Lin Yan did not find Chief Meng's demeanor stern, but rather warm and approachable.
Despite her recent introduction to Meng Shuo Jing's uncle, his attitude clearly indicated the Meng family's profound satisfaction with her.
"Thank you, Chief, but I'm truly adapting well and don't require anything."
Lin Yan replied politely. She genuinely felt comfortable; after all, having worked in research institutes during the 70s and 80s, the current facilities were exceptionally good.
"Very well, but if you need anything at all, feel free to approach me or the guards."
He was unconcerned about others knowing Lin Yan's connection to him, as he could certainly offer protection to a researcher like her.
Moreover, Lin Yan, at such a young age, had already achieved significant accomplishments. Such prodigious talent, devoted to the nation, was highly valued by those in power.
While direct special treatment might be inappropriate, his role as her boyfriend's uncle allowed him to provide direct care under this guise.
Looking at it this way, his nephew had excellent taste. With Lin Yan alone, the Meng family's prosperity could be secured for another few decades.
Furthermore, the next generation of the Meng family was also promising. While they might not possess Lin Yan's genius, they were steadily progressing and developing well.
Lin Yan hadn't actually received much special treatment; she ate and lived at the research institute, just like her colleagues.
However, everyone was aware that she had a boyfriend. Even within such an institute, gossip was rife.
Lin Yan, despite her youth, had already resolved her single status. Chief Meng's attitude toward her suggested that they had already met each other's families.
While they themselves were of age and still single, this younger colleague, not yet twenty, had already settled her major life affairs.
Lin Yan's standing at the research institute grew, but so did her workload, to the point where she no longer had time for classes at school, nor for contacting Meng Shuo Jing.
However, Meng Shuo Jing could still receive updates on Lin Yan's situation from his uncle and even asked him to send some items to her.
While busy at the research institute, Lin Yan's personal matters also demanded her attention, leaving her with no time to think about Meng Shuo Jing.
It was only when she finally had a moment of leisure that she realized how long it had been since she last contacted her boyfriend.
However, she knew Chief Meng would likely share any non-critical updates with him, so she wasn't worried.
Recently, she needed to return to school. After leaving the research institute's premises, she immediately called Meng Shuo Jing.
"Yan Yan, did you finally remember you have a boyfriend?" Meng Shuo Jing's voice had a hint of playful sarcasm.
"I called you as soon as I had some free time!" Lin Yan explained patiently.
"Yan Yan, you're just too busy! You're still a student, yet you're swamped. Yan Yan, will you always be this busy?" Meng Shuo Jing sounded pitiful.
"It will get better after this period, so please bear with me."
"Where are you now?"
"On my way to school. I have some matters to attend to at the university, so I took advantage of this free period and requested leave."
"How many days of leave do you have?"
"Five days. My superiors approved five days of leave for me."
"Then wait for me. I'm buying a plane ticket now."
"There's no need to rush, I've only just set off!"
Lin Yan thought he was being a bit too eager, but then she realized it had been a long time since she last saw Meng Shuo Jing, and a strong longing for him suddenly welled up within her.
"Then be careful on your journey. I'll wait for you."
By the time Lin Yan arrived at the university, Meng Shuo Jing was already there. After a brief meeting at the school gate, Lin Yan entered the campus.
Meng Shuo Jing, meanwhile, went to a nearby star-rated hunter hotel.
Lin Yan didn't stay at the university for long. After meeting with her supervisor, she left the campus again.
As Lin Yan reached the hotel room door, Meng Shuo Jing opened it and pulled her into his arms, closing the door behind them.
"Yan Yan, I missed you so much," Meng Shuo Jing buried his face in the crook of Lin Yan's neck.
"I missed you too," Lin Yan embraced Meng Shuo Jing. This was the first time she had proactively expressed her longing for him.
"I haven't seen you in over a hundred days. You're truly heartless, only calling me once in so long!" Meng Shuo Jing complained about Lin Yan's perceived neglect.
"I didn't want to, but I couldn't refuse this mission. Besides, don't you get updates on my situation from Chief Meng?"
"That's not the same. If I don't see you, how can I not miss you? Yan Yan, will you marry me?" Meng Shuo Jing proposed marriage again.
"I want to care for and protect you as your fiancé!"
"Is just getting engaged enough?" Lin Yan slightly pushed Meng Shuo Jing away. "Shuo Jing, I've reached the age now!"
"You… you mean…" Meng Shuo Jing was too excited to speak.
She didn't want him to wait any longer. In the world of the reborn male lead, Xu Hao Ran, as a soldier, had always stayed near the research institute, and they had never been separated for long.
But Meng Shuo Jing was different. He had his own career, and she couldn't abandon her research. Situations like this, where they were apart for extended periods, were bound to happen again.
She couldn't bear to let him wait like this. If engagement and marriage could give him a sense of security, she was willing to get their marriage license first.
Lin Yan wanted Meng Shuo Jing to know that this relationship wasn't just him waiting alone. Just as on her 18th birthday, she had actively sought him out and gotten together with him.
Just as on her twentieth birthday, she had proactively brought up getting their marriage license.
All of this was simply to tell Meng Shuo Jing that her feelings were the same as his; she also wished to spend a lifetime with him.
"Yan Yan, are you serious?" Meng Shuo Jing's face was full of disbelief. He couldn't believe Lin Yan had so easily accepted his proposal.
In fact, the idea of getting their marriage license directly was even better than he had imagined. At this moment, he felt as though he might be dreaming, but the warm person in his arms told him it was all real.
"Of course, I'm serious. Don't you want to?" Lin Yan raised an eyebrow.
"Of course, I do! Let's go get our marriage license right now!" Meng Shuo Jing immediately tried to pull Lin Yan out.
"Look at the time. And do you even have your documents with you? We're going to get our marriage license now!"
Lin Yan patted his hand that was pulling her.
"I was so happy I went foolish. But Yan Yan, I'm truly overjoyed that you agreed to this." He pulled Lin Yan back into his embrace. "I was already planning to propose, I never expected you to agree to get our marriage license!"
"Because I don't want you to wait any longer. I want that next time I'm assigned to a research institute, you can visit me as family!"
Lin Yan rested her head on Meng Shuo Jing's chest, listening to his rapid heartbeat. She said softly.
She believed in Meng Shuo Jing, not just because he was Liang Ming Hao, but simply because she believed in his feelings for her. That soul-deep affection, even without memories, would make him fall in love with her at first sight.