Rebirth of the Hong Kong Millennium Conglomerate

After finishing the porridge, Zhang Zeyang washed the bowl clean, then took his sister's hand and went back into the house, where he found her a slightly thicker jacket to wear.

"Lingyun, be good. Wait for your brother at home. I'm going out for a bit, I'll be back soon." He patted his sister's head and said softly.

"Brother, where are you going?" A hint of fear flashed in Zhang Lingyun's big eyes, and her small hands gripped his clothes tightly.

"I'll go out and see if there's anyone in the village who can help us," Zhang Zeyang smiled, coaxing her. "I'll be back soon. Lingyun, stay home and be a good girl, okay?"

Although Zhang Lingyun was reluctant, she nodded understandingly and let go of his hand.

Zhang Zeyang gave her a few more instructions, telling her not to wander off, and then turned and walked out of the house.

It wasn't that Zhang Zeyang didn't want to take his sister out, but rather that it was too cold outside, so he preferred to leave her at home.

Standing at the door of the adobe house, Zhang Zeyang looked up.

The morning breeze carried a hint of coolness, brushing past the old locust tree at the village entrance, swirling up a few withered yellow leaves that fell to the ground.

Zhang Zeyang stepped on the muddy ridges of the fields, walking step by step toward the village.

The road beneath his feet was full of potholes, mixed with mud and gravel, which hurt the soles of his worn-out cloth shoes, but he was oblivious to it, his eyes taking in the scenery around him.

On both sides of the field ridges, there are endless crops, growing lush and green, swaying gently in the wind, like a green ocean.

In the distance, rows of mud-brick houses are scattered in a neat and orderly fashion, with wisps of smoke rising from the rooftops, accompanied by the faint sounds of roosters crowing and dogs barking, exuding a simple and rustic charm.

Occasionally, you might encounter a few villagers carrying hoes on the road. Most of them wear patched coarse cloth clothes, their faces bearing the marks of years of hard work. When they see this thin, small child, they only give him a brief glance before hurrying away.

In the countryside during that era, although people were simple and honest, there was also a deep-rooted sense of alienation. Especially for orphans like him who had lost both parents, most people kept their distance and at most gave him a bite to eat, but did not ask him much about his well-being.

Zhang Zeyang walked along the ridge for about half an hour, and after passing a bamboo forest, he suddenly saw an old man with gray hair sitting by the river ahead.

The old man was wearing a faded Zhongshan suit, which, although made of ordinary material, was starched and clean.

The old man sat quietly on the bluestone slab by the river, gazing calmly at the water, exuding a refined air that seemed out of place in this village.

Zhang Zeyang paused in his steps.

In this rural area where everyone wears coarse cloth short jackets and carries hoes to the fields, such attire is simply too conspicuous.

In particular, his scholarly air stirred something within him—this old man, like his parents, was probably an intellectual who had been sent down from the city.

He hesitated for a moment, but still stepped forward. What he needed most right now was information, but most of the villagers only knew how to bury themselves in farming and knew very little about the outside world. This old man in front of him might be able to give him some useful information.

"Grandpa Chen, what are you looking at?" Zhang Zeyang walked to the old man's side, stopped, and asked cautiously. He deliberately lowered his voice to make his tone sound more obedient.

Upon hearing this, the old man slowly turned his head. It was a face covered in wrinkles, with deep lines at the corners of his eyes, yet they could not conceal the clarity and gentleness in his eyes.

He looked at Zhang Zeyang, his gaze lingering for a moment on his tattered clothes and thin frame, before a gentle smile appeared on his face: "It's you, little guy. Where's your sister?"

"It's too cold, my sister is at home," Zhang Zeyang answered honestly. "I came out for a walk."

Zhang Zeyang knew who the person in front of him was because he remembered him from the original owner's memories.

His parents had introduced him before. The professor in front of him, surnamed Chen, was also sent down to the countryside. He was very knowledgeable, but he rarely interacted with people.

Professor Chen was silent for a moment, then sighed softly: "Poor children, being born in this era is a misfortune for us scholars, and a helpless situation for you younger generations."

He raised his head and looked at the distant horizon, a hint of melancholy in his eyes: "Back then, I taught and nurtured students at the university, surrounded by countless students, and the room was filled with the fragrance of books."

Who could have imagined that, with the changing tides of history, we would fall to this state, confined to this remote and impoverished place, merely passing the years by tending to our land?

Zhang Zeyang didn't speak, but listened quietly. He could sense the helplessness in Professor Chen's words, a frustration of unfulfilled talent and a sense of powerlessness against fate.

"However," Professor Chen changed the subject, turning to look at Zhang Zeyang with a determined look in his eyes, "child, you must remember that no matter what difficulties you are in, you must never give up hope."

Your parents are both educated people; they certainly hope you can live a good life and, in the future, have the opportunity to pick up your books again and become a useful member of society.

"You're still young, and you have a long road ahead of you. The hardships you're going through right now are only temporary. As long as you grit your teeth and persevere, and don't give up on yourself, one day you'll see the light at the end of the tunnel."

"This world won't stay like this forever. One day, knowledge will become valuable again, and one day, the value of scholars will be recognized once more."

Professor Chen's voice was not loud, but every word he spoke was like spring rain falling into Zhang Zeyang's heart.

In his past life, he had worked his way up in the financial world, witnessed countless deceitful schemes, and heard countless flatteries, making him immune to such inspirational words.

But now, listening to the old man's heartfelt encouragement, a warm feeling inexplicably welled up in his heart.

He looked into Professor Chen's eyes and nodded earnestly: "Grandpa Chen, I'll remember."

Professor Chen smiled with relief and reached out to pat his head: "Good boy, it's good that you understand. By the way, you'll have to take care of your sister in the future. If you have any difficulties, come and find me."

"Thank you, Grandpa Chen." Zhang Zeyang shook his head and asked cautiously, "Grandpa Chen, I'd like to ask, which region does our village belong to?"

Professor Chen said softly, "We are in Hongxing Production Brigade, Qingxi County, Guangdong Province. If we go east, cross a few mountains, and walk a little further, we will reach the seaside. On the other side of the sea is Hong Kong, which is only a little over a hundred miles away from here as the crow flies."

Guangdong Province! Hong Kong is just across the sea!

Zhang Zeyang's heart skipped a beat!

He suppressed his overwhelming joy and tried to appear calm on his face, but his fingers couldn't help but tremble slightly.

More than a hundred miles!

This distance isn't far for him!

In his past life, he had visited Hong Kong countless times. It was Asia's financial center, a place of dazzling lights and unparalleled prosperity. In this era of scarcity, Hong Kong was undoubtedly a paradise.

As long as he can get to Hong Kong, with his memory and vision that are fifty years ahead of this era, and with the one million US dollars and special forces team given to him by the system, he and his sister will definitely be able to live a life of luxury!

"However, getting to Hong Kong at this time is not easy. Border control is strict, with checkpoints everywhere. For ordinary people, trying to sneak across is as difficult as climbing to the sky, and they might even lose their lives. But for Zhang Zeyang, this is not a big problem!"

"I understand, thank you, Grandpa Chen." Zhang Zeyang suppressed the turmoil in his heart and bowed solemnly to Professor Chen.

After saying goodbye to Professor Chen, Zhang Zeyang's steps became lighter. The fog in his heart had finally been lifted.

He knew his location and the direction to Hong Kong. All that was left was to devise a meticulous plan to bring his sister to Hong Kong!

He didn't linger in the village any longer, but walked quickly towards his home.

When he returned home, Zhang Lingyun was sitting obediently on the doorstep, weaving a small grasshopper with a piece of straw rope. Seeing him, the little girl immediately stood up, a joyful smile spreading across her face: "Brother, you're back!"

"Hmm, Lingyun, be good, have you been running around?" Zhang Zeyang stepped forward and patted her head.

Zhang Lingyun shook her head, clutching his clothes tightly, her little face full of dependence.

Zhang Zeyang took his sister's hand and walked into the house. He closed the door and used his mind to probe inside the ring, where he saw two bottles of pills that glowed faintly.

That was something he hadn't had time to take from the system's newbie gift pack: the Yi Jing Body Tempering Pill, two pills in total. Taking it could improve his physique, strengthen his bones and muscles, and remove impurities from his body.

This is exactly what he needs right now!

His body is too frail to withstand a long journey. His sister is even more delicate; if he were to carry her across mountains and valleys, she would likely fall ill on the way before even reaching the sea.

Without hesitation, Zhang Zeyang picked up an Yi Jing Pei Yuan Pill. The pill was dark red and emitted a faint medicinal fragrance.

Without the slightest hesitation, he put it directly into his mouth. The pill melted instantly upon entering his mouth, turning into a warm current that slid down his throat and into his stomach.

The next second, an indescribable surge of heat instantly swept over his limbs and bones. He felt as if his internal organs had been soaked in warm water, warm and comfortable, so comfortable that he couldn't help but sigh.

The weakness left by the high fever and malnutrition was visibly fading. His bones were making a soft "crackling" sound, as if they were growing or strengthening.

Suppressing his excitement, Zhang Zeyang picked up another Yi Jing Body Tempering Pill and walked to his sister's side.

"Lingyun, come on, eat this. After you eat it, your body will become strong and you will never get sick again," he coaxed softly.

Zhang Lingyun looked at the dark red pill with some curiosity, but still obediently opened her mouth and swallowed it.

After swallowing the pill, a faint blush quickly spread across the little girl's face. She comfortably squinted her eyes, nestled in Zhang Zeyang's arms, and whispered, "Brother, it's so warm."

After about half an hour, the warm feeling gradually faded. Zhang Zeyang stood up, stretched his limbs, and felt full of strength. The previous soreness and weakness had disappeared without a trace.

He looked down at his younger sister and noticed that her face had become much rosier and her eyes were much brighter.

The effects of the Yi Jing Pei Yuan Dan are indeed extraordinary!

"Lingyun, are you hungry? I'll make you something delicious." Zhang Zeyang patted his sister's head and said with a smile.

"Hungry!" Zhang Lingyun nodded vigorously, her little face full of anticipation.

Zhang Zeyang went to the kitchen and opened the earthenware jar. There was still about half a jar of cornmeal inside, enough for him to make a decent lunch.

Instead of cooking porridge, he decided to make cornbread. Porridge is easy to swallow but doesn't keep you full for long, while cornbread, though coarse, is filling.

He scooped out a few spoonfuls of cornmeal, added some water, kneaded it into round dough balls, and then placed them in the steamer. The flames in the stove licked the bottom of the pot, and soon, a rich aroma of coarse grains filled the entire house.

Zhang Lingyun sat by the stove, her little nose twitching constantly, her eyes sparkling as she stared at the steamer, her mouth practically watering.

Looking at his younger sister's adorable appearance, Zhang Zeyang couldn't help but smile. He knew that such days wouldn't last long.

Soon, he will take his sister and leave this impoverished little mountain village for a whole new world.

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