With three superpowers at his fingertips, he could dominate the 1970s.

The researchers circled the twelve boxes like protective mothers, muttering to themselves, and found anyone who came near in their way.

Jiang Zhiyu walked around the room, but no one looked up at her.

There wasn't even a word of greeting; they were all focused on the rocks and soil. An elderly researcher with gray hair held the basalt rock, examining it closely under a magnifying glass, muttering things like "layering" and "crystallization." The person next to him immediately crowded over to look, their heads almost bumping into each other.

Jiang Zhiyu lowered her head slightly whenever she approached a box, as if afraid that asking her questions would delay their work.

She touched her nose and muttered something to herself.

"Well, I've been abandoned by these old guys."

"Haha! Host, you've been abandoned."

Seventeen was laughing so hard in the space that she was doubled over.

An elderly researcher nearby overheard Jiang Zhiyu's mutterings and, without even looking up, quickly chimed in.

"Director Jiang, please don't say that. We're really very busy. Why don't you sit over there and have some tea?"

He pointed to the rattan chair in the corner, his eyes still fixed on the basalt rock, not even bothering to glance at Jiang Zhiyu.

Two reports and an enamel mug were already on the wicker chair, obviously left there by someone just now, and no one thought to vacate the seat.

Jiang Zhiyu was amused.

"Alright, alright, I won't bother you anymore."

She waved her hand, turned around, and left the research room.

A hushed discussion immediately arose behind her, as if the air had become clearer after she left.

Old Gao was reviewing documents, and the desk lamp was on, casting a very low light.

Hearing her come in, Old Gao raised his chin, gesturing for her to sit down.

Jiang Zhiyu sank into the sofa, leaned back, and stretched out her legs, crossing them over the edge of the coffee table, looking like she had no bones.

"Those old guys aren't talking to me anymore, does that mean they're done with me?" She looked up at the ceiling. "Can I take a vacation?"

Old Gao did not reply immediately.

He finished flipping through the last page of the report in his hand, put it on the table, took off his glasses, and rubbed his temples.

The office was quiet for a while.

After thinking it over carefully, Gao realized that there really wasn't anything urgent weighing on her mind lately. The lunar soil samples had been safely handed over, Group Five was progressing smoothly, and the preliminary plan from the site selection team had been submitted. She had been running around for so many days, and hadn't even caught her breath since returning from the moon, and had also attended several meetings.

He thought for a moment, then came out from behind the table and sat down opposite her.

Jiang Zhiyu quickly pulled her leg back.

"Thank you for your hard work, Comrade Jiang."

He spoke in a flat tone, as if he were saying that the weather was nice today.

"You have two children at home, you can go back and see them."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhiyu's eyes lit up, and she sat up even straighter.

"Okay, then I'm on vacation, I'll head back now."

She stood up, her steps becoming lighter, and as soon as she reached the door, her hand was already on the doorknob.

"Comrade Jiang."

Old Gao's voice came from behind.

It wasn't tall, but it was very solemn.

"On behalf of the country, thank you."

Jiang Zhiyu paused in her steps.

My nose tingled, and my eyes almost welled up with tears.

She didn't dare turn around.

She dreads these kinds of emotional scenes; if she turns around, she's guaranteed to burst into tears, which would be incredibly embarrassing. What kind of reputation would it have if a bureau chief were to be brought to tears by a single sentence?

She waved her hand haphazardly and started to walk out, but her hands and feet suddenly wouldn't obey her commands. She stepped out with both her left foot and left hand swinging forward together, almost tripping over the threshold.

Old Gao sat behind the table, watching her back as she stubbornly refused to turn around, her arms and legs moving in unison. A slight smile appeared on his lips.

He knew the child had heard him.

……

When they arrived home, only the elderly Song couple were there.

Grandpa Song sat in the living room reading the newspaper, his reading glasses perched on his nose, engrossed in the reading. Grandma Song was knitting sweaters for the two little ones on the sofa.

Hearing the door open, the elderly couple looked up at the same time, paused for a moment when they saw her, then put down what they were holding and came to greet her.

"You silly child, you've been away on business for so many days, aren't you tired?" Old Master Song took off his reading glasses and looked her up and down. "What would you like to eat? I'll have Sister Yang make it for you."

Grandma Song had already pushed the wheelchair to her side, reached out and touched her face, her brows furrowing with heartache.

