A young boy from the 1970s, separated from his family, fled famine and led his younger brother into

"I'd like to use these two dollars to buy a little bit of your time with Yaya this afternoon."

Su Nianci's unexpected words stunned Aunt Wang and Ya Ya, who were just immersed in great joy.

"Buy...buy our time?" Aunt Wang looked at Su Nianci in confusion. "Nianci, what are you saying? You've done our family a tremendous favor. Don't even mention a little bit of time; even if you wanted my life, I'd give it to you! What are you talking about money with your aunt?"

"Aunt Wang, let's keep things separate." Su Nianci's attitude was firm. "Business is business, and personal favors are personal favors. Our previous transaction was that I exchanged the secret recipe for food and lodging, which is already completed. Now, I have something to do and need your and Ya Ya's help, so it's only right that I pay you."

She forced the two yuan into Aunt Wang's hand.

This clear sense of boundaries, imbued with adult logic, left Aunt Wang somewhat bewildered. She felt that the child before her didn't possess the soul of a five-year-old. But Su Nianci's astonishing abilities compelled her to accept it.

"Well... alright then." Aunt Wang couldn't refuse her, so she accepted the money and asked, "Nianci, what do you need us to do for you?"

Su Nianci's expression turned serious.

"Aunt Wang, you and Ya Ya set up your stall outside every day, you meet a lot of people and are well-informed. I would like to ask you to help me find out about a place."

"Where?"

"The location of the Independent Air Force Division of the First Group Army of the Northern Military Region," Su Nianci said clearly, word by word.

This was her ultimate purpose in coming to Harbin!

Solving her hunger was only the first step. Now that she had a temporary place to stay and a trustworthy "ally," it was time to execute the second step of her plan!

"Military region? Air Force division?" Aunt Wang was startled when she heard these words. "My God! Nianci, why...why are you asking about this? That's the military! It's a place where people carry guns! We ordinary folks don't even dare to go near it."

"I...I want to go find my father's comrade-in-arms." Su Nianci brought up that familiar reason again, her face showing an expression appropriate to her age, filled with filial piety and expectation. "His name is Lu Zhenhua, and he was the division commander. Before my father sacrificed his life, he said in a letter that if we encountered any difficulties that we couldn't solve, we should go to Harbin to find him. He would take care of us."

Upon hearing the keywords "orphan of a martyr" and "commander," the doubts on Aunt Wang and Ya Ya's faces instantly turned into sympathy and admiration.

"Oh, I see..." Aunt Wang suddenly understood, and when she looked at Su Nianci and the little stone behind her, her eyes were filled with affection. "Poor child... Alright! Leave this to me! This afternoon, I'll take Yaya to a crowded place and ask around while selling candied hawthorns!"

"Thank you, Aunt Wang," Su Nianci said sincerely.

With the help of Aunt Wang and her daughter, these local "experts," things were much more efficient than if she had been wandering around aimlessly like a headless fly.

In the afternoon, Aunt Wang and Ya Ya set up their stall again. Su Nianci stayed home and began to think about her next plan.

While looking after Xiao Shitou, who was learning to read from Zhou Wenqian, she mentally rehearsed all the possible scenarios after meeting Lu Zhenhua.

How should I start the conversation? How can I prove my identity? How can I gain his trust in the shortest amount of time? How can I tell him about my parents' injustice and Xiao Shitou's background in the most effective way?

She meticulously planned every step. She knew this was another high-stakes gamble. If they won, she and her brother would finally have a true protector in this world. If they lost, they might find themselves in an even more dangerous situation than they were in now.

Zhou Wenqian sat to the side, watching the constantly changing, solemn expression on Su Nianci's little face, and sighed inwardly. This child was bearing far too much for someone her age.

"Nianci," Zhou Wenqian couldn't help but ask, "the military region has extremely strict personnel vetting procedures. Are you sure... you want to take this chance?"

"I have to go." Su Nianci answered without any hesitation. "This is the only path my father left us."

Zhou Wenqian fell silent. He knew he couldn't persuade this girl. The only thing he could do was to prepare a way out for her behind her back.

As evening fell, Aunt Wang and Ya Ya returned home laden with their purchases once again.

They only produced half the amount they sold yesterday, but it still sold out completely. They now had another "huge sum" of over five yuan in their hands. But their greatest excitement wasn't because they had made money.

"Nianci! We found out! We found out!" Before they even entered the house, Ya Ya's clear voice rang out.

Su Nianci's heart skipped a beat, and she immediately went to meet her!

"Where?"

"It's right in the east of the city!" Aunt Wang exclaimed excitedly. "This afternoon, we specifically set up our stall in front of the department store in the city center, because that's where the crowds are! There's an old man selling candied hawthorns whose son is serving in the military! He said that the largest military compound in Harbin is in the east of the city, not too far from here!"

"He said, 'Just walk east along this road in front of our house, cross three major intersections, and walk for about four or five miles until you see a large gate with a red five-pointed star on it. That's it! You can't go wrong!'"

As Aunt Wang spoke, she gestured with her hands to indicate the name, afraid that Su Nianci wouldn't remember it.

East of the city! Three intersections! Four or five li away! A grand gate tower with a red five-star design!

Each keyword, like a coordinate, quickly constructed a clear map in Su Nianci's mind!

close!

Closer than ever before!

The destination she had traveled thousands of miles from Henan, enduring countless hardships, was now within reach!

Su Nianci felt her heart pounding violently with excitement, and the blood in her body seemed to be burning!

"He also said," Ya Ya added from the side, "that military compound is so impressive! High walls, topped with barbed wire! There are always two People's Liberation Army soldiers with real guns standing guard at the gate! Not even a mouse can get in!"

These words calmed Su Nianci's burning heart a little.

She knew that finding the place was only the first step. Getting in was the hardest part.

"Nianci, when...when are you planning to go?" Aunt Wang asked her with some concern.

Su Nianci took a deep breath, her eyes flashing with a resolute light.

"tomorrow!"

"The weather forecast says tomorrow will be a sunny day. I'll take my little brother there first thing tomorrow morning!"

She couldn't wait any longer! Any delays could lead to unforeseen problems! She had to see Lu Zhenhua as soon as possible!

Zhou Wenqian stood to the side, watching her, hesitant to speak. He wanted to suggest that he accompany her. But then he reconsidered; his status as a university professor, suddenly appearing at the military region gate, would only arouse unnecessary trouble and suspicion. Perhaps, having Su Nianci appear as a "helpless orphan" was the best strategy.

"Okay!" Zhou Wenqian finally nodded heavily. "Go! If... if you encounter difficulties, or if they won't let you in, don't force your way in. Remember, you still have us. This is your home. We'll always be here, waiting for you to come back."

His words gave Su Nianci tremendous courage and confidence.

Yes, she was no longer alone. She had friends, a "home," and a way back.

At that moment, all her unease and fear vanished, leaving only an unprecedented determination to move forward!

"Yes!" Su Nianci nodded emphatically. "I will definitely come back with good news!"