The fifty-fifth cycle begins anew.
Page 1
Here, Bai Zongnan is known as Duan Sheng, forty-two years old, a senior researcher at the Datong City Academy of Sciences. Ever since graduating from university, Bai Zongnan had entered the academy and devoted himself wholeheartedly to his work, focusing on the project of developing virtual space. Years of relentless effort were finally about to bear fruit.
More than joy, Bai Zongnan felt a sense of relief. For nearly two decades, his life had revolved solely around research—love, travel, games, all irrelevant to him.
No matter, though; the hard days were nearly at their end.
The research group had a rule: when a project yielded results, one could qualify for the title of associate professor. After years of striving, his efforts were finally about to be rewarded—those social status and wealth he once thought he wouldn’t care about.
Yet, just recently, his project took an unexpected turn. In the final phase, a crucial condition that should have been met effortlessly could not be fulfilled due to the absence of a certain element. This was an absolutely essential requirement: without it, the virtual space could not run, and years of work would be wasted.
Bai Zongnan buried himself in research for three days without eating or drinking and eventually found the solution. If the development of virtual space included a substance called LI Element, it could replace the original quantum.
Once he found the LI Element, Bai Zongnan could realize his long-cherished wish.
LI Element, LI Element, Bai Zongnan must find it!
With his detector in hand, Bai Zongnan combed every corner of C City and finally traced the LI Element.
Splendid Manor? Wasn’t that the famous wealthy district? Why would the LI Element be here? Bai Zongnan looked at the map device, which framed the area in this corner of C City. The name sounded familiar, as if he’d heard it somewhere before.
Ah, yes!
Suddenly, Bai Zongnan remembered: he had a close friend from university, now teaching chemistry at a university in C City. They had spoken by phone a few days ago, and Bai Zongnan vaguely recalled him mentioning a peculiar letter recently received—the sender wanted him to tutor their child, and the location was Splendid Manor!
Bai Zongnan was just about to reach for his phone when it rang.
His old friend, suffering from illness, explained he was too unwell to visit Splendid Manor as promised.
He added that the manor’s owner was very wealthy… If the tutoring was completed successfully, there would be a generous reward. For the sake of their long friendship, he hoped Bai Zongnan could go in his place.
Just what he’d been searching for.
Three days later, on Saturday, Bai Zongnan drove to the address from the letter—Splendid Manor.
At this moment, Bai Zongnan was assuming the identity of his friend, Miao Hong, as a chemistry teacher, to tutor a middle school student named Fei Chai in mathematics.
Teaching middle school material was trivial for Bai Zongnan; he wasn’t worried about that. What mattered was the place itself. The contents of that letter resurfaced in his mind:
Dear Teacher Miao Hong,
My name is Fei Hua, a father to a child. My wife passed away early, and my child is now in the final year of middle school.
For several years, I was so occupied with work that I neglected my family and failed to pay attention to my child’s growth and education.
Now, my son Xiao Chai’s grades are falling in every subject, especially in language. He won’t listen to me or his teachers, and spends all day immersed in computer games. I am troubled.
In C City, I’ve long heard of your superb teaching and your gentle, patient approach with students. So, I’m writing this letter to respectfully invite you to visit my home and meet Xiao Chai. If possible, I sincerely hope you might stay on as his tutor, help him improve his grades, and guide him onto the right path.
As for compensation, please don’t worry—I will see that you are satisfied.
I cordially invite you to visit at 9 a.m. this Saturday. I would be most grateful.
On the back of the letter, a small token of respect, whether or not you accept the invitation.
Our address: 588 Splendid Avenue, Splendid Manor, C City.
Fei Hua
The car sped along until it reached Splendid Avenue. The traffic thinned, and the low-rise and apartment buildings disappeared, replaced by clusters of villas and manors.
Everything in the letter seemed true, and Bai Zongnan felt a touch of anxiety.
The taxi stopped in front of a manor, where a middle-aged man in a tailcoat was already waiting. He politely opened the car door for Bai Zongnan and nodded with a smile.
Bai Zongnan parked and, seeing the manor for the first time, felt at a loss. He smiled politely, about to introduce himself, when the man spoke.