"You've lost weight, your face is all thinner, have you been eating poorly outside?"

Jiang Zhiyu waved her hand and smiled as she dodged Grandma Song's hand.

"Grandpa and Grandma, don't bother. I'm not tired, and I haven't lost weight. I already ate at Grandpa Gao's."

She leaned back on the sofa and casually asked a question.

"Has Yanzhou not come back recently either?"

"That kid's been really busy these past few days," Old Master Song shook his head. "He called yesterday to say he won't be back for the next couple of days."

Jiang Zhiyu nodded knowingly and didn't ask any further questions.

"Then I'll go upstairs and take a nap."

She was really tired right now; her eyelids were drooping, her shoulders ached, and she wished she could curl up into a ball and bury herself under the covers.

Grandpa Song watched her get up and go upstairs without saying much. After her footsteps disappeared on the second floor, he put down the newspaper in his hand, turned around and sat down next to the telephone, picked up the receiver and dialed a number.

Grandma Song glanced at him, shook her head, but a smile played on her lips.

The young couple has to go through all this trouble to even meet, and the older couple has to create opportunities for them to do so. What kind of situation is this?

……

Jiang Zhiyu was half asleep when she felt the bed behind her sink in.

Then a hand was placed on her waist.

She smelled that familiar scent and continued to sleep. It was a scent unique to Song Yanzhou. A strong arm wrapped around her from behind, enveloping her completely.

She turned around and buried herself in his arms without even lifting her eyelids.

Song Yanzhou turned sideways and looked at his wife.

It's still so beautiful.

Asleep, she lost her usual sharpness and indifference, becoming soft and limp. Her eyelashes cast a small shadow on her cheek, her breathing was even, and her lips were slightly parted, like a small animal that had retracted its claws.

He reached out and pulled the blanket up to cover her back, his movements very gentle, as if afraid of waking her.

But his gaze never left her face.

He traced her eyebrows, nose, and lips over and over again, never getting enough of looking at her. How long had it been since he'd seen his wife? He was busy, but his wife was even busier than him. Even though they lived under the same roof, they saw each other less often than when they were on missions.

As he looked at her, he couldn't help but lower his head and gently kiss her forehead.

The moment his lips touched her skin, he felt her move slightly, but she didn't lift her eyelids; she just snuggled closer into his arms.

He smiled, pulled the person into his arms, closed his eyes, and fell into a deep sleep.

……

When Jiang Zhiyu woke up again, she found herself nestled in Song Yanzhou's arms.

The curtains were drawn, and the room was dimly lit, making it impossible to tell whether it was evening or completely dark.

His eyes were closed, his breathing even, but even in the dim light, she could clearly see the dark circles under his eyes. Those two dark circles pressed heavily beneath his eye sockets, as if he hadn't slept for days.

It seems he's been really busy lately.

She reached out her finger and gently touched the area under his eye, her fingertip slowly tracing the edge of the bluish patch, wondering if this would smooth out the bruise.

Song Yanzhou's eyelashes fluttered, and he took her hand in the process.

His palms were warm and dry. He enveloped her fingers in his palms, gently squeezed them, and then rolled over, pinning her beneath him.

"Sleep well, honey."

His voice was hoarse, with the languor of someone who had just woken up, and his breath carried a warm scent as it brushed against her face.

Jiang Zhiyu nodded.

"Um."

Why didn't you wake me up when you came back?

"I came back and saw you sleeping soundly, how could I bear to wake you?" he said, as he slipped a hand under the back of her neck, ran his fingers through her hair, and gently stroked it, pressing his fingertips lightly on her scalp.

His eyes gradually deepened.

The sky outside the window was completely dark, and only a very faint light in the bedroom outlined the two people.

He lowered his head, and his lips were already pressed against hers.

Filled with longing and yearning.

It was as if he was silently expressing all the longing he had accumulated over the past few days. His palm lifted her head upwards, while his other hand supported her on her side, holding her firmly in his arms.

After a long while, Song Yanzhou finally released her a little.

He propped himself up and looked at her intently. In the dim light, his features remained strong, but the tenderness in his eyes was impossible to hide.

"Wife, is it okay?"

Jiang Zhiyu looked at the dark circles under his eyes, and then at the cautious tenderness in his eyes.

She nodded.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, tilted her head slightly upward, and planted a kiss on his lips.

The indoor temperature gradually rose.