After resting for three days, Professor Wei and his group began discussing and decided they had to continue teaching the students; staying at the guesthouse was wasting precious time.

After some discussion, for safety’s sake, they chose several large factories in the neighboring city this time, and so early the next morning, the group of teachers and students embarked on their journey again.

Based on Professor Wei’s current research direction, they first chose various engines within large enterprises this time.

In recent years, faced with monopolies from the Western powers and the retreat of brother countries, technological innovation has slowed down considerably. As the saying goes, people strive for breath, Buddha receives a stick of incense. Faced with external encirclement, passionate patriots strive hard, just wishing for a day we are no longer at the mercy of others.

Even the most timid and habitually selfish Zhou Jiao was inspired by the professors working day and night tirelessly in the lab, and felt strained.

Having lived for so many years, Zhou Jiao had never felt so troubled. She prided herself on not lacking in intelligence, yet she couldn’t find any perfect solution.

The latest 21st-century engine, brought forth by her hands, appeared to the world countless times translated into different languages, but now she couldn’t expose it at will.

The longer she spent in this space, the more she understood. Furthermore, she realized what "falling behind means being beaten" truly is, but she didn’t know what path to take.

Not mentioning personal safety, just speeding up the historical gears — how should related components and equipment be improved? With guilt and frustration, she immersed herself in work once again.

Hence, upon returning to Beijing, Zhang Guoqing, waiting at the school for her return, was even angrier and anxious seeing her thin and ghostlike appearance. Though he usually hid his emotions, this time he couldn’t help but be moved.

Glancing at the guilty-looking Zhou Jiao, constrained by the presence of many people, he didn’t say much, but instead reported the general situation of the rest of the classmates to the counselor.

Zhang Guoqing was very angry with himself, knowing her temperament, especially thinking about news received not long ago, regretting his hasty decision upon recalling she faced thugs alone. Returning to the dormitory, he hugged her without saying a word.

"Brother, I’m really fine! You see, I’m in great spirits."

Zhang Guoqing’s chin pressed against her head, feeling her protruding spine, the meaning unspoken.

Originally, Zhou Jiao thought of talking to him about the two secret rooms, but now, she dared not go against her instinct, knowing this man might truly lose his temper.

Sigh... it really wasn’t her fault. She had already secretly taken extra care, but being with so many people every day meant she couldn’t act willy-nilly.

Besides, everyone had slimmed down. Even Yi Jiefang, that carefree silly boy, lost nearly twenty pounds. Honestly, Zhou Jiao felt fine, having caught up on sleep during the return trip.

But holding her like this isn’t a solution!

Zhou Jiao gently tugged at his arm’s sleeve: "I’m cold. I’ve been shivering since getting off the bus!"

Zhang Guoqing immediately tucked her into bed upon hearing this.

"I haven’t washed yet."

"Be good, stay warm, I’ll make ginger soup for you."

Zhou Jiao watched him bustling around as he spoke, smiling contentedly. Outside, goose feather snow was falling, but with him by her side, the room felt warm.

"Xiao Wu, open the door quickly."

Zhang Guoqing looked back at Zhou Jiao, seeing she was fine, he took quick steps to open the door, gave Xiao Wu a quick glance as he entered with a bag, and pointed to the door.

Yi Jiefang knowingly shut the door, and upon seeing Zhou Jiao curled up like a bear, burst into hearty laughter, "Got regulated, huh? Serves you right for being disobedient, little chick!"

"Skinny monkey!" 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Zhang Guoqing was truly surprised now, knowing Zhou Jiao never addressed people with nicknames like this.

"What’s the matter with you two? Not eating?"

Yi Jiefang grimaced, "Buddy, I lost at least ten years of my life this time. If not for your wife, would I be this pitiful?"

He pointed at Zhou Jiao as he spoke, "You know how bad your wife is? She’s fighting hard and insists on dragging us into the water. Look at me...my mom would definitely cry her heart out."

"No physical problems, right? Need to check with a hospital?"

"Come on, joking! I’m perfectly fine." Yi Jiefang tossed a bag at him, "Take a look, all collected for you. Isn’t it nice? All good stuff for you."

Zhou Jiao shot him a disdainful look, "Busy cutting ties, weren’t you?"

"Fool! Where would grass mats come from in winter? Wait a bit, got to make it through winter. Before I collect the debt for taking care of this guy’s wife, I’ll temporarily be a good buddy."

Zhang Guoqing knew what they meant, pointing to the corner, "There’s a grass mat; better to break it early."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Jiao laughed heartily, "This worn-out grass mat isn’t worthy of you, this pair of friends. Better buy a new bed tomorrow."

Zhang Guoqing smiled indulgently at her, poured ginger soup into two cups, handed them over, then put two lunch boxes on top to warm.

"Open it up quickly! Guaranteed to please you."

Opening it, Zhang Guoqing saw a small army knife and a brand new tracksuit inside. These weren’t available domestically; he frowned, "No one saw, right?"

"Besides He Ben Shan and his father, your wife, no one knew."

Zhou Jiao nodded at him.

Zhang Guoqing said seriously, "Remind him during night study to avoid wearing it outside. Someone reported him, saying he indulged, admired western countries. I found a reason to suppress this, but be mindful yourselves."

Yi Jiefang stopped joking, "No after-effects, right?"

"Just as you two accomplished over there, the news spread; I used some means, no issues. But still be careful, too many mad dogs around."

Yi Jiefang zipped the bag, "I’ll deal with this."

Zhang Guoqing waved, "No need to be so tense, leave it here. At year-end, we’ll organize some things and hit the black market. See if we can swap some good stuff. The army knife isn’t a big problem, keeping it is fine."

Yi Jiefang promptly nodded, "I’ll drop it off later. I have two watches to sell; they should fetch some money. Going to the South emptied my pockets."

Zhang Guoqing knew the watches he talked of were bought together with him for profit later. No problem at all, don’t even need to go to the black market, easily sold.

Currently, at year-end, every mall lacks watches; many need them for weddings urgently. A few days back, people even asked Cheng Ruzhu to help.

After private talks, Yi Jiefang turned the chat to army internship experiences.

Zhang Guoqing didn’t mind sharing with old friends, though it seemed unsuitable. He shared what he could, skimmed over the rest, and heated ten large steamed buns for dinner.

"Brought from home?"

"Of course. Can the school offer us white flour buns? Earlier, scared off, seen the old man wanting tree leaves and wild greens mixed in."

"We worked past eating during the internship, the units’ food was better than school’s."

Zhang Guoqing dismissed, everyone thinned to monkey spirits, how good!

Avoiding those unpleasant topics, they chatted other subjects, after dinner, heading to night study, he reminded suddenly: "After this internship, two classmates left, outsiders ask, no word from you two, you weren’t at school."

Yi Jiefang and Zhou Jiao exchanged glances, understanding with nods.