“You must be the guest invited by the master. I am the steward of this manor. You may call me Ah Fu. Please, follow me.”
Bai Zongnan silently activated the LI Element detector and followed him into the manor. Years in the research institute had never brought him to such distinctive scenery, but more than the sights, Bai Zongnan cared about the distribution of the LI Element. Unfortunately, the detector remained silent along the way, showing no sign.
He was not anxious; there would be plenty of time to search for the LI Element.
A quarter hour later, they reached a villa.
Ah Fu, the steward, gave Bai Zongnan a meaningful look.
“Please wait a moment. The other teachers will be here soon.”
Bai Zongnan discreetly turned off the detector, only now realizing—the manor’s owner had invited more than one tutor, and he was the first to arrive.
As he waited, Bai Zongnan observed the villa and manor, plotting his plan. To find the LI Element smoothly, he would likely need a complete map.
A short time later,
Everyone had arrived.
Ah Fu stepped to the door, facing the six people including Bai Zongnan, and spoke.
“Thank you all for accepting the invitation. On behalf of my master, I extend gratitude and welcome. You are all here as teachers, but don’t misunderstand—your roles do not conflict, as each of you teaches a different subject. It is now 8:47, with just over ten minutes until the scheduled time. Take this opportunity to get acquainted; perhaps you will work together in the future. By the way, the master instructed me to give you these once everyone was here.”
So Fei Hua had invited more than one teacher; it made sense, as he’d said in the letter his son was poor in all subjects—a truly troublesome child.
As Bai Zongnan mused, he watched Ah Fu hand out sheets of letter paper to each of the six people present.
Bai Zongnan took his, and read:
“Greetings, Brother Zongnan. Welcome to the cycle!”
Bai Zongnan understood—he had entered the cycle once again.
Page 2
Bai Zongnan silently activated the LI Element detector and followed him into the manor. Years in the research institute had never brought him to such distinctive scenery, but more than the sights, Bai Zongnan cared about the distribution of the LI Element. Unfortunately, the detector remained silent along the way, showing no sign.
He was not anxious; there would be plenty of time to search for the LI Element.
A quarter hour later, they reached a villa.
Ah Fu, the steward, gave Bai Zongnan a meaningful look.
“Please wait a moment. The other teachers will be here soon.”
Bai Zongnan discreetly turned off the detector, only now realizing—the manor’s owner had invited more than one tutor, and he was the first to arrive.
As he waited, Bai Zongnan observed the villa and manor, plotting his plan. To find the LI Element smoothly, he would likely need a complete map.
A short time later,
Everyone had arrived.
Ah Fu stepped to the door, facing the six people including Bai Zongnan, and spoke.
“Thank you all for accepting the invitation. On behalf of my master, I extend gratitude and welcome. You are all here as teachers, but don’t misunderstand—your roles do not conflict, as each of you teaches a different subject. It is now 8:47, with just over ten minutes until the scheduled time. Take this opportunity to get acquainted; perhaps you will work together in the future. By the way, the master instructed me to give you these once everyone was here.”
So Fei Hua had invited more than one teacher; it made sense, as he’d said in the letter his son was poor in all subjects—a truly troublesome child.
As Bai Zongnan mused, he watched Ah Fu hand out sheets of letter paper to each of the six people present.
Bai Zongnan took his, and read:
“The second time.”
Each word pierced the heart.
Here, Bai Zongnan is known as Duan Sheng, forty-two years old, a senior researcher at the Datong City Academy of Sciences. Ever since graduating from university, Bai Zongnan had entered the academy and devoted himself wholeheartedly to his work, focusing on the project of developing virtual space. Years of relentless effort were finally about to bear fruit.
More than joy, Bai Zongnan felt a sense of relief. For nearly two decades, his life had revolved solely around research—love, travel, games, all irrelevant to him.
No matter, though; the hard days were nearly at their end.
The research group had a rule: when a project yielded results, one could qualify for the title of associate professor. After years of striving, his efforts were finally about to be rewarded—those social status and wealth he once thought he wouldn’t care about.
Yet, just recently, his project took an unexpected turn. In the final phase, a crucial condition that should have been met effortlessly could not be fulfilled due to the absence of a certain element. This was an absolutely essential requirement: without it, the virtual space could not run, and years of work would be wasted.
