Life in the Lewis Flight Propulsion Laboratory was probably the simplest period of Zhang Heng's quest. Other than the blonde beauty, the HR administrator, and Jim, the director, who went to Congress every day to haggle over the budget, everyone in the laboratory was the purest and most enthusiastic scientific researchers. There was not much infighting or scheming between them, and since there was no main quest in the transitional scenario, there was no threat to their survival. So, Zhang Heng's life was very simple.
Every day, he would learn engineering from Wu Zhonghua. Other than that, he would use his internship salary to treat the airport pilots to a nearby bar and nightclub. In the second month, Zhang Heng successfully boarded a plane, and in the fourth month, he managed to get his hands on a T-33, experiencing subsonic flight as a passenger. At this rate, it wouldn't be long before he could fly a plane alone.
However, Wu Zhonghua submitted his resignation request to NACA, claiming that he preferred the university's living environment. His next stop was to become a professor at Brooklyn Polytechnic University. This matter even alerted NACA's chairman, Glennan. After failing to persuade Wu Zhonghua to stay, everyone in the laboratory held a small farewell party for Wu Zhonghua.
Zhang Heng did not attend the farewell party. When Wu Zhonghua and his wife were about to leave, he drove them to the station in a borrowed Chevrolet.
He was one of the few people who could guess Wu Zhonghua's true intentions. Although it was more beneficial for him to have Wu Zhonghua stay in the laboratory, and strictly speaking, this was just a game, no matter where one was, what time and space they were in, and how many reincarnations they had experienced, people would still make the same choice.
So, Zhang Heng did not persuade Wu Zhonghua to stay.
Not to mention, Wu Zhonghua had already helped him a lot. Even though he still couldn't compare to the real MIT engineering graduates, after all, after more than four months, he had developed his engineering skills. He was also very familiar with Wu Zhonghua's research, such as collecting data and filling in ready-made models. Even if someone else took over Wu Zhonghua's work, he could continue to slack off in the laboratory.
…
After watching the train carrying Wu Zhonghua and his wife leave, Zhang Heng was not in a hurry to return to the laboratory. He heard that the engineer who took over Wu Zhonghua's work was transferred from Langley Laboratory, and he would only arrive tomorrow. So before that, Zhang Heng and the other female assistant had nothing to do. It was like they were on vacation. Zhang Heng drove the borrowed car around Cleveland.
He bought two Patty Page vinyl records, a hamburger, and a burrito. He even accidentally got an achievement and got three points. After that, he fed the pigeons in the city park and rushed back to the lab before sunset. However, as soon as he got out of the car, he was stopped by the blonde beauty who rushed over.
"That's great. The laboratory has recruited a new test pilot. He has arrived and is sitting in the corridor on the first floor. However, there is an emergency at the Congress. I have to rush over with Mr. Jim now, so I can only ask you to show him around the airport and the laboratory first."
She spoke quickly, and as she spoke, she shoved a stack of documents into Zhang Heng's arms. "Also, please pass these to Dr. Maggie for me."
As she spoke, the black Jaguar XK120 in the distance kept honking and urging her to hurry up.
The blonde blew Zhang Heng a kiss. "When I come back the day after tomorrow, I will treat you to coffee. It's a deal." Without waiting for Zhang Heng's reply, she pulled up the hem of her dress and ran to the car in her high heels.
Just like that, Zhang Heng became the laboratory's receptionist. He carried the pile of documents to the corridor, and sure enough, there was a man sitting on a chair, waiting for him.
He didn't look old, only in his early twenties. However, unlike other young people of his age, he had an innate calmness about him, as if he was always thinking about something. At the same time, he exuded the temperament of a soldier.
Zhang Heng wasn't too surprised about the last point. Most of the test pilots recruited by the laboratory were from the military.
When he saw Zhang Heng walking over, he politely stood up from his seat.
"Hello, I'm David, an intern in the laboratory. You must be the new test pilot. Jane asked me to show you around your new workplace."
"Thank you," the man said, extending his hand. "Neil Alden Armstrong, former naval pilot."
His voice was steady and firm.
Zhang Heng's hand paused for a moment.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing. It's nice to meet you, Mr. Armstrong," Zhang Heng said.
"Me too."
"If you don't mind, I'll send these documents to Dr. Maggie first. After that, we can start the tour."
Armstrong nodded.
Zhang Heng did not expect to meet Armstrong, the first man to land on the moon, in 1955. Speaking of which, he did work as a test pilot in a laboratory under NACA. At that time, the astronaut looked exceptionally young. According to his calculations, he should only be 25 years old. After completing his naval service, he returned to school to complete his university education. However, he had yet to obtain a master's degree in aeronautical engineering.
After his successful landing on the moon, he kept a low profile, teaching at a university, living a reclusive life, rarely accepting interviews from the media, and never writing an autobiography. Many people didn't know that Armstrong never took a photo of himself on the moon. The widely circulated photo of him landing on the moon was actually taken by his teammate, Buzz Aldrin. Now, we can barely see Armstrong's shadow in the reflection of his helmet. The famous footprint on the moon also came from Buzz Aldrin.
Unlike his teammate who loved to show off, Armstrong was a very humble and low-key person, especially when he was young. Probably only those who knew him knew about his experiences.
However, Zhang Heng was more interested in Armstrong's piloting skills. It was said that Armstrong got his pilot's license at the age of 16, and before he got his driver's license, he had piloted more than 200 different models of aircraft before joining NASA. This was also one of the reasons why NASA chose him as an astronaut.
However, Zhang Heng wasn't sure if this encounter in 1955 would affect another quest 14 years later.
After handing the documents to Dr. Maggie, Zhang Heng returned to Armstrong. "So, you just arrived in Cleveland?"
"Yes, I submitted an application to the Dryden Flight Research Center at Edward Air Force Base. However, there are no slots available, so I was assigned here," Armstrong said.
"In that case, let's go for a drink after the tour."
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