Chapter 3 (1/2)

”I hope I can go back to 1968 whenever I want.” Huang Xuan looked into the future eagerly, but Rolin interrupted his fantasy by saying: ”For now, I can only transmit things to random destinations.”

”For now? Then when will you be able to help me to go back to 1968?” asked Huang Xuan anxiously.

After about half a minute, Rolin replied: ”You know, theoretically that would consume a lot of energy.”

”Well, that's no problem!” Huang Xuan had no idea how much energy Rolin was talking about.

While they were talking, the white ring enlarged and in a flash, Huang Xuan was already standing on the ground.

It was around noon, as the sun was glaring and the shadows of the surrounding buildings seemed to be shorter. Huang Xuan stamped his feet to feel the solid ground and was relieved. In front of him was the end of a lane, the buildings were low but still looked completely different from those in the 70s. Recalling his weird experience in the past two days, Huang Xuan had an inexplicable thrill.

”Rolin, does it count as keeping your secret if I fill up the swimming pool?”

”Yes, it does.” This time Rolin replied immediately.

Afterward, no matter what Huang Xuan asked, Rolin just kept his mouth shut. Huang Xuan felt bored and went home in a cab.

At this moment the only thing going on in his home was complete madness. His mother had totally neglected what was happening in her company and called his uncle to come and help. The police were searching his house and the surrounding area thoroughly and blocked nearby roads. If they were not searching for a person, maybe the swimming pool would have already been dug through.

Huang Xuan's father ran a lab at Nanjing University and was very busy. Plus Huang Xuan was a rebellious child. They were not close and often got into a fight after several words. But now that he was missing, his father was too worried to carry on the experiments and stayed at home to wait for news.

Roadblocks could be seen even 10 km away from his home. Huang Xuan didn't expect such turmoil. The cab slowed down. The driver s.h.i.+fted gears and started to complain: ”These cops are useless. You never see them when there is a car accident.”

Huang Xuan didn't know that the police were looking for him. He was still holding the box, thinking about the stamps. He occasionally opened it and looked inside to check if they were in the best conditions. He didn't respond to what the driver had said. The driver went on to talk about his laid-off family, the rocketing oil price, and how the traffic policemen just couldn't leave taxi drivers alone for a single day…

”Your ID, sir.” a policeman stopped them with a salute. Huang Xuan was still deep in thought when the police officer suddenly opened the door and pointed at the driver. ”You, get out.”

The driver was scared to death, thinking that what he had said about the police must have been heard. He explained right away: ”You know what, I was talking nonsense.”

The policeman ignored the driver. He looked at the portrait in his hand and asked Huang Xuan: ”Are you Huang Xuan?”