Courtyard House: Drunk and tipsy, the whole courtyard exposed at the start.

Jia Zhangshi and Bang Geng witnessed everything from the crowd. When that imposing motorcycle drove in, Jia Zhangshi's cursing stopped abruptly. For the first time, fear appeared on her usually harsh face.

Banggeng clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging deep into his flesh. He didn't understand anything about cadre benefits, but he knew that ordinary people never had the chance to ride this motorcycle. Besides, what kid doesn't like motorcycles?!

I'm so envious!

But he was still aware of his own limitations. He might sneak a few pedals on a bicycle or a tricycle, but he didn't have the guts to touch this thing; he simply couldn't afford to pay for it.

He suddenly realized something—if his mother had married Zhang Dabiao as agreed back then, would this car now belong to him? Would Zhang Dabiao be his father? With over 40 yuan in assets?!

No, if Mom had married Zhang Dabiao, I wouldn't be here now; I would have to wait a few more years to be born...

That's still not right. If I wait a few years, will I still be myself?

Oh dear, I need to use my brain...

Sha Zhu stood at his doorway, watching this scene unfold before him, his heart filled with mixed emotions. There was envy, but more than anything, there was an indescribable sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a complex feeling of mixed emotions, often including regret or nostalgia). He knew that Zhang Dabiao and they were no longer from the same world.

Xu Damao's eyes gleamed. He immediately moved closer, his face beaming, "Da Biao, you're something else! Now you're the leader of our compound! How about you take me for a drive sometime?"

Zhang Dabiao turned off the engine, got out of the car, and patted Xu Damao on the shoulder: "Why are we brothers still talking about this? Just take it and ride it!" Zhang Dabiao tossed the keys to Xu Damao, who was so startled that he quickly caught them.

Then he respectfully returned it: "Da Biao, I'll call you Brother Biao, okay?"

"I was just kidding, but this thing... even officials need a driver when they go out in one of these!"

"Me, ride this? Believe me, if I ride this for a mile, someone will start investigating where I got this bike!"

"I can't ride it, you ride it, just take me for a ride!"

Xu Damao was quite perceptive; when the others heard him say that, especially Yi Zhonghai, who was calculating whether he could borrow the thing, they immediately gave up.

Yes, a bicycle is fine, but this is a special car provided to Zhang Dabiao by the ministry, a government official's car!

Who would ride that thing on the street? Wouldn't that be asking for trouble?

Even Yi Zhonghai didn't dare to make a move on this car.

After exchanging pleasantries with Director Zhao and the others for a while, Zhang Dabiao prepared to treat them to a meal; this was something he absolutely had to do!

Director Zhao politely declined and returned to his department. The three assistants stayed behind, even boasting to Zhang Dabiao that it was all their idea, mentioning it briefly within their departments. Surprisingly, when the three department heads met, they actually agreed!

It seems that Zhang Dabiao's influence in the three ministerial-level units is growing.

Zhang Dabiao told Shazhu to cook, and that they would have a meal in his courtyard today, with Xu Damao, Liu Guangqi, and a few others joining them.

Then, riding a sidecar motorcycle with Mu Wanqing in tow, we went for a ride!

------------

Zhang Dabiao started the "Changjiang 750," the engine emitting a deep, powerful roar that broke the brief silence at the alley entrance. The military green body gleamed coldly under the dim streetlights, like a sleeping steel beast awakened. Mu Wanqing sat in the sidecar, wrapped tightly in a cotton coat, her small face flushed from the cold, but her bright, clear eyes shone with light. She gripped the edge of the sidecar tightly, an irrepressible smile playing on her lips.

As Zhang Dabiao lightly twisted the throttle, the motorcycle steadily drove out of the narrow alley, stirring up a cool night breeze. The residents of the alley, young and old, all leaned out, staring blankly as the imposing motorcycle disappeared into the distance. Many of them had lived most of their lives without ever daring to dream of driving, let alone riding in, such a "military-only" mode of transport.

Mu Wanqing, the girl who used to be cautious because of her family background, is now sitting in the sidecar with an undisguised smile on her face, as if she is announcing a brand new way of life.

The motorcycle glided nimbly through the wide streets of Beijing, the cold wind whistling past its ears, carrying the distinctive chill of the North. Zhang Dabiao slowed down, the motorcycle tracing a smooth arc in the night. He turned his head and, while riding, said to Mu Wanqing, who was wrapped tightly in her coat, "Wanqing, this time with 'Towards the Distance'... I have a bit of an unease about it."

Mu Wanqing turned her face away, the wind ruffling the stray hairs on her forehead, and she subconsciously pulled her collar tighter.

"What's wrong? Teacher Chen and Director Zhou are both very satisfied; they even want to promote it throughout the school." She didn't understand. That song was so warm, so full of hope, carrying people's yearning for a better future. Why did Da Biao feel uneasy?

Zhang Dabiao did not answer immediately. He pulled his motorcycle to the side of the road, turned off the engine, and lit a cigarette.

"When I wrote this song, I really wanted to bring hope and strength to everyone. But... sometimes, a song can be interpreted differently by different people."

Mu Wanqing listened attentively; she knew Zhang Dabiao wasn't speaking without reason. He always saw further and thought more deeply than others. His concerns were definitely not unfounded.

"You mean..." she hesitated, a vague thought rising in her mind, tinged with unease.

Zhang Dabiao nodded, his expression serious: "The slogan 'Support the construction of the motherland' has already begun to emerge. Our song, with its phrases like 'Towards the Distance,' 'Support the Frontier,' and 'Build the Motherland,' is inherently positive, but in this special period, it can easily be 'guided'."

Mu Wanqing's heart tightened. She instantly understood Zhang Dabiao's worries. She had originally thought that being able to contribute to the country and have her work sung by more people was a great honor. But now, hearing Zhang Dabiao's words, she felt a chill run down her spine. Her background was already flawed; if her work were over-interpreted and exploited by those with ulterior motives, the consequences... she dared not imagine.

"What should I do?" she asked softly, her voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible panic.

Zhang Dabiao raised his hand and gently patted her shoulder, offering her silent comfort. The warmth of his palm calmed her down a little.

"You don't need to worry for now," he said slowly, his gaze piercing through the night as if he could see into the distant future.

"If, and I mean if, someone actually takes this song and asks you to make a statement, or even to lead the effort to support the country's development... remember, you absolutely cannot sign any pledge. You can verbally agree to support the country's development after graduation, but you absolutely cannot sign any pledge!"

Mu Wanqing tilted her head in confusion: "Why? If... if it's a good thing, shouldn't we support it?"

"Good news?" Zhang Dabiao's lips curled slightly, forming an ambiguous arc.

"hehe--"