Wu Rui’an laughed. “Two years ago, we bought a second-hand electric motor from the Soviet Union and shipped it to the United States, but… it broke down. That thing is expensive, and with the tense relations between the US and the Soviet Union, we couldn’t reach out to Soviet experts. So we had to come back and see if we could get someone here to take a look.”

“After all, back then, there were several of these motors. We bought one, and the county government here kept a few others. We figured we’d come back and check—maybe someone here could help us figure out what went wrong with our machine…”

“It’s just that no one can understand the motor’s manual! I’ve been stuck here for days without much progress. Thankfully, Uncle Bai recommended Song Zhi to me—he’s been a huge help!”

Bai Zhengqian was curious. “So, it’s a machine from the Soviet Union? Doesn’t anyone in our county know Russian?”

—In recent years, the country had collaborated with the Soviet Union on the Project 156, which had been a booming endeavor for several years. Although those aid projects later came to a halt, finding a college student who knew Russian shouldn’t have been too difficult, right?

Wu Rui’an smiled bitterly. “The problem is, those Soviet-made motors were repaired multiple times. Many Japanese parts were replaced, and Japanese engineers were even brought in back then. So now, the manuals are half in Russian and half in Japanese. The maintenance logs are written in both languages, with some handwritten notes scrawled in a messy script. We simply couldn’t find anyone who knew both Russian and Japanese…”

Then he laughed and patted Song Zhi’s shoulder. “Luckily, we have him! He’s fluent in both Russian and Japanese, and the best part—his major is related to engines! Those manuals and logs were no problem for him at all. The issue that’s been troubling us for over a year? He said he could solve it in three days!”

Wu Rui’an was genuinely thrilled. He turned to Song Zhi and said, “Hey, Song Zhi, with your qualifications, it’s such a waste for you to be stuck in the countryside doing farm work. Why don’t you come abroad with me? Work as an engineer at my family’s factory…”

Song Zhi didn’t respond.

Tang Liren, however, was a bit curious. “Going abroad… wouldn’t that be difficult?”

Wu Rui’an froze.

—Yes, given the current state of the country, going abroad was indeed difficult. The only realistic option would be through family connections. For example, if his younger sister Wu Qianqian married Song Zhi, Song Zhi could immigrate abroad as Qianqian’s legal husband.

But Qianqian had high standards and was still young. It was impossible for her to marry Song Zhi.

Of course, Wu Rui’an hadn’t even asked Song Zhi about his opinion yet. He wasn’t sure… Wu Rui’an glanced at Song Zhi and noticed that he didn’t seem to care about the idea of going abroad at all. Instead, he was already chatting with Bai Zhengqian?

Wu Rui’an shifted his gaze to Bai Taotao, who was sitting quietly to the side.

Taotao’s lively and clever nature was certainly endearing, but when she quieted down, she gave off a serene and timeless sense of belonging. No matter how much the world changed, she would always be there, calm and peaceful, waiting… making people feel grounded and at ease.

Wu Rui’an silently watched Taotao, his gaze somewhat entranced.

Over the next three days, Song Zhi left early and returned late, helping Wu Rui’an with translations. During those three days, Wu Rui’an treated the entire Bai family to meals at the Overseas Chinese Restaurant every day.

Of course, Taotao, who was still in a dazed state, was also brought along by her sisters.

During this time, Wu Rui’an tried countless times to talk to Bai Taotao, but she didn’t speak, didn’t respond, and showed no reaction at all. This left him feeling a bit disheartened.

Time flew by.

Song Zhi completed the translation work, and the Bai family decided it was time to return home. Wu Rui’an also prepared to head back to the United States.

Reluctantly, Wu Rui’an gave Taotao many gifts before they finally said their goodbyes and went their separate ways.

Taotao was taken onto the bus by her parents and family, sitting in the very back row—sandwiched between Lili and Xingxing. Her head rested against Lili’s shoulder, and her legs stretched out over Xingxing’s lap…

Song Zhi sat on the other side of Xingxing.

Taotao’s foot brushed past Xingxing and touched Song Zhi’s arm.