Bai Zongnan buried himself in research for three days without eating or drinking and eventually found the solution. If the development of virtual space included a substance called LI Element, it could replace the original quantum.
Once he found the LI Element, Bai Zongnan could realize his long-cherished wish.
LI Element, LI Element, Bai Zongnan must find it!
With his detector in hand, Bai Zongnan combed every corner of C City and finally traced the LI Element.
Splendid Manor? Wasn’t that the famous wealthy district? Why would the LI Element be here? Bai Zongnan looked at the map device, which framed the area in this corner of C City. The name sounded familiar, as if he’d heard it somewhere before.
Ah, yes!
Suddenly, Bai Zongnan remembered: he had a close friend from university, now teaching chemistry at a university in C City. They had spoken by phone a few days ago, and Bai Zongnan vaguely recalled him mentioning a peculiar letter recently received—the sender wanted him to tutor their child, and the location was Splendid Manor!
Bai Zongnan was just about to reach for his phone when it rang.
His old friend, suffering from illness, explained he was too unwell to visit Splendid Manor as promised.
He added that the manor’s owner was very wealthy… If the tutoring was completed successfully, there would be a generous reward. For the sake of their long friendship, he hoped Bai Zongnan could go in his place.
Just what he’d been searching for.
Three days later, on Saturday, Bai Zongnan drove to the address from the letter—Splendid Manor.
At this moment, Bai Zongnan was assuming the identity of his friend, Miao Hong, as a chemistry teacher, to tutor a middle school student named Fei Chai in mathematics.
Teaching middle school material was trivial for Bai Zongnan; he wasn’t worried about that. What mattered was the place itself. The contents of that letter resurfaced in his mind:
Dear Teacher Miao Hong,
My name is Fei Hua, a father to a child. My wife passed away early, and my child is now in the final year of middle school.
For several years, I was so occupied with work that I neglected my family and failed to pay attention to my child’s growth and education.
Now, my son Xiao Chai’s grades are falling in every subject, especially in language. He won’t listen to me or his teachers, and spends all day immersed in computer games. I am troubled.
In C City, I’ve long heard of your superb teaching and your gentle, patient approach with students. So, I’m writing this letter to respectfully invite you to visit my home and meet Xiao Chai. If possible, I sincerely hope you might stay on as his tutor, help him improve his grades, and guide him onto the right path.
As for compensation, please don’t worry—I will see that you are satisfied.
I cordially invite you to visit at 9 a.m. this Saturday. I would be most grateful.
On the back of the letter, a small token of respect, whether or not you accept the invitation.
Our address: 588 Splendid Avenue, Splendid Manor, C City.
Fei Hua
The car sped along until it reached Splendid Avenue. The traffic thinned, and the low-rise and apartment buildings disappeared, replaced by clusters of villas and manors.
Everything in the letter seemed true, and Bai Zongnan felt a touch of anxiety.
The taxi stopped in front of a manor, where a middle-aged man in a tailcoat was already waiting. He politely opened the car door for Bai Zongnan and nodded with a smile.
Bai Zongnan parked and, seeing the manor for the first time, felt at a loss. He smiled politely, about to introduce himself, when the man spoke.
“You must be the guest invited by the master. I am the steward of this manor. You may call me Ah Fu. Please, follow me.”
Bai Zongnan silently activated the LI Element detector and followed him into the manor. Years in the research institute had never brought him to such distinctive scenery, but more than the sights, Bai Zongnan cared about the distribution of the LI Element. Unfortunately, the detector remained silent along the way, showing no sign.
He was not anxious; there would be plenty of time to search for the LI Element.
A quarter hour later, they reached a villa.
Ah Fu, the steward, gave Bai Zongnan a meaningful look.
“Please wait a moment. The other teachers will be here soon.”
Bai Zongnan discreetly turned off the detector, only now realizing—the manor’s owner had invited more than one tutor, and he was the first to arrive.
As he waited, Bai Zongnan observed the villa and manor, plotting his plan. To find the LI Element smoothly, he would likely need a complete map.
A short time later,
Everyone had arrived.
