One day.
Two days.
Three days.
As the Lunar New Year approached, red lanterns were hung in the research institute. It was a festive atmosphere. The researchers were all waiting for the arrival of the new year.
"It's time to put up the Spring Festival couplets!"
"Old Li, your Spring Festival couplets are too ugly."
"Hahaha, there's nothing we can do about it. It's only at this level."
"That's true. How many of us who are involved in research and academia have good handwriting?"
"Hey, don't say that. Have you all forgotten? The top calligraphy master in the country is staying at our research institute right now. "
"Yeah, we should get Professor Zhang to write some couplets for us."
"Come on, Professor Zhang's words are worth thousands of gold coins. Even if he wrote it for us, who would dare to hang it up? Would you be willing to stick it on the wall? Wouldn't that be a waste? "
"By the way, where's Professor Zhang?"
"That's right, I haven't seen him in several days."
"If it weren't for someone singing 'Tears Behind Prison Bars' every morning, I would have thought that Professor Zhang had already left."
"I think he's doing some research."
"Professor Zhang's abilities are undeniable. It's just that he's always acting up from time to time."
In the dormitory.
Zhang Ye had not gone out for several days. The room was filled with things. On the blackboard was a series of formulas. On the wall were dozens of drawings that no one could understand. On the table, on the floor, there were drafts and scraps everywhere. In the corner, there were even some models that Zhang Ye had borrowed from somewhere.
Research.
Calculations.
Design model drawings.
No one knew what Zhang Ye was doing, because no one in the research institute understood what he was doing. No one believed what Zhang Ye was doing either, because what he was doing was too shocking. There were thousands of difficult projects in China, but even so, Zhang Ye had chosen the most difficult one out of all of them! How many scientists had failed in the face of this difficulty? How many research institutes had been frowning at this time? But now, a mathematician like Zhang Ye was actually trying to overcome this scientific gap? Who would believe that?
Only Zhang Ye believed that he could do it. It was just that he needed time, a lot of time. As such, he had been working non-stop for the past few days without much rest.
Until a piece of news arrived.
It was brought to him by Chi Xue.
Chi Xue reported, "Professor Zhang, congratulations in advance."
Zhang Ye asked, "What for?"
"Your wife is about to give birth." Chi Xue immediately said, "I just received news that Chief Wu is already in the hospital awaiting delivery. She's due in the next few days."
Zhang Ye was stunned.
She was about to give birth?
She was about to give birth?
Wasn't that right?
Wasn't the due date of delivery in a few days?
At this moment, whether it was work or research, all of that was thrown to the back of Zhang Ye's mind. He did not have any other thoughts at all. All he could think about was Old Wu and the child!
Sit down.
He stood up again.
After walking a few rounds, he sat down again.
Zhang Ye walked around the room and finally came out.
Zhou Xiaohe came up and said, "Professor Zhang, congratulations."
On the other side, several researchers also congratulated him.
"You're going to be a father."
"Congratulations in advance, Professor Zhang."
"This is a joyous occasion."
"It's just in time for the New Year. Let's have some fun!"
"Hahaha, Professor Zhang, you have to treat us!"
When everyone heard the news, they were also happy for Zhang Ye.
But no one could understand how Zhang Ye was feeling at this moment. It was really too complicated. He was excited and also a little worried at the same time. He did not have any other thoughts on his mind right now. He just wanted to fly to the hospital immediately and be by Old Wu's side to accompany her. He wanted to witness the birth of his child with his own eyes. This thought was so strong that it made Zhang Ye quicken his pace to look for Fellow Chi and Fellow Zhou.
The moment he opened his mouth, the two old fellows were overjoyed!
Zhang Ye said, "This bro wants to be released on medical parole!"
Chi Xue was speechless.
Fellow Chi rolled his eyes. "How are you sick?"
Zhang Ye said, "I'm sick in every way."
Fellow Zhou said, "Aren't you still in good health?"
Zhang Ye pointed to the ground. "Do you believe that I'll pass out right now?"
Fellow Zhou said in a speechless manner, "Then which hospital do you want to go to?"
Zhang Ye said casually, "The maternity hospital that my wife is in. I'm fine staying there."
"You're a man, so why would you want to treat someone in a maternity hospital?" Chi Xue was tickled by what she heard.
Zhang Ye harrumphed, "As long as you guys bail me out, this bro will even stay in a psychiatric hospital!"
Whoa!
You're really going all out!
Fellow Chi said, "Professor Zhang, I understand how you're feeling, but you're still serving your sentence right now. Our Chinese Academy of Sciences had to go through a lot of trouble to get you out here, and we even needed a guarantor and a signature. Do you think that you can get out of here as you please? Just stay here and wait for the news. How about this? We're not unreasonable people, so I'll give you special privileges. As long as there's any news from your wife's hospital, whether it's a test report or an ECG, I'll get someone to get it for you. I guarantee that you won't have to worry and that you'll get the news immediately. "
Zhang Ye smacked his lips. "What's the use of me getting a test report!"
Fellow Zhou said, "Old Chi has already given you special privileges. Other people won't get such treatment."
"That won't do." Zhang Ye did not agree to it. "Then let me give my wife a call."