With just that tiny bit of physical contact, Taotao began frantically absorbing the spiritual energy from Song Zhi’s body. Finally, just as they were approaching the town, she opened her eyes.

Lili was the first to notice. “Taotao, you’re finally awake?”

Taotao sat up straight, looking around, then glanced out the window. Finally, her gaze landed on Song Zhi, who was sitting beside Xingxing.

Then, she suddenly demanded to switch seats with Xingxing and leaned her entire body against Song Zhi.

Song Zhi flushed slightly and shifted away, but the person next to him was a middle-aged woman with a stern expression. Under her intense glare, Song Zhi had no choice but to move closer to Taotao…

Their shoulders ended up pressed tightly together.

Taotao was fuming inside. She buried her face in Song Zhi’s arm and bit down hard!

Song Zhi: !!!

Taotao glared at Song Zhi angrily: You knew I was unconscious for several days, yet you didn’t come close to check on me? Did I have to be lying on a heated brick bed, with you sitting by my side eating three meals a day, so I could accidentally brush against you and absorb your spiritual energy?

Frustrated, Taotao chewed on his arm and even ground her teeth a little. Then, with her clear and bright eyes, she glared fiercely at Song Zhi, looking adorably angry.

Song Zhi: …

The spiritual energy surged from Song Zhi’s body, pouring into Taotao’s nose and mouth.

Mmm, it smelled so good!

Taotao’s eyes widened. She was so overwhelmed by the rich spiritual energy that she momentarily forgot her anger.

She happily savored the fragrance, blinking contentedly… completely unwilling to let go of the meat between her teeth!

In the end, the energy felt so soothing that she subconsciously began sucking on the spot she had bitten.

Song Zhi stared at her in shock. The little beauty was biting his arm, and her long, curled eyelashes fluttered like feathered fans. Her small lips puckered slightly, sucking on the flesh of his arm like a baby nursing.

Song Zhi was utterly bewildered.

—The Bai family always said Taotao was just a child, no different from Hongdou or Huangdou. But Song Zhi didn’t have much experience with kids and had no idea how to interact with them.

And now Taotao clearly seemed to be enjoying herself.

So, what should he do?

Get angry?
But she hadn’t really hurt him, and was he really going to hold a grudge against such a little girl?

Feel happy?
How could he be happy about this? Even if she was just a child, biting people wasn’t okay!

Should he try to reason with her?
Would she even listen?

After hesitating for a long time, Song Zhi decided to give it a try.

Imitating Bai Zhengqian’s gentle tone, he said, “Taotao, you… you know biting people is wrong, right?”

Taotao, drunk on the rich spiritual energy, was happily enjoying herself. But then Song Zhi started lecturing her?

Taotao was furious!

“You’re still talking! You’re still talking!” she accused angrily. “You’re so stingy… You knew I was sick, and you wouldn’t even let me take a bite. At the very least, you could’ve patted my head! Did you? Did you???”

Song Zhi: …

Ah, sorry about that, I really didn’t touch it.

But what exactly was the connection between “being sick” and “taking a bite,” “patting the head,” or “being stingy”?

Song Zhi couldn’t figure it out and had no choice but to remain silent.

The more Taotao spoke, the more aggrieved she felt.

These days hadn’t been entirely without gains. She’d gradually gotten used to her surroundings. Her family took great care of her, making sure she stayed clean and presentable. They never let her go hungry and even fed her delicious food. But she couldn’t move freely, couldn’t see or hear clearly, and didn’t have a sense of touch or taste!

Hmph, and they went out to eat all the time! Did they think she wouldn’t notice? Even though that silly Xingxing kept feeding her mouthfuls of all kinds of meat, she couldn’t taste whether it was braised pork, garlic pork, stewed pork, or steamed pork!

It was just…

So frustrating!

Taotao felt so wronged she wanted to cry. She pouted and glared fiercely at Song Zhi, looking adorably angry, as if she wanted to eat him alive!

Wait, eat him?

Ah, spiritual energy!

Taotao quickly grabbed Song Zhi’s arm, bit down hard, and even sucked a few times. Her cheeks puffed up, and she stared at him in resentment, with fine tears hanging from her thick eyelashes.

