JFWCM Chapter 67

Interstellar Love Song

After the storm in the interstellar research community subsided, Yi Shang and Jiang Wan’yuan’s lives seemed to return to calm, yet new life was brewing within the calm. Yi Shang still maintained her aloof appearance, but when facing Jiang Wan’yuan, her eyes would unconsciously reveal endless tenderness. As for Jiang Wan’yuan, her cheerful and lively personality was like a ray of warm sunshine in Yi Shang’s life, dispelling all the gloom.

Their Xinglan Research Academy has always been committed to cutting-edge interstellar research projects. One day, the academy announced a major piece of news—the launch of the “β-type Symbiote Cultivation Program,” aimed at cultivating a special organism that can perfectly coexist with humans during interstellar travel, in order to solve the various physiological and psychological problems faced by astronauts during long-term interstellar voyages. With their previous outstanding scientific research achievements, Yi Shang and Jiang Wan’yuan naturally became core members of the project.

In the early stages of the project, everything seemed to be progressing smoothly. However, during a crucial experiment, an accident occurred. The β-type symbiote in the cultivation chamber suddenly showed an abnormal reaction. The previously stable growth curve fluctuated sharply, and the symbiote’s form began to twist and deform. Yi Shang looked at the monitoring data, her brows furrowed tightly, and her eyes revealed unprecedented solemnity. Jiang Wan’yuan paced anxiously beside her. “What’s going on? The previous simulation experiments were all successful!”

Yi Shang took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. Her voice was still cold, but it carried a reassuring power. “Don’t worry, Wan’yuan. Let’s double-check the experimental steps and data. We’ll definitely find the problem.” So, the two began to meticulously review the entire experimental process. They consulted a large amount of data, repeatedly checked every figure, and didn’t let go of any possible detail.

At the same time, rumors began to spread in the academy. Some said that Yi Shang and Jiang Wan’yuan were simply not capable of handling the project, and their previous success was just good luck. Others speculated that they had offended some competitors again, leading to the experiment being sabotaged in secret. Jiang Wan’yuan was furious when she heard these rumors. “How can these people say such things! We’re working so hard, and they’re just making sarcastic remarks.”

Yi Shang gently held Jiang Wan’yuan’s hand and gently stroked the back of her hand with her thumb. “Don’t pay attention to them. Our strength isn’t judged by their mouths. Let’s focus on solving the experimental problem.” Yi Shang’s eyes were firm and focused, as if those rumors couldn’t affect her at all.

After several days and nights of hard work, Yi Shang and Jiang Wan’yuan finally discovered the problem. It turned out that there was an extremely subtle deviation in the ratio of a trace element in the nutrient solution used to cultivate the symbiote. This deviation did not show obvious effects in previous small-scale experiments, but in this large-scale formal experiment, it triggered a chain reaction. Having found the root of the problem, they quickly adjusted the formula of the nutrient solution and restarted the experiment.

This time, the β-type symbiote in the cultivation chamber finally returned to its normal growth state. Looking at the gradually stabilizing monitoring data, Jiang Wan’yuan excitedly hugged Yi Shang. “Great, Yi Shang! We succeeded!” The corners of Yi Shang’s mouth turned up slightly, revealing a rare gentle smile. She patted Jiang Wan’yuan’s back gently. “Yes, we did it.”

However, just when they thought everything was going to get back on track, new troubles came one after another. The academy’s senior management suddenly proposed a large-scale budget cut for the “β-type Symbiote Cultivation Program,” citing slow progress and excessive risk. Yi Shang and Jiang Wan’yuan were anxious when they heard the news.

They knew that if the budget was cut, many key experimental equipment would not be updated, and some necessary research personnel might be forced to leave, which would undoubtedly deal a devastating blow to the project. Jiang Wan’yuan said angrily, “This is simply unreasonable! We’ve made so much progress. How can they cut the budget just because they want to?”

Yi Shang’s eyes turned cold. “No, we can’t just watch this project die. We’ll have a good talk with the academy’s senior management and explain the importance and prospects of the project to them in detail.”

So, Yi Shang and Jiang Wan’yuan carefully prepared a detailed project report, listing the previous research results, current progress, and future development plans one by one. During the meeting with the academy’s senior management, Yi Shang changed her usual aloofness and earnestly explained the importance of the “β-type Symbiote Cultivation Program” to interstellar research.

“Leaders, once the β-type symbiote is successfully cultivated, it will completely change the landscape of human interstellar travel. It will not only ensure the safety of astronauts but also greatly improve the efficiency and depth of interstellar exploration. In the long run, this is of immeasurable value to human development in the universe. Although the project has gone through twists and turns, it has achieved key breakthroughs. Cutting the budget at this time would be a waste of all our previous efforts.” Yi Shang’s voice was steady and powerful, and her eyes firmly swept across every senior manager present.

Jiang Wan’yuan also chimed in, “Yes, leaders. We’ve put countless efforts into this project. It’s like our child. Now is the time when it needs more support. Give us some more time, and we’ll definitely deliver a satisfactory answer.” Jiang Wan’yuan’s eyes flashed with anxiety and anticipation, and her hands unconsciously clenched together.

However, the academy’s senior management seemed unmoved. An elderly man with gray hair frowned and slowly said, “Yi Shang, Jiang Wan’yuan, we see your enthusiasm and efforts. But the academy’s resources are limited, and we must consider the risk of input versus output. The uncertainty of this project is still very high, and we can’t waste too many resources on a project with an uncertain future.”

Hearing this, Jiang Wan’yuan was anxious and wanted to argue again, but Yi Shang gently pulled her back, signaling her to be patient. Yi Shang took a deep breath, her mind racing to find a solution. Suddenly, she had an idea and said, “Leaders, I have a proposal. We are willing to sign a military order in our personal names. If the project cannot achieve satisfactory phased results for the academy within the next three months, we will not only voluntarily give up the project but also be willing to bear the corresponding responsibility. But within these three months, please have the academy maintain its original budget support.”

As soon as these words came out, everyone present was stunned. Jiang Wan’yuan looked at Yi Shang in surprise, her eyes full of worry, but she knew that since Yi Shang had made this decision, she must have her considerations, so she chose to stand firmly by Yi Shang’s side.

The academy’s senior management looked at each other and began to discuss in a low voice. After a while, the elderly man spoke again: “Okay, since you are so determined, we will give you three more months. But we hope you don’t disappoint the academy.”

Yi Shang and Jiang Wan’yuan walked out of the meeting room, Jiang Wan’yuan couldn’t help but complain: “Yi Shang, why are you so impulsive, three months, what if…” Yi Shang smiled and gently scratched Jiang Wan’yuan’s nose, “Don’t worry, Wan’yuan. I’m confident, we can definitely do it. And, this is the only way to get the budget right now.” Looking at the firmness in Yi Shang’s eyes, the worry in Jiang Wan’yuan’s heart gradually dissipated, and she nodded vigorously, “Yeah, let’s work hard together!”

Back in the laboratory, Yi Shang and Jiang Wan’yuan immediately threw themselves into their intense work. They fought day and night, racing against time. Yi Shang’s originally cold face became even thinner, and deep dark circles appeared under her eyes, but her eyes were still firm and bright. Although Jiang Wan’yuan was cheerful and lively, she also put away her usual playfulness at this time and devoted herself wholeheartedly to the experiment.

During these difficult days, the two supported each other and encouraged each other. Whenever Jiang Wan’yuan felt exhausted and wanted to give up, Yi Shang would always look at Jiang Wan’yuan with her gentle and firm eyes and say softly: “Come on, Wan’yuan, we can definitely do it.” And whenever Yi Shang fell into silence due to excessive pressure, Jiang Wan’yuan would be like a cheerful little bird, chirping and saying jokes beside her, trying to relieve her pressure.

As time went by, the experiment finally reached a critical node. Thanks to the unremitting efforts of Yi Shang and Jiang Wan’yuan, the β-type symbiote successfully completed the initial fusion with the experimental subject, and all indicators reached the expected standards. This news was like a thunderbolt, and it exploded in the academy.

After learning the news, the academy’s senior management came to the laboratory to visit. Looking at the β-type symbiote that was perfectly integrated with the experimental subject in the cultivation chamber, their faces showed gratified smiles. The elderly man with gray hair even exclaimed: “Yi Shang, Jiang Wan’yuan, you really didn’t disappoint us. The prospects for this project are bright!”

Yi Shang and Jiang Wan’yuan smiled at each other, their eyes shining with tears of excitement and joy. Along the way, they had experienced countless difficulties and setbacks, but they had always worked side by side, never abandoning each other.