—It was because Song Zhi had been born prematurely and had always been in poor health. Back when Song Xi carried him, still swaddled, to the Guan household, his adoptive mother Du Min had been unwilling to take care of him. After all, her biological son Guan Hailong was only three or four months old. But she couldn’t withstand Song Xi and Guan Qingbai’s pleas and, feeling sorry for Song Zhi losing his mother at such a young age, she finally agreed.

Thinking back to his gentle and kind adoptive mother, Song Zhi fell silent.

Guan Hailong added, “Think about how much Haishan has done for you…”

The moment he heard the name “Haishan,” Song Zhi felt a headache coming on.

He had always treated Haishan like his biological younger sister—after all, he had personally witnessed his adoptive mother’s pregnancy, watched her belly slowly grow, and then seen Haishan be born. He still clearly remembered seeing Haishan for the first time, the way she dirtied herself, the clumsy way Guan Qingbai changed her diapers, and how she looked when she lost her baby teeth…

But Haishan didn’t see him as a brother. Instead, she fell for him obsessively and possessively!

She did countless things for him, including but not limited to cooking meals and making soups every day to bring to his school, openly declaring her love for him and insisting she would marry no one but him, and even tattooing the word “Zhi” in stylized English on her chest…

Later, Song Zhi got into graduate school and joined a research team under Professor Huang. Security around the lab was tight, making it impossible for Guan Haishan to keep delivering meals to him three times a day. Combined with Song Zhi’s deliberate avoidance of her, refusing to show up outside of holidays, Guan Haishan broke down and slit her wrists.

Even so, Song Zhi still didn’t accept Guan Haishan’s confession.

And now Guan Hailong had the nerve to make such an absurd request?

Song Zhi refused once again.

A few days later, an exhausted and haggard Guan Hailong came looking for Song Zhi again. He shouted hysterically, “Song Zhi! Are you really this heartless? Are you going to stand by and watch me fall apart? Do you honestly have no idea how my mom died? When you were little, you were constantly sick. It was because she took care of you that her health broke down!”

Song Zhi remained silent.

Seeing that he still wasn’t moved, Guan Hailong rasped out, “And what about Haishan? How long has it been since you last contacted her? Do you even know she tried to kill herself again last night because of you?”

As he spoke, he held up his hand, revealing a fresh knife wound. “If I hadn’t acted quickly and grabbed the fruit knife from her…”

“Song Zhi! I don’t want to end up all alone! I don’t want my mom to die and then my sister too. I don’t want Fang Ling and Fang Shenghao to erase all traces of me and Haishan from this place! Song Zhi, I can’t be sent to the countryside to work. I have to stay in the city and protect Haishan!”

By the end, Guan Hailong broke down in tears and covered his head as he sobbed uncontrollably.

At the time, Song Zhi had replied calmly, “I hope you won’t regret this decision. And you’re well aware that if I agree, we’ll be strangers from now on—including Guan Haishan.”

Guan Hailong’s head shot up. His bloodshot eyes glared at Song Zhi with hatred.

After a long pause, he nodded. “Fine. Then consider it repaying my mom’s kindness for raising you!”

Recalling the past, Song Zhi let out a long sigh.

He went to the supply and marketing cooperative in town.

While helping Wu Rui’an translate manuals in the city, he had received a generous payment—three hundred yuan. Adding that to his previous savings, he figured he wouldn’t have too much trouble making ends meet in the coming years.

So, what should he buy?

In Song Zhi’s view, even though he had spent less than a month with the Bai family, they were quite a unique presence.

—Du Min saw responsibility as a shackle. Since she had promised Song Xi to take good care of Song Zhi, she had genuinely done so, leaving no detail overlooked. When her own children and Song Zhi both needed help, she would always prioritize the weaker Song Zhi over her own biological children.

She had indeed filled the void in Song Zhi’s heart and satisfied his longing for motherly love. But at the same time, she left him constantly anxious, always feeling guilty toward Guan Hailong and Guan Haishan.

—Song Xi had no sense of responsibility. He completely ignored Song Zhi.

—Professor Huang had extremely high expectations for Song Zhi, so much so that those expectations turned into an overwhelming pressure, forcing Song Zhi to take on several of Professor Huang’s research projects at a young age.

Bai Zhengqian was the most comfortable elder Song Zhi had ever known.

He was just an ordinary working man with both strengths and flaws in his character. He had sound values, raised hardworking and united children, and while he had his opinions, he could also tolerate and respect differing views…

Although Bai Zhengqian might not have the knowledge, vision, or strategic insight to be Song Zhi’s mentor, he had given Song Zhi a true sense of “home.”

Everyone had their own small flaws, but that didn’t stop them from loving and caring for one another. While freeloading at the Bai house over the past days, Song Zhi had been swept up in their natural and unquestioned family affection.

So—

After much hesitation, Song Zhi bought a bottle of Hongxing liquor for Bai Zhengqian, several pairs of work gloves for Bai Dongsheng, and a box of vanishing cream for each of Bai’s female relatives. He also measured out two kilograms of candies, Hongdou, and Huangdou, and bought a bag of milk powder for Tan Fenghui’s unborn child.

After thinking it over, he bought an extra bag of milk powder.

Carrying all the packages, he was about to head back to the village when he glanced toward the post and telecommunications office. After a brief moment of contemplation, he headed over.

This time, taking care not to draw attention, he pulled out a piece of paper with a phone number written on it and wrapped a one-yuan bill inside before handing it to the female operator at the counter.

