Chapter 1: The Streets of Beijing in 1972

Li Siming realized that he had frightened him and quickly put on a smile that he thought was very friendly: "Teacher Zhang, don't be afraid, I won't harm you"

He, a dual-degree holder with a doctorate in the 21st century, does not believe in God, nor in spirits, and is entirely skeptical of the so-called theories of time and space. However, the reality is harsh; the reality of having crossed time and space to arrive in this world is something anyone would find hard to accept. He was supposed to be born ten years later, growing up in a rural area of Anhui, and was recognized as a genius from a young age, being admitted to the Youth Class of the University of Science and Technology of China in his second year of high school. During his university years, the school implemented educational reforms that encouraged comprehensive development among students, such as the dual-degree system. Due to his quick wit and diligent efforts, Chen Dong obtained dual doctorates in Electronics and Engineering at the age of just 24. Not only that, but Chen Dong also excelled in other areas that reflect personal comprehensive qualities. According to the expectations of his teachers and classmates, someone like him would typically choose to become a visiting scholar at a foreign university after graduation, or at the very least, work as a high-tech project expert in a major company's research institution, making his financial prospects enviable.

Li Siming was born in 1957 and is just one month shy of turning 15 this year. He claims to have graduated from high school, but at best, his education only reaches the level of the first year of junior high. Due to the Cultural Revolution, various movements were incessant, and education suffered severe impacts. Criticizing the so-called "stinking old nine" was the primary task for Li Siming and his classmates. Educational infrastructure was destroyed, and the teaching staff was severely impacted, resulting in the devastation of not only a generation's education but also their future. At school, students either helped farmers with summer and autumn harvests, underwent military training under military representatives, or participated in one movement after another, not to mention the denunciation of teachers within the school. Educational infrastructure was destroyed, and the teaching staff was severely impacted, resulting in the devastation of not only a generation's education but also their future. At school, students either helped farmers with summer and autumn harvests, underwent military training under military representatives, or participated in one movement after another, not to mention the denunciation of teachers within the school.

Seeing the seemingly resigned expression in Old Zhang's eyes, I couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness in my heart. I took out some food coupons, oil coupons, and some money from my pocket and handed them to him. This was what Li Ziming had left over from managing the household these days; I dared not give more, as the grain and oil at home were also rationed. Old Zhang was momentarily taken aback, but Li Ziming insisted and pressed the items into his hand.

Let what is meant to come, come. From now on, there is no longer a person named Chen Dong in this world, only a person named Li Siming! Chen Dong, no, it should be Li Siming silently shouting in his heart

I don't know. Chen Dong had often asked himself the same question. In this era, he was merely a high school student, with no prospects. The entire education system had collapsed, making it impossible to attend university. He was not a worker, farmer, or soldier; otherwise, he could have been recommended for further studies.

The next day, at six thirty, Li Siming had already gotten up, and after a brief wash, he went out for morning exercise. This was a habit from his previous life, as he believed that health is the foundation of revolution. Upon arriving in this world, he naturally adhered to this truth. However, what puzzled him was that this body was truly exceptional; its strength and flexibility were unmatched by anything from his previous life, perhaps a result of his transmigration. He remembered lying in bed for two months, with the first month spent in a state of coma, feeling excruciating pain throughout his body every day, as if a piece of iron was being repeatedly hammered by a blacksmith. What puzzled him was that this body was truly exceptional; its strength and flexibility were unmatched by anything from his previous life, perhaps a result of his transmigration. He remembered lying in bed for two months, with the first month spent in a state of coma, feeling excruciating pain throughout his body every day, as if a piece of iron was being repeatedly hammered by a blacksmith

In the evening, after the conference concluded, Chen Dong and Zhang Hua returned home together. This is a typical housing arrangement for a working couple in Beijing. The house is small, so they added a lean-to to serve as a kitchen. The room contains only simple furniture, and the only appliance that can be considered a household item is a bulky radio, which was purchased by their parents after much saving and frugality.

This is the central call; not only high school students, but even middle school students must participate! said father Li Quan

The streets in the early morning are desolate and quiet, filled with red and black flyers and big-character posters. The content is varied and colorful, including slogans such as "Down with the × × × bourgeois ruling clique," "Eliminate all monsters and demons," and "Down with the Soviet revisionists × × ×," fluttering in the wind.

