In William Carter's memory, after breaking up with Nancy Jennings, it took him a whole year to barely pull himself out of his depression, and that was only after another girl appeared in his life. But just when he thought he had been reborn, he was hurt again. Is that girl still around now?

　　Thinking of this, William Carter couldn't help but become a little dazed.

　　Everything had already changed, so would things between him and Nancy Jennings change as well? William Carter lay on the bed, silently pondering.

　　Thirty-eight years had passed in the blink of an eye—one could reach for the moon in the sky, or dive into the five oceans to catch turtles. Victorious songs are sung in laughter. Nothing in the world is difficult if you set your mind to it. Suddenly, Chairman Mao's poem floated into William Carter's mind. As for himself, twenty-one years had flashed by in an instant, and now he was about to relive old dreams. But could history really repeat itself?

　　In the past two days, because of Nancy Jennings's father's matter, William Carter had hardly had the mind to think about anything else. Now that this matter was settled—in fact, he had single-handedly changed an ending that was insignificant to the world but deeply meaningful to himself.

　　Whether the butterfly flapping its wings could really cause the so-called effect, no one knew. Only time would tell.

　　Leaning against the headboard, the room was still filled with the faint scent left by Nancy Jennings during their earlier intimacy. After such a passionate lovemaking, it was inevitable that some traces remained—the tissues on the floor and his change of underwear would have to be dealt with later. But right now, William Carter didn't want to move at all.

　　After extreme joy, his mind was especially clear. He needed to think carefully about his own affairs.

　　If history didn't change, in a few days he would have to report to Nantang, and unfortunately, this year all the college students in Nantang County had to go to the countryside. He would be assigned to the rather remote Dongpo Township.

　　He would stay in Dongpo Township for three years before being transferred back to the county youth league committee, and then spend another two years in the county. Only by connecting with the deputy secretary of Fengzhou District, who was temporarily assigned from the province, would he have the chance to transfer to the provincial youth league committee, and then step by step from the provincial youth league committee to a temporary post in Changzhou City, and step by step from deputy secretary of the county youth league committee, to deputy director of the county education bureau, to director of the county education bureau, to assistant district chief. Twenty-one years had passed just like that.

　　Fortunately, Liyang District, the largest and poorest district in the province, would be split into the new Liyang District and Fengzhou District two years later. Only then would he have the chance to be seconded to the Fengzhou district committee, and only then would he have the opportunity to serve as secretary to the deputy secretary of the Fengzhou district committee, Zachary Scott. When Zachary Scott returned to the provincial party organization department as deputy minister three years later, he would have the chance to return to Changzhou, although by then everything would have changed.

　　So what if he returned to Nantang? William Carter took a deep breath. Everything would be completely different. He was confident he could create a history of his own.

　　“Damin, dinner's ready.” His mother's calm call pulled William Carter out of his thoughts. “Coming.”

　　His father was still as taciturn as ever. Perhaps his failure to be reassigned to the factory had dealt an even greater blow to his father's self-esteem. For the first time, he had swallowed his pride to ask someone for help, only to end up with such a result. For a man who had never bowed his head for personal matters, this was undoubtedly a strong blow.

　　William Carter knew his father was feeling terrible at this time, but he was even more worried about his own mood, as was his mother.

　　“Dad, Mom, I have something to do tonight, I won't be eating at home.” While shoveling rice into his mouth, William Carter spoke casually.

　　The stir-fried green peppers with fermented black beans on the table were as delicious as ever. It had been a long time since he had tasted his mother's homemade fermented black beans. That unique rich aroma made William Carter feel a little intoxicated. Only when you lose something do you truly realize its value—this saying was all too true for William Carter.

　　His mother had passed away in 2008, which was also a huge blow to William Carter. Only when you lose someone do you truly understand the importance of filial piety, but by then it is too late. Now, it seemed that heaven had given him another chance.

　　“Oh? Where are you eating?” Charles Brooks glanced at her son, a little worried. “Don't go drinking with those classmates of yours again. They've all been working for years and have built up their drinking capacity in the workshop.”

　　“No, not with them. Uncle Zhen's family invited me to their house for dinner.” A faint smile appeared on William Carter's lips. “Nancy Jennings came over this morning just to tell me about it.”

　　“Ah?!” Richard Carter and Charles Brooks both looked up at the same time. Charles Brooks put down her bowl. “Director Zhen invited you to dinner? Why?”

　　Richard Carter was also surprised. Even if Zhen Jingcai hadn't been able to help, there was no need to invite his son to dinner to apologize, right?

　　After all, when you ask someone for help, success is never guaranteed. No one can give you a sure promise, and even if things don't work out, you still owe them a favor, since they did try. Why would they turn around and invite your son to dinner?

　　Charles Brooks, however, thought further. Could it be that the Zhen family had really changed their minds and thought that their Damin and Nancy Jennings were a good match, and now wanted to acknowledge this relationship?