Song Zhi: …

= =

Meanwhile, at the Xidu University in Beijing, Professor Huang was having a meltdown.

“…I don’t care what method you use. You must find a way to bring Song Zhi back!”

Assistant Xiao Mao felt helpless. “Professor, I really can’t do anything about this. I’ve sent Song Zhi so many letters, but he hasn’t replied to a single one. I don’t even know if he’s mad…”

“No!”

Professor Huang suddenly calmed down. “Anyone can get mad, but Song Zhi can’t!”

With that, he paced back and forth in the office and asked, “Just now, you said you sent several letters? How did you send them? What did you write?”

Xiao Mao explained, “How could I write about this in a letter? I just said you had something important to discuss and asked him to reply as soon as possible… After writing it, I gave it to Guan Hailong. He’s in charge of mailing and receiving letters for our department.”

Professor Huang thought for a moment. “Something’s not right! Xiao Mao, give me Song Zhi’s mailing address. I’ll send it myself today.”

Xiao Mao’s eyes widened. “Professor, do you mean…”

Professor Huang raised a hand to stop him from continuing.

Xiao Mao understood and went to close the office door. Then he walked to the filing cabinet, found the folder, and copied down Song Zhi’s address, handing the slip of paper to Professor Huang.

Professor Huang carefully put it away and said, “Alright, you all can clock out now! Without Song Zhi, I’ll handle this data myself.”

Xiao Mao felt a bit guilty but still said, “Professor, I know none of us can match Song Zhi, but if you need, we’re willing to assist with the research.”

Professor Huang looked at him steadily and sighed. “Xiao Mao, Song Zhi isn’t just an assistant for this project… He’s the lead researcher! Without him, this project is doomed. You all might as well prepare to be sent to the countryside!”

Xiao Mao froze, his face turning pale. “What?”

In this special era, no one wanted to be sent to the countryside. Otherwise, no one would have taken Song Zhi’s spot as a lecturer. But who knew that the real leader of Professor Huang’s project was Song Zhi?

Professor Huang was already ushering him out. “Alright, alright, just go home!”

Xiao Mao left the office with a heavy heart.

When his fellow labmates saw his pale face, they gathered around and whispered, “Did the professor lose his temper again? Ever since Song Zhi left, he’s been so irritable.”

Someone added, “Exactly. Back when Song Zhi was here, the professor barely showed up. Now he comes every day, slamming tables and yelling. Who can stand it?”

Feeling suffocated, Xiao Mao glanced at Guan Hailong sitting in the corner. His mood soured, and he said, “Let’s go eat at the cafeteria!”

His labmates followed his gaze toward Guan Hailong and exchanged knowing looks.

“Let’s go, cafeteria time!” The group left together.

Guan Hailong hesitated, locked his drawer, and trailed after them.

He still hoped to fit in.

But he knew his labmates didn’t like him, so he trailed behind, keeping his distance.

In the front, Xiao Mao said something, and suddenly the group erupted with indignation, their voices growing louder—

“So it turns out Song Zhi was the lead researcher for this project?”
“Then why are we still here if he’s been sent to the countryside?”
“Who the hell took his teaching spot?”
“This screws everyone over—disbanding the project, sending us to the countryside, and wasting state funds!”
“Hey, don’t you guys know what kind of relationship Song Zhi and Guan Hailong had? They…”

Their voices gradually quieted.

Trailing behind, Guan Hailong paled.

Snippets of conversation still floated his way—

“Guan Hailong and Song Zhi were best friends! Practically inseparable!”
“I already suspected it!”
“You suspected it? Then why didn’t you say anything earlier?”
“Think about it—if someone else had done this, would Song Zhi have left? Only Guan Hailong…”
“Does he have no shame? He took Song Zhi’s spot? And he’s only got a middle-school education? How would he teach college students?”
“Did he even realize that by forcing Song Zhi out, the project would collapse?”
“Who knows? We only just found out today!”
“Ugh, this is such a mess!”

Standing frozen, Guan Hailong looked like he’d turned to stone.