“I also studied some computer science at the Party School.” As he spoke, Ethan Taylor was already asking Little Reed for a screwdriver. Mrs. Clark couldn’t really stop him, so she could only watch with a mix of belief and doubt. The people in the archives were all startled when they saw Ethan Taylor quickly dismantle the computer’s main unit. Little Reed hurriedly said, “No, no, if you take it apart yourself, we won’t be able to send it back to the manufacturer for repairs!”

Ethan Taylor smiled and said, “It’s fine, I won’t mess around.”

The computer motherboard was covered in dust. Ethan Taylor took a brush and deftly cleaned it, then pulled out the RAM stick and reinserted it, closed up the case, plugged in the power, and pressed the power button. Soon, the computer displayed the BIOS self-check screen and quickly entered the DOS system.

Ethan Taylor clapped the dust off his hands with a smile and said, “It’s done!”

The young clerks in the archives looked at Ethan Taylor as if he were a monster. Mrs. Clark was overjoyed and laughed happily, “Look at that, look at that, it’s still our Party School that produces talent—good with both pen and sword, can handle anything. Little Reed, you’ll have to give up your title as the genius now!”

Little Reed looked embarrassed. Ethan Taylor smiled and said, “Director Clark, that’s not quite right. I just happened to learn a bit about hardware. When it comes to software and operating systems, I’m far worse than Little Reed.”

Little Reed looked at Ethan Taylor with gratitude. He hadn’t expected this young and multi-talented township secretary to speak up for him. Mrs. Clark laughed and said, “I don’t understand your software and hardware stuff, but Little Taylor, I knew I wasn’t wrong about you—you really are a talent!”

Because the computer had stopped working, a lot of tasks hadn’t been done. Some data entry work was more important than Ethan Taylor’s materials. By the time Ethan Taylor finished his paperwork and checked the time, it was already past five. The last bus to the township had left half an hour ago. At that time, the township only had one old Beijing Jeep, and Ethan Taylor always took public transport when coming to the county seat.

There was nothing he could do. Ethan Taylor had to call the township from the office, explain the situation, and tell Emma Brooks that he would stay at the government guesthouse tonight and wouldn’t be able to return until tomorrow morning.

Chapter Six: The Video Hall

As the city lights came on, Ethan Taylor wandered along the wide road in front of the county government. Passing by the workers’ club, he noticed that the blackboard in front of the video hall announced that today’s screening was Stephen Chow’s “The Lucky Star,” an old film from 1989. Stephen Chow’s nonsensical style was just beginning to take shape then. Ethan Taylor’s impression of the movie was already vague. Feeling bored, he bought a ticket and found out the screening wouldn’t start until 8:00. Just then, he felt a bit hungry, so he went into the small restaurant next to the club where he’d had lunch.

There weren’t many people out for dinner that night, only three or four tables of customers. But Ethan Taylor was surprised to see, at a table in the corner, the charming proprietress was sitting with a big smile, drinking with a fat man. The man’s face was flushed from drinking, and he staggered to his feet, clearly full and tipsy. Before leaving, he pinched the proprietress’s arm and laughed, “Grace King, I’m off!” The proprietress just laughed and scolded him, obviously flirting with him.

Ethan Taylor hadn’t expected her to be that kind of person. He frowned and sat by the window. Just as he settled in, a waft of fragrant perfume drifted by, and the proprietress, in high heels, “click-clacked” over to his table, sat down unceremoniously, and said with a coquettish laugh, “Out for fun tonight too? Not going to evening study?”

Ethan Taylor felt a trace of dislike for her, but didn’t show it on his face. He just replied blandly, “No classes.”

“Oh? Which school are you from? No. 1 High or No. 2 High? They should all have evening study, right? Tell me, are you just slacking off?” The proprietress, Grace King, was clearly a bit tipsy. Her delicate face was flushed, and her words were casual, as if she and Ethan Taylor were old friends.

Ethan Taylor replied offhandedly, “No. 1 High.” He picked up the menu to order.

“No. 1 High… Didn’t expect you to be a top student… My younger brother is about your age, but… but he’s not as lucky as you…” Grace King lowered her head, her voice trailing off. Ethan Taylor was puzzled, but then saw a tear spiral down her face and land on the table. He was taken aback, wondering why she suddenly started crying in the middle of a conversation.

“You… do you look down on me?” Grace King raised her beautiful face, her red eyes fixed on Ethan Taylor.

Ethan Taylor hadn’t expected women to be so sensitive by nature, but what did it matter whether he looked down on her or not? They weren’t close enough for his opinion to affect her mood, were they?

“Forget it, I won’t talk to you anymore. Tonight’s bill is on me!” Seeing Ethan Taylor remain silent, Grace King sighed, stood up, and walked out.

Ethan Taylor ordered a plate of dumplings and ate them with vinegar, enjoying his meal. But then he overheard the two servers at the bar, a man and a woman, chatting: “That fat guy just now is Sanzi’s brother, right? I heard he’s with the Public Security Bureau.”

“Yeah, I heard the proprietress’s brother’s case is really serious. Sigh, looks like the proprietress won’t be able to escape that bastard’s grasp!” The male server spoke through gritted teeth.

“No way? The proprietress would really become his mistress? Isn’t there any justice left?” The female server looked incredulous.

The little restaurant only had these two servers—one at the bar, the other serving dishes. But since there weren’t many customers, they had time to gossip.

Ethan Taylor heard everything clearly, and for some reason felt a sense of suffocation. There was too much injustice in this society, but it wasn’t something he could change on his own.