Yang Yufen deliberately shared the practical benefits of education she had learned from Professor Wen with the village chief, hoping he would pass the message to the villagers so more girls could have the opportunity to attend school.
Meanwhile, Professor Wen and Dean Hu were discussing new policies.
"This '863 Plan' shows how much the nation values future technological development. Niannian will be back in a year—just in time for this promising era."
"Indeed. Our research institute is a key unit with great responsibilities and heavy tasks. The transition from the nursery to primary school in the residential compound isn’t enough; we need to add a middle school. This way, our researchers can focus on their work without worries."
Dean Hu sighed.
"Adding a middle school is a good idea. The state advocates for nine-year compulsory education, so it aligns perfectly with current needs. But building it within the residential compound might not be suitable. We could select a nearby location and jointly apply with the other two institutes for a larger plot of land to establish a better middle school."
With other units nearby, securing land for a proper middle school wouldn’t be a problem.
"I’ll handle this matter. You focus on your research," Professor Wen volunteered.
"Thank you for your hard work." Dean Hu patted his wife’s hand.
"It’s no trouble. Though, we’ll have to trouble our in-laws with the kids again."
Professor Wen felt a bit embarrassed—every time something came up, they relied on Yang Yufen to look after the children.
"We really owe our in-laws for this. Besides the children, the elderly in the residential compound also need care. Relying solely on their children isn’t enough—their children are contributing to the nation."
Dean Hu thought of the sacrifices his wife had made, and of Yang Yufen and the other elderly in the compound, some even older.
"Elderly care? That’s something we hadn’t considered before. I’ll think it over carefully and consult others later."
Professor Wen found the idea excellent and tucked it away in her mind.
Professor Wen entrusted the children to Yang Yufen.
"Yufen, I’m troubling you again."
"Little Baby is well-behaved, and the older ones are looked after by Zhenghao. They don’t need much supervision—just meals to prepare. It’s no trouble at all. You can rest assured leaving them with me."
Hearing that Professor Wen was undertaking something significant, Yang Yufen readily agreed. Compared to caring for twins in the past, this was much simpler—just picking up the kids and cooking. Little Baby didn’t even need her to put him to sleep at night.
"I trust you completely, which is why I’m leaving them with you. For your birthday, since the kids aren’t home, this is a gift from them. You must accept it."
Professor Wen took out a brocade box and opened it, revealing a jade bracelet inside.
"Oh my, this is truly beautiful. But it’s too valuable!"
Just by looking, Yang Yufen could tell it must have cost a fortune. She hesitated to take it.
"It’s not too valuable. Please accept it with ease. Jade nurtures the wearer."
"Then I’ll keep it safe." Yang Yufen thought for a moment.
"This bracelet is meant to be worn. Jade nurtures people, and people nurture jade. Let me put it on for you."
Professor Wen slipped the bracelet onto Yang Yufen’s wrist. Having spent so much time together, she had chosen the perfect fit—it wouldn’t slide off easily.
After Professor Wen left, Yang Yufen admired the bracelet for a long while before digging out her savings and heading to the department store.
"Little Li, you look radiant today. Did something good happen?"
Yang Yufen sought out her old acquaintance right away.
"Auntie, come sit! Is it that obvious?" Little Li touched her face, a little shy.
"Of course! That glow can’t be hidden." Yang Yufen chuckled as she sat down.
"I’m getting married—on the 8th of next month. Auntie, if you’re free, come for the celebration. Here’s some wedding candy."
Little Li handed her the treats.
"What wonderful news! The 8th is just ten days away. Wait a moment."
Yang Yufen stood up and browsed the counters before selecting the finest silk scarf.
"Auntie has several children to look after, so I might not make it on Sunday. But I’ll take the candy—this is my wedding gift for you."
"Thank you, Auntie! Are you here to buy gold again?"
Little Li accepted the scarf and began recommending items.
Yang Yufen exchanged her money for gold, though she kept her copper bracelet and bought another identical one.
"Little Li, wrap these up for me—this one too."
She also showed off the jade bracelet.
"No problem, Auntie. Just a moment."
Little Li worked swiftly, wrapping both bracelets with red thread. The jade bracelet, now adorned with red thread, was even harder to remove.
Yang Yufen stored the new gold bracelet away. Gold prices were rising fast, but it didn’t matter—money sitting idle wouldn’t grow. Gold was a solid investment, and she didn’t understand much else.
Besides, compared to housing prices, gold was still the better deal. A home was just for living in, after all.
Little Baby returned from school, along with the twins, Wang Xing, and Miaomiao from next door, who attended the nursery. Zhenghao and Yaoyao walked protectively on either side of the group.
"Wash your hands, eat, then do your homework."
Yang Yufen brought the prepared dishes to the table.
The children had long developed good habits. Without supervision, they cleared their dishes after eating, took out their homework, and later listened to English on the radio before cartoon time.
From clumsily holding a spoon to skillfully using chopsticks, Little Baby’s progress seemed to fly by in just a few months.
Spring 1987—the streets buzzed with excitement.
Even in overseas Chinatowns, red lanterns hung high.
"Niannian, just four more months until we return. I’ll wrap things up here in the last month."
Fan Juan had transformed into a fashion icon, her hair now a cascade of voluminous curls—a far cry from the plain girl who had arrived over a year ago.
"Money here is so easy to make. If it weren’t for returning to our homeland, I’d almost be reluctant to leave."
"You’re truly remarkable. Just stay safe."
Qin Nian and Fan Juan set their return date before parting ways.
Fan Juan gazed at the sky, thinking how much bluer the skies of home were.
In the lab, Qin Nian kept vigil day and night—the experiment was in its final stages.
"Qin Nian, it’s time for you to leave. Have you memorized everything I taught you?"
"Professor, the experiment isn’t finished yet."
Qin Nian looked at him in disbelief.
"If it finishes, you might not return home safely."
"What about you, Professor?"
Qin Nian studied him. Someone as brilliant as the professor could contribute so much to their country if he returned.
"I can’t leave yet. Who will teach all these students? Our nation lacks so much. For now, we must borrow strength and bide our time. When we’re strong enough, we’ll have nothing to fear."
The professor looked at her warmly, his eyes filled with hope and expectation.
