As Ji Shuyu sat down on the bench, snippets of an English conversation drifted over from a distance.
“Unbelievable! The sea mud from this remote island, when combined with secretions from a certain type of shellfish and given simple treatment, actually exhibits such excellent corrosion resistance and an extremely low friction coefficient…”
“This is practically the foundation for a natural high-performance composite material…”
A voice with a distinct foreign accent spoke with suppressed excitement.
It had to be understood that in this day and age, possessing such a material could save them a great deal of money.
Something entirely natural meant it was a gift from nature.
“Shh, keep your voice down, Robert. The key is to identify exactly which species of shellfish it is and the specific treatment process.”
“If we can control the source of the raw materials and do some research and development back home, our company could gain a foothold in the military and high-end equipment sectors. The people here clearly don’t realize its value yet.”
Another, deeper male voice responded.
“Exactly, John. I saw those soldiers simply collecting them, as if they’re only using them to patch up fishing boats and roofs?”
“My God, it’s like using diamonds as glass. We must find a way to acquire these materials at a low price…”
Ji Shuyu’s heart skipped a beat.
With her background in materials science, she immediately understood what these foreigners were discussing.
They had discovered the potential of the natural composite materials unique to this island.
From their conversation, Ji Shuyu began to piece things together.
This island produced several special types of shellfish and sea mud with unique mineral compositions.
But the islanders, having lived here for generations, only used them for everyday repairs.
They were completely unaware of the immense scientific and commercial value, especially the potential applications in military and aerospace fields.
These two foreigners… they were up to no good.
Just then, Zhao Qiang hurried over with He Yuan in tow.
He Yuan was wearing training clothes, beads of sweat still on his temples. When he saw Ji Shuyu, a gentle smile appeared on his face. “What brings you here? The sun is so strong, aren’t you afraid of getting sunburned?”
Pushing aside her thoughts, Ji Shuyu smiled and held up the lunchbox. “Brought you an extra dish—braised fish.”
Before He Yuan could respond, the two foreigners nearby seemed to notice the situation. Especially when they saw He Yuan’s uniform, they exchanged a glance and proactively walked over.
“Good morning, Officer,” the man named Robert said in halting Chinese, a smile plastered on his face. “We are scientific researchers from across the ocean, invited here for a visit. We are very interested in the local marine ecology.”
John was more direct, his gaze drifting toward some items a few soldiers were sun-drying in the distance. “We noticed the soldiers collecting some local products? Our company is very interested in unique natural materials from around the world. We’re willing to purchase some as research specimens, and the price is negotiable. We can pay… well… double the price of ordinary local seafood.”
His tone carried a condescending sense of superiority, as if he were offering an exorbitant sum.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Qiang’s eyes lit up, and he was about to say something.
But He Yuan slightly furrowed his brows and didn’t respond immediately.
He didn’t recall inviting any researchers here?
After all, this was a military protected area. Foreigners weren’t allowed to set foot on the island.
Ji Shuyu sneered inwardly. Here it comes.
She gently tugged He Yuan’s arm, stepped forward half a step, and spoke in flawless English.
“Double the price of ordinary seafood? Mr. Robert, Mr. John, are you referring to the special diatomaceous sedimentary mud with its rare earth element adsorption properties? Or perhaps the Mytilidae species whose secretions contain unique organic-inorganic hybrid structures?”
Her tone was even, but the professional terminology she effortlessly used made the two foreigners’ faces instantly pale, their smiles freezing.
Not waiting for their response, Ji Shuyu continued in English, “Your company plans to use this trivial ‘high price’ to monopolize the source of strategic materials potentially worth billions of dollars and the head start in R&D?”
Robert and John were utterly stunned, their mouths agape as they stared at Ji Shuyu as if she were a monster.
How did she know this stuff? And how did she so accurately expose their true intentions?
No, it was impossible! If there were people here who understood this, why would those soldiers be so wasteful with such precious resources!
Although He Yuan didn’t fully grasp the professional terms, the foreigners’ drastic change in expression immediately alerted him to the seriousness of the situation. His gaze sharpened instantly, sweeping over the two men with a cold intensity.
Zhao Qiang also suddenly understood. “Well, I’ll be!” he said angrily. “So you weren’t here with good intentions! You were trying to cheat us!”
Cold sweat broke out on Robert and John’s foreheads. They stammered, trying to explain, “N-no, it’s not like that… This lady misunderstands… We were only…”
“…Just trying to cut corners, thinking no one here would understand these things, right?” Ji Shuyu finished for them coolly.
The two foreigners turned ashen, completely speechless. They hastily made their excuses and tried to slink away.
But He Yuan ordered Zhao Qiang to detain them.
“I am an officer of the Chinese military,” He Yuan stated, flashing his credentials. “I suspect you of espionage activities. Until your identities and purposes are fully investigated, you are not permitted to leave here.”
He signaled two soldiers to take the men away for questioning. The foreigners protested frantically in English, but Ji Shuyu made no move to translate for them. What are they jabbering about? she thought. It’s giving me a headache.
He Yuan looked deeply at Ji Shuyu, his eyes filled with undisguised admiration. He hadn’t expected his wife to know so much.
Zhao Qiang looked at her with outright reverence. “Sis-in-law, that was amazing! How do you know all that? And you can speak their language too!”
Ji Shuyu smiled somewhat sheepishly and shoved the lunchbox into He Yuan’s hands. “Eat first. The fish will get cold.”
He Yuan took the lunchbox but kept his eyes on Ji Shuyu. Seemingly struck by a thought, he said gravely to Zhao Qiang, “Go ask the Political Commissar and the Chief of Staff to come to my office.”
Then he turned to Ji Shuyu. “You come too.”
Soon after, in the Regimental Headquarters office, the leaders listened to He Yuan’s report. Their gazes frequently fell upon Ji Shuyu, who sat quietly to the side, filled with astonishment and praise.
The Political Commissar pondered for a long moment, then suddenly slapped the table. “Excellent! Comrade Ji Shuyu, you have rendered a great service!”
“Not only have you prevented a potential loss of strategic resources for our country, but you have also demonstrated a professional expertise we were lacking. This matter must be reported to higher authorities in detail.”
One leader looked thoughtfully at Ji Shuyu. “It seems what we are guarding is perhaps not just an island, but a treasure trove. Old He, your wife’s abilities… we cannot let them go to waste.”
“Perhaps we can apply for permission to establish a small materials research laboratory right here to begin preliminary investigations.”
“Comrade Ji Shuyu,” he continued, “could you start by mentoring a few bright soldiers and help organize the basic knowledge you possess about these materials?”
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