March 20, 2026, Bogu City, Yuhkan
The "Nest Moving School" in Bogu City's old town district is a spy school directly under the Yuhkan Intelligence Bureau, with students coming from families of rigorously selected volunteers. In 2007, due to Yuhkan's development of nuclear weapons, it faced sanctions from the international community, and Hamid Tugar was tasked with establishing the school, recruiting children aged 7 to 15 for training.
The "Nest Moving School" allowed both male and female students, with Rosanna, Bashir, and Burhan (Bashir's brother) being among the first batch of students.
Located in the southwestern part of Yuhkan, Bogu City is at the heart of the ancient Bo civilization, known for its expertise in astronomy and being among the first to use the solar calendar. The day the sun directly shines on the equator and starts moving northward, marking the beginning of spring, is considered the start of the new year in Yuhkan, celebrated as the Spring Festival.
The Spring Feast is essential, mixing stored food from winter like aged rice, white radishes, various beans, and Bogu City's special raisins into a large pot, shared with family, neighbors, and even strangers. This meal symbolizes the warmth brought by the sun and the abundance of food it promises, allowing people to share their stored food without worry, welcoming the new year and new hopes.
Another New Year activity is "Nest Moving," not about moving houses but taking out movable items to the yard for cleaning and repairs by the family. It's more about renewal or "changing the way of living."
Families with the means would build a new bread pit for baking naan, the main staple. The first batch from the new pit is saved for the next year, with the old naan from the previous year being the first bite before the Spring Feast, marking the beginning of the new year.
Hamid affectionately called his young charges "new naan children," and in return, they nicknamed him "Old Naan Dad," which eventually shortened to "Dad." This nickname spread throughout the intelligence bureau, regardless of rank or age.
Today, the first day of the New Year, "Old Naan Dad's" courtyard welcomed a pretend couple: Bashir and Rosanna. Born on December 22, 1999, Rosanna was considered "new naan" along with the brothers, their fathers hoping to match Burhan with Rosanna through Hamid.
Yuhkan's marriage law requires women to be at least 13 years old to marry. The families planned an engagement ceremony during the Winter Solstice Festival in 2013, but tragically, Burhan died on a mission in November that year.
Since then, the relationship between Rosanna and Bashir, although they had been study partners for over a decade, remained a sensitive topic.
In 2021, to maintain their cover, Bashir and Camila (Rosanna's alias) had a wedding in Sail City, Mokin Country, but to those in the know, it was a marriage of convenience.
The children rushed to Hamid, embracing and greeting him.
"Dad, it's so good to see you. How is Mom Westmin? I want to eat her Aship noodle soup!"
Hamid's wife, Westmin Tugar, came out laughing, "Little girl, I'm making it for you right now."
After pleasantries, the mentor and his students sat down, with Hamid quickly turning the conversation to work.
"You two are doing well with the agricultural company, right? Has anyone suspected why two physics and astrophysics geniuses are running an agricultural business?"
Bashir laughed, "No one's suspicious. We're seen as businessmen from Mokin Country in Yuhkan. Yuhkan's textile, construction, manufacturing, and mining industries are all sanctioned by Liang Country and Europe, only agriculture isn't, and many have shifted to it. Besides, we're into high-tech agriculture."
"Alright, kids, today I officially inform you that our 'Little Girl' plan, which we've been preparing for over a decade, is entering its final phase. You've rehearsed the details and steps many times, so I don't need to repeat them, right?" Hamid said seriously.
"Finally, we've waited so long for this day!" Bashir exclaimed.
"Does it start with our agricultural company?" Rosanna asked.
"Yes, the agricultural company. Your first task is to continue collaborating with that F country man, Madan, to obtain a higher water-absorbing oat starch water-retaining agent," said Hamid.
"Madan has already provided us with his employer Yuhua Country's biotech company's highest water-absorbing product, now at a 1 to 12 ratio. Starting April, we'll use the water-retaining agent for watermelon trials on the farm," Bashir explained.
"Madan is also working with the high-quality oats and Noni fruit enzymes from Moxi Island I provided him, aiming for a higher water-absorption rate," Rosanna added.
"We need a 1 to 20 ratio, but relying solely on Yuhua Country's technology might not be enough. We still need Lujizhi Country's technology. Ah, we can never avoid our old rivals, the Lujizhi people!" Hamid mused to himself.
Remembering something, Hamid said to Bashir, "I just started a new naan pit this afternoon but haven't finished it. Could you help me complete it?"
Bashir stood up, playfully saluted, and said, "Yes, Dad, right away!" before dashing out.
Left with Rosanna, Old Naan Dad whispered, "You won't have any problems with the final step of the mission, will you?"
Rosanna lowered her head, touching the wooden pendant around her neck, carved with a stylized leopard. After a moment, she looked up at Hamid, "He personally entrusted the mission to me. Don't worry, no matter how hard it is for me, I will accomplish it!"
Hamid nodded solemnly, "Thank you, Rosanna. I'm counting on you!"
Westmin Mom brought out a large bowl of Aship noodle soup, placing it on the plastic sheet on the carpet, "Dinner's ready! Bashir, come in!"
Rosanna stood up to help with the dishes and utensils. Bashir came in, and Hamid gestured for the women to sit down, starting the meal like a family. The table was filled with delicious food, and the atmosphere was warm and joyful. Westmin Mom then brought out an essential part of the New Year's meal — "The Hafiz Lyric Poetry Collection."
Hafiz, a famous poet from ancient Bo, known as the Nightingale of Bogu City, is a tradition in many Yuhkan families to read his poems during festive meals.
Westmin Mom handed the poetry collection to Bashir, who read:
"I gallop in the realm of imagination,
Weaving so many magical games.
Grown-ups, one day,
Will understand the secrets deep within."
Old Dad took the collection, reciting:
"Who can understand you,
See through your schemes?
Perhaps someone, with wisdom,
Grasps your true intentions."
It was Rosanna's turn, she hesitated thoughtfully before choosing a poem:
"Whenever I cover the body of the sun,
His radiance shines, so splendid.
Thus, thousands of people,
Witness my intentions.
Joyfully pointing,
At the beauty of the shadow.
Hafiz,
Is our destiny indeed,
Merged with that primal light?"