“Miss, could you do me a favor? After connecting this call, if the person asks who you are or who you’re looking for, just say your name is Xiuzhen and you’re looking for your uncle Huang Mingsong. Once Huang Mingsong answers, please hand the phone to me, all right? I’ll pay after the call.”

The operator unfolded the paper and immediately noticed the bill inside.

She hesitated briefly, then nodded and quietly palmed the money before dialing the number.

It wasn’t long before someone picked up. “045 Research Institute. Who’s calling?”

The operator said, “I’m Xiuzhen. I’m looking for my uncle Huang Mingsong. Is he there?”

“Yes, he’s here! Please hold on!”

A moment later, a firm voice came through. “Hello?”

“Are you Huang Mingsong?” the operator asked.

“I am.”

The operator quickly handed the receiver to Song Zhi.

Song Zhi took it. “Professor Huang?”

Professor Huang was momentarily stunned before his voice turned ecstatic. “It’s you…”

Song Zhi cut him off. “Have you been in your office this whole time? I called earlier, but Guan Hailong said you weren’t there.”

Professor Huang was stunned again, and looked at Guan Hailong who was standing beside him with a fierce look in his eyes.

He covered the microphone with his hand and said to Guan Hailong: “Hailong, um… I have something personal to do. Can you please leave for a while?”

Normally, Professor Huang doesn’t pay any attention to Guan Hailong.

So with him being friendly now…

Guan Hailong was a little excited. He said “Oh”, turned around and went out, and considerately closed the door for Professor Huang.

Professor Huang finally let go and said, “All right, it’s safe now. Song Zhi, why did it take you so long to contact me? You brat, you just ran off without a word! I wrote you so many letters, but you never replied…”

Song Zhi said, “Teacher, you need to leave immediately.”

Professor Huang asked, “What?”

Song Zhi replied, “The situation isn’t looking good. It’s best if you halt all your projects… When I left, you were in a closed-door meeting, so I left you a letter. Didn’t you receive it?”

“You left me a letter?” Professor Huang immediately grew anxious. “No, I didn’t! If I had, why would I still be angry at you? Right after my meeting ended, you just disappeared to the countryside without saying a word. It all happened in three days. I thought you’d suffered some grievance…”

Song Zhi said, “I wasn’t wronged. I volunteered to go to the countryside.”

After pausing briefly, he explained, “When I made the decision, the only spot left for relocation was in Song County. There wasn’t enough time to wait until your meeting ended to discuss it, so I left you the letter.”

When he had left that letter for his teacher, he had been worried about leaks and had only written a few vague hints. He hadn’t expected his teacher not to receive it.

Thinking back, the first time he called, his teacher hadn’t answered, but the second time, when he asked a female operator to help, the call went through?

Song Zhi had already guessed who might have interfered, and it left him deeply disappointed.

He urged again, “Teacher, you must stop all your projects immediately, especially the one in the Eastern No. 2 Experimental Zone.”

Professor Huang froze for a moment and asked, “Are you saying…”

Song Zhi said softly, “It’s not the right time. Put everything on hold for now and restart when there’s a chance later. As for the senior brothers, if they have connections, they should get transferred quickly. If they don’t, they should secure a good spot for relocation to the countryside. As for you, it’s best to start… taking a sick leave.”

Professor Huang broke into a cold sweat. “Is it really this urgent?” He had always trusted Song Zhi, who was sharp, well-grounded in his field, and had a keen sense of political winds.

Song Zhi urged again, “The sooner, the better.”

Professor Huang immediately decided, “All right, I’ll suspend everything right away. But we’ve put so many years of effort into this…”

Song Zhi reassured him, “It’s not necessarily a bad thing. My senior brothers and I have been in the lab all this time. Our theoretical knowledge is solid, but we lack hands-on experience. Taking this opportunity to train in the countryside won’t hurt.”

Professor Huang sighed in frustration, “Everyone’s going to the countryside to farm! What kind of hands-on training is that?”

Song Zhi smiled slightly. “Why do you think I chose Song County?”

Professor Huang froze, then it dawned on him. “I get it! Song County has the most leftovers from the Project 156. You… you clever boy! You’ve really thought this through!” His face lit up with pride.

Song Zhi also smiled and said softly, “Teacher, take care of yourself.”

They quickly exchanged mailing addresses and said their goodbyes.

Leaving the post office, Song Zhi felt both relieved and burdened.

He was relieved to have finally warned his mentor, but heavy-hearted at how Guo Hailong had turned into someone so unrecognizable.

Carrying the items he bought from the supply and marketing cooperative, Song Zhi waited by the roadside for a bus.

—Ruyi Village was an hour’s walk from town. If he was lucky, he could catch a passing bus and cut the walking time down to twenty minutes.

While waiting, he noticed several people sneaking in and out of a small alley, looking around cautiously, each carrying baskets or bundles.

Song Zhi immediately understood.

There must be a black market there.

Since it didn’t look like a bus would be coming anytime soon, Song Zhi decided to check it out.

It really was a black market, mostly selling small daily necessities—soap, matches, hair ties, sewing kits, and the like. There were other items too.

Song Zhi’s attention was caught by a vendor in his forties or fifties.

The vendor had spread a cloth on the ground, displaying around forty or fifty old books. Among them were the 1963 editions of advanced Chinese-Russian dictionaries, Japanese dictionaries, and Chinese-English bilingual dictionaries. The rest were mostly high school textbooks and university materials, many focusing on language and literature.

Seeing Song Zhi pause to look, the vendor grew nervous.

The other vendors had all sold at least a little something, but he hadn’t sold a single item from his stock.