The voice from the television continued.
"At the recommendation of Lü Yongchang, the Human Federation's Chief Scientist, the Human Federation will begin construction of a second large Space Elevator."
"Project codename: [Jianmu]!"
"Given Eurasia's large population, the second Space Elevator, [Jianmu], will be built on the Roof of the World, within the former territory of Xia Country."
"At the same time, the Human Federation will launch the Escape Plan. The plan requires..."
The living room was deathly quiet. Apart from the presenter's grave voice on the television, the only sound was the air conditioner blowing.
A long while passed.
Grandpa Qi, dressed in a white undershirt, shakily picked up the glass on the table and took a small sip of tea.
As though roused by his movement, Grandpa Zhang suddenly raised his head from across the table and asked him a question.
"Old Qi, what are you going to do?"
"Wh-what do you mean?" Grandpa Qi's hand trembled around his glass, spilling scalding tea onto his thigh.
Yet he seemed not to feel it. He merely set the glass down in silence and took a napkin from beside him to wipe up the spill.
"Old Qi, the news said citizens aged sixty-five and under can apply for the Escape Plan."
"Why don't you..."
Grandpa Qi shook his head and turned to look out the window.
As he gazed at the familiar scenery, a wistful look crossed his eyes.
"Forget it."
He sighed deeply. "At my age, I won't compete with the young people for a place."
"I'm just a simple man with little education. I've lived in this village all my life."
"As the older generation used to say, when a person dies, they should return to their roots, like fallen leaves."
"What about you, Old Zhang?"
"You just turned