Ah Fu stepped to the door, facing the six people including Bai Zongnan, and spoke.
“Thank you all for accepting the invitation. On behalf of my master, I extend gratitude and welcome. You are all here as teachers, but don’t misunderstand—your roles do not conflict, as each of you teaches a different subject. It is now 8:47, with just over ten minutes until the scheduled time. Take this opportunity to get acquainted; perhaps you will work together in the future. By the way, the master instructed me to give you these once everyone was here.”
So Fei Hua had invited more than one teacher; it made sense, as he’d said in the letter his son was poor in all subjects—a truly troublesome child.
As Bai Zongnan mused, he watched Ah Fu hand out sheets of letter paper to each of the six people present.
Bai Zongnan took his, and read:
“The third time. Can you guess how many times there will be?”
A wave of dizziness swept over him, and Bai Zongnan lost consciousness again.
Here, Bai Zongnan is known as Duan Sheng, forty-two years old, a senior researcher at the Datong City Academy of Sciences. Ever since graduating from university, Bai Zongnan had entered the academy and devoted himself wholeheartedly to his work, focusing on the project of developing virtual space. Years of relentless effort were finally about to bear fruit.
Page 3
More than joy, Bai Zongnan felt a sense of relief. For nearly two decades, his life had revolved solely around research—love, travel, games, all irrelevant to him.
No matter, though; the hard days were nearly at their end.
The research group had a rule: when a project yielded results, one could qualify for the title of associate professor. After years of striving, his efforts were finally about to be rewarded—those social status and wealth he once thought he wouldn’t care about.
Yet, just recently, his project took an unexpected turn. In the final phase, a crucial condition that should have been met effortlessly could not be fulfilled due to the absence of a certain element. This was an absolutely essential requirement: without it, the virtual space could not run, and years of work would be wasted.
Bai Zongnan buried himself in research for three days without eating or drinking and eventually found the solution. If the development of virtual space included a substance called LI Element, it could replace the original quantum.
Once he found the LI Element, Bai Zongnan could realize his long-cherished wish.
LI Element, LI Element, Bai Zongnan must find it!
With his detector in hand, Bai Zongnan combed every corner of C City and finally traced the LI Element.
Splendid Manor? Wasn’t that the famous wealthy district? Why would the LI Element be here? Bai Zongnan looked at the map device, which framed the area in this corner of C City. The name sounded familiar, as if he’d heard it somewhere before.
Ah, yes!
Suddenly, Bai Zongnan remembered: he had a close friend from university, now teaching chemistry at a university in C City. They had spoken by phone a few days ago, and Bai Zongnan vaguely recalled him mentioning a peculiar letter recently received—the sender wanted him to tutor their child, and the location was Splendid Manor!
Bai Zongnan was just about to reach for his phone when it rang.
His old friend, suffering from illness, explained he was too unwell to visit Splendid Manor as promised.
He added that the manor’s owner was very wealthy… If the tutoring was completed successfully, there would be a generous reward. For the sake of their long friendship, he hoped Bai Zongnan could go in his place.
Just what he’d been searching for.
Three days later, on Saturday, Bai Zongnan drove to the address from the letter—Splendid Manor.
At this moment, Bai Zongnan was assuming the identity of his friend, Miao Hong, as a chemistry teacher, to tutor a middle school student named Fei Chai in mathematics.
Teaching middle school material was trivial for Bai Zongnan; he wasn’t worried about that. What mattered was the place itself. The contents of that letter resurfaced in his mind:
Dear Teacher Miao Hong,
My name is Fei Hua, a father to a child. My wife passed away early, and my child is now in the final year of middle school.
For several years, I was so occupied with work that I neglected my family and failed to pay attention to my child’s growth and education.
Now, my son Xiao Chai’s grades are falling in every subject, especially in language. He won’t listen to me or his teachers, and spends all day immersed in computer games. I am troubled.
In C City, I’ve long heard of your superb teaching and your gentle, patient approach with students. So, I’m writing this letter to respectfully invite you to visit my home and meet Xiao Chai. If possible, I sincerely hope you might stay on as his tutor, help him improve his grades, and guide him onto the right path.
