To expedite the construction of the experimental site.
The entire Great Xia was operating at full capacity as the year drew to a close.
The necessary components were urgently produced and transported from all over the country via high-speed rail, train, land transport, shipping, and sea transport, all with a green light.
Beneath the seemingly terrifying industrial efficiency and operational capabilities lies the tireless work of countless ordinary people, day and night.
It is countless ordinary people who have given up time with their families...
Binhai City, on the cross-sea bridge.
Heavy trucks were moving silently under the cover of night.
Experienced driver Zhang Weimin gripped the steering wheel tightly, while his apprentice Xiao Chen, who had been with him for three years, sat in the passenger seat.
"Master, it's already the 28th of the twelfth lunar month. Will we be able to make it in time for the New Year's Eve dinner after this trip?"
Looking out the window at the streetlights rushing past, Xiao Chen's voice was filled with anticipation.
Isn't this little bit of family reunion time what most people want all year round?
Zhang Weiming didn't answer directly, but rubbed his bloodshot, tired eyes.
He lit a cigarette and gestured forward with his chin.
On the highway in the distance, almost all the trucks were heavy trucks like theirs, carrying giant components.
All the vehicles had their hazard lights on and, under the direction of the traffic police, formed a long, seemingly endless steel dragon.
Did you see that?
"I've been driving for thirty years and this is the first time I've ever seen anything like this."
"We can't ask what they're pulling. Something that could get the whole country's approval must be a huge deal."
He paused slightly at this point.
Looking through the windshield towards the distant lights of countless homes, the voice was soft and gentle.
"This New Year's Eve dinner... it's worth eating it later."
Meanwhile, at a bus stop in the Binhai City.
In the chilly morning wind, Liu Xiulan carried the New Year's goods she had just bought, preparing to take the bus home.
Suddenly, a deep rumbling sound came from afar.
An oversized trailer carrying a strangely shaped, enormous metal component slowly drove across the road in front of the platform.
The component was so enormous that it almost took up the entire four lanes.
"Mom, look! What's that? It's huge!"
A little boy next to me, being led by his mother, was speaking excitedly.
The young mother couldn't explain it in detail, but she still lowered her head and spoke softly to her child.
"Baby, that must be something very important to our country."
"Study hard in the future, so that when you grow up you can also research and manufacture such important national instruments, okay?"
"Good!"
The child nodded vigorously.
Hearing this conversation and watching the enormous vehicle slowly pass by, Liu Xiulan was stunned.
She thought of her son Lu Li.
When was the last time we contacted each other?
It seems like it was a few months ago when Lu Dahai brought back a recording pen.
They said they were working on an important national project, which was far away and the return date was uncertain, so they shouldn't worry.
But as a mother, how could she not worry?
Fortunately... my son is working for the country.
Just like that huge component we just passed, they must all be very important!
Worry, pride, and longing intertwined, causing her eyes to well up slightly.
Taking a deep breath of the cold air and forcibly suppressing the pounding in her heart, she was about to check where the bus was.
But then she suddenly remembered something else that infuriated her.
The eldest son has contributed to the country, so it's fine if he can't come back.
Even the old man and youngest daughter in the family seem to be bewitched lately.
I've only been home a handful of times.
With the Lunar New Year just around the corner, other families are busy preparing for the holiday with their loved ones.
Her family is a mess; the young are never home, and the old ones never come back.
She managed everything at home by herself.
What kind of nonsense is this?
A nameless anger suddenly flared up.
She picked up her shopping basket, walked to the side, took out her old smartphone, and dialed Lu Dahai's number.
The phone rang several times before it was answered.
The background noise was somewhat chaotic, and there seemed to be a low hum of machinery.
"Hello? Xiulan..."
"What's wrong? I'm still in the workshop, very busy. Tell me quickly if you need something."
Lu Dahai's voice carried a hint of weariness and seemed somewhat unnatural.
I heard Lu Dahai's voice.
Liu Xiulan was even angrier and, without beating around the bush, went straight to the point.
" Lu Dahai, what's up?"
"Your new factory... doesn't even close for the Lunar New Year, right?"
After being given a severe dressing-down, Lu Dahai stood there, stunned.
He almost forgot that it was already the 28th of the twelfth lunar month, and it was time to go home for the New Year.
Hearing on the other end of the phone, Liu Xiulan insisted on coming to bring him New Year's Eve dinner.
Lu Dahai spent a long time coaxing and persuading him, saying he would go back in the afternoon, before hanging up the phone.
After hanging up the phone, Lu Yao stood next to him.
"Um... Yaoyao... your mom wants us to go home for the New Year."
Lu Dahai scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed.
Lu Yao naturally dared not disobey her mother's orders.
In this family, if you were to ask who she was most afraid of, without a doubt it would be her mother, Liu Xiulan.
The two found Li Yuanchao and hurriedly asked for leave.
They were driven back to the city in an official vehicle.
A few kilometers from home, the two got off separately; Lu Dahai took a bus, while Lu Yao took a taxi.
They rushed home, one after the other.
"I'm back!"
"I'm back too!"
The father and daughter stood in the entryway, exchanged a glance, and silently changed their shoes.
Lu Yao skillfully kicked off her boots and quickly ran into the kitchen.
He leaned affectionately against Liu Xiulan's back.
"Mom, my company finally gave us time off to visit family. I've been so busy lately."
"I have to work during the Spring Festival, it's so tiring... I'm even thinking of changing careers."
Liu Xiulan, who was busy frying spring rolls, was initially a little angry.
But as soon as he heard Lu Yao say she wanted to change careers, he immediately became anxious.
"Don't you dare! You silly girl, do you know how valuable your workplace is?"
"You still dare to think about changing careers? So what if you're busy? If you don't work hard while you're young, what will you do when you're old?"
"Alright then... I'll go back to my shift in a couple of days..."
Lu Yao pursed her lips, a hint of cunning flashing beneath her bright eyes.
He left the kitchen reluctantly.
Lu Dahai had just changed into his slippers, saw this scene. His huge eyes darted around, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.
As if remembering something, she followed suit and went into the kitchen.
He grabbed Liu Xiulan's waist from behind.
"Hey! What are you doing? Can't you see I'm busy?"
"Can't you go and clean the windows? It's almost Chinese New Year and the elderly aren't coming home, and the young aren't in a hurry. Why am I doing all the housework by myself?!"
Lu Dahai was a little taken aback.
Why am I treated this way when I do the same thing?
Frustrated, he still forced himself to speak, mimicking Lu Yao's earlier tone, in a 'despondent' manner.
"Oh, I want to come back too! The factory's been so busy lately."
"I really... I really don't want to do this anymore!"
"Hey honey, I know I'm the pillar of our family now, I can't just quit. Fine, no need for you to try and persuade me anymore, I'm just venting. I'll go back to work overtime in a couple of days..."
"Hmm? You don't want to do it anymore? Then just quit."
Before Lu Dahai could finish speaking, Liu Xiulan interrupted him without even turning her head.
Anyway, their family isn't short of money now; they have enough to eat and drink, and the neighborhood committee even sends them some really good rice every month.
She doesn't need his salary; she can go to work and let Lu Dahai cook at home.
When I get home from get off work, there's something hot to eat.
Upon hearing this, Lu Dahai was dumbfounded and stood frozen in place.
"No... the process seems fine, so why is the result so different?!"
To revitalize the Great Xia Immortal Dao, and to accelerate the Soul Dao experiment with the full strength of the nation, fellow Daoists and compatriots, we beseech a ray of Five-Star Divine Light to aid the nation in condensing the Soul!