With three superpowers at his fingertips, he could dominate the 1970s.

As the cargo ship docked, dawn was just breaking in Shanghai, the morning light gilding the fishing boats on the horizon. Jiang Zhiyu followed the crew down the gangplank, taking a deep breath—the transition from the humid heat of the port city to the chill of the mainland had occurred in just one night.

"Comrade Jiang."

A familiar voice sounded from behind. Jiang Zhiyu turned around and met a pair of calm eyes. Song Yanzhou was wearing a faded military green jacket, the star emblem on his shoulder standing out clearly in the morning light, and he was carrying a military green canvas bag.

How did he end up here?

Jiang Zhiyu raised an eyebrow but remained silent. 0047, however, whistled in his mind: [Wow, isn't that the handsome guy who delivered the badge? The military actually sent him to pick them up; looks like the favor you did for them last time was quite substantial. Or perhaps they need something from you?]

Song Yanzhou was clearly also sizing her up, his gaze sliding from her heads wrapped in a towel to her dusty cloth shoes, finally settling on the aloofness in her eyes before he spoke, "Commander Li sent me to pick you up. The car is over there."

He pointed to the jeep at the dock exit; its military green body stood out in the morning mist. Jiang Zhiyu followed him, smelling the aroma of fried dough sticks carried on the wind, her stomach rumbling.

"Shall we grab something to eat first?" Song Yanzhou seemed to have heard her and turned to ask her, his tone gentler than when they met at sea.

Jiang Zhiyu did not refuse, which can be considered as acquiescence.

The jeep stopped in front of a shop, and Song Yanzhou opened the door: "The plain noodles and pan-fried buns here are really authentic, want to try some?"

The shop wasn't crowded, and the rising steam carrying the aroma of noodles wafted through the air. Jiang Zhiyu took off her headscarf, revealing her true appearance—she had been hiding herself all along, and she was eager to relax. Song Yanzhou was about to call the owner when he noticed two girls at the next table staring intently at them, their chopsticks forgotten to move.

Indeed, Jiang Zhiyu was naturally striking, with well-defined brow bones and slightly upturned eyes, exuding a cool and aloof aura. Although she hadn't taken good care of herself along the way, her height and appearance made her stand out.

"Two bowls of plain noodles and ten pan-fried buns." Song Yanzhou withdrew his gaze, announced the dishes in a deep voice, and leaned to the right to block the view of others.

The noodles were served quickly, with scallions floating in the white porcelain bowl, and the soup was clear. Jiang Zhiyu picked up her chopsticks, took a pan-fried dumpling, bit a small hole in it, blew on it, and as the soup burst on her tongue, her eyes inexplicably welled up with tears. It had been so long since she had tasted this flavor.

"Eat slowly, order more if you're not full." Song Yanzhou watched her wolf down her food, a barely perceptible smile curving his lips.

"No need." Jiang Zhiyu swallowed the noodles in her mouth, her voice still a little muffled. "What did Commander Li want with me?"

"That information is very important. You really helped our military region a lot." Song Yanzhou didn't beat around the bush. "He wants to thank you in person. Also... there might be something he wants to discuss with you."

Jiang Zhiyu raised an eyebrow but didn't reply. She knew in her heart that the military's "discussion" was mostly aimed at recruiting them.

After finishing their meal, the jeep drove towards the military compound. The plane trees along the way had lost their leaves, their bare branches pointing towards the sky. The late autumn air in Shanghai was slightly chilly. Occasionally, people in military uniforms would walk by, and they would all stand at attention and salute when they saw Song Yanzhou's car.

"What is Comrade Song's position in the military region?" Jiang Zhiyu asked casually, looking at the red brick wall flashing past the window.

"He's the youngest battalion commander in our military region. He was the one who led the team that intercepted enemy intelligence at sea last time," said Xiao Wang, the bodyguard driving the car. He was a chatterbox and interrupted Song Yanzhou before he could even speak.

Song Yanzhou glared at him, and Xiao Wang immediately shut up, but still secretly glanced at Jiang Zhiyu in the rearview mirror, his eyes full of curiosity.

The military region's office building was an old-style red brick building, and Division Commander Li's office was on the third floor. Song Yanzhou knocked on the door, and a strong, resonant voice came from inside: "Come in!"

Commander Li was hunched over a map, sketching and drawing. Seeing them enter, his eyes lit up, and he immediately straightened up, laughing heartily as he patted Jiang Zhiyu on the shoulder: "Comrade Jiang! We've been waiting for you! We owe you a lot for what happened last time!"

He was a cheerful person, with some graying temples, but his eyes were very bright.

"It was no trouble at all." Jiang Zhiyu took a half step back, avoiding his hand, her tone indifferent.

