Ethan Taylor was acutely aware that the coming major events would push the ideological struggle to a fever pitch, because in August, just a few months away, the Chairman of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, Yeltsin, would face off against the current General Secretary of the Soviet Union, Gorbachev. The vast Soviet empire would then collapse, and the republic would face the most severe test in its history.

How to seize this last great ideological clash in the republic’s history had become a question Ethan Taylor pondered every day. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; if used well, it could be a major turning point in his political career.

These days, Ethan Taylor was busy poring over materials and inspecting the few small factories in town, preparing to do some real work for Brooksville. Just after he finished a meeting where he proposed a pilot reform of the town’s canning factory, he received a call from Daniel Brooks. Daniel Brooks had just taken up his new post as captain of the criminal police squad at the Yanshan County Public Security Bureau, and he complained over the phone that now that he’d been promoted, Ethan Taylor hadn’t even invited him to a meal. Thinking that he was about to deliver the meeting materials to the county committee, Ethan Taylor readily agreed.

At noon, he and Daniel Brooks had a hearty drink at Chengqi Restaurant. Thinking back to Ryan Scott’s lukewarm attitude during his work report—clearly not very supportive of his reform proposals—Ethan Taylor felt a bit frustrated. He knew well the tide of history: reform was inevitable. But at present, at least in Yanshan County, the conservatives held the upper hand. He imagined that when the Soviet Union collapsed in a few months, there would be an even greater wave of anti-reform sentiment in Yanshan County.

Feeling down, he drank a few more cups than usual. In the afternoon, he slept off his hangover at the county guesthouse. When he woke up, it was already getting dark. His headache was severe, and he didn’t like the food at the guesthouse, so he wandered out and, almost unconsciously, found himself again at Grace King’s small restaurant.

As soon as he entered, he saw Grace King’s graceful figure standing by the bar, her fair and pretty face tinged with a blush. When she saw Ethan Taylor and walked over, the faint fragrance around her carried a hint of alcohol—she had clearly been drinking again.

Grace King pointed her slender, fair finger at Ethan Taylor as she walked over and said, “Hey, kid, you’ve been missing for days! Where have you been? Busy falling in love? Ignoring your big sister! Ah—” She slipped and almost fell.

Ethan Taylor felt even more depressed—he’d come out to clear his head and ran into another drunk. He sat gloomily by the window and called to the waiter, “Bring me a bowl of porridge!”

“Hey! You’re getting cocky, ignoring me?” Grace King plopped down across from Ethan Taylor, glaring at him with her almond-shaped eyes.

Ethan Taylor frowned and said, “Leave me alone, I’m annoyed.”

“Huh?” It was the first time she’d seen Ethan Taylor look troubled. Grace King was stunned for a moment, then giggled, “What’s wrong? Heartbroken?” She figured at Ethan Taylor’s age, what worries could he have besides school or some vague feelings. And Ethan Taylor clearly wasn’t the type to worry about school.

“If you say so.” Ethan Taylor couldn’t be bothered to argue. Although it didn’t seem like Grace King had drunk much, he instinctively felt some resistance toward women who liked to drink.

“Hey, let me tell you some good news. I’ve been following your advice these days—guess how many boxed lunches I sold today?” Seeing that Ethan Taylor was really in a bad mood, Grace King quickly reined in her behavior and tried to cheer him up, but when he ignored her attempt at suspense, she could only go on a bit dejectedly, “Let me tell you quietly, business is getting better every day. Just today, I made over two hundred yuan just from selling boxed lunches! I really didn’t expect it—you actually know a thing or two! So, does this good news cheer you up a bit?”

Ethan Taylor grunted, picked up the plain porridge the waiter brought, and drank it slowly. Grace King, feeling a bit awkward, pouted and was about to walk away, but seeing Ethan Taylor’s unhappy face, she couldn’t bear it and sat back down, quietly watching him drink his porridge.

Ethan Taylor finished his porridge unhurriedly, and saw Grace King looking at him with concern in her charming big eyes. His heart warmed, and he found it a bit funny—he hadn’t realized this little woman was so loyal and caring. In fact, she didn’t even know he’d helped her; he’d just given her some advice that night, and she’d really come to see him as a good friend, or maybe even a good little brother.

“Hey, how about your big sister watches a movie with you?” Grace King’s big eyes sparkled as she came up with an idea to cheer Ethan Taylor up.

Ethan Taylor wasn’t really in the mood for a movie, but seeing Grace King’s hopeful look, he couldn’t refuse her kindness and nodded. Grace King happily pulled him up, and seeing her so cheerful, Ethan Taylor felt another wave of warmth.

Tonight’s movie was Chow Yun-fat’s “The Killer.” Ethan Taylor and Grace King sat in the same corner as last time. Because the screen was at an angle from there, not many people usually sat there, but tonight, a couple was sitting there, chattering sweet nothings.