The gifted youth class had no winter or summer vacations. What they learned wasn't just knowledge—they also had to apply it practically.
As the great man said, truth emerges from practice. The gifted youth class didn't just select children who excelled in academics but also sought those capable of hands-on work, nurturing the seeds of a new world.
Similarly, the children in the special training class had no vacations either. A minute on stage takes ten years of practice offstage.
Li Wu received a large package—new clothes, new shoes, a pile of delicious snacks, and a tightly wrapped bundle of study materials along with handwritten exercises.
The joy of getting new clothes and treats instantly faded by half. And when he saw the letter from his younger brother, Li Wu’s face darkened as he pulled out the workbook to start writing.
"I’ve never seen this homework before?" Tang Sheng leaned in curiously.
"My brother sent it. I have to finish it and mail it back. He said he’ll send me more every month—ahhh!" Li Wu groaned in frustration, but he didn’t dare damage the workbook.
Watching Li Wu grit his teeth while working on the exercises, Tang Sheng couldn’t help but find it amusing. He was also curious about Li Wu’s younger brother—how could an older brother be afraid of his younger sibling?
But seeing how hard Li Wu worked, not just in training but also in studying, Tang Sheng suddenly felt like he’d been slacking off. So he pulled out his own notebook.
"Let me take a look at those problems too."
"Come on, let’s work on them together."
Li Wu generously shared, and when they got stuck, they sought help from their academic instructor. They rushed to finish before the New Year so they could mail it back in time.
This year’s New Year’s celebration was much quieter at home. Dean Hu was away on a trip, Zhou Ang was on duty, leaving only Yang Yufen and Professor Wen to look after the children. Wang Xing’s parents were also too busy this year—they dropped off New Year’s gifts before hurrying back to work.
At the base, Shen Xianjun blinked in disbelief. How could his Nian Nian be here?
"It’s actually Sister-in-Law!" Liao Yuanjie seemed even more excited than Shen Xianjun.
"Sister-in-Law, over here!"
Liao Yuanjie waved, and Qin Nian spotted Shen Xianjun. After saying a few words to the person beside her, she walked over.
"Sister-in-Law, were you part of the research team for the new-generation fighter system? When did you get here? How’s Comrade Fan Juan? Is she doing alright?"
Liao Yuanjie chattered away while Shen Xianjun stared at the person before him, confirming it was indeed his Nian Nian.
"I’ve been here about as long as you, just in a different location. I haven’t been in touch with Fan Juan recently, but she should be fine."
Qin Nian smiled as she answered Liao Yuanjie’s questions. It was New Year’s Eve, and the research team had come to have the reunion dinner with the training group.
When she saw Shen Xianjun, Qin Nian was momentarily stunned, though not entirely surprised.
"Does that mean Sister-in-Law will be working with us from now on?"
Liao Yuanjie looked at Shen Xianjun with envy.
Ahem. "You’ve lost weight," Shen Xianjun cleared his throat before speaking.
"We can call home tonight. Want to do it together after dinner?" Qin Nian suggested.
"Sure." Shen Xianjun nodded.
The long-married couple sat side by side, and soon everyone learned that Shen Xianjun had an incredibly accomplished scientist for a wife. Envious glances surrounded him.
The phone rang. Professor Wen and Yang Yufen sat on either side of it, waiting anxiously. Though they weren’t sure if anyone would call, they stayed close, afraid of missing it.
"Shimu, it’s Nian Nian."
"Nian Nian! Your mother-in-law and I are both here. How long can you talk?"
"Mom, Xianjun is with me."
Qin Nian spoke, and Shen Xianjun called out beside her.
"Mother-in-law, Mom."
"You’re together? That’s wonderful!"
Professor Wen was overjoyed, and Yang Yufen responded warmly.
"Yes, Mom’s here."
Li Wen had already come over.
"Mom, Dad."
He called into the receiver.
Hearing his voice, Qin Nian’s eyes stung with tears—she missed her children so much.
"Here, you talk to your parents."
Professor Wen moved Li Wen closer.
"Mom, Dad, Brother went for special training—he’s not home. I’ve also been admitted to the gifted youth class now."
Qin Nian paused slightly at the news that Li Wu wasn’t home. Then Professor Wen’s voice came through, explaining the current situation of both children. Qin Nian listened quietly.
"Will Da Bao be suffering too much?"
Qin Nian had never considered her own two years abroad as hardship, but the thought of her child going through difficulties made her heart ache.
"If possible, you should call Li Wu."
Professor Wen gave Qin Nian the phone number, which she committed to memory.
Knowing that everything at home was fine and that both children were being raised well, Qin Nian and Shen Xianjun felt relieved. But the call had a time limit, and no matter how reluctant they were, they had to hang up.
"Who would’ve thought Xianjun and Nian Nian would end up in the same place? This is good—they can discuss things together as a couple."
After the call ended, Professor Wen chatted with Yang Yufen.
"Yes, they’ve spent so much time apart. Who knew they’d get the chance to work together?"
"Another year has passed in the blink of an eye."
Professor Wen sighed.
It was the last year of the 1980s. The spring breeze of reform swept across the land, and everything was thriving—yet some troubling rhetoric began to surface.
"These private business owners are raking in fortunes—it’s capitalism! They’re just exploiting the people’s hard-earned money under false pretenses, lining their own pockets."
After so many years of reform and opening up, Gui Xiang never expected to hear such words again. At first, she dismissed it as mere impassioned ranting.
But by evening, news came that her niece’s shop, Lian Xiang Ji, had been vandalized—and her niece was hospitalized.
"How is she? How could they hurt her so badly? Damn them! What are they trying to do?"
Gui Xiang’s heart ached at the sight of her niece’s arm being stitched up from a long gash.
"Auntie, I’m fine."
Lian Xiang quickly reassured her.
"It wasn’t just Lian Xiang Ji—many other shops were targeted. A whole mob was led by someone, acting on the belief that the law can’t punish everyone. It was clearly premeditated, likely with ulterior motives."
Boss Qian held Lian Xiang’s hand steady as the doctor worked.
Yang Yufen and Aunt Wang knew nothing of the unrest. Spring and summer were the busiest seasons—weeds grew wildly in the orchard, and there was fertilizing, pruning, and endless tasks to keep up with.
"Look at this place—they’ve leased two whole mountains! And that breeding farm they built? How much money must they be making? That two-story Western-style house with red bricks—it’s practically a landlord’s mansion!
We farmers have to hand over public grain, while these people fill their pockets with what we’ve worked for. They turn a blind eye to the hardships of the masses—let’s tear it down!"
The ringleader stirred up the crowd, and among them were those who had profited from previous raids. Their eyes gleamed with greed as they eyed the orchard like a piece of fat meat.
