145: Chapter 145 Returning Home at the End of the Year

Soon, the end of the year was fast approaching, and the Researchers, usually focused and serious, inevitably showed signs of anticipation and restlessness as they yearned to return home.

A uniquely pre-holiday atmosphere of absent-mindedness permeated the laboratory.

Chen Youhua called Wang Zhe and Li Wei into his office.

"The New Year is coming soon. The second phase of the project has just begun, and we can't rush it. Let's give everyone a Spring Festival holiday to rest well and spend time with their families."

Chen Youhua looked at his two capable assistants; their expressions showed a weariness they couldn't quite hide.

Li Wei breathed a sigh of relief, a genuine smile appearing on her face.

"That's wonderful! Everyone has indeed been wound too tight this year, especially recently... It really is time to relax. How will the holiday be scheduled?"

"We'll follow the national statutory holidays, but we can be flexible by a day or two before and after."

Chen Youhua thought for a moment.

"For those who want to head home early because of difficulty buying tickets, leaving a day or two early is fine. For those who find it hard to get return tickets after the New Year, coming back a day or two late is also understandable.

Tally up everyone's situation and arrange it flexibly. Just ensure there are people taking turns on duty to keep the laboratory's basic operations running. Those on duty will receive triple pay."

"Understood!" Wang Zhe nodded.

"Li Wei and I will handle the arrangements to ensure everyone can enjoy a peaceful New Year."

As soon as the holiday notice was issued, the laboratory was immediately filled with a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere.

The Researchers began asking each other if they had bought their tickets home or prepared their New Year goods, discussing their hometown specialties and New Year customs.

The slight gloom brought about by the previous poaching incident was also significantly dissipated by the upcoming atmosphere of reunion.

Chen Youhua also briefly packed his things.

His luggage was simple: a few changes of clothes, a laptop filled with various papers and preprints, and some gifts he had prepared for his parents long ago.

"Is Father going home?"

enlightenment appeared somewhat reluctant on the computer screen.

"enlightenment will miss you."

"Yes, I'm going home for a few days," Chen Youhua said while checking the power supply.

Only after speaking did he realize something was off, and he shot enlightenment a look.

"Can't you just come onto my phone?"

enlightenment let out a "hehe" laugh and said,

"It's just that enlightenment doesn't know what it feels like to... go home. Everyone seems so happy.

Is it like Spark Base? But enlightenment is everywhere."

Chen Youhua paused his movements upon hearing this, thinking about how to describe such an emotion to an electronic life.

"It's... returning to a place where you feel very relaxed and at peace.

As for parents... they'll nag you about eating and dressing, ask if you're tired from work, urge you to find a partner... but you'll know they are the only people in this world who unconditionally want the best for you."

He smiled.

"Even if I tell you, you might not understand."

"enlightenment seems to understand a little..."

enlightenment tilted its head, seemingly trying to grasp this complex human emotion.

"Just like how enlightenment wants Father to always be happy!"

Chen Youhua was amused: "Close enough. I'm off."

He picked up his luggage and walked to the door, then suddenly paused and laughed at himself.

"I almost let you confuse me... Why was I saying goodbye to you?"

He didn't live far from home; the high-speed rail took only a little over an hour.

But his status was different now, and taking the high-speed rail would put too much pressure on security work.

He had the security personnel thoroughly clean and inspect his private car in advance, and it arrived downstairs on time to wait.

Sitting in the car, the security driver's skills were excellent, and the vehicle drove so smoothly that he could hardly feel any bumps.

The familiar city scenery outside the window receded rapidly. As Chen Youhua watched, sleepiness surged, and he couldn't help but doze off in the comfortable back seat.

It wasn't until he was gently woken by security that he realized the car had stopped in front of his family's somewhat aged residential building.

A familiar six-story small building, no elevator.

Since he had stepped into the spotlight through the Navier-Stokes Equation, there was no longer any need to hide anything.

He had mentioned it several times over the past few months, wanting to buy his parents a better, newer house, but the old couple had refused without even thinking about it.

In their words, except for climbing the stairs being a bit tiring, the house was perfect in every way—comfortably renovated, lived in for decades, and they knew all the neighbors intimately.

Moving to an unfamiliar high-end residential area would make them feel out of place instead, without even an old friend to talk to.

Chen Youhua thought that made sense and stopped pushing.

He carried his things upstairs, walked to the familiar security door, and knocked.

"Coming, coming! Who is it?" His mother's familiar voice came from inside.

As soon as the door opened, Mother Chen saw her son standing there, and her face instantly lit up with a smile.

"Youhua?! Why are you back? You child, you didn't even call ahead to let us know!"

Then, she noticed two young men behind her son, dressed in plain clothes with upright postures and sharp eyes. She paused and asked in a low voice,

"Youhua, are these... your friends?"

Chen Youhua stepped aside to introduce them: "Mom, they are my security personnel. They were arranged by the higher-ups to be responsible for my safety."

"Security?"

Upon hearing this, a flicker of imperceptible worry flashed across Mother Chen's face, but it was immediately replaced by warmth.

"Oh! So they're Youhua's colleagues! Please come in, come in! It's cold outside, it's warm in here!"

She hurriedly invited everyone inside.

Then she took the things Chen Youhua was carrying and chided him,

"If you're coming home, just come home. Why bring so many things? What a waste of money!"

Even though she said that, the smile in her eyes couldn't be hidden.

After arranging for everyone to sit in the living room, Mother Chen took the opportunity while pouring water to pull Chen Youhua aside and asked in a low, worried voice,

"Son, tell me the truth. Is your current job... dangerous?

Isn't it just doing research and experiments? Why do you need people specifically to protect you?"

Chen Youhua quickly put his arm around his mother's shoulder to reassure her.

"Mom, you're overthinking it! There's no danger!

It's just that your son is a bit famous now. The higher-ups value talent, and these are standard security measures to prevent random people from disturbing my work and life.

It's really just a formality to make it more convenient for me to go out. It's really nothing!"

After a long explanation, Mother Chen finally felt somewhat relieved, the worry fading from her face as her smile returned.

"Alright, alright. I don't understand these state affairs of yours.

Your father's workplace will be closing soon too. I'll go cook for you all right now!

I've already bought the pork belly for your favorite Braised Pork!"

With that, she tied on her apron and bustled into the kitchen.