“Science and technology are the primary productive forces... No matter who said it, this statement is absolutely spot on.” Henry Foster exclaimed, slapping the table in approval.

Early the next morning, just as dawn was breaking, both the Red Star Factory and the Dongfeng Factory sent their office directors to see David Clark off at the train station. Henry Foster happened to be free and went along as well. The office director from Red Star Factory helped David Clark carry two large cardboard boxes, which naturally contained the gifts bought at the store the previous day. The director from Dongfeng Factory didn’t carry anything, but after David Clark boarded the train, he handed him a bulging envelope.

“What’s this?” David Clark was startled.

“This is the bonus from Director Wang, a total of 100 yuan. Please count it, and then sign for me,” said the Dongfeng Factory director.

“I can’t accept this. I just said a few words—how can I take your money?”

“Expert Clark, just take it. Actually, this money is a bonus our factory promised long ago. It was set up last year: whoever could solve the problem of porcelain bottle leakage would get this 100 yuan. Now that you’ve solved it, the bonus rightfully belongs to you.”

“This...” David Clark looked at Henry Foster, seeking advice on what to do.

“Xiao Lin, just take it,” Henry Foster said. “This money was approved by the Light Industry Bureau, so it’s a legitimate bonus. Whoever solved this problem could get it. The amount is a bit high, but the Bureau has already approved it, so it’s not a mistake.”

“Then I’ll accept it. Please thank Director Wang for me.” David Clark happily pocketed the money. One hundred yuan was equivalent to three months’ salary for a new factory worker—he’d be a fool not to accept it. The gifts from Red Star Factory were also worth more than 100 yuan, but David Clark still felt that cash was more practical.

“Xiao Lin, they all gave you gifts, but I haven’t given you anything,” Henry Foster said apologetically. “Lanlan’s mother made you some boiled eggs—take them to eat on the way.”

“Then please thank Mrs. He for me.” David Clark took the eggs and smiled. “Actually, Director Foster arranged food and lodging for me, and even gave me a chance to earn money—that’s more than enough.”

“There’s no need to be so polite between us,” Henry Foster said. “Just call me Old Foster. Xiao Lin, after you go back, if anything isn’t going well, be sure to write and tell me. The factory where you work, Han Hua Machinery Factory, is under the Jiangnan Provincial Light Industry Bureau. I know a few people there—if anything comes up, I might be able to help.”

“Thank you, Director Foster... haha, thank you, Old Foster.” David Clark cupped his hands in thanks. He knew that this offer from Henry Foster was worth no less than the money and gifts from the two factories. Having some connections at higher levels could be unexpectedly useful for an ordinary worker.

With a blast of the whistle, the train slowly pulled out of Tanzhou Station, heading toward Jiangnan Province. Henry Foster stood on the platform, watching the train depart, feeling a bit regretful. If he had the authority, he would have loved to keep David Clark under his wing, but back then, transferring someone wasn’t so easy.

From Tanzhou to Fenghua County, where David Clark was headed, the railway was less than 300 kilometers, but the old green train still took a full six hours to get there, clattering along the whole way. David Clark got off the train, aching all over and carrying a pile of bags. He couldn’t help but worry: Han Hua Machinery Factory was in the eastern suburbs of the county, while the train station was in the southwest corner—five kilometers apart. Originally, his luggage was just a quilt and a travel bag, which wouldn’t have been hard to carry home. But now, with two big boxes of gifts from Red Star Factory—one of which seemed to be a 54-piece dinnerware set made by the factory itself and was extremely heavy—David Clark really didn’t know how he was going to get everything home.

“Brother!”

A clear, crisp call rang in David Clark’s ears. Immediately after, a young girl in red appeared before him, her eyes brimming with excited tears as she stared at him in a daze.

“Xiao Fang!”

David Clark dropped what he was carrying and, unable to help himself, opened his arms and hugged the girl. He recognized her—his own younger sister, 16-year-old Emily Clark. They were siblings born of the same mother, sharing a bond of blood that could never be broken.

“What are you doing? Let go of me.” Emily Clark, not used to such displays of affection, quickly wriggled out of her brother’s embrace, blushing as she punched him twice in the chest. “What are you doing? So many people are watching.”

Only then did David Clark realize that, in those days, people weren’t used to such intimate gestures—even between siblings, a hug like that was considered quite shocking.

“Uh, it’s a minority custom,” David Clark covered up. “Our unit was stationed in Yunnan for over half a year, and I picked up some local customs.”

“Well, you’d better change that quickly. It’s fine with me, but if you do that to other girls, people will call you a hooligan.” Emily Clark took his words seriously and reminded him with concern.

“Xiao Fang, did you come to pick me up?” David Clark asked in surprise.

“Of course! If I didn’t come, who else would?”