Chapter 32: A New Home, A New Map

After dinner at the Zhong residence, Yan Guofeng and his grandson sat for a short while before taking their leave. Zhong Yuxiu saw them to the door.

“Comrade Zhong, my house is the third one on the left,” Yan Rushan pointed in the direction of their home. “If you need anything, you can come find me, or my grandfather.”

“Thank you,” Zhong Yuxiu replied, her smile warm and grateful for all the open and subtle help Yan Rushan had offered her over time.

Yan Rushan’s eyes flickered briefly, but he quickly suppressed the surge of emotion within. “No need for thanks. My grandfather and I will head back now. You should rest early.”

“All right. Thank you both for your trouble today. Old Mr. Yan and Comrade Yan, please rest early as well.”

“Comrade Zhong, you flatter us,” Yan Guofeng said, a meaningful note in his voice. “Your mind is a treasure. We should be going; our family is waiting. Tomorrow, I’ll go to the school and have your records transferred. Once that’s done, you can start at the research institute.”

Zhong Yuxiu nodded lightly, expressing her gratitude once more.

“Comrade Zhong, see you soon.”

“See you soon.”

She watched them go with a gentle smile, then turned and went back inside.

Yan Guofeng slowed his steps, ambling like a snail along the winding path, gazing up at the darkening sky. “Dashan.”

“Hmm?” Yan Rushan turned to look at his grandfather.

Yan Guofeng met his gaze, his eyes deep and inscrutable. “You’ve taken a liking to Comrade Zhong Yuxiu.”

Yan Rushan’s pupils contracted slightly, and he stopped in his tracks.

“So Grandfather noticed.”

“You’ve always been aloof, even with your own parents, and especially indifferent to young women. But everyone close to you can see there’s something different about your attitude toward Comrade Zhong.”

“Is it that obvious?” Whether it was a question or a self-reflection, even he wasn’t sure.

Yan Guofeng sighed lightly. “Comrade Zhong is an excellent person. As long as you can promise to treat her well all your life, I have no objection to you pursuing her.”

“Do you think I’ll succeed?” He had tried for so long, yet Zhong Yuxiu seemed oblivious.

“You’re too close to see clearly,” Yan Guofeng chuckled. “Comrade Zhong is warmer to you than to others. You should have more confidence.”

It was rare to see his grandson so uncertain—it was almost refreshing. The boy who was always so self-assured and steady in everything finally met his match.

“Really?” Yan Rushan’s eyes shone, their brightness undimmed even under the somber sky.

Yan Guofeng shook his head, amused. “Really. Don’t lose heart. I can tell—Comrade Zhong is strong-willed, her thoughts not too deep, sharp-minded, and generous in her dealings. If she were to become the eldest granddaughter-in-law of our family, it would be a great blessing.”

“All right.”

No one knew what else grandfather and grandson discussed as they walked home, but Yan Guofeng did offer a few pointers.

Back at the Zhong residence.

With Aunt Li accompanying her, Zhong Yuxiu inspected the second floor. “There are two rooms on the first floor. You’ll have one, and the other will be a guest room. The second floor has three rooms—one will be for Comrades Hao and Tian. The other is next to mine. We’ll knock down the wall between them and turn it into my laboratory.”

Her own room was at the corner of the second floor, next to another room; the third room was by the stairs, so essentially it stood alone.

“All right, I’ve made a note. I’ll have someone come sort it out tomorrow,” Aunt Li replied, always respectful toward Zhong Yuxiu. “Any other changes you’d like?”

Zhong Yuxiu stepped into the bedroom, surveying it carefully. “Change the curtains to something brighter. Let in more light.”

“Yes, of course.”

“That’s about it.” With that, Zhong Yuxiu led the way downstairs for a quick wash—these days, bathrooms were all on the first floor, so everyone had to wash up there.

Aunt Li came out with a cup of warm water. “Comrade Zhong, have some water before heading upstairs to rest.”

“Thank you.” Zhong Yuxiu took the cup, drained it, and handed it back. “Good night, Aunt Li, Comrade Hao, Comrade Tian.”

“Good night, Comrade Zhong,” Aunt Li replied with her usual smile.

“Good night,” Hao Nan and Tian Shangguo echoed.

“Rest early, all of you. I’ll head upstairs first. See you tomorrow.” Zhong Yuxiu called to the robot by the door, “Goudan, bring my luggage upstairs.”

Goudan, moving on mechanical legs, lifted Zhong Yuxiu’s luggage and followed her up, rounding the corridor to her room.

Hao Nan watched Goudan, reluctant to look away. “This robot Comrade Zhong designed walks so lightly—less weight than a person, I’d say.”

“Mmm.” Tian Shangguo withdrew his gaze, and said resolutely, “We must protect Comrade Zhong well.”

The researchers at the institute were already studying the sensors; the future uses would be significant.

Aunt Li’s smile faded slightly. “You two should head up to bed. Comrade Zhong said the room by the stairs is yours; the other two are her bedroom and lab. Tomorrow I’ll have someone come reorganize her lab.”

“Understood.”

Neither Hao Nan nor Tian Shangguo were talkative. They packed up quietly and went upstairs. Once on the second floor, they decided not to disturb Zhong Yuxiu.

The next morning.

At the first hint of dawn, Zhong Yuxiu rose and read for a while. Estimating the time, she instructed Goudan to watch her room before heading downstairs with her textbooks. As she reached the last step, Aunt Li emerged from the kitchen carrying food.

“Good morning, Aunt Li.” There were already two or three dishes on the table. “So much breakfast?”

“Fried dough sticks, soy milk, steamed buns, stuffed buns—a bit of everything. Hao Nan and Tian Shangguo have hearty appetites, so there’s no worry about leftovers,” Aunt Li said with a backward glance and smile.

Zhong Yuxiu was unconcerned. “I eat quite a lot, too.”

“Really? How much?”

“Two or three bowls of rice per meal.” Years of farm work had stretched her appetite; at the same time, it had gradually strengthened her constitution.

“That’s great! I’ll make more from now on—guaranteed to fill you up.”

Zhong Yuxiu smiled, set her textbooks on the table, and went to wash up. Hao Nan and Tian Shangguo came down as well, dressed in civilian clothes instead of uniforms, looking refreshed—clearly, they’d slept well.

“Good morning, Comrades Hao and Tian. Up so early?”

“You’re up before us. We’ll get up earlier from now on. If we’re not down, just call for us,” Hao Nan said, with Tian Shangguo nodding behind him.

“No need—just feel at home here. Let’s have breakfast. I need to head to school soon.” Neither refusing nor agreeing, she made it clear she didn’t require constant supervision at home.

Hao Nan and Tian Shangguo washed up and returned. Zhong Yuxiu called them over. “Sit down, let’s eat, then we’ll head to the school.”

“All right.” Both sat opposite her. Aunt Li did not sit, saying, “You all start eating. I’ll check on the brain tonic soup in the kitchen. I’ll pack some for you, Comrade Zhong, in case you get hungry later.”

Zhong Yuxiu spoke firmly, “Aunt Li, sit down and eat with us. There’s plenty of time to check later.”

“This…”

“Sit down.” Zhong Yuxiu repeated, her natural authority surfacing.

Aunt Li felt a strange sense of being locked in place; she couldn’t help but obey and took a seat beside her.

“Let’s eat,” Zhong Yuxiu said.

No one spoke again. Even Hao Nan and Tian Shangguo were left questioning their own composure—the young woman, so youthful, yet possessed the presence of someone who had long held high office, just like Old Mr. Yan.