Chapter 3

"Since I have been in the field of hydraulic engineering, there are some books that I can never part with in my lifetime," Wu Wei pointed outside the room and said, "The second room from the left is my room, and I have some books there that you might find interesting. Alright, you should take a rest now. We will have dinner together tonight, and starting tomorrow, we will officially begin work."

As they spoke, the vehicle had already come to a stop. The three of them got out, and there were many workers and engineers busy at the construction site. Upon seeing them get out of the car, a crowd quickly gathered around. Half of the Pakistanis had friendly and kind expressions hidden behind their bushy beards. Lu Jun always found it difficult to remember the faces of foreigners, and for a moment, she felt that everyone looked so similar. Hou Peng first introduced them to a few Chinese engineers, including Deputy Chief Engineer Qian Dahua, a man in his forties, who was cheerful and always wore a brotherly smile of encouragement on his face. Hou Peng looked him up and down and said, "Old Qian, I see you've gained weight again. Everyone else is getting thinner, so why are you the only one getting fatter?"

Zhou Xu shrugged, walked to the window, gazed intently outside, and said: "Xiao Jun, come over and take a look"

Wu Wei flashed a glance and shook his head: "Xiao Lu, I am merely a few years older than you and have worked a few more years; there is nothing extraordinary about that. There is no need to regard me as some kind of leader, and you do not have to be overly polite with me. Feel free to say whatever is on your mind. Whether in work or life, if you have any opinions about me, do not hesitate to express them. Water conservancy projects have never been the responsibility of just one person; everyone may have aspects they have not considered thoroughly."

"It's nothing, it's nothing. You have a lot on your plate as well." Lu Jun smiled slightly, averting her gaze from his pitch-black, unblemished eyes. She lowered her head and extended her hand to shake his. His hand was large, fitting well with his height. The palm was calloused from hard work, feeling somewhat rough and slightly damp to the touch. Standing closer, he seemed even taller, almost a head taller than her, backlit and blocking most of the sunlight.

Zhou Xu was much more composed than Lu Jun. He politely shook hands with Engineer Wu and courteously said: "Hello, Chief Engineer Wu. We are new to this field and may have many questions. We would appreciate your guidance in the future."

Everyone works hard; there is no one who does not toil in the water and electricity engineering field. If one lacks this awareness, it would be better to change careers as soon as possible. Hou Peng sighed, "Today’s journey has been very smooth, without any inspections. The weather is also good, unlike the previous times when it was either windy or rainy."

She listened to him speak, his tone gentle and sincere. She wanted to discern something else from him, but all she could see were his smooth jawline and high nose bridge, which made her feel momentarily dizzy. Just then, he bent down, and so she fixed her gaze on him and solemnly said, "Alright. I will."

It is still too early to say this, but the atmosphere here is very harmonious, and the colleagues are friendly," Zhou Xu asked her, "Speaking of which, I just saw you chatting with Chief Engineer Wu for a few moments. What did you talk about?

Qian Dahua laughed heartily and said, "It seems that both of you are very welcome here. Oh, you have arrived."

Both his gaze and tone fully conveyed the sincerity of his apology

Qian Dahua pointed to the row of simple houses built against the mountains and said: "They are coming from the testing site. There was a problem when we were excavating the water diversion tunnel, and we are currently investigating the cause. We may need to change the route, which is another troublesome matter. General Manager Wu has been very tired lately; I haven't seen him sleep before two o'clock. I originally planned to come and pick you up earlier, thinking you would arrive after dark, but I didn't expect you to come so early."

Hou Peng said: "Not bad, from site selection to the current scale, it has only been two to three months. Sufficient funding is one reason, but it is also closely related to the determination of the chief engineer"

More than 1,300 years later, Lu Jun also set foot in the Swat River region. However, unlike the monk Xuanzang, Lu Jun did not walk on foot; she sat in a jeep. The road was relatively smooth, with almost no bumps during the journey. Her gaze shifted from the lush green trees to the low houses, and from the snow-capped peaks of the mountains to the gently flowing river in the winding valley. She then thought, in this regard, the northwestern border region of Pakistan and certain hiking destinations in the southwestern region of the country are actually not different.

Zhou Xu also observed attentively for a while, then looked up at the mountain and nodded: "Indeed. It is remarkably orderly, quite rare. When we were interning at the Changtan Hydropower Station, it was also a medium-sized hydropower station of similar scale, but it was far less organized than here"

Zhou Xu thought carefully: "I must say, I was quite surprised when I first saw him. Although I had heard about him, I still didn't expect that in addition to his talent, he also looks so..."

"Very good," Lu Jun said, "the scenery is beautiful, and it's cool. Before coming here, Director Hou always said that many people come here to vacation in the summer, and I finally believe it."

"There is nothing particularly special about the picture book," Lu Jun said, "However, I do feel that applying to work in Pakistan at that time was a very correct decision"

More than 1,300 years ago, the young Tang Dynasty monk Xuanzang set out alone from Chang'an, heading westward to the land of Tianzhu, which is present-day India, to worship Buddha and seek scriptures. He circumvented the treacherous Himalayas and chose to travel along the northern route of the Silk Road. As he passed through the Swat region in present-day northern Pakistan, which was then known as the kingdom of Uzhangna, the scenery left a profound impression on him

"Let's chat; he is much more approachable than I imagined." Lu Jun smirked.

