Searching for Her a Thousand Times in My Dreams

Summer, 1983. The teachers' office at Xinghua High School.

"Teacher Wang, I've made up my mind. I'm going to continue my studies, but I want to trade my spot at Peking University for a place in the decryption program at the National Defense University."

The late-autumn wind carried a chill. Cheng Yiqiao was frail and delicate, but her gaze was exceptionally resolute.

Teacher Wang froze for a moment, then beamed with delight. "Cheng, you've finally come to your senses! I thought you'd given up your place at Peking University for your cousin so you could marry Staff Officer Shi. But the decryption program at the National Defense University is highly classified. You'll have to erase your identity and live under an assumed name. Have you discussed it with your family?"

"There's no need. I can decide for myself."

At the mention of family, a flicker of pain crossed Cheng Yiqiao's eyes, but she soon let it go. Once she had vanished from their world for good, perhaps they would never be able to take anything from her again.