"Ahem, there's no need to go to all this trouble," Ke Meng said sheepishly.
"Oh, it's not what you think. It really was no trouble." Director Lei waved a hand, trying not to make Ke Meng feel indebted.
Given Ke Meng's status as a national treasure, allocating resources like these was hardly excessive. It was entirely justified, and no one objected.
Ke Meng tried declining a couple of times, but Director Lei said ignition time was approaching, and the investigators and scientists had just boarded. There was no changing things now, so he should just accept it.
What else could Ke Meng do? Refusing any further would seem affected, so he could only accept the Investigation Bureau's help.
"Ignition is in an hour. Come on, let's watch the launch."
"In person?"
"Watching online is much the same. We have a dedicated connection here, so we don't have to crowd into a public commercial livestream." Director Lei brought Ke Meng to the electronic reading room. Beyond the rows of computers, a projection screen hung on the wall.
With an hour to go and nothing to do, Ke Meng joined Director Lei in taking inventory of the special items he had received the night before.
"What new stuff did you get last night?"
"You make it sound like you're getting your stock from me."
"Aren't we? A steady supply, without much danger. Even the occasional extremely dangerous item is within our ability to control. Plenty of branch directors would give anything for that. Just say you're thinking of moving, and they'll be beating down your door today." Director Lei laughed heartily.
No one worried about whether Tangyuan could survive in space. As far as they were concerned, Tangyuan would definitely return alive. That was a foregone conclusion.
The two took inventory in