Wu Wei was already smiling. After listening to the introduction, the smile on his face deepened to his eyes. He extended his hand and said in a low, warm voice: "Hello. I had intended to pick you up today, but something unexpected came up at the dam. I sincerely apologize for that."

After this exchange of pleasantries, Hou Peng asked, "Where is Chief Engineer Wu?"

The feeling of dizziness persisted until Zhou Xu came to find her. Zhou Xu walked in, turned around a few times in the room, and finally sat on the edge of the bed. He looked at Lu Jun, who was cleaning the room, and asked her: "After such a bumpy journey, we have finally arrived at our destination. How do you feel?"

When they arrived together, Hou Peng chatted briefly in English with the Pakistani engineer, followed by the anticipated joyful handshake and a short conversation

Qian Dahua said: "At this age, one is bound to gain weight, there is no way around it"

Lu Jun half-squatted in front of the box, brushed aside the hair sticking to her forehead, and said: "Yes, I carry these books everywhere, even though they are both cumbersome and heavy, I must always bring them along. I cannot afford to lose them; if I lose them, I will have nothing left."

The dormitory conditions were similar to what she had imagined, with bare walls and simple furnishings: a bed, a desk, and a set of chairs. Lu Jun and Zhou Xu's dormitories were adjacent, each having a small room not exceeding 15 square meters. Wu Wei accompanied her into the room, and Lu Jun took the suitcase from his hands, immediately opening it to place a stack of books and a laptop on the desk. Upon seeing that the books were all substantial works on hydraulic engineering and hydropower, Wu Wei remarked, "No wonder it was so heavy; it turns out they were all books." Wu Wei accompanied her into the room, and Lu Jun took the suitcase from his hands, immediately opening it to place a stack of books and a laptop on the desk. Upon seeing that the books were all substantial works on hydraulic engineering and hydropower, Wu Wei remarked, "No wonder it was so heavy; it turns out they were all books."

He suddenly stopped speaking, and Lu Jun brushed off the dust from his hands, smiling as he helped him complete the latter half of his sentence: "You want to say this, right? I've never seen a man so handsome before; I was completely stunned at the time. You've been working for so many years, yet I don't even know what you looked like when you were younger."

If you have any questions, feel free to ask me at any time. From now on, we will be colleagues, and let's work together to make progress, said Wu Wei with a smile, patting him on the shoulder in a senior's manner. Have you had a smooth journey so far?

Wu Wei glanced at her. The slender girl in front of him wore a white shirt, black pants, and white sneakers, exuding a strong aura of scholarly elegance and youthful vitality. Behind her were numerous giant vehicles and loaders, massive and cumbersome, which made her appear so delicate and translucent, almost creating a sense of disharmony with the construction site. He pondered and said, "This place is indeed beautiful, but it is quite arduous."

Lu Jun patted her own arm and confidently said, "General Manager Wu, during our third year of research, we interned for a year at the Changtan Hydropower Station in Southwest China, where the conditions were similar to here. We are capable of enduring hardships."

Lu Junxin said, how could I let the chief engineer help me carry my luggage, hurriedly trying to snatch it back, but was blocked by Wu Wei with one hand. Without saying a word, he just walked away, leaving her with no way to respond. She watched Wu Wei's back as he walked away, talking to Hou Peng, her brows slightly furrowed. Zhou Xu gave her a gentle push, his voice low yet vaguely amused: "Hurry up. There will be plenty of opportunities to meet in the future"

Looking down from the dormitory window, the situation at the construction site is fully visible. In the distance flows the surging waters of the Swat River. The river is not wide, and the water rushes forward, with waves surging like a thousand galloping horses, leaping into brilliant rainbows in the setting sun. The river flows endlessly forward, and as I watch, a strong sense of belonging arises within me. This is it; having chosen this path, there is no room for retreat. The river flows endlessly forward, and as I watch, a strong sense of belonging arises within me. This is it; having chosen this path, there is no room for retreat.

When she regained her senses, Lu Jun finally realized that she had just been lost in thought. She felt a rush of blood to her face, her cheeks burning; it had been a long time since she had been so taken aback by someone's appearance. Feeling embarrassed, she cautiously glanced at Zhou Xu and found a hint of surprise in his eyes, which meant he had completely overlooked her moment of awkwardness. Reassured, she turned her attention back to Hou Peng, who had one hand resting on the shoulder of the newcomer, smiling as he introduced, "Chief Engineer Wu, I have brought you the personnel you requested. This is Lu Jun, and this is Zhou Xu; both are graduates of Jianghe University and are top students from the school." As he spoke, he adjusted his posture, shifting his gaze to the two newcomers with keen interest, and continued, "This is Chief Engineer Wu Wei of the Gelam Hydropower Station; he will be your direct supervisor from now on."