As for compensation, please don’t worry—I will see that you are satisfied.
I cordially invite you to visit at 9 a.m. this Saturday. I would be most grateful.
On the back of the letter, a small token of respect, whether or not you accept the invitation.
Our address: 588 Splendid Avenue, Splendid Manor, C City.
Fei Hua
The car sped along until it reached Splendid Avenue. The traffic thinned, and the low-rise and apartment buildings disappeared, replaced by clusters of villas and manors.
Everything in the letter seemed true, and Bai Zongnan felt a touch of anxiety.
The taxi stopped in front of a manor, where a middle-aged man in a tailcoat was already waiting. He politely opened the car door for Bai Zongnan and nodded with a smile.
Bai Zongnan parked and, seeing the manor for the first time, felt at a loss. He smiled politely, about to introduce himself, when the man spoke.
“You must be the guest invited by the master. I am the steward of this manor. You may call me Ah Fu. Please, follow me.”
Bai Zongnan silently activated the LI Element detector and followed him into the manor. Years in the research institute had never brought him to such distinctive scenery, but more than the sights, Bai Zongnan cared about the distribution of the LI Element. Unfortunately, the detector remained silent along the way, showing no sign.
He was not anxious; there would be plenty of time to search for the LI Element.
A quarter hour later, they reached a villa.
Ah Fu, the steward, gave Bai Zongnan a meaningful look.
“Please wait a moment. The other teachers will be here soon.”
Bai Zongnan discreetly turned off the detector, only now realizing—the manor’s owner had invited more than one tutor, and he was the first to arrive.
As he waited, Bai Zongnan observed the villa and manor, plotting his plan. To find the LI Element smoothly, he would likely need a complete map.
A short time later,
Everyone had arrived.
Ah Fu stepped to the door, facing the six people including Bai Zongnan, and spoke.
“Thank you all for accepting the invitation. On behalf of my master, I extend gratitude and welcome. You are all here as teachers, but don’t misunderstand—your roles do not conflict, as each of you teaches a different subject. It is now 8:47, with just over ten minutes until the scheduled time. Take this opportunity to get acquainted; perhaps you will work together in the future. By the way, the master instructed me to give you these once everyone was here.”
So Fei Hua had invited more than one teacher; it made sense, as he’d said in the letter his son was poor in all subjects—a truly troublesome child.
As Bai Zongnan mused, he watched Ah Fu hand out sheets of letter paper to each of the six people present.
Bai Zongnan took his, and read:
“The fourth time. Keep going, my good brother.”
Is this a challenge? Bai Zongnan thought.
Here, Bai Zongnan is known as Duan Sheng, forty-two years old, a senior researcher at the Datong City Academy of Sciences. Ever since graduating from university, Bai Zongnan had entered the academy and devoted himself wholeheartedly to his work, focusing on the project of developing virtual space. Years of relentless effort were finally about to bear fruit.
More than joy, Bai Zongnan felt a sense of relief. For nearly two decades, his life had revolved solely around research—love, travel, games, all irrelevant to him.
No matter, though; the hard days were nearly at their end.
The research group had a rule: when a project yielded results, one could qualify for the title of associate professor. After years of striving, his efforts were finally about to be rewarded—those social status and wealth he once thought he wouldn’t care about.
Yet, just recently, his project took an unexpected turn. In the final phase, a crucial condition that should have been met effortlessly could not be fulfilled due to the absence of a certain element. This was an absolutely essential requirement: without it, the virtual space could not run, and years of work would be wasted.
Bai Zongnan buried himself in research for three days without eating or drinking and eventually found the solution. If the development of virtual space included a substance called LI Element, it could replace the original quantum.
Once he found the LI Element, Bai Zongnan could realize his long-cherished wish.
LI Element, LI Element, Bai Zongnan must find it!
With his detector in hand, Bai Zongnan combed every corner of C City and finally traced the LI Element.
Splendid Manor? Wasn’t that the famous wealthy district? Why would the LI Element be here? Bai Zongnan looked at the map device, which framed the area in this corner of C City. The name sounded familiar, as if he’d heard it somewhere before.
Ah, yes!