In the military, Chen Dong thrived, utilizing his acquired knowledge to thoroughly understand the principles of all weaponry and equipment in the military district over a span of two years, and he modified a significant portion of it, with some being entirely redesigned. Under his leadership, a research team composed of individuals with varying educational backgrounds and job titles was quickly established. Over the next four years, dozens of projects yielded substantial results for the military, greatly enhancing the level of its equipment. The achievements of him and his team astonished the research institutions within the military system, leading numerous military industrial units to extend olive branches, inviting Chen Dong to join their ranks. However, just as Chen Dong was preparing to respond to these invitations, a plane crash brought him to Beijing in 1972, occupying the body of a middle school student named Li Siming.

Li Siming! Li Siming! Yes, someone is calling me; I am still not quite used to this name. Chen Dong turned around to search the crowd and saw Zhang Hua. This guy was the first person Chen Dong got to know in this world, apart from his parents, and he was his classmate in the fifteenth school. According to his mother, they grew up playing in the same courtyard, went to school together, and caused mischief together, as if they were one person.

However, his final choice left countless observers astonished. Contrary to others' speculations, he resolutely donned a military uniform and entered the barracks amidst numerous astonished gazes. At that time, the military had already begun recruiting college students from local universities to quickly respond to the needs of future warfare and high-tech equipment. For those in the military assigned to recruit college students, Chen Dong was undoubtedly a priceless asset. Not to mention his academic achievements during his time at school, nor his several papers that garnered attention in the academic community, and certainly not to overlook his dual doctor’s degree title; the mere fact that he could abandon a generous salary to choose the military was enough to earn the admiration of these individuals. It is said that different units, in their eagerness to secure him, did not hesitate to engage in legal disputes, arguing heatedly. In the end, it was only through the personal intervention of a top leader from a certain military district, leveraging connections from their hometown, that the matter was resolved.

Li Siming tidied up the house and went to Zhang Hua's home, as they had agreed yesterday. With nothing else to do and no other entertainment activities available, he decided to visit Zhang Hua. Zhang Hua's home is very close to Li Siming's, as they both reside in the dormitory area of the garment factory, and their parents work at the same unit.

Winter has already arrived, but is spring far away? Live well, for one day the sun will shine upon the earth! This sentence by Li Ziming was spoken in Russian, unbeknownst to him that Old Zhang also has a background in studying Russian.

"Son, what are your plans for the future?" Mother Shen Fang asked while enjoying the delicious meal prepared by her son.

Beijing, Chang'an Avenue. The blazing sun is still as hot as fire, and the asphalt road is scorched like a furnace. Chen Dong walks alone on the street, yet his heart is filled with desolation

September 1972

It is still because of Old Man Zhang

Our family Si Ming has never done any farm work. I heard that some even have to go to Heilongjiang, where it is extremely cold, while others go to Xishuangbanna, which is a tropical rainforest. Neither of these places is suitable for people to stay.

Is that really possible? Last time I was injured, I lay in bed for two months and even forgot who that old man was

"Why?" Chen Dong asked in confusion

Upon returning home, after preparing breakfast, both Father Li Quan and Mother Shen Fang had also gotten up. Enjoying the breakfast made by their son, the two were very happy. After exchanging a few words, they left for work together. They both worked at a garment factory, with Father serving as the workshop director and Mother as the factory accountant

I heard that the Central Committee has once again called for educated youth to go to the countryside. Is it possible that Siming from our family will also have to go?" The mother said to the father with a worried expression

At this moment, Chang'an Street is a sea where green and red converge, with everyone dressed in green military uniforms and hats. This is the fashion of the entire era, while red symbolizes the fluttering red flags and the red books waved by the people. This is a gathering of middle school students in Beijing, aimed at criticizing all the reactionaries hidden among the ranks of the people's teachers. On the high platform, the teachers from various middle schools in Beijing are all present, and it is said that every school has them. Standing below are the revolutionary young pioneers: students from various middle schools in Beijing.