Fellow Chi said firmly, "That won't do."
Fellow Zhou also said, "That definitely won't do."
But Chi Xue said, "Dad, why don't you get Professor Zhang to make the call?"
"That won't do." Fellow Chi shook his head. "Little Zhang's release from prison is a matter of confidentiality. He's forbidden from contacting the outside world. That's the rule."
Chi Xue said, "Even if it's a rule, it still has to be humane. Special circumstances require special treatment. Professor Zhang has put in so much effort for our research project. Now that his wife is about to give birth, he's not even allowed to visit or call her. Isn't that a little too unreasonable? Uncle Zhou, don't you think so?"
Fellow Zhou hesitated when he heard that. "That … does make sense."
Fellow Chi stared at him and said, "Old Zhou, what kind of awareness do you have?"
Fellow Zhou smiled and said, "It's just a call. As long as Professor Zhang doesn't reveal anything about our research institute or the research project, it'll be fine."
Zhang Ye said, "Aiyo, you're thinking too much. I haven't seen my wife in several months. It'll only be a few minutes of phone call, and I still have to talk to her about the research project? I don't have anything to do, do I? "
Chi Xue said, "Isn't that right, Dad?"
Fellow Chi frowned. "That's a violation of the rules!"
Zhang Ye looked at him. "Isn't it against the rules for you to borrow me from my cell? Do you think the prison allows you to borrow people just like that? Which rule is that? "
Fellow Chi was speechless.
He really couldn't refute that.
Fellow Zhou also tried to persuade him, "His wife is giving birth. It's a major event in her life."
Fellow Chi's brows were knitted together.
Seeing this, Fellow Zhou said, "Alright, I'll approve it. If anything happens, I'll take responsibility."
Zhang Ye was amused. He patted Fellow Zhou on the shoulder and said, "Old Zhou, you're still the most loyal!"
Who's with you, Old Zhou!
Fellow Zhou rolled his eyes.
Fellow Chi harrumphed. "You'll take responsibility if anything happens? It's not like you're the leader. Do you think you can take responsibility? " He then pulled open a drawer and took out a document. He wrote a few lines of words, signed it, and stamped it. Finally, he threw it onto the table. "Take this. Just this once. Just for three minutes. There won't be a next time."
Zhang Ye laughed heartily. "Alright, thanks, Old Chi!"
…
In the phone room.
There were guards standing guard at the door.
This was the only external communication phone in the research institute. Zhang Ye took the slip signed by Fellow Chi and showed it to the guards before entering the room. Chi Xue and Zhou Xiaohe were also with him. They were here to supervise him.
Excitement.
Unease.
Zhang Ye picked up the old-fashioned telephone. His hands were shaking.
Tap, tap, tap. He took deep breaths as he dialed the number.
Du du du …
Du du du …
Catch it!
Pick it up!
Zhang Ye was extremely anxious!
Suddenly, the call went through.
A familiar female voice came from the other side. "Hello? Who is it? "
Hearing that, Zhang Ye's heart trembled. "Old Wu!"
"Little Ye?"
"How are you?"
"She's in the hospital waiting to give birth. She's in good health. How about you?"
"I'm fine too."
"That's good. I can't visit you there?"
"Yes, something came up."
"Where did the call come from?"
"I can't say."
"Alright, then I won't ask anymore."
"I can only call for three minutes. I know you're in the hospital waiting to give birth. I'm worried, so I thought I had to call you no matter what. I had a lot to say, but I don't know how to say it. Anyway, don't worry, Old Wu. This bro will try to go back as soon as possible. I'll definitely go back as soon as possible!"
"Alright, I'll be waiting."
At that moment, Chi Xue reminded, "There are still two minutes left."
Old Wu should have heard it from the other end of the line.
The two people on the other end of the line also fell silent.
Thousands of words.
How could they be finished in two minutes?
"Little Ye."
"Mhm?"
"Sing me a song."
"You want to listen to it again?"
"I want to."
"OK."
If you want to listen to it, I'll sing it!
I'll sing for you forever!
Zhang Ye put the phone to his mouth and looked out the window at the blue sky.
With a hint of gentleness, he began to sing softly.
"I want to take you flying everywhere.
"We'll travel the world to see.
"There's no worry, no sorrow.
"Freedom makes the body and mind more cheerful.
"Forget the pain, forget this place.
"Let's set off together to wander the world.
"Although we don't have luxurious mansions or beautiful clothes.
"But our hearts are filled with hope.
"We'll fly to a faraway place.
"Take a look at this world and see that it's not so bleak.
"We'll fly to a faraway place.
"Take a look at this world that's still so bright."
The three minutes were up. At some point, the call had been disconnected.
But Zhang Ye was still singing. He looked out the window and sang for a very long time.
"We'll fly to a faraway place.
"Take a look at this world and see that it's not so bleak.
"We'll fly to a faraway place.
"Take a look at this world that's still so bright."
Chi Xue's eyes reddened.
Zhou Xiaohe stretched out his hand twice but did not have the heart to interrupt Zhang Ye.
They listened quietly and felt the song float out of the window, following Zhang Ye's heart and floating to a faraway place.
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