Suddenly, Bai Zongnan remembered: he had a close friend from university, now teaching chemistry at a university in C City. They had spoken by phone a few days ago, and Bai Zongnan vaguely recalled him mentioning a peculiar letter recently received—the sender wanted him to tutor their child, and the location was Splendid Manor!
Bai Zongnan was just about to reach for his phone when it rang.
His old friend, suffering from illness, explained he was too unwell to visit Splendid Manor as promised.
He added that the manor’s owner was very wealthy… If the tutoring was completed successfully, there would be a generous reward. For the sake of their long friendship, he hoped Bai Zongnan could go in his place.
Just what he’d been searching for.
Three days later, on Saturday, Bai Zongnan drove to the address from the letter—Splendid Manor.
At this moment, Bai Zongnan was assuming the identity of his friend, Miao Hong, as a chemistry teacher, to tutor a middle school student named Fei Chai in mathematics.
Teaching middle school material was trivial for Bai Zongnan; he wasn’t worried about that. What mattered was the place itself. The contents of that letter resurfaced in his mind:
Dear Teacher Miao Hong,
My name is Fei Hua, a father to a child. My wife passed away early, and my child is now in the final year of middle school.
For several years, I was so occupied with work that I neglected my family and failed to pay attention to my child’s growth and education.
Now, my son Xiao Chai’s grades are falling in every subject, especially in language. He won’t listen to me or his teachers, and spends all day immersed in computer games. I am troubled.
In C City, I’ve long heard of your superb teaching and your gentle, patient approach with students. So, I’m writing this letter to respectfully invite you to visit my home and meet Xiao Chai. If possible, I sincerely hope you might stay on as his tutor, help him improve his grades, and guide him onto the right path.
As for compensation, please don’t worry—I will see that you are satisfied.
I cordially invite you to visit at 9 a.m. this Saturday. I would be most grateful.
On the back of the letter, a small token of respect, whether or not you accept the invitation.
Our address: 588 Splendid Avenue, Splendid Manor, C City.
Fei Hua
The car sped along until it reached Splendid Avenue. The traffic thinned, and the low-rise and apartment buildings disappeared, replaced by clusters of villas and manors.
Everything in the letter seemed true, and Bai Zongnan felt a touch of anxiety.
The taxi stopped in front of a manor, where a middle-aged man in a tailcoat was already waiting. He politely opened the car door for Bai Zongnan and nodded with a smile.
Bai Zongnan parked and, seeing the manor for the first time, felt at a loss. He smiled politely, about to introduce himself, when the man spoke.
“You must be the guest invited by the master. I am the steward of this manor. You may call me Ah Fu. Please, follow me.”
Bai Zongnan silently activated the LI Element detector and followed him into the manor. Years in the research institute had never brought him to such distinctive scenery, but more than the sights, Bai Zongnan cared about the distribution of the LI Element. Unfortunately, the detector remained silent along the way, showing no sign.
He was not anxious; there would be plenty of time to search for the LI Element.
A quarter hour later, they reached a villa.
Ah Fu, the steward, gave Bai Zongnan a meaningful look.
“Please wait a moment. The other teachers will be here soon.”
Bai Zongnan discreetly turned off the detector, only now realizing—the manor’s owner had invited more than one tutor, and he was the first to arrive.
As he waited, Bai Zongnan observed the villa and manor, plotting his plan. To find the LI Element smoothly, he would likely need a complete map.
A short time later,
Everyone had arrived.
Ah Fu stepped to the door, facing the six people including Bai Zongnan, and spoke.
“Thank you all for accepting the invitation. On behalf of my master, I extend gratitude and welcome. You are all here as teachers, but don’t misunderstand—your roles do not conflict, as each of you teaches a different subject. It is now 8:47, with just over ten minutes until the scheduled time. Take this opportunity to get acquainted; perhaps you will work together in the future. By the way, the master instructed me to give you these once everyone was here.”
So Fei Hua had invited more than one teacher; it made sense, as he’d said in the letter his son was poor in all subjects—a truly troublesome child.
As Bai Zongnan mused, he watched Ah Fu hand out sheets of letter paper to each of the six people present.
Bai Zongnan took his, and read:
“Congratulations, brother, you’ve passed smoothly!”