Chapter 6

I see, "Lu Jun thought carefully and was very surprised: 'Mr. Wu, you graduated from North China University?'"

Are you the first choice in the field of hydraulic engineering

No, Lu Jun smiled wryly, I can see clearly as well. General Manager Wu, you all... Oh, we have done our utmost to protect the natural environment and have done everything we can. After all, our capabilities are limited

Wu Wei is undoubtedly the best listener in the world. He simply listens to her, nodding with a smile when necessary, and offers a few simple comments. Colleagues often say that discussing matters with General Wu is the easiest. He is very good at putting himself in others' shoes; no matter how complex the issue is, after just one conversation with him, he can understand your meaning and provide reasonable insights

Wu Wei listened with a smile, gesturing with his eyes for her to continue.

Essentially, Lu Jun is a person who is very articulate. With over ten years of boarding school experience and a penchant for reading, whenever she is in high spirits, she can speak at length without interruption during dormitory discussions; although her temperament has gradually mellowed after attending university, pursuing graduate studies, and entering the workforce, her true nature occasionally reveals itself. When she is enthusiastic, she can easily talk for hours on end.

The two individuals went out for a walk, an event that has become almost untraceable. Just a second ago, they were chatting by the sink next to the dormitory, and in the next moment, they were discussing the harsh autumn chill in this place. Lu Jun remarked, "Speaking of which, I feel quite embarrassed; I have yet to carefully observe the surrounding environment. Every day, I am only focused on data and documents, and I have never conducted a field investigation of the conditions in the watershed. I truly am an incompetent hydraulic engineer"

Wu Wei nodded

Without much thought, Lu Jun understood his meaning. Upon careful reflection on recent observations, he deliberated and said: "Although it may seem like hindsight, a few days ago I also noticed some phenomena. I told Zhou Xu that soon the leaves would be falling everywhere... It seems that hydraulic engineering does indeed have an impact on the environment"

Wu Wei is very polite; he walks as fast as she does, always keeping pace with her, never ahead and never behind. The atmosphere is unprecedentedly good. Some say that the best way to enhance communication is through walking, and that words need not be abundant. Now, she finally has some profound insights.

What happened

As they turned along the makeshift path, passing through a thicket, they arrived at the riverbank. Here, the river breeze rustled gently, yet the view was excellent, with the nearby construction site and the distant low temporary dormitory clusters clearly visible. Bundles of steel bars were piled along the shore, appearing solemn at night, resembling silent little mountains. The river breeze swept by, and taking a deep breath, one could sense the metallic scent in the air. Bundles of steel bars were piled along the shore, appearing solemn at night, resembling silent little mountains. The river breeze swept by, and taking a deep breath, one could sense the metallic scent in the air

Teacher Yu is a very talkative person. We walked along the river for several hundred kilometers, and he recounted anecdotes that spanned several hundred kilometers in length, covering stories from ancient times to the present. He even mentioned that someone had once conducted an investigation of the Qingmin River, which sounded quite interesting. Lu Jun laughed, saying, "He can even recite the entire "Water Control Classic" and encouraged us to memorize it as well"

Lu Jun saw him smile, his eyebrows arching gracefully, and his eyes shimmering like pure water, devoid of any impurities. Instinctively feeling dizzy, she pressed her lips together and said, "This is just my personal feeling, General Manager Wu. My experiences are nothing compared to yours."

They are all people in the water and electricity sector, and they are also alumni of the same school, so they are bound to know various pieces of information.

Lu Jun reached out to tuck her hair behind her ear. Her hands were wet, and as she lifted her hand, water flowed into her sleeves, making her shiver from the cold. She simply put down her clothes and said: "I am referring to my mentor, Teacher Yu. He has always taught me that whenever a hydraulic engineer arrives at a location, they must first conduct a field survey; this is fundamental. During our internship at the Changtan Hydropower Station, we spent two months following him to survey the river's water conditions. We walked over five hundred miles, almost tracing back to the river's source"

Wu Wei nodded his head

No. The response was clear and powerful.

When speaking with him, the first impression is his complete focus; he will remember your words at hetushu.com. This makes one feel very comfortable. Of course, his good looks are one reason, but it is more of a rare talent.