Lu Jun turned her head and saw the approaching person. The newcomer walked quickly, yet each step was firm, giving off a sense of steadiness. Like everyone else on the construction site, he was dressed in grayish-white work clothes. It was evident that he had long limbs and a well-proportioned figure, and although he was somewhat slender, the first impression he gave was not one of weakness, but rather a sense of resilience. As he drew closer, his face emerged as if it were being developed from a photographic negative. His delicate features were truly picturesque, and although his face bore the marks of years spent working outdoors, this only added to his charm rather than detracting from his appearance. Lu Jun suddenly had the thought that someone who looked like that seemed born to be admired. She watched this approaching figure with all her attention, and for a few seconds, her mind buzzed, making it a rare luxury even to think, let alone speak.

"No matter how you put it, the situation cannot be entirely the same here in the country," Wu Wei said, slightly nodding his head as he bent down to grasp the largest suitcase beside Lu Jun. "Alright, let's head to the dormitory first"

They had a simple meal at a roadside restaurant and continued on to the specific location of the hydropower station, which was in a nearby town about ten kilometers outside of Gram City. This journey was much shorter, as the car slowly crawled along the serpentine mountain road. The road was flat, comparable to those in Gram City, but it was narrow, and the sharp turns posed significant dangers, making one involuntarily sweat for the driver. The scenery among the steep mountains was beautiful, yet at that moment, no one had the mood to appreciate it seriously. The car slowed down, gradually approaching the construction site, and the surrounding environment came into view, surrounded by mountains and flowing rivers, presenting a magnificent sight. Although I had read a lot of information about this place before coming, the current experience was a direct sensation, far beyond the grandiose words in books. The Gram Hydropower Station is a dam-type hydropower station, located in a deep mountain gorge. Aside from the mountains and rivers, which should have been devoid of anything, there was unexpectedly a bustling construction site here. Although I had read a lot of information about this place before coming, the current experience was a direct sensation, far beyond the grandiose words in books. The Gram Hydropower Station is a dam-type hydropower station, located in a deep mountain gorge. Aside from the mountains and rivers, which should have been devoid of anything, there was unexpectedly a bustling construction site here

Lu Jun shot him a glare, quickly grabbed another suitcase, and followed him. Zhou Xu smiled and leisurely walked beside her. As they climbed the stairs, she glanced back at the bustling construction site and suddenly realized that she would be staying in this place for a long time—an overwhelming sense of the complex perceptions that life can bring surged to her forehead, an unprecedented reality.

After two or three days, Lu Jun's initial sense of novelty towards this country had faded, replaced by a complex and anxious emotion. Part of it stemmed from a fear of the unknown, part from worries about work, and the remaining part was a sense of helplessness in an unfamiliar environment. Although she occasionally chatted and laughed with her colleagues, Hou Peng and Zhou Xu, the anxiety in her heart did not dissipate with these deliberate distractions. That feeling of unease lingered persistently, and she found herself taking a deep breath every fifteen minutes to slow her racing heart.

As the vehicle made a turn, the scene of the construction site came into full view, revealing busy figures everywhere. The workers were all dressed in uniforms and wearing safety helmets, making it impossible to discern their nationalities; at that moment, everyone became part of a whole. With the roar of machinery growing louder, Lu Jun rolled down the window and carefully observed the piles of steel bars and stones stacked like mountains along the roadside. After a moment, he remarked, "The construction environment is quite good, the roads are clear and well-organized"

After nineteen years of study abroad, the monk Xuanzang returned to the Tang Dynasty. At the suggestion of Emperor Li Shimin, he wrote a book titled "Records of the Western Regions of the Great Tang." In this work, which integrates historical, academic, and literary elements, he described the Swat region as follows: valleys are interconnected, rivers and marshes link the plains. Although grains are sown in the valleys, the land does not yield abundantly. There are many grapes but few sugar canes. The land produces gold and iron, suitable for saffron. The forests are lush, flowers and fruits are abundant, the climate is mild, and the winds and rains are in order.

They set off early in the morning and arrived at this essential stop by noon, the small town of Gram located in the central part of the northwestern border province. This city is built simply yet precisely, and it is cooler than other places, almost making her forget the fatigue of the journey. The bumpy ride suddenly calmed her heart like a lake. This small town lacks the towering buildings commonly seen in Islamabad and does not have the orderly streets of Lahore, but it possesses a unique charm. No matter where one looks, one can find shops with distinct ethnic characteristics. This city resembles a white flower blooming amidst the towering mountains, and in some respects, it is even more enchanting than the big cities.

Lu Jun was overjoyed; just this one sentence made her feel that her choice was absolutely correct. The fatigue brought on by the bumpy journey vanished without a trace. She steadied her mind, smiled brightly, and looked down at him, at her leader, at the one who held her future in his hands. His face bore the marks of sleepless nights, yet he showed no signs of fatigue. She said: "Thank you, truly thank you, Chief Engineer Wu." She steadied her mind, smiled brightly, and looked down at him, at her leader, at the one who held her future in his hands. His face bore the marks of sleepless nights, yet he showed no signs of fatigue. She said: "Thank you, truly thank you, Chief Engineer Wu."