Li Dong paused briefly when he heard Old Wu's words.
"Qi Shaoheng's parents?"
"Yes, they're already at the institute."
Old Wu spoke from the other end of the line.
"I had someone take them to the reception room beside the main gate. Could you stop by?"
"Of course. I'll head over now."
After hanging up, Li Dong turned and walked back toward the main gate.
On that August night, the heat of the day had yet to dissipate.
But for once, there was no chirping of cicadas, as though the adults had come home to help their children catch those annoying insects.
The campus was quiet. Most of the buildings were already dark, with only the Computer Science Division building still lit.
As Li Dong passed the guardhouse, he could see through the window that the small television inside was replaying footage of today's military parade.
On the screen, three Soaring aircraft shot straight into the sky overhead.
Earlier that day, the whole world had been arguing endlessly about Soaring. Here, though, it was just another ordinary summer night.
Li Dong reached the reception room, knocked, and went inside.
Two people sat on the sofa. Two cups of tea stood on the coffee table, no longer steaming. Neither appeared to have been touched.
Seeing Li Dong enter, Qi Zhenhai and Shen Jingyi hurriedly stood, then came over to shake his hand.
"Academician Li Dong, it's a pleasure to meet you."
"I'm Qi Shaoheng's father, Qi Zhenhai."
After speaking, he glanced at the woman beside him.
"This is Qi Shaoheng's mother, Shen Jingyi."
Only then did Li Dong get a clear look at them.
Qi Zhenhai's hair had turned completely white. Deep crow's-feet marked the corners of his eyes, which were slightly bloodshot.
Shen Jingyi wore her hair pinned behind her