On an autumn night, if a satellite were to pass directly over the Swat River basin in South Asia, it would certainly notice a scene that is lively and bustling, quite different from the usual tranquility. If the satellite were to zoom in for a closer observation, it would discover twinkling stars floating amidst the towering mountains. Although the width of the Swat River in this region has been reduced to its minimum, appearing as a narrow channel during the day, at night it suddenly seems magnified, resembling a vast river flowing endlessly, where heaven and earth meet. If one does not look closely, it is impossible to distinguish whether what lies before them is a river or an expansive sea.

Lu Jun felt her mind go blank, but suddenly she found herself calming down. Since the person she was talking to was him, it didn't matter what she said. Thus, she asked all the questions that had been on her mind for a long time: "I have always wanted to know what impact the power station will have on the ecological environment in this area after it is built. I have calculated that after the reservoir is filled, the water level in the area within a radius of one square kilometer will rise by more than ten meters. Compared to some large hydropower stations, this height may not seem significant, but the impact will be considerable. Not to mention the effects on the local climate... Other factors, such as how the living environment of plants and animals will be affected by the water storage, are unknown to anyone. I have calculated that after the reservoir is filled, the water level in the area within a radius of one square kilometer will rise by more than ten meters. Compared to some large hydropower stations, this height may not seem significant, but the impact will be considerable. Not to mention the effects on the local climate... Other factors, such as how the living environment of plants and animals will be affected by the water storage, are unknown to anyone. When I first arrived at the Changtan Hydropower Station, I could still see a small transparent fish in the river that the locals called 'glass fish'; after the reservoir was filled, I never saw it again."

Indeed, she relaxed, and with a blink and a smile, two faint dimples appeared at the corners of her lips

Lu Jun exclaimed, "Ah! How did you know?"

"There are always more questions than answers," Wu Wei shook his head, "but we cannot give up seeking solutions just because there are too many questions. To truly have a clear conscience is not an easy task."

He spoke as he stepped away from the riverbank. Lu Jun quickly followed him.

Then the atmosphere became unavoidably cold. Lu Jun racked her brains trying to think of a response; Wu Wei glanced at her, noticing that her familiar smile was replaced by a look of uncertainty due to his personal musings. There was no sparkle in her eyes, just a slight furrow in her brow, her hands clasped together. In the afternoon, she had been late, standing at the door in the same manner, clearly nervous and at a loss. He secretly regretted his choice and brought up a light topic, saying: "Why did you choose to study hydraulic engineering? A girl like you shouldn't be studying this." There was no sparkle in her eyes, just a slight furrow in her brow, her hands clasped together. In the afternoon, she had been late, standing at the door in the same manner, clearly nervous and at a loss. He secretly regretted his choice and brought up a light topic, saying: "Why did you choose to study hydraulic engineering? A girl like you shouldn't be studying this."

Finding the answer is not easy, and no one knows. Ever since I studied this major, I have continuously contemplated the pros and cons of hydropower and the environment. I have asked countless individuals who have dedicated their lives to hydropower research, and to this day, no one has found a method that does not harm the environment at all. Teacher Yu said that doing our best is sufficient; all current energy development and research by humanity come at the cost of sacrificing the environment.

Wu Wei smiled without answering, and instead asked: "Is your teacher named Yu Bin?"

"It cannot be compared this way," Wu Wei shook his head, "People are not the same."

What began as an ordinary conversation gradually led the two individuals away from the dormitory area, as they strolled slowly along the riverbank, faintly embodying the romantic sentiments found in ancient poetry, walking under the moonlight by the river. As for who took the first step—no one knows, and no one cares; what matters is the present moment.

"Your grades must have been the best back then," Lu Jun sighed deeply; "I now have a feeling that the farther I go, the more I realize the world is just this big"

"Ask me?" Wu Wei raised an eyebrow

It has been quite a long time since I last heard this compliment, and those memories, which were almost forgotten, gradually light up like stars in the night sky, flickering incessantly in my heart. He gently turned his face to glance at the young female engineer beside him, who was also tilting her head and gazing directly at him, and couldn't help but slightly raise the corners of his mouth.

Lu Jun seemed to be inspired and spoke: "We are a group of eight people, two teachers and six students, carrying a pile of equipment and instruments as we walk upstream. The riverbed of the Qingmin River is very flat; during the day, we walk a bit, measure the water level, draw topographic maps, and so on. Later, we arrived in the valley, which truly resembled a solitary fortress surrounded by towering mountains. Looking up, there are sheer cliffs and peaks dozens of meters high, reminiscent of the terrain we encountered earlier," she said, extending her arm to point into the night ahead, chuckling at herself. "I shared a tent with another girl. In the middle of the night, two small snakes crawled in. They were over a foot long and colorful. However, the snakes did not bite us; as soon as the light came on, they slithered away. I have always been terrified of snakes; just a glance is unbearable for me, and for several nights afterward, I couldn't sleep. But that was just the beginning; later, I learned that during field investigations, one can encounter all sorts of strange things."

This indeed.

The reason is that I did not perform well in the college entrance examination and was adjusted to the major of Water Resources and Hydropower, so I have continued with it. I was also too lazy to change my major, and as a result, I ended up like this. What about you, Mr. Wu?

Lu Jun and Wu Wei walked along the makeshift path pressed down by the car's axle, stepping on the starlight and moonlight, slowly continuing their journey.

The withered grass in the palm of the hand is blown away by the wind. Wu Wei spoke up: "This is South Asia, part of the evergreen broadleaf forest zone, where plants remain green throughout the year. Yet, look at the vegetation here; it is devoid of vitality."

Only after finishing this conversation did I recall Wu Wei's experience and knowledge, questioning the necessity of persuading myself. Such common sense is undoubtedly second nature to him; he is the overall person in charge of this project and understands the limitations of money and time better than anyone else. Given the current conditions, establishing such a well-organized construction site in this remote area is the best he can achieve. His strictness is well-known, especially towards himself. She added in a deliberately casual tone: "If we are truly too demanding, then the field of hydraulic engineering should be abolished. I believe that as long as one has a clear conscience, that is sufficient." Establishing such a well-organized construction site in this remote area is the best he can achieve. His strictness is well-known, especially towards himself. She added in a deliberately casual tone: "If we are truly too demanding, then the field of hydraulic engineering should be abolished. I believe that as long as one has a clear conscience, that is sufficient."

If Teacher Yu were to know that I started working without conducting a field investigation, he would certainly criticize me for being like a blind person reading a book, failing to find the right approach

At this moment, Wu Wei raised his head to look at her, and within his comforting and encouraging gaze lay a profound meaning

We are all human; what differences can there be?

Wu Wei said: "I have met him once. A few years ago, during the school anniversary, I saw him once. We can be considered as having come from the same school."

Indeed, you asked me, and should I also ask you about the *illustrated* book? Without waiting for him to respond, Lu Jun answered herself, "In fact, even if you don't say it, I already know. Our college once conducted a survey, and very few people voluntarily chose this major; most were compelled to do so. You must be in the same situation."

No, please continue. You examined the Qingmin River, and then what happened? Did anything interesting occur?

For instance, at this moment, she was animatedly recounting old stories to Engineer Wu, feeling no sense of impropriety; it was only at a certain moment that she remembered that Engineer Wu had hardly spoken throughout the journey. Thus, her voice abruptly ceased, and she cautiously glanced at him, finding no signs of discomfort: "Engineer Wu, do you think I talk too much?"

Turning his head, he saw Wu Wei half-squatting on the ground, his shadow elongated by the distant lights of the music, eventually merging with the night. He pushed aside the gravel at his feet, revealing several bent, yellowed, and withered grass roots. He picked up a handful and held it in his palm, his expression gradually becoming serious. Lu Jun did not expect him to notice the flowers and grass on the ground, which was quite surprising; she also bent down to stare at the broken leaves and asked, "What happened to these grasses?"

Wu Wei paused for a moment: "It's rare to think so deeply," he said, brushing off the dirt from his hands as he stood up. "Do you have any suggestions?"

This earned Lu Jun's heartfelt applause, along with a half-joking, half-serious compliment: "Indeed, indeed. You are truly different from us ordinary mortals."

Far from enough, far from enough! Wu Wei's voice suddenly stirred. He paced a few steps in place and then spoke in a deep voice, "I have always required all engineers and technical personnel to find solutions after raising questions, but in reality, I cannot answer them either, I cannot do it, truly a slap in the face to myself."

This statement carries considerable sentiment. Upon hearing it, Wu Wei felt a stir in his heart and said, "It is indeed necessary to conduct a field investigation. However, it is not your responsibility. The project is large, and there are many matters to attend to, so you have not had much opportunity to go out for investigations. The original data has also accumulated sufficiently."

Indeed, one can encounter anything," Wu Wei said with a chuckle, "Such awareness is quite rare.