Chen Dong looked coldly at everything around him, as if it had nothing to do with him. Indeed, he was merely a person of the twenty-first century; all the movements, revolutions, and struggles here were irrelevant to him. Since his rebirth two months ago, he had witnessed far too many events, transitioning from initial curiosity and shock to a state of numbness, even developing a mindset akin to watching a play. But what could he do if he felt this way? This was the numbness of an entire era. Faced with the collective obsession of the entire nation, an individual's power was too small. He had witnessed far too many events, transitioning from initial curiosity and shock to a state of numbness, even developing a mindset akin to watching a play. But what could he do if he felt this way? This was the numbness of an entire era. Faced with the collective obsession of the entire nation, an individual's power was too small.

Old Zhang is really stubborn. A few days ago, he was beaten half to death and still refuses to admit his guilt. He is truly infuriating! Zhang Hua glanced around and lowered his voice, saying: "Today, Commander Xu lost face in front of so many young revolutionaries and is looking for a place to vent his anger. Be careful!"

In the evening, Chen Dong sat at the desk, flipping through the diary written by the owner of this body, Li Siming. Fortunately, Li Siming had the habit of keeping a diary; otherwise, Chen Dong would truly worry about whether he might expose himself.

Chen Dong followed the direction of the finger and saw a frail middle-aged man being dragged to the front of the stage. He wore thick glasses, and his white shirt was now a riot of colors. A large wooden board hung around his neck, which was likely quite heavy, with the words: "Down with the Soviet revisionist Zhang Hong" followed by three large exclamation marks

After running through several streets, he arrived at a vegetable market, where a gray-haired figure caught his attention. It was Zhang Hong, the teacher who had been publicly humiliated yesterday, now picking up discarded vegetable leaves by the roadside. Upon seeing Li Siming walking straight towards him, he stood against the wall like a startled bird, tightly clutching a filthy snake-skin bag behind him, and behind his thick glasses were a pair of extremely terrified eyes

Chen Dong first tidied up the room, glancing around, feeling a bittersweet sensation deep within his heart. In his previous life, his parents had died young; although he later achieved some success, he was left with a lingering regret: a son wishes to support his parents, yet they are no longer there. In this era, both of his parents are alive; they live a modest life, yet are very content and show him great care. However, if they were to learn that this Li Siming is not the same as that Li Siming, what would their reaction be? Chen Dong felt a sense of guilt.

Li Quan and Shen Fang returned home together. They both worked at the same textile factory. As soon as they entered the house, they were taken aback: the home was bright and clean, the dining table, which they had not had time to tidy up during work, was wiped spotless, the washed clothes were already cleaned and hung out in the yard, and in the kitchen, their son was whistling while cooking. They knew their son well; although he had never made any major mistakes growing up, he had never been this diligent before

Siming, if you arrive any later, Xu Dashuai will start scolding people, so don't bring bad luck upon yourself! Xu Dashuai, whose full name is Xu Zijian, is the leader of the Revolutionary Young Pioneers at No. 15 Middle School. He usually refers to himself as the commander, and over time, everyone else has come to call him Xu Dashuai.

Our Si Ming is no ordinary person; wherever he goes, he will achieve something significant, right, Si Ming?" Li Quan, trying to comfort his wife, who is usually quite down-to-earth, also began to boast a little. He did not expect that his son had truly accomplished countless remarkable feats that he had never even imagined, far beyond just achieving something significant.

Who is Old Man Zhang

"Mom and Dad! You’re back, the meal will be ready soon!" Chen Dong greeted with a smile. He had come to terms with it; since he was here, he would make the best of it. From now on, he would be Li Siming and would honor his parents well. At this moment, Li Quan and Shen Fang were deeply moved. Ever since the last injury, their son seemed to have transformed into a different person, becoming disciplined, quiet, and sensible, mature like a thirty-year-old adult

Chen Dongxin said, "I would be surprised if I knew anything about it." Zhang Hua, however, did not delve deeper and pointed to the stage, saying, "Look, it's that old man who is currently being criticized on stage."

Of course, Mom and Dad, you can rest assured. Your son has grown up and will take good care of himself. When I am not by your side, you must also take care of your health. Chen Dong is quite adept at embracing his role as a son. Seeing their son so considerate, the couple felt somewhat reassured.