Commander Li wasn't embarrassed. He laughed and invited her to sit down, and a guard brought over hot tea. Song Yanzhou stood to the side, saying nothing, but like a wall, he silently blocked the view from the doorway.

"Comrade Jiang, let me be frank." Division Commander Li took a sip of tea, his expression turning serious. "I heard from Yanzhou that you are skilled, quick-witted, and have a strong sense of purpose. I would like to invite you to join us, whether you are in intelligence or logistics. The benefits will be excellent."

It was indeed an olive branch.

Jiang Zhiyu traced a circle with her fingertip along the rim of the teacup, then looked up with clear eyes: "Commander Li, thank you for your kindness, but my ambitions lie elsewhere."

Commander Li was taken aback, clearly not expecting her to refuse so directly. Song Yanzhou was also somewhat surprised, and his gaze towards her became more inquisitive.

"I have more important things to do." Jiang Zhiyu put down her teacup, her voice low but firm. "Could you please ask Commander Li to dismiss the others? I have some private matters I'd like to discuss in private."

Commander Li and Song Yanzhou exchanged a glance, and the latter nodded. Commander Li then waved his hand: "Xiao Wang, you go out first and guard the door. Don't let anyone in."

When only the three of them remained in the office, Jiang Zhiyu took a deep breath and slowly began to speak: "My name is Jiang Zhiyu, not some 'Comrade Jiang.' My father's name is Jiang Boxun, a physics professor at Yenching University; my mother's name is Su Wanqing, a chemistry teacher at National Taiwan Normal University. Half a month ago, they were taken away by the inspection team, and their whereabouts are still unknown. I also had a high fever and was taken to Hong Kong by my uncle." Jiang Zhiyu did not mention a word about what happened on the ship.

Her voice was steady, as if she were stating someone else's question.

Commander Li's face darkened: "Jiang Boxun? Su Wanqing? I know these two; they are pillars of academia! How could they..."

"I don't know either." Jiang Zhiyu looked up, a hint of worry barely perceptible in her eyes. "I rushed back this time, firstly because I was being watched by those forces in Hong Kong, and secondly to find them. Commander Li, you have extensive connections in both military and political circles, could you help me investigate their whereabouts?"

Song Yanzhou suddenly spoke up: "Before your parents were taken away, did they say anything special? Or leave anything behind?"

Jiang Zhiyu recalled the wooden box her mother had given her. Inside, besides her dowry, was a notebook filled with formulas. At the time, she thought it was just her mother's lesson plan, but now she realized it might have a deeper meaning: "My mother once gave me a notebook full of chemical formulas. I don't know if it's useful."

"Don't rush." ​​Commander Li stood up and paced around the office. "I'll have someone investigate Professor Jiang and his wife's matter, and I'll let you know as soon as I have any news. You've just returned, so stay at the military region's guesthouse for now."

Jiang Zhiyu breathed a sigh of relief and said "thank you".

When Song Yanzhou took her to the guesthouse, it was lunchtime. On the way, they encountered many men and women in military uniforms. When they saw Jiang Zhiyu, almost everyone slowed down, their eyes filled with undisguised curiosity.

"Who's that girl? She's really pretty!"

"She's with Battalion Commander Song, could she be his girlfriend?"

"That can't be right, didn't Battalion Commander Song say he'd spent his whole life with a gun?"

Whispers drifted on the wind, but Jiang Zhiyu remained expressionless, her steps steady. Song Yanzhou, however, frowned and quickened his pace, pulling her protectively in front of him.

The guesthouse was a two-story building with a sentry standing guard at the entrance. Song Yanzhou spoke a few words to the sentry and handed Jiang Zhiyu a key: "It's the innermost room on the second floor. There's hot water. Tell the manager if you need anything."

"Thank you." Jiang Zhiyu took the keys and turned to go upstairs.

"Comrade Jiang," Song Yanzhou suddenly called out to her, "I'll help you inquire about your parents' situation."

Jiang Zhiyu glanced back at him. He stood in the sunset, his military green jacket fluttering slightly in the wind, his eyes softer than at the dock. She nodded, said nothing more, and turned to go upstairs.

In the second-floor corridor, several women were leaning over the railing looking down. When they saw her coming up, they hurriedly scattered, but still couldn't help but steal glances at her.

Jiang Zhiyu walked straight to the innermost room without looking to either side. Only after closing the door did 0047 dare to speak: [Host, you're being way too aloof! But the way those people looked at you was like they were looking at a giant panda.]

Jiang Zhiyu ignored it and walked to the window to draw back the curtains. Downstairs, Song Yanzhou was still standing there, being teased by several comrades. He frowned and waved, but his ears were secretly turning red.

She turned her gaze away and looked at the notebook her mother had left behind in the space. It seemed things weren't as simple as she had thought.