Chapter 64: Reluctant to Leave

Yan Rushan followed the sound and approached slowly, lowering his head to see what she was writing. The paper was filled with frantic calculations.

“Yuxiu, what are you working on?”

“Theoretical data,” Zhong Yuxiu replied without looking up, recording every framework swirling in her mind. She paused to loosen her stiff neck, and when she noticed the shadow beside her, she lifted her eyes in mild surprise. “Brother Yan, you’re still here?”

“I saw how engrossed you were. Have you found a new research direction?” Yan Rushan asked.

“Yes. Earlier, when you mentioned downstairs how cooking produces a lot of oil smoke, I thought—why not develop a series of machines that extract kitchen fumes?” With that, she buried her head in the blueprint, sketching a simple extractor hood suitable for this era. “With this, we’ll never have to worry about oil smoke when cooking again.”

“That can wait. For now, we should go down and eat.” He extended a hand, inviting her to follow.

Obediently, she placed her small hand in his palm and used his strength to rise. The two went downstairs together, where dishes were already set on the table. Hao Nan and Tian Shangguo were waiting by the dining table.

“Sorry to keep you all waiting. If I go upstairs without saying anything next time, please don’t wait for me. Go ahead and eat,” Zhong Yuxiu apologized.

Hao Nan smiled, Tian Shangguo said nothing. Neither agreed nor refused, and their silence made Zhong Yuxiu believe they’d taken her words to heart.

Yan Rushan sat beside Zhong Yuxiu. “Let’s eat,” she said.

The four finished their meal around the table. Without needing to ask, Hao Nan and Tian Shangguo cleaned up.

Goudan brought over two cups of tea, setting one before Yan Rushan and the other before Zhong Yuxiu, then quietly stood beside her.

“Goudan, you’re done here. Go on upstairs.”

A soft electronic whistle answered, and Goudan turned and left.

Yan Rushan’s gaze followed the figure until it disappeared, then returned to her lovely face. Though he had his doubts, he kept them to himself.

“Yuxiu, do you have time in the next few days?”

“Why?” She had to go to work at the school and help her students catch up on their progress; her time was a bit tight these days.

Yan Rushan rubbed his chin with the back of his hand and explained, “I was able to skip grades at school and no longer need to attend classes. Recently, I’ve been busy with black market business and won’t be able to handle your contacts anymore.”

“I see.” If not for policy requirements, Yan Rushan would already have his diploma. Zhong Yuxiu was envious—her physics major’s fifth-year exams hadn’t even been released yet, so she couldn’t graduate early.

“Don’t worry. Grandfather will arrange a new contact for you. For anything big or small, just go to him.” Though she was so young and always calm, he couldn’t help but worry.

Zhong Yuxiu blinked in confusion. “I’m not afraid!”

Her eyes were clear and innocent, making Yan Rushan press his palm to his forehead—he’d worried for nothing.

“As long as you’re not afraid. If anything comes up, just let me know.”

“All right.” A boyfriend is meant to be relied upon, after all, and Zhong Yuxiu accepted this easily. “By the way, who will the new contact be?”

“The person hasn’t been decided yet. Grandfather will bring him over when it’s settled—and discuss your dividends as well.”

“Dividends?”

“Yes. They’ve decided to give you a three-percent share.” His voice softened, the depth of his gaze resting on the girl opposite. “With that, you’ll have a steady income every year.”

“That’s great.” In the interstellar era, having patent rights meant that anything you developed—whether you kept it or donated it to the Federation—would bring you income. If you kept the project, you could cooperate with merchants for shares; if you donated it, the Federation would pay a lump sum. For them to offer a three-percent cut directly, handling the patent themselves and sparing her the trouble—it was the ideal partnership.

After a moment of thought, Zhong Yuxiu asked, “Isn’t three percent a bit much?”

Unfair distribution of profits is always dangerous.

“Just accept it. Since they’re giving it, it’s all aboveboard.” He was gratified by her lack of greed and clear-headedness in the face of great profit, but a twinge of sadness followed—no one is born all-knowing and sensible. For her to be this mature, how much hardship and pain had she endured?

The Wan family was truly no good. Yan Rushan put a cross through their name in his mind, cutting all ties.

“All right, since you’re the one handling things,” she agreed. With Yan Rushan representing the Yan family, she could accept it without guilt. She didn’t need the money; the dividends could go to charity—why not?

Her trust filled Yan Rushan’s heart with warmth. He found nothing wrong with her thinking at all.

His lips curved in a gentle smile. “Thank you for your trust.”

“It’s only right.” Zhong Yuxiu replied smoothly, and Yan Rushan chuckled. Their relationship seemed to deepen further.

The young couple chatted quietly. Even if it wasn’t sweet nothings, their spirits were high. Amid laughter and talk, time slipped by unnoticed. Only when Yan Rushan rose to leave did Zhong Yuxiu realize how late it had become.

“Perfect timing. I need to go to the school myself—I’ll walk with you for a bit.” She stood and told Hao Nan and Tian Shangguo in the hall, “Comrade Hao, Comrade Tian, I’m heading to school. Sorry to trouble you again tonight. It’s cold—remember to wear more layers.”

A pang of sadness hit Yan Rushan—he’d never been cared for like this.

“Brother Yan, I need to grab my coat upstairs. Will you wait a moment?”

“Yes.” Facing her clear gaze, he found himself unable to utter a single word of complaint—just nodded blankly.

Zhong Yuxiu smiled and went upstairs. Hao Nan and Tian Shangguo followed, and when the three returned, each carried a coat.

Zhong Yuxiu had a cotton-padded jacket draped over her arm. Unfashionable as it might seem, nothing was warmer during a cold night in the capital. Hao Nan and Tian Shangguo each carried a plain cotton jacket as well.

“Let’s go,” Zhong Yuxiu said as she walked toward the door.

Yan Rushan quickly caught up to her side, and they stepped out together; Hao Nan and Tian Shangguo followed at a measured distance.

At a fork in the road, Zhong Yuxiu stopped. “This is far enough. You should go back and rest early.”

“I’ll walk you to the school, all right?” Even though Hao Nan and Tian Shangguo were with her, he wanted to personally see her off and bring her home at night.

She shook her head slowly. “No need. Sometimes you have to work late at the black market. Rest when you can—don’t wear yourself out.”

Working the black market was no easy task—perhaps even harder than those who struck it rich in the early days of later eras. You had to stay hidden, move goods, earn money. Even if you were only the mastermind behind the scenes, it was exhausting—sometimes you couldn’t sleep all night.

Once the policies relaxed, things would become easier for him.