Chapter 162: Waiting for Your Good News

"Next week? Which day?"

"Wednesday. We're expected to return in a week. You should be available, right?"

Engineer Li nodded. "I've got no problem."

He was the oldest one here, married long ago with children in school, and had practically no family pressures.

He smiled. "If I can't go, then the others definitely can't."

Lin Xi returned his smile: "Then it's settled. You and I will take our assistants and secure this task."

"Are only our department members going? Surely not."

Lin Xi replied, "Department Two should have some people going too. Their previous products are featured at the exhibition."

"That's true." Engineer Li nodded, though a moment later he looked puzzled. "Then what will we be responsible for?"

Department One's recent focus had entirely been on Huasheng. Looking further back, they didn't really have any projects they could proudly present.

That was basically because Department One's focus was primarily on chips. Unlike Department Two, whose scope was much broader—Feiyun's first batch of robots was a Department Two project.

Part of the reason why Engineer Wang from Department Two was so arrogant stemmed from this very fact.

Before Lin Xi arrived, the Feiyun R&D Department didn't have a manager, but the default boss was Engineer Wang from Department Two.

After Lin Xi arrived, she became the default boss, and everyone in Department One finally stood a little taller.

Yet Engineer Li still didn't know what their primary responsibility would be on this trip.

What puzzled him even more was why Engineer Lin herself had to go.

Everyone knew that Engineer Lin generally avoided business trips as much as possible.

Lin Xi understood what he was thinking, while Engineer Chen beside him looked eager, his eyes fixed intently on her.

Under their expectant gazes, Lin Xi shrugged and smiled: "This time, we are responsible for everything."

"!!!" Hearing this, how could seasoned veterans like Engineer Li and Engineer Chen fail to understand what it meant?

After the meeting ended, the group excitedly slipped back to the office.

As soon as the door closed, Engineer Chen asked impatiently, "Is Engineer Lin getting a promotion?"

This time she was in charge of the entire exhibition, meaning even those folks from Department Two would have to take her orders and arrangements.

Wasn't this practically being the R&D Department Manager?

"No, you guys are overthinking it." Lin Xi opened her computer and explained, "The Vice President is taking leave next week and won't be able to attend. Coincidentally, the exhibition venue is at my alma mater, so I'm relatively more familiar with it, that's all."

All other departments at Feiyun had standard corporate titles, with the R&D department being the sole exception.

They didn't have an official "boss"—meaning a manager or director. According to Cheng Si, that position was apparently being reserved specifically for her.

Externally, however, the message was that they hoped everyone would progress together and remain equals, which was why no higher-level leader had appeared yet.

Consequently, whenever R&D had issues, they usually reported directly to the Vice President.

Two months into her time at Feiyun, Cheng Si had hinted at her in various ways to find a way to get her promoted and officially secure that position for her.

However, she had declined on the grounds of having insufficient seniority.

To be honest, apart from having a slightly impressive educational background, she had no other advantages that made her qualified for the role.

She wasn't ready to sit in that position yet.

Furthermore, she didn't want such "backroom dealings" to occur, as it could easily affect the morale of her colleagues.

For Feiyun, it wouldn't be a wise decision either.

It wasn't a smart move.

She had temporarily shelved the matter, and Cheng Si shouldn't "harass" her about it in the short term.

As for the future, she did have such plans.

However, it would have to wait until she successfully landed a project, so that her promotion would command universal respect.

She wanted to climb up on her own merit, rather than always relying on Qin Yu and Cheng Si.

"I'll have to trouble everyone next week, especially Engineer Chen," Lin Xi said. "If any issues arise, we'll keep in touch by phone promptly."

"Rest assured."

Engineer Chen flashed an OK gesture.

In the afternoon, Engineer Chen ordered afternoon tea and treated everyone to coffee.

Just as the group was chatting merrily, someone knocked on the glass door from the outside. Engineer Chen looked up, and upon recognizing the figure outside, he raised an eyebrow. "Well, what a rare visitor."

The newcomer was precisely Engineer Wang.

He had probably already received notice from upper management.

"Come in, come in." Engineer Chen waved at him.

"Where is Engineer Lin?" Engineer Wang didn't seem inclined to deal with Engineer Chen and looked for Lin Xi the moment he stepped inside.

"In the lab." Engineer Chen crossed his legs, wearing a smug expression as he poked at Engineer Wang's sore spot. "What, did you get the notice? You're going on a business trip with our Engineer Lin next week. You guys in Department Two better be serious, listen well to Engineer Lin's arrangements, and don't drop the ball."

Hearing this instantly riled Engineer Wang up. "Who's dropping the ball anyway? Since you're so capable, why don't you go?"

"Hey, hey, I've got no talent, don't talk nonsense. Our Engineer Lin is the real deal." Engineer Chen gestured with a thumbs-up.

The two of them exchanged barbs outside, which didn't quite count as a full-blown quarrel, but the atmosphere wasn't exactly friendly either. Yet the others were already used to it and couldn't be bothered to mediate, letting the two of them bicker back and forth.

"Looking for me?"

"Right..."

Lin Xi glanced at the time. "Are two minutes okay? I have an emergency today and need to leave work early."

"Not really, I've got an urgent matter here too. Regarding next week's exhibition."

"Chat in the group chat. Didn't you hear Engineer Lin say she has an emergency?" Engineer Chen knew Lin Xi wasn't someone who liked making excuses; the emergency she spoke of must be top-priority and extremely important.

"What urgent matter could possibly be more important than this?" Engineer Wang refused to listen.

Engineer Chen: "It must be something at home! Why are you asking so much?"

"It's not that." Lin Xi interrupted. Under everyone's watchful eyes, she thought for a moment and finally said, "A date."

Engineer Wang: "???"

Engineer Chen: "!!!"

"A date? You..." Engineer Wang started, but before he could finish, Engineer Chen clamped a hand over his mouth and dragged him aside. "Engineer Lin, go ahead, important matters come first! Engineer Li and I will coordinate with him."

Lin Xi's gaze lingered between them. "Is that alright?"

"Yes, yes!" Engineer Li also helped restrain Engineer Wang. "We can handle such trivial matters, hurry along and take care of your business."

"Right, right, a date is definitely not a trivial matter!" Especially since it was Lin Xi going on a date.

It felt just like a dream.

Did the sun rise from the west today?

If they weren't afraid of delaying her time, they would have loved to dig deep into the gossip.

For now, they would just have to wait until tomorrow.

"Good luck, Engineer Lin!"

"Wish you the best of luck!"

"Waiting for your good news~"

The sudden outpouring of encouragement startled Lin Xi, causing the corners of her mouth to twitch awkwardly before she managed a strained smile. "Thanks."

Lin Xi gathered her belongings and left the company. Upon returning to her apartment, she began to get ready.

When quitting time arrived, Cheng Sheng appeared punctually at the R&D department. Upon learning that Lin Xi had already left work two hours ago, his very first thought was that Lin Xi had fled from the battle!

He tried calling her, never expecting that someone would actually answer.

On the other end of the line, Lin Xi was still in the car. "Not at all. I'm already on my way."

"You've arrived at the restaurant?"

"Mhm."

"..."