Twenty years of cold chain

Chapter 22 Luan Pingxin

Since last year, instant messaging software has become incredibly popular online.

Hu Shutong and Luan Pingxin had become friends early on, and this became their main communication platform. However, they didn't chat much in real time; most of the time when they were online, they would see long messages from each other.

Unlike Hu Shutong, who had plenty of time to focus on her graduation thesis, Luan Pingxin, who was interning, was even busier. Even though her thesis was placed in the last batch, it still seemed exceptionally challenging. It's clear from that "emergency request" that her graduation thesis still had a lot of room for improvement.

Originally, Luan Pingxin was supposed to come to Mingyuan to find Hu Shutong, but his thesis defense was postponed. Hu Shutong had nothing to do lately, so to avoid Luan Pingxin having to work on his ideas while traveling, he arranged a time and place in advance and set off for Longyi City, the capital of Longshan Province and home to Longshan University.

In a small alley outside Longshan University, Hu Shutong met Luan Pingxin.

Luan Pingxin had shoulder-length short hair and wore canvas shoes, jeans, and a blue and white plaid shirt. She was quite thin. Her face was delicate, with well-defined features, willow-leaf eyebrows, long eyelashes, and bright, clear eyes that were sharp and full of life.

They met around this time last year, and their conversation mainly revolved around internships, filled with aspirations and purely academic topics; both were in a relaxed mood. This time, however, they both appeared noticeably different, more composed than before.

"I don't know how long the things Uncle Luan asked me to bring you will last. Right now, all that's left is this jar of jam."

Luan Pingxin looked at the jam in the house, pursed her lips and glanced at it for a moment, then smiled and took it. "It's rare that you still saved it for me. My dad said the cold storage is very well done, and you deserve a lot of credit. I won't say much more about thanking you, here's a gift for you."

Hu Shutong opened a box the size of a palm and found a mobile phone inside.

"The number stored inside is mine, so I can ask you anytime if I need anything in the future."

Just as Hu Shutong was about to speak, Luan Pingxin added, "Mine was provided by the company, while yours was a prize I received as an internal competition reward."

"Then I shall respectfully comply."

Luan Pingxin smiled lightly, ordered two dishes, and the two chatted as they ate.

"Actually, my thesis has already been rejected once. My supervisor felt it was too specialized and needed more content that connected with practice or the market. You know, during my university years, I was always doing R&D, technical work, one team after another. I was practically married to the equipment; where would I find the time to do market research?"

It's rare to see a woman like Luan Pingxin who has been obsessed with electrical appliances since childhood. She is decisive and efficient, and also has a bit of a temper.

"Don't rush." ​​Seeing her like this, Hu Shutong smiled and advised, "When I was working on my thesis, refrigeration equipment was also a section. When I was in Tianheng, including when I went to Panzhu, I also encountered a lot of practical problems. I can tell you about this part."

Both Hu Shutong and Luan Pingxin were clear in their hearts that even if Hu Shutong had something ready-made, he could not give it to Luan Pingxin. However, Hu Shutong could serve as an experienced person for Luan Pingxin to consult. Hu Shutong would explain, and Luan Pingxin would digest and expand upon it, find the points of convergence with the paper, and then incorporate it into the paper.

Moreover, Hu Shutong would not see Luan Pingxin's paper, nor could he interfere with its structure or ideas; he would simply state what he knew, saw, and learned.

Upon learning that Hu Shutong's thesis defense would not be until late July, Luan Pingxin immediately relaxed and smiled. That would be the same time as when she herself submitted her thesis, and she counted the days, which was less than half a month away.

In the following days, Luan Pingxin only had time to come out in the evening. After having dinner together, the two would stroll around. Hu Shutong talked about refrigeration equipment, refrigerated trucks, and cold storage facilities as if telling a story; to him, these were all true stories.

Luan Pingxin was astonished by what she heard. No wonder Hu Shutong had changed so much in just one year. He had lost much of his youthful naiveté and become much more composed. If he was a high-achieving student full of ambition for his career during his school years, he was now a keen explorer of the future, making people look forward to his future.

The two men faced different challenges in their respective fields. Luan Pingxin's challenge lay in technological exploration and overcoming difficulties. Longshan University bore a heavy responsibility, with the nation investing significant research funds to strive for international standards as soon as possible, leaving no room for complacency. In contrast, Hu Shutong's challenges appeared more complex and cumbersome.

The two had been together since junior high and high school, and had countless memorable stories to tell, so their understanding of each other was extraordinary. Listening to Hu Shutong's story, Luan Pingxin was also worried for him, but she didn't offer a single word of advice.

In the park, along the roadside, as dusk fell and the lights shone brightly, the two walked aimlessly, talking about their majors, their papers, the past, and the future.

It was a little after 10 p.m. that night.

Suddenly, large numbers of people took to the streets, carrying banners and waving national flags. Many had red ribbons wrapped around their foreheads and national flags pasted on their faces.

Moments later, fireworks soared into the sky, and the lights of the entire city came on!

"We won the bid to host the Olympics!"

"The Olympics are here!"

Long live the motherland!

People raised their arms and shouted excitedly; the whole city was in an uproar!

"The Olympics are here! The Olympics are here!" Hu Shutong and Luan Pingxin shouted in unison. This moment was breathtaking; it was a historic moment. This global event had finally arrived in the great Eastern nation. The influence of the Olympics is unparalleled; this is the best stage for the Chinese nation to showcase itself to the world!

Hu Shutong and Luan Pingxin couldn't help but hold hands and wave small red flags as they joined the crowd to celebrate this momentous national event. Together, they witnessed this moment.

Once things calmed down, Hu Shutong's first thought was "the Olympics and the industry." This major national event would definitely have a huge positive impact on the entire industry and would also place higher demands on transportation.

With our sights set on 2008, we must align ourselves with international standards and make improvements. The standards, regulations, and even the level of attention from various departments will be unprecedented!

Thinking of this, Hu Shutong clenched his fist. Luan Pingxin glanced at him and knew what Hu Shutong was thinking, so she also tightened her fingers. Hu Shutong came back to his senses.

The fireworks still blaze brightly, the city refuses to sleep.

Their eyes met, and they both laughed.

……