Emily feel at home and will not mistreat her."

Mulan's voice was clear and resonant, carrying just the right amount of joy.

As she spoke, she naturally reached out and gently cupped Emily's stiff hand in her warm palms. The warmth from her palms made Emily tremble, and the words that were about to escape her lips were swallowed back by the sudden comfort.

"Minister Ivan, rest assured, we will make Comrade Emily feel right at home! Just as we treat all our friends from the Alliance who have sincerely helped us!"

"Feeling right at home? Wow..."

Minister Ivan's expression of unease was somewhat eased by Mulan's enthusiastic interruption and handshake. He shifted his gaze from Emily's face behind his glasses to Mulan's smiling face, repeated the word, and a smile crept onto his lips.

“I have absolutely no doubt about that.”

Minister Ivan recalled the accounts given by the Alliance experts who had been sent to China upon their return:

That was like another world.

They live in specially built or vacated expert buildings with heating and private bathrooms, which are better than the housing conditions of many local cadres in the alliance.

They had special meals every day, including chicken, duck, fish, meat, fresh fruits and vegetables, and even butter and sugar, which were in high demand in the league at the time.

They have private cars for transportation and access to the best doctors and private rooms for medical treatment.

Their cultural life was also taken care of, with the best seats for watching plays and listening to concerts.

More importantly, there was an atmosphere of "being respected." From top management to ordinary workers, there was almost unconditional respect and warm hospitality towards the "elder brother experts." Any reasonable or unreasonable request could often be met as much as possible.

When those experts returned and talked about that experience, they were all filled with nostalgia and pride, calling it "the most privileged time of their lives."

Thinking of this, Ivan's gaze toward Mulan and Emily held an indescribable meaning.

How to make Emily feel "at home"?

Needless to say, these Chinese people will naturally "arrange" things perfectly.

Perhaps this is also a good environment that allows Emily to complete the task more comfortably and "naturally"?

His smile returned to its natural state, even carrying a hint of arrogant "it should be this way," as he was about to say a few more polite words before leaving.

Just then, the head of the Chinese delegation, who had been exchanging pleasantries with the Luxembourg president, seemed to have just finished his conversation, turned around with a smile, and naturally joined them.

Together with Mulan, they completely shielded Emily behind them.

The commander, seemingly oblivious to the subtle tension that had just passed, followed Ivan's train of thought and said in a tone that was half sentimental and half joking:

“Ivan is right. We always do our best to treat our friends. When your experts are with us, we truly treat them as honored guests and teachers, and do everything we can to ensure their work and life.”

The group leader spoke sincerely, but then his tone shifted slightly, and a hint of confusion appeared in his smile: "However, speaking of 'making guests feel at home' and mutual support... I just remembered that our China also sent quite a few workers and technicians over there to support the Alliance's socialist construction."

“Those veteran technicians who were among the first to help build the ‘Red Proletarian’ machine tool factory and the Stalin automobile factory, as well as the comrades who went to the Far East and Siberia to carry out geological exploration, logging, and port construction... they were all top-notch talents, the most hardworking and resilient.”

He sighed slightly: "But according to the comrades who have returned, the working and living conditions... seem to be somewhat different from what we wrote in the original agreement. The promised special subsidies are often delayed or never implemented; we often live in simple sheds, crammed together with the local workers; the food is just black bread and potato soup, and it's difficult to even buy some daily necessities."

Many comrades couldn't adapt to the cold and fell ill, and medical care was inadequate... Alas, we've all left our hometowns, all fighting for a common ideal. Comparing our treatment, our comrades sometimes have reservations, wondering if... the Alliance has forgotten about us brothers who helped them?

The team leader spoke with sincerity, as if he were simply discussing a "minor issue in cooperation."

But how could Minister Ivan not understand the meaning behind those words?

This is a subtle reminder, or even a "demand," for the overdue remuneration that should have been paid to the Chinese experts!

Moreover, deliberately choosing this moment when all three parties were present, and bringing it up in a seemingly casual, complaining manner, immediately changed its weight.

Hey Peng, you're still so good with words! Last time on the northern battlefield, you really put me in a bind, forcing me to back down. And now you're doing it again!

Damn it, last time I went to complain to the leader, I was told not to say anything out of line again.

this time……

This time, that guy who only knows how to grow corn might be transferred to Siberia to manage a farm in order to appease the increasingly important China!

Minister Ivan's expression immediately became unnatural.

He was certainly aware of these circumstances, and even that some of the cuts and omissions were the result of some kind of inertia or deliberate cost-saving within the system.

The Chinese are known for their diligence and low prices, but in the eyes of some people, their efforts seem to be "cheap" as a matter of course.

Now, the opposing team leader has brought it up in this way, seemingly unintentionally, in such a multilateral setting. Although the tone is calm, the implied comparison and questioning cannot be ignored.

This is directly related to the alliance's international image and the prestige of the "big brother," especially now that it may be trying to win over Luxembourg for cooperation.

“This… Mr. Comrade,” Minister Ivan quickly adjusted his expression, adopting a serious and earnest tone, “I take the issue you raised very seriously. There may be some misunderstandings in communication, or deviations in the implementation by individual units. Please rest assured, I will personally look into this matter upon my return and urge the relevant departments to strictly implement the agreement between our two sides to protect the legitimate rights and interests of all Chinese experts in the Soviet Union!”

Seeing that Minister Ivan's attention had been successfully diverted, the commander immediately reverted to his usual warm and cheerful demeanor, as if he had only casually mentioned a trivial matter:

"Oh, we're relieved to hear that! I knew Minister Ivan was the most reasonable and internationalist! We'll leave this matter to you. Take care on your journey!"

"However, you must not forget! Otherwise..."

"I'll help you remember!"

Minister Ivan shuddered: "Damn it, the Chinese are getting more and more unreasonable. Why did they send this guy out!"

Ivan dismisses threats from others as mere farts; that's giving the other party too much credit.

But the one in front of me is different...

……

After some assurances, Minister Ivan was finally allowed to leave by car with his entourage.

Only after the car turned the corner and disappeared from sight did the tense atmosphere at the entrance seem to truly relax.

Mulan gently patted Emily's hand and said in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Don't panic, stay here for now."

After saying that, he turned and walked toward the IEC president and the Luxembourg representative, signaling Emily to follow, and then resumed his translation work.

"Okay! Thank you... Also, could you call me by my Chinese name?"

"Of course, may I ask..."

"Chu Chu! Call me Chu Chu!"

"Yes, Chuchu... Comrade!"